8otto

by Katherine Fulton
8otto are an Osaka-based band that originally formed in 1999, but only started to come to prominence in 2004 after changing their name. The group draws equal inspiration from Western acts such as Franz Ferdinand and Japanese contemporaries such as Ogre You Asshole and Monobright. After the band caused a stir with its energetic shows (as well as Masaki Maenosono's unusual position as lead vocalist and drummer), Maenosono led the group, consisting of Tora (bass), Ryo (guitar, vocals), and Seiei Yoshimura (guitar) on a three-month visit to the United States. They returned to Osaka after three months, but returned to America in 2006 to record their debut album, We Do Viberation, which was released the same year. In 2007, 8otto performed at the Rising Sun Rock Festival and released Real.