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MAX (group)

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MAX (band)
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Background information
OriginOkinawa, Japan
GenresJapanese Pop, Eurobeat, Dance
Years active1995–present
LabelsAvex Trax (1995–2005)
Sonic Groove (2005–present)
MembersNana (1995–present)
Lina (1995–present)
Reina (1995–present)
Mina (1995–2002); (2008–present)
Past membersAki (2002–2008)
Websitewww.avexnet.or.jp/max

MAX whose name is an acronym for "Musical Active eXperience" is a Japanese female vocal group. The original members of MAX made their musical debut as members of the Super Monkey's along with lead vocalist, Namie Amuro. They branched out on their own in 1995, becoming stars in their own right with several million selling albums and a string of consecutive top 20 singles from 1996 to 2000. Their lead singer, Mina left the group in 2002 due to pregnancy and was replaced by Aki Maeda who assumed the stage name, Aki. Aki left the group in August 2008 to pursue a solo career. Original member, Mina, returned to the group on October 28, 2008 ushering in the group's comeback after a two-year hiatus.[1]

Since their debut MAX has sold over 10 million records.[2] They are behind only Morning Musume for female group with the most consecutive top 10 singles, tying with Wink at 15.[3] As a group, MAX established a new style for female idol groups, straying away from the traditional cute and innocent idol mold[3] instead focusing on high impact choreography and a sexier more adult image.

Members

When the group debuted all members used their real names. Once they became popular they used stage names each possessing the suffix "na." Lina (Ritsuko) used to go by "Rina". However, because of the similarity to "Reina" and the fact that her nickname more closely matched "Lina" anyway, this became her name around the time of their first CD. During informal footage such as backstage of their concerts, Mina and Nana are referred to by their full names, Minako and Nanako. The only member not to take on a stage name with the suffix is former member, Aki.

All members of the group hail from Okinawa Prefecture including their latest member.

Current members

Former members

  • Aki Maeda (前田亜紀), known as AKI (b. 22 October 1980). Before joining MAX, she had made her professional music debut in the short lived group, Hipp's.

History

The beginning

MAX started off as just a project that was never meant to take off. The group's concept was simple. They were presented as a sexy singing and dancing pop group who performed catchy dance music. In 1995, they released their first single to very little success. Their second single was released to the same fate. The group continued to perform with Namie Amuro under the name, Super Monkey's, until the group officially disbanded in the summer of that year. Even though the Super Monkey's were over, MAX performed as dancers for Namie Amuro throughout the early stages of her solo career until March 1996. The foursome's dual identity as SuperMonkeys and MAX is captured in the video, Amuro Namie First Anniversary Live in Marine Stadium where they performed as Namie's backup singers and dancers, then Namie announces and congratulates them as MAX.

That month, the girls released their first movie, Ladie's MAX and their third single, "Tora Tora Tora," which debuted at #19 giving them their first hit. Their days as glorified backup dancers were finally over.

Stardom

MAX followed the success of "Tora Tora Tora" with "Seventies" which brought the girls their first top 10 hit. In December 1996, they released their debut album Maximum. The album debuted at #1 and went on to sell over one million copies. Following the success of their album, MAX went back to the big screen in the sequel to their first movie, Ladie's MAX. The theme song to the movie entitled Give me a Shake was the first original song they performed. Before this song, all of MAX's hits were covers of Italian dance music. When the eponymous theme song "Give me a Shake" was released as a single it debuted at #1 garnering the group their first and only #1 hit.

In the fall of 1997, MAX went on their first national tour dubbed J-Pop Gig Tour. Spanning only two months, the group played sold-out halls including the Nippon Budokan. They released their second album, Maximum II on Christmas Day. That album also went on to sell over a million copies. MAX appearing for the first time on Kouhaku Utagassen at the end of 1997 and continued their reign at the top of the music scene throughout 1998. In 1999, MAX released their first greatest hits collection entitled Maximum Collection which also topped the charts. The girls scored a major hit at the end of the year with their first ballad single entitled, "Issho ni." Although the single had charted in the lower half of the top 10, it stayed on the charts for four months selling over 300,000 copies. It would be their second best selling single.

Turning Point

2000 proved to be a time of change for MAX. For their first single of the new millinneum, the girl's decided to take control of their music by writing and producing for the first time. Their result, "Never Gonna Stop It", an R&B influence pop number debuted at #8 on the charts. However, the single fell short of sales of 100,000 copies. Since 1999, the group's sales were gradually declining but this was the first time since their third single that any of their singles did not surpass the hundred thousand mark. Their next self-produced effort, "Magic" would debut at #10 but sold less than the previous single. The next few years were more of the same.

The group came to a dramatic standstill when in January 2002, the group's lead singer, Mina, announced her quickie marriage and pregnancy in a press conference at their record label, Avex Trax's main office. At the press conference, the group also announced that Mina would take a hiatus from the group to have her baby. They released their second ballad single, "Spring Rain" the following month to disastrous results. The single charted a lowly #28 breaking their string of 19 consecutive top 20 singles. An original album, their fifth, due for release in March was shelved and instead a second greatest hits collection was released in its place. MAX went into hiatus.

Muted Comeback

The next few months remained quiet for MAX, until late June when news started circulating around fan websites that flyers announcing a new MAX member were seen. The three remaining members (Nana, Lina and Reina) had previously announced that they would either: 1) continue as a three member group or 2) remain in hiatus until Mina returned. In either case, they were adamant that no one would replace Mina.

Soon after came the news of an official fanclub meeting in July. On the day of the meeting, a three member MAX came out to a crowded club performing their #1 smash, "Give me a Shake." Shortly following the performance, MAX confirmed rumors by introducing their new member, Aki Maeda. Aki's position in the band was initially uncertain, rumors were that she was either just a temporary member until Mina's return or upon Mina's return MAX would become a five member group.

The media was abound and everything seemed to be turning around. A new single and album were scheduled for release the next month along with TV appearances on some of the biggest music shows in the country. However, the single would be cancelled. The album, Maxiumum Trance containing trance remixes of old material would be released as scheduled. Their new television appearances were cancelled as well.

In November, MAX finally made their comeback with the bossa nova influenced single, "Eternal White." The single debuted at #20 and quickly fell off the charts. Subsequent releases continued to come with larger distances in time. The group released two singles in 2003 both failing to reach the top 30. In 2004, the group released a cover of Atomic Kitten's "Be with You." The single debuted at #34 after a promising but ultimately disappointing promotional push. In August, the group performed in the United States for the first time at Texas' AnimeFest held at the Hyatt Hotel in Dallas. Following the event, MAX took time out to participate in solo activities including modeling and acting.

10th Anniversary

In 2005, the group celebrated their 10th anniversary. Although the group had not released any new material after the release of "Be With You," they embarked on a hotel tour to commemorate the anniversary. The "MAX Love Trip 2005" spanned four shows in May. During the hotel tour, the group confirmed a new single entitled "Nirai Kanai" for release in July. The single would be a return to their roots incorporating Eurodance beats with traditional Okinawan elements. MAX also had a greater input in this single, not only picking the song but also writing the lyrics and even performing a bit of the instrumental. The group coined the term "Okinawan Euro" to describe the song. In an interview with "Barks.co.jp," the group explained that the long wait for the single was due to their search for the perfect song. They also stated that unlike in the past where they would release singles in a certain time span, that they would now concentrate on only releasing "good" music regardless of how long it takes. Upon release, the single was only able to capture a few thousand sales on the mainland. However, the song proved to be a runaway hit in Okinawa allowing the group to have several live events on the island. They followed up "Nirai Kanai" with another single in November and released their first album with new member, Aki in February 2006, entitled, "Jewel of Jewels." Another single entitled "Splash Gold (Natsu no Kiseki)/Prism of Eyes," the group's first double a-side single was released in August of that year. It became the group's final release with new member, Aki.

New Edition (2008–present)

On August 12, 2008, it was announced Aki would be leaving the group at the end of the month to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter.[4] The remaining members would continue activities as a group although in what capacity was not revealed. The group made their last public appearance with Aki at the Japanese premiere of the "Sex and the City" film. Beginning August 31, the group went on hiatus. Through their personal blogs, Lina and Reina told fans that they had been in meetings with their record label on October 3.[5] They did not discuss the details of the meeting, telling fans that they had some secrets they would soon reveal. And on October 28, a press release through their management announced a comeback with original member, Mina.[6] Two days after the announcement, they made their first public appearance with Mina on the television program, Tokudane, performing their signature song, "Give Me A Shake." A new remix album, New Edition: Maximum Hits was released on December 12 and included a new song, "Are You Ready?"

MAX returned to the concert stage with a one-night only show at C.C. Lemon Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo, on January 31, 2009. Demand for the concert was so great, Nana announced during the encore that they would go on a full-fledged tour.[7] The MAX Live Contact 2009 -New Edition- tour will have six shows and began on April 25. On the first night of the tour, MAX surprised fans again with the announcement of a new single, "Rough Cut Diamond." It will be used as the theme song to the TV Tokyo drama series, Kariyushi Sensei Chibaru airing in June.[8] It will be released on July 22, 2009.

On May 21, 2011, it was announced on the Vision Factory site[9] that Reina married May 16, 2011 and was five months pregnant. The statement also affirmed that MAX activities would continue.

Discography

Main article: MAX discography

Tours

  • August 17, 1997 - September 22, 1997:J-Pop Gig Tour '97 (12 Shows)
  • March 24, 1998 - May 31, 1998: MAX Live Contact 1998 ~MAX Up Your Life~ (30 Shows)
  • March 6, 1999 - August 19, 1999: MAX Live Contact 1999 ~Sunny Holiday~ (54 Shows)
  • May 1, 2000 - July 2, 2000: MAX Live Contact 2000 ~No Boundly~ (17 Shows)
  • July 7, 2001 - September 2, 2001: MAX Live Contact 2001 ~Bitter 4 Sweet~ (17 Shows)
  • January 31, 2009; April 25, 2009 - May 30, 2009: MAX Live Contact 2009 -New Edition- (7 Shows)

Filmography

  • 1995 Yoru mo Hippare (TV Series)
  • 1996 Ladie's MAX
  • 1997 Ladie's MAX: Give me a Shake
  • 1998 Sweet Devil (TV Series)
  • 2005 Starlight (TV Series)
  • 2006 Churusan 3 (TV Series)
  • 2009 Omoikirri Don! (TV Series)
  • 2009 Kariyushi Sensei Chibaru (TV Series)

References

  1. ^ "MINA returns to MAX". Tokyograph. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  2. ^ "復活ＭＡＸ「永久」宣言…７年ぶりライブ". Yomiuri.
  3. ^ a b "女性グループのシングル1位獲得数で単独1位に！　モーニング娘。の偉業を検証". Yahoo!.
  4. ^ "MAX's Aki to leave at the end of the month". Tokyograph. 2008-08-12. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  5. ^ "打合せ終了♪".
  6. ^ "MAX　MINAメンバー復帰のお知らせ".
  7. ^ "ママでもＭＡＸ！ＭＩＮＡ８年ぶりライブ".
  8. ^ "ＭＡＸ１１年ぶり連ドラ主題歌！シングルは７年ぶり".
  9. ^ "Vision Factory". Retrieved 30 June 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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