Gejira/Zundale formed in January of 1990 under the name Narita Minami. The 90’s were a turbulent time in Japan, the collapse of the “bubble economy,” the Hanshin (Osaka/Kobe) earthquake and terrorism by Sarin gas in the Tokyo subways. They sought out to create songs with a theme of self support and brought a cheery atmosphere to an otherwise dismal state. With a “can do” attitude and the “Japanese easy-listening” theme, Gejira/Zundale released their debut album entitled “binetsu” (trans. slight fever) on August 21, 1996.

Following the theme of the pre-Hollywood Ang Lee film “The Wedding Banquet,” Gejira/Zundale created the track “I’m sorry Mom,” which was about a gay man coming out of the closet. The topic of this track was introduced in the January 1997 issue of the Japanese magazine “Body,” and was dubbed the first openly gay singer/songwriter in Japan, as well as opening the door for a gay Indies scene. As a result more than 20,000 units were sold, not including mail order or specialty store sales.

In April 1997, they were the subject of an essay in a Japanese hardcore gay magazine. Later in October that same year, Gejira/Zundale released the first gay-oriented music video “see you later” on the gay video magazine “VG-men,” which sold out almost immediately following its release.

January 6, 1999 saw the release of their second album, “theater SWEET SONGS.” Later that year they released their first Maxi-Single, “foux ha genki na cook san.”