Yura Yura Teikoku

Common information:
Yura Yura Teikoku (??????, literally Unstable Empire) was a 3-piece band from Tokyo's underground music scene centered around Koenji.

They had an eclectic sound usually described as psychedelic pop-punk. Whilst renowned and highly influential within Japan, it took them 16 years since their formation in 1989 to play a show outside of Japan, performing in New York City in 2005.


Actual Member:
Guitar/Vocals - Sakamoto Shintarou
Bass - Kamekawa Chiyo
Drums - Shibata Ichirou

Actual Label(s): SONY JAPAN, MESH-KEY, DFA
Label type: Major

Band history:
YURA YURA TEIKOKU was formed in 1989 with vocalist/guitarist Shintaro Sakamoto as leader, bassist Chiyo Kamekawa and a succession of other members. Drummer Ichiro Shibata joined in 1997 to form the current lineup, and the trio soon signed with Midi Records.The band released five studio albums, one live recording album and two greatest hits albums on Midi. In 2005, YURA YURA TEIKOKU signed with Sony Japan and released their ninth studio album, "SWEET SPOT," and a remix 12-inch,“SOFT DEATH / FRANKIE TEARDROP" (Suicide cover). “SOFT DEATH" was embraced by the dance community, and "SWEET SPOT" was elected one of the best albums of the year in various media in Japan and overseas. The band also released a live album of material from their Midi years titled "na.ma.shi.bi.re.na.ma.me.ma.i," on New York-based Mesh-Key Records.

In October of the same year, the band played two shows in New York (their first shows ever outside Japan), and was welcomed with rave reviews by the local media. New and old fans alike packed into the venues to see the band's one-of-a-kind performance. In June, 2006, the CD single “Into The Next Night” and remix 12-inch“Into The Next Night / You Can't Fight Fate”were released. In July, Mesh-Key Records released the 12-inch“SOFT DEATH / IT WAS A ROBOT" and brought the band back for a second batch of New York shows, which were even more packed than the first. The "SOFT DEATH" 12-inch has been championed by such deejays as Rub'N Tug and DJ Harvey.

In 2006, the band headlined at various major festivals in Japan and Taiwan. In May 2007, Mesh-Key Records released the US version of "SWEET SPOT." In the same year, YURA YURA TEIKOKU went on their first Australian tour. In July 2007, they released the single“Beautiful" and in fall 2007 they released their first studio album in two and a half years,"Hollow Me." A domestic (US) release is in the works.

Related notes: Vocalist Shintaro Sakamoto, who designs all the band's artwork, published his first illustration/artwork anthology, "SHINTARO SAKAMOTO ARTWORKS 1994-2006" (Shogakukan) in July 2007. Bassist Chiyo Kamekawa has been a member of The Stars, led by producer You Ishihara (ex-White Heaven) since 1999. They have released three studio albums.
The band broke up in 2010.


Web links:
Artists homepage (Eng/Jap)
Sony Label (Jap)
Mesh-Key (Eng/Jap)
Myspace (Eng)



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