限界LOVERS - English translation

Show-Ya is an all-female rock band debuted in 1985. They were the pioneer of all-female band in Japan in 1980s.

Members:

- Terada Keiko (born:July 27, 1963), vocal.

- Nakamura Miki (born: September 27, 1961), nickname: Captain, keyboard, leader.

- Tsunoda Miki (born: December 7, 1963), nickname: Mittan, drums.

- Igarashi Miki (born: November 21, 1962), nickname: Sun-Go, guitar.

- Senba Satomi (born: August 28, 1963), bass.

* out of their 5 members, there are three members named Miki , they needed to be given nicknames to avoid confusion among fans

Other members:

- Steffanie Reiko Borges (born: August 30, 1961), a Japanese-American singer, Show-Ya second vocalist who joined the group in 1992 to replace Terada Keiko after she quit

- Yoshino, Show-Ya third vocalist in 1997-1998 who replaced Steffanie Borges

The band was formed in 1981 and previously named Medusa, but since they failed in all music contests they participated in, they thought the name was a bad luck and changed it into "Shoya"(庄や)  after the bar they held a meeting at. Later they decided to write it in English so it became "Show-Ya" (*Show you!"). They won a Yamaha band contest in 1982, but only Terada Keiko (the vocalist) was approached by record company and offered to have a solo debut, which she refused because she wanted to debut together with all her bandmates. But not long after, four of their members left with Terada Keiko and Nakamura Miki remained. Tsunoda Miki, Igarashi Miki and Senba Satomi were recruited and Show-Ya made their professional debut on August 31, 1985. 

At that time, all-female rock bands were rare and unfamiliar to the public, so they were marketed as idol bands. Members were made to wear miniskirts and their hair cut short that some members cried when their long hairs were cut.

https://img07.shop-pro.jp/PA01449/086/product/164645846.jpg

^ poor Show-Ya were made to dress like idols in their early career

In the late 1980s, the band returned to the hard rock route and pursued their own music but their songs didn't sell. In 1987, they even released three singles that were written by the infamous Akimoto Yasushi + composed by the legendary Tsutsumi Kyohei, the ultimate hit-maker combo, yet the sales were still just so-so (26k, 33k, 7k). It was until 1989 that Show-Ya finally made their breakthrough with their seventh album "Outerlimits" sold a total of 600,000 copies, coupled with their eighth single that sold 151,000 copies (or 300k copies by non-Oricon version). Their live shows and TV appearances dramatically increased. 

About this song

Released on February 1, 1989, this song reached #13 on Oricon chart and sold 151,000 copies (*or 300,000 copies according to non Oricon version), it became their biggest hit and their signature song.

It was used in Shell commercial:

Their live performances:

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1vx411t7vP

^ in "Uta no Top Ten" and "The Best Ten" spotlight

In their career, Show-Ya have released a total of 13 singles and 12 original albums. There's no information about their total sales (all singles + all albums), but their total single sales alone are 432,000 copies. Then they have one album that sold 600,000 copies. Add that with the sales of their other 11 albums, 3 mini albums, 2 live albums and 9 "Best" albums, it's safe to assume that their total sales could reach a few millions copies.

Show-Ya ft. Princess Princess, 1989

video with youtube id yovWzBDHkjQ was removed automatically due to unavailability

Both being popular all-female rock bands in late 1980s, it's inevitable that they were compared. There were rumors that they were'nt in good terms.  But according to Terada Keiko, the rivalry story was just made up by the media. In fact, their members got along well, they occassionally hang up together, even went to Tokyo Disneyland together. P.S: That video seems to be recorded before "Genkai Lovers" was released or else "Diamonds" would be matched by "Genkai Lovers". 

1991

In February 1991, after their concert tour, Terada Keiko left the group and pursued her solo career. Show-Ya lost their vocalist and went into hiatus. 

In 1992, they welcomed their new vocalist: Steffanie Reiko Borges, a Japanese American singer from Hawaii

singing their signature song: "Genkai Lovers"

In 1993, Show-Ya went into another hiatus and Steffanie left. In 1997, they recruited their third vocalist: Yoshino and finally disbanded in 1998. Each members went their separate ways.

...almost a decade has passed....

In 2005, Terada Keiko visited each of the separated members and bowed down to them one by one, spending five years persuading them to reunite. 

^ Show-Ya officially revived in 2005 and even held their 20th anniversary concert

...another decade has passed...

Show-Ya in "Naon no Yaon" 2014

^ "Naon no Yaon" is an all-female artists yearly music event created and held by Show-Ya since 1987. It has been held in 1987-1991, 1999, and 2008 - present. When this event was first started, there weren't that many all-female bands back then so idols, actresses and even female pro-wrestlers were invited to perform there. 

Show-Ya in 2014, with Aida Shoko (Wink)

^ singing Wink signature song:  "Samishii Nettaigyo"

Show-Ya in 2014, with Moritaka Chisato

video with youtube id sziVP1PDw8w was removed automatically due to unavailability

^ singing Chisato signature song: "Watashi ga Obasan ni natte mo"

Show-Ya in "Naon no Yaon 2017" with Oginome Yoko

^ singing each other's signature song

Show-Ya in 2019

And...these were Show-Ya, August 2023

Show-Ya singing this song, September 2023: