"Furuten/Full 10 (フルテン)", 1995 Kitty MME/Polygram K.K..


Switch formed in 1994. Because most of the members were previously active in major label muscal projects beforehand, Switch became a major act by the end of 1994, signing to Kitty MME/Polygram. In May of 1995, Switch released its first single, "Shanimuni Shake! Shake! (しゃにむにシェイク!シェイク!)", which was used as the first opening theme to the infamous anime series Ping-Pong Club, known in Japan as Ike! Inachuu Takyuu-bu (行け!稲中卓球部). Although it failed to chart, the single's unique sound helped establish Switch a big underground following. In August of 1995, the group released its second single, "Manin Densha Hitomebore (満員電車ひとめぼれ)", which was used as the second opening to the Ike! Inachuu Takyuu-bu anime series. Later that November, Switch released its third single, "Minna Sugee (みんなスゲェー)", and also released their first full length album, "Furuten/Full 10 (フルテン)", later that month as well. Although none of these releases charted, Switch's following was growing rapidly, despite not having any commercial success. The group went on to tour quite extensively throughout most of 1996, and later released their fourth single, "Hoshi wo Miagete (星を見上げて)", that June. In November of 1996, Switch released its fifth single, "DJ Papa (DJパパ)", and in February of 1997, the group released its sixth single, "Coco Jamboo". Just one month later, Switch finally released its second full length album, "Ladies & Gentlemen", to, unsurprisingly, poor sales. At this point, none of Switch's releases broke the Oricon charts, no matter how much exposure it may have gotten. This did little to slow down the group, and Switch went on to tour throughout the remainder of 1997. In late 1997, the group left Kitty MME/Polygram, and instead signed to Polydor, releasing their seventh single, "Hetchara No Hesitation (へっちゃらNo Hesitation)" in February of 1998. Later that September, the group released its eighth single, "Supponpon (すっぽんぽん)", that September, and also released their third full length album, which had the same title, that same month. Despite beating the odds of commercial failure and becoming mildly successful in their own right, Switch finally decided to disband by late 1998, and went on to do so in 1999. Keyboardist Ike went on to work as a background figure in the Japanese music industry, opening up his own music studio, and has worked with bands like L'arc-en-Ciel and M.O.V.E. The male vocalist of Switch, Tora (トラ), went on to remain active in the Japanese music industry as well, only as a recording artist, forming the band Tra in 1999, immediately after Switch's disbandment. When Tra also disbanded in 2008, Tora then formed the underground band Kurage Borders (水母ボーダーズ), which is still active today. In 2011, he also formed the duo Tora & Akkie (トラ＆アッキー), which currently also appears to be active as well.

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