THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT

thee michelle gun elephant or just TMGE for short, started off in 1991 as an underground act. They had a very small following at first, but their raw sound and on-stage presence created a buzz amongst punkers and grungers alike. Eventually, the pressure was on and the band decided to put out an indie release. WONDER STYLE came out in 1995 and managed to grab everyone's attention. Word got out and the bigger labels looked in. A deal was eventually cut with a major label and TMGE released their first single, SEKAI NO OWARI, on February 1st, 1996. It was received extremely well, and so was its corresponding album, CULT GRASS STARS, which made the band an instant sensation. Their first major tour was a gigantic hit and was practically sold out.

They eventually released their American-produced sophomore effort, HIGH TIME, which hit #13 on the Japanese charts. Rock bands were rarely so high up on the list, so the label took advantage and saturated the Japanese market with TMGE ads and TV spots. Soon, the entire nation was screaming for more. They got it in December 1996 when the HIGH TIME TOUR began. Completely sold out, it ran until February 1997 and consisted of 21 shows. TMGE was officially a force to be reckoned with.

May 1997 saw a new single and a re-release of WONDER STYLE, the band’s first indie album. The band hit the road during the summer to appear at many festivals and TV shows throughout the country. Fall soon came around and with it came CHICKEN ZOMBIES, a new album that hit #5 on the charts.

A couple of releases came afterwards and in 1998 the band was asked to perform alongside big western acts at the Fuji Rock Fest in Tokyo. Beck, Garbage and The Prodigy were just a few of the bands on the list. It was a taste of things to come because in 1999 the band played in the USA, hitting approximately 17 clubs throughout. Crowds were large and extremely welcoming, loving the tunes the boys unleashed. This all led to European releases of their material and subsequent tours.

Afterwards, back in Japan, the band participated in another installment of the Fuji Rock Fest, this time as headliners. Things were going well, although things got a little quiet in 2001. Fans feared that there might be problems within the band, but calmed down with the release of a single in 2002 and an album in 2003. However, their instincts eventually proved true when the band announced their disbandment, effective October 11th, 2003.

Even though the band left the scene a few years ago, their mark remains today. All their albums were extremely successful and their tours were always sold-out. Why they decided to break up remains a mystery, even to those who surrounded them. Nonetheless, they are still regarded as one of the most well-respected and recognized acts in Japan. Their departure saddened many but inspired many more to try their hand at emulating their idols. Many similar bands have emerged but none will ever reproduce the magic that TMGE had.