Tunnels (とんねるず), sometimes romanized as Tonneruzu, is an owarai comedy group and former J-pop musical unit.
History[]
Ishibashi and Kinashi, then high school athletes, discovered their comedic talents through teammates and quickly bonded over writing skits. They successfully auditioned for Owarai Star Tanjou! in 1980 and passed, launching their comedy career.
By 1981, they gained fame with outrageous live TV stunts and absurdist humor, a then fresh comedic style in Japan. They debuted as singers under indie labels and hosted popular variety shows like All Night Fuji and Yuuyake Nyan Nyan, becoming associated with idols. Their major label debut as a singing unit came in 1984, initially creating comedic songs to accompany their skits.
However, their surprise hit single Ame no Nishiazabu in 1985 turned them into a best-selling musical unit, leading to more serious music in the early 1990s, including the award-winning Nasakenee.
Though they ceased music production and live concerts in the late 1990s, they remained active as TV hosts and comedians, eventually becoming popular enough to have their own television programs. Both members also joined the group Yaen in 1998, which remained active until 2001.
After rumors of disbandment following their long-running television show’s conclusion in 2018, Kinashi clarified they would focus on solo activities instead.[1]
In March 2024, Tunnels announced their first concert in 29 years, set for November 8-9, 2024 at Nippon Budoukan. The two sold-out shows attracted over 18,000 spectators. However, Tunnels have yet to give an official statement about their status as a unit following the concert. Therefore, as of 2024, they remain on hiatus.
Members[]
Current Members[]
- Ishibashi Takaaki (石橋貴明)
- Kinashi Noritake (木梨憲武)
Discography[]
- Albums
Victor[]
- [1985.03.21] Narimasu (成増)
- [1985.11.01] Butsumetsu Sodachi (仏滅そだち)
Pony Canyon[]
- [1986.12.28] Canyon Hatsu (キャニオン初)
- [1987.10.21] Kawaguchi Ko (河口湖)
- [1988.04.29] 428
- [1988.05.17] Ichikawa to Miyajima (市川と宮嶋)
- [1990.06.27] Hono-chan ni Hagahaeta. (ほのちゃんにはがはえた。 )
- [1991.07.10] Monominta no Gyakushuu (みのもんたの逆襲)
- [1992.07.24] Gamushura (がむしゃら)
- [1993.09.17] Warui Uwasa (悪い噂)
- [1994.09.15] Arrival
- [1995.07.05] Omae Hyakumade wa Shakyuujuukyuu Made (おまえ百までわしゃ九十九まで)
- Mini Albums
- All are under Pony Canyon
- [1988.01.01] O Nenga (御年賀)
- [1992.05.05] Mutsuu Ongaku Kyoiku Sansai kara no Tunnels (無痛音楽教育 3才からのとんねるず)
- Best Albums
Victor[]
- [1986.04.25] Jiuta Jisan The Best of Tunnels (自歌自賛 ザ・ベスト・オブとんねるず)
Pony Canyon[]
- [1994.06.17] Tunnels Best Ashiato (とんねるずベスト 足跡)
- Compilation Albums
VAP[]
- [1981.08.25] Pyonkichi Rock n' Roll (ピョン吉・ロックンロール)
Japan Records[]
- [1982.07.25] Yabashi Bitch na Me Date Night (ヤバシびっちな女デイト・ナイト)
Victor[]
- [1984.12.05] Ikki! (一気!)
- [1985.04.21] Seinen no Shuucho (青年の主張)
- [1985.09.05] Ame no Nishiazabu (雨の西麻布)
- [1986.01.21] Kayokyoku (歌謡曲)
Pony Canyon[]
- [1986.05.28] Yabusakadenai (やぶさかでない)
- [1986.08.05] Netako mo Okiru Komoriuta (寝た子も起きる子守唄)
- [1986.10.21] Ninjo Misaki (人情岬)
- [1987.02.25] Arashi no Macho Man (嵐のマッチョマン)
- [1987.04.05] Meiwaku Deshou ga... (迷惑でしょうが…)
- [1987.06.05] Ookina Osewa Summer (大きなお世話サマー)
- [1987.09.17] Ora Ora (おらおら)
- [1988.02.25] Honoo no Escargot (炎のエスカルゴ)
- [1988.07.06] YAZAWA
- [1990.08.08] Dou ni ka Naru Sa (どうにかなるさ)
- [1991.05.29] Nasakenee (情けねえ)
- [1992.01.24] Gara Gara Hebi ga Yattekuru (ガラガラヘビがやってくる)
- [1992.09.03] Ichiban Eraibito e (一番偉い人へ)
- [1993.01.28] Gajaimo (がじゃいも)
- [1994.02.24] Fu Fu Fu Tsuttesurundesu (フッフッフッってするんです)
- [1994.12.07] Kani (ガニ)
- [1996.02.12] Omae ga Hoshii (おまえが欲しい)
Trivia[]
- The name "Tunnels" came from their romanized names. "T-Takaaki, N- Noritake.) An "S" was added because they were a two member group. It was initially called "TNS" but employees of Nippon Television decided on the expanded name "Tunnels."[2]
- Both members attended Teikyo High School in Tokyo and met through playing club sports.
- They are unofficially produced by Akimoto Yasushi, as he provided them with a huge number of their song lyrics, as well as giving them ideas of comedy sketch topics. Akimoto is also close friends with both members, but is slightly closer with Ishibashi.
- When they appeared on the 42nd NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, they were dressed in nothing but red and white underpants and full body paint, with the statement "Juushin-ryo o Haraou (受信料を払おう/Pay Your Reception Fees)" written on the back. After this happened it was rumored by the media that they had been permanently banned from performing in future Kohaku Uta Gassen performances. However, this was not the case. NHK requested them to appear on Kohaku the following year, but Tunnels themselves turned down the offer. [3]
- They were the most popular guest hosts of All Night Fuji and Yuuyake Nyan Nyan. They were also a huge influence on promoting audition candidates for Onyanko Club that would later get voted in, most notably Watanabe Marina and Yamamoto Susan Kumiko.
- Their former manager from their debut until the late 1990s was talento Bob Ichikawa (ボブ市川). Ichikawa was often featured in their comedy skits due to his burly appearance.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/201801260000414.html (In Japanese.)
- ↑ 小林信彦著『時代観察者の冒険』.
- ↑ https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/p-et-tp0-20080926-412809.html (In Japanese.)