What does it take to be the longest active female rock band with all the original members? Taking a look at the Japanese all-girl band’s impressive career of 19 years (and counting), we can see why SCANDAL definitely deserves the title!

SCANDAL consists of members MAMI (Guitar & Vocal), HARUNA (Vocal & Guitar), TOMOMI (Bass & Vocal) and RINA (Drums & Vocal). Their band was formed in Osaka in 2006 and they first started out with outdoor performances at Osaka Castle park.

They released a few indie singles and made appearances in local and international Japanese cultural festivals before making their major debut with “DOLL” in 2008. This gave them more exposure and from then on, their music career took off.

In 2009, they won a New Artist Award at the 51st Japan Record Awards.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · Rising Stars in the Music Scene · · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

SCANDAL first came to Singapore in 2010 for Anime Festival Asia. That same year, they released their fifth major single, “Shunkan Sentimental”, which was used as the fourth ending theme for the anime Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

They returned to Singapore the next year for their first Asian Tour “BABY ACTION”, performing for 2 nights at the Singapore Airlines Theatre at LASALLE College of the Arts. Fans filled the seats on both nights and sang along to their songs, attesting to the booming popularity of the band in Singapore.

In 2012, they released their fourth major album Queens Are Trumps: Kirifuda wa Queen, which led them to become the first girl band to achieve four consecutive top 5 positions in the Oricon Weekly charts.

Despite achieving their dream of performing at Osaka-jo Hall, Scandal showed no signs of slowing down in their career. They continued to release music every year, even participating in songwriting, composition and arrangement, and made many performances for their local and international fans ― with Singapore being part of their stops in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2019.

Aside from music, the band was also involved in other creative ventures that matched their interest, such as launching their own apparel brand, Feedback!.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · her · · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

SCANDAL announced that they would be forming their own band-run music label “her” in 2018 and they released their first double-A-side CD single with the label in the following year.

Having their own label allowed them to freely explore and discover their music as they now had the creative and executive freedom to do so.

“Masterpiece” and “Mabataki” show two different sides of the band, highlighting their ability to showcase a range of music styles.

The pandemic did not put a stop to SCANDAL’s efforts in making music and performing for their fans. More than ever, they realised how much performing live meant to them and continued to released songs and music videos that were made at home, all to connect and communicate with their fans.

In 2023, they were certified by the Guinness World Records as the longest active female rock band with the same members.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · LOVE 💖, SPARK ⚡, JOY! ✨ · · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Photo: SCANDAL

Thanks to the coordination of sLs Group Corp and UnUsUaL Entertainment, JCC had the chance to interview SCANDAL for our E-Magazine. We hope that you enjoyed reading this feature.

Q: Welcome back to Singapore! We are excited to welcome you back again, especially after the pandemic! What are your memories from your last visit to Singapore? Is there any food, sceneries, sightseeing spots or anything that you missed about this country?

A: We have been to Singapore several times, and we all enjoyed sightseeing at places such as Sentosa, Gardens by the Bay, Night Safari etc. when we were not performing. We love Laksa so we would love to try it again!
シンガポールには何度か訪れたことがありますがライブ以外の時間でセントーサ島、ガーデンズバイザベイ、ナイトサファリなどしっかりみんなで観光も楽しみました。 私はラクサが大好きなのでぜひまた食べたいです。

Q: SCANDAL will be performing at the "OSAKA MUSIC LOVER -JAPANIMATION ROCKS-" event at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, in July! What do you think makes J-Rock stand out from rock music of other countries?

A: Within the framework of J-rock, each band and artist has various roots, but I think the sound is characterised by a mix of genres and a uniquely Japanese worldview of lyrics and melody.
Jロックという枠の中でバンドやアーティスト毎にいろんなルーツがあると思うのですが、ジャンルをミックスさせたサウンドや日本独特の歌詞の世界観やメロディが特徴的だと思います。

Q: We heard that SCANDAL members are anime and manga fans – with your music being featured in many anime series. What manga or anime are you currently into now?

A: We enjoy watching the anime “Kaiju No. 8” very much.
"怪獣8号"のアニメを観てとても面白かったです。

Q: In 2023, SCANDAL achieved the Guinness World Records for being the longest active female rock band with the same members and next year, you will celebrate 20 years of activities together! What is an advice you can give for keeping a healthy working relationship?

A: To have respect towards each member and to have an abundance of spirit to be able to affirm each other’s opinions.
メンバーそれぞれにリスペクトを持っていること、他の意見も肯定できる心の豊かさを持つことかなと思います。

Q: What is an unforgettable experience during the past years of your careers that you will always remember?

A: We have dreamed of having a one-man show at Osaka-jo Hall since we formed the band, and we will never forget the three shows that we have done there previously.
バンドを結成してから夢見ていた大阪城ホールでのワンマンライブ、過去3回行いましたがどの公演も忘れられません。

Q: Please give us a message that you would like to relay to “Friends of JCC” or your Singaporean fans who are looking forward to your concert in Singapore.

A: It has been about 6 years since our last live performance in Singapore, and about 9 years since our first one-man live performance! We will do our best to deliver a more powerful and happy live show! We will do our best to deliver a more powerful and happy live performance! We are looking forward to seeing you all!
約6年ぶりのシンガポールでのライブ、ワンマンライブは約9年ぶり！？になります。よりパワフルでハッピーなライブをお届けできるよう頑張ります！みなさんに会えるのを楽しみにしています！

Resources:
Guinness World Records: Longest running rock band with the same musicians (female)
JRock News: SCANDAL celebrates spring love in “Mabataki” music video
Scandal-Heaven Forum
ScandalLove: SCANDAL interview @ Singapore ~ BABY ACTION Hits Town
SCANDAL Official Website
Swee Lee Blog: An Interview with SCANDAL: J-Rock, New Albums & Fender Gear
The Honey Pop: SCANDAL The Girls That Put Rock in J-Rock
The UrbanWire: SCANDAL: An Unforgettable Night
YouTube: kazuo yy | IORI-KUN MUSICOMPANY | SCANDAL_LIVE

Do you have a Japanese-related article or a Japan-Singapore story that you would like to work with us to feature? Please drop us an email jcc@sn.mofa.go.jp and we will be in touch!