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Difference between revisions of "OFF COURSE"
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| − | [[Image:Offcourse_1982.jpg|right|400px|thumb|OFF COURSE promoting the single [[ | + | [[Image:Offcourse_1982.jpg|right|400px|thumb|OFF COURSE promoting the single [[Kotoba ni Dekinai]] (1982)]] |
| − | '''OFF COURSE''' (オフコース) | + | '''OFF COURSE''' (オフコース) was a Japanese folk and rock group active from 1964 to 1989. |
== Members == | == Members == | ||
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* [[Suzuki Yashiro]] (鈴木康博; Guitar from 1964 - 1983) | * [[Suzuki Yashiro]] (鈴木康博; Guitar from 1964 - 1983) | ||
* [[Shimizu Hitoshi]] (清水仁; Bass from 1979 - 1989) | * [[Shimizu Hitoshi]] (清水仁; Bass from 1979 - 1989) | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Ohma Jiro]] (大間ジロー; Drums from 1976 - 1989) |
* [[Matsuo Kazuhiko]] (松尾一彦; Guitar, Harmonica from 1979 - 1989) | * [[Matsuo Kazuhiko]] (松尾一彦; Guitar, Harmonica from 1979 - 1989) | ||
* [[Jimeshi Michio]] (地主道夫; Bass from 1964 - 1971) | * [[Jimeshi Michio]] (地主道夫; Bass from 1964 - 1971) | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Sudo Takafumi]] (須藤尊史; Drums from 1964 - 1965) |
* [[Kobayashi Kazuyuki]] (小林和行; Bass from 1970 - 1972) | * [[Kobayashi Kazuyuki]] (小林和行; Bass from 1970 - 1972) | ||
| − | * [[Yoshida | + | * [[Yoshida Koji]] (吉田浩二; Chorus in 1972) |
* [[Shiroma Masahiro]] (城間正博; Drums from 1978 - 1979) | * [[Shiroma Masahiro]] (城間正博; Drums from 1978 - 1979) | ||
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=== Beginnings === | === Beginnings === | ||
| − | The group started out a quintet in 1984 when second year high school students Oda, Suzuki, Jimeshi, and | + | The group started out as a quintet in 1984 when second year high school students Oda, Suzuki, Jimeshi, and Sudo played at an arts festival. The drummer Sudo would soon quit the group a year later for unknown reasons. After graduating from high school two years later, Oda and Suzuki went off to college but that didn't the stop the band from performing. During holidays, the group would practice in Suzuki's workplace at an auto shop garage. They also went onto to hold a folk music festival called "FOLK SONGS no ..." from 1966 to 1968. |
| − | OFF COURSE got | + | OFF COURSE got their break in 1969 when they entered and placed second in the Yamaha Light Music Contest. Inspired to win first place, the group went onto to compete in various music competitions such as the Miyagi Preliminary Contest in August and the Tohaku District Final Tournament a month later where the group placed first. The group went on to advance for the national competition, LMC Nationwide Grand Prix Competition, two months later. They didn't achieved their dream of getting first but settled on second place in the contest. |
=== Debut === | === Debut === | ||
| − | The group went onto to score a record deal with [[Toshiba EMI]] after winning second in the contest. They released their first single, [[Gunshou no Naka de]], on April 1970 under the name THE OFF COURSE. They group's name came from the English meaning of the Japanese expression "mochiron", which means of course. | + | The group went onto to score a record deal with [[Toshiba EMI]] after winning second place in the contest. They released their first single, "[[Gunshou no Naka de]]", on April 1970 under the name THE OFF COURSE. They group's name came from the English meaning of the Japanese expression "mochiron", which means "of course". |
| − | Before the year was up, Kobayashi joined the group as the bassist in October. But in 1971, the other bassist, Jimeshi, | + | Before the year was up, Kobayashi joined the group as the bassist in October. But in 1971, the other bassist, Jimeshi, called it quits. The group joined the agency Pacific Enterprise and released their second single by the end of 1971. OFF COURSE continued to play at festivals around Japan including the Eight Person's Recital in November 1970 and the Tokyo Music Festival in 1972. |
| − | The group renamed | + | The group was renamed as OFF COURSE in 1972 when they released their third single, "[[Osaraba]]". After that release, Yoshida joined the group for a year as the chorus in April of that year. But, Kobayashi quit as the group's bassist by the end of the year. The group later starred in their first concert "Off Course Concert In Yokohama" by the end of the year. They also held their first tour, entitled "Love Generation Concert", and released first album, ''[[Off Course 1 / Boku no Okurimono]]'', the year after. |
=== The Rise === | === The Rise === | ||
| − | By to the mid and late 70s, OFF COURSE kept on releasing singles, albums, and had a concert every few months, including the famous OFF COURSE recitals. Their first encore happened at the end of 1976 when they were playing at a women's college, marking their first rise in popularity. They also appointed | + | By to the mid and late 70s, OFF COURSE kept on releasing singles, albums, and had a concert every few months, including the famous OFF COURSE recitals. Their first encore happened at the end of 1976 when they were playing at a women's college, marking their first rise in popularity. They also appointed [[Muto Binshi]] to be the director of the group in 1975. After the release of their eighth single, "[[Hitori de Ikite Yukereba]]", in 1976, Muto recruited former [[Janet]] member, [[Ohma Jiro]], to be the drummer for the group's recording sessions. They hired another drummer, Shiroma Masahiro, who was in the group from 1978 to 1979 and played for the group's live concerts. At the same year, OFF COURSE formed their own company, entitled "OFF COURSE Company". |
| − | The band once again changed line up in 1979 by adding bassist Shimizu and | + | The band once again changed their line up in 1979 by adding bassist Shimizu and guitarist and harmonica player Matsuo to the group. Also, Ohma was promoted from recording drummer to the band's own drummer. The three new members' first appearance made a impression in the group when they release their first debuting single. "[[Sayonara (OFF COURSE)|Sayonara]]" became the group's first top ten hit, reaching #2 on the Oricon charts, by the end of the decade. |
=== Popularity === | === Popularity === | ||
| − | By the start of | + | By the start of the 80s, OFF COURSE continued to score some top ten hits but also had some singles, like "[[Toki ni Ai wa]]", that flopped and only reached on the bottom of the top 50s. Original member [[Oda Kazumasa]] released his first sound produced album by the end of 1980, entitled ''[[Waga Kokoto no Tomo]]'', for the group [[Iruka]]. Also, [[Suzuki Yashiro]] and [[Ohma Jiro]] followed in Oda's footsteps and produce albums for other groups. |
| − | A year later, the group | + | A year later, the group also travelled international and performed in Los Angeles. They also were featured in a documentary produced by NHK about their concert series "Wakai Hiroba". They also appeared on a TBS special a couple months after and on the NHK program ''[[NEXT]]''. They also played at the Nihon Budokan in 1982 and announced that the group was taking a break from performing live. But this didn't stop the group from their amassing popularity when their next album, ''[[I Love You (OFF COURSE album)|I LOVE YOU]]'', was the third album to reach #1 on the Oricon charts (after ''[[Over (OFF COURSE)|over]]'' and ''[[We Are|We are]]''). |
| − | [[Suzuki Yashiro]] became the group's first member to go solo with the single [[Ai wo Yoroshiku]] and album [[Sincerely]] by August 1983. A few months later, Suzuki | + | After the success of ''[[I Love You (OFF COURSE album)|I LOVE YOU]]'', [[Suzuki Yashiro]] became the group's first member to go solo with the single "[[Ai wo Yoroshiku]]" and album ''[[Sincerely]]'' by August 1983. A few months later, Suzuki quit the group to focus more on his solo career. A year later, the group switched labels and went from [[Toshiba EMI]] to [[Funhouse]]. |
=== Breakup === | === Breakup === | ||
| − | OFF COURSE started off 1985 by going to America to record their first ever English album for three months. They still continued their music in Japan by releasing their next single, [[Call|call]], a couple months after they came back. They | + | OFF COURSE started off 1985 by going to America to record their first ever English album for three months. They still continued their music careers in Japan by releasing their next single, "[[Call|call]]", a couple months after they came back. They went on to perform for the charity concert ''[[Wikipedia:Live Aid|Live Aid]]'' in July, performing the song "[[Endless Nights|ENDLESS NIGHTS]]". |
| − | They released their first English album in August 1985, entitled [[Back Streets of Tokyo]]. The album fared really well among their fans and was the sixth #1 album to top the Oricon charts. They also released their only English single, [[Endless Nights|ENDLESS NIGHTS]], by the end of 1985. | + | They released their first English album in August 1985, entitled ''[[Back Streets of Tokyo]]''. The album fared really well among their fans and was the sixth #1 album to top the Oricon charts. They also released their only English single, "[[Endless Nights|ENDLESS NIGHTS]]", by the end of 1985. |
| − | In 1986, [[Matsuo Kazuhiko]] | + | In 1986, [[Matsuo Kazuhiko]] went on to start his solo career and debuted with the single "[[Futsuu no Office Lady]]" in July. This caused the other members to start their own solo careers with Oda releasing his first single, "[[1985]]", and Shimizu releasing his own single, "[[Ue wo Muite Arukou]]", and started his own solo project the next year. By the end of the year, the group performed at a John Lennon memorial concert. |
| − | In 1987 and 1988, the group released a handful of singles and album when they announced that they would | + | In 1987 and 1988, the group released a handful of singles and album when they announced that they would be breaking up in 1989 to let each member focus on their own solo careers. The group disbanded on February 1989 after performing for the last time at a special concert in Tokyo Dome, entitled "A Night with Us". |
| − | There has no reunion of the group since their breakup in 1989. However, there was a mini reunion Matsuo, Shimizu, and | + | There has been no reunion of the group since their breakup in 1989. However, there was a mini reunion when Matsuo, Shimizu, and Ohma got together in 1999 to formed the group [[Acoustic Beatles Club]]. |
== Discography == | == Discography == | ||
| Line 65: | Line 65: | ||
* [1973.06.05] [[Off Course 1 / Boku no Okurimono]] (オフ・コース1 / 僕の贈りもの) | * [1973.06.05] [[Off Course 1 / Boku no Okurimono]] (オフ・コース1 / 僕の贈りもの) | ||
| − | * [1974.05.05] [[Kono Machi | + | * [1974.05.05] [[Kono Machi wo Yukeba / Off Course Round 2]] (この道をゆけば / オフ・コース・ラウンド2) |
* [1975.12.20] [[Wine no Nioi]] (ワインの匂い) | * [1975.12.20] [[Wine no Nioi]] (ワインの匂い) | ||
* [1976.11.05] [[Song Is Love|SONG IS LOVE]] | * [1976.11.05] [[Song Is Love|SONG IS LOVE]] | ||
| Line 72: | Line 72: | ||
* [1979.10.20] [[Three And Two|Three and Two]] | * [1979.10.20] [[Three And Two|Three and Two]] | ||
* [1980.11.21] [[We Are|We are]] | * [1980.11.21] [[We Are|We are]] | ||
| − | * [1981.12.01] [[Over ( | + | * [1981.12.01] [[Over (OFF COURSE)|over]] |
| − | * [1982.07.01] [[I Love You|I LOVE YOU]] | + | * [1982.07.01] [[I Love You (OFF COURSE album)|I LOVE YOU]] |
* [1982.09.21] [[Next Sound Track|NEXT SOUND TRACK]] | * [1982.09.21] [[Next Sound Track|NEXT SOUND TRACK]] | ||
* [1984.06.21] [[The Best Year of My Life]] | * [1984.06.21] [[The Best Year of My Life]] | ||
| Line 83: | Line 83: | ||
* [1974.12.20] [[Aki Yuku Machi de / Off Course Live In Concert]] (秋ゆく街で / オフ・コース・ライヴ・イン・コンサート) | * [1974.12.20] [[Aki Yuku Machi de / Off Course Live In Concert]] (秋ゆく街で / オフ・コース・ライヴ・イン・コンサート) | ||
| − | * [1980.05.05] [[Live|LIVE]] | + | * [1980.05.05] [[Live (OFF COURSE)|LIVE]] |
=== Best Of Albums === | === Best Of Albums === | ||
* [1978.05.05] [[Selection 1973-78|SELECTION 1973-78]] | * [1978.05.05] [[Selection 1973-78|SELECTION 1973-78]] | ||
| − | * [1981.09.01] [[ | + | * [1981.09.01] [[Selection 1978-81|SELECTION 1978-81]] |
* [1983.11.03] [[Yes-Yes-Yes (album)|YES-YES-YES]] | * [1983.11.03] [[Yes-Yes-Yes (album)|YES-YES-YES]] | ||
| − | * [1985.08.31] [[Best Collection|BEST COLLECTION]] | + | * [1985.08.31] [[Best Collection (OFF COURSE)|BEST COLLECTION]] |
| − | * [1987.07.05] [[It's All Right | + | * [1987.07.05] [[It's All Right Selection III 1984-1987|IT’S ALL RIGHT SELECTION III 1984-1987]] |
* [1989.01.25] [[Super Best 30 Sayonara]] (スーパー・ベスト30 さよなら) | * [1989.01.25] [[Super Best 30 Sayonara]] (スーパー・ベスト30 さよなら) | ||
| − | * [1989.02.01] [[Kimi Sumu Machi e 1984 1988|Kimi Sumu Machi e 1984→1988]] (君住む街へ 1984→1988) | + | * [1989.02.01] [[Kimi Sumu Machi e 1984-1988|Kimi Sumu Machi e 1984→1988]] (君住む街へ 1984→1988) |
| − | * [1990.09.05] [[Super Best]] (スーパーベスト) | + | * [1990.09.05] [[Super Best (OFF COURSE)|Super Best]] (スーパーベスト) |
| − | * [1998.03.28] [[ | + | * [1998.03.28] [[OFF COURSE Singles|OFF COURSE Singles]] |
* [1998.05.21] [[Off Course Greatest Hits 1969-1989|Off Course GREATEST HITS 1969-1989]] | * [1998.05.21] [[Off Course Greatest Hits 1969-1989|Off Course GREATEST HITS 1969-1989]] | ||
* [2006.12.06] [[I(Ai)|i(ai)]] | * [2006.12.06] [[I(Ai)|i(ai)]] | ||
| Line 112: | Line 112: | ||
* [1977.02.05] [[Kokoro wa Kimagure]] (こころは気紛れ) | * [1977.02.05] [[Kokoro wa Kimagure]] (こころは気紛れ) | ||
* [1977.08.05] [[Aki no Kehai]] (秋の気配) | * [1977.08.05] [[Aki no Kehai]] (秋の気配) | ||
| − | * [1977.11.20] [[Rondo]] (ロンド) | + | * [1977.11.20] [[Rondo (OFF COURSE)|Rondo]] (ロンド) |
* [1978.04.05] [[Yasashisa ni Sayounara]] (やさしさにさようなら) | * [1978.04.05] [[Yasashisa ni Sayounara]] (やさしさにさようなら) | ||
* [1978.07.20] [[Anata no Subete]] (あなたのすべて) | * [1978.07.20] [[Anata no Subete]] (あなたのすべて) | ||
* [1979.01.20] [[Ai wo Tomenaide]] (愛を止めないで) | * [1979.01.20] [[Ai wo Tomenaide]] (愛を止めないで) | ||
| − | * [1979.06.05] [[Kaze ni Fukarete]] (風に吹かれて) | + | * [1979.06.05] [[Kaze ni Fukarete (OFF COURSE)|Kaze ni Fukarete]] (風に吹かれて) |
| − | * [1979.12.01] [[Sayonara]] (さよなら) | + | * [1979.12.01] [[Sayonara (OFF COURSE)|Sayonara]] (さよなら) |
* [1980.03.05] [[Umare Kuru Kodomotachi no Tame ni]] (生まれ来る子供たちのために) | * [1980.03.05] [[Umare Kuru Kodomotachi no Tame ni]] (生まれ来る子供たちのために) | ||
* [1980.06.21] [[Yes-No]] | * [1980.06.21] [[Yes-No]] | ||
* [1980.12.01] [[Toki ni Ai wa]] (時に愛は) | * [1980.12.01] [[Toki ni Ai wa]] (時に愛は) | ||
| − | * [1981.06.21] [[I Love You|I LOVE YOU]] | + | * [1981.06.21] [[I Love You (OFF COURSE single)|I LOVE YOU]] |
* [1981.12.01] [[Ai no Naka e]] (愛の中へ) | * [1981.12.01] [[Ai no Naka e]] (愛の中へ) | ||
| − | * [1982.02.01] [[ | + | * [1982.02.01] [[Kotoba ni Dekinai]] (言葉にできない) |
| − | * [1982.06.10] [[Yes-Yes-Yes|YES-YES-YES]] | + | * [1982.06.10] [[Yes-Yes-Yes (single)|YES-YES-YES]] |
* [1984.04.21] [[Kimi ga, Uso wo, Tsuita]] (君が、嘘を、ついた) | * [1984.04.21] [[Kimi ga, Uso wo, Tsuita]] (君が、嘘を、ついた) | ||
| − | * [1984.07.18] [[Natsu no Hi]] (夏の日) | + | * [1984.07.18] [[Natsu no Hi (OFF COURSE)|Natsu no Hi]] (夏の日) |
* [1984.09.21] [[Midori no Hibi]] (緑の日々) | * [1984.09.21] [[Midori no Hibi]] (緑の日々) | ||
| − | * [1985.02.21] [[Call|call]] | + | * [1985.02.21] [[Call (OFF COURSE)|call]] |
* [1985.05.22] [[Tasogare]] (たそがれ) | * [1985.05.22] [[Tasogare]] (たそがれ) | ||
* [1985.09.21] [[Natsu Kara Natsu Made]] (夏から夏まで) | * [1985.09.21] [[Natsu Kara Natsu Made]] (夏から夏まで) | ||
* [1985.11.30] [[Endless Nights|ENDLESS NIGHTS]] | * [1985.11.30] [[Endless Nights|ENDLESS NIGHTS]] | ||
| − | * [1987.03.04] [[It's All Right (Anything | + | * [1987.03.04] [[It's All Right (Anything for You)|IT’S ALL RIGHT (ANYTHING FOR YOU)]] |
| − | * [1987.05.25] [[Motto Chikaku ni (As | + | * [1987.05.25] [[Motto Chikaku ni (As Close As Possible)|Motto Chikaku ni (as close as possible)]] (もっと近くに (as close as possible)) |
* [1988.01.25] [[Kimi Sumu Machi e]] (君住む街へ) | * [1988.01.25] [[Kimi Sumu Machi e]] (君住む街へ) | ||
* [1988.07.25] [[She's So Wonderful|she's so wonderful]] | * [1988.07.25] [[She's So Wonderful|she's so wonderful]] | ||
| Line 140: | Line 140: | ||
=== Videos / DVDs === | === Videos / DVDs === | ||
| − | * [1982.11.21] NEXT VIDEO PROGRAM | + | * [1982.11.21] [[Next Video Program|NEXT VIDEO PROGRAM]] |
| − | * [1983.04.21] Off Course 1982・6・30 -Concert in Budokan | + | * [1983.04.21] [[Off Course 1982.6.30 - Concert in Budokan|Off Course 1982・6・30 - Concert in Budokan]] |
| − | * [1984.12.01] Movie The Best Year of My Life | + | * [1984.12.01] [[Movie The Best Year of My Life]] |
| − | * [1985.04.xx] RUNNING THROUGH ' | + | * [1985.04.xx] [[Running Through '85|RUNNING THROUGH '85]] |
| − | * [1987.11.25] OFF COURSE TOUR 1987 as close as possible | + | * [1987.11.25] [[OFF COURSE Tour 1987 As Close As Possible|OFF COURSE TOUR 1987 as close as possible]] |
| − | * [2001.09.26] Off Course 1969-1989 Digital dictionary | + | * [2001.09.26] [[Off Course 1969-1989 Digital Dictionary|Off Course 1969-1989 Digital dictionary]] |
| − | * [2002.01.30] Off Course 1981.Aug.16~Oct.3 Wakai Hiroba Off Course no Sekai (Off Course 1981.Aug.16~Oct.30 若い広場 オフコースの世界) | + | * [2002.01.30] [[Off Course 1981.Aug.16 ~ Oct.3 Wakai Hiroba Off Course no Sekai]] (Off Course 1981.Aug.16~Oct.30 若い広場 オフコースの世界) |
| − | * [2007.06.27] Off Course 1982・6・30 Concert Special (Off Course 1982・6・30 コンサート スペシャル) | + | * [2007.06.27] [[Off Course 1982.6.30 Concert Special|Off Course 1982・6・30 Concert Special]] (Off Course 1982・6・30 コンサート スペシャル) |
=== Books === | === Books === | ||
| Line 159: | Line 159: | ||
== External Links == | == External Links == | ||
| − | |||
* [http://www.emimusic.jp/offcourse/ EMI Official Page] | * [http://www.emimusic.jp/offcourse/ EMI Official Page] | ||
| − | * [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ | + | * [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/オフコース Japanese Wikipedia: OFF COURSE] |
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category: Japanese Bands]] |
[[Category: J-Folk]] | [[Category: J-Folk]] | ||
[[Category: J-Rock]] | [[Category: J-Rock]] | ||
[[Category: Disbanded]] | [[Category: Disbanded]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:19, 5 March 2013
OFF COURSE promoting the single Kotoba ni Dekinai (1982)
OFF COURSE (オフコース) was a Japanese folk and rock group active from 1964 to 1989.
Contents
Members
- Oda Kazumasa (小田和正; Keyboard)
- Suzuki Yashiro (鈴木康博; Guitar from 1964 - 1983)
- Shimizu Hitoshi (清水仁; Bass from 1979 - 1989)
- Ohma Jiro (大間ジロー; Drums from 1976 - 1989)
- Matsuo Kazuhiko (松尾一彦; Guitar, Harmonica from 1979 - 1989)
- Jimeshi Michio (地主道夫; Bass from 1964 - 1971)
- Sudo Takafumi (須藤尊史; Drums from 1964 - 1965)
- Kobayashi Kazuyuki (小林和行; Bass from 1970 - 1972)
- Yoshida Koji (吉田浩二; Chorus in 1972)
- Shiroma Masahiro (城間正博; Drums from 1978 - 1979)
Information
OFF COURSE promoting the album Off Course 1 / Boku no Okurimono (1973)
Beginnings
The group started out as a quintet in 1984 when second year high school students Oda, Suzuki, Jimeshi, and Sudo played at an arts festival. The drummer Sudo would soon quit the group a year later for unknown reasons. After graduating from high school two years later, Oda and Suzuki went off to college but that didn't the stop the band from performing. During holidays, the group would practice in Suzuki's workplace at an auto shop garage. They also went onto to hold a folk music festival called "FOLK SONGS no ..." from 1966 to 1968.
OFF COURSE got their break in 1969 when they entered and placed second in the Yamaha Light Music Contest. Inspired to win first place, the group went onto to compete in various music competitions such as the Miyagi Preliminary Contest in August and the Tohaku District Final Tournament a month later where the group placed first. The group went on to advance for the national competition, LMC Nationwide Grand Prix Competition, two months later. They didn't achieved their dream of getting first but settled on second place in the contest.
Debut
The group went onto to score a record deal with Toshiba EMI after winning second place in the contest. They released their first single, "Gunshou no Naka de", on April 1970 under the name THE OFF COURSE. They group's name came from the English meaning of the Japanese expression "mochiron", which means "of course".
Before the year was up, Kobayashi joined the group as the bassist in October. But in 1971, the other bassist, Jimeshi, called it quits. The group joined the agency Pacific Enterprise and released their second single by the end of 1971. OFF COURSE continued to play at festivals around Japan including the Eight Person's Recital in November 1970 and the Tokyo Music Festival in 1972.
The group was renamed as OFF COURSE in 1972 when they released their third single, "Osaraba". After that release, Yoshida joined the group for a year as the chorus in April of that year. But, Kobayashi quit as the group's bassist by the end of the year. The group later starred in their first concert "Off Course Concert In Yokohama" by the end of the year. They also held their first tour, entitled "Love Generation Concert", and released first album, Off Course 1 / Boku no Okurimono, the year after.
The Rise
By to the mid and late 70s, OFF COURSE kept on releasing singles, albums, and had a concert every few months, including the famous OFF COURSE recitals. Their first encore happened at the end of 1976 when they were playing at a women's college, marking their first rise in popularity. They also appointed Muto Binshi to be the director of the group in 1975. After the release of their eighth single, "Hitori de Ikite Yukereba", in 1976, Muto recruited former Janet member, Ohma Jiro, to be the drummer for the group's recording sessions. They hired another drummer, Shiroma Masahiro, who was in the group from 1978 to 1979 and played for the group's live concerts. At the same year, OFF COURSE formed their own company, entitled "OFF COURSE Company".
The band once again changed their line up in 1979 by adding bassist Shimizu and guitarist and harmonica player Matsuo to the group. Also, Ohma was promoted from recording drummer to the band's own drummer. The three new members' first appearance made a impression in the group when they release their first debuting single. "Sayonara" became the group's first top ten hit, reaching #2 on the Oricon charts, by the end of the decade.
Popularity
By the start of the 80s, OFF COURSE continued to score some top ten hits but also had some singles, like "Toki ni Ai wa", that flopped and only reached on the bottom of the top 50s. Original member Oda Kazumasa released his first sound produced album by the end of 1980, entitled Waga Kokoto no Tomo, for the group Iruka. Also, Suzuki Yashiro and Ohma Jiro followed in Oda's footsteps and produce albums for other groups.
A year later, the group also travelled international and performed in Los Angeles. They also were featured in a documentary produced by NHK about their concert series "Wakai Hiroba". They also appeared on a TBS special a couple months after and on the NHK program NEXT. They also played at the Nihon Budokan in 1982 and announced that the group was taking a break from performing live. But this didn't stop the group from their amassing popularity when their next album, I LOVE YOU, was the third album to reach #1 on the Oricon charts (after over and We are).
After the success of I LOVE YOU, Suzuki Yashiro became the group's first member to go solo with the single "Ai wo Yoroshiku" and album Sincerely by August 1983. A few months later, Suzuki quit the group to focus more on his solo career. A year later, the group switched labels and went from Toshiba EMI to Funhouse.
Breakup
OFF COURSE started off 1985 by going to America to record their first ever English album for three months. They still continued their music careers in Japan by releasing their next single, "call", a couple months after they came back. They went on to perform for the charity concert Live Aid in July, performing the song "ENDLESS NIGHTS".
They released their first English album in August 1985, entitled Back Streets of Tokyo. The album fared really well among their fans and was the sixth #1 album to top the Oricon charts. They also released their only English single, "ENDLESS NIGHTS", by the end of 1985.
In 1986, Matsuo Kazuhiko went on to start his solo career and debuted with the single "Futsuu no Office Lady" in July. This caused the other members to start their own solo careers with Oda releasing his first single, "1985", and Shimizu releasing his own single, "Ue wo Muite Arukou", and started his own solo project the next year. By the end of the year, the group performed at a John Lennon memorial concert.
In 1987 and 1988, the group released a handful of singles and album when they announced that they would be breaking up in 1989 to let each member focus on their own solo careers. The group disbanded on February 1989 after performing for the last time at a special concert in Tokyo Dome, entitled "A Night with Us".
There has been no reunion of the group since their breakup in 1989. However, there was a mini reunion when Matsuo, Shimizu, and Ohma got together in 1999 to formed the group Acoustic Beatles Club.
Discography
Original Albums
- [1973.06.05] Off Course 1 / Boku no Okurimono (オフ・コース1 / 僕の贈りもの)
- [1974.05.05] Kono Machi wo Yukeba / Off Course Round 2 (この道をゆけば / オフ・コース・ラウンド2)
- [1975.12.20] Wine no Nioi (ワインの匂い)
- [1976.11.05] SONG IS LOVE
- [1977.09.05] JUNKTION
- [1978.10.05] FAIRWAY
- [1979.10.20] Three and Two
- [1980.11.21] We are
- [1981.12.01] over
- [1982.07.01] I LOVE YOU
- [1982.09.21] NEXT SOUND TRACK
- [1984.06.21] The Best Year of My Life
- [1985.08.01] Back Streets of Tokyo
- [1987.03.28] as close as possible
- [1988.06.09] Still a long way to go
Live Albums
- [1974.12.20] Aki Yuku Machi de / Off Course Live In Concert (秋ゆく街で / オフ・コース・ライヴ・イン・コンサート)
- [1980.05.05] LIVE
Best Of Albums
- [1978.05.05] SELECTION 1973-78
- [1981.09.01] SELECTION 1978-81
- [1983.11.03] YES-YES-YES
- [1985.08.31] BEST COLLECTION
- [1987.07.05] IT’S ALL RIGHT SELECTION III 1984-1987
- [1989.01.25] Super Best 30 Sayonara (スーパー・ベスト30 さよなら)
- [1989.02.01] Kimi Sumu Machi e 1984→1988 (君住む街へ 1984→1988)
- [1990.09.05] Super Best (スーパーベスト)
- [1998.03.28] OFF COURSE Singles
- [1998.05.21] Off Course GREATEST HITS 1969-1989
- [2006.12.06] i(ai)
Singles
- [1970.04.05] Gunshou no Naka de (群衆の中で)
- [1971.10.05] Yoake wo Tsuge ni (夜明けを告げに)
- [1972.04.25] Osaraba (おさらば)
- [1973.02.20] Boku no Okurimono (僕の贈りもの)
- [1974.04.05] Mou Uta wa Tsukurenai (もう歌は作れない)
- [1974.10.20] Wasure Yuki (忘れ雪)
- [1975.12.20] Nemuremu Yoru (眠れぬ夜)
- [1976.05.05] Hitori de Ikite Yukereba (ひとりで生きてゆければ)
- [1976.10.05] Meguru Kisetsu (めぐる季節)
- [1977.02.05] Kokoro wa Kimagure (こころは気紛れ)
- [1977.08.05] Aki no Kehai (秋の気配)
- [1977.11.20] Rondo (ロンド)
- [1978.04.05] Yasashisa ni Sayounara (やさしさにさようなら)
- [1978.07.20] Anata no Subete (あなたのすべて)
- [1979.01.20] Ai wo Tomenaide (愛を止めないで)
- [1979.06.05] Kaze ni Fukarete (風に吹かれて)
- [1979.12.01] Sayonara (さよなら)
- [1980.03.05] Umare Kuru Kodomotachi no Tame ni (生まれ来る子供たちのために)
- [1980.06.21] Yes-No
- [1980.12.01] Toki ni Ai wa (時に愛は)
- [1981.06.21] I LOVE YOU
- [1981.12.01] Ai no Naka e (愛の中へ)
- [1982.02.01] Kotoba ni Dekinai (言葉にできない)
- [1982.06.10] YES-YES-YES
- [1984.04.21] Kimi ga, Uso wo, Tsuita (君が、嘘を、ついた)
- [1984.07.18] Natsu no Hi (夏の日)
- [1984.09.21] Midori no Hibi (緑の日々)
- [1985.02.21] call
- [1985.05.22] Tasogare (たそがれ)
- [1985.09.21] Natsu Kara Natsu Made (夏から夏まで)
- [1985.11.30] ENDLESS NIGHTS
- [1987.03.04] IT’S ALL RIGHT (ANYTHING FOR YOU)
- [1987.05.25] Motto Chikaku ni (as close as possible) (もっと近くに (as close as possible))
- [1988.01.25] Kimi Sumu Machi e (君住む街へ)
- [1988.07.25] she's so wonderful
- [1988.10.25] Natsu no Wakare (夏の別れ)
Videos / DVDs
- [1982.11.21] NEXT VIDEO PROGRAM
- [1983.04.21] Off Course 1982・6・30 - Concert in Budokan
- [1984.12.01] Movie The Best Year of My Life
- [1985.04.xx] RUNNING THROUGH '85
- [1987.11.25] OFF COURSE TOUR 1987 as close as possible
- [2001.09.26] Off Course 1969-1989 Digital dictionary
- [2002.01.30] Off Course 1981.Aug.16 ~ Oct.3 Wakai Hiroba Off Course no Sekai (Off Course 1981.Aug.16~Oct.30 若い広場 オフコースの世界)
- [2007.06.27] Off Course 1982・6・30 Concert Special (Off Course 1982・6・30 コンサート スペシャル)
Books
- [1980.12.19] Off Course Shashinshuu "We are" (オフコース写真集[We are] )
- [1982.10.01] Off Course 1969～1982
- [1984.10.31] OFF COURSE YEAR BOOK '84
- [1985.12.18] OFF COURSE YEAR BOOK '85
- [1987.12.20] OFF COURSE as close as possible
- [1989.04.20] 1989.2.26 OFF COURSE FINAL
