A unique blend of garage rock with heavy blues and British punk influences, Thee Michelle Gun Elephant formed in 1988 in Tokyo while the band members were attending university, and their lineup was finalized in 1991. They have cited inspirations from The Stooges, The Who, MC5, The Roosters, Gene Vincent, The Clash, Iggy Pop, and Kiyoshiro Imawano. Their first major label release was 1995's Wonder Style, produced in London by Chris Brown, who had previously worked with Radiohead and Pink Floyd.
During a gig in Los Angeles, The Brian Jonestown Massacre members were so impressed by the band that they told Alive Records owner Patrick Boissel about them, which led to the United States release of their Gear Blues album in 2000, and a subsequent US release in 2001 - a best of compilation titled Collection.
Their often eccentric usage of English is highlighted by their name, which is derived from Thee Headcoats and a former bassist's mispronunciation of The Damned's album Machine Gun Etiquette. A billboard advertising their 1997 album Chicken Zombies and single "The Birdmen" (alongside the band members wearing football helmets spelling "F U C K") is featured on Engrish.com.
After the band's 2003 breakup, vocalist Yusuke Chiba, with his uncommon blend of ragged screams and perfect pitch, went on to the bands ROSSO (with bassist Toshiyuki Terui from Blankey Jet City) and The Birthday. Guitarist Abe Futoshi died on July 22, 2009 of an acute hematoma.
Yeah. :O