They established the project in their hometown of Osaka and later relocated to Tokyo.
Persistent sales of their exceptional debut “Blues of Colors” (2000) built nationwide recognition, representing their unique artistry through cabaret music and Showa popular songs, which was inspired by Jazz of the pre-war years.
EGO-WRAPPIN’ is a unique and rare artist. Each work constructed with novel and fascinating musicianship, draws the attention of the Japanese music scene. The EGO-sound reflects free atmosphere and hot emotion, which Jazz and Rock music had prior to becoming just titles of genres, and draws from the spirit of our living world.
Facing music sincerely, jumping the walls of genres easily, they will tell you how to enjoy music with their pop sense. You feel their song vibrations directly. EGO-WRAPPIN’s thrilling performances of their exciting material have become romantic miracles of today.
Biography
1996
Ego-Wrappin’ was formed in Osaka in 1996.
1998
They released their first full album “Blue Speaker” in June 1998, propelling them to the forefront of the Osaka indies charts.
1998
At the end of 1998 one of their songs was selected for use on the TV drama series “Kirakira Hikaru”. The song was also included on the soundtrack CD of the same series.
1999
In February 1999, they released mini album “His Choice of Shoes Is Ill”, which for the first time included lyrics penned by Yoshie in Japanese.
1999
They released the mini album “Swing for Joy” in November 1999.
“A Love Song” featured DETERMINATIONS gained popularity amongst many local radio stations.
1999
In December 1999 they made their live debut in Tokyo with an acoustic set at Aoyama CAY.
2000
In January 2000, they held a release party for “Swing for Joy” at Shibuya’s Club Quattro, of the most famous live venues in Tokyo, following which they conducted a tour of many of Japan’s major cities.
2000
In February 2000, Yoshie launched her solo project JuJu Kneipp with a number of prominent Japanese famous musicians, releasing the mini album “Algolagnia”.
2000
In August 2000 Ego-Wrappin’ released the mini album “Shikisai no Blues”, which went on to become one of their most successful albums, following which they conducted a national tour. More than 800 fans flocked to a small nightclub in Tokyo to see Ego-Wrappin’s gig.
2000
In November 2000 they joined a number of prominent bands such as Kazufumi Kodama, The Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Dry & Heavy and Little Tempo in contributing to “Ska Stock”, a tribute album for The Skatalites.
2000
Their 7 inch analogue release “Flowers” from the mini album “Shikisai no Blues” sold out almost immediately.
2001
In January 2001, Yoshie took part in “Beautiful Days” by Fantastic Plastic Machine.
At the same time, “Shikisai no Blues” was chosen as the theme song for the film “Sadistic & Masochistic” by director Hideo Nakano.
2001
In addition to establishing their own label “Minor Swing” in May 2001, they also released their full length major label debut “Michishio no Romance” through Universal Music, which featured contributions from a range of other musicians.
“Psychoanalysis” from this album was selected as a recommended track by a number of TV and radio stations including MTV Japan, Space Shower and Viewsic, earning its video considerable airtime.
2001
In July 2001 they conducted another national tour from Hokkaido to Okinawa, during which they were joined on stage by a range of musical collaborators. The same month they also made their debut appearance at the FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL (Japan’s biggest and the most famous live music festival).
2001
In August 2001 they took part in the SUNSET LIVE 2001 music festival in Fukuoka.
The festival was held on the beach and its atmosphere was incredible.
2001
In October 2001, “Noraneko no theme”, a collaboration with Kazuhumi Kodama, one of the greatest trumpet players in Japan, was chosen as the theme song for the film “Pistol Opera”.
Masaki also appeared on the Mama! Milk CD album “Lamb and Mutton”.
2001
In November 2001, “Teennesee Waltz”, a collaboration between Yoshie and the guitar duo Gontiti was included on a TV drama.
Aremixed and re-mastered version of “Shikisai no Blues” was also released as “Midnight Dejavu - Shikisai no Blues”.
2001
In December 2002 Yoshie took part in “So Much To Learn, So Little We Know”, a charity album for Afghan refugees.
2002
In January 2002 Ego-Wrappin’ staged an audacious live show at IMP Hall.
2002
In March 2002 they again defied convention by conducting a special concert at an historic shrine in Kyoto.
2002
Their 3rd full-length album “Night Food” was released in July 2002. “Kuchibashi ni Cherry” from that album was chosen as the theme song for a popular TV drama. “Night Food” has gone on to become their most successful album to date.
2002
In the summer of 2002 they took part in a number of music festivals including the RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL.
2002
In September they launched another national tour with a show at the Liquid Room in Shinjuku.
2002
On New Years Eve in December 2002 they held a count down show at the Ebisu Garden Hal in Tokyo in front of more than 2,000 fans.
2003
In May, Masaki selected songs for the CD “Rock a shake vol.3 ~Move! Baby Move~”.
The band also held their first gig after a half year break.
2003
In the summer of 2003 they again took part in various summer music festivals including FUJI ROCK、LIVE STOCK 2003、the RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL、and the KOIWAI ROCK FESTIVAL.
2003
In August 2003 Yoshie’s solo project JuJu KNEIPP made a guest performance at the final show of CLAM’s tour, their first time on stage together for 2 years.
2003
After again hosting a New Year’s countdown gig in Ebisu, Tokyo, they conducted their first live show of 2004.
タバコ
EGO-WRAPPIN' Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
息つぎの「間」も 惜しむ悪さは
ケタ違い ZEROの死骸
異常な執着がひそむ
吐き捨てる つじつま合わせすすむ
ふくみ笑いの くちびる
待つ声は勘違い 追いつかない
たどりつけない
主旨を砕く 話し口調はつづく
罠にはめるfraze 強く香るTRACE
さびれた口癖
立てつく間なく NO NO NO
足もとに毒 底しれず吐く
心地良さも悪くない
shara run...
主旨を砕く 話し口調はつづく
罠にはめるfraze 強く香るTRACE
さびれた口癖
立てつく間なく NO NO NO
足もとに毒 底しれず吐く
心地良さも悪くない
吐いつくばれ 吐いつくばれ
The lyrics of EGO-WRAPPIN''s song "タバコ" delve into a complex mixture of themes, including addiction, self-destruction, and the struggle for a sense of purpose. The opening lines set the scene with the singer being overwhelmed by smoke, symbolizing their entrapment in their own vices. The use of the word "悪さ" (badness) suggests that they recognize the negative consequences of their behavior but cannot resist the temptation.
The following line, "ケタ違いZEROの死骸" (a completely different ZERO's corpse), implies that their excessive indulgence has resulted in the death of something essential within them. The abnormal obsession they have hidden within themselves drives them to continue justifying their actions and maintain a facade of contentment.
The line "待つ声は勘違い 追いつかない" (the waiting voice misunderstands, unable to catch up) emphasizes the singer's feeling of being misunderstood or left behind in their pursuit of satisfaction. Their desires and goals remain out of reach, and they feel trapped in a cycle they cannot escape.
Throughout the lyrics, the phrase "shara run" is repeated, serving as an onomatopoeic expression of the singer trying to break free. However, they find themselves unable to shatter the core message of their narrative, which continues with a speech-like tone that manipulates the listener like a trap. The strong scent of "TRACE" represents an intoxicating allure, making it difficult for the singer to resist falling further into their destructive habits.
The repetition of "立てつく間なく NO NO NO" (incessant, NO NO NO) enhances the sense of urgency felt by the singer, as they recognize the poison they spew without even realizing it. Despite the negativity surrounding their actions, the singer also acknowledges that there is a certain comfort in their behavior, highlighting the complexity of their emotional state.
The final line, "吐いつくばれ 吐いつくばれ" (hurled out, hurled out), suggests a plea or a confession, perhaps indicating the singer's desire to be rid of their self-destructive tendencies, but recognizing the difficulty in doing so. Overall, the lyrics of "タバコ" paint a portrait of a person struggling with addiction, trapped in a cycle of self-destruction, but also grappling with the allure and comfort that these habits provide.
Line by Line Meaning
プカプカ 煙にむせる
I cough in the midst of the swirling smoke
息つぎの「間」も 惜しむ悪さは
Even the slightest pause is filled with a regretful wickedness
ケタ違い ZEROの死骸
A staggering corpse of absolute zero
異常な執着がひそむ
An abnormal obsession lurks within
吐き捨てる つじつま合わせすすむ
I spit out words as I try to rationalize
ふくみ笑いの くちびる
A filled smile on my lips
待つ声は勘違い 追いつかない
The voice I wait for misunderstands, it cannot catch up
たどりつけない
I cannot reach it
shara run...
shara run...
主旨を砕く 話し口調はつづく
Breaking the main point, the tone of the conversation continues
罠にはめるfraze 強く香るTRACE
Trapped in phrases, a strong scent of a trace
さびれた口癖
A rusty habit
立てつく間なく NO NO NO
No respite, constantly feeling overwhelmed with NO NO NO
足もとに毒 底しれず吐く
Unbeknownst to me, poison is being spat at my feet
心地良さも悪くない
Even the comfort is not unpleasant
吐いつくばれ 吐いつくばれ
I keep spitting, keep spitting
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: 良恵 中納
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind