Does it seem like a lot of Japanese band's bios start off with "Formed by childhood friends..." I know that every band I've been in has been started with/by friends, but I find it amazing that anyone can from a band at a young age, with other young friends, and manage to not only stick together, playing the same music for over twenty years, but also consistently produce amazing music. That's some hardcore dedication, and Eastern Youth has a hell of a lot of it.
Their musical style falls into the emo/screamo category, but with none of the limp, sniveling, pantie waist, fake trendiness of most emo bands. Eastern Youth is the real deal. Singer/guitarist Hisashi Yoshino's is constantly at risk of having his head to explode from the force of his vocal delivery. On the other hand, they have a sort of quiet earnestness that leads extra weight to their more restrained tracks. These guys mean business and they sound desperate to get the word out to everyone within range.
They don't fool around to fancy production or special sonic sound palettes. The Eastern Youth sound is guitar, bass, drums and vocals with no added ingredients or effects. This is something else that helps paint their landscape with bombed out buildings, run down cities and a rugged countryside. It's music of the people and for the people. They seem to embody the underground indie vibe, making it hard to imagine their music bring played anywhere but the smallest, sweatiest and beer-stained club full of rabid fans.
Hohaba to Taiyou, their new album in 2009, marks their 21st year together.
"Hakai Muzan Hachigatsu"
Official Site
MySpace
Members:
Hisashi Yoshino - Vocals, Guitar
Atsuya Tamori - Drums
Tomokazu Ninomiya - Bass
Albums:
East End Land - 1989
Time Is Running - 1990
For Skins and Punks EP - 1991
Eastern Youth - 1993
Kuchibue Yofuke-ni-Hibiku - 1995
Koritsumuen no Hana - 1997
Tabiji ni Kisetsu ga Moeochiru - 1998
Kumo Inuke Koe - 1999
Kanjusei Outouseyo - 2001
8 Teeth to Eat You - 2002
What Can You See From Your Place - 2003
Don Quijote - 2004
365歩のBlues - 2006
Blowing from the Other Side of the Earth - 2007
Hohaba to Taiyou - 2009
"Kakato Naru"
"Boiling Point 36 Degrees Celsius"
"Natsunohi no Gogo"
3 comments:
I've been wanting to get into Eastern Youth for awhile, but I find it hard to get into bands that already have a thick discography. I feel like I've already missed them (even if they aren't broken up). I guess you just gotta start listening. Thanks for the post.
Yeah, it's never too late to start listening to great bands! It's not like the music goes bad or anything. :D
To be honest I haven't heard that much of Eastern Youth's music... but what I have heard I totally love! I've been meaning to go to one of their shows for a while now but unfortunately things haven't been working out my way. The last time they played in Tokyo I had to go to Osaka and this time around I'll be back in England when their new tour starts :( Anyway, I'll hopefully see 'em someday, for now though I need to get more of their music!!
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