Where's My Potato?

Where's My Potato?
Studio album by
[Alexandros]
ReleasedJanuary 20, 2010
GenresAlternative rock, indie rock
Length44:44
LanguagesEnglish, Japanese
LabelRX-Records
Producer[Alexandros] (as [Champagne])
[Alexandros] chronology
Provocation To Noble Artists
(2009)		 Where's My Potato?
(2010)		 I Wanna Go to Hawaii.
(2011)

Where's My Potato? is the debut studio album by the Japanese rock band [Alexandros], released under their former name, [Champagne]. It was released in Japan on January 20, 2010 through RX-Records, with the catalog number RX-034.[1]

It reached number 119 on the Oricon Albums Chart. The band's official discography page identifies it as the band's first album and lists all eleven tracks, while contemporary coverage described it as the group's independent debut release.[1][2]

Background

In 2007, [Champagne] were signed to RX-Records.[3] At the time of the album's release, the members were living together while pursuing the band full-time. Contemporary reporting presented Where's My Potato? as a record combining the energy and freshness of a debut with the band's distinctive sense of humour.[2]

The band was still relatively unknown when the album was issued. Their profile subsequently grew through online attention, word of mouth and live performances.[4] The final concert of the album's supporting tour reportedly sold out immediately, and the band went on to make its first appearances at several concerts and Japanese rock festivals during 2010.[5][6]

Drummer Hiroki Ishikawa left [Champagne] on March 1, 2010, while they were touring in support of the record. As a result, Where's My Potato? was the only studio album released by the band during his tenure.

The album's lyrics frequently draw from songwriter and vocalist Yoohei Kawakami's own experiences.[4]

Music and lyrics

Where’s My Potato? is a rock album that combines elements of British rock, melodic punk and alternative rock. Contemporary descriptions highlighted Yoohei Kawakami's use of both English and Japanese lyrics, the band's prominent guitar riffs and the rapidly shifting musical developments within individual songs. HMV Japan described the group’s sound as a hybrid of melodic music, punk and British rock, while later coverage also noted its mixture of UK-rock melodies and alternative-punk elements.[7][8]

All songs were written and composed by Yoohei Kawakami. The arrangements and production were handled by [Champagne]. Tower Records' album listing credits Kawakami as lyricist and composer and [Champagne] as arranger on every track.[9]

Songs

"Burger Queen"

"Burger Queen" is an instrumental composition that opens the album. It subsequently became a regular entrance theme and opening number at the band's concerts.[10]

"For Freedom"

"For Freedom" served as the album's principal promotional track.[11] Kawakami based the musical atmosphere of the song on Braveheart, one of his favourite films.[12]

A full-length music video was released through UK Project's official YouTube channel ahead of the album. Contemporary coverage highlighted the song's brisk and refreshing sound and identified it as one of the album's central tracks.[2] The video also established a recurring feature of [Champagne]'s early promotional clips: bonus or comedic footage appearing after the main video. Kawakami later recalled that he had not expected the practice to continue in the band's subsequent videos.[13]

"Don't Fuck With Yoohei Kawakami"

"Don't Fuck With Yoohei Kawakami" was written and recorded at short notice. The band had originally planned to include "Rocknrolla!" on the album but abandoned that version after deciding that its groove did not suit the album. A replacement song was then created and included as the ninth track.

Release and promotion

RX-Records released Where's My Potato? in Japan on January 20, 2010. Its original CD edition carried the catalogue number RX-034. The album was promoted with the music video for "For Freedom" and an accompanying release tour. Although issued by RX-Records, current digital editions identify UK Project as the recording copyright holder and record label. The record contains eleven songs, including "Burger Queen", "Untitled", "Wet Paint", "de Mexico" and the Japanese-language closing track "Kaerimichi". Its total duration is 44:44.[1][9]

Track listing

All songs arranged and produced by [Alexandros] (as [Champagne]).

All tracks are written by Yoohei Kawakami.

No.TitleLength
1."Burger Queen"2:12
2."She's Very"4:56
3."For Freedom"3:48
4."Untitled"5:23
5."I Don't Know (Who You Are)"4:12
6."Yeah Yeah Yeah"3:08
7."Da La La La"4:19
8."Wet Paint"3:40
9."Don't Fuck With Yoohei Kawakami"4:07
10."de Mexico"4:58
11."Kaerimichi"3:57
Total length:44:44

Personnel

Credits are retrieved from the album's liner notes, which are written in English.[14]

[Alexandros] (as [Champagne])

  • Yoohei Kawakami – vocals, guitar, producer
  • Hiroyuki Isobe – bass, chorus, producer
  • Masaki Shirai – guitar, producer
  • Hiroki Ishikawa – drums, producer

Additional personnel

  • Ikki Chida – label producer for RX-Records
  • Keiji Kondo – recording engineer, mixing
  • Hiromichi "Tucky" Taniguchi – mastering (Parasight Mastering, Tokyo)
  • Ryo Mukai – drum technician
  • Hitoshi "Orochi Sano Chioro" Sato – RX-Records crew
  • Eri Ichikawa – RX-Records crew
  • UK Project – sales promotion, artist promotion
  • Yuki Kawamoto – photography
  • Sakaiwai – art design (Flashic Kitchen)
  • Lance Henderstein – cover model

Acknowledgements

The album's liner notes include special thanks to:

  • The members' families and friends
  • Shougho Hamamoto
  • Hatchi
  • Yachiyo Katsuyama
  • Tohru Karube
  • The band's fans

Charts

Chart Peak
position
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[15] 119

Release history

Region Date Formats Label Ref.
Japan January 20, 2010 CD, digital download RX-Records [9]
Worldwide April 1, 2013 Digital download, streaming UK Project / RX-Records [16]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Where's My Potato?". ［Alexandros］Official Site. 2010-01-20. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  2. 1 2 3 "[Champagne]、インディーズ1stでポテトの行方を探す". Music Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  3. ↑ "[Alexandros] |". UK.PROJECT (in Japanese). 2013-11-14. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  4. 1 2 "[ALEXANDROS] 全アルバム解説 | 「But wait. Cats?」など全作品を徹底解説". プレイリスト＆カルチャーメディア | DIGLE MAGAZINE. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  5. ↑ "Biography". ［Alexandros］Official Site. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  6. ↑ "スペースシャワーTV 開局26周年「SPACE SHOWER TV CARNIVAL WEEK 2015」特集 (2/2) - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー". Music Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  7. ↑ "HMV Japan". www.hmv.co.jp. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  8. ↑ 株式会社ローソンエンタテインメント. "2010年大注目！［Champagne］！". www.hmv.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  9. 1 2 3 "Where's My Potato?/[Alexandros] | 商品詳細". Tower Records (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2026-04-19. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  10. ↑ 株式会社ロッキング・オン. "[Champagne] ＠ 恵比寿リキッドルーム－rockinon.com｜https://rockinon.com/live/detail/53477". rockinon.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  11. ↑ 株式会社ロッキング・オン. "【ライブレポ一気読み】[Alexandros]、2011年から初の武道館公演での改名発表ライブ、最新ツアーまで17本を掲載！－rockinon.com｜https://rockinon.com/news/detail/170904". rockinon.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  12. ↑ "POWER PUSH! INTERVIEW". Space Shower TV. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  13. ↑ "川上洋平『第４4話：DVD発売記念スペシャル「ＰＶのこぼれ話」』". 川上洋平オフィシャルブログ「あれきさんどろす日記」Powered by Ameba (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  14. ↑ Where's My Potato? (booklet). RX-Records. 2010.
  15. ↑ "[Alexandros]のアルバム売上TOP10作品". オリコンニュース（ORICON NEWS） (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  16. ↑ Department, Skream! Editorial. "[Champagne]、2013-2014全国ツアー決定＆過去8タイトル海外配信がスタート". Skream! 邦楽ロック・洋楽ロック ポータルサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-08-04.
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