Lucky Tapes (Japanese: ラッキーテープス, Hepburn: Rakkī Tēpusu) is a Japanese music project led by vocalist Kai Takahashi. Originally formed by keyboardist and vocalist Kai Takahashi, bassist Keito Taguchi, and drummer Tsubasa Hamada in 2014, the previous lineup included guitarist Kensuke Takahashi after Hamada left in 2016.[1] In 2023, Kensuke Takahashi and Keito Taguchi left the band.[2]

Lucky Tapes
OriginKanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Genres
Years active2014 (2014)–present
Labels
MembersKai Takahashi
Past members
  • Tsubasa Hamada
  • Keito Taguchi
  • Kensuke Takahashi
Websiteluckytapes.com

History

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In May 2014, the band Slow Beach, which included keyboardist Kai Takahashi, broke up. The following month, Takahashi and two others, Keito Taguchi and Tsubasa Hamada, formed Lucky Tapes in June 2014.[3] The band was backed up by guitarists Masahiko Akemi (from Tokyo Sapiens) and Kensuke Takahashi, who would later join the band. On July 19, they released their debut singles "Peace and Magic" and "Sunday Night" at the same time.

On April 2, 2015, they released the single "Touch!" with a music video. The video included actress Kaho Seto and the video received high praise.[4] On August 5, 2015, they released their debut album, The Show, under Rallye Label. The album was popular so much that their first live show at Shibuya WWW sold out.[5] On January 13, 2016, they released the single "Moon," alongside a music video that starred Shiori Takei.[5][6] On July 6, 2016, they released their second album Cigarette & Alcohol.[7][8] In 2017, they released the four-track single "Virtual Gravity," which included the previously unreleased song "Sherry."[9]

On May 23, 2018, they released the EP 22, which included the single of the same name.[10] In April 2018, the band held a tour for their upcoming album dressing.[11] On September 25, 2018, they released the single "Lonely Lonely" featuring singer Chara, with a music video directed by Katsuki Kuroyanagi.[12][13] On October 3, 2018, they released the album dressing.[14] It was their first album release on a major record label, being JVCKenwood Victor Entertainment.[15][16] In 2019, they released the single "Actor," which was previewed at Fuji Rock Festival 2019.[17][18]

On November 25, 2020, the band released the album Blend, their first album in over two years. The album was recorded at their own homes because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.[19] The song "Wonderland" was featured as the theme song for the web series Match Girls.[20] In July 1, 2023, Kensuke Takahashi and Keito Taguchi announced that they would be leaving the band, with the remaining member Kai Takahashi restarting the band under a new structure.[2]

Members

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Current

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  • Kai Takahashi (高橋海) – lead vocalist, keyboardist (2014–present)

Former

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  • Tsubasa Hamada (濱田翼) – drums (2014–2016)
  • Keito Taguchi (田口恵人) – bass (2014–2023)
  • Kensuke Takahashi (高橋健介) – guitar (2014–2023)

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions
Oricon[21]
The Show 68
Cigarette & Alcohol 64
dressing 44
Blend 78
Bitter! 100

Extended plays

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Title Album details Peak chart positions
Oricon[21]
22 70
Live In (Personal) Space 70

Singles

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List of singles as lead artist/feature
Title Year Peak chart positions Album(s)/EP(s)
Oricon[21]
"Peace and Magic" 2014 The Show
"Sunday Night"
"Touch!" 2015 194 The Show
"Moon" 2016 79 Cigarette & Alcohol
"Virtual Gravity" 2017 90
"22" 2018 22
"Lonely Lonely" (featuring Chara) dressing
"Actor" 2019 Blend
"Mars" 2020
"Blue" (featuring kojikoji)
"Trouble
"Randorī" (ランドリー)
"Happiness" (featuring Haru)

References

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  1. ^ "要注目バンド・LUCKY TAPES(ラッキー・テープス)". Block.fm (in Japanese).
  2. ^ a b "メンバー脱退のお知らせ" (in Japanese). July 1, 2023.
  3. ^ Funakoshi, Taro (June 25, 2015). "Kai Takahashiら元Slow Beachメンバーが新バンド・Lucky Tapes結成! ティーザー映像公開". Mikiki (in Japanese).
  4. ^ "【Touch!/LUCKY TAPES】MVに出演の女性は瀬戸かほ♪コーラスは本人?歌詞を和訳&解説". Otokake (in Japanese). August 3, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "今チェックすべきバンド LUCKY TAPES(ラッキーテープス)". ASBS (in Japanese). March 2, 2016.
  6. ^ "【MOON/LUCKY TAPES】かすかにアンニュイな歌詞を解説!MVに出演の女の子は武居詩織". Otokake (in Japanese). August 1, 2018.
  7. ^ "『Cigarette & Alcohol』". Skream (in Japanese).
  8. ^ "LUCKY TAPES 約1年ぶりとなるニュー・アルバムをリリース". Record Shop Merurido (in Japanese).
  9. ^ "LUCKY TAPES 長らく音源化が望まれていた名曲「シェリー」を含む待望の新作EPがリリース". Record Shop Merurido.
  10. ^ "LUCKY TAPES【MOOD】歌詞解説!味のないキャンディーって何?ポップなR&Bのムードに心酔". Otokake (in Japanese). February 21, 2019.
  11. ^ "Japanese Popular New Generation Band LUCKY TAPES 2019 New Album Domestic Tour". January 21, 2019.
  12. ^ "LUCKY TAPES「Lonely Lonely feat.Chara」の歌詞の意味を徹底解説!". Otokake.
  13. ^ "LUCKY TAPES、ニュー・アルバムからChara招いた「Lonely Lonely」MV公開". Spincoaster (in Japanese). October 2, 2018.
  14. ^ "LUCKY TAPES dressing". JVCKenwood Victor Entertainment.
  15. ^ "dressing [CD+DVD]<初回限定盤>". Tower Records (in Japanese).
  16. ^ "LUCKY TAPES「Lonely Lonely feat.Chara」の歌詞の意味を徹底解説!". Otokake (in Japanese). August 11, 2018.
  17. ^ "LUCKY TAPES【Actor】歌詞の意味を解釈!どう現実を演じよう?シナリオが不要な理由とは". Otokake (in Japanese). January 27, 2020.
  18. ^ "LUCKY TAPES、新曲「Actor」本日リリース オフィシャル・ライナーノーツも公開". Spincoaster (in Japanese). October 2, 2019.
  19. ^ "LUCKY TAPES 時代のムードをまとった2年ぶりのオリジナルアルバム". Natalie (in Japanese). November 27, 2020.
  20. ^ "LUCKY TAPES【ワンダーランド】歌詞の意味を解説!あなたもワンダーランドへ飛び込んじゃう!?". Otokake (in Japanese). December 27, 2018.
  21. ^ a b c "LUCKY TAPES". Oricon (in Japanese).
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