Profile

Sinatra was formed in 2004. In 2005, they won the Speedstar Records’ Audition Grand Prix for the third year in a row. In September 2007, their song “End Roll” (Film Credits) was chosen as the theme song for the movie Grow, which was released nationwide. Later, they gained recognition for their song “Nihonjin nara kawara-yane” (Only tiled roofs will do for the Japanese), a unique collaboration with the roof tile industry. Sinatra is a 21st century festival music rock band whose strong vocals reverberate delightfully throughout Japan. They have their own unique beat that is unmistakably influenced by Japanese culture, but their live performances incorporating taiko drums are understood universally due to their adherence to the Japanese concept of “wa,” or harmony. They are defining themselves in the world of Japanese rock with their childlike simplicity and innocence.

Tokio Kuroiwa [Vocal]

Hometown: Kyoto Birthday: February 27 Blood type: O I am lucky to have been born and raised in Kyoto, a very atmospheric city. In a chorus competition when I was a middle school student, the one song we could choose had a solo in it, and I was told to sing the solo part only because another student had lost his voice. I put my soul into it, paying no attention to the derisive remarks made by those around me that I was off key. In high school, a radio program I often listened to played “The Teacher I Like,” and I knew I had to sing it to Ms. Nakai. So after our graduation ceremony, I sang an off key, a cappella version of it to my homeroom class. I started my musical activities in college. I formed the band “Tokio and the Makotos” with some good friends, and we won first prize at an audition. Later, yearning to be in a band, I went to Fukuoka and quietly honed my skills while working as a scaffolding worker. I then moved to Tokyo and met the members of Sinatra. I’m continuing to work on building strong vocals that will stir your soul and wake you up with plenty of macho taiko drums. Musical influences: RC Succession, Blue Hearts, Otis Redding, James Brown, Rolling Stones

Masato Waragai [Guitar]

Hometown: Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture Birthday: June 13 Blood type: B I formed Sinatra after the breakup of my band The Melodions (which released three albums with K.O.G.A Records and one with Hayabusa Landings), for which I played guitar, mostly in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo. Our unique and precise lyrics and our motif of Japanese festival music tinged with rock and pop defines Sinatra’s festival sound. Musical influences: The Beatles, Paul Simon, Shigeru Suzuki Favorite instrument: Gibson ES-335

Ichiro Hashino [Bass]

Hometown: Hirakata City, Osaka Birthday: June 8 Blood type: O I started my musical career in 1997 with the band Cashew Nuts when I was studying at Kansai Gakuin University. We performed many concerts around the Kansai region and won several one-man concerts and auditions. The band broke up one year after moving to Tokyo. After that, I worked in musical support and as a DJ with the goal of forming a band. As the leader of Sinatra, I write most of the lyrics and songs. Musical influences: 1940s and 50s popular soul, The Golden Cups Favorite instrument: Gibson Thunderbird

Hikaru Uchiyama [Drums]

Hometown: Tohoku, Aomori Prefecture Birthday: September 19 Blood type: O I started learning the piano when I was three years old and studied classical piano until I turned 18. I started on drums when I was 16. After moving to Tokyo to go to college, I was in a few bands and was active in musical support and jazz sessions. Also, impressed by the Alan Dawson Drum Method, I started studying under Tai Shoda, who was part of the Dawsonism School, and learned Dawson’s curriculum. Then I started working again, which is when I met the members of Sinatra. Our rhythmic approach, which fuses traditional Japanese rhythms with Western music, produces Sinatra’s unique festival sound. Musical influences: Miles Davis, Led Zeppelin, Tony Williams, Steve Jordan, Jeff Porcaro, Tatsuya Nakamura Favorite instrument: CANOPUS Birth Custom Set Ludwig LM402