Hammer Head Shark Announce debut LP, ’27°C’, out June 25th

2024 was a huge year for Japanese indie rockers Hammer Head Shark. Dropping some new tracks, like the stunning “綺麗な骨“, which in English, is officially translated to “Fruits Bone”, (but more accurately would be Beautiful Bones) and the raucous 90’s-alt inspired “アトゥダラル僻地“, (“a . to . the . la . lu” in English). The latter’s music video takes place over a definitive period for the band, their tour of Canada as part of “Next Music From Tokyo“, a mostly annual event showcasing Japanese music throughout Canada.

Ahead of their tour of Canada, the band was open that 2024 was a make or break year for them. Gigging small clubs in Tokyo is only so sustainable. Their arrival in Canada was triumphant, as the first night in Toronto featured a mosh pit break out to, surprisingly, their very poppy “Echo”, with crowd surfers included. Evidence that Hammer Head Shark’s music is cathartic at its core, even among their poppier songs.

Upon returning from Canada, the band held their own event called “Into The Marbles” (a reference to their song “Fruits Bone”) at an art gallery in Ebisu. They were the only performers on the show, and the environment of the show was delicately curated by singer Hiyu Nagai. Her photos and artwork hung from the walls, as projections played behind the band.

They then started work on their first full-length record, 27°C. The record features some already favorite tracks like the ones above, plus “Dummy Flower”, Lakeside Goodbye” and “Gummi”, which had a demo version released on a tour exclusive CD. The demo version is so powerful on its own, and I can’t wait to hear the album version.

Nagai said her biggest dream out of her music career is to play Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall as rain washes over the crowd. When I picture that, I can’t help but think of My Morning Jacket’s “Return to Thunderdome” concert – a concert that’s legendary to anyone who’s heard the tale. Like the Jacket, Hammer Head Shark thrives among the catharsis, whether it’s the joy of love or the intensity of their darkest moments. It’s something that cuts right to the core. I couldn’t think of a more fitting celebration for these songs if – no, when, it ever happens.

27°C Track Listing:

名前を呼んで
Blurred Summer
アトゥダラル僻地
Dummy Flower
レイクサイドグッドバイ
Daisy
Gummi
しんだことになりたい
綺麗な骨
うた
園
たからもの

Hammer Head Shark will also embark on a tour in Japan to celebrate the release of the record. Support acts include fellow NMFT16 performers サバノオミソニー(Sabanoomisony), as well as fuzz-gazers 溶けない名前 (tokenainamae) and the pristine sounds of 揺れるは幽霊 (yureruwayurei). Schedule and tickets are on Ticket Pia.

Hammer Head Shark are Hiyu Nagai (Vocals, Guitar), Haruhiko Fukuma (Drums), Asahi Goto (Bass), and Eita Fujimoto (Support, Guitar)

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