Advantage Lucy

Originally formed in 1995 as Lucy Van Pelt, Advantage Lucy has certainly seen their share of ups and downs. Guitarist Takayuki Fukumura began the band as Lucy Van Pelt, placing ads looking for anyone other than a guitarist. What he got in response was a bassist who couldn't play bass, and a vocalist who couldn't sing. It would seem like a project doomed to failure, but the group soldiered on, eventually filling out various other positions with a seemingly unending rotation of support musicians.

The band briefly signed to major label EMI in 1998, and changed its name to the much less lawsuit-instigating Advantage Lucy. Founding member Fukumura left in 1999, the same year that the band set up its own independent music label Solaris Records. Along with releasing all of the band's own material, they also signed up Huckleberry Finn. It was soon after in 2001 that the band learned of Fukumura's death. They continue to honor his memory every year with a special show called Mune-Kyun Arpeggio.

The band began touring outside of Japan, though not too far afield, playing regularly in South Korea. They also recorded the opening theme for the Japanese NHK version of the children's book Hooray for Fish titled “Suisui Fizi!”

The band has gently floated through the years on their bed of sincere, mellow rock/pop. Their catchy songs are inoffensive in the extreme, making them excellent background music for cleaning house or washing the dog. Their songs, while soothing, are infectious as well. It's tough to not find yourself bobbing along to them even when you're not fully paying attention. Aiko's voice takes a hold of your sub-conscious, worming its way in setting up shop. It's a warm summer day lazing around in the cool grass injected directly into your bloodstream.

Windy Sunny Friday




Official site
MySpace

Members
Aiko – Vocals
Yoshiharu Ishizaka – Guitars

Releases
Echo Park – 2005
Station – 2000
Advantage Lucy - 1999
In Harmony (as Lucy Van Pelt) - 1997

Kazeni Azukete


Sunday Pasta


Hello Mate


遠い日


(Live)


(Live 2006)


(Live 2006)