Melt-Banana began activities in 1991, although they didn't decide on their name until two years later. The original line-up included vocalist and bassist Yako, guitarist Agata, bassist Rika mm', and Toshiaki Sudoh on drums, who left in 1997. The band has since had a number of support drummers.
Their first album was recorded by Steve Albini at his old studio in Chicago. After the recording, they had a show in Chicago at Lounge Ax, which was their first in the US and was very well-received by audiences there.
Their second album was also recorded by Albini and mixed by Jim O'Rourke in Chicago, and afterwards they toured with Mr. Bungle. According to vocalist Yako, that was a great experience for the band as it allowed them not only to watch and talk with talented musicians every night, but also to play in front of large crowds.
The summer of 2003 saw Melt-Banana on their eighth USA tour, MELT-BANANA "cell-scape" US Tour 2003. During that tour the band released their fifth album, cell-scape, on A-ZAP Records. It was recorded in Tokyo and produced by MELT-BANANA themselves.
This was followed by their fourth tour of Europe, MELT-BANANA "cell-scape" Euro tour. During that tour, the band played with one of their favourite drummers, Dave Witte from Burnt by the Sun. Frequently when Melt-Banana tours in Europe, they travel to the UK and are invited to the Media Vale studio to be on the John Peel show.
2004 saw the release of Agata’s first solo album, Spike, which consisted mostly of guitar and sound effect instrumentals. In May 2005 Melt-Banana released an impressive 56-track collection of singles called 13 Hedgehogs. That winter they toured Europe, playing in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and Austria during their The 13 Hedgehogs Europe Tour 2005.
2007 brought their sixth full album, Bambi's Dilemma, the name of which stemmed from the band accidentally hitting a deer with their van while on tour. From October to December they returned to the US and performed throughout the country on their Bambi's Revenge Tour USA 2007 tour.
In April 2008 Melt-Banana did a shorter tour of the US—this time with Lou Reed—and also ventured to Mexico for a solo show in Mexico City. The band then embarked on their Bambi's Dilemma Tour Europe 2008, which took them to nine European countries.
The band returned to the US in fall 2011. As the tour was called Neko Neko, Yako donned a full-body cat costume and took photos with fans after their shows. In December 2012 they performed at a UK festival event called All Tomorrow's Parties: The Nightmare Before Christmas, which was curated by Shellac of North America, the band of their old friend Steve Albini.
After two decades of fearless musical experimentation and relentless touring, Melt-Banana is currently on tour, and still going strong.
