Unapologetically loud and edgy rockers BYEE the ROUND (バイザラウンド) released their debut album in mid-2007, but now it’s back and set for national release on March 4th, 2009. In short, the band went from Cock Lobster to LilBallet. Say what?

The re-release of ギブミー ã‚¢ チョコレート (Give Me A Chocolate) comes shortly after the quartet struck a deal with indie rock launching pad, LilBallet. The same label that helped sling tacica into the spotlight and manages bands like ABSTRACT MASH, QUATTRO, and The Jerry has quickly become a SparkPlugged favorite and the recent addition of BYEE the ROUND continues to strengthen the young company’s impressive stable of talent.

Give Me A Chocolate was originally released in August 2007 on BYEE the ROUND’s own label, Cock Lobster Records (Peter Griffin’s rendition of the B-52s’ song would’ve been so much cooler if he said it like that). Since it was basically a self-release, the eight-track LP got around the Shimokitazawa (下北沢) club scene but not much further. Fortunately for BYEE the ROUND, Give Me A Chocolate is now the band’s debut on the national stage.

Known for their biting and blunt themes, the band’s music is equally as hard-hitting. A fascinating fusion of elements of garage rock and blues with straight-up-and-honest rock forms BYEE the ROUND’s sound. The frantic arrangement of band’s music is often chaotic but discernable melodies and meanings can be plucked from the muddle of reverb and distortion formed by manic guitar playing and rumbling basslines. Prime spectacles of this sort of temperament on Give Me A Chocolate are tracks like “イメージ” (Image) and “ホログラフ” (Holograph).

BYEE the ROUND’s music does have a more eloquent soft side as well. These pieces are not plush and cozy though. The ‘softness’ comes in the form of faded instruments trailing still ever-enthralling vocals. Though the guitar doesn’t flicker in the face of the audience as much, vocals still strike loudly. This defines “白い怪物” (Shiroi Kaibutsu, white monster).

BYEE the ROUND’s music explores themes of “unavoidable aspects of human society.” This gritty perspective leads to songs that trudge through weighty topics that include “lust, perversion, grave loss, resentment, disdain, etc.”

BYEE the ROUND formed in 2003 and is vocalist/guitarist Kouta Matsuyama (松山晃太), guitarist Takahashi “Satoshiante” (高橋”Satoshiante”), bassist Yusuke Ooi (オオイユウスケ), and drummer SO.

Prolific on the Shimokitazawa scene, the band released their first demo, “Catch a virgin girl in lie” in 2004. A second demo followed in ’05 and the original version of Give Me A Chocolate was next.

Watch a live performance of “Image” on Jan. 31st, ’09 at Shimokitazawa club 251. BYEE the ROUND comes out swingin’ so prepare to rock:

Check out BYEE the ROUND’s official site and MySpace page

Buy Give Me A Chocolate (Cock Lobster Records version) on HearJapan