Party Rockets is an idol group formed from the graduating members of B♭ (B Flat) from Step One Sendai Junior Talent Agency. They made their live debut on July 1, 2012 and their first single, “Hatsukoi Rocket”, was released on August 15, 2012. Originally signed with avex entertainment, Inc., they eventually changed labels twice, first with Rocket Beats and then Universal J. The Party Rockets lineup has also changed four times, each time losing a member of the group. Although publicity photos with seven members were first released to the internet in June 2012, Tsujimura Airi became ill and went on hiatus from the group before their live debut. This caused Airi to be airbrushed out of one photo and new photos with the six member lineup were taken. On October 14, 2012 it was officially announced that Airi would not be joining the group after all. Sato Hiyori’s last entry in the Party Rockets blog was October 29, 2012, and on November 4, 2012 there was an official announcement that she had graduated in order to focus on school. Konno Yuuka’s last blog post was on December 28, 2012, and in it she said she was sick and leaving the group. Yuuka’s last single with the group was “MIRAIE”, with music written by American rock singer Eric Martin (of Mr. Big fame), released in February 2013. Yuuka and Airi eventually became part of a new group called Aither in June 2013. Party Rockets carried on as a four member group and released their third single, “Setsuna Sora”, their first for Universal J. On December 15, 2013, Watanabe Koume graduated, eventually joining SUPER☆GiRLS. Yoshiki Haruka was appointed as the new leader and Party Rockets have carried on as a trio ever since.
Members:
Yoshiki Haruka (吉木悠佳), Leader - Born on July 1, 1998
Fujita Akari (藤田あかり) - Born on June 24, 1999
Kikuchi Fumika (菊地史夏) - Born on July 20, 1999
Graduated Members:
Watanabe Koume (渡邉幸愛) - Born on March 17, 1998
Konno Yuuka (金野優花) - Born on May 15, 1998
Tsujimura Airi (辻村愛璃) - Born on February 13, 1999
Sato Hiyori (佐藤陽誉吏) - Born on October 31, 1999
Discography:
Singles:
“Hatsukoi Rocket” (August 15, 2012)
“MIRAIE” (February 27, 2013)
“Setsuna Sora” (August 21, 2013)
“Let’s Go!!” (April 9, 2014)
“KASABUTA” (August 27, 2014)
Album:
“Triangle” (December 17, 2014)
Compilation Albums:
“LOCAL IDOL BEST!” (July 18, 2012; Track 3, “NO: ID” by B♭) *
“Japan Idol File” (Dated April 24, 2013, but released on May 1, 2013; Disc 1, Track 11, “NO : ID” by B♭) *
* Although credited to B♭, the lyrics page of “LOCAL IDOL BEST!” has the words “Party Rockets” in English, surrounded by the signatures of the six members from the "Hatsukoi Rocket” single. While the melody for this version is the same as the version B♭ had been performing live since 2010, different instruments are used making this studio version more electronic sounding than the original rock-style version. Originally Watanabe Koume sang most of the lyrics with Tsujimura Airi helping out a bit. Later, Airi sang first, followed by Koume. The “LOCAL IDOL BEST!” and “Japan Idol File” version of “NO: ID” has Konno Yuuka singing Airi’s lines.
DVD:
“Party Rockets One Man Live ~FULL THROTTLE~” (April 22, 2015)
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