Number Girl
The original incarnation of Number Girl was unsuccessful, and the collaborating musicians quickly left the group. Mukai invited bassist Kentarō Nakao, who in turn invited guitarist Hisako Tabuchi, whom Nakao knew from her former job operating lighting at the Vivre Hall venue. Mukai convinced a fellow Fukuoka scene musician Ahito Inazawa to play drums, finalizing Number Girl's lineup. The band self-released two demos, "Atari Shock" and "Omoide in My Head", and was also featured on several compilations. Number Girl released their first full-length studio album, "School Girl Bye Bye" in November 1997 on independent label Automatic Kiss, and released their first single, "Drunken Hearted", several months later.