Japanese rock band URBANGARDE will release their first-ever authorised biography on 27 April. Polkadot Autobiography – URBANGARDE Chronicle will cover the early years of the band’s formation by bandleader/vocalist Temma Matsunaga and vocalist Yoko Hamasaki.
To celebrate the book’s release, URBANGARDE has uploaded several rare videos to their YouTube channel, including some early promotional short films, live performance clips, and dance videos.
In the book, the musicians will reveal stories behind the band’s most outrageous and controversial music videos, behind-the-scenes conflicts, and private photos from URBANGARDE’s 12-year career. The book will also feature a new biography of URBANGARDE keyboardist Kei Ohkubo and extensive notes about URBANGARDE’s connection to Japanese subculture and national issues, including earthquakes, nuclear power, mental health, lolita culture, and pop idols. The limited-edition box set of Polkadot Autobiography – URBANGARDE Chronicle will include a bonus booklet Dying in Shinjuku and Other Short Stories, a specially-designed t-shirt, tote bag, rubber keychain, and an exclusive book cover.
URBANGARDE made their indie debut in 2008, releasing over 20 albums, singles, DVDs, and books, and building a dedicated international following for their outrageous visuals and challenging lyrical themes. URBANGARDE has performed concerts overseas in France, Taiwan, and the United States, and produced the annual subculture music festival Utsu Fes since 2014. They released their first Best album Koi to Kakumei to URBANGARDE in 2013. URBANGARDE started the new year with a new album, titled TOKYOPOP. The concept album includes new songs, self-covers, and remixes of past hits in a techno-pop style and can now be found on Spotify.
Source: Press release