GREAT JAP BANDS VOL. 1
Yukue Shirezu
They bill themselves as 'Japanese Blues Punk' but they will
transcend that definition and have your jaw dropping in the first minute of
play. One could not ask for a band with a finer sense of composition,
musicianship and cool stage presence. Virtually out-of-control while
delivering flawless performances of genuine and original songs, friendly to
the ear and free of clutter or contrivance.
Masaki Toyama's mellow rythm guitar and chain-smoked vocals
are bedecked with a solid Rock Bass and Hyperactive Electric Guitar Lead and
a Peter Gunn in Ska-ville Trumpet, Trombone and Saxophone horn
section.
YSR is one of the hardest working bands I know of in
Japan. They manage to have a few gigs a week, I believe they had 15 shows
in January 2001, when we produced the Bill Furry Presents show
in Hatsudai for Afghan Refugee Relief, where they also played. If you
know about the Japanese 'Noruma' system of having bands cover the club fees
themselves and having to knock out tickets to cover it, you know that a band
that can beat this system with a solid reputation and loyal fan base is the
exception to the norm. But the quality of the music and the musician's
spirits make this feat seem effortless. Play they do, every other night it
seems, and they've just finished a Japanese national tour.
Furry |
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