Tokyo Yankees

Related Acts - members:

Charisma (Ami)
Dementia (U.D.A.)
Fake And Liar (Nori, Yoshi)
From Hell (Nori)
Grimm The Capsule (Yoshi)
Guerilla (Ume)
Rommel (Ami, U.D.A.)

Tokyo Yankees is a Japanese speed metal, thrash metal and hardcore Punk Rock band. Established in 1988 in Tokyo by vocalist Soichiro "Ume" Umemura, Masanori "Nori" Hashimoto, bassist Ami, and drummer Takashi "U.D.A." Udagawa, who were veterans of other Heavy Metal and Hard Rock bands, they were part of the origin of Visual Kei. Signed to Yoshiki Hayashi's Extasy Records label at first, they recorded several albums and established a short but successful career before the first closing of Extasy Records to bands other than X Japan, after which they dropped in popularity and went on hiatus.

They would reunite in 2000 to do an anniversary album for former Extasy bands, and after this reunion decided to continue activities as a band. Eventually dropping most of the trappings of Visual Kei for being a non-visual Heavy Metal band, they proceeded to play with well known bands at lives in the Tokyo rock scene.

Unfortunately, in 2007, vocalist Ume died as a result of ongoing health problems. Guitarist Nori, bassist Yoshi, and drummer U.D.A. decided to continue the band, sharing vocal duties and occasionally bringing in guest vocalists as well. The band is currently signed to 413Tracks as its label and continues to play gigs.

Tokyo Yankees provides examples of the following tropes:

Atomic F-Bomb: "Hollywood Heartbreaker" is a straight example, with the Atomic F-Bomb launched in the lyrics. "Japanese Motherfucker" is a subversion: the title is the only F-bomb of any sort in the song.
Audience Participation Song: "Let's Get Crazy" is a straight example. In a combination of the band variety of this + Cover Version, "Ace Of Spades" by Motorhead at the 1991 Extasy Summit, members from other bands participated - including hide and Pata on guitars.
Ax Crazy: "I Hate You!," "Serial Killer," "Freak Out," and "Ghostrider" would all likely apply...
Bishonen: Look at their photos and videos from 1991. They definitely met the standard...
Careful with That Axe: UME. He was actually the first Visual Kei vocalist to have the ability to hit the ranges and notes that he did alongside the capacity for Harsh Vocals. The combination of a voice that could sound gritty and harsh *while* hitting very loud and high ranges created this effect many years before the vocalist most known for it came along.
Cover Version: "Ace Of Spades," (featuring hide on guitar). "Drugstore Cowboy,", "Lone Justice", "Black Metal," "Children of the Grave," "(This Is Not A) Love Song."
Gratuitous English: Sometimes done unintentionally, other times done for effect.
Harsh Vocals: Ume was one of the first Visual Kei vocalists to marry Harsh Vocals and varied range.
Improbable Hairstyle: Until the mid 90s, all of the band, but especially Ume. His hair was in competition with hide's and Toshi's for most OTT Visual Shock hair of the late 80s and early 90s.
Japanese Delinquents: Their name itself is even a Shout-Out to yankii.
Long-Haired Pretty Boy: Ume.
Metal Scream: Ume, though Nori and Yoshi can do it somewhat
Mohs Scale of Rock and Metal Hardness: 7 to 10.

Tropes present in interviews, official media, and admitted offstage activities of Tokyo Yankees:

Author Existence Failure: Ume.
Bar Brawl: Ume's most famous quote: "I may have not sold a million records, but I've never lost a fight!"