Their first major label release, wonder style, was released in 1995, and produced in London, United Kingdom, by Chris Brown, who previously engineered albums and tracks for Radiohead and Pink Floyd. Their breakthrough album, however, was 1998's Gear Blues which sold more than 500,000 copies, a huge number in the Japanese recording industry. Gear Blues was released in the United States in 2000 by Alive Records, but the band's success in that country never reached the level that they had in Japan, although they had moderate success in Europe. With the release of Gear Blues, the band stopped using lowercase letters in their name, and became known as THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT, with capitalized letters. The band announced that they would break up on October 11, 2003, after their Last Heaven tour of Japan.
After breaking up, the members have all continued activities in other bands. Chiba Yusuke recorded two albums and several smaller releases while in ROSSO, and has participated in projects of smaller scale, such as Midnight Bankrobbers, RAVEN and THE MIDWEST VIKINGS. In 2006, he and drummer Kuhara Kazuyuki got together again and formed The Birthday. As for the other TMGE members, bassist Ueno Koji was part of the three-piece rock band Radio Caroline for several years before suspending activities in 2009, and helped record the HIATUS' album Trash We'd Love. While not as active after the breakup as some of the other members, guitarist Abe Futoshi has among other things appeared in a band called KOOLOGI.
On July 22nd, 2009, it was announced on the band's official homepage that Abe Futoshi had passed away due to an acute epidural hematoma, a condition often caused by a blow to the side of the head. Abe was 43 years old.
Members:
Chiba Yusuke (チバユウスケ) – Vocal, guitar
Abe Futoshi (アベフトシ) – Guitar
Ueno Koji (ウエノコウジ) – Bass
Kuhara Kazuyuki (クハラカズユキ) – Drums
Official Webpages:
http://www.rockin-blues.com/
http://www.universal-music.co.jp/tmge/
http://columbia.jp/~michelle/
デッドマンズ・ギャラクシー・デイズ
Thee Michelle Gun Elephant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
サーカスが見たいらしい
曲乗りが俺の仕事
キャット・フードぶちまけた気分
デッドマン・デイズ
デッドマン・デイズ
デッドマン・デイズ
目の前に広がる 黒い宇宙の中
無重力 クラクラの旅
デッドマン・デイズ
デッドマン・デイズ
デッドマン・デイズ
甲高いさけび声が 楽しげに響いて
ピエロは首吊って
それでも笑ってたんだ
デッドマン・デイズ
デッドマン・デイズ
デッドマン・デイズ
加速するギャラクシー・デイズ
ロケットには"I LOVE YOU."
銀河を突き抜けて
宇宙を手に入れろ
世界には必ず 悪がつきものだって
忘れかけてる頃
奴はフラッと来て言う
デッドマン・デイズ
デッドマン・デイズ
デッドマン・デイズ
あの娘のハートが揺れて動くから
哀しみはきっとそこで生まれてる
加速するギャラクシー・デイズ
ロケットには"I LOVE YOU."
銀河を突き抜けて
宇宙を手に入れろ
宇宙を手に入れろ
宇宙を
The lyrics of Thee Michelle Gun Elephant's song デッドマンズ・ギャラクシー・デイズ paint a vivid and peculiar picture of a surreal, almost dystopian world where themes of darkness, freedom, and the mysterious cosmos intertwine. The opening lines introduce a setting at a "Midnight Club Heaven" where a desire for the circus is expressed, hinting at a yearning for spectacle and escapism. The singer's occupation as a tightrope performer is highlighted as they feel a rebellious sensation akin to throwing cat food in the air. This sets the stage for the recurring phrase "デッドマン・デイズ" (Deadman Days), suggesting a sense of danger or recklessness pervading their existence.
As the lyrics progress, the imagery delves deeper into the surreal as the singer finds themselves engulfed in a vast black universe, being pulled in without gravity on a dizzying journey. The concept of the "Deadman Days" is reiterated, emphasizing a sense of perilous adventure and detachment from reality. The mention of a high-pitched cry and a hanging clown adds a macabre element, yet the clown's ability to laugh amidst this darkness further underscores the eerie and enigmatic nature of the Deadman Days.
The narrative takes a cosmic turn as the lyrics mention accelerating into the Galaxy Days, symbolized by a rocket emblazoned with the declaration "I LOVE YOU." This sudden shift towards a celestial perspective conveys a yearning for exploration, transcendence, and seizing control of the universe. The idea that evil is an inevitable companion in the world, only to be reminded of its presence just when one forgets, adds a haunting layer to the themes of the song, echoing a cyclical nature of darkness and revelation.
In the final verses, the lyrics pivot towards a more personal and emotional trajectory, suggesting a girl's heart is in turmoil, giving birth to sorrow in the midst of the accelerating Galaxy Days. The repeated refrain urging to "pierce through the galaxy" and "seize the universe" reflects a drive for conquest and redemption amid the chaos. The ambiguous ending leaves the listener pondering whether the universe being pursued is a physical destination or a metaphor for inner fulfillment and resolution. The juxtaposition of darkness, whimsy, and cosmic ambition in these lyrics creates a rich tapestry of meanings, inviting interpretation and reflection on the nature of existence and human desires.
Line by Line Meaning
ミッドナイト・クラブヘブン
Desiring to see the circus at midnight club heaven
サーカスが見たいらしい
It seems like they want to see the circus
曲乗りが俺の仕事
Riding a tune is my job
キャット・フードぶちまけた気分
Feeling like throwing cat food
デッドマン・デイズ
Dead man days
目の前に広がる 黒い宇宙の中
In the black universe spreading before my eyes
吸い込まれてくのさ
Being sucked in
無重力 クラクラの旅
Weightless, dizzy journey
甲高いさけび声が 楽しげに響いて
The high-pitched scream resonates joyfully
ピエロは首吊って
The clown hangs himself
それでも笑ってたんだ
But still he was laughing
加速するギャラクシー・デイズ
Galaxy days speeding up
ロケットには"I LOVE YOU."
"I LOVE YOU." on the rocket
銀河を突き抜けて
Piercing through the galaxy
宇宙を手に入れろ
Get the universe in your hands
世界には必ず 悪がつきものだって
Evil always comes with the world
忘れかけてる頃
When you almost forget
奴はフラッと来て言う
He comes by and says
あの娘のハートが揺れて動くから
Because that girl's heart is shaking and moving
哀しみはきっとそこで生まれてる
Sadness surely is born there
宇宙を手に入れろ
Get the universe in your hands
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Yusuke Chiba
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
YO YO
ミッドナイト・クラブヘブン サーカスが見たいらしい
曲乗りが俺の仕事 キャット・フードぶちまけた気分
デッドマン・デイズ
目の前に広がる 黒い宇宙の中
吸い込まれてくのさ 無重力 クラクラの旅
デッドマン・デイズ
甲高いさけび声が 楽しげに響いて
ピエロは首吊って それでも笑ってたんだ
デッドマン・デイズ
加速するギャラクシー・デイズ
ロケットには"I LOVE YOU"
銀河を突き抜けて 宇宙を手に入れろ
世界には必ず 悪がつきものだって
忘れかけてる頃 奴はフラッと来て言う
デッドマン・デイズ
あの娘のハートが揺れて動くから
哀しみはきっとそこで生まれてる
加速するギャラクシー・デイズ
ロケットには"I LOVE YOU"
銀河を突き抜けて 宇宙を手に入れろ
toshi 1048
こんなイカしてるバンドを解散してから知った、アベフトシもこの世に居ない…今から追っかけてる。生で観たかったよ…
吉行淳之介
日本にはミッシェル以外にも素晴らしいバンドも偉大なバンドも存在する。
でも、ミッシェルの演奏を聴くたびに「何の小細工もないただのバンド」として「世界と並んだ」のは彼らだけだとつくづく痛感する
もふもふ
ライブ音源聞いてしまうと
CD 音源が物足りなくなってしまう
、、、
最高!!
さやや里保丸
CDよりライブの方が良いとか凄すぎる
田中理香子
ライブの方が すごいって
当たり前じゃないかな…?
CDの方がすごいって聞いた事ないけど…
Confined Space
one of the greatest songs ever recorded, I have no idea what they are singing about as i don't understand Japanese but they are still one of my favourite bands ever and I listen to them most days.
GetTanned-FourEyes
Although i'm japanese
i have never understood what they are singing about .
Everyone in the hall listen to only TMGE sound !
みっつ
今聴いても生き急ぎ感が凄い。
格好良すぎる。
あべギターマン
これ聴くとMステのtattooバックレ思い出す(笑)
さすがライヴバンド2曲もご馳走様でした!
望月省吾
誰に何を言われようとミッシェルとブランキーは俺の中では伝説のバンド。