Beat Crusaders (BECR)
The BEAT CRUSADERS is a Japanese rock/punk/indie/pop band from Japan. Members include Tōru Hidaka as the main vocals and guitar(lead/rhythm) ; Masahiko Kubota in the base; Tarō Katō with the guitar(lead/rhythm), Mashītain in the drums and Keitaimo in the keyboards. Former members include Mitsutaka Umuyashiki in the base and also vocals; Takayuki Araki in the drums and also with the vocals and of course Hiroyuki Tai in the keyboards also doing some vocals.
Formed during the late 1997, combined with the influences from various bands such as Green Day, Rentals and Weezer and to bands with same type of songs, molding them to be this fun, energetic, unique and upbeat group; with their very own catchy songs and well done cover songs. It made them well know on Japan's indie scene and were later on recognized by the major record labels and now popular and famous on the music world.
They were originally an experimental U.S. Lo-Fi Indie Pop unit and was later on formed with some experimental performances around Tokyo, using old and new technology where they combined a creative use of analogue, synthesizers and the old Casitone.
The band went through some hard times in 2003, where the other members deserted leaving founder and main vocalist Toru Hidaka all on his own. Well in a manner every end leads to a new beginning, and this new beginning gave birth to a stronger and if others not mind me say a better Beat Crusaders, releasing the song "Hit in the USA" popularized and featured as the main theme for the Anime Hit Series BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad and also to some anime series like Bleach with the song "Tonight,Tonigh,Tonight" and more.
They are well known to have distinct style and kick-ass concerts especially in their promotional tours where their faces are masked by drawings resembling themselves as printed by a dot-matrix printer and i believe they still do wear their masks, it serves as their trademark or something like that. The band is not only great in their music production, but also in their visual projection, especially in their stage presence where they create such exciting and intense performances.
Here are some of their Official Music Videos:
Beat Crusaders - Hit in the USA
