Tomoyasu Hotei

Tomoyasu Hotei (布袋 寅泰, Hotei Tomoyasu, born on February 1, 1962 in Takasaki, Gunma) is a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter, composer, record producer and actor. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Hotei claims record sales of over 40 million copies and has collaborated with acclaimed artists from around the world. Hotei first rose to prominence in the 1980s as the guitarist for Boøwy, one of Japan's most popular rock bands, before starting a solo career.
In 2003, he was ranked number 70 on HMV Japan's list of the 100 most important Japanese pop acts. He ranked second in a 2011 poll on who the Japanese people thought was the best guitarist to represent Japan. An iconic artist in his native Japan, he moved to London in 2012 and continues to perform and release music globally. Internationally Hotei is best known for his song "Battle Without Honor or Humanity," which has been featured in numerous films, commercials, video games, and events, most notably Quentin Tarantino's feature film Kill Bill.

Early Life and career

Born to a Korean father and a Russian mother of Japanese descent, Hotei first began playing the guitar in junior high school. Inspired by a poster of T. Rex frontman Marc Bolan, he stole money from his mother's purse and bought a Stratocaster at fourteen years old. In high school, Hotei's band Blue Film finished runners up in a school contest to Death Penalty, a band led by Kyosuke Himuro. Hotei was expelled shortly before graduation, because, when warned about his long hair he replied "Jesus had long hair!" Shortly after, he went to Tokyo where one day he received a phone call from Himuro. The two had never really known each other but hit it off and went on to hold auditions for a new band, which in 1981 became the six-member Boøwy. The band became major stars in Japan, even playing the Marquee in London in 1985, and in 1986 released their first million selling album, Beat Emotion.

When Boøwy broke up in 1988, Hotei established himself as a solo artist. He also made two albums with Koji Kikkawa as Complex, both of which went to number one in the national charts. That year, Hotei also released Guitarhythm, the first album on many with that name, and currently his only album sung completely in English. Hotei frequently records overseas and has collaborated with many foreign musicians, including; playing on The Stranglers Hugh Cornwell's 1993 solo album, on stage with David Bowie at the Nippon Budokan in 1996, and at the closing ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics with Michael Kamen. He later recorded Guitar Concerto with Kamen.

He has also worked with Andy Mackay of Roxy Music, guitarist Chris Spedding and Mike Edwards of Jesus Jones. Hotei also sometimes tours Europe, including at a number of major festivals. His regular drummer in recent years, Zachary Alford, has previously played with Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie. Hotei's 1998 album Supersonic Generation, recorded in part with Apollo 440 and Ofra Haza, was released in 14 European countries.

In addition to many bestselling solo albums, Hotei composed and performed the score for Hiroyuki Nakano's Samurai Fiction, as well as starring in the film. He composed three tracks for the cult classic American film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas together with Ray Cooper. Hotei's best known song "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" was used in Quentin Tarantino's feature film Kill Bill, the PlayStation 2 version of Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA, and Michael Bay's feature film Transformers. Hotei recorded a cover of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" for Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas, an instrumental guitar Christmas album featuring tracks from guitarists including Richie Sambora, Jeff Beck, Joe Perry, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai and Steve Morse.

The Nintendo DS game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan features his song "Thrill." The game's sequel, Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii, features another Hotei song, "Bambina." (Both songs are cover versions.) Hotei is featured in "Grace" on the Apocalyptica album Worlds Collide. The song is featured in the game NHL 09.

On July 30 and 31, 2011, Hotei and Kikkawa reunited as Complex for two nights at the Tokyo Dome. All proceeds were donated to aid the victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

On February 1, 2012, Hotei performed a concert at the Saitama Super Arena to celebrate his 50th birthday. Former Boøwy drummer Makoto Takahashi appeared as a special guest and together they played Boøwy's "Justy" and "No. New York". Hotei made his directorial debut in April 2012, with the stage play Psychedelic Pain, for which he also wrote the music. On May 8, it was announced that Hotei will move to London in June, in hopes of starting an international career.

Life in London 2012-present

Following announcement of his plans in May 2012, Hotei and his family relocated to London in June 2012, noting Hotei's commitment to pursue his dream of an international career. Hotei played his first independent gig in the UK in December 2012 at The Roundhouse in London. Then in November 2013 he played 2 headline shows, first at Shepherd's Bush Empire in London, and then at the Highline Ballroom' in New York. In an interview with the Financial Times, Hotei commented, “Last year I turned 50 . . . time goes quickly, it’s my last chance to try and get my dream. I want to play all over the world.”

On March 6, 2014, Hotei was invited to join The Rolling Stones on stage during the final show of their tour in Japan. Hotei joined the group as a surprise guest at the Tokyo Dome concert, playing the song "Respectable" before a crowd of 53,000 fans.

Hotei's famous song "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" was picked up as the music for a nationwide TV commercial in the UK for Buxton Water's "Naturally Pumped Up" campaign. The campaign launched in June 2014, with plans to run for 6 months.

Joined by band members Zachary Alford (drums), Tony Grey (bass), and Toshiyuki Kishi (keyboard/programming), Hotei played a series of private shows and summer festivals during June, July, and August 2014. This included appearances at England's Cornbury Festival, Switzerland's Montreux Jazz Festival, and the UK's Y Not Festival. An earlier warmup gig was held at The Lexington in London, and Hotei was also invited to perform solo as a special guest of Lord March during the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Live4Ever covered the Y Not Festival, describing Hotei as "undoubtedly the coolest man on site during his afternoon set on the main stage, performing instrumental sections fit for several people in his ability to flick between technically staggering solos and crunching guitar chords whilst jumping around the stage like an excitable Duracell rabbit."

During a brief trip back to Japan, Hotei played 4 sold-out shows at the Blue Note Tokyo in late August, and also performed at a private party for the launch of the new Lamborghini Huracán.

Hotei wrote and performed the theme song, "Trick Attack -Theme of Lupin The Third-", to the 2014 live-action film adaptation of the Lupin III manga. The album New Beginnings was released in Japan on October 1, 2014. Iggy Pop contributed lyrics and vocals to two tracks on the album and Vula Malinga vocals to one.

The album Strangers was released by Spinefarm Records on October 16, 2015. Hotei's second English-language solo album and the first to be released outside Japan, it includes several songs released on New Beginnings. In addition to Iggy Pop, it also features Richard Z. Kruspe, Matthew Tuck, Noko and Shea Seger. In February 2016, Hotei performed showcases at Paradiso/Amsterdam, La Boule Noir/Paris and Cassiopeia/Berlin to promote the album with Noko on bass, Cliff Hewitt on drums.

Personal life

Tomoyasu Hotei married singer Kumiko Yamashita in January 1986, they later divorced in November 1997. He is currently married to Miki Imai, who is also an acclaimed singer and actress and together they have one daughter. After years of spending a great deal of time in the UK, Hotei and his family decided to relocate fully to London in June 2012. Whilst based in London, Hotei travels frequently between Japan and the UK for concert tours, recording, and event appearances. In February 2013, BBC World News ran a feature on Hotei and his recent life in London.

On June 14, 2007, Hotei allegedly assaulted his friend and punk rock singer Kō Machida. The incident happened when the two men got into an argument about a band they planned on forming together. Machida filed a police report on the 18th, and Hotei was ordered to pay a fine of 300,000 yen on October 1.

Singles

• "Dancing with the Moonlight" (April 3, 1989)

Released only in the UK in two mixes on 12" inch and 7" inch vinyl.

• "Deja-vu" (December 12, 1990), Oricon Singles Chart Peak Position: #2
• "Beat Emotion" (June 29, 1991) #1
• "You" (December 4, 1991) #12
• "Lonely Wild" (July 22, 1992) #5
• "Saraba Seishun no Hikari" (さらば青春の光, July 28, 1993) #8
• "Surrender" (サレンダー, March 30, 1994) #2
• "Bara to Ame" (薔薇と雨, December 14, 1994) #13
• "Poison" (January 25, 1995) #2
• "Thrill" (スリル, October 18, 1995) #1
• "Last Scene" (ラストシーン, January 24, 1996) #3
• "Inochi wa Moyashitsukusu tame no Mono" (命は燃やしつくすためのもの, May 24, 1996) #13
• "Circus" (October 23, 1996) #3
• "Change Yourself!" (August 1, 1997) #6
• "Thank You & Good Bye" (January 28, 1998) #9
• "Bambina" (バンビーナ, April 16, 1999) #2
• "Nobody is Perfect" (May 12, 1999) #10
• "Vampire" (August 30, 2000) #8
• "Love Junkie" (October 25, 2000) #11
• "Born to Be Free" (January 1, 2001) #14
• "Russian Roulette" (February 6, 2002) #9
• "Destiny Rose" (October 17, 2002) #8
• "Nocturne No.9" (August 27, 2003) #13
• "Another Battle" (アナザー・バトル, June 30, 2004) #17
• "Identity" (February 23, 2005) #21
• "Back Streets of Tokyo" (August 23, 2006) #19

A collaboration with Brian Setzer.

• "Stereocaster" (November 8, 2006) #17

A collaboration with Char.

• "Still Alive" (August 4, 2010) #20
• "Promise" (May 18, 2011) #10
• "Don't Give Up" (December 5, 2012) #16
• "Wuthering Heights" (嵐が丘, March 5, 2013) #17
• "How the Cookie Crumbles" (June 15, 2015)

UK and Europe only single, featuring Iggy Pop.

Studio albums

• Guitarhythm (October 5, 1988), Oricon Albums Chart Peak Position: #2
• Guitarhythm II (September 27, 1991) #1
• Guitarhythm III (September 23, 1992) #2
• Guitarhythm IV (June 1, 1994) #2
• King & Queen (February 28, 1996) #1
• Supersonic Generation (April 29, 1998) #4
• Fetish (November 29, 2000) #8
• Scorpio Rising (March 6, 2002) #6
• Doberman (September 26, 2003) #9
• Monster Drive (June 15, 2005) #10
• Soul Sessions (December 6, 2006) #16
• Ambivalent (October 24, 2007) #10
• Guitarhythm V (February 18, 2009) #5
• Come Rain Come Shine (February 6, 2013) #5
• New Beginnings (October 1, 2014) #4
• Strangers (October 16, 2015) #4 (Japanese edition)

Compilations albums

• Guitarhythm Forever Vol. 1 (February 17, 1995) #1
• Guitarhythm Forever Vol. 2 (February 17, 1995) #2
• Greatest Hits 1990–1999 (June 23, 1999) #1
• Tonight I'm Yours / B-Side Rendez-vous (January 26, 2000, two albums) #4
• All Time Super Best (December 7, 2005) #5
• All Time Super Guests (August 17, 2011)

Live albums

• Guitarhythm Active Tour 91-92 (April 8, 1992) #2
• Guitarhythm Wild (April 28, 1993) #3
• Space Cowboy Show (March 19, 1997) #3
• Space Cowboy Show Encore (April 25, 1997) #8
• Rock the Future Tour 2000-2001 (March 22, 2001) #15
• Tomoyasu Hotei Live in Budokan (December 26, 2002) #18
• Monster Drive Party!!! (September 14, 2005) #25
• MTV Unplugged (June 27, 2007) #38

Soundtracks

• Beautiful Noise (1993)
• Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
• SF Samurai Fiction (July 29, 1998) #29
• New Battles Without Honor and Humanity (新・仁義なき戦い/そしてその映画音楽, November 29, 2000) #41
• KT -Original Motion Picture Soundtrack- (May 22, 2002)
• Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003)
• Electric Samurai (March 30, 2004) #24
• Lupin III (2014)

Other albums

• Battle Royale Mixes (December 24, 1996)

Limited release.

• Guitar Concerto (June 1, 1998) #14

Collaboration with Michael Kamen.

• Battle Royale Mixes II (July 23, 1998) #18

Limited release.

• Guitarhythm Box (December 24, 2008) #52

Contains Guitarhythm I, II, III, IV, a preview of V, and a live DVD.

• Modern Times Rock'N'Roll (Party Mix) (November 25, 2009)

iTunes Store limited digital download.

• Modern Times Rock'N'Roll (December 23, 2009) #12

Cover album of Western hits. Also released as a limited quantity USB flash drive on the same day.

• Hotei Memorial Super Box (February 1, 2012) #23

Other work

• Wired (June 21, 1993)
• Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas (1997)
• "Gessekai" (May 13, 1998)
• Tribute Spirits (May 1, 1999)
• "Hot Chocolate" (January 25, 2006)

A single by Rip Slyme. Appears on "Battle Funkastic ~Rip Slyme VS Hotei~", a mash-up of Hotei's "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" and Rip Slyme's "Funkastic".

• Grace (September 14, 2007)
• Circus (March 16, 2011)
• "All You Need Is Love" (March 7, 2012)

A charity single by Japan United with Music, composed of many different Japanese artists, for recovery from the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Performs one of the guitar solos.

• "Saraba, Itoshiki Kanashimitachi yo" (November 21, 2012)
• "Back in Love Again" (December 19, 2012)
• Japonism (October 21, 2015)
• What Happens Next (February 24, 2015)

Home videos

• Guitarhythm (July 11, 1989)
• Guitarhythm Active Tour '91-'92 (March 25, 1992)
• Guitarhythm Wild (June 16, 1993)
• Serious Clips (July 27, 1994)
• Guitarhythm Serious! Climax (May 17, 1995)
• Cyber City Never Sleep (May 24, 1996)
• H (October 9, 1996)
• Space Cowboy Show (April 25, 1997)
• Space Cowboy Show Encore (1997)

Only given to those who bought Space Cowboy Show on both VHS and DVD.

• SSG Live "Rock the Future" (October 7, 1998)
• Greatest Video 1994-1999 (July 16, 1999)
• Tonight I'm Yours (May 16, 2000), Oricon DVDs Chart Peak Position: #8
• Rock the Future Tour 2000-2001 (May 16, 2001) #23
• Hotei Live Jukebox (July 25, 2001) #18
• Live in Budokan (July 29, 2003)
• Beat Crazy Presents Live @ AX (May 21, 2003) #31
• Doberman DVD (November 3, 2003) #38
• The Live! Doberman (June 30, 2004) #8
• Top Runner Full Version (March 30, 2005) #56

Limited release.

• Monster Drive Party!!! (September 14, 2005) #12
• All Time Super Clips (May 15, 2006) #21
• All Time Super Best Tour (June 26, 2006) #7
• Hotei presents "Super Soul Sessions" Brian Setzer vs Hotei vs Char (June 27, 2007) #12
• MTV Unplugged (June 27, 2006) #26
• Hotei and The Wanderers Funky Punky Tour 2007-2008 (April 23, 2008) #19
• Tōdai-ji+G.V. / Time and Space (November 25, 2009) #15

Limited release.

• Hotei+Tōdai-ji Tomoyasu Hotei Special Live -Fly into your Dream- (November 25, 2009)
• Guitarhythm V Tour (November 25, 2009) #154
• 30th Anniversary Anthology I "Souseiki" (September 14, 2011) #3
• 30th Anniversary Anthology II "Ifuu Doudou" (September 14, 2011) #2
• 30th Anniversary Anthology III "Ichigo Ichie" (December 9, 2011) #14
• We Are Dreamer ~50th Birthday Special Celebration Gig~ (February 1, 2012) #10
• Hotei Live In London- Electric Samurai- Live at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire (August 27, 2014) #53
• Tomoyasu Hotei Japan Tour 2014 -Into the Light- (June 10, 2015) #19
• Hotei Jazz Trio Live at Blue Note Tokyo (June 10, 2015) #36

• ^ 布袋寅泰のシングル売り上げランキング. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-03-28. 
• "BRIAN SETZER VS HOTEIのシングル売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-05-12. 
• "Hotei vs Charのシングル売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-05-12. 
• ^ 布袋寅泰のアルバム売り上げランキング. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-03-28. 
• ^ "布袋寅泰のDVD売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-07-02. 

• SF Samurai Fiction as Rannosuke Kazamatsuri (1998)
• New Battles Without Honor and Humanity as Tochino Masatatsu (also known as Another Battle, 2002)
• Red Shadow Akakage as Rannosuke Kazamatsuri (2001)
• Akai Tsuki as Colonel Osugi (2004)

• "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" was featured in the American movies Kill Bill, Transformers, Hotel for Dogs, and Team America: World Police, and in the games Dance Dance Revolution SuperNova and Pop'n Music Carnival 13. It also made an appearance in a first season episode of My Name Is Earl, and has been used in a variety of automobile ad campaigns worldwide. It is also the intro theme used during the Colin Cowherd radio show syndicated in the United States via ESPN Radio. The song was also used in the trailer for the PlayStation 3 game Gran Turismo HD.
• "Russian Roulette" was featured in an opening video of the PS2 game Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny.
• "Bambina," "Russian Roulette," and "Nocturne no. 9" were featured in Konami's Guitar Freaks mixes 4/3 and 8/7, and Drummania V, respectively.
• "Bambina" and "Thrill" were also featured in the video games Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 1 and 2.
• "Identity" was used in the Japanese TV commercial for the Nintendo Gamecube video game Star Fox Assault.
• "Bambina," "Thrill" and "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" were included as Rocksmith 2014 downloadable-content.
• "Thrill" was used for Japanese wrestler Danshoku Dino

• "Rocksmith 2014 DLC - The Riff Repeater". theriffrepeater.com.