{{short description|Japanese band}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Mi-Ke | image = | alt = | caption = | image_size = | alias = | origin = Japan | genre = J-pop | years_active = {{Start date|1991}}–1993 | label = BMG Rooms | associated_acts = Daiko Nagato<br />Masao Akashi<br />Daisuke Ikeda<br />Tetsuro Oda | website = {{official website|http://beinggiza.com/ci/artist/mi-ke}} | past_members = Haruka Murakami<br>Mami Watanabe<br>Keiko Utoku }}
'''Mi-Ke''' were an award-winning J-pop idol group in the early 1990s. Formed as the chorus group for B.B.Queens under Being Inc. recording agency, they had several singles which made the music charts, and released a number of albums.
Their music and onstage image were reminiscent of the 1960s. They also did a number of cover versions of older songs (some in English, some as Japanese translations) from the Beach Boys and from British Invasion groups.
The name ''Mi-Ke'' is a Japanese phrase meaning "three colors," commonly used for multicolored cats. Costumes used in performances usually featured different colors or styles.
==Members== *Keiko Utoku *Mami Watanabe *Haruka Murakami
==Biography== In the 1990s, the group debuted as back-up chorus singers in the B.B.Queens band. On 14 February 1991, they debuted with the single ''Omoide no Kujuukurihama''. The group later went onto to win the Rookie of the Year award at various award ceremonies, including the Golden Discs Award and Nihon Record Taishou. As the first Being Inc. artists, they made their first appearance on the NHK's end of the year program ''Kouhaku Uta Gassen''. From 1992 April until 1993 March, they were regular members of the NHK program ''NHK Hit Stage'' with total 31 broadcasts.<ref>{{cite web|title=歌謡番組 NHKヒットステージ|url=http://www.nhk.or.jp/archives/search/special/detail/?d=music005|website=NHK Archived}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ＮＨＫヒットステージ ＜新＞|url=https://www2.nhk.or.jp/archives/chronicle/pg/page010-01.cgi?op=AND&keyword=ＮＨＫヒットステ+ジ++&from_hour=20&from_minute=00&channel=01+21+22|website=NHK Chronicle}}</ref>
In August 1993 Keiko debuted as a soloist with single ''Anata no Yume no Naka Sotto Shinobikomitai''. After the release of album ''Eien no Liverpool Sound ~ Please Please Me, Love'', the group disappeared from the music scene, though Keiko continued to develop her solo career.<ref>{{cite web|title=タマならぬミケ…Mi-Keの深遠なパロディ精神|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000037063|website=Barks.jp| date=13 January 2008 }}</ref> There was never any announcement of the group disbanding or any kind of hiatus.
==Post Disbandment== In 2011, during the 20th anniversary of their original debut, the third compilation album ''Mi-Ke Golden Hits: 20th Anniversary'' included two previously unreleased songs. In 2012, Keiko appeared with B.B.Queens during the live special ''Being Legends'', where, along with solo songs, she performed Mi-ke's biggest hits as well.<ref>{{cite web|title=90年代ビーイング・アーティスト秘蔵ミュージック・ビデオ、一挙公開|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000082876|website=Barks.jp| date=3 September 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Being Legen Live Tour Information|url=http://beinggiza.com/beinglegend/info.html|website=Beinggiza.com (Being Legend Special Website)}}</ref> Keiko has been active as a solo singer as of late 2021. Haruka currently runs her blog about plants and Mami works as an independent singer under the alias, JanMei.
==Discography== ===Albums=== ====Studio albums==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;" | Album details ! scope="col" | Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:2.9em;font-size:90%;" | JPN<br>Oricon<br /><ref>[https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/17122/rank/album/ アルバム売上TOP6作品]. Oricon News.</ref> |- ! scope="row" |{{nihongo|''Omoide no G S Kujuukurihama''|想い出のG.S.九十九里浜}} | * Released: 13 April 1991 * Label: BMG Victor * Formats: CD, cassette |19 |- ! scope="row" |{{nihongo|''Natsukashii Blue Light Yokohama Yokosuka''|懐かしのブルーライトヨコハマ ヨコスカ}} | * Released: 16 December 1991 * Label: BMG Victor * Formats: CD, cassette |15 |- ! scope="row" |{{nihongo|''Wasureji no Folk Shiroi Shiroi Sangoshou''|忘れじのフォーク・白い2白いサンゴ礁}} | * Released: 8 April 1992 * Label: BMG Victor * Formats: CD, cassette |8 |- ! scope="row" |{{nihongo|''Taiyou no Shimo no Surfing Japan''|太陽の下のサーフィン・JAPAN}} | * Released: 22 July 1992 * Label: BMG Victor * Formats: CD, cassette |10 |- ! scope="row" |{{nihongo|''Asa Made Odorou Kanashiki Teddy Boy''|朝まで踊ろう 悲しきテディ・ボーイ}} | * Released: 14 October 1992 * Label: BMG Victor * Formats: CD, cassette |9 |- ! scope="row" |{{nihongo|''Yomigaeru 60's Namida no Vacation''|甦る60's 涙のバケーション}} | * Released: 2 June 1993 * Label: BMG Victor * Formats: CD, cassette |27 |- ! scope="row" |{{nihongo|''Eien no Liverpool Sound: Please Please Me, Love''|永遠のリバプールサウンド プリーズ・プリーズ・ミー・ラブ}} | * Released: 18 December 1993 * Label: BMG Victor * Formats: CD |65 |}
====Compilation albums==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;" | Album details ! scope="col" | Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:2.9em;font-size:90%;" | JPN<br>Oricon<br /><ref name="Oricon_Chart">{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/17122/products/|title=Mi-keの作品|website=Oricon|language= ja|date= December 30, 2007|access-date= 18 December 2023}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |''Complete of Mi-Ke at the Being Studio'' | * Released: 13 April 2002 * Label: B-Gram Records * Formats: CD, digital download |110 |- ! scope="row" |''Best of Best 1000 Mi-Ke'' | * Released: 13 April 2007 * Label: B-Gram * Formats: CD |201 |- ! scope="row" |''Mi-ke Best Hits'' | * Released: 2010 * Label: B-Gram * Formats: CD | - |- ! scope="row" |''Mi-Ke Golden Hits: 20th Anniversary'' | * Released: 20 July 2011 * Label: B-Gram * Formats: CD |121 |}
===Singles=== {|class="wikitable" !Year !Single !Chart positions<br>(JPN<br>Oricon)<ref>[https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/17122/rank/single/ シングル売上TOP11作品]. Oricon News.</ref> !Chart positions (JPN Music Labo) !Label |- |rowspan="5"|1991 |{{nihongo|"Omoide no Kujuukurihama"|想い出の九十九里浜}} |align="center"|5 |align="center"|5<ref>"Japan" in "Hits of the World". Billboard. 2 March 1991, p 73. 9 March 1991, p 77. (Music Labo charts for 25 February and 4 March)</ref> |rowspan="11"|BMG Victor |- |{{nihongo|"Sukisa Sukisa Sukisa"|好きさ好きさ好きさ}} |align="center"|9 |- |{{nihongo|"Blue Light Yokosuka"|ブルーライト ヨコスカ}} |align="center"|13 |- |{{nihongo|"Mu~n na Kimochi wa Osenchi"|む〜んな気持ちはおセンチ}} |align="center"|50 |- |{{nihongo|"Shiroi Shiroi Sangoshou"|白い2白いサンゴ礁}} |align="center"|19 |- |rowspan="5"|1992 |{{nihongo|"Kanashiki Teddy Boy"|悲しきテディ・ボーイ}} |rowspan="2" align="Center"|10 |- |{{nihongo|"Surfing Japan"|サーフィン・JAPAN}} |- |{{nihongo|"Asa Made Odorou"|朝まで踊ろう}} |align="center"|15 |- |"Pink Christmas" |align="center"|22 |- |{{nihongo|"Namida no Vacation"|涙のバケーション}} |align="center"|19 |- |1993 |"Please Please Me, Love" |align="center"|15 |}
==Awards== *Japan Gold Disc Award 1992: Grand Prix New Artist, Best 5 New Artist<ref>{{cite web|title=第6回日本ゴールドディスク大賞|url=http://www.golddisc.jp/award/06/index.html|website=golddisc.jp}}</ref> *33rd Japan Record Awards: Best New Artist Award, New Artist Award (Nomination for the Best New Artist Award)<ref>{{cite web|title=第３３回 日本レコード大賞|url=http://www.jacompa.or.jp/reco33.html|website=jacompa.or.jp}}</ref> *24th Japan Cable Awards: Best Newcomer Award<ref>{{cite web|title=第24回全日本有線放送大賞|url=http://www.tbs.co.jp/yusenaward/awards.html|website=TBS JCA}}</ref>
==In-media usage== *Omoide no Kujuukurihama was used as a theme song for TBS television series ''Nurse Station''. *Sukisa Sukisa Sukisa was used as an opening theme for NTV program ''N!Sanma''. *Blue Light Yokosuka was used as an ending theme for NTV Television quiz program ''Quiz Sekai Show by Jo-Bai!!''. *Mu~n na Kimochi wa Osenchi was used as an ending theme for Anime television series ''Obocchama kun!''. *Shiroi Shiroi Sangoshou was used as an ending theme for TV Asahi program ''Disney Time''. *Kanashiki Teddy Boy was used as an ending theme for NTV Television quiz program ''Quiz Sekai Show by Jo-Bai!!''. *Surfing Japan was used as a Snow Brand Milk Products commercial song of ''Tottemo Jelly''. *Asa Made Odorou was used as an insert song for TBS television series ''Tenshi no you ni Ikitemitai''. *Pink Christmas was used as an ending theme for NTV Television quiz program ''Quiz Sekai Show by Jo-Bai!!''. *Namida no Vacation was used as a theme song for NHK Program ''NHK Hit Stage''. *Please Please Me, Love was used as a theme song for Fuji TV television series ''Aijou Monogatari''.
==Television appearances== ===Music Station=== *Suki sa Suki sa Suki sa<ref>{{cite web|title=1991/04/26 Mi-Ke/好きさ好きさ好きさ|url=https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/music/contents/m_lineup/0204/index.html|website=Official Website of Music Station (TVASAHI)}}</ref> *Blue Light Yokosuka<ref>{{cite web|title=1991/07/12 Mi-Ke/ブルーライトヨコスカ |url=https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/music/contents/m_lineup/0212/index.html|website=Official Website of Music Station (TVASAHI)}}</ref> *Shiroi Shiroi Sangoshou<ref>{{cite web|title=1992/01/10 Mi-Ke/白い2 白いサンゴ礁|url=https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/music/contents/m_lineup/0232/index.html|website=Official Website of Music Station (TVASAHI)}}</ref> *Kanashiki Teddy Boy<ref>{{cite web|title=1992/05/01 Mi-Ke/悲しきテディ・ボーイ |url=https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/music/contents/m_lineup/0246/index.html|website=Official Website of Music Station (TVASAHI)}}</ref> *Surfing Japan<ref>{{cite web|title=1992/06/12 Mi-Ke/サーフィン・JAPAN |url=https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/music/contents/m_lineup/0250/index.html|website=Official Website of Music Station (TVASAHI)}}</ref> *Asa Made Odorou<ref>{{cite web|title=1992/08/07 Mi-Ke/朝まで踊ろう |url=https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/music/contents/m_lineup/0256/index.html|website=Official Website of Music Station (TVASAHI)}}</ref> *Pink Christmas (twice)<ref>{{cite web|title=1992/11/13 Mi-Ke/ピンククリスマス|url=https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/music/contents/m_lineup/0268/index.html|website=Official Website of Music Station (TVASAHI)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1992/12/11 Mi-Ke/ピンククリスマス|url=https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/music/contents/m_lineup/0272/index.html|website=Official Website of Music Station (TVASAHI)}}</ref> *Namida no Vacation<ref>{{cite web|title=1993/01/22 Mi-Ke/涙のバケーション|url=https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/music/contents/m_lineup/0277/index.html|website=Official Website of Music Station (TVASAHI)}}</ref> *Please, Please me Love<ref>{{cite web|title=1993/06/11 Mi-Ke/Please Please Me, LOVE |url=https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/music/contents/m_lineup/0293/index.html|website=Official Website of Music Station (TVASAHI)}}</ref>
===Kōhaku Uta Gassen=== *42nd: Omoide no Kujuu Kurihama<ref>{{cite web|title=第42回 1992年 NHK紅白歌合戦|url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/kouhaku/history/history_42.html|website=NHK Kouhaku History | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231134419/https://www.nhk.or.jp/kouhaku/history/history_42.html|archive-date=2009-12-31}}</ref> *43rd: Namida no Vacation<ref>{{cite web|title=第43回 1992年 NHK紅白歌合戦|url=http://www.nhk.or.jp/kouhaku/history/history_43.html|website=NHK Kouhaku History | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229185210/http://www.nhk.or.jp/kouhaku/history/history_43.html|archive-date=2009-12-29}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== *[https://www.cdjournal.com/i/artist/mi-ke/131358 Mi-Ke]. CDJournal. *"Face & Voice Mi-Ke". Oricon Weekly. Volume 13. 22 July 1991. *BMGビクター 東京でMi-keライブ シングル・アルバム計100万枚突破記念. Dempa Shimbun (電波新聞). 18 September 1991. p 15. *[https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/89120/full/ Mi-Ke、デビュー20周年記念ベストアルバム発売決定]. Oricon Music. 22 June 2011. *[https://natalie.mu/music/news/51822 B.B.クィーンズ20年ぶりアルバム＆Mi-Keベスト同時発売]. Natalie. 23 June 2011. *[https://news.1242.com/article/136997 1991年(平成3年)2月14日、Mi-Keのデビュー曲「想い出の九十九里浜」がリリース～"カタログ・ソング"と言われる所以とは？]. News Online. Nippon Broadcasting System. 14 February 2018.
==External links== *[http://beinggiza.com/ci/artist/mi-ke Official Site] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110724022342/http://beinggiza.com/b-gram_mike.html BeingGiza profile (WebArchived)]
{{s-start}} {{succession box|title=Japan Record Award for Best New Artist|before=Ninja<br/>Tama<br/>Yang Soo-kyung<br/>Saori Hareyama|after=Masatoshi Ono|years=1991}} {{s-end}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Japanese pop music groups Category:Living people Category:B Zone artists Category:Musical groups established in 1991 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1993 Category:Year of birth missing (living people)