THE ORAL CIGARETTES

The moment you step into a crowded Tokyo music hall during hot summer nights you will experience the strong electric feelings of the audience along with their collective excitement before music dominates the silence. A blast of thunderous guitar riffs breaks through the air as the audience starts to burst into action. The band THE ORAL CIGARETTES represents the authentic passionate essence of Japanese alternative rock music through their energetic live shows and continuous musical exploration.

OLD and NEW

The band, THE ORAL CIGARETTES originated from Nara Prefecture during the early 2010s to become leaders in their genre. Through their explosive live shows and catchy tunes combined with fearless experimentation the four-piece musicians have established themselves as genre-defining artists who blend sincere emotional content with powerful musical delivery.
Their unwavering passion drives them to create art without boundaries and discover human connections through the musical noise.

Roots in Nara: Band Genesis and Philosophy

The formation of THE ORAL CIGARETTES occurred through fortunate encounters that appeared predetermined in hindsight. The musical ensemble emerged in 2010 after Takuya Yamanaka and Akirakani Akira (あきらかにあきら) formed the foundation as lead vocalist and guitarist and bassist respectively. Takuya worked at a bank until music became his escape from monotony and his search for self-expression. Since childhood the three musicians attended the same kindergarten in Nara before guitarist Shigenobu Suzuki joined their friendship circle as they shared kindergarten days with him.

Guitarist Shige joined immediately after the formation of the band when drummer "Take" was already part of the group. The group received their permanent drummer Masaya Nakanishi in 2013 after Take's departure from the band in 2012

The band adopted a straightforward yet revolutionary approach from its first moment. According to Takuya in interviews the band focuses on expressing their anger and sadness and other emotions while ignoring how listeners might perceive the music. At that point, all we had were songs that made me feel sad when I sang them". The band focused on expressing their genuine emotions instead of trying to please market trends or follow popular patterns.

## The Early Struggles and First Breaks

Before playing in front of large audiences at thousands of seats THE ORAL CIGARETTES performed in numerous small Kansai venues as traveling musicians. The early period was characterized by endless performances and home-made recordings and an unyielding dedication that never weakened.

- 2010: The band published its debut demo titled Nōsatsu A-Type.

- 2011-2012: The indie band released their second album Tsuki ni Hoete, Aware... and their third album Shingetsu to Ohitsujiza.

- The band achieved their initial indie success with the single "Kieta Mitai / N.I.R.A" in 2012.

The band secured a major industry opportunity in 2012 when they won the Grand Prix at MASH A&R which led to an A-Sketch deal that brought them into Japan's mainstream music scene.

## Charting Their Sonic Evolution

### Major Debut and Mainstream Rise

Their major-label debut Kishikaisei STORY emerged in 2014 and their first album The BKW Show!! marked a quick rise to success that started with their major-label debut.[1][2][5]. Their album delivered infectious hooks together with kinetic energy which indicated that this band would blend classic rock with punk and pop without sacrificing their musical edge.

Their 2015 release "Kyōran Hey Kids!!" introduced the band to mainstream success through its selection as the anime Noragami Aragoto opening song. The song transcended the typical J-Rock fanbase to reach wider audiences through its energetic electronic-infused musical style. Their reputation for stamina on tour and chaotic, satisfying live experiences only fueled the flames.

### Experimentation and Refinement

The band members expanded their fanbase but they dedicated themselves to maintaining their unpredictable nature. Each album introduced a fresh exploration into new musical directions:

In 2016 the band adopted Fixion as their new musical direction which involved exploring heavier and darker themes.

The group attempted new synths and experimental frameworks during their 2017 "Unofficial" period.

The band merged their dark and romantic lyrics with danceable and pop elements in their 2018 album "Kisses and Kills".

In 2020 the band released "Suck My World" which established their musical direction while maintaining their rock foundation.

The band released their sixth album "AlterGeist0000" in January 2025 after releasing the EPs "Bullets Into The Pipe" (2022) and "Marbles" (2024) which solidified their position in the music industry.

## Style, Sound, and Lyrical Honesty

The musical style of THE ORAL CIGARETTES defies easy definition even though listeners find it impossible to ignore. Their music unites punk's forceful guitar energy with pop's catchy hooks and alternative rock's complex musical dynamics. The musical elements of their work consist of:

The guitar riffs drive the music with a fast-paced energetic style that connects to both modern and classic rock traditions.

The bassline navigates between aggressive and groovy moods.

The drums perform powerful heavy beats yet also exhibit light and agile movements through Masaya's versatile drumming style.

The lyrics of the band span between raw emotions and deep philosophical thoughts while Takuya uses his flexible vocals to express them.

The band explores electronic elements and pop-oriented structures and dance-punk tendencies to demonstrate their artistic vision and innovative nature.

During interviews Takuya has emphasized his dedication to genuine emotional expression and authenticity while stating that the band's drive to surprise expectations maintains their creative process[6]. The band creates songs that grow out of their internal discussions about their musical identity while Japan's rock music evolves. During a summer festival performance of 'Red Criminal' Masaya experienced a feeling of liberation from his inferior feelings. Performing freely based on our own creative ideas made me feel less anxious while demonstrating our strongest musical expression according to Masaya.

## Band Members: Pillars of the Sound

| Name             | Role         | Notable Details                         |

|------------------------|-------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|

| Takuya Yamanaka      | Lead vocals, guitar| Charismatic frontman, former banker, lyricist, driving vision |

| Akirakani Akira (Akira)| Bass, vocals    | Co-founder, strong stage presence, early music partner  |

| Shigenobu Suzuki (Shige)| Guitar       | Childhood friend of Takuya, scored perfectly on college entrance exam, core composer |

| Masaya Nakanishi    | Drums         | Joined in 2013, previously played in other bands, dynamic drum approach |

The members of the foursome maintain a strong connection both when performing live and when they are together away from performances because of their deep friendship and mutual admiration[2][4][3]. Every member of the group contributes their individual view which creates musical disagreements that transform into new musical themes.

## Discography: Exploring the Tapestry

### Studio Albums

- The BKW Show!! (2014)

- Fixion (2016)

- Unofficial (2017)

- Kisses and Kills (2018)

- Suck My World (2020)

- AlterGeist0000 (2025)

### Notable Singles & Hits

The anime theme song "Kyōran Hey Kids!!" became their breakout hit.ents.

The song "Wagamama de Gomakasanaide" appeared in the anime Revisions which solidified their status as anime household names.

"Tonariau" - Emotional conclusion used in Sagrada Reset

"Red Criminal" stands out for its raw intensity

"UNDER and OVER," "DUNK (feat. Masato)," "Bug," "Enchant" are some of the group's recent releases.

Each record in their discography represents a distinct chapter in modern Japanese rock music but shares the same DNA of creative defiance and musical inventiveness.

## Impact on Japanese Rock and Global Reach

The rules of Japanese rock music differ from those of other countries. The group established an independent path in the musical world of Japan because they rejected theatrical costumes while delivering authentic music and emotional exposure.

The band maintains growing popularity in foreign territories by using anime theme songs alongside worldwide music streaming and their music connects with audiences from different linguistic backgrounds[7]. Their participation in international festivals along with collaborative work such as songs with Masato from coldrain demonstrate their global ambitions.

Through their social media platforms they connect with fans which helps build an intense fan base that leads to successful tours and high-energy crowds and extensive online fan networks that reach across international borders.

## The Live Experience: Catharsis and Connection

Witnessing a THE ORAL CIGARETTES show resembles capturing a hurricane in a bottle because it delivers a powerful energetic and emotionally draining experience. The stage energy of the band creates a mesmerizing show through Takuya's compelling stage presence and Akira's powerful basslines and Shige's scorching solos and Masaya's solid rhythm section which operate in perfect synchronization yet with complete freedom.

The band members show their genuine passion through their live performances while breaking regular setlists and allowing audience members to join in making music. During their live shows the physical exhaustion of their performance manifests through soaked shirts and hoarse voices and sweaty crowd energy which becomes a shared moment of catharsis. Year after year the band maintains their enduring popularity because they deliver genuine performances which leave parts of their souls at each show.

## Looking Ahead: The Relentless Drive to Reinvent

Since their debut THE ORAL CIGARETTES continue to drive forward without any intention to stop relying on their past achievements. The band released AlterGeist0000 in 2025 which introduced fresh sonic elements while bringing back electronic elements to explore themes of change and anxiety and freedom which reflected both individual development and global instability.

The main challenge for Takuya and his bandmates remains the pursuit of progress since “Being in a band means fighting for a direction which I can face to the end” according to him.

## Conclusion

The relentless spirit of Japanese rock exists in THE ORAL CIGARETTES who never stop moving and refuse to duplicate their previous achievements. Through their journey from small Nara clubs to national stage dominance they have developed innovative music and exceptional musicianship while creating a unique vulnerability that lets fans experience their emotional journey.

This band will keep progressing while defying expectations and maintaining their authentic identity regardless of growing external noise levels.

Visit the official website and social media channels of THE ORAL CIGARETTES to experience their music in depth along with their current tour information. Their music has the potential to become the central beat of your listening collection.