Beat Crusaders

BEAT CRUSADERS, often called BECR, was a Japanese rock band active from 1997 to 2010. Formed by Hidaka Tōru and Iwahara Yukio, the band initially operated in the Tokyo indie scene, releasing demos under their EVOL RECORDS label. Known for performing with distinctive pixelated masks, they debuted in the UK compilation For My Urban Life (Tokyo '98)(1998) and officially entered the indie market with the EP NEVER POP ENOUGH in 1999. After several lineup changes, the stable lineup formed in 2003 included Hidaka, Kubota Masahiko, Katō Tarō, Keitaimo, and Mashita. In 2004, BEAT CRUSADERS signed to DefSTAR RECORDS, releasing their mini-album A PopCALYPSE NOW. They gained mainstream fame with the single "HIT IN THE USA", the opening theme for the anime BECK. Their mix of pop-punk and alternative rock gained further traction with anime tie-ins like BLEACH and Gintama. They continued to release albums such as P.O.A.〜POP ON ARRIVAL〜(2005), EPopMAKING〜Pop tono yuuguu〜(2007), and popdod (2008). In 2009, they released the single "LET IT GO" before announcing their breakup in June 2010. Their final live performance was at OTODAMA'10 on September 4, 2010.

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