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Fishmans is a Japanese dub/neo-psych group relatively famous among various underground music communities which formed in 1987 inMinato, Japan. The group started with band members Shinji Sato (on vocals and trumpet, as well as writing the group's material), Kin-IchiMotegi (on drums), and Kensuke Ojima (on guitar). The group introduced Yuzuru Kashiwabara (on bass) in 1988 and Hakase-Sun (onkeyboards) in 1990, rounding out the band's starting lineup. The group's first song was titled Blue Summer recorded in 1988, however nofinished studio recording exists. After playing in various venues across J ...read more
Fishmans is a Japanese dub/neo-psych group relatively famous among various underground music communities which formed in 1987 inMinato, Japan. The group started with band members Shinji Sato (on vocals and trumpet, as well as writing the group's material), Kin-IchiMotegi (on drums), and Kensuke Ojima (on guitar). The group introduced Yuzuru Kashiwabara (on bass) in 1988 and Hakase-Sun (onkeyboards) in 1990, rounding out the band's starting lineup. The group's first song was titled Blue Summer recorded in 1988, however nofinished studio recording exists. After playing in various venues across Japan, Fishmans first appeared on the ska-punk compilation PanicParadise and shortly afterwards, published their first LP "Chappie, Don't Cry" in a distinct ska/dub style, following up with the oftenoverlooked EP "Corduroy's Mood". This style was further explored on their second LP "King Master George" where they throw many styles tothe wall to see what sticks for the group. Their third LP "Neo-Yankees' Holiday" would introduce the group's breakout single, "いかれたBaby"which got significant radio play upon release in Japan. Their sound would take a more funk-rock direction on their fourth LP "Orange", whichwould cause band members Kensuke Ojima and Hakase-Sun to leave the group over displeasure with their sound. The group would releasetheir first live LP "Oh! Mountain" in 1995, displaying their natural ability to significantly improve their music while playing live. Groupcollaborators Honzi (on keyboards) and Shinya Kogure (on guitar) would frequently join the group for further recording, and made their firststandout performance on the group's fifth LP "空中キャンプ", or "Kūchū Camp". This album would introduce another of the group's breakoutsingles "ナイトクルージング" or "Nightcruising", as well as taking the group in a significantly more dream pop-esque direction with assistancefrom the group's producer, ZAK. Their next LP "Long Season", released in 1996 is an elongated version of standalone single "Season",dragging the 6 minute song out to a 35 minute long dream pop opus, this becoming the group's most popular and long-standing work to date.This LP also introduced frequent group collaborator Michigo "Darts" Sekiguchi (on guitar) to the group's members, completing their secondlineup. The group would take a more ambient pop direction for their final LP in 1997 "宇宙 日本 世田谷" or "Uchuu Nippon Setagaya",introducing another popular single "Magic Love" to the group's catalog. The band would then appear frequently on Japanese music TVprogram Space Shower TV, where three "episodes" were later printed compiling their appearances on the program. In 1998, the group wouldrelease their second live LP "8月の現状" which further proved the group's versatility while playing live. In December of the same year,Fishmans would release their last single "ゆらめき in the Air", a 13 minute long ambient pop opus typically regarded as one of their bestworks. Yuzuru Kashiwabara announced in the same month that he would be leaving the group out of a disinterest in playing music further,and on December 28th 1998 Fishmans performed their last concert, including the entire group's second lineup. This performance was notinitially planned to be the group's final concert, as the remaining members planned on writing more music, however on March 15th 1999Shinji Sato unexpectedly passed away due to a heart attack caused by an unspecified illness. This made what was later known as "98.12.28男達の別れ" when it was printed as the group's third live LP their ultimate swan song. Despite Shinji Sato's untimely passing, Fishmans toursto this day with Kin-Ichi Motegi, Yuzuru Kashiwabara and other frequent collaborators who make up for a lack of band members. Honziunfortunately passed away in 2006 to cancer. The group's fourth live LP, "Long Season '96~7 - 96.12.26 Akasaka Blitz" was released in 2016as an archival recording of an earlier Fishmans concert. « hide |
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