When the mighty Number Girl called it quits in 2002, leader Shutoku Mukai wasn't the only member who put together a new band.  By the end of the year, female guitarist Hisako Tabuchi had the beginnings of her own new band, Toddle, and by mid-2003 were already gigging on the live house circuit.  They released their first record, I Dedicate D-Chord, in 2005, following it up several years later in 2007 with Dawn Praise the World.  Both records feature Toddle's guitar...

When the mighty Number Girl called it quits in 2002, leader Shutoku Mukai wasn't the only member who put together a new band.  By the end of the year, female guitarist Hisako Tabuchi had the beginnings of her own new band, Toddle, and by mid-2003 were already gigging on the live house circuit.  They released their first record, I Dedicate D-Chord, in 2005, following it up several years later in 2007 with Dawn Praise the World.  Both records feature Toddle's guitar heavy sound, which pairs the ferocity of Number Girl with a bit more pop sensibility, pulled together by Tabuchi's vocals.  Think early Velocity Girl, or Japan's Luminous Orange, the bassist of which splits his time between Toddle and Luminous Orange.  In addition to the Japan indies circuit, Toddle has been getting some overseas exposure as well, including a slot at the 2009 SXSW event, which has now become a major US showcase for Japanese bands.  In addition to Toddle, Tabuchi also plays for Bloodthirsty Butchers, a seminal indie bandwith over 20 years under their belts.