THE ORAL CIGARETTES' 'ERASE the Border Tour' Finals: Embracing New Impulses Beyond Maturity, Chronicling the Band's Current State

On March 24th, the final performance of the 'ERASE the BORDER TOUR 2026' was held at Zepp Haneda. This tour featured two-man live shows in various locations, described by Takuya Yamanaka on this day as with bands that "are close by, yet surprisingly we haven't performed together much" and "have known each other for a long time, but haven't had many joint lives recently." For the final two days at Zepp Haneda, My Hair is Bad was invited as a guest, marking their first joint live performance in approximately 10 years, excluding festival and event appearances.

Since the 'AlterGeist0000' phase, THE ORAL CIGARETTES have re-established live performances as the foundation of their activities, while releasing "OVERNIGHT" and "ERASE." In September of last year, they announced the 'ERASE the BORDER TOUR 2026,' followed by the announcement of the hall tour 'Home Sweet Home TOUR 2026' in December of the same year. They also ran a parallel series of tours in smaller live houses across the country called 'WANDER ABOUT HOUROU TOUR' (Tohoku leg). As revealed by Yamanaka during the live performance on this day, they plan to decline invitations to summer festivals organized by media outlets and focus solely on their own live shows. While their live-performance-centric stance is not new, it's rare in recent years for them to be so thoroughly immersed in Oral-centric tours. This series of live performances indicates a mode of immersion in activities for, by, and of THE ORAL CIGARETTES. During the pandemic, feeling a sense of crisis about the decline of rock music and aiming to rebuild the live house scene disrupted by the pandemic, they were dedicated to live house tours, rallying fellow musicians regardless of seniority to champion the rock scene. This was the mode of THE ORAL CIGARETTES leading up to 'AlterGeist0000.' 'AlterGeist0000,' created with the theme of "condensing the musicality expanded with each work into rock," was both a culmination for THE ORAL CIGARETTES and a catalyst for the scene. Through these activities, THE ORAL CIGARETTES became a prominent presence, headlining numerous festivals and actively breaking down barriers with other genres to assert the existence of the rock scene. In essence, the past few years have seen THE ORAL CIGARETTES moving with the resolve to carry the scene on their shoulders, consistently conveying messages with the primary goal of strengthening their own "home."

Building on this, the 'ERASE the BORDER TOUR 2026' announced at the end of last year, the hall tour 'Home Sweet Home TOUR 2026' set to kick off in summer and autumn, and the intention to continue performing live in their own spaces rather than others' venues, have all been successively announced. They are once again moving with the theme of doing what they enjoy, or more precisely, aiming to create spaces together with those who love them. The reason for touring with bands described as "close by, yet surprisingly we haven't performed together much" and "have known each other for a long time, but haven't had many joint lives recently" is likely because, having navigated a tough season for both THE ORAL CIGARETTES and the scene, there were people they wanted to meet again in their evolved forms. My Hair is Bad, the guest on this day, is also a live entity that has continuously expanded its musicality with each work, despite being a solid three-piece band. The aggressive spirit of facing off in live performances remains unchanged, but it was an impressive day watching the two bands express themselves on stage, enjoying each other's musical and personal growth.

Indeed, the words spoken by Kensuke Shiiki of My Hair is Bad on stage, "I, who used to hurt people all the time, am gradually becoming an adult. I used to think I could change people, but now I think maybe I can change myself." "Knowing contentment. In truth, the important things are already within my heart." These words expressed the location of maturity and new impulses for My Hair is Bad. "After Hour," which still exudes a youthful, fast-paced energy like in the past, contrasted with "Makka," where "painful memories" have come to resonate as warm traces of life over time, and "Koko de Kurashiteru yo," a song about life that embraces everything as it is while surrendering to a gentle rhythm. The music's mystery of changing and deepening with time, and the extreme range inherent in human expression, resonated throughout. Shiiki's shout during "From Now On," "Let's get weird! That distortion will surpass even AI! We'll fly through the sky with weirdness!" perfectly captured the reason why bands dedicate themselves to live performances and why people gather and clash at live shows. Joy and sorrow, love and hate, the will to live and the will to die, hope and despair. People sing and shout to make all of that their own outline, not a contradiction.

And THE ORAL CIGARETTES' live performance featured a relentlessly energetic and fierce setlist. As Yamanaka MC'd, "The setlist might have been leaked on social media, but we've cut out all the calmer parts. We're going to go all out!" Indeed, there were no mellow songs; all 12 songs were designed for jumping, shouting, and raising fists. The opening was "mist...", a song from their earliest days. It's strange how it now sounds like a message of "there's no need to hold back at a live show." This also represents how songs change shape depending on the singer and the musicians. "Open the door to your emotions." That was the message of the opening. They continued with "Kirai" and "Mr. Phantom," likely intending to show how their early songs have evolved. "Mr. Phantom," in particular, felt less like the bouncy song it was upon release and more like a relentless forward thrust at breakneck speed, almost to the point of stumbling. Each note stood out clearly, and the rhythm section's masterful performance, which pushed the songs forward rather than just providing a foundation, imbued the tracks with a fresh sensibility based on skill, a new impulse beyond maturity. This setlist, revisiting the history of their songs, is directly linked to THE ORAL CIGARETTES' current activity stance. They share their history with fans, acknowledge change, enjoy evolution, and thereby connect their past journey to the future. It's a band activity that enriches their own space by themselves. This sentiment has been consistently expressed by Yamanaka since the pandemic. The current THE ORAL CIGARETTES and their live performances embody this very idea.

"About 10 years ago, I bought a pair of denim jeans at a flea market. There was just one thing that made me hesitate to buy them: there was strange embroidery on the waist. But I liked the faded look, so I bought them. I've been wearing those jeans for 10 years, and the other day, while walking around wearing them, a really intimidating-looking old man walked up to me. He said, 'Where did you get those jeans? Turn around for a second.' So I turned around and showed him the jeans, and he said, 'Those are mine' (laughs). Can you believe that? But that's the kind of miraculous encounters that happen in life, and I feel like the intensity of encounters increases as time goes by. My Hair is Bad and we have also known each other for 10 years. I listened to Shiiki when he was troubled. But out of these 10 years, today's My Hair is Bad was the coolest. Thank you for cherishing our encounters for these 10 years... Music, even if it's the same song, even if it's sung by the same person, can sound different as you age. It's not that unchanging is good; it's beautiful when you can see the unchanging core after change, or when you can see that core. That's why music isn't something disposable like a fleeting trend, like 'I only like it for now.' Whether it's a TikTok buzz or whatever, that stuff gets thrown away quickly. That's not interesting. It's good to have songs that remind you of your youth after 10 years, and it's good to see someone singing after 10 years and think, 'The way they live is cool.' That's the wonder of music. You should cherish what you like and what you dislike, not because someone else says it's good or because it's popular. Even if you lose confidence surrounded by the majority, it's okay. We will erase those impure thoughts of yours."

The song "ERASE," played after such MC, is the new standard for THE ORAL CIGARETTES, aiming to redefine songs like "Kyōran Hey Kids!!" and "BLACK MEMORY." While THE ORAL CIGARETTES' signatures, such as the guitar phrases that fly alongside the melody, are still present, the perspective of the song has significantly changed. Connecting one's feelings to others, moving the person in front of them, and continuing the chain of human connections. While lamenting a world where people endlessly hurt each other, they wish for people to live valuing each other's emotions. This sentiment has become the core emotion of the current THE ORAL CIGARETTES, driving this fiercely energetic live performance. There was also the statement, "After yesterday's show, I wanted to buy a humidifier and went to Don Quijote in Nakameguro. The cherry blossoms in front of the store were in full bloom. But surprisingly, people walking by weren't looking at the cherry blossoms at all. I think that's not good. Looking at your phone and not noticing the cherry blossoms right here. If you notice them and still don't look, that's even worse. Please look carefully at what's in front of you before you go home." Perhaps it's because they urge people to cherish what's in front of them and value what they see, that they created a setlist that erases the noise of the outside world and clears the mind. The block featuring "Kyōran Hey Kids!!," "DIKIDANDAN," and "DUNK feat. Masato (coldrain)," the section connecting "Kantan na Koto" to "BUG" to create a chaotic dance, and "GET BACK" performed as an encore, all embody the phrase "ERASE the BORDER." This music is a catalyst for overcoming the walls that obstruct what's important and running forward without regard for external noise, with the consistent message of getting back to one's true self by clearing the mind. Yamanaka's repeated words, "I want you to see with your own eyes and judge for yourselves," were also striking. This phrase was a common slogan for THE ORAL CIGARETTES from their debut. This also seems to be an expression of their desire to strengthen the band's spirit and their relationship with the audience. No one can take away what is precious to you. Your heart is your own. It's a simple statement, but rock bands continue to prove the fundamental idea that human irrationality is what makes humans human, in a world increasingly streamlined by eliminating the irrational. And THE ORAL CIGARETTES, as a collective that affirms precisely that emotion, continues to grow larger. This live performance directly expressed just that.

TEXT: Daichi Yajima
PHOTO: Ryotaro Kawashima


■■THE ORAL CIGARETTES 'WANDER ABOUT HOUROU TOUR 2026 Tohoku Edition'
May 8, 2026 (Fri) [Iwate] Morioka CLUB CHANGE WAVE
May 9, 2026 (Sat) [Aomori] Quarter
May 11, 2026 (Mon) [Akita] CLUB SWINDLE
Performers: THE ORAL CIGARETTES / Enfants
May 13, 2026 (Wed) [Yamagata] Sakata Music Factory
May 15, 2026 (Fri) [Fukushima] HIPSHOT JAPAN
May 16, 2026 (Sat) [Miyagi] SENDAI GIGS
Performers: THE ORAL CIGARETTES / SPARK!!SOUND!!SHOW!!

Ticket Price: Standing 4,800 yen (tax included, separate drink fee required)
Official 1st Pre-sale Starts April 3, 2026 (Fri) 18:00~
Application URL: https://eplus.jp/toc-wahtt-of/


■■THE ORAL CIGARETTES 'Home Sweet Home TOUR 2026'■■
July 8, 2026 (Wed) [Osaka] ORIX THEATER
July 16, 2026 (Thu) [Aichi] Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater Concert Hall
July 18, 2026 (Sat) [Kagawa] Takamatsu REXxam Hall Main Hall (Kagawa Prefectural Hall)
July 22, 2026 (Wed) [Tokyo] Tokyo Garden Theater
July 23, 2026 (Thu) [Tokyo] Tokyo Garden Theater
August 5, 2026 (Wed) [Miyagi] Tokyo Electron Hall Miyagi
August 7, 2026 (Fri) [Niigata] Niigata Prefectural Civic Center Main Hall
August 12, 2026 (Wed) [Hiroshima] Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen HBG Hall
August 14, 2026 (Fri) [Fukuoka] Fukuoka Sun Palace
August 16, 2026 (Sun) [Kumamoto] Kumamoto Castle Hall Main Hall
September 6, 2026 (Sun) [Nara] Nara Centennial Hall Main Hall
September 8, 2026 (Tue) [Mie] Mie Prefectural Culture Hall Main Hall
September 12, 2026 (Sat) [Hokkaido] Sapporo Kanamoto Hall (Sapporo Civic Hall)

Ticket Price
Reserved Seats: 7,300 yen (tax included) / Seated Reserved Seats: 7,300 yen (tax included)
*Seated Reserved Seats are for those who wish to view the performance while seated, with standing prohibited. Seats allowing seated viewing will be provided for each performance.

■■THE ORAL CIGARETTES 'BKW!! Premium Party ~THINK OUT LOUD~'
Date: October 12, 2026 (Mon/Holiday)
Venue: PIA ARENA MM
Doors Open: 15:30 / Show Starts: 17:00

Ticket Price
Arena Front Block (Standing): 8,500 yen (tax included)
Arena Rear Block (Standing): 8,500 yen (tax included)
Stand S (Reserved Seat): 8,500 yen (tax included)
Stand S (Seated Reserved Seat): 8,500 yen (tax included)
Stand S (Seated Reserved Seat / Elementary School Students and Younger): 5,000 yen (tax included)
Stand A (Reserved Seat): 6,500 yen (tax included)
*Stand S (Seated Reserved Seat) will provide seats within the Stand S (Reserved Seat) area where viewing while seated is possible and standing is prohibited.
*Arena Front/Rear Blocks (Standing) are not accessible to pre-school children / Elementary school students and older require a regular ticket.
*Stand S / A (Reserved Seats) are not accessible to pre-school children / Elementary school students and older require a ticket.
*Stand S (Seated Reserved Seat) allows viewing from laps for children up to 3 years old / 4 years and older require a ticket (Elementary School Student and Younger Ticket).

■■THE ORAL CIGARETTES / Digital Single "ERASE"
■ Release Date: January 7, 2026 (Wed)
■ Link to Streaming Sites: https://oral.lnk.to/ERASEPR

■■"ERASE" Music Video
■ URL: https://youtu.be/W-0djfZngXQ
■ Special Page: https://theoralcigarettes.com/feature/erase

＜THE ORAL CIGARETTES INFORMATION＞
THE ORAL CIGARETTES Official HP https://theoralcigarettes.com/
THE ORAL CIGARETTES Official X https://twitter.com/oral_official
THE ORAL CIGARETTES Official Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_oral_cigarettes_official/
THE ORAL CIGARETTES Official YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/THEORALCIGARETTES
THE ORAL CIGARETTES Official LINE Account https://line.me/ti/p/%40oral_official