In April 2001, OCEANLANE was formed by vocalist / guitarist Hajime Takei, and vocalist / guitarist Kay Naoe who went through the same junior high school in Tokyo. In April 2003, they released a self-financed 1st demo CDEP "Everlasting Scene", primarily sold through online hc/emo mailorder websites, establishing a quickly growing fanbase in the underground music lovers, which led to them opening for the first time supporting an int'l act ELLIOTT on their Japan trip in July that same year. The two never had commiting drummers and bassists, but began recording their first full-length album with supporting members for the recording. Prior to the album release, they turned their killer tune "Sign" into a single sold only at select shops. Being chosen for the supporting act for THE ALL AMERICAN REJECTS led to hitting 1 on top sales chart of those shops that carried the "Sign" EP. It didn't take long for their reputation to spread widely among music fans in such a short span.
In 2004, they made their appearance on VANS WARPED TOUR '04 in Japan. Their fanbase continued to grow through massive push of their "Sign" video clip on a Japanese satellite music channel. February 2004 finally saw the release of the long-awaited first full-length album "On My Way Back Home" from Handicraft Recordings. The album hit 1 on indies hit chart everywhere, resulting in massive additional orders from the shops, which led to 2 weeks of shortage. At the end of the day, additional orders from all shops reckoned 10 times more than their initial preorders!!
Their first gig from the album release was a slot for an opener for Sweden's LAST DAYS OF APRIL and THE GET UP KIDS on their Japan tours respectively. A 3-song EP "Out Of Reason" followed in August that same year. OCEANLANE then was offered a performance from the biggest music festival in Japan called SUMMER SONIC '04. Despite of their rather short musical career, they put on an incredible set, displaying a solid performance. They continued to open for more int'l artists such as THE STILLS, HOPE OF THE STATES, etc. OCEANLANE ended their year with their first ever Japan tour, which needless to say ended a success.
OCEANLANE began 2005 focusing on writing new material for their next album, while bringing over TOKYO ROSE to Japan in March, headlining their own show. The Hajime and Kay finally settled with full time members, Takeshi Horikoshi (HENRYTENNIS, ex-BUNGEE JUMP FESTIVAL) and Masashi Shimada (BUDDHISTSON, KAMOMEKAMOME) as their bassist and drummer respectively. In April, they toured with JIMMY EAT WORLD for all dates on their Japan tour. In July, OCEANLANE organized their first of the periodical tour series "Lighting Up Our Cities Vol.1", touring with COPELAND and BRANDTSON over Tokyo (sold out), Nagoya, and Osaka. After making way to FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL '05, they began recording material for the second full length album "Kiss & Kill" in studios in Tokyo and Okinawa, with a producer Pelle Gunnerfeldt (THE HIVES, LAST DAYS OF APRIL, REFUSED, STARMARKET) who is also the guitarist of FIRESIDE, one of the most important bands of Sweden, as the man behind the board. "Kiss & Kill" was released in November, with iTunes' release prior to the CD. The response was overwhelming, keeping the release on the top indie chart for a long time. Their massive touring in support of their new release was a great success, with their final solo show at Shibuya CLUB QUATTRO which sold out with ease. This led to a live DVD "Flamingo Flies North Tour" (with bonus live CD) release from Handicraft Recordings.
In April 2007, OCEANLANE once again hit the studio to record their third full-length album. Prior to the album, they released a 4-song EP "Walk Along" in July, which made 1 on the Indies Chart of Oricon (a Japan equivalent of Billboard), amongst many other great rankings in various music hit charts.
And this September, OCEANLANE finally released their third full-length album "Castle in the Air", which is undeniably their best material to date. It embodies every bit of their musicality that makes them one of the brightest melody makers of Japan. There is beauty, there is vulnerability, and there is brilliant sense of pop music found in all tracks. OCEANLANE is about evolution, and you are only to discover that their curtain has just gone up for their third act of many to come. Stay in the lane...
..
..
