Sakanaction literally translates as "Fish Action," and the bandmembers intend it to designate that they're as good with shifting between styles as a fish with moving in water. If the metaphor is a bit watered down, it still reflects the group's sound, which mashes together alt-rock, pop, dance, and new wave. Sakanaction's mastermind, guitarist/vocalist Ichiro Yamaguchi, began his musical career copying British rock groups in a high-school band, but the act splintered when he tried to introduce electronica to its music, leaving Yamaguchi to work solo. He began DJing at night clubs, but in 2005 had another go at collaborative work, teaming up with guitarist Motoharu Iwadera, later joined by Ami Kusakari, Emi Okazaki, and Keiichi Ejima. The band first gained attention at the 2006 Rising Sun Rock Fest, and debuted as a recording unit in 2007 with the simultaneous release of the album Go to the Future and the single "Words/Sample," followed by the second full-length Night Fishing in early 2008. That year Sakanaction also played the Summer Sonic event, which was organized by the popular radio station Music On! and featured Death Cab for Cutie, Paul Weller, and These New Puritans. Sakanaction's single "Sentorei" (2008) fought the likes of GReeeeN and Mayu in the charts, rising to number nine, and in 2009 they released their third album, Shinshiro, promoted by the nationwide Sakanquarium2009 tour.