NEE

Overview

NEE (pronounced "nee") is a Japanese rock band that calls itself an "exotic rock band." They made their major debut on September 1, 2021 on Getting Better, a label within Victor Entertainment, and work in J-pop and J-rock. The band was first called "Orange Paprika," then performed as lowercase "nee" before changing to capitalized "NEE" on April 14, 2020, because fortune-telling suggested capitals were luckier. Their indie-era labels were Nihonteki Renai Hokenshitsu and L.C.L RECORDS.

Members

• Yuhi (guitar, vocals): born April 4, 1998 in London; has written all songs since the single "Manic."
• Kaho (bass, vocals): born October 6, 1997 in Tokyo; Meiji University graduate and former bassist of Tokyo Shoki Shodo.
• Daiki (drums, vocals): born July 2, 1994 in Miyazaki; known for his mohawk.
• Kuu (guitar, vocals): born March 3, 1999 in Hiroshima; wrote all lyrics and music in the early years and also worked as Vocaloid producer "Murakami Kurama." He died on May 12, 2024.
• Hirako (support guitar): joined for the 8th tour "EXOTIC METTYA HENSHIN" and stayed until the end of July 2025.

The band was formed by Kuu and Daiki, who met on an online bulletin board after moving to Tokyo. Kaho joined later, and Yuhi volunteered when the band asked for a guitarist at a show. This is why they are sometimes called a band made of online meetings and pick-ups.

Career

2017-2019

Formed in July 2017, NEE held self-organized shows at Shinjuku headpower. In January 2018 their first single "Tuttatta" sold out its 300 venue-only copies, and in April they hosted the "Persecution Complex Fest" across three Shinjuku venues. In 2019 they released their first music video "Aruku Hana" (January), the singles "Komekami Chudoku" (March) and "Kuso Chikusho, Yorokonde" (August), appeared at TOKYO CALLING and played a one-man show at Shimokitazawa SHELTER.

2020-2021

On August 7, 2020 they released the animated music video "Fukakumei Zenya" by Komugiko 2000. Gō Ayano and Vaundy shared it on social media, and despite their obscurity the band reached the upper ranks of official streaming playlists. The singles "JINRUI" (August) and "aLaLe" (November) followed. In January 2021 Enon Kawatani picked the song as one of his top songs of 2020 on a TV Asahi program. The video passed 10 million views in July, and Kuu wrote "Gunjo Runaway" for Hey! Say! JUMP. Their first album "NEE" was released on September 1, 2021, marking their major debut, followed by their first nationwide tour.

2022-2023

They released their first double A-side single "SEKAI" in July 2022, played ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2022, and released "本日の正体" ("Honjitsu no Shotai") on September 28 before a nationwide tour from October 1 to November 11. In 2023 came the single "おもちゃ帝国" (February 15) and the second album "贅沢" ("Zeitaku", April 26), led by "Seimei Ouka." The 5th tour "JOKE" covered Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka in May, and "ばっどくらい" and "泣いとけば良かった" followed in September.

2024

The single "一揆" came out on January 5, and the 7th tour "Zone End Pressing Peanuts" ran from February 3 to March 3. On May 20 it was announced that vocalist Kuu had died on May 12, and all scheduled shows were cancelled. The band nonetheless held the Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall show "Tokyo, Natsu no Siren" on June 23 as planned. "ポップスター" was released on July 24, their first live video was released on October 9, and the 8th tour "EXOTIC METTYA HENSHIN" ran from October 13 to December 15 with the new lineup.

2025 and beyond

"コンティニュー" (April 2), the last song Kuu wrote in his lifetime, was released, followed by the first best-of album "博覧会" on May 21. "マニック" (May 28) was the first release of the new lineup, and "最低の証" followed on July 30. The 9th tour "大三元" took place in June. The third album "再生可能" was released, and the 10th tour "EXOTIC METTYA SAISEI" was scheduled from November 13 to February 11 of the following year.

Musical style

NEE works in J-pop and J-rock under the banner of "exotic rock." Yuhi cites Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slipknot, Daft Punk and Gorillaz, and especially John Frusciante, as inspirations. Kaho likes THE BLUE HEARTS and Kamisama Kamattechan, while Daiki likes Hi-STANDARD, Maximum the Hormone and Tokyo Jihen. Kuu wrote the songs in the early years, and Yuhi has been the writer since "Manic."