Formed in 2013, Japanese hard-core rock group BAND-MAID is known for wearing elaborate maid costumes onstage and in photos. ∙ The band’s look, inspired by founder Miku Kobato’s time working at a Japanese café where employees cosplay in French maid outfits, contrasts with their aggressive musical style. ∙ After touring and releasing two albums in Japan, they reached an international audience with 2016’s Brand New Maid. ∙ Their biggest album to date, 2019’s CONQUEROR, hit No. 1 on the Japanese rock chart. ∙ David Bowie’s longtime collaborator Tony Visconti produced their 2019 song “The Dragon Cries.” ∙ The group were cast as themselves in the 2020 thriller Kate.