envy

envy are one of the most internationally recognized hardcore/screamo bands to have ever been produced in Japan. Famed for their emotive ballads with a difference, envy blend their heartfelt screaming with fast paced guitar, pounding drums and thrumming bass lines to create an individual sound that has kept them popular in both their native country and aboard for over a decade.

envy was formed in Tokyo in 1992. Until their debut release in 1996, the band released only a handful of songs which were all part of compilation albums.

Within these four years however, envy established themselves within the predominantly unrecognized Japanese hardcore genre. Establishing themselves with the independent label H.G. Fact, envy made their debut with their first album, Breathing and dying in this place…, in June of 1996.

Despite the length of the album standing at a mere fifteen minutes, envy proved themselves as masters of the hardcore genre with their use of heavy guitar riffs, steady bass lines and frantic drumming. Blended with the variety of Fukagawa’s spoken words and powerfully emotive screams, envy had established themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

In order to spread their appeal to a more international audience, the band toured Asia in 1997. Performing in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Korea, envy proved to their home country just how serious they were with gaining public appeal and spreading the message within their music to the world.

Before the release of their second album in 1998, envy contributed to several "split" e.p.’s with hardcore bands Sixpence and Endeavor. It was perhaps no surprise following these releases that envy announced they would be crossing another boundary by travelling to perform in Europe.

After the release of envy’s first mini-album in Japan, the band made their first international release in 1999 with the mini-album Burning out memories.

Following the success of their first tour within Asia, envy made two repeat trips to the same locations that they had first performed at in 1997. In 2000 the band released their first solo e.p. along with their second mini-album.

Over the next four years, envy concentrated mainly on releasing new material, with their fourth album creating a window of opportunities for the band. a dead sinking story signalled envy’s debut on New York label Level Plane Records and Glasgow based Rock Action Records, a label founded and maintained by the Scottish band Mogwai.

Following positive reviews for the album, envy embarked on their second European tour, this time extending to the United Kingdom with their participation in the "All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival" in the March of 2004.

In January of 2005 envy performed for the first time in North America, and in July of the same year they travelled to France to perform at the "Fury Fest" which showcased bands such as Napalm Death, Dimmu Borgir and The Misfits.

With the release of Insomniac doze in 2006, envy claimed that they were closer to the sound that they were hoping to create from the time of the band’s creation. In addition to their own original releases, Fukagawa contributed vocals to Mogwai’s first album of 2006 Mr.Beast. The track I Chose Horses was written and sung by the vocalist who was accompanied by Scottish composer Craig Armstrong performing on the keyboards.

As of 2007, envy will be performing in Australia in July with Furcurve and Art Van Delay. With such a individual sound and approach to music, envy’s popularity both in their home country and abroad should continue to reach new horizons for many years to come!