Kero Kero Bonito

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Kero Kero Bonito
Kero Kero Bonito performing at Indietracks in 2019
Kero Kero Bonito performing at Indietracks in 2019
Background information
OriginSouth London, United Kingdom
Genres
Years active2011 (2011)–present
Labels
Websitekerokerobonito.com
Members
  • Sarah Bonito
  • Gus Lobban
  • Jamie Bulled

Kero Kero Bonito (KKB) are a British indie pop band formed in South London in 2011. The band consists of vocalist Sarah Midori Perry and producers and multi-instrumentalists Gus Lobban and Jamie Bulled.

Their musical style consists of indie pop,[1] electropop,[2] dance-rock,[3] hyperpop,[4] bubblegum pop,[5] and tweelectro.[6] The band's earlier work was influenced by J-pop such as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, as well as dancehall, and video game music;[7] however, following their 2018 EP TOTEP their sound and influences diversified, with their second studio album, Time 'n' Place, being influenced by indie rock contemporaries such as Mount Eerie and My Bloody Valentine.[8][9] Perry, who is half-Japanese, sings and raps in both Japanese and English.

History[]

Jamie Bulled (left) and Gus Lobban (right)
Sarah Midori Perry performing the song "Break" from the album Bonito Generation, live in Dublin (2018)

Lobban and Bulled grew up in Bromley in the suburbs south of London and met in their teens.[10] In search for a new band member, they posted advertisements, including on MixB, an online bulletin board for Japanese expatriates, largely due to their interest in "Japanese rap".[10][11] Perry was one of the first respondents. They selected her based on her background in art, and their interest in her bilingual ability.[11] Although she had collaborated with a Japanese girl group previously,[11] Perry did not have a background in professional singing; instead, she was interested in collaborating with Lobban and Bulled simply because she "wanted to try it".[12]

The trio called themselves Kero Kero Bonito; its meaning is intentionally ambiguous, with one derivation from the Japanese onomatopoeic words for frog croaks and a type of fish.[13] Other meanings include the Brazilian quero-quero bird while "bonito" means "pretty" in both Portuguese and Spanish, thus "Pretty Quero-quero" – or even "I want, I want pretty" in a rough translation.[14]

The group released their debut mixtape Intro Bonito through Double Denim Records in August 2014.[15][16] They wrote many of their songs featured on the mixtape using a Casio SA-45 mini-keyboard.[17] The band contributed "Flamingo" to Ryan Hemsworth's compilation EP shh#ffb6c1.[18]

In September 2014, Kero Kero Bonito released Bonito Recycling, a compilation of Intro Bonito remixes by artists including Danny L Harle and Spazzkid.[19] The band released the single "Build It Up", on which Perry sings in a call and response pattern, in November 2014.[20]

On 10 August 2015, Kero Kero Bonito announced their first North American tour, which took place during October 2015.[21]

On 21 October 2016, the group released their first album Bonito Generation through Double Denim.[22]

On 2 February 2017, the YouTuber Berd published a parody animation of the band's single "Flamingo".[23] The video went viral, and became an internet meme, surpassing 21 million views as of February 2021.

On 12 February 2018, the band released the single "Only Acting". It departs from the band's previous electronic sound with a darker, rock-influenced style.[24] Later, on 20 February 2018, the band released the EP TOTEP. The EP included "Only Acting", and other songs following the rock-influenced style.

Cover image for Kane West's Western Beats EP
Sarah Midori Perry looking at an animatronic bird
Sarah Midori Perry and Jennifer Walton performing in Hoboken, NJ

On 13 April 2018, the band performed their first 'full band' show. This involved two extra members, James Rowland on electric guitar and Jennifer Walton on drums and sampler, as well as Lobban on drums and keyboards and Bulled on bass guitar. Rowland previously played guitar on TOTEP. This change in live lineup reflected their change in sound following the EP.[citation needed]

On 8 May 2018, the band released the single, "Time Today", and announced their second studio album, Time 'n' Place, which was released on 1 October 2018. The album was sonically a significant departure from their previous studio album, and was inspired by radical changes in the band's personal lives following their tour cycle for their debut album.[citation needed]

On 8 July 2019, the band uploaded "KKB Life" to YouTube, a vlog video recorded during the Time `n` Place era, announcing that a new era is starting. They announced a North America and Europe tour shortly after and released a new single "When the Fires Come" in September 2019. Later on in the month, before the tour started, they also released their fourth EP Civilisation I.[25]

In 2020, the band wrote and performed "It's Bugsnax!", the theme song for the video game Bugsnax, which was featured in its announcement trailer.[26]

In April 2021, Kero Kero Bonito released their fifth EP, Civilisation II.

Other projects[]

"Kane West" redirects here. It is not to be confused with Kanye West.

Electronic musician Spazzkid was a fan of Kero Kero Bonito and enlisted Perry to rap on "Truly" from his 2014 Promise EP.[27] In 2015 she was featured on "Everyday", the debut single by producer Chroma-kei.[28]

Lobban also records music under the name Kane West.[29] He won a remix contest for Tiga's "Let's Go Dancing" with Audion. He contributed to PC Music's mix for DISown. He later released his Western Beats EP through the label.[30] Tiny Mix Tapes ranked the EP 31st on their list of "Favorite 50 Music Releases of 2014",[31] and Fact placed Western Beats 33rd on its year-end list.[32] The following year, his song "T.R.U.E.L.O.V.E." appeared on Folie Douce's second Confessions compilation.[33] In August 2015, Kane West released the EP Expenses Paid on Turbo Recordings.[34] Since 2016, Lobban has used this alias mainly to release remixes, with the exception of "Definitely Come Together", a collaboration with Cecile Believe[35][36] released through PC Music during their Month of Mayhem.

As well as Kane West, Lobban also releases solo work as Augustus, a project influenced heavily by Japanese city pop music. Under this name he has released an original song entitled "Vs." (as part of a promotional compilation for Zoom Lens), as well as cover versions of songs by GFOTY and Perfume. He also provides vocals on the song "Money Won't Pay" by fellow London musician bo en. In addition to these two projects, Lobban co-wrote and produced two tracks on Saint Etienne's 2017 album Home Counties.

Prior to Kero Kero Bonito, Bulled was a member of the band Kabogaeries. Since forming Kero Kero Bonito, Bulled now records music under the name Wharfwhit,[37] with the 2016 single 'Elbows' and 2017 albums 'Evidently' and 'WHARFWHAT!?'[38] released under this name.

Band members[]

  • Sarah Midori Perry (Sarah Bonito) – lead vocals
  • Douglas "Gus" Lobban – drums, keyboards, sampler, backing vocals, production
  • Jamie Bulled – keyboards, electric guitar, bass guitar, sampler, production

Live band members[]

The band perform live as both a traditional band, and as a trio using a sequencer and samplers. The full live band consists of these members:

  • Sarah Bonito – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Gus Lobban – backing vocals, keyboards, drums
  • Jamie Bulled – bass guitar
  • Jennifer Walton – drums, sampler
  • James Rowland – guitar

Discography[]

Albums[]

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
Sales
[39] 		US
Heat
[40] 		US
Indie
[41] 		US
Vinyl
[42] 		US
World
[43]
Bonito Generation — — — 15 9
Time 'n' Place
  • Released: 1 October 2018
  • Label: Polyvinyl
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, cassette
 63 1 6 5 —
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

Mixtapes[]

List of mixtapes
Title Details
Intro Bonito

Compilations[]

List of compilations
Title Details
Civilisation

EPs[]

List of extended-plays, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
Heat
[40] 		US
Indie
[41] 		US
Vinyl
[42]
Bonito Recycling — — —
Bonito (Retakes)
  • Released: 30 May 2017
  • Label: Double Denim
  • Formats: CD, DL
 — — —
TOTEP 6 22 20
Civilisation I
  • Released: 30 September 2019
  • Label: Polyvinyl
  • Formats: LP, DL
 — — —
Civilisation II
  • Released: 21 April 2021
  • Label: Polyvinyl
  • Formats: LP, DL
 — — —
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

Singles[]

List of singles as lead artist, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Weapons Grade" 2011 Non-album single
"Coursework Story" 2012
"(Getting To) The Top"
"Ms. World"
(featuring Mayu Tanaka)
"Laser Quest"
(featuring Leigh)
"Fortune Teller"
"Wherever You Go" 2013
"Why Aren't You Dancing?"
"Homework" Intro Bonito
"Flamingo" 2014 shh#ffb6c1[44]
"Fans (Are So Cool)" Non-album single
"Build It Up"
"Sick Beat" Intro Bonito
"Picture This" 2015 Bonito Generation
"Chicken" Non-album single
"Lipslap" 2016 Bonito Generation
"Break"
"Graduation"
"Trampoline"
"Heard a Song"
(CFCF Remix)[45] 		2017 Bonito Retakes[A]
"Forever Summer Holiday" Bonito Generation
"Rock 'n' Roll Star" Covered in Gloria[46]
"Fish Bowl"[47] Bonito Generation
"Only Acting" 2018 TOTEP and Time 'n' Place
"Time Today" Time 'n' Place
"World Tour 2018" Non-album single
"Make Believe" Time 'n' Place
"Swimming" 2019
"The Open Road" Swimming/The Open Road[48]
"When the Fires Come" Civilisation I
"It's Bugsnax!" 2020 Non-album single
"The Princess and the Clock" 2021 Civilisation II
"21/04/20"

As featured artist[]

List of singles as featured artist, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Swipe"[49]
(Manon featuring Kero Kero Bonito) 		2018 Teenage Diary[50]
"Ringtone (Remix)"
(100 Gecs featuring Charli XCX, Rico Nasty and Kero Kero Bonito) 		2020 1000 Gecs and the Tree of Clues
"M'Lady (S3RL Remix)"
(Dorian Electra featuring Kero Kero Bonito) 		2021 N/A

Guest appearances[]

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Flamingo (Julien Mier Remix)" 2016 Julien Mier [2017][51]
"Heartbeat" 2020 N/A Save Stereogum: An ‘00s Covers Comp[52]

Remixes[]

Title Artist Year
"Money" (Kero Kero Bonito Remix) Love and Hates 2011
"Daytime Disco" (Kero Kero Bonito Remix) Spazzkid featuring Neon Bunny 2015
"Story" (Gus Kero Kero Bonito Remix) Magdalena Bay 2020
"The Light" (Kero Kero Bonito Remix) Metronomy
"Slumber Party" (Kero Kero Bonito Remix) Ashnikko featuring Princess Nokia 2021

Notes[]

  1. ^ "Heard a Song (CFCF Remix)" is also included on the Japanese version of the album Bonito Generation.

Awards and nominations[]

Year Association Category Nominated Work Result Ref
2019 Libera Award Best Outlier Album Time 'n' Place Nominated [53]

References[]

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  2. ^ Gaca, Anna (14 October 2016). "New Music: Kero Kero Bonito – Bonito Generation". Spin. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  3. ^ "KERO KERO BONITO – SURPRISE! IT'S AN ALBUM". Flaunt. 1 October 2018. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  4. ^ Raymer, Miles (25 November 2014). Hyperpop geniuses Kero Kero Bonito made us a playlist. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  5. ^ Conde, Chris (9 May 2019). "UK Bubble Gum Pop Rockers Kero Kero Bonito Gear Up for November Show in San Antonio". San Antonio Current. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  6. ^ Day, Laurence (26 September 2016). "Kero Kero Bonito share springy new synthpop number "Trampoline"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  7. ^ Mack, Tommy (28 August 2014). "DiScover: Kero Kero Bonito". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
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  9. ^ "kero kero bonito finds solace in chaotic sounds". i-D. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
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  12. ^ Aroseti, Rachel (7 April 2017). "Kero Kero Bonito: 'It's just a bassline, vocals, super clear message and that's it'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
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  14. ^ Lawrence, Iyas (18 November 2016). "Kero Kero Bonito Tell Us Why Positivity Is Punk AF". Vice. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
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  25. ^ KKB Life, archived from the original on 31 January 2020, retrieved 2 October 2019
  26. ^ "Bugsnax Song Writer Explains How Band Kero Kero Bonito Crafted The PS5 Game's Catchy Theme Song". GameSpot. 28 June 2020. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
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  35. ^ "Cecile Believe". facebook.com. Retrieved 10 June 2019.[non-primary source needed]
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  37. ^ "WHARFWHIT Makes Awkward, Double-Jointed Bubblegum Electro-Pop and You Need to Listen to Him Now". Thump (Vice). 10 November 2016. Archived from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
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  42. ^ Jump up to: a b "Kero Kero Bonito – Vinyl Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  43. ^ "Kero Kero Bonito – World Albums Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  44. ^ Plaugic, Lizzie (24 October 2015). "A guide to Ryan Hemsworth's free track download project, Secret Songs". The Verge. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  45. ^ "Spotify – Heard a Song (CFCF Remix)". Spotify. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  46. ^ "Spotify – Covered in Gloria". Spotify. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  47. ^ "Kero Kero Bonito – Fish Bowl (September 2017) – VinylPost.co". VinylPost. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  48. ^ "Swimming/The Open Road – Kero Kero Bonito (Merch & Vinyl)". Polyvinyl Record Co. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  49. ^ "Spotify – SWIPE". Spotify. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  50. ^ "Spotify – TEENAGE DIARY". Spotify. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  51. ^ "Amazon.com: [2017] [Explicit]: Various artists: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  52. ^ "Save Stereogum: An '00s Covers Comp". Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  53. ^ "A2IM Announces 2019 Libera Award Nominees". Broadway World. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2021.

External links[]

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