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1997 When eX-Girl formed in late 1997 none of the band members had any previous musical experience. Despite their inexperience the band began playing out regularly. 1998 They soon released their first album, "Heppoco Pou", which was produced by Hoppy Kamiyama (touted as the Japanese Eno) in June 1998 on a Japanese indie label.. The album was instantly embraced by San Francisco college radio station KUSF where it went into heavy rotation. Compelling and captivating, eX-Girl can easily be ranked along side musical innovators such as Diamanda Galas, Zappa, B-52's, Nina Hagen, Devo, Talking Heads and Laurie Anderson. The music as well as the live shows conjure up these comparisons. On stage the band incorporate performance-art aesthetics with wild costumes and intense energy. Donnin enormous rubber wigs, frog-head masks and custom designed flower-power dresses, the band is instantly captivating. Their searing vocal harmonies and quirky choral chants combined with the unusual music they play truly gives the audience the feeling they are observing something quite other worldly. And as far as the band is concerned, they are too... By August of 1998 the band had toured in both Japan and in the US. Press and radio rushed to share their discovery of the band with their audiences. 1999 In March of 1999 the band released their second album, "Kero! Kero! Kero!" This album also went into heavy rotation on KUSF charting at No. 1 for three weeks in a row!! As the band hit the road again touring the U.S. they managed to draw 300 people to the Cocodrie in San Francisco as opposed to the 30 people they played to on their previous visit to the city. They also hit SXSW as part of the Japan Night showcase where they played to a crowd of over 600 people! As the band's set ended the merchandise booth was flooded with fans old and new. By the end of the night the booth had sold out of every last piece of eX-Girl merchandise available. On the same tour several Virgin Mega Store and Tower Records sales managers took to the album, promoting it largely at retail. In fact, the Tower Records Manhattan buyer was so taken by the band that he created an eX-Girl display and added them to the listening station. Comedy Central offered them a spot on an upcoming show and countless New Yorkers who'd been introduced to the band at SXSW showed up to support them again in The Big Apple. Surely a warm welcome from a city notorious for its indifference. 2000 Their third album is out now, "Big When Far, Small When Close". his latest effort was also produced by Hoppy Kamiyama and is an a-cappella work. It is out on Kirilo's own label, KIKI Poo Records. Like the other two releases, the album blends a smorgasbord of elements including choral chants, operatic harmonies, comical cartoon singing, Indian tom-tom style drumming and banshee shrieks - but to truly understand the music you will have to listen for yourself. On release of their debut album thru PoKo Rekords and Guided Missile Recordings, they toured Europe in July 2000 with Fantomas, which is organized by Mike Patton (former Faith No More frontman) ! They toured Finland from October 26 to November 2.2000. 2001 Their new album "Back to the Mono Kero"is out now in USA(Ipecac Recordings), in JAPAN (HiBOOM/prime direction) and in Benelux (62 TV Records). In the fall of 2001, CHIHIRO left the band and KEIKO (the guitarist from Super Junky Monkey) joined eX-Girl as an official member. 2002 In April 2002, their album "Back to the Mono Kero" was released in Finland by Levy-yhtio RECORDS. On the release of this album, they toured Finland in April 2002. In July 2002, eX-girl were invited by "SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES" as their opening act for UK tour. After these shows, eX-Girl had their own tour in UK and Scandinavia, including some festivals. In August 2002, Their album "Back to the Mono Kero" was released in Australia by VALVE RECORDS. In November 2002, eX-Girl's single CD " Luna Rose" was released by Avex Rhythm Republic in japan. |
2003 In January 2003, Fuzuki left the band and CHAPPLE the new drummer joined eX-Girl as an official member. At the same time, KIRILO changed her name into KIRILOLA, and KEIKO into KEIKOS. 2004 In April, the band's 5th full album,"Endangered Species," was released on Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles Records, a pioneer label for alternative and punk since 1979.The album was, as always, produced by Hoppy Kamiyama. In May, they toured the United States in support of a new album for the first time in two years. They toured the East Coast, the West Coast, and a lot of places in between, playing a number of sold out shows. Jello Biafra, who saw the show at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco., had nothing but praise for the band. In August, Zorek served out her term on Earth and returned to Planet Kero Kero. In September, Keikos came back from Kero Kero to rejoin the band for their next mission!! |