As if playing a 20-hour show wasn’t enough to commemorate the band’s 20th anniversary. Tsushimamire have released a new single, “The Payday” too.

Their insane 20-hour set, which was live streamed around the world, included all manner of costumes and shenanigans. It also had an appearance by original drummer Mizue Masuda! And it ended with Instagram posts of Yayoi Tsushima’s swollen fingers after she hit that bass and fly kicked her way through 20-hours of music. Surprisingly, it didn’t break any world record for longest gig played (it’s 27 hours if you’re wondering). Even more sadly, they didn’t post up the video online.

But, luckily for fans, they’re releasing a compilation album of their 20 fave tracks on July 10th, along with this new single release, “The Payday”.

The music video for “The Payday” glimpses into a world where Tsushimamire became office ladies instead. It pictures the high life of getting a weekly paycheck and buying stuff on Amazon. Instead of that life, however, they went on to make 20 incredible years of rock music. Selfishly, we’re so glad they chose the latter.

To commemorate their craziness, we decided it wasn’t enough to just post the new music video. Instead, here’s 20 of the best Tsushimamire clips, pulled from all corners of the Internet. To celebrate an epic two decades of art-punk rock!

20. Ebihara Shinji (2004)

This single off their debut album Pregnant Fantasy never got its own music video. But it was never needed. There were so many hand-held videos of the band playing the song live across YouTube. Plus, the raw recordings were able to capture the song’s incoherent energy better than any scripted video could.

19. Manhole (2004)

Ditto to the above. Watch out for bass player Yayoi’s fly kicks.

18. Air Control Remote Control (2007)

The leading track from their second studio album, Noumiso Shortcake, shows a sweeter side to singer Mari Kono’s quick draw lyrics.

17. Mi Kara Deta Sabi (2008)

The erratic first track from their LP Tsuhimamire and Rock and Beer. And as the title suggests, what more do you need in life?

16. Hyper Sweet Power (2008)

Tsushimamire collab with another great trio, The Powerpuff Girls. It’s so perfect.

15. Matsuri (2009)

A killer single from their 4th studio album A, Umi Da (Oh, It’s The Sea). Here’s a great, but brief, review of the album on The Japan Times.

14. Sex on the Beach (2010)

The single and album of the same title was their first US release. It’s a straight up, fun punk track.

13. Grapefruit Girl (2011)

This single was lifted off Giving Blood. Notably, the LP is an extra special one: it was the first they released under their own label Mojor Records. It also delivers the band’s most diverse album to date. With moments of Nick Cave dark seduction like on “ラムシープ”, to Fugazi-like rugged bass lines on “うつ病”, and Judy and Mary tinged J-pop in the video below. Like sitting somewhere between the giddy joy of a teacup ride to the fearsome zero-g rolls of the Eejanaika. The highs and lows are brilliantly fun.

12. Hungry and Empty (2012)

The alternate reality where the trio from Chiba became a pop band called The Shockings. In either carnation, they write a mean melody. Also, the quieter song showcases what an incredibly musical drummer Mizue Masuda is.

11. JAGUAR (2013)

You’ll never forget how to spell the name of this wild cat species, or Mari Kono’s guitar brand, ever again.

10. Bad Dream Bear (2013)

What better way to tuck yourself into bed, than with a Tsuhimamire lullaby.

9. Speedy Wonder (2014)

A one-off single that was a worthy inclusion as a new track on their self-titled, 15-year-anniversary compilation CD.

8. Human Coating (2015)

The track off LP Abandon Human, shows the band “maturing” their sound. Their fun and mayhem takes a Blade Runner vibe, with an invasive synth and incoherently fuzzy bass hooks. Very cool.

7. Hang Out! (2015)

Tsuhimamire always have energetic videos, but this clip is their best-told story yet. The song meshes their obsession with food and human anatomy into a 3-minute song. For evidence of this fetish, you only have to look to their 2005 album Pregnant Fantasy, which had tracks called “Fish Cakes” and “Umeboshi Plums”. Without giving too much more away, watch till the end to see what they’re cooking up!

6. Under the Sky of Yesterday (2015)

Melodic, minimal and psychedelic all at the same time. With a mesmerising video to match too.

5. Beginning (2017)

Although “Beginning” had been a staple opener to their electric live set, it later became an allegory for the outfit. The single was released on a 12″ vinyl in 2017, coinciding with long-time drummer Mizue Masuda sadly leaving the band. The EP of the same title shows the band as a two-some on the cover. But here’s a video with the three of them performing it live in all its glory.

4. Tokyo Jellyfish (2017)

With the departure of drummer Masuda, the band spawned two versions of their outfit. This version, as Tsuhimamire, features new drummer Maiko Takagi. Their first single “Tokyo Jellyfish” was lifted off an album appropriately titled New. Illustratively, the clip is a neat little commentary on our physical disconnect with technology. Fun and thoughtful, in true colourful Tsushimamire style.

3. Tsushimageru (2017)

The second incarnation of the “new” band called Tsushimageru, features Shigeru Toyota on sticks. The song introduces the group, and also features a “new” sound. The song and video clip takes a minimal approach, similar to Steve Reich’s “Clapping Music”. They add in Yayoi’s repeated bass runs and a psychedelic music video, and it delivers the quirky step they do best.

2. Anarchy Morning (2018)

Taking a step back to a more DIY flavour, Tsushimamire take to the streets in this camcorder style clip. As they face off with their different personalities, the song diverts on a “Rock Lobster” bent of its own accord.

1. The Pay Day (2019)

Their latest and greatest single. The track sees the band continuing to take their sound wherever they damn please. Wandering into 80s pop territory, they mash together a classic J-pop chorus with their signature electric bounce. Ever-eclectic, the key change at the end is weird and wonderful.

Tsushimamire’s new single “The Payday” is out now. Stream it on Spotify, buy their huge catalogue of CDs through Bandcamp, and give the band all your love on Facebook & Instagram.

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