BEAT CRUSADERS

Beat Crusaders, known as BECR, blend synth pop and punk in their music, with a quirky approach to commercial rock. Initially an experimental indie pop group founded in 1997, the band found success with their debut single E.C.D.T. and EP Howling Symphony Of... in 1999. After a period of split CDs and lineup changes, the band's break came in 2004 when they recorded the theme for the anime series Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad, leading to a contract with a Sony Music sub-label. Their subsequent releases from 2005-2008, including successful studio albums and a cover album Musicrusaders, solidified their popularity in the animation industry and even landed their music on American TV shows like Nickelodeon's Kappa Mikey.

Following a split in 2003 due to creative differences, Beat Crusaders regrouped with sole remaining member Toru Hidaka and a new lineup, leading to a surge in their career. Their contributions to anime series like Bleach and Juushin Enbu, alongside international success and television features, showcased their versatile appeal and cemented their position in the industry. The band's unique blend of genres and postmodern gimmicks, such as using dot matrix printer portraits in promo shoots, have set them apart as a dynamic force in the music and animation worlds.