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Mean Machine
Mean Machine
Origin	Japan
Genres	Rock
Years active	2001
Labels	Epic
Past members	Ayumi Ito, Chara, Chiwaki, Yukari, Yuki
Website	Official Epic/Sony website (in Japanese)

Mean Machine is an all-girl Japanese rock band. Mean Machine starred in the Tower Records "No Music, No Life" advertising campaign, and debuted in 2001.

History

Mean Machine was founded in 1998 by J-pop vocalist Chara, musician/DJ Chiwaki Mayumi, vocalist Yuki of Judy and Mary, saxophonist Yukarie of The Thrill, and actress Ayumi Ito. The group was conceived as a lighthearted side project, and the band members deliberately chose instruments new to them: Yuki and Chara played drums in the band, Mayumi played guitars, Yukarie played bass, and Ayumi was the vocalist.^[1]

In 2001, Mean Machine released the single "Suuhaa," named for a kind of breathing exercise Chara learned when she was pregnant.^[1] It reached #18 on the Oricon singles chart. Later that year, their debut album Cream was released. The album reached #7 on the Oricon chart and remained on the charts for five weeks.^[2] A second single was released later that year, "Knock on You," reaching #38 on the Oricon chart.

The group was dissolved shortly afterward because of complications with the band members' solo careers.^[3]

Members

Name	Role	Profession	Notes
Ayumi 伊藤歩 Romaji: Ayumi Ito	Vocalist, lyricist	Actress	Co-starred with Chara in Shunji Iwai's "Swallowtail Butterfly" as Ageha, winning her the Japanese Academy Award for best new actress and best supporting actress.
CHIWAKI ちわきまゆみ Romaji: Mayumi Chiwaki	Guitarist, songwriter	Musician, DJ	Debuted with "Good Morning, I Love You" in 1985.
YUKARIE	Bassist, songwriter	Musician	Tenor sax for The Thrill. Debuted with "A MILLION DOLLAR BAND THE THRILL" in 1992.
Yuki (有希) 磯谷有希 Romaji: Yuki Isoya	Drummer, songwriter	Solo artist	Ex-Judy and Mary vocalist, current successful solo artist. Debuted in 1993 with "POWER OF LOVE".
Chara 佐藤美和 Romaji: Miwa Sato	Drummer, songwriter	Solo artist	Immensely popular pop artist. Debuted with "Heaven" 1991.

Discography

Albums

Year	Album Information	Chart positions
2001	Cream Released: 14 November 2001 Label: Epic Records (ESCL-2270) Formats: CD, digital download	7

Singles

Release	Title	Oricon singles charts	CDTV music video charts	Album
2001	Sūhā (スーハー)	18	18	Cream
2001	Knock on You	38	41	Cream

References

^ ^a ^b Martin, Ian. "Mean Machine". All Music Guide. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
^ "Cream". oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
^ Hellal, Lilia. "Six of the best underappreciated female fronted JRock bands". Rice Digital. Retrieved 14 February 2023.