Introducing Johnny’s Bands from the Kansai Region

Do you know there are several band groups from the Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates (Johnny’s)? So far, TOKIO was probably Johnny’s best-known band for over the past two decades, but recently they have stopped all of their music activities so now no one can see them play together as a band anymore.
Today, Kanjani Eight is now Johnny’s most active band. You may have the impression that they are talkative funny boys (or should I say older men considering their age…?) from the Kansai region, but they are musicians who sincerely take their work seriously as well. This time, I would like to introduce Kanjani Eight and another great Johnny’s band from the Kansai region!

〇 Member Composition

Kanjani Eight, which currently consists of five members, does not clearly decide who the main vocalist is, and every one of them sings vocals as well as play instruments. Their current band composition is as follows.

Tadayoshi Okura: Drums
Ryuhei Maruyama: Bass
Shota Yasuda: Guitar
You Yokoyama: Percussion, trumpet
Shingo Murakami: Keyboard

〇 Kanjani Eight as a Band

Most of the members, not all of them, have played instruments in Johnny’s Jr. band groups before debuting as Kanjani Eight. Even after their debut, they often performed as a band in concerts, but many songs they got offered had a strong taste of Kansai culture. Of course, those songs were also fun and great, and the lyrics sounded familiar to people from the Kansai region. However, Kanjani Eight was rarely given a chance to perform as a band on CDs and music shows as their upbeat songs with the Kansai dialect were becoming hits. Then, “Life (Me no Mae no Mukō e)” was released for the theme song for a drama in which the drummer Tadayoshi Okura starred in. This was a turning point for the band as the song was Kanjani Eight’s first time playing together as a band with instruments. (I went to a Kanjani Eight concert for the first time the following year and was shocked that their band performance was so cool! I then bought an acoustic guitar for beginners).

After they started performing as a band,I think that their musicality gained a lot of recognition since then. After that, they regularly released band singles and started a music TV show called Kan Jam in 2015. In this show, guest musicians and experts come on to talk about any music related topic and these guest musicians perform together with the Kanjani Eight. Kan Jam is a well-known program that showcases such a high level of musicality from Kanjani that amateur musicians may have a lot of trouble with keeping up with the segments! And in 2017, they are the first of Johnny’s groups to participate in the METROCK rock festival. Kanjani Eight’s appearance was confirmed after tickets were sold out, so it was almost like an ‘away match’ for them. However, they already had a large audience waiting to see them on the main stage before their show started so it was a great success regardless of music genres; idols or bands.
Unfortunately, I can’t post official videos of them performing as a band because they have not uploaded content at the moment, but instead I will show you the music video of “Kimi to Mitai Sekai” where they show their sincere attitude toward music.

■ Kanjani Eight - “Kimi to Mitai Sekai” [Official Music Video SING ver.]

If you happen to see Kanjani Eight in music shows, please take a look at this 5 member idol group’s live band performance!

〇 Kanjani Eight’s Junior Band Ae! Group”

Another group from Johnny’s Kansai bands was formed in Johnny’s Jr. who have not made their debut yet. The Ae! Group from Kansai Johnny’s Jr., a junior generation of Kanjani Eight, is a promising band. The band consists of 6 Kansai Johnny’s Jr. members and they formed in 2019. Although they are a relatively new group, they are talented with two members who already have up to 12 years in show business under their belts. They haven’t debuted yet, but they are already popular enough that they perform in their own shows and tickets are difficult to get. The members list is as follows:

Seiya Suezawa: Vocals
Yoshinori Masakado: Guitar
Keita Richard Kusama: Saxophone
Ken Kojima: Keyboard
Taisei Fukumoto: Bass
Masaya Sano: Drums

Each member is unique and comes from a different background and has other special skills; attending a national university, having his own trademark gag, making a collection of quotes, and was in a famous theater company in the past. And it can be said that they are a group that inherited the spirit of Kanjani Eight as it is. Because Ae! Group is produced by You Yokoyama of Kanjani Eight, their comedy skills have been directly instructed by their big senior Yokoyama. Their sense of humour is particularly high among Johnny’s Jr., and they complete various difficult tasks and trials in Japanese TV programs. However, on stage, they are a fascinating group that attracts the audience by doing anything from dance to playing instruments.

〇 Ae! Group as a Band

I’m an amateur who is not knowledgeable enough to judge the quality of their performance, so please check them out in this video! (I don’t know their exact musical experience, but I remember that Masakado has already established his guitar skills at a concert that was more than five years ago!)

- Ae! Group Live at Zepp Namba Video Digest

■ “Ae! Group Zepp LIVE 2020 STARTING NOW 413” Digest Video

Ae! Group’s band history may not be as long as Kanjani Eight’s, but they are another group that genuinely works very hard on their music. The more you know, the more you will want to support them, so please check them out.

Before ending this article, here is the list of the musical instruments and accessories they most likely use! (Please note that this is not based on any certain references.)

↓The guitar/bass strap that Fukumoto uses (different color from Maruyama’s strap)

Fender / Fender 2" Monogrammed Straps Black/Yellow/Red

↓The list of Pearl Drums, the drum brand that Okura and Sano currently use.

List of Pearl Drum Sets

↓The list of Fender basses that Maruyama and Fukumoto play.

List of Fender Basses

↓The alternative model of the Hammond Organ XK-3C (discontinued) Kojima uses.

Hammond / XK-1c