Cocobat

Cocobat, a Japanese heavy metal ensemble, takes its name from Bobo Brazil’s finishing move, the Coco Butt. The band’s inception dates back to 1991, featuring a quartet of talented musicians: Take-Shit on bass, Ryuji as the vocalist, Suzuki Shinichi handling the guitar, and Matsuzaki on drums.

Early Years and Albums

Cocobat debuted with their first album, “Cocobat Crunch,” in April 1992, released under the indie label Sinkie. Following this, in August of the same year, they launched their second album, “Struggle of Aphrodite,” accompanied by a tour across Japan alongside various fellow bands.

In 1993, Cocobat transitioned to Toy’s Factory and reissued their inaugural album under this new label. The band experienced shifts in its lineup, with two of the original members departing in December 1993, leaving Take-Shit and Ryuji. The year 1994 witnessed the introduction of two new members, Tomoda on guitar and Murochin on drums, coinciding with Ryuji’s departure after the release of “Foot Prints in the Sky.” Subsequent to the unveiling of their fourth album, “Posi-Traction,” in 1995, the band went on hiatus, leaving Take-Shit as the sole remaining member.

Reformation and Later Releases

Cocobat staged a comeback in December 1996, welcoming three new members — Hideki as the vocalist, Kame on drums, and Koji on guitar. This revival marked the release of their fifth album, “Return of Grasshopper.”

Discography

CD Releases

• “Cocobat Crunch” (1993)
• “Struggle of Aphrodite” (1993/re-released 1999)
• “Foot Prints in the Sky” (1994)
• “Posi-Traction” (1995)
• “Return of Grasshopper” (1996)
• “Tsukiookami” (1998)
• “I versus I” (1999)
• “Supercharged Chocolate Meltdown” (2001)
• “Ghost Tree Giant” (2001)
• “Hammerslave-History 10×20” (2002)
• “Fireant Moving Co.” (2004)
• “12 Steps” (2005)
• “Searching for Change” (2009)

DVD Release

• “A Tourist Guide to Cocobat + Michael Brown” (2004)
  • Tracks 1-17: A Tourist Guide to Cocobat
  • Tracks 18-30: Michael Brown