Ellegarden是一支成立于日本的摇滚乐队。乐队于1998年12月在日本成立，成员为细美武士、生形真一、高田雄一、高桥宏贵。

乐队的的歌曲大部分都是由主唱细美武士所创作，以英文歌为主。细美本人表示他会根据音乐的旋律来选择用什么语言来演唱。另外，乐队的吉他手生形真一也会为乐队创作一些歌曲。细美武士曾经在IT业做一名工程师，他的朋友生形真一当时正在找一个主唱并且准备做自己的音乐。而细美也已经在业余时间写了一些歌并且有很强的英文能力（细美曾经在美国加州有过工作和生活的经历）。乐队在某种程度上有一些偏向于西方的“MELOCORE”朋克风格，但并没有过多胡乱地粗制滥造。他们也希望在全球的表演中坚持自己的纯粹。细美是WEEZER（知名朋克乐队）的超级粉丝，而生形更偏爱于JIMMY EATS WORLD，这两个团也对他们乐队有比较显著的影响。他们也和一些另外的日本乐队走得很近，细美就和straightener的HORIE是最好的朋友。生形和高田雄一先前也在同一个乐队中，最后，其他的成员也从当地其他乐队中跳槽过来，生形是团队中最年轻的一个，也普遍被认为是乐队的领袖。

Ellegarden在01年5月在DYNAMORD发行了首张专辑，得到了一些认可。之后他们的《DON'T TRUST ANYONE BUT US》的成绩比上一张好，由此他们乐队为了配合专辑的宣传也做了第一次的巡演，其中也包括在北海道RISING SUN FESTIVAL的那一站。在02年10月发行的MY OWN DESTRUCTION对他们来说也是一个重大突破，他们的乐队也紧跟着进行了30站的巡演。在03年7月发行了同样销售很好的BRING YOUR BORAD.专辑的封套上有一个TIKI像，也许是为了有着很多著名冲浪地标的千叶。但是他们的乐队比起冲浪来，花更多的实践在巡演上面。在04年的5月他们又带着新专辑Pepperoni Quattro回来了，紧接着又推出了他们的DVD。在05年2月他们在琦玉的超级体育馆开了最大型的演唱会。在05年4月他们凭着专辑riot on the grill 轰动了，专辑封套上是一个张大嘴，嘴里满是通心粉的人。专辑排上了oricon的第三名，卖了百万张。专辑也是平稳热销了相当长的一段时间，ELLEGARDEN也被选作为日本乐队的代表在得克萨斯的SXSW表演。疯狂的歌迷也会使表演沸腾起来。

Hi, this is Takeshi Hosomi (vocal/guitar) answering the questions. First of all, apologies for my late reply. We just finished out Japan tour on March 3rd.

First, some of our readers may not be entirely familiar with Ellegarden. Perhaps you could describe the musical style of the band, and give a brief history of it’s formation.

ELLEGARDEN is a band that loves live gigs. We usually play fast BPM tracks but we also make sure to write songs with great melodies.

Some of the most interesting stories are those of a musician’s influences. Where did each of you grow up, and did growing up in that city or neighbourhood affect your individual musical style? Also, are there any influences to speak of that may have brought about the musical stlye of the band Ellegarden as a whole?

The drummer is from Tokyo and the rest are from Chiba prefecture. I grew up in the countryside so I tend to lean towards the more humane and natural qualities than the refined qualities that the city offers. Most of the band’s songs are written and composed by me so you may find those tastes reflected in the songs.

On the same topic of musical interests, is there an artist or band (indie or mainstream) that you make an effort to see whenever they are playing near you? Also, did you ever have the chance to be a supporting act for one of your favourite bands?

I went to most of Weezer’s Japan concerts. Last year we were the support band for my favorite Canadian band, SUM41.

Is there a particular venue and/or city in North America that you are looking forward to playing, whether or not you will actually be playing there during this tour? Why?

California, especially San Francisco, ‘cause I used to live there for a bit and my friends still live there

With that in mind, is there a venue or city in Japan which you (individually, or as a band) would consider your favourite to play in? Is it because of the fans, or is there some other sentimental value attatched?

The venue choice would be ZEPP Tokyo. The reason is because it’s where I saw Weezer for the first time. You might have noticed already but I’m a huge Weezer fan!

Have you had a chance to play with any of the bands that are also on the SXSW Japan Nite bill, or the Japan Nite US Tour? If so, where? And how was the experience?

I’ve met some bands through music events and festivals. STANCE PUNKS is our label-mate so we’ve done tour supports for each other before.

The bands of Benten have become mainstays in American indie clubs, but seem to have made less of an impact on the music industry as a whole (though not necessarily a bad thing). Do you see Ellegarden continuing to stay on the independant side of the scene here — continuing gigs with future Japan Nite tours? Or do you have greater — perhaps mainstream — ambitions on this side of the Pacific?

I’d like to have occasional tours and releases, without any linkages to events. If our music reaches a large number of people then I’ll have no complaints. However we are an Indies band in Japan too, so we don’t really understand the thin line that runs between the majors and indies.

Also, with the continued exponential growth of Ellegarden in Japan, the band has been gaining a reputation among fans of Japanese music in North America. Can we expect domestic (North American) album releases eventually?

A. The album we released last April, “RIOT ON THE GRILL”, is scheduled for a March 15th release in the States.

Once again, thank you for your time. I hope Ellegarden has great success during the Japan Nite tour and at SXSW. I will do my best to promote, and make that possible.

A.　Thank you! Hope to see you guys at the shows!