BEAT CRUSADERS was a Japanese rock/punk/pop group who were first formed in … Read Full Bio ↴BEAT CRUSADERS was a Japanese rock/punk/pop group who were first formed in late 1997 by ヒダカトオル (Hidaka Tooru), primarily as an experimental lo-fi indie pop group. The first line-up of the group was originally a result of constant experimental shows performed in various locations around Tokyo. Their use of both old and new technology, combined with influences from various bands such as Weezer and Rentals, had transformed them into a melodic guitar-driven band. By late 1998, the group had started to settle into things and were rapidly gaining a reputation for being an energetic live band with catchy and fun songs that weren't to be missed within the independent music scene.

The momentum from this carried on with the single "NEVER POP ENOUGH e.p." which quickly climbed up the independent CD charts of various shops in Japan. Around a month later, they released their first mini-album "HOWLING SYMPHONY OF..." which both rapidly climbed the charts and received critical acclaim from the music press. After this, the band started to tour more extensively, thanks to various offers from bands within the Japanese alternative music scene. They then released their second single "FIRESTARTER" which was released in 2000 and then followed it up with the full-length album "ALL YOU CAN EAT" along with involvement in various compilation albums and split mini-albums with various independent groups while still releasing their own albums and singles.

In August 2003, three of the four original members of BEAT CRUSADERS left the band, leaving behind only Hidaka. He quickly recruited four new members, who form the current line-up of the group. The three members that left went on to form ANITA CHILI PEPPERS. The current line-up of the band is: ヒダカトオル (Hidaka Tooru) - Vocal & Guitar, クボタマサヒコ (Kubota Masahiko) - Bass, カトウタロウ (Kato Taro) - Guitar, マシータ (Mashiita, Maseeta) - Drums and ケイタイモ (Keitaimo) - Keyboard.

In 2004, the group was finally catapulted into the major-label music scene, thanks to the release of the song "HIT IN THE USA" which was used as the opening theme for the anime "BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad" and also allowed a number of their songs to be covered in the same anime. They have also had the song "TONIGHT,TONIGHT,TONIGHT" used in the anime "BLEACH" and in 2006 they made their first American appearance, thanks to the song "Hey×2 Look×2" which was used as the opening theme song to the Nicktoons animated series "Kappa Mikey".

Confirmation from Toru Hidaka that Beat Crusaders Broke-up 4th September, 2010.

Sprite
BEAT CRUSADERS Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Walkin' on nights
I got to watch you steal the night
Walkin' on nights
I got to watch you dim all lights
Walkin' on nights
I got to watch you give the rite
Walkin' on nights
I got to watch you be the sprite

Was it you who made me comin' up?
Was it you who spelled me comin' up?
Going lose my senses

I get up and I see you glow
I get up, I get up, I get up climbin' on tree

I get up and I see you glow
I get up, I get up, I get up on a tree till dawn

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to BEAT CRUSADERS' song "Sprite" explore the enchanting and almost magical qualities of someone who appears to be the embodiment of a sprite, a type of mythical creature that is often depicted dancing and frolicking in nature. The singer is walking on nights, perhaps feeling lost or alone, when they come upon this person who steals the night and dims all the lights around them. The sprite then gives the singer a rite, which could mean a ritual or ceremony, but could also connote a sense of passing on some kind of power or knowledge.

The chorus of the song poses two questions to the sprite: "Was it you who made me comin' up? Was it you who spelled me comin' up?" These questions could be interpreted in a number of ways - the singer may be asking if the sprite is responsible for their feelings of elation and enchantment, or if the sprite has cast a spell on them. Either way, the singer is losing their senses and becoming increasingly entranced by the sprite's presence.

The final verses of the song portray the singer climbing a tree to get closer to the sprite, as if trying to reach some kind of metaphysical or spiritual connection with them. The sprite glows, and the singer is transfixed until dawn.

Overall, "Sprite" is a dreamy and ethereal song that uses the mythical figure of the sprite to explore feelings of enchantment and transcendence.

Line by Line Meaning

Walkin' on nights
Walking through the night

I got to watch you steal the night
I had the privilege of observing you taking control of the night

I got to watch you dim all lights
I had the opportunity to witness you dimming all the lights

I got to watch you give the rite
I got to see you perform a ritual

I got to watch you be the sprite
I got to see you take on the role of a sprite

Was it you who made me comin' up?
Did you cause me to rise?

Was it you who spelled me comin' up?
Did you cast a spell to make me rise?

Going lose my senses
I'm starting to lose control of my emotions

I get up and I see you glow
I stand and see you radiate light

I get up, I get up, I get up climbin' on tree
I repeatedly climb up a tree