Not the first Japanese band I ever heard but the first one I got into in a major way. When I first heard their music I found it instantly appealling even though I couldn't understand more than a few words of the lyrics. Once I started to understand more of the words I became even more fascinated with their mixture of fast-paced and often funny rock (I've got a particular soft spot for Tortoise's love of appalling, sometimes bi-lingual, puns) and soul. Then I watched a DVD of one of their live shows and knew I had to see one for myself. I love their music. It makes me happy. And being at one of their shows is one of the best experiences ever. I get asked a fair bit why I like them and I can't really explain it but music's like that. To each their own. I like Ulfuls.
Unfortunately Ulfuls have broken up "toriaezu" (for the moment) so no concerts are on the horizon. A 10th Anniversary Yassa Concert DVD will come out on November 11th 2009, and a single release of a new song is planned too. Tortoise Matsumoto commences a solo tour (with Ito Mikio supporting) in September 2009.
ee toko's original raison d'etre: The romanised Ulfuls lyrics page.
A brief introduction to the band members.
A concert report.
My encounter with the band.
The link to Ulfuls' web site.