Base Ball Bear (ベースボールベアー) is a Japanese rock band from Tokyo that formally… Read Full Bio ↴Base Ball Bear (ベースボールベアー) is a Japanese rock band from Tokyo that formally began in 2002, although the members assembled in the autumn of 2001. The band, which was initially named Planet, was formed for a one-time performance at a high school culture festival, but they decided to continue playing due to how well they were received at the festival and how much fun they were having. Base Ball Bear made its major debut in early 2006 with EMI Music Japan. Their style influences include Japanese indie rock bands Number Girl and Supercar, and British rock bands such as Oasis. The band has been noted for the "nostalgic" feel of band leader Yūsuke Koide's lyrics, often about teenage life and memories. They are also known for their contributions to the soundtrack of the movie Linda Linda Linda (in which female bassist Shiori Sekine had a leading role) and performing the themes to the anime series Toshokan Sensō, Ōkiku Furikabutte and Gintama.

The band's former name, Planet, most likely came from a Supercar song of the same name. Their current name also derives partially from a song name. Koide thought of Japanese singer Chocolat's song "Base Ball and Elvis Presley", and suggested the name "Base Ball". Guitarist Yuasa thought it would be better if they added one more word to it, and the rest of the band agreed. They eventually settled on the word "bear".

Members

Yūsuke Koide (小出祐介, Koide Yūsuke, born December 9, 1984 in Tokyo) - Vocalist & guitarist, primary songwriter and the leader of the band. He likes movies, music, and reading. He likes old school hip hop and his favorite artists include XTC, Happy End and Perfume. He is also a fan of drama actress and idol Meguru Ishii.
Shōhei Yuasa (湯浅将平, Yuasa Shōhei, born April 16, 1984 in Chiba Prefecture) - Guitarist and unofficial dancer. Shōhei was on the swim team when he was in high school and worked as a lifeguard before the band became famous. He occasionally does yoga. He likes drinking and eating. His favorite artists are Thee Michelle Gun Elephant and Sly & the Family Stone.
Shiori Sekine (関根史織, Sekine Shiori, born December 8, 1985 in Saitama Prefecture) - Bass guitarist and chorus. Shiori is the only female member of Base Ball Bear and had no experience playing bass guitar before joining the band. Shiori had a leading role as Nozomi in the movie Linda Linda Linda. She is a fan of Ultraman and likes cooking (especially desserts). She also likes manga and is a fan of Namie Odama. Her favorite artists include Jethro Tull, Caravan, Keiichi Suzuki, Yui and GO!GO!7188.
Daisuke Horinouchi (堀之内大介, Horinouchi Daisuke, born January 17, 1985 in Tokyo) - Drummer and chorus. He has a younger sister. His favorite hobbies are lifting weights and watching pro wrestling and soccer. His favorite artists are The Police, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Frusciante, and Nile Rodgers.

History

Koide originally gathered the band members in 2001, with the purpose of performing at their high school's fall festival. The band's name at the time was "Planet" and they played covers of songs by the band Supercar. Afterwards, all of the band members decided to continue with the band as a hobby.

In April 2002, the band began sending demo tapes to record labels and were advised by Toshiba EMI to change their name, eventually choosing "Base Ball Bear," the name under which they performed their first gig at Shimokitazawa Garage that July. Throughout the rest of the year, they continued playing in the Shibuya and Shimokitazawa areas of Tokyo as their fan base began to grow.

In November 2003, Base Ball Bear signed with Blitz Pia Records, an indies label. They immediately release their first mini-album Yūgata Generation on November 26. The band released their first single, Yume is Vision, in April of the following year. It was the first of the band's songs to be accompanied by a music video and they colloborated with Yūki, a Japanese fashion magazine model and Base Ball Bear fan, to create it. The band spent the rest of 2004 practicing and writing new songs, some of where were featured on compilation CDs.

The band released their first full-length album, High Color Times, on March 16, 2005, and started playing concerts to sold-out crowds in larger venues. Also, Shiori Sekine was cast in one of the lead roles in the film Linda Linda Linda, which features some of the band's music.

Base Ball Bear signed with EMI Music Japan in January 2006, and immediately released an introductory album, Band B ni Tsuite, on January 12. (They had released another version of Band B ni Tsuite on October 14, 2005, but the new release included one new song and other remastering.) They played on the Nyakunyaku Nannyo (若若男女) Summer Tour with Chatmonchy and Snowkel and released their first major album, C, on October 29.

Their first solo tour "Live by the C" took place in the spring of 2007. Over the course of the year, they released four more singles, as well as their second major album, Jūnanasai. Their live performances included the Rock in Japan Festival, another round on the Nyakunyaku Nannyo Summer Tour, and the B-Pop High School Tour.

In 2008, the band went on a solo tour called "17-sai Kara Yattemasu Tour" (Starting from 17 Tour) that ran from the middle to the end of March. Their first single of the year, Changes, was released on May 8, 2008 and was the ending theme to the Production I.G anime series Toshokan Sensō. There are many live shows scheduled during the summer, including the the third round of the Nyakunyaku Nannyo Summer Tour and the Higher Ground 2008 festival in July, and the Rock in Japan Festival in August. Base Ball Bear is also planning a two-day show at Shibuya C.C. Lemon Hall in late September.

SEVENTEEN ROMANCE
Base Ball Bear Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

人のいない車両 1年ぶりの
気まずい再会
ふたり、目合わせない
中吊り見るふり向かいの席の君
そっと見てみた
君は英単語帳見ていた
近づく俺の駅覚えた感情
抑え付けて何も言えないまま

君はこれから何個の単語
覚えるんだろうか
心殺してしまった事件
あれから何か足りなくなって
ロマンスは思い出に変わり果てて
君に出会ってしまった事件
出来るならTake me high again
伝えたら極上の
ロマンス始まるのかも
しれないのに…
最後に一緒に帰ったのも
人のいない車両
並んで座ってふたり寄り添って
君が降りる駅
ミニスカート姿見送り
ひとりになって気付いた
大事なもの失くしたんだって

立ち止まり後ろ振り向く
窓越しに君と目が合って
そう目が合って...
発車のベルが鳴り響く
でも俺は立ちすくんでいるだけ
ドアが閉まり君は座ったまま
次の駅へ流されていく
心殺してしまった事件
あれから何か足りなくなって
ロマンスは思い出に変わり果てて
君に出会ってしまった事件
出来るならTake me high again
伝えたら極上の
ロマンス始まる
心殺してしまった事件
あれから何か足りなくなって
ロマンスは思い出に変わり果てて
君に出会ってしまった事件
出来るならTake me high again
伝えたら極上の

ロマンス始まるのかも
しれないのに…

Overall Meaning

These lyrics depict a nostalgic encounter between the singer and their former lover as they ride a train together. As they sit across from each other, they both awkwardly avoid eye contact, pretending to read or look at the advertisements hanging above them. While observing their former lover, the singer reminisces about the moments they shared, remembering the emotions they felt when they last saw each other. Despite wanting to say something, the singer remains silent, unable to express their feelings as they wonder how many words their former lover will learn from their English vocabulary book.

The second verse describes their last moments together. They once again find themselves in an empty train car, sitting next to each other, and the singer takes the opportunity to appreciate their former lover's beauty one last time. When it comes time for their former lover to disembark, the singer watches them leave, realizing only afterwards the significance of the moment. They lament losing someone that was once important to them, but are unable to take action and make things right, leaving the situation unresolved. The chorus represents the singer's desire to have the chance to start their romance anew, but they're not sure if it's possible.

Line by Line Meaning

人のいない車両 1年ぶりの
It's been a year, and we're in a train carriage with no one else around

気まずい再会
Our reunion is awkward

ふたり、目合わせない
Neither of us can bring ourselves to make eye contact

中吊り見るふり向かいの席の君
I pretend to look at the ad hanging up, while stealing glances at you sitting across from me

そっと見てみた
I take a quick, furtive look

君は英単語帳見ていた
You're studying an English vocabulary textbook

近づく俺の駅覚えた感情
As my station gets nearer, my feelings surge

抑え付けて何も言えないまま
I try to hold back and say nothing

君はこれから何個の単語
I wonder how many words you'll memorize from here on out

覚えるんだろうか
Will you remember everything?

心殺してしまった事件
An incident that killed my heart