When debating indie royalty, Bloodthirsty Butchers are certain to make a lot of people's shortlist.  Formed in 1987 in Hokkaido, the band has had an incredibly long run, and continues to build its fan base from the ground up, both at home and abroad.  A trio since the start, Bloodthirsty Butchers originally consisted of Hideki Yoshimura (guitar and vocals), Takeshi Imoriya, (bass), and Sanoki Yotomo (drums), who were highschool classmates.  Yotomo was later replaced by Masahiro...

When debating indie royalty, Bloodthirsty Butchers are certain to make a lot of people's shortlist.  Formed in 1987 in Hokkaido, the band has had an incredibly long run, and continues to build its fan base from the ground up, both at home and abroad.  A trio since the start, Bloodthirsty Butchers originally consisted of Hideki Yoshimura (guitar and vocals), Takeshi Imoriya, (bass), and Sanoki Yotomo (drums), who were highschool classmates.  Yotomo was later replaced by Masahiro Komatsu, who currently holds down drum duties.  Their first three records were standard punk fare, but with 1996's Kocorono, thought by many to be their best, the sound shifted more toward indie rock.  Kocorono was followed by Mikansei and Sankaku in 1999, and the band hit the road the same year with Number Girl and Eastern Youth, increasing their visibility greatly.  2001 saw the release of Yamane, along with another change in sound, this time toward a comparitively mellower vein.  They have continued to release periodically, and have collaborated with the likes of Shutoku Mukai of Number Girl, and Hisako Tabuchi of Toddle (formerly of Number Girl), who has now become a full-time member.  The band has numerous fans in the indie community, and in addition to the abovementioned Number Girl and Eastern Youth, have played shows with cowpers, Hi-Standard, Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her, and other Japanese indie groups, as well American artists including Rocket from the Crypt, Flaming Lips, Fugazi, Rage Against the Machine, and Beck.  While more than 20 years have passed since the band's formation, they show no signs of letting up, and continue to release and tour.