WACK have declared that ‘WACK in the UK Vol.3’ will take place on August 28th at The Underworld in London, the agency’s international stomping ground.
This series serves as WACK’s exclusive overseas live event, debuting last November in central London and returning with ‘WACK in the UK Vol.2’ earlier this week, featuring performances from KiSS KiSS, ASP, and GANG PARADE.
LIVE REPORT: WACK IN THE UK VOL.2 TRANSFORMS THE UNDERWORLD INTO AN IDOL MUSIC MECCA
During the event, WACK director Junnosuke Watanabe unveiled the lineup for ‘WACK in the UK Vol.3’, which includes ASP, MONSTERIDOL, and BiS.
About ASP
ASP (ANTi SOCiETY PUNKS) were a Japanese alternative idol group formed by talent agency WACK in March 2021. The original four members, YUMEKA NOWKANA?, NAMELESS, MOG RYAN, and NAAYU, were introduced at the conclusion of WACK's annual audition camp with their faces concealed behind black masks. Their identities were gradually revealed as they reached social media follower targets, a typically unconventional introduction from the agency responsible for BiS and BiSH. ASP released their debut album, 'ANAL SEX PENiS', in May 2021, followed by their first live performance at Nakano heavysick ZERO in Tokyo. Their early music drew heavily on punk rock, with rough-edged guitars, shouted vocals, and direct melodies, while their performances and promotional activities embraced the provocative humour associated with WACK's alternative idol groups. The line-up expanded following NAAYU's departure in November 2021, with twin sisters MATiLDER TWiNS and WONKER TWiNS joining the group. Their second album, 'PLACEBO', arrived in January 2022, followed by further additions to the line-up and a major-label debut through Avex Trax that August with 'Hyper Cracker'. The single introduced a more electronic, hyperpop-influenced sound, which ASP continued to explore alongside punk, industrial rock, hip-hop, and dance music. They marked their major debut with a 24-hour event, ANARCHY ANARCHY SHiT SHiT PARTY PEOPLE, and continued building their audience through extensive nationwide touring. Their third album, 'DELiCiOUS ViCiOUS', followed in April 2023. ASP made their international debut at London's The Underworld in November 2023 as part of WACK in the UK, subsequently appearing at all six editions of the agency's London showcase. Their overseas activities also led to a deal with British label JPU Records and a collaboration with Sam Matlock of UK nu-metal duo WARGASM, who produced their first entirely English-language track, 'MAKE A MOVE'. The song appeared alongside 'Heaven's Seven' on their third major single in January 2024, which reached No. 1 on Oricon's Daily Singles Ranking. That year, ASP toured all 47 Japanese prefectures, released the single 'Black Nails', and issued their first major-label album, 'Terminal disease of ASP', before performing their largest headline concert at Nippon Budokan on 8th October 2024. The group continued expanding its musical partnerships in 2025, working with Japanese alternative rock band Age Factory on 'Get New MIRAI' and hip-hop producers Yohji Igarashi and Pecori of ODD Foot Works on 'BA-BY'. Former BiS member iKO MUGENNOKANATA joined in May, bringing ASP's membership to eight, although NAMELESS remained temporarily absent from live activities due to health issues. Their first overseas headline tour followed in September, with performances in Bristol, Manchester, and London. The final London concert on 25th September also marked the departure of founding members YUMEKA NOWKANA? and MOG RYAN. CCCCCC subsequently left in December, reducing ASP to five members. On 31st December 2025, ASP announced that they would disband the following May, following WACK founder Junnosuke Watanabe's decision to end the agency's existing generation of groups. Their final single, 'Pipe Dream', was released on 14th January 2026, accompanied by 'JUSHO' and 'Warp!!'. The group embarked on their farewell tour, This is ASP's final tour, in April, concluding with a sold-out performance at Spotify O-WEST in Tokyo on 4th May 2026. The final five-member line-up comprised NAMELESS, MATiLDER TWiNS, WONKER TWiNS, RiONTOWN, and iKO MUGENNOKANATA. Their last concert ended with 'Hyper Cracker', the song that had launched their major-label career nearly four years earlier. Throughout their five-year career, ASP retained a close relationship with their fans, known as 'narazumono' (rogues), through frequent touring, fan events, and an energetic live presence. Their catalogue extended from the punk-influenced material of their debut to electronic hardcore, industrial rock, and hip-hop collaborations, while their activities in Britain made them one of WACK's most internationally active groups. Their Nippon Budokan concert and subsequent UK headline tour remain significant achievements in a career that ended during WACK's wider restructuring in 2026.
RELATED: ASP DROP ‘MAKE A MOVE’ MV PRIOR LONDON SHOW & UNUSUAL ZEPP TOUR TWIST
In January, the group signed with London-based record label JPU Records, representing a significant step forward in their international endeavors. On October 8th, they are set to make their Budokan debut with a one-man live concert dubbed ‘We are in BUDOKAN “The floor is all ours!!”’.
ASP
Heaven’s Seven
Release Date: 17/01/2024
Label: Avex / JPU Records
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music
CD: CDJapan
About MONSTERIDOL
Formed in late 2023, MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN TONAi BOUSHO a.k.a. MONSTERIDOL are one of the newest additions to WACK’s diverse roster of groups.
This collaborative unit emerged from the merger of two groups originating from televised competitions featured on the popular TBS variety show ‘Suiyoubi no Downtown’ (‘Wednesday’s Downtown’).
MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN, born from the ‘MONSTER IDOL’ segment in 2019, embraced a light-hearted style, appealing to audiences of all ages with their playful and comedic performances. They made headlines by performing at the Tokyo Dome just four days after their major debut single release and were among the recipients of the New Artist Award at the 62nd Japan Record Awards. TONAi BOUSHO, from the ‘MONSTER LOVE’ segment in 2022, gained attention with their debut single ‘COOKiE’, whose music video swiftly rose to the top of YouTube’s Trending page in Japan.
MONSTERIDOL made their debut with the digital release of their first single, ‘Wonderland’, under the entertainment conglomerate Avex on January 20th.
MONSTERIDOL
Wonderland
Release Date: 20/01/2024
Label: Avex
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music
About BiS
BiS (Brand-new idol Society) were a Japanese alternative idol group founded in 2010 by singer Pour Lui, whose determination to challenge the conventions of idol music helped establish the group as pioneers of the alt-idol movement. Working with producer and manager Junnosuke Watanabe, BiS rejected the polished image and carefully controlled behaviour expected of mainstream idols in favour of punk rock, provocative music videos, confrontational performances, and unusually direct relationships with their fans, known as 'kenkyuin' (researchers). Their music combined melodic idol pop with distorted guitars, electronic production, and aggressive vocals, while their unpredictable promotional activities attracted attention well beyond Japan's idol scene. The first generation debuted with 'Taiyou no Jumon' in 2011, followed by the album 'Brand-new idol Society' that March. Their early releases included the fan favourite 'nerve' and the controversial 'My Ixxx', whose music video depicted members apparently performing nude in a forest. After signing with Avex Trax in 2012, they released 'PPCC' and the album 'IDOL is DEAD'. Their increasingly unconventional activities included a collaboration with veteran Japanese noise group Hijokaidan under the name BiS Kaidan, resulting in a self-titled album in 2013, alongside film appearances, gruelling live events, and repeated changes in membership. Their final studio album, 'WHO KiLLED IDOL?', arrived in March 2014 before the original group disbanded with a farewell concert at Yokohama Arena on 8th July 2014. Exactly two years later, Pour Lui, Watanabe, and producer Kenta Matsukuma announced the return of BiS under WACK management. Following a publicly streamed audition camp, Pour Lui was joined by four new members for the release of 'Brand-new idol Society 2' in November 2016, followed by 'Re:STUPiD' in February 2017. The second generation continued the original group's unpredictable approach, with new members recruited through WACK's annual audition camps and even a temporary member exchange with fellow WACK group GANG PARADE. Pour Lui departed in March 2018, after which BiS introduced the controversial BiS.LEAGUE system, dividing members into two ranked teams, BiS1st and BiS2nd, according to fan votes linked to record purchases. The system was subsequently abandoned, and the second generation disbanded on 11th May 2019 after releasing their final single, 'Are you ready?'. A third generation was assembled almost immediately through auditions that attracted more than 2,000 applicants. The new members began activities in June 2019 and released their debut album, 'Brand-new idol Society', that August, followed by 'LOOKiE' in February 2020. With no members carried over from the previous generation, the group inherited the BiS name, catalogue, and reputation while developing its own identity. They continued the tradition of demanding physical challenges, including a two-day, 200km relay race followed by a live performance, and adapted their promotional methods during the COVID-19 pandemic through unconventional online events and experimental merchandise sales. Despite frequent line-up changes, the third generation became the longest-running incarnation of BiS, remaining active for more than five years. The third generation underwent another major restructuring in 2023, with three members recruited through WACK's audition camp. Their subsequent releases featured outside collaborators including Masayuki Nakano of BOOM BOOM SATELLITES, Yutaka Furukawa of DOPING PANDA, and alternative rock band Age Factory. These collaborations contributed to their final studio album, 'NEVER MiND', released in February 2024 after a four-year gap between original albums. That January, the group also completed CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THiRD BiS, a 24-hour event at Daikanyama UNIT featuring 74 song performances across 24 rounds of mini-concerts and fan meetings. In April, BiS returned to their original self-sufficient philosophy, with members taking responsibility for management duties including promotional materials, event bookings, and merchandise sales, while remaining jointly managed by WACK and Tsubasa Records. The third generation announced their disbandment in August 2024, shortly after WACK founder Junnosuke Watanabe stepped down as the agency's representative. The group nevertheless completed their remaining commitments, including their first and only overseas performance at London's The Underworld for WACK in the UK Vol.3 that month. Their final line-up comprised Toggy, Nano3, Hyuga, Iko Mugennokanata, and Kurenai World's End, who performed their farewell concert, Finale of third BiS, at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall on 12th January 2025. The concert closed with 'STUPiD', bringing an end to more than five years of third-generation activity and the group's third disbandment. No fourth generation has subsequently been announced. Across three generations, BiS became one of the defining names in Japan's alternative idol movement. Their willingness to incorporate punk, noise, and other underground music into an idol format, together with Watanabe's unconventional management methods, helped establish the approach later associated with WACK groups including BiSH, GANG PARADE, and ASP. Although every generation experienced instability and ultimately disbanded, BiS left behind a substantial catalogue and an approach to idol performance that continued to influence the scene long after the original members went their separate ways.
RELATED: BIS CONQUER DAUNTING 24-HOUR LIVE EVENT IN TOKYO WITH 74 SONG SET-LIST
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, they surprised fans with new song releases and published a documentary music video featuring the same song performed 101 times in a row.
With new members recruited through the WACK AUDiTiON CAMP in 2023, their new album ‘NEVER MiND’, the group’s first release in four years, signified BiS’s entry into a “new era”, making it highly anticipated among their dedicated fanbase.
BiS
NEVER MiND
Release Date: 28/02/2024
Label: NIPPON CROWN
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music
WACK in the UK Vol.3
28th August (Wed) – London, The Underworld
Feat. ASP, BiS, and MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN TONAi BOUSHO a.k.a. MONSTERIDOL
