Beat Crusader

Known for the openings to anime themes such as "Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad" and "BLEACH," BEAT CRUSADERS creates refreshing upbeat music with rock, punk, pop and indie rock influences. Other than their music, the BEAT CRUSADER's promotional appearences are unique since all members wear masks with drawings that resemble themselves.
biography
Originally BEAT CRUSADERS, commonly abbreviated as BECR, was formed in 1997 as an experimental U.S. Lo-Fi indie pop unit created by Tōru Hidaka performing around the Shimokitazawa (Tokyo) area. With other members Mitsutaka Umuyashiki aka Umu, Takayuki Araki aka Araki and Hiroyuki Tai aka Thai they created fun songs that were very interesting to see performed.

In June 1999, the BEAT CRUSADERS released their single E.C.D.T, which entered independent charts of CD shops all over Japan. A month later they released their first mini-album entitled HOWLING SYMPHONY OF... creating a wave a great approval from the independent charts and music magazines.

From 2000-2002 they released a stream of singles and three full-length albums along with a west coast summer tour in the USA and a fall tour in Australia.

In August 2003, members Mitsutaka Umuyashiki, Takayuki Araki and Hiroyuki Tai decided to leave the band and eventually the three members formed the new band, ANITA CHILI PEPPERS. With three of the four members gone, leader Tōru Hidaka eventually recruited four new members with the new line up including: Masahiko Kubota (bass), Tarō Katō (guitar), Hirofumi Yamashita aka Mashita (drums) and Keita Tanabe aka Keitaimo (keyboard).

They ended their indie label days and made it big when they released HIT IN THE USA in 2004, which became the opening theme for the anime "BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad."

In 2006 their single TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT was used as the fourth opening for the hit anime "BLEACH."

Their most recent release is currently their 10th anniversary album Popdod, released in Summer 2008.

BEAT CRUSADERS has been apart of the Japanese music scene for ten years, showing fans that they can continue to create refreshing upbeat sounds and never failing to miss a beat when it comes to their unique style of music!