TM Network
TM Network is a Japanese rock/new wave/pop musical band. The members are Tetsuya Komuro (Keyboardist), Takashi Utsunomiya (Vocalist) and Naoto Kine (guitarist). When they released the single "Get Wild" in 1987, their music became popular in Japan as the "futuristic pop songs with synthesizer."[2]
TM NETWORK | |
---|---|
Also known as | TMN |
Origin | Tama, Tokyo, Japan |
Genres | |
Years active | 1983–present |
Labels | SMEJ, Rojam, R and C, Avex Trax |
Associated acts | Fence of Defence, Globe, TRF, X Japan |
Website | www.avexnet.or.jp/tm/ |
Members | Tetsuya Komuro Takashi Utsunomiya Naoto Kine |
They are regarded as a prototype of J-pop, because Tetsuya Komuro became a famous producer of dance-oriented J-pop singers in 1990s.[3] However, their 2000 album Major Turn-Round was influenced by progressive rock.[4]
History
They were originally members of a band called Speedway during their school days. The three of them formed TM Network. Their name is commonly thought to stand for "Time Machine Network". However, on September 6, 2006 on an episode of Trivia no Izumi claimed that TM actually stands for 'Tama', the district from Tokyo they all came from. While Trivia no Izumi claims that TM stands for 'Tama' Tetsuya Komuro himself as early as 1984 on the show LiveG, has said that the TM stands for Time Machine.
On August 22, 1983 TM Network took part in "the Fresh Sounds Contest" (フレッシュサウンズコンテスト) which was sponsored by Coca-Cola. The song they performed was "1974" and it was aired on TBS. This was their first step towards a record deal.
They made their record debut with single "Kinyoubi no lion (Friday's Lion)" and album "Rainbow Rainbow" on April 21, 1984.
They became famous first in Hokkaido. After a while they had more hits with the songs "Self Control", "Get Wild", "Beyond the Time", and others. So they've become one of the most popular rock bands in Japan. More particularly, in the Anime world, "Get Wild", as the 1st ending song of "City Hunter", has especially got a lot of cover versions by many J-Pop bands and singers alike, and it's also covered by Vocaloids as well. "Get Wild" and a 1989 remix sold a combined 515,010 singles in Japan.[5] "Beyond the Time" was used as the ending theme the 1988 anime film Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack. Both songs above have even enhanced their fame since then.
Several musicians have supported them at their live shows as backing bands such as Tak Matsumoto (B'z), Daisuke Asakura (access), and more.
They changed their name to TMN in 1990, and broke up in 1994. They had reunited under their old name of TM Network in 1999.
They compiled with the overseas musicians such as Julio Iglesias Jr., Sheila E., Leehom Wang for "Happiness×3 Loneliness×3".
Members
- Tetsuya Komuro (小室哲哉 Komuro Tetsuya, born November 27, 1958 in Fuchū, Tokyo) Keyboard, composition, arrangement, lyrics, producer, chorus.
- Takashi Utsunomiya (宇都宮隆 Utsunomiya Takashi, born October 25, 1957) Main vocals, chorus.
- He is acting solo singer. And also, as an actor, performed in the musical "Rent" in Japan.
- Naoto Kine (木根尚登 Kine Naoto, born September 26, 1957) Guitar, composition, piano, harmonica, chorus.
- He is acting solo singer-songwriter. And also, as an author, written many novels and other books.
Discography
Video game
- TM Network: Live in Power Bowl, released in 1989 for the Famicom
References
- キューブミュージック
- "TM Network" (in Japanese). Pia Corporation. August 31, 2007. Retrieved January 29, 2010.
- "The billionaire bad boys' club". The Japan Times. November 16, 2008. Retrieved October 6, 2009.
- "TM NETWORK 『TOUR Major Turn-Round』 2000.12.12 (TUE) 大宮ソニックシティホール 完全ライヴレポート!!" (in Japanese). hotexpress. 2005. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved November 28, 2008.
- "Get Wild (TM NETWORK)". Generasia. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
External links
- Official website (Avex Inc.) (in Japanese)
- Official website (Sony Music Entertainment Japan) (in Japanese)
- TM Network discography at Discogs