Artist description Take the Smashing Pumpkins, Talking Heads and early B-52s, mash them together and make the result Japanese and you may end up with something approaching the genius of Guitar Vader. Formed by Miki (vocals and guitar), Ujuan (vocals and bass)and Suzuki Yoshihumi(drummer) Guitar Vader is the best thing to come out of Japan in recent years.

Musical Influences PAVEMENT, BECK, BEASTIE BOYS, TALKING HEADS, APPLES IN STEREO

Artist History It was in February 1998 that Guitar Vader was formed. A drummer was added to the band so it became a total of 3 persons. In October of the same year, their 1st cassette was put on the market by the Shimokitazawa High-line records from Berry-Records. They also began to play live shows. After that, much of their music was continually released from Berry-Records. Many events--the participation to compilation albums, collaboration with the artist beyond the genre across the world, as well as good luck and word of mouth--increased the number of fans all over the world! [Their music was used exclusively in a game for the Dream Cast called "Jet Set Radio" (SEGA)] In January 2001 the drummer suddenly left the band. SUZUKI, who came to participate in live shows after that, became the new drummer for Guitar Vader. Guitar Vader left berry-records in 2002 and has been recording as a "PLUGS HOUSE" with Hyoe Yasuhara, who is their friend.

Group Members MIKI(vocals&guitars), UJUAN(vocals&bass),Suzuki Yoshihumi(drummer)

Albums http://www.berry-records.com

Press Reviews Guitar Vader just keep on releasing catchy Japanese Rock and Roll, and at this rate are destined to be the greatest underground band in Japan, if not the world. Their latest long player, From Dusk, carries on the tradition of toe-tapping happy songs that range from the whimsical Yawarakai to the wall of noise of Baby-T and Sun. Guitar Vader hail from Tokyo and consist of the hugely talented Miki (guitars and vocals, and who also drew the pictures for the sleeve artwork) and Ujuan (bass and vocals). On this record they are assisted by Taichi Ohira on various keyboard duties and who also produced the record. Guitar Vader are probably best known in the West for contributing a couple of songs to the highly rated Sega Dreamcast game Jet Set Radio (Jet Grind Radio in the US) about a bunch of system-fighting Tokyo skater kids. There is something unique about the Guitar Vader sound - a combination of Miki's distinctive vocals, the quirky melodies, the raw production and the surreal lyrics - many attempted in heavily accented English. Although they are clearly influenced by a lot of Western artists, their own take on rock music is very Japanese: effortlessly cool and slightly skewed. Imagine Talking Heads if they came from Kawasaki rather than Rhode Island and you'll start seeing what I mean... From Dusk starts with a slight change of pace for Guitar Vader, opening with Perfect Bird. It's a slow burning track featuring a low slung bassline from Ujuan and Fender Rhodes noodling from Taichi before crashing into a distorted guitar chorus from Miki. The second track is back on familiar territory with the vintage Guitar Vader pop of Cutting! Evil Smile which bounces along like an over excited puppy. From here on, Miki stomps on the distortion pedal and the rest of the album hurtles along throwing out catchy riffs and sing-along choruses like there's no tomorrow. They take a slight diversion for the drum-machine driven Yawarakai and the bizarre lo-fi sampling of Shimanagashi before hitting rock overdrive again, with Ujuan taking on the vocals like a Japanese Billy Corgan. As many of their earlier cassette releases on Berry Records are no longer available, From Dusk is a perfect introduction into the world of Guitar Vader. I hope that worldwide distribution is sorted out soon, but in the meantime you can order Guitar Vader releases from HMV in Japan or Amazon Japan. Berry Records have thoughtfully included all of Guitar Vader's tracks so far in Realplayer format at mp3.com, so if you have a broadband connection or don't care about the telephone bill, prepare to spend a couple of hours in heaven.

Additional Info http://www.pixelsurgeon.com/

Location Kawasaki, Kanagawa - Japan

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