C-C-B

Overview

C-C-B was a Japanese pop-rock band, originally named Coconut Boys. They disbanded in 1989, reunited several times afterward, and are now inactive following the deaths of members. Their signature song, "Romantic ga Tomaranai", became a huge hit in 1985 and won a Gold Prize at the 27th Japan Record Awards. It was used again as an insert song in the 2005 drama Densha Otoko, bringing the band renewed attention.

Career

Formation and debut

In August 1982, music producer Yoshimi Ueno launched a mini FM station in Aoyama, Tokyo, called KIDS RADIO STATION. Coconut Boys were formed through its project with the concept of a Japanese-style Beach Boys. That year they joined the station's self-produced compilation album RASPBERRY AVENUE for a minor debut. Tadataka Watanabe, then a director at Polydor Records, heard the recordings and offered to produce them.

They made their major debut in 1983 with the single "Candy", used in a Zen-Noh yogurt commercial but not a hit. In 1984 two members left and Taguchi and Yonekawa joined, making the band a five-piece. The second single "Hitomi Shoujo" was used in a Rohto Pharmaceutical commercial, and its B-side "Chili Dog ga Okiniiri" in a Mazda Familia commercial. Their second album was Boy's Life.

The hit "Romantic ga Tomaranai"

On 25 January 1985 the band released their third single, "Romantic ga Tomaranai", written by Kyohei Tsutsumi with lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto, as the opening theme of the TBS drama Maido Osawagaseshimasu. After appearing on the music show The Best Ten in February 1985, their colorful hair and a style featuring a drummer singing lead behind an electronic Simmons drum kit set at center stage made them overnight stars. It debuted at number 2 on the Oricon weekly singles chart. They followed with "School Girl" (which debuted at number 6), "Lucky Chance wo Mou Ichido" and "Kuusou Kiss", all by the Matsumoto–Tsutsumi team. That year they appeared at the 36th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, performing "Lucky Chance wo Mou Ichido".

In 1986 they won a Silver Prize at the 15th Tokyo Music Festival. With the single "Genkina Broken Heart" they dropped their colorful hair dye for natural black hair. In December they released "Naimononedari no I Want You", their first single to debut at number 1 on the Oricon weekly chart. At the 1986 FNS Kayousai they received an award for "Fushizen na Kimi ga Suki".

On 6 April 1987 Sekiguchi left the band, which continued as a four-piece, with Yonekawa taking the lead vocal more often. In September 1987 "Genshoku Shitaine" was used in a Meiji Seika Karukatta Wafer commercial and as the theme of the animated film Shori Toshu. In January 1988 "Dakishimetai" was used as an ending song for the TV show Hitachi Sekai Fushigi Hakken!.

Disbandment

On 21 April 1989 the band announced on Music Station that they would disband in October. Their final single, "Love is Magic", was released on 25 April, and they disbanded after a concert at Nippon Budokan on 9 October 1989.

After the breakup

The official fan club MAY CLUB ended in 1991. In December 2004 Watanabe, Sekiguchi and Kasa appeared on a Best Ten revival special performing "Romantic ga Tomaranai". In 2005 the song was used in a WONDA canned coffee commercial and a remix version was released; the single "Romantic ga Tomaranai" was also released on 1 July 2005. It was used in the drama Densha Otoko that July, and in August the band performed it on NHK's Omoide no Melody, their first live broadcast in front of an audience in 17 years. Three members reunited in April 2008 and played in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, but the activity ended after 2009. In 2011 four members took part in the Bakufu Slump tribute album We Love Bakufu Slump. On 4 June 2014, for the 25th anniversary of their breakup, they released the live album of their 1989 farewell concert and a best-of collection. Watanabe died in 2015 and Kasa in 2022.

Musical style

C-C-B were a pop-rock band that began with the concept of a Japanese Beach Boys. Their stage style featured an electronic drum kit at center and a drummer singing lead with a headset. Many of their hits were written by Kyohei Tsutsumi with lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto, and later they also released songs written by the members themselves. Compilations include Single Collection (1994), TREASURE COLLECTION C-C-B BEST (1999) and Golden Best C-C-B (2010).