the pillows
A Japanese alternative rock band formed in 1989 in Hokkaido, Japan and disbanded on January 31st 2025. The band consists of members Sawao Yamanaka (vocals and guitar), Yoshiaki Manabe (guitar), Shinichiro Sato (bass guitar), and Jun Suzuki (drums).
The Pillows gained popularity in Japan in the mid-1990s with their unique blend of punk, indie rock, and pop music, and became known for their catchy hooks, energetic live performances, and Sawao Yamanaka's distinctively raspy vocals. They are perhaps best known in the West for their music featured in the anime series "FLCL" (Fooly Cooly), for which they composed and performed the entire soundtrack.
Over the years, The Pillows have released numerous albums and singles, and have become one of the most influential and respected bands in the Japanese rock scene. Their music has been described as a mix of punk rock, power pop, and garage rock, with influences mainly from British and American rock bands.