Originally called Berrie, the Mad Capsule Markets formed in Tokyo in 1985, consisting of Hiroshi Kyono (vocals), Takeshi Ueda (Cray, bass), Motokasu Miyagami (Seto, drums) and Shin (guitar).
Berries was set up by Kyono and Shin (Kojima Minoru) as a tribute to their idols BOØWY, a popular Japanese punk group. A year later, they were joined by Ueda and Seto. Shortly after the quartet started entering Battle Of The Bands competitions and released the demo EP POISON REVOLUTION. Their music was a mixture of punk, metal, techno and industrial influences.
In 1990, after opening for bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and a replacing drummer Seto with Motokatsu, they changed their name to The Mad Capsule Markets. The same year, tand began on its own Insect Noise label, on which they released Humanity. They moved to Victor in 1991, where they first released P.O.P.. After the first album, Shin left the band, and a number of guitarists have filled in, initially Berrie roadie, Ishigaki Ai, although Toru was with the group since 1996 until 2007. The band underwent some style changes, adopting a more punk look including leather jackets, mohicans and studs.
In 1996, they again changed their style, opting for shaven heads, hooded tops and skateboarder-inspired clothing and their sound became more of a metal/rap infusion. Following the release of, Mad Capsule Markets, Ishigaki left the band and was replaced by Toru. Their tenth album 010, released in 2001, saw the return of former guitarist Minoru Kojima (who never officially left the band) playing on one of the tracks, and the embracing of the a electronic/techno style.
From the early days, Mad Capsule Markets went out of their way to play on bills with foreign bands and have performed with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Helmet, Korn, Fear Factory and Atari Teenage Riot. They have also had their music heavily featured in trailers on popular anime trailers.
In 2006, all three members announced that they are taking time off from MCM to pursue solo projects. Kyono has become a DJ and is currently doing shows in Japan, as well as working on a clothing line under the name WAG-DUG; Motokatsu is in Rally (band) and Takeshi is working on solo material and also has a clothing line under the name Fuzz rezz zweep.
Albums
Compilations
Live Albums
Singles and EPs
Videos