Toe (トー, Tō), stylized as toe, is a Japanese post-rock/math rock band from Tokyo. The group was founded in 2000, and consists of Kashikura Takashi (drums), Mino Takaaki (guitar), Yamane Satoshi (bass guitar), and Yamazaki Hirokazu (guitar).[1]
Toe | |
|---|---|
 Toe performing in Vancouver, British Columbia in July 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels |
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| Members |
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| Website | toe |
History
The band has its origins in 2000 when guitar player Yamazaki Hirokazu decided to quit an old band which he described as having a "scream-o emo sound", inviting the other guitarist Mino Takaaki, who played in another band. They were later joined by drummer Kashikura Takashi and bassist Yamane Satoshi.[2] In July 2001, toe began performing live,[3] and the next year, they released the EP songs, ideas we forgot, being actively touring ever since.[4]
In 2005, they released their first studio album The Book About My Idle Plot on a Vague Anxiety through the label CATUNE.[5] Soon after, they founded their own indie label Machu Picchu Industrias, alongside the bands Mouse on the Keys, Enemies, and Tangled Hair.[2][6] In 2006 they released their first DVD (RGBDVD), followed by the EP New Sentimentality the following year.[3]
In 2009, toe released a split EP with the band Collections of Colonies of Bees,[3] and in December 9 of the same year, they released their second studio album, For Long Tomorrow, which saw the band expand their sound using new elements like a Rhodes piano, acoustic guitars, and minor vocals. After the album tour, they released their second live DVD Cut_DVD in 2010.[7]
In 2012, toe released the EP the future is now, published by Topshelf Records in the US and Big Scary Monsters in the EU and UK.[8] Subsequently, Topshelf Records re-released most of the band's catalog on vinyl.[9] The group also released the DVD 8 Days EU Tour in 2012.[3]
In 2015, the band released their third studio album Hear You, which was met with positive critical acclaim. It was characterized by its more minimal and vocally-focused sound in comparison with past records, having some hip-hop influences as well.[10][11]
In 2018, toe released a compilation of non-album tracks and remixes titled That's Another Story, in January 24, and the studio EP Our Latest Number, in August 22. 独演会 "DOKU-EN-KAI" was live recorded in the round at le Poisson Rouge in New York City in 2019, and it was released in March 6, 2021.[3][12][13]
In 2021, they contributed an original song to the soundtrack for the anime series Sonny Boy.[14]
In 2024, toe released their fourth studio album, Now I See the Light.[15]
Members
Musical style
The vast majority of toe's music is instrumental, featuring a very dynamic drumming blended in with melodic, clean guitars.[16] Takashi's drumming has been specially revered among math-rock circles,[17] considered to be the main attractive of the band from their first releases.[7] The AllMusic review for The Book About My Idle Plot on a Vague Anxiety calls the drums "the star of the sound".[5] Lars Gotrich from NPR praises Takashi, deeming him "capable of Questlove-level precision and soul one moment, and a cyclone of controlled chaos the next", and explains that what makes toe different from other bands within the genre is their "ability to tell short, concise stories — ecstatic, noodly, complex pop songs that unfold in less than five minutes"[18] The group changed their sound in later records incorporating acoustic guitars, Rhodes piano, vibraphones and vocals.[7][16]
Discography
Studio albums
- The Book About My Idle Plot on a Vague Anxiety (2005)
- For Long Tomorrow (2009)
- Hear You (2015)
- Now I See The Light (2024)
Live albums
- 独演会 "DOKU-EN-KAI" (2021)
EPs
- Songs, Ideas We Forgot (2003)
- New Sentimentality (2006)
- New Sentimentality "Tour Edition" (2008) Enhanced CDEP Limited to 1000
- Toe/Collection of Colonies of Bees (2009)
- The Future Is Now (2012)
- Our Latest Number (2018)
Splits
- Pele / toe (2002)
Remix albums
- Re:designed (2003)
Compilation albums
- That's Another Story (2018)
Live DVDs
- RGBDVD (2005)
- CUT_DVD (2010)
- 8 Days DVD (2012)
- DOKU EN KAI (2021)