After 35 years of making music, Japanese alternative rock band the pillows has officially announced their breakup. The band confirmed the news following their final performance at KT Zepp Yokohama last weekend. The announcement was made via a joint statement in both Japanese and English on their official Twitter/X account.
While the band’s website and social media will continue as “the pillows monument,” showcasing updates on the members’ individual activities, they clarified that the term “disbanded” was chosen intentionally over leaving room for a possible future reunion.
Formed in Hokkaido, Japan, in 1989, the pillows were led by Sawao Yamanaka (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Yoshiaki Manabe (lead guitar), and Shinichiro Sato (drums). Their final studio album, Rebroadcast, was released in September 2018.
Known for their iconic theme songs for the FLCL anime series, the band also contributed music to several other projects, including BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad, Moonlight Mile, Ahiru no Sora, and Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer. Fans now bid farewell to a band that profoundly shaped Japanese rock and pop culture.
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