Gastunk

Last updated

Gastunk
Also known asGastank
Origin Tokyo, Japan
Genres
Years active1983–1988, 1999 & 2006, 2010–present
Labels
MembersBaby
Tatsu
Motokatsu
Past membersNaoki
Yutaka
Kill
Matsumura
Pazz
Baki
Kei
Website gastunk.com

Gastunk (stylized as GASTUNK) is an influential Japanese rock band, first active from 1983 to 1988. [3] [4] Initially a hardcore punk band, guitarist Tatsu later recalled that when Gastunk made their major label debut they were dubbed heavy metal by the media. [3] They reunited for one-off concerts in 1999 and 2006, before fully restarting activities in 2010.

Contents

History

Formed in 1983 by bassist Baby, [5] Gastunk went through several lineup changes in their early years. In 1984, they contributed three songs to the Holdup Omnibus compilation. A self-titled EP was released in February 1985, followed by their first album, Dead Song, in August. That month saw Gastunk appear on the NHK TV show Indies no Shūrai, and perform at an event sponsored by Takarajimasha. [2] In 1986, the band released the single "Geronimo" and two EPs, The Vanishing Signs and To Fans. They also performed at the Indies Festival 1986 at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall that September. The album Under the Sun, featuring a cover created by Tadanori Yokoo, was released in June 1987. A different mix of the album, with a new cover by Pushead, was released internationally in November. Gastunk recorded their third album, June 1988's Mother, in Los Angeles. At the Street Fighting Man event at MZA Ariake in November 1988, the band suddenly announced that they would be disbanding. The reason being that Baby wanted to pursue a musical career in America. Gastunk held their farewell concert at Shibuya Public Hall on December 22, 1988.

Gastunk posters outside Ebisu LiquidRoom (2010) Ebisu LIQUIDROOM GASTUNK posters 2010.jpg
Gastunk posters outside Ebisu LiquidRoom (2010)

Gastunk reunited in January 1999 for a concert at Akasaka Blitz called Rest in Peace in memory of hide, who died the previous year. [2] It was recorded and released as a live album in November of that year, [6] and later as a DVD in 2005. [7]

Gastunk performed again in 2006 at an event commemorating the 30th anniversary of Shinjuku Loft, [2] before officially restarting activities in January 2010. [8] They released the three-track single "Deadman's Face" on June 9 as their first new material in 22 years. [9] Drummer Pazz, who joined Gastunk in 1986, left the band in September 2019. [10] He was replaced by Tatsu's The Deadrocks bandmate Kei in August 2020. [11] Gastunk released Vintage Spirit, The Fact, their first album in 33 years, on June 9, 2021. [12] On August 31, 2022, the band announced that vocalist Baki, who first joined in 1984, had suddenly decided to leave Gastunk. The remaining three members cancelled four scheduled shows as a result, but stated that they will continue activities. [5] On August 7, 2023, it was announced that Kei had left the band in March due to various circumstances, that he was replaced by former The Mad Capsule Markets drummer Motokatsu Miyagami, and that Gastunk was in the studio recording new material. [13]

Influence

Gastunk have been labeled the originators of mixing metal and punk music. [7] They have also been noted for their visual aesthetics coinciding with visual kei, with Baki wearing white face paint inspired by Kiss and Tatsu having red hair. [2] [7]

Musicians such as Hide, [7] Hyde, [14] and Hakuei of Penicillin have cited Gastunk as an influence or expressed admiration for them. [15] Morrie cited how Baki alternated between distorted and clean vocals from one song to the next as influencing him in establishing his own vocal style. [16] Early in his career, Aki of Laputa imitated Gastunk's use of difficult or uncommon kanji in lyrics. [17]

Members

Former members

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

Live albums

Compilation albums

Home videos

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moi dix Mois</span> Japanese visual kei gothic metal band

Moi dix Mois is a Japanese visual kei gothic metal band, founded in 2002 by Mana after Malice Mizer paused activities. The guitarist and sole songwriter has been the only constant member in a series of lineup changes, and the band's material is released on his own record label Midi:Nette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taiji (musician)</span> Japanese musician (1966–2011)

Taiji Sawada, also known mononymously as Taiji, was a Japanese musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former bassist of the rock band X Japan. X Japan rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, credited as founders of the Japanese visual kei movement. After leaving X Japan in January 1992, Taiji went on to work with many other bands, including Loudness and D.T.R.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pata (musician)</span> Japanese musician (born 1965)

Tomoaki Ishizuka, known exclusively by his stage name Pata, is a Japanese musician. He is best known as rhythm guitarist of the visual kei rock band X Japan. He joined the band in 1987, stayed with them until their dissolution in 1997, and rejoined when the band reunited in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boøwy</span> Japanese rock group

Boøwy was a Japanese rock band formed in Takasaki, Gunma in 1981. The classic lineup of vocalist Kyosuke Himuro, guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei, bassist Tsunematsu Matsui, and drummer Makoto Takahashi reached legendary status in Japan during the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elephant Kashimashi</span> Japanese rock band

Elephant Kashimashi, sometimes abbreviated as Elekashi, is a Japanese rock band from Kita, Tokyo, formed in 1981. It has consisted of vocalist and guitarist Hiroji Miyamoto, guitarist Toshiyuki Ishimori, bassist Seiji Takamidori and drummer Yoshiyuki Tominaga since 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atsushi Sakurai</span> Japanese musician (1966–2023)

Atsushi Sakurai was a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter. He was the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the rock band Buck-Tick from 1985 until his death in 2023. Initially joining as their drummer in 1983, Sakurai fronted the band for 38 years and 23 studio albums, nearly all of which reached the top ten on Japan's Oricon chart. They are commonly credited as one of the founders of the visual kei movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toshi (musician)</span> Japanese singer (born 1965)

Toshimitsu Deyama, known exclusively by his stage name Toshi, is a Japanese singer and songwriter who is the lead vocalist and a co-founder of the rock band X Japan, who rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s and is credited as founders of the visual kei movement. Toshi began an extensive solo career in 1992 before leaving X Japan at the end of 1997. Toshi laments he was "brainwashed" by a group called Home of Heart, whose leader would control his musical output for the next 12 years. In 2007, X Japan reunited and began a world tour. Toshi severed ties with Home of Heart in January 2010 and renewed his solo career. His distinctive, impassioned tenor vocals have been compared to those of Steve Perry. In January 2018, he began to use the stage name Ryugen Toshi.

<i>Blue Blood</i> (X Japan album) 1989 studio album by X Japan

Blue Blood is the second studio album by Japanese rock band X Japan, then known as simply X. It was released on April 21, 1989, by CBS/Sony as the band's major label debut. Blue Blood sold more than 700,000 copies, reached number 6 on the Oricon chart and stayed on the chart for more than 100 weeks. The album's singles would also reach the top five on the chart. In 2007, Rolling Stone Japan ranked Blue Blood number 15 on their list of the "100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J (musician)</span> Japanese musician and singer-songwriter (born 1970)

Jun Onose, better known by his stage name J, is a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is best known as bassist and co-founder of the rock band Luna Sea since 1986. After they disbanded in 2000 he focused on his solo career, for which he performs lead vocals and bass. He rejoined Luna Sea when they reunited in August 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rusty Nail (song)</span> 1994 single by X Japan

"Rusty Nail" is the tenth single by Japanese heavy metal band X Japan, released on June 10, 1994.

D'erlanger is a Japanese rock band from Kyoto Prefecture, formed in 1983 by guitarist Cipher and bassist Seela. While they originally played speed and power metal, after recruiting drummer Tetsu and vocalist Kyo they switched to a punk rock sound for their debut album La Vie En Rose in 1989. Although it was on an indie label, it sold out and was reissued three times that year, earning them a major label record deal with BMG Japan the following year. They released Basilisk in March 1990 and it reached the top five on the charts. However, in December the group suddenly announced their disbandment.

Outrage is a Japanese thrash metal band, formed in Nagoya in 1982. They made their debut in 1987 with a lineup of Yosuke Abe on guitar, Yoshihiro Yasui on bass, Shinya Tange on drums and Naoki Hashimoto on vocals. Hashimoto left the band in 1999, but the group continued as a three piece and he returned in 2007. With a career spanning over four decades, Outrage are one of few Japanese metal bands to have never disbanded or paused activities.

Tourbillon are a Japanese rock trio formed in 2005 by Luna Sea members Ryuichi Kawamura (vocals) and Inoran (guitar), and D-Loop member Hiroaki "H. Hayama" Hayama (keyboards). They reached number three on the Oricon Singles Chart with "Break the Chain", the opening theme of the TV series Kamen Rider Kiva. The group ended activities in 2008 shortly after its release. Tourbillon reunited in 2015, and again in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deadman (band)</span> Japanese rock band

Deadman is a Japanese rock band founded in Nagoya in 2000. The group gained notoriety for popularizing the Nagoya kei subgenre of visual kei, which is a lot "darker" than most and focuses more on musical composition. Deadman also quickly became known for vocalist Mako's heavily melancholic lyrical themes, with the music itself touching on alternative rock in sound. The group disbanded in 2006 without explanation. Mako and guitarist Aie reunited as Deadman in 2019.

Aion is a Japanese metal band from Osaka, formed in 1983 by guitarist Izumi. Aion are considered to be important to the formation of visual kei, credited as being one of the bands to start the movement in the early '80s. They were also one of the most successful Japanese metal bands of the early '90s, charting on the Oricon music chart and touring with big bands such as Luna Sea. As of 2010 they have released 15 full albums, 6 singles, 2 EPs and more than 10 VHS/DVD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamaitachi (band)</span> Japanese visual kei punk rock band

Kamaitachi (かまいたち) was a Japanese visual kei punk rock band, formed in Kyoto and active from 1985 to 1991. Their album Hachamecha Kyou reached number 10 on the Oricon chart and was named one of the top albums from 1989 to 1998 in a 2004 issue of the music magazine Band Yarouze. They have performed several times since reuniting for a one-off performance in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dead End (band)</span> Japanese heavy metal/hard rock band

Dead End was a Japanese heavy metal/hard rock band formed in Tokyo in late 1984. Following the release of their debut album Dead Line in 1986, the classic lineup of vocalist Morrie, bassist Crazy Cool Joe, guitarist You and drummer Minato was solidified in May 1987. They released three more studio albums and were one of few Japanese metal bands to have international exposure in the United States during the eighties, before dissolving in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luna Sea discography</span>

The discography of the Japanese rock band Luna Sea consists of 10 studio albums, 3 live albums, 3 self cover albums, 10 compilations, 10 instrumental remix albums, 21 singles, and 34 home videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mucc discography</span>

The discography of Mucc includes 17 studio albums, three live albums, four extended plays, 47 singles, 15 demos and 33 video albums. They are a Japanese visual kei rock band, formed in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1997. When original bassist Hiro left in 1999, the classic line up of Tatsuro on vocals, Miya on guitar, Yukke on bass, and Satochi on drums was solidified. Antique, their debut EP, was released in 1999 by Misshitsu Neurose, an independent record label formed by Cali Gari guitarist Ao Sakurai. Mucc signed to Danger Crue Records and established their own sublabel, Shu, for the 2002 release of their second album, Hōmura Uta. The band made their major label debut on Universal with Zekū the following year. In 2009, they returned to being an indie band on Danger Crue, before signing to Sony for 2012's Shangri-La. With the end of 2017, Mucc returned to being an independent band on Danger Crue yet again. After 24 years, Satochi retired from the music industry in October 2021, leaving Mucc a trio. They made their third major label debut on Tokuma Japan Communications in 2024.

Hisato Takenaka, known professionally as Char, is a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is considered one of Japan's greatest guitar players.

References

  1. ↑ "Gastunk - discography, line-up, biography, interviews, photos".
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "GASTUNKの『DEAD SONG』に宿る先見の明". OK Music (in Japanese). June 28, 2017. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Eclectic sounds and erratic looks, this is Japanese metal". CNN . Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Gastunk". discogs.com. August 14, 2011.
  5. 1 2 "GASTUNKのボーカリスト・BAKIが脱退、バンドは活動を継続". Natalie (in Japanese). August 31, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Rest In Peace Live At Akasakablitz". HMV . Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "【復刻インタビュー】BAKI（2005年2月号）- "Sing for life"──それこそがロックンロールなんだ - インタビュー". Rooftop (in Japanese). February 1, 2005. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  8. ↑ "GASTUNK、3年ぶり3度目の復活で全国ツアーが実現". Natalie (in Japanese). January 9, 2010. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  9. ↑ "GASTUNK、22年ぶり新作は「DEADMAN'S FACE」". Natalie (in Japanese). May 28, 2010. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  10. ↑ "GASTUNKのドラマー、PAZZが脱退". Natalie (in Japanese). September 1, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  11. ↑ "GASTUNKに新ドラマー加入、バンド史上初の無観客配信ライブでお披露目". Natalie (in Japanese). August 21, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  12. ↑ "GASTUNK、1988年「MOTHER」以来の新アルバム「VINTAGE SPIRIT, THE FACT」発売". Natalie (in Japanese). April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  13. ↑ "GASTUNKに新ドラマー、元THE MAD CAPSULE MARKETSのMOTOKATSU加入". Natalie (in Japanese). August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  14. ↑ "HYDEをかたち作った6枚". Rolling Stone (in Japanese). February 10, 2016. Archived from the original on September 17, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  15. ↑ Rock and Read 040. Shinko Music Entertainment. 2012. pp. 222–239. ISBN   978-4-401-77110-3.
  16. ↑ Pebbles (November 24, 2008). "Exclusive interview with Creature Creature!". jpopexpress.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  17. ↑ Kano, Kazumi (January 1, 1998). "aki Laputa 呼応する光と闇". Fool's Mate. 195: 177–179.
  18. 1 2 3 4 "One interview with the wild Tatsu(Gastunk)". Rushed Blue. May 20, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  19. ↑ "NAOKIさんが日本のハードコアパンクシーンの中で教えてくれた、愛のある世界の素晴らしさ ISHIYAが綴る追悼文". Real Sound (in Japanese). February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  20. ↑ "GASTUNKのアルバム売上ランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  21. 1 2 "ＧＡＳＴＵＮＫのアルバム売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  22. 1 2 "ＧＡＳＴＵＮＫのシングル売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  23. ↑ "GASTUNKのDVD売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved September 1, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.