Punk rock band New Rote'ka will disband on January 8, 2028, the group announced on its official X account on Saturday. The breakup ends a run that began when the band formed in January 1984.
Vocalist ATSUSHI issued the statement under his real name, Atsushi Inoue. "I know this is sudden, but New Rote'ka will disband on Saturday, January 8, 2028," he wrote. "The reason is my own selfishness. I want to live a quiet life as Atsushi Inoue."
The band has about a year of activity left. "As Asshi of New Rote'ka, I'll run at full speed," the statement said. "We'll goof around the way New Rote'ka does and go wild with everything we've got!!"
New Rote'ka currently has four members: ATSUSHI, guitarists RYO and bassist KATARU, and drummer NABO. In January 2022, in its 38th year, the band played its first concert at the Nippon Budokan — the arena in Tokyo that is a landmark for Japanese rock acts.
The full statement
“To everyone who has come to our shows, bought our CDs and merch and cheered us on, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know this is sudden, but New Rote'ka will disband on Saturday, January 8, 2028. The reason is my own selfishness. I want to live a quiet life as Atsushi Inoue. To our fans, our staff, our fellow bands, the comedians, everyone who has been kind to us and loved New Rote'ka, thank you so much! We have about a year of activity left, but as Asshi of New Rote'ka I'll run at full speed! We'll goof around the way New Rote'ka does and go wild with everything we've got!! Please, everyone! Stay with us to the end. If you have requests for split bills or event appearances, contact us through our website. If the schedule and terms work out, we'll take part. Let's sing punk rock together! Let's make noise together, New Rote'ka! New Rote'ka Atsushi”ATSUSHI, vocalist, New Rote'ka