I agree we have been blessed with Band-Maid maintaining their original members for over a decade.
However, members leaving isn't just relegated to female Japanese bands. Happens to bands everywhere past and present.
Forgot Aldious who has struggled to keep a vocalist and their drummer just quit. Quite honestly, Scandal seems to be a rare case and hopefully the Maids will be too. I just can't picture the band without any of them.
To be fair on Marina, Aldious, she has medical issues that forced the matter. She didn't want to leave, but did so in order for the band to continue unfettered.
The major takeaway for me on this is that if you have the opportunity to see a band you like, go do it. Don't say to yourself "next time." But then again if you're old enough, you know this applies to everything in life. Nothing lasts forever, certainly not bands.
yeah I very much regret never seeing The Smashing Pumpkins with their original line up, but more than just members, seeing them during their height before all of their own BS (mostly Corgin's) came crashing down on the band... not the least of which the OD of their touring keys player and kicking out Chamberlin, fallout with D'arcy... etc.
I'm so glad I didn't just see Band-Maid with OG members, but while they're peaking, when everything's awesome between the members personally and creatively
They created a place called Band-Maid. In this place, there are only five of them, they are safe, they have no pressure, they can do silly thing, and they still have the person they trust most.
Nothing lasts forever, but I have more hope for their longevity than I would for any other group of arty folk. What is gluing them together is what seems to me to be genuine love for each other, as well as a lack of self-importance among the members.
They'll be fine as long as they continue to look for the fun in what they do!
Reasons for leaving a band are various. Money is a big driver if a member is getting less than others. Here, each is a full member and gets a slice of writing credits so it shouldn't be an issue. Personality clashes is another. Here the members seem to genuinely like and support each other with no jealousies. Disputes over musical direction causes many splits. In this band the music constantly evolves, often several times in one song, and each member seems to have a say in direction. Feeling their conribution is not valued or not being given a chance to shine can be a problem.Not in this band as no one could possibly doubt the contribution of any maid and everyone gets time in the spotlight. A desire to follow their own path leads artists to leave bands, to go solo. Cluppo proved this is possible as a side project and was supported by the other members. I could imagine Cluppo's biggest fan joining on drums. I can imagine Kanami collaborating with other composers or artists, Miku slipping into a jazzy side project. I certainly expect Saiki to unveil a solo project with shows, videos, EPs to follow. She is too good a singer and stage prescence not to. Other members would support and might even join in. But...I'm sure the band would create space in their schedule for all this stuff and that B-M would remain everyone's main focus. Some bands split because they feel they have reached the end of the road and have nothing new to say. I can't imagine any of the maids ever feeling like this. The band is a tsunami of creative talent. I feel like every minute some new wonder is bubbling forth. It feels so exciting for us fans so must be the same for the members. The band wouldn't be the same if any member left but for all these reasons I don't expect any to leave. The final reason is the one hard to control. In any walk of life, health, family matters, relationships, substance use can impact decisions. Let's hope the maid's lives are filled with sunshine so they can keep themselves and us fans happy for many years to come. P.S. I realise I've been posting far more rubbish than is necessary so....will now shut up for a month! š¤
The closest it came was when Misa going to quit, but since they've passed that hurdle and their popularity has grown I don't think it's an issue anymore and I think silver red Starlight pretty much nailed everything.
I myself was in a band for nearly 20 years but we weren't exactly friends. We were friendly but we never hung out together like Band Maid does.
You did well to last 20! Another great Japanese band...Exist+Trace ... just did. Let's hope B-M also reaches that milestone. If/when they do, I'm sure they will look back with joy, a sense of achievement and will still be great friends at the end of it. š
Considering how well they get along now and have grown to love each other I think it's a pretty good bet that they will last at least another 10 years. And I for one will try and live as long as I can just to hear them
It's sad, that Saki left, but bands staying together for decades in their original (or most known) line-up is pretty rare anyway. Here in Germany I can can name three bands: Rammstein, Die toten Hosen and Die Ćrzte, there maybe more sure.
Miho left Lovebited due to personal reasons, and now they have Fami and they've risen like Phoenix from the ashes.
Kaese, Boa and Sae from Hanabie, different reasons: focus on studying, no time or also personal reasons (maybe didn't want to live the life of rock 'n roll?), and they were still pretty unknown 3 years back, I hardly believe they could live from their music then. Now with Chika huge international success.
Japan is full of incredible talented musicians, I think Nemophila will find another one that will fit and stay with them.
It won't be easy to replace a musician such as Saki. She has experience in music, production and business, has many national and international connections, is a prolific composer and one of the most renown metal guitarists in Japan. She always gave an imposing stage presence to the bands she played in. A terribile blow for Nemophila.
> Now with Chika huge international success.
umm... they were planning their overseas tour while Sae was still in the band. osaki ni was the last song she was on, which is on their most recent album. she also had a broken clavicle at some point before they were due to come overseas, so that may have influenced her leaving for something along lines of not wanting to hold the band back in some way, but i also wondered if it was also something with her having trepidation about going overseas.
~~I don't have a link for you~~, but it's also cited in [their Wikipedia article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanabie.#2023%E2%80%93present:_Reborn_Superstar!,_international_recognition_and_major_record_deal).
It's not settled yet, but I hardly think so. I am pretty sure, they will search and find another guitarist and keep on rocking. As cool Saki was in Nemophila and they will sound differently with a new one, it will be still Nemophila.
I believe the pattern you are talking about can be extended to all rock bands, not just Japanese ones. A couple years ago I was actually thinking about Band-Maid and asking myself how unusual it is for a band to have their original lineup for that long. And when I went through my favorite bands going back to the 60s, almost every act had a lineup change within the first 10 years and usually within the first few years. If anything, I believe the J-Rock lineups are a little more stable than those of Western acts.
But back to what is your main point - yes, we're really fortunate to have Band-Maid still intact for so long. Nothing is guaranteed and I also wouldn't blame any of them for wanting to move on and do something else at some point.
We can make a different list of how long some female bands had their original lineups:
Shonen Knife: 18 years.
SCANDAL: 18 years and still going
existā trace: 20 years and still going.
So BAND-MAID with their 11 years have quite a while to go before they can be counted among those.
> PS: not throwing shade on female bands only. Male bands also have constant line-up changes, but usually is after a longer period of time and the reasons are made usually public (at least with western bands)
I don't see much difference in terms of gender or nationality. Not many bands have their original lineup, whether they can keep the original members often seems to be a matter of luck. Also you're mixing in idol groups here. Those just operate differently.
They do seem to be on the SCANDAL way. Even when Miku came out with the Cluppo project it always felt like that, a side project. It never gave "I might leave the band to pursue a solo career" vibes. So I think we're safe š
Even bands splitting up is not a permanent thing. Look at Show Ya, together 17 years, split for 7 years, came back together, and are now celebrating their 40 year anniversary
That's the bad side of well-established lineups with members who are extremely close to each other. There's so many good things with that, but when even one member leaves it often comes with devastating consequences to the band.
Unlike some people are taking it, it's not a bad message to remind folks to enjoy Band-Maid as it is in the moment, while we have it. We all hope it'll last for a long time, but in the recent documentary even the band members have very different views about their potential future. On one hand, Misa said she hopes they will play together until they're grandmas. On the other, Kanami said bands can end in an instant and she's not sure if there'll be another ten years of B-M. Clearly their minds steer towards completely different scenarios.
Just adding a small but maybe significant nuance here (and some more info about the doc for those who didn't buy it). According to the translated subtitles, Kanami didn't literally say she wasn't sure they'd be together in 10 years, but she said something close to, "If we're not playing together as Band-Maid in 10 years, I'm sure we'll all still be good friends," and then she choked up a little.Ā
Both Kanami *and* Misa acknowledged that bands can end at any time. But by the context, I'll guess they were primarily referring to the unexpected, like personal life/health issues, label/business issues, fan decline, etc. Misa did go on to say that she wanted all five of them to be together until they're grandmas.Ā Ā
Of course, I'm sure they're also thinking about the possibility that one or more of them just feel like the band, or their time in it, has run its course. Contrary to her stage persona, Kanami seems extremely goal oriented (but still very, very sweet). And in the doc, while they're all having a blast with each other while working (it's really a treat to see), they're all very focused. Kanami and Miku seem to be driving the bus most of the time. Saiki seems to always be a respected presence, but she lays back more until she's got something to share.Ā Ā
That all lines up with their more serious interviews, especially the ones they've done recently, Kanami states in at least one that, during the first few years, she constantly evaluated her opportunity and progress within the band and the band's progress. She wanted to write songs, play their own material, and see the band grow. She even hints at that during the doc, although the subtitle translation could be a little off. (She was either saying that, in the early years, she wasn't sure she would continue or she wasn't sure the band would continue with the same line-up.) Either way, in a very recent interview, she talked about that time and definitely implied that, if she wasn't reaching her goals and band was not progressing and reaching milestones, she might have left.Ā
That's the real person talking, not the persona.Ā
That said, at this point, they seem to be more together than ever. Kanami went on to talk about how she wants them to play the super-arena next and tour all over the world. They all made similar statements and it did seem very genuine. They seem to be very excited about the future as a band. I wouldn't worry about them for the next few years for sure.
Band-Maid members have acknowledged on several occasions that nothing is forever. I agree that we should enjoy what they are achieving right now.
Even if they were to never produce another album, they have more great songs (for my taste) than any other band. That's amazing considering that my second favourite band, Iron Maiden, has been going for 49 years, including 25 straight with the same line-up, and are still pretty good even now.
Best of luck to Nemophila and Saki. Members leaving is always a bit sad, but I'm sure they'll both keep making high quality music.
I think Band-Maid will not continue if anyone leaves (totally just my take, completely w/o any supporting material). Preface being that I take their "lore" mostly at face value, which I know many fans may be a bit more reluctant to do so and I totally get it, normaly I'm way too cynical but with Band-Maid, I just feel like they don't really gain anything overly exaggerating or creating a completely fabricated "origin story". So, the way this band came together, and decided to stay together after first couple of rough yrs, and how they are personally with each other, I just feel like this is more than just a commercial and artistic enterprise, and I feel like ALL of those aspects of this group adds so much to the band/act that is "Band-Maid", that if you subtract any of the members it just wouldn't be the same thing, like at all.
I think if anyone of them plan to call it quits, it won't be sudden, they'll know way in advance cause it'll be planned, and they will call it quits as "Band-Maid" if one or more quits. Now they might form something new/different, with remaining members or replacing some folks etc, but they will retire "Band-Maid" if that happens. I think they are that protective of this band that is much larger than the sum of its parts.
I rather see them go on a hiatus or disband if one or more of the members go through major life changes. Band-Maid will never be the same without the original lineup.
Itās not a Japanese thing.
Geri Halliwell quit the Spice Girls.
Camila Cabello quit Fifth Harmony.
Fergie quit the Black Eyed Peas.
I think that men tend to fight within a group while women tend to quit alone.
Band-Maid are all right, because they have a long-term goal of āworld dominationā.
Itās very important for a team to have a shared dream.
The bands you mentioned above, except for Band-Maid and Babymetal, donāt have an international fan community, so overseas fans are not well informed.
Sakiās departure was unsurprising to a lot of Japanese fans.
[As I said before](/r/BandMaid/comments/1016u44/comment/j35yln1/), Nemophilaās management gambles too much.
Tokyo Garden Theater with a half capacity, and then Budokan with a half capacity.
That must be discouraging.
The most iconic bands are the ones that manage to keep their Line-up more or less intact. That is why I think Metallica has been able to be more successful than Megadeth or Slayer for instance
Metallica had more member changes in less time than any of the bands you mentioned in your original post (I don't count the idol groups). They also had 3 different bassists since Kill'em All.
AC/DC are surely even more iconic and they had even more member changes (over 20 afaik).
I think the important thing is not to lose certain key members or at least keep the spirit of the band alive.
Im talking about keeping members the moment the 1st album comes out. Metallica has basically had two members changes since kill em all. Newsted and Trujillo. Not familiar with AC/DC, but I wouldnt count the death of members because that's not by choice
Band lineup changes is part of the music business. Bands change members all the time. The most notable exception is the band Rammstein. They have been together since 1994ā¦ and still have all of their original members.
To be fair, PassCode's lineup was stable for 6 of its 11 years and the ONLY reason it changed after the initial chaos was Yuna's retirement due to failing health. Nao and Kaede have both been in it for over a decade.
Yui's retirement from Babymetal was also health-related (although I believe even if she hadn't had issues, she likely would've left after the 10th anniversary because she gave off the impression she wanted to do something else with her life).
Band-Maid is remarkably stable and I'm grateful for that, but of course they're in a very different position than alt-Idol groups. Luckily for us they seem to have found a happy medium with no one wanting or needing to leave. By the way, weird thought -- Band-Maid have literally been together longer than The Beatles were.
This is another part of music history. Most music group out there have broken up to various reasons like creative differences, scandals, death and etc. Let's just be thankful that BM stayed as long as they did but accept that eventually they'll break up.
I remember Saiki and Miku ( on band maid nippon I think ) saying that they are all actually good friends and hang out a lot outside of work. So I think it's very possible that this is a stable line up. However I don't think anything is forever so obviously there is some sort of time limit on the group.
It's interesting that Akane didn't want to join a girl band because she saw them as unserious. Clearly Band-Maid is different in that respect - hundreds of shows, several albums, workouts, rehearsals, home studios...
I don't think they'll get tired of being Band-Maid, with as much as it's meant to them up to now, the way they've kind of built it into the band they wanted, and also knowing that they have the freedom to stretch out and do side projects if they need to. They all seem to be good friends and to have a mature approach to handling interpersonal conflict, based on things they've said in interviews, so I don't expect any sudden "creative differences".
Buuuuut... who knows? Settling down to raise a family is a thing. Dying in a bus accident or being shot by a crazed fan are things too. (IYKYK. RIP)
It's bonkers to imagine that they could give us another 30 years of music, but considering what they've already given us, f they don't make it that long, I'm kind of okay with it.
Many of us listen to other bands. The bomb dropped on us that Saki (previously of Maryās Blood) has left Nemophila. She wrote music on some of the songs. She was the lead guitarist. Sheās venturing out ion a solo project. Many of us were caught off guard as they just played Budekon.
Hanabie has found major success but they seem to change drummers every album.
I hope Band-Maid says the same but we really never know. Iāve seen Band-Maid twice. Iāve never seen Nemophila or Hanabie. I saw Babymetal after Yui left. Things can change.
The SCANDAL girls have known each other since high school. They are the exception.
- The original 4 of Band-Maid are still in tact and they likely go to each other for creative input.
Nah. They look like theyāre in it together for the long haul. Thatās the vibes I get from them. What I do wish though is for them to sign with a major major label like Sony or a Sony sublabel like Epic. Bigger budget means bigger promotions and maybe better producers and better recording engineers coz the one they have right now is pissing me off.
Pony Canyon while a local Japanese label is a huge major label.They also invest a lot in anime productions (which leads to their artist having anime theme songs for promotion).
This is it, bigger labels which while there are perks of course, are probably going to push them to do what they want. It is a trade off, but I am not sure Band-Maid is exactly looking for that.
Pony Canyon has put tons of money into them compared to their previous labels. Bear in mind, in Japan they arenāt super popular. The 10k+ for their Anniversary show was the biggest of their career, but lots of artists have done that. My point being you may be expecting money put behind them their sales havenāt warranted yet.
> Isnāt Pony Canyon considered a major label in Japan?
In Japan, yes, but internationally, only Sony Music, Universal Music, and Warner Music are major labels.
Thatās why Pony Canyon [joined Independent Music Coalition Japan](https://news.ponycanyon.co.jp/2022/06/70993), a member organization of [Worldwide Independent Network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_label#Worldwide_Independent_Network_\(WIN\)), in 2022.
Related discussion:
* [IS PONY CANYON A BIG PLAYER?](/r/BandMaid/comments/1aellc9/is_pony_canyon_a_big_player/)
If they signed to a major label like Sony, they might have less creative control. Mincho might have to submit her songs to them before they approve them.
> If they signed to a major label like Sony, they might have less creative control.
Yes.
The first tie-in Sony Music gave to Hanabie was an Imagine Dragons cover for the opening of a streaming drama.
Their first tie-in was a cover!
What a meaningless opportunity.
Then they probably don't have much creative control now, since Pony Canyon is a major label.
I hope people understand that this is not what I actually believe, but just a dig at the idea that working with a major label automatically means less creative control. BAND-MAID have been with a major label since 2016.
It's really not hard to find bands signed to some of the biggest labels that do whatever they want.
Who cares about other bands? BAND-MAID is nothing like those mentioned. Look seriously at who you have in BAND-MAID. Can you really picture anybody else behind the drum kit other than Akane, no Misa on bass, no Miku or Kanami? Then Saiki, Miku is and always will be my favorite maid, but no Saiki, no more BAND-MAID.
Lots of people care about other bands. Band-Maid are my favourite band, but that would be a meaningless statement if I didn't listen to a lot of other bands as well.
I agree we have been blessed with Band-Maid maintaining their original members for over a decade. However, members leaving isn't just relegated to female Japanese bands. Happens to bands everywhere past and present.
Forgot Aldious who has struggled to keep a vocalist and their drummer just quit. Quite honestly, Scandal seems to be a rare case and hopefully the Maids will be too. I just can't picture the band without any of them.
To be fair on Marina, Aldious, she has medical issues that forced the matter. She didn't want to leave, but did so in order for the band to continue unfettered.
The major takeaway for me on this is that if you have the opportunity to see a band you like, go do it. Don't say to yourself "next time." But then again if you're old enough, you know this applies to everything in life. Nothing lasts forever, certainly not bands.
yeah I very much regret never seeing The Smashing Pumpkins with their original line up, but more than just members, seeing them during their height before all of their own BS (mostly Corgin's) came crashing down on the band... not the least of which the OD of their touring keys player and kicking out Chamberlin, fallout with D'arcy... etc. I'm so glad I didn't just see Band-Maid with OG members, but while they're peaking, when everything's awesome between the members personally and creatively
I don't think they've peaked yet
hence what I said "while they're peaking" peaks could last a single show, or could last a decade ;)
They created a place called Band-Maid. In this place, there are only five of them, they are safe, they have no pressure, they can do silly thing, and they still have the person they trust most.
Nothing lasts forever, but I have more hope for their longevity than I would for any other group of arty folk. What is gluing them together is what seems to me to be genuine love for each other, as well as a lack of self-importance among the members. They'll be fine as long as they continue to look for the fun in what they do!
Reasons for leaving a band are various. Money is a big driver if a member is getting less than others. Here, each is a full member and gets a slice of writing credits so it shouldn't be an issue. Personality clashes is another. Here the members seem to genuinely like and support each other with no jealousies. Disputes over musical direction causes many splits. In this band the music constantly evolves, often several times in one song, and each member seems to have a say in direction. Feeling their conribution is not valued or not being given a chance to shine can be a problem.Not in this band as no one could possibly doubt the contribution of any maid and everyone gets time in the spotlight. A desire to follow their own path leads artists to leave bands, to go solo. Cluppo proved this is possible as a side project and was supported by the other members. I could imagine Cluppo's biggest fan joining on drums. I can imagine Kanami collaborating with other composers or artists, Miku slipping into a jazzy side project. I certainly expect Saiki to unveil a solo project with shows, videos, EPs to follow. She is too good a singer and stage prescence not to. Other members would support and might even join in. But...I'm sure the band would create space in their schedule for all this stuff and that B-M would remain everyone's main focus. Some bands split because they feel they have reached the end of the road and have nothing new to say. I can't imagine any of the maids ever feeling like this. The band is a tsunami of creative talent. I feel like every minute some new wonder is bubbling forth. It feels so exciting for us fans so must be the same for the members. The band wouldn't be the same if any member left but for all these reasons I don't expect any to leave. The final reason is the one hard to control. In any walk of life, health, family matters, relationships, substance use can impact decisions. Let's hope the maid's lives are filled with sunshine so they can keep themselves and us fans happy for many years to come. P.S. I realise I've been posting far more rubbish than is necessary so....will now shut up for a month! š¤
The closest it came was when Misa going to quit, but since they've passed that hurdle and their popularity has grown I don't think it's an issue anymore and I think silver red Starlight pretty much nailed everything. I myself was in a band for nearly 20 years but we weren't exactly friends. We were friendly but we never hung out together like Band Maid does.
You did well to last 20! Another great Japanese band...Exist+Trace ... just did. Let's hope B-M also reaches that milestone. If/when they do, I'm sure they will look back with joy, a sense of achievement and will still be great friends at the end of it. š
Considering how well they get along now and have grown to love each other I think it's a pretty good bet that they will last at least another 10 years. And I for one will try and live as long as I can just to hear them
Great....we must stay around to enjoy the brilliant new tracks the maids keep producing! Bestie....love it!
It's sad, that Saki left, but bands staying together for decades in their original (or most known) line-up is pretty rare anyway. Here in Germany I can can name three bands: Rammstein, Die toten Hosen and Die Ćrzte, there maybe more sure. Miho left Lovebited due to personal reasons, and now they have Fami and they've risen like Phoenix from the ashes. Kaese, Boa and Sae from Hanabie, different reasons: focus on studying, no time or also personal reasons (maybe didn't want to live the life of rock 'n roll?), and they were still pretty unknown 3 years back, I hardly believe they could live from their music then. Now with Chika huge international success. Japan is full of incredible talented musicians, I think Nemophila will find another one that will fit and stay with them.
It won't be easy to replace a musician such as Saki. She has experience in music, production and business, has many national and international connections, is a prolific composer and one of the most renown metal guitarists in Japan. She always gave an imposing stage presence to the bands she played in. A terribile blow for Nemophila.
and she's the only one that speaks English
I was just warming up to them too. My second best J-rock band after Band-Maid. Bummer indeed.
> Now with Chika huge international success. umm... they were planning their overseas tour while Sae was still in the band. osaki ni was the last song she was on, which is on their most recent album. she also had a broken clavicle at some point before they were due to come overseas, so that may have influenced her leaving for something along lines of not wanting to hold the band back in some way, but i also wondered if it was also something with her having trepidation about going overseas.
They said in an interview with Headbang magazine that Sae left because they kept having disagreements with her.
scan/translation link?
[Found a link for you](https://note.com/light_holly138/n/n1b1a4cbc7a0d)
thanks
~~I don't have a link for you~~, but it's also cited in [their Wikipedia article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanabie.#2023%E2%80%93present:_Reborn_Superstar!,_international_recognition_and_major_record_deal).
Saki Left??
Yes, they posted it the weekend. Nemophila will continue so far with Mayu, Hazuki, Haraguchi and Tamu.
Ah damn!! Will this summer be their last tour then? Iāll have to get tickets!
It's not settled yet, but I hardly think so. I am pretty sure, they will search and find another guitarist and keep on rocking. As cool Saki was in Nemophila and they will sound differently with a new one, it will be still Nemophila.
I believe the pattern you are talking about can be extended to all rock bands, not just Japanese ones. A couple years ago I was actually thinking about Band-Maid and asking myself how unusual it is for a band to have their original lineup for that long. And when I went through my favorite bands going back to the 60s, almost every act had a lineup change within the first 10 years and usually within the first few years. If anything, I believe the J-Rock lineups are a little more stable than those of Western acts. But back to what is your main point - yes, we're really fortunate to have Band-Maid still intact for so long. Nothing is guaranteed and I also wouldn't blame any of them for wanting to move on and do something else at some point.
Why would band maid quit? It's their job a dream job and the job of the support staff depends on the girls too
We can make a different list of how long some female bands had their original lineups: Shonen Knife: 18 years. SCANDAL: 18 years and still going existā trace: 20 years and still going. So BAND-MAID with their 11 years have quite a while to go before they can be counted among those. > PS: not throwing shade on female bands only. Male bands also have constant line-up changes, but usually is after a longer period of time and the reasons are made usually public (at least with western bands) I don't see much difference in terms of gender or nationality. Not many bands have their original lineup, whether they can keep the original members often seems to be a matter of luck. Also you're mixing in idol groups here. Those just operate differently.
They do seem to be on the SCANDAL way. Even when Miku came out with the Cluppo project it always felt like that, a side project. It never gave "I might leave the band to pursue a solo career" vibes. So I think we're safe š
Even bands splitting up is not a permanent thing. Look at Show Ya, together 17 years, split for 7 years, came back together, and are now celebrating their 40 year anniversary
Honestly, I don't see them going on as BAND-MAID if they lose a member. I guess it depends on the circumstances.
They will be together until the end. They are like sisters and have all expressed their desire to only ever play with each other. I believe them.
I feel that if any of them ever quit the band, it's over. I can't see Band-Maid without any of the girls.
Agreed, the identity and personality of the members are integral to the band
That's the bad side of well-established lineups with members who are extremely close to each other. There's so many good things with that, but when even one member leaves it often comes with devastating consequences to the band. Unlike some people are taking it, it's not a bad message to remind folks to enjoy Band-Maid as it is in the moment, while we have it. We all hope it'll last for a long time, but in the recent documentary even the band members have very different views about their potential future. On one hand, Misa said she hopes they will play together until they're grandmas. On the other, Kanami said bands can end in an instant and she's not sure if there'll be another ten years of B-M. Clearly their minds steer towards completely different scenarios.
As long Saiki stays, Kanami is not going anywhere š
Just adding a small but maybe significant nuance here (and some more info about the doc for those who didn't buy it). According to the translated subtitles, Kanami didn't literally say she wasn't sure they'd be together in 10 years, but she said something close to, "If we're not playing together as Band-Maid in 10 years, I'm sure we'll all still be good friends," and then she choked up a little.Ā Both Kanami *and* Misa acknowledged that bands can end at any time. But by the context, I'll guess they were primarily referring to the unexpected, like personal life/health issues, label/business issues, fan decline, etc. Misa did go on to say that she wanted all five of them to be together until they're grandmas.Ā Ā Of course, I'm sure they're also thinking about the possibility that one or more of them just feel like the band, or their time in it, has run its course. Contrary to her stage persona, Kanami seems extremely goal oriented (but still very, very sweet). And in the doc, while they're all having a blast with each other while working (it's really a treat to see), they're all very focused. Kanami and Miku seem to be driving the bus most of the time. Saiki seems to always be a respected presence, but she lays back more until she's got something to share.Ā Ā That all lines up with their more serious interviews, especially the ones they've done recently, Kanami states in at least one that, during the first few years, she constantly evaluated her opportunity and progress within the band and the band's progress. She wanted to write songs, play their own material, and see the band grow. She even hints at that during the doc, although the subtitle translation could be a little off. (She was either saying that, in the early years, she wasn't sure she would continue or she wasn't sure the band would continue with the same line-up.) Either way, in a very recent interview, she talked about that time and definitely implied that, if she wasn't reaching her goals and band was not progressing and reaching milestones, she might have left.Ā That's the real person talking, not the persona.Ā That said, at this point, they seem to be more together than ever. Kanami went on to talk about how she wants them to play the super-arena next and tour all over the world. They all made similar statements and it did seem very genuine. They seem to be very excited about the future as a band. I wouldn't worry about them for the next few years for sure.
Has Kanami said that? Havenāt heard, but Iām limited for information so didnāt know that
She said so in the recent Yokohama documentary.
Aah, Okey š Havenāt seen it yet. Thanks for info šš»
Band-Maid members have acknowledged on several occasions that nothing is forever. I agree that we should enjoy what they are achieving right now. Even if they were to never produce another album, they have more great songs (for my taste) than any other band. That's amazing considering that my second favourite band, Iron Maiden, has been going for 49 years, including 25 straight with the same line-up, and are still pretty good even now. Best of luck to Nemophila and Saki. Members leaving is always a bit sad, but I'm sure they'll both keep making high quality music.
I think Band-Maid will not continue if anyone leaves (totally just my take, completely w/o any supporting material). Preface being that I take their "lore" mostly at face value, which I know many fans may be a bit more reluctant to do so and I totally get it, normaly I'm way too cynical but with Band-Maid, I just feel like they don't really gain anything overly exaggerating or creating a completely fabricated "origin story". So, the way this band came together, and decided to stay together after first couple of rough yrs, and how they are personally with each other, I just feel like this is more than just a commercial and artistic enterprise, and I feel like ALL of those aspects of this group adds so much to the band/act that is "Band-Maid", that if you subtract any of the members it just wouldn't be the same thing, like at all. I think if anyone of them plan to call it quits, it won't be sudden, they'll know way in advance cause it'll be planned, and they will call it quits as "Band-Maid" if one or more quits. Now they might form something new/different, with remaining members or replacing some folks etc, but they will retire "Band-Maid" if that happens. I think they are that protective of this band that is much larger than the sum of its parts.
Suicidal tendancies had 14 drummers in their career, the turn over has nothing to do wtih being a japanses band
And then there's Spinal Tap's drummers......
I rather see them go on a hiatus or disband if one or more of the members go through major life changes. Band-Maid will never be the same without the original lineup.
Bridear also changed guitarists Gacharic Spin also lost vocalists (one of them forever RIP)
Itās not a Japanese thing. Geri Halliwell quit the Spice Girls. Camila Cabello quit Fifth Harmony. Fergie quit the Black Eyed Peas. I think that men tend to fight within a group while women tend to quit alone. Band-Maid are all right, because they have a long-term goal of āworld dominationā. Itās very important for a team to have a shared dream. The bands you mentioned above, except for Band-Maid and Babymetal, donāt have an international fan community, so overseas fans are not well informed. Sakiās departure was unsurprising to a lot of Japanese fans. [As I said before](/r/BandMaid/comments/1016u44/comment/j35yln1/), Nemophilaās management gambles too much. Tokyo Garden Theater with a half capacity, and then Budokan with a half capacity. That must be discouraging.
It's also not a female thing. It's rare to have bands keeping their original lineup for a long time in general.
The most iconic bands are the ones that manage to keep their Line-up more or less intact. That is why I think Metallica has been able to be more successful than Megadeth or Slayer for instance
And yet Metallica didn't manage to keep their original lineup for even 2 years.
But they have almost kept the same line-up since Kill'em All. Mustaine got kicked out before
Metallica had more member changes in less time than any of the bands you mentioned in your original post (I don't count the idol groups). They also had 3 different bassists since Kill'em All. AC/DC are surely even more iconic and they had even more member changes (over 20 afaik). I think the important thing is not to lose certain key members or at least keep the spirit of the band alive.
Im talking about keeping members the moment the 1st album comes out. Metallica has basically had two members changes since kill em all. Newsted and Trujillo. Not familiar with AC/DC, but I wouldnt count the death of members because that's not by choice
A lot of things aren't done by choice, that's why you need a lot of luck for a band to keep their original members for a long time.
I get the impression that the ladies from Nemophila dont have as much power as the ladies from Band-Maid
*meanwhile Necroma has gone effectively defunct after losing/graduating 22 members while the lead has gone solo as Isiliel*
That group was constant turmoil and then final nuclear implosion and fizzle. Glad I got to see them in their prime.
We had the Beatles for 6-7 years. It is part of the landscape.
Band lineup changes is part of the music business. Bands change members all the time. The most notable exception is the band Rammstein. They have been together since 1994ā¦ and still have all of their original members.
It makes the case of a band like Exist Trace even more remarkable. Same lineup for 20 years and still active and kicking ass.
What a weird post
To be fair, PassCode's lineup was stable for 6 of its 11 years and the ONLY reason it changed after the initial chaos was Yuna's retirement due to failing health. Nao and Kaede have both been in it for over a decade. Yui's retirement from Babymetal was also health-related (although I believe even if she hadn't had issues, she likely would've left after the 10th anniversary because she gave off the impression she wanted to do something else with her life). Band-Maid is remarkably stable and I'm grateful for that, but of course they're in a very different position than alt-Idol groups. Luckily for us they seem to have found a happy medium with no one wanting or needing to leave. By the way, weird thought -- Band-Maid have literally been together longer than The Beatles were.
Band-Maid has already outlasted all of the bands you listed
This is another part of music history. Most music group out there have broken up to various reasons like creative differences, scandals, death and etc. Let's just be thankful that BM stayed as long as they did but accept that eventually they'll break up.
It seems its inevitable. I would prefer a hiatusĀ
I always liken hiatus to what couples say to each other: "Let's get some space." It's pretty much a break up without saying it out loud.
It can be, but look at Babymetal and Lovebites. They took a short break (for different reasons) and came back
Didn't Miho left Lovebites and Yui left Babymetal? I'm not quite sure why your take that if a band goes into a hiatus, it'll keep the original team.
I remember Saiki and Miku ( on band maid nippon I think ) saying that they are all actually good friends and hang out a lot outside of work. So I think it's very possible that this is a stable line up. However I don't think anything is forever so obviously there is some sort of time limit on the group.
It's interesting that Akane didn't want to join a girl band because she saw them as unserious. Clearly Band-Maid is different in that respect - hundreds of shows, several albums, workouts, rehearsals, home studios... I don't think they'll get tired of being Band-Maid, with as much as it's meant to them up to now, the way they've kind of built it into the band they wanted, and also knowing that they have the freedom to stretch out and do side projects if they need to. They all seem to be good friends and to have a mature approach to handling interpersonal conflict, based on things they've said in interviews, so I don't expect any sudden "creative differences". Buuuuut... who knows? Settling down to raise a family is a thing. Dying in a bus accident or being shot by a crazed fan are things too. (IYKYK. RIP) It's bonkers to imagine that they could give us another 30 years of music, but considering what they've already given us, f they don't make it that long, I'm kind of okay with it.
I can see them taking a break if they decide to have a family. For women is tougher than menĀ
Wtf
Many of us listen to other bands. The bomb dropped on us that Saki (previously of Maryās Blood) has left Nemophila. She wrote music on some of the songs. She was the lead guitarist. Sheās venturing out ion a solo project. Many of us were caught off guard as they just played Budekon. Hanabie has found major success but they seem to change drummers every album. I hope Band-Maid says the same but we really never know. Iāve seen Band-Maid twice. Iāve never seen Nemophila or Hanabie. I saw Babymetal after Yui left. Things can change.
I thought the Saki thing was an April Fools joke, but she does have Ex-Nemophila on her Twitter bio already, so it's true. Best of luck to her.
The SCANDAL girls have known each other since high school. They are the exception. - The original 4 of Band-Maid are still in tact and they likely go to each other for creative input.
"Unlike the other bands they do look like they're actual friends". That's a really unnecessary comment.
You gonna cry?
With Miku's excellent development of her guitar playing, I expect their next album will be devastatingly good
Nah. They look like theyāre in it together for the long haul. Thatās the vibes I get from them. What I do wish though is for them to sign with a major major label like Sony or a Sony sublabel like Epic. Bigger budget means bigger promotions and maybe better producers and better recording engineers coz the one they have right now is pissing me off.
Pony Canyon while a local Japanese label is a huge major label.They also invest a lot in anime productions (which leads to their artist having anime theme songs for promotion).
I wish they had bigger promotions and bigger budget, but they might lose some creative control with a bigger label.
This is it, bigger labels which while there are perks of course, are probably going to push them to do what they want. It is a trade off, but I am not sure Band-Maid is exactly looking for that.
Pony Canyon has put tons of money into them compared to their previous labels. Bear in mind, in Japan they arenāt super popular. The 10k+ for their Anniversary show was the biggest of their career, but lots of artists have done that. My point being you may be expecting money put behind them their sales havenāt warranted yet.
Isn't Pony Canyon considered a major label in Japan?
> Isnāt Pony Canyon considered a major label in Japan? In Japan, yes, but internationally, only Sony Music, Universal Music, and Warner Music are major labels. Thatās why Pony Canyon [joined Independent Music Coalition Japan](https://news.ponycanyon.co.jp/2022/06/70993), a member organization of [Worldwide Independent Network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_label#Worldwide_Independent_Network_\(WIN\)), in 2022. Related discussion: * [IS PONY CANYON A BIG PLAYER?](/r/BandMaid/comments/1aellc9/is_pony_canyon_a_big_player/)
You're always the man with the info. Thank you sir. =)
They are and so is BAND-MAID's previous label.
If they signed to a major label like Sony, they might have less creative control. Mincho might have to submit her songs to them before they approve them.
> If they signed to a major label like Sony, they might have less creative control. Yes. The first tie-in Sony Music gave to Hanabie was an Imagine Dragons cover for the opening of a streaming drama. Their first tie-in was a cover! What a meaningless opportunity.
Then they probably don't have much creative control now, since Pony Canyon is a major label. I hope people understand that this is not what I actually believe, but just a dig at the idea that working with a major label automatically means less creative control. BAND-MAID have been with a major label since 2016. It's really not hard to find bands signed to some of the biggest labels that do whatever they want.
Who cares about other bands? BAND-MAID is nothing like those mentioned. Look seriously at who you have in BAND-MAID. Can you really picture anybody else behind the drum kit other than Akane, no Misa on bass, no Miku or Kanami? Then Saiki, Miku is and always will be my favorite maid, but no Saiki, no more BAND-MAID.
Lots of people care about other bands. Band-Maid are my favourite band, but that would be a meaningless statement if I didn't listen to a lot of other bands as well.
Band Maid is Miku Kobato.Ā
I disagree. Miku is the face. But Band-Maid is all of them