Sheena & The Rokkets


Sheena & The Rokkets is a Japanese rock band, formed in 1978. They are one of the most popular acts in the Mentai Rock scene.
In September 2007, Rolling Stone Japan rated their album Vacuum Pack number 44 on its list of the "100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time". Their singles, "You May Dream", "Lazy Crazy Blues", "Omae-ga Hoshii ", "Pin-up Baby Blues", "Sweet Inspiration", "Rock On Baby " are their most popular hits.
The artists have also made solo recordings. Sheena released her solo album "Beautiful", Makoto Ayukawa released "Kool-Solo" and in 1992, he collaborated with Wilko Johnson on a London recording, released as "LONDON SESSION #1 & #2".
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History

After the pioneering Mentai Rock act broke up in 1978, guitarist Makoto Ayukawa recruited his wife Etsuko for his new project. Forming the word Rokkets from "Rock" and "Etsu", and with Etsuko adopting the name Sheena after the Ramones' song "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker", the band christened themselves Sheena & The Rokkets.
They debuted on November 23, 1978, as the opening act for Elvis Costello's Japan Tour. In 1979, Yellow Magic Orchestra produced their 2nd Album Shinkuu Pack "Vacuum Pack". In 1980, they shared four shows with the Ramones in Tokyo. In the same year, their music was used as a soundtrack for an indie film Tokyo Cabbageman K directed by Akira Ogata. In 1981, they were invited by A&M Records in Los Angeles, where they re-recorded an English version, released as "SHEENA & THE ROKKETS IN USA". They collaborated with British musician Wilko Johnson in 1993 and with well-known kayōkyoku lyricist Yū Aku the following year.
On February 14, 2015, Etsuko "Sheena" Ayukawa died from cervical cancer at the age of 61. On January 29, 2023, Makoto Ayukawa died from pancreatic cancer.

Members

  • Kazuhide Kawashima - active 1978-
  • Toshihiro Nara - active 1978-
;Former
  • Sheena, real name Etsuko Ayukawa - active 1978-2015
  • Takeshi Asada - joined in 1979. Left around 1987. Re-Joined in 2008 - 2011
  • Makoto Ayukawa - active 1978 - 2023

Discography

Singles

  1. 涙のハイウェイ Elbon BON-1014
  2. ユー・メイ・ドリーム Alfa　ALR-1019 -- this song was broadcast on Fujii TVs Night Hit Studio on 1980-05-12 --- it was their first big hit.
  3. ベイビー・メイビー Alfa ALR-705
  4. 浮びのビーチ・ガール Alfa ALR-719
  5. キス・ミー・クイック Alfa ALR-723
  6. ピンナップ・ベイビー・ブルース Alfa ALR-737
  7. スイート・インスピレーション Victor VIHX-1643
  8. 今夜はたっぷり Victor VIHX-1665
  9. ABC Victor VIHX-1697
  10. どうしても逢いたい Victor VIHX-1716
  11. ハッピーハウス Victor VIHX-1747
  12. エンジェル・アイズANGEL EYES /I Gotta Move] Victor VIHX-1769
  13. パーマネント・ハネムーン Victor VIHX-1774
  14. Hard Drug /I Like It] Speedstar VIDL-103
  15. ロックの好きなベイビー抱いて Speedstar VIDL-172
  16. インターネット・キッス Speedstar VIDL-30036

Albums

  1. Sheena & the Rokkets #1
  2. 真空パック
  3. Channel Good
  4. Pinup Baby Blues
  5. Sheena & the Rokkets
  6. New Hippies
  7. Main Songs
  8. Gathered
  9. Captain Guitar and Baby Rock
  10. #9
  11. Happy House
  12. Dream + Revolt
  13. Hard Drug
  14. Rock on Baby
  15. @Heart
  16. Rock the Rock
  17. Japanik
  18. Rokket Ride

EPs

  1. Lemon Tea
  2. Family Dancing
  3. SHEENA & THE ROKKETS IN THE 90'S

Compilations

  1. SHEENA & THE ROKKETS Best Selection
  2. Early days
  3. GO GO
  4. The Original Rock'n'Roll Hearts
  5. Rock ia alright
  6. Rock'n'roll heart 2
  7. SUPERBEST KOLLECTION
  8. The Very Best
  9. Dream BOX
  10. The Greatest Sheena & The Rokkets
  11. ELECTROKKETS / V.A.
  12. Rokket Factory～the worst and rarities of Sheena & The Rokkets in Alfa years～
  13. GOLDEN HITS THE ALFA YEARS
  14. WHITE BOX SET ; INVITATION YEARS 1984-1989
  15. BLACK BOX SET ; SPEEDSTAR YEARS 1990-2009

DVD

  1. ライブ帝国 FUKUOKA ROCK INVASION
  2. ROKKET PARANOIA
  3. LOVE LIVE
  4. SPACE SHOWER ARCHIVE シーナ&ザ・ロケッツ LIVE 9207