JUDY AND MARY was a Japanese multi-genre band formed in 1991 in Hakodate, Hokkaido by bassist Yoshihito Onda (恩田 快人 Onda Yoshihito?) and vocalist Yuki Isoya (磯谷 有希 Isoya Yuki?), with drummer Kohta Igarashi (五十嵐 公太 Igarashi Kōta?) and guitarist Taiji Fujimoto (藤本 泰司 Fujimoto Taiji?) completing the lineup in 1992. Guitarist Takuya Asanuma (浅沼 拓也 Asanuma Takuya?) replaced Taiji the following year. The band is known for their innovative punk, rock, and pop meldings of noisy but melodic music in the 1990s.
In 1992, JUDY AND MARY released an album and accompanying video, Be Ambitious, on the independent Chainsaw Records label. The band was soon signed by Epic/Sony Records and released their first major label single, "Power of Love", in 1993. The band's major label debut album, J.A.M, was released in 1994. JUDY AND MARY quickly became one of the most popular bands in Japan. Their song "Sobakasu" was used as the first opening theme for the popular anime TV series Rurouni Kenshin, and sold over a million copies.
JUDY AND MARY released seven original albums, three compilation albums (through 2006) and twenty-two singles. The band dissolved in March 2001.
Yuki is now enjoying a successful solo career as YUKI. Takuya is also currently a solo artist. Onda joined the band Hot Rod Crue, but since 2008 has been a member, along with Igarashi, of the band Zamza.
Albums [edit] Studio albumsYear Album Information Chart positions Total sales 1992 Be Ambitious Independently released EP Released: April 1992 Label: Crown Re-released December 16, 2000 Re-released September 19, 2001 19* 11,000* 1994 J.A.M. Released: January 21, 1994 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-1466) 23 189,000 Orange Sunshine Released: December 1, 1994 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-1555) 5 681,000 1995 Miracle Diving Released: December 4, 1995 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-1707) 2 939,000 1997 The Power Source Released: March 26, 1997 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-1805) 1 2,162,000 1998 Pop Life Released: June 24, 1998 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-1890) 2 1,150,000 2001 Warp Released: February 7, 2001 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-1890) 1 887,000
Compilation albumsYear Album Information Chart positions Total sales 1999 44982 Vs. 1650 3CD Live album. Released: March 31, 1999 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-1890) 7 287,000 2000 Fresh Greatest hits album. Released: March 23, 2000 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-2110) 1 1,776,000 2001 The Great Escape: Complete Request Best 2CD greatest hits album. Released: May 23, 2001 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-2230) 1 780,000 2006 Complete Best Album: Fresh 2CD greatest hits album. Released: February 13, 2006 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCB-2230) 2 222,000 2009 15th Anniversary Complete Single Box 22CD singles box set Released: August 5 2009 Label: Epic Records Japan (ESCL-3220) 83 2,000
SinglesYear Title Notes Oricon singles charts Oricon sales total Album 1993 "Power of Love" 95 3,000 J.A.M. "Blue Tears" – – 1994 "Daydream" 58 13,000 "Hello! Orange Sunshine" 22 99,000 Orange Sunshine "Cheeze "Pizza"" 15 77,000 1995 "Chiisa na Koro Kara" (小さな頃から Since I Was Little?) 37 39,000 "Over Drive" 4 670,000 Miracle Driving "Doki Doki" (ドキドキ Heartbeat?) 8 256,000 1996 "Sobakasu" (そばかす Freckles?) Anime Rurouni Kenshin 1st opening theme song. 1 1,058,000 The Power Source "Classic" (クラシック Kurashikku?) 3 632,000 1997 "Kujira Jū Ni Gō" (くじら12号 Whale No. 12?) 5 447,000 "Lovely Baby" (ラブリーベイベー Raburī Beibē?) 12 96,000 "Lover Soul" 5 504,000 Pop Life "Sanpomichi" (散歩道 Promenade?) Drama News no Onna theme song. 3 479,000 1998 "Music Fighter" (ミュージック ファイター Myūjikku Faitā?) 4 148,000 "Iro Toridori no Sekai" (イロトリドリ ノ セカイ World of Various Colors?) 11 76,000 "Tegami o Kaku yo" (手紙をかくよ I Write a Letter?) 22 22,000 2000 "Brand New Wave Upper Ground" 4 158,000 Warp "Hitotsu Dake" (ひとつだけ Only One?) 9 111,000 "Mottö" (More) 8 138,000 2001 "Lucky Pool" (ラッキープール Rakkī Pūru?) 3 183,000 "Peace (Strings Version)" 8 73,000
Books/Publications JAM Book (March 15, 1996) YUKI Girly Rock -yuki biography- (1997) YUKI Girly Swing -yuki autobiography & diary- (1997) YUKI Girly Folk -yuki bio- (2000) YUKI Girly Boogie -yuki autobio- (2000) YUKI Girly Wave -yuki bio- (2004) YUKI Girly Tree -yuki autobio) (2004) What's In JAM-PACK (memorial compilation of 'What's In' magazine articles)
