JUN SKY WALKER(S)

Overview

JUN SKY WALKER(S) (abbreviated Junsuka or J(S)W) is a Japanese rock band. They made their major debut on May 21, 1988, disbanded on June 14, 1997, and reunited in 2007. The current lineup is Kazuya Miyata (vocals), Junta Mori (guitar, leader) and Masayuki Kobayashi (drums), with Katsuya Ichikawa as support bassist.

Career

Formation and major debut

The band formed in 1980 among students at Jiyu Gakuen: Miyata (vocals), Mori (guitar), Tsuyoshi Ito (bass), Kobayashi (drums) and Taro Yoshida (keyboards). Mori, who played guitar in junior high, invited the younger Ito to jam; Kobayashi and Miyata joined later. They began at local live houses and grew popular by playing repeatedly at Hokoten (the pedestrian paradise). Yobito Terao, who became a fan, started following the band as a staff member.

In February 1988 Ito left, and Terao joined as bassist. On May 21 the band made its major debut on Toy's Factory with the mini-album Zenbu Konomama de. In November they released their second album Hitotsu Dakishimete.

1989-1993

Their third album Aruite Ikou, released in June 1989, reached No. 3 on the Oricon chart. In February that year they played arena shows at Osaka-jo Hall, Nagoya Rainbow Hall and Nippon Budokan. The third single Shiroi Christmas, released in November, reached No. 1 on the Oricon singles chart. The mini-album Let's Go Hibari Hills (June 1990) reached No. 2, and the fifth album START (February 1991) became their first No. 1 album on Oricon. TOO BAD followed in November 1991 and STAR BLUE in October 1992.

In 1993, at their annual spring concert at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall, they announced a one-year break from live activity. Terao left in September, and original member Ito rejoined in November.

1994-1997

The band moved to EPIC/SONY RECORDS in 1994 and released DAYS (May 1994), nine (May 1995) and EXIT (July 1996). After the tour for nine, Miyata said he wanted to leave; Mori held repeated discussions, but Miyata's mind did not change, and in January 1997 the band announced its breakup and released the best album FINAL BEST1987-1997 MY GENERATION. They disbanded after the final show of the HELLO tour at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall on June 14.

Hiatus and reunion

During the hiatus Miyata released two solo albums and formed the band Jet-ki; Mori moved into production and formed BARBIE ATTACK DOLL(S); Ito worked as a director and reformed THE VANILA in 2006; Kobayashi worked as a freelance drummer after POTSHOT.

In May 2007 a two-night reunion show took place for the 25th anniversary of Shibuya La.mama and 30th of Nagoya E.L.L, and on September 2 a one-year reunion was announced. In 2008 the J(S)W 20th ANNIVERSARY TOUR "MY GENERATION" covered 32 live houses, and they appeared at festivals including Summer Sonic and Rising Sun Rock Festival. The single Seishun, their first in about 12 years, came in September, and activity ended at Golden Circle Vol.12 in December.

Return

In April 2011, following the Tohoku earthquake, they announced a return for charity concerts; in October they announced renewed activity from 2012 and the six-prefecture Walk to TOHOKU tour. On October 25-26 they shared a bill with UNICORN at Nippon Budokan for the first time in 19 years. In December they released the single Symphony, exclusive to TSUTAYA rental, as their first work after moving to Ivy Records.

The re-recorded best album B(S)T arrived in January 2012, followed in April by LOST&FOUND, their first album in 16 years, and a second-stage tour in November. The single Niji came in January 2013 and the album FLAGSHIP in February. On May 21, 2013 a 25th anniversary special live was held at Shibuya Public Hall with guests Ito, Neurotica and Tsuyoshi Ujiki. On January 11, 2014 they held 25TH ANNIVERSARY LIVE BEST of JUN SKY WALKER(S) at Nippon Budokan.

BACK BAD BEAT(S) followed in November 2015 and FANFARE in September 2016. In 2017 they announced a move to Dreamusic. The cover album BADAS(S) came in January 2018, the 30th anniversary best ALL TIME BEST Zenbu Konomama de 1988-2018 in May, and the mini-album Shiroi Christmas 2018 in November.

In March 2019 May 21 was certified by the Japan Anniversary Association as JUN SKY WALKER(S) Day, and in October they were named PR goodwill ambassadors of Nishitokyo City. Terao's departure was announced in January 2021, and the single Song for You EP, their first in eight years since Niji, was released that December. The album BRAND NEW WORLD followed in May 2022. In January 2023 they announced a new contract with Toy's Factory; the single Mou Ichido Aruite Ikou was released in May, and Soba ni Iru Kara, a 35th anniversary single, on June 10. Hikare was released digitally on May 1, 2024, and Resist on May 21, 2025.

Name

The name comes from the "SKY WALKER" logo on a T-shirt by the clothing maker JUN that Mori owned. The (S) originated when an English teacher in high school suggested famous groups carry a plural S; it became the official form because, like the Ø in BOØWY, it stood out.

Musical style

The band is classified under kayokyoku, J-rock and J-pop. Growing from live performances at Hokoten, they remain a live-oriented band, continuing nationwide tours and festival appearances after reuniting. Kazutoshi Sakurai of Mr.Children is close to Terao and often guested at Golden Circle, and Masamune Kusano of Spitz reportedly brought demo tapes to Mori when starting out in music.