Guruguru Eigakan

Guruguru Eigakan (グルグル映畫館) is a Japanese Angura-Kei band that was created in 1995, the name means "Revolving Theater."

Line-up

Current

• Vocals - 天野鳶丸 Amano Tonbimaru
• Guitar - 沼倉真 Numakura Shin
• Bass - 玉腰勲 Tamakoshi Isao
• Drums - 前田一知 Maeda Kazutomo

Former Members

• Bass and Vocals - 吉川昌利 Yoshikawa Masatoshi
• Guitar - 山田俊介 Yamada Shunsuke
• Drums - 松島広治 Matsushima Kouji

History

Guruguru Eigakan started in 1995 with Amano on vocals and guitar, Yoshikawa on bass and vocals, Matsushima on drums, and Yamada on guitar. During this time, they did what they always have done, blend musical performances with comic theater performances. In 2002, the line-up changed completely, and the band now features those listed in the current line-up.

Despite some sites pointing out that Guruguru Eigakan has been disbanded, this is not the fact. As of April 22, 2005, they continue performing live.

Style

Musical

Guruguru Eigakan plays a style that isn't heard all too often, usually songs (especially since the line-up change) have a calm old-style feel to them, then ramp up seemingly out of nowhere to hectic songs involving lots of yelling by all the members, fast drums, and heavy guitars.

Visual

The whole band (since their conception) has typically dressed in Showa Era (1926-1988) school uniforms, however, while called Showa Era, it is more precise to pinpoint these costumes (or at least what they are based on) to the 40's. They also wear white make-up covering their faces. While seeming serious, the members are hardly that, they tend to goof off and perform comedy in their lives.

Live

During the band's live performances, they tend to do lengthy skits, involving costumes, shadow puppets, and, many times, just themselves. These skits seem to work well, with the audience in fits of laughter most of the time. After the skits, the songs are played, sometimes with flowers and other decorations around the stage.

Other Activities

Some members of the band were reported to have joined a comedy troupe in Japan for a while, and the band tends to create new characters for themselves whenever they can, and at one point they started a punk session band, called Jougesayuu.

External Links

• Official Page (J)
• B&W Katsuben - Fanlisting, source of a lot of the information