Camisama are a band born out of teenage rebellion, and a deep feeling that the world is damaged and needs to heal.  As a teen, founding member Elly found parental control and school stifling, often skipping school to dig thru record stores and hang out in live houses. She developed a broad taste in art and music, which was focused especially on punk, hip-hop and Japanese pop music.  One day while attending a High-Lows concert she was drawn to a guy with purple hair and struck up a conversation....

Camisama are a band born out of teenage rebellion, and a deep feeling that the world is damaged and needs to heal.  As a teen, founding member Elly found parental control and school stifling, often skipping school to dig thru record stores and hang out in live houses. She developed a broad taste in art and music, which was focused especially on punk, hip-hop and Japanese pop music.  One day while attending a High-Lows concert she was drawn to a guy with purple hair and struck up a conversation.  Soon the two were fast friends.  The guy was Jun Makita, an aspiring artist and fellow music freak, and painter as well.  Like Elly, Jun was a punk rock fan, but was also into electronic artists like Underworld and New Order.  The two were soon sharing music, going out to punk shows, techno parties and running around together until late at night.  Jun meanwhile continued to work diligently on his painting. He developed a distinct style, based party on an obsession with Japanese motorcycle gangs, known as “bosozoku” and known for their love of speed and loud, rebellious style.  He also found inspiration from San Francisco-based painter and graffiti artist Barry McGee. He had a number of exhibitions, and thru his paintings met some people who would have a big influence on him, world renown multi-media artist Takashi Murakami and singer/guitarist/producer Keiichi Sokabe of the band Sunny Day Service being two of them.  Murakami bought one of Jun’s paintings, and also inspired him to follow his own artistic muse and impulses to create something bold and fun.   While Murakami was more of a mentor, Keiichi became a pal, with whom he could discuss many aspects of music and art.   One day while Keiichi, Jun and Elly were hanging out at a noodle shop lamenting that recent music was overwhelmingly boring.   Keiichi suggested that Jun and Elly start a band, and while neither played an instrument, they took this as a mission, to create their own kick-ass band.  The band politely declined Keiichi’s suggested name, Adam and Eve, and went for Camisama (“god” in Japanese).  They liked the sound of the word, but also felt like they were like a god about to create a band where nothing had stood before.  Their primitive sound started with just drums and voice, so they started with a Ramones-esque four on the floor rhythm supplied by Elly and vivid, compelling lyrics by Jun, creating such songs as “Child of Yakuza”, “Mom Dad Crack Head”, “Sex” and “I Am Hitler”.  Despite their lack of technical skills, the band won over audiences with their unusual songs and high- spirited, unpredictable approach.  The band released their first album Camisama Toujyou, produced by Keiichi Sokabe, on May 18, 2009. They will make their first overseas trip to attend SXSW in March 2010. Meanwhile Jun Makita continues to paint, and has done work for books, CD jackets and his own exhibitions.