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Show Ayanocozey, formerly known as DJ OZMA, has put together what could possibly be the best band of all time and pitched it to Coca Cola Japan. The result can be seen in the company's new commercials for their carbonated beverage Fanta, which began airing last week.
The band, called FANTA, consists of the following members: Marty Friedman, 47, a former member of thrash metal band Megadeth and resident of Shinjuku since 2003. Friedman is the lead guitarist and the F in FANTA.
Show Ayanocozey. Banned from NHK studios ever since he led a group of seemingly naked male and female dancers during NHK's New Year' s Eve Red and White Song Contest in 2006. He is the "lead sexy bass guitarist," is in charge of firing up the crowd, and is the first A in FANTA.
Nana Tanimura, 22. A model and singer, she sports a G-size bust and is also a law student at Aoyama Gakuin Univeristy. She is the vocalist of the group and the N in FANTA.
Toshihiko Takamizawa, 55. A guitarist and music producer, Takamizawa is famous as the leader of rock group THE ALFEE, and is also the leader of this new group. He is the T in FANTA.
Taro Akebono, 40. The first foreign grand champion in sumo and now professional wrestler. He plays the drums in what is his first foray into the music world, and doubles as a bodyguard. He is the last A in FANTA.
The band held a press conference in Shibuya last week to announce their formation, where a reporter noted they don't have any songs and hinted that they were just formed for the commercial. Takamizawa said he was shocked by the remark and Ayanocozey pledged the group would be on NHK's song contest at the end of this year.
One of the commercials can be seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz7ujwN9d38&feature=channel
© Japan Today
28 Comments
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WhatMeWorry
This is the best news I've read on this site! It's wackiness broke the cold ice off of what is known as Japan, which has no real sense of humor.
dammit
Blimey, if, as I suspected they might, coca-cola dumped Asashoryu/ Fantarou because of his alleged antics then how long will it take them to dump this lot? They all (or some at least) seem to have potentially dodgy past histories, one is already banned from NHK, one seems to have had the necessary surgery to become a major porn star (although naturally I wouldn't suggest that that was the reason and risk upsetting the wonderful mods on this site,) and god knows how many of them have (or had in the past) drug problems.
This doesn't look like a stayer to me, certainly not for the ads (I saw it a couple of days ago actually, we didn't take much notice except for the lack of Fantarou,) and as for the band itself? Who knows.
Once they get dumped by Coca-Cola, just wait for the court case over the name.
meloveulongtime
stupid!
Sarge
"could possibly be the best band of all time"
I doubt it.
nath
I love it. Best band or not, certainly refreshing
thepro
lol
blvtzpk
How long DOES it take to type up a press release?
nath
Will be interesting to see the lead singer "pogo" ;^)
kujiranikusuki
that's too bad. I got to see Friedman in a club when I was younger and he was still in Megadeth. Its sounds like he is now in band not much better or original than any other J-pop band. I wish I was a letter in some band name. I want to be the O in Orange Juice. That would only have 11 members, 3 less than Exile. hmmmm.... how about Diet Pine Apple Juice Cocktail.
Blacklabel
yeah Marty Friedman left Megadeth all those years ago to end up.....being in a band with AKEBONO!!??
Ninjazilla
LOL this is great
goddog
The comment about living in Shinjuku since 2003 was very important for us to know.
bobbafett
Marty is a sell out. After Dragons Kiss and Scenes I cannot believe the rubbish he churned out for the Japanese commercial market in "loudspeaker". I was appalled at the lack of heart and now he is in a band with Akebono? This is lower than I thought he would ever sink. Marty has sold his soul to the Japanese and as a result has totally lost his brilliance.
bobbafett
These words should never have been published. These guys are as lame as Miley Cyrus.
gogogo
That guy is massive
Blacklabel
yeah Marty might be having fun, but it pains me to see talent like that wasted on such stuff as this. But then again, its not like this "group" even has any songs so not like they gonna really play or anything (I hope!!)
terebiko
Some people need to chill out. This band was made for Fanta commercials, it is not to be taken seriously. The comments the members make are all for fun. I think Ozma is great, and the Kohaku stunt made that year's show one of the best ever. NHK deserves a little controversy.
dolphingirl
Orange you glad they came up with this grape idea?
ratpack
Noooooooo Akebono how many rungs of the ladder do you have to slip down? You were a respected Sumo champion (once) and now you are a laughing stock. I know (well hope might be a better word) this is just for a commercial but laudy sakes i hope you guys (and g sized lass) are taking this circus on the road.
herefornow
As silly as this is, it will probably ending up selling lots of soda. Which says something about the collective level of intelligence here as it pertains to endorsements/commercials.
WilliB
Good grief, what will Akebono try next??
Rugbyfan
Who is Nana Tanimura? Does anyone know anything about her? I wish we could have a close up photo of her to judge her best assets. Ha! Ha!
Gurukun
I second tha comment.
chuckers
http://images.google.co.jp/images?q=Nana%20Tanimura
wanderlust
Nana is probably the "best" of those artists who mix English words into their Japanese lyrics, as she can actually pronounce the words correctly! Hmm...Law Department at Aoyama Gakuin University, they certainly have an eye for figures, Nana's is outstanding.
nightvision
Why so serious, people?
This would definitely be BIG, like that Awesomest Star Wars rock band painting!
Where on earth (or any other parallel universe) can you form a band with an old-school metal guitarist, a J-Rock guitarist, a total oddball, a hot law student, and a sumo wrestler?
Stop whining about these people being lame, sell-outs or going low! This band is the summit of artistic talent!