DMBQ
Encyclopedia
DMBQ is a Japan
ese rock band from Tokyo
, whose name stands for Dynamite Masters Blues Quartet. They are heavily influenced by British
and American
rock music of the early 1970s, especially bands such as The Jimi Hendrix Experience
, Deep Purple
, and Led Zeppelin
.
Shinji Masuko is a well-known journalist in Japan who has regular columns in several music, pornography and subculture magazines. He is a younger brother of Naozumi Masuko who is a member of Dohatsuten.
Yuka Yoshimura belonged to OOIOO
under the name "Yoshico" at the same time as DMBQ until 2003, and participated in Hatsuiku Status which was temporarily formed by Shiina Ringo
, and now a member in CATSUOMATICDEATH, METALCHICKS.
in 1989.
The founding members were Shinji Masuko (vocals/guitar), Ryuuichi Watanabe (bass), and Yuka Yoshimura (drums).
They began performing in Tokyo in early 1990 and quickly gained notoriety for their psychedelic live performances.
In 1995, their debut album "DYNAMITE MASTERS BLUES QUARTET" was released.
In 1997, Toru Matsui (guitar) became a member of the band.
In 1999, they contracted with "PARCO
/Colomubia
" and made their major label debut.
In 2002, they contracted with "avex trax
".
In 2004, they were supposed to start their first America tour in June, but Yoshimura left the band just before embarking, and Mana Nishiura
(a.k.a. China, formerly of Shonen Knife
(2001–2004)) became her replacement behind the kit.
In 2005, they contracted with the American label "Estrus/Touch And Go
", and toured in the United States.
On November 4, 2005, while driving to a show at New York City's "Club Exit," Mana Nishiura
died when another vehicle crossed lanes and struck the band's van in southern New Jersey.
After recovering from their injuries, DMBQ decided to go right back to the US (west coast only) for another mini-tour.
In February, 2006, Shinji Wada formally assumed DMBQ's drummer duties.
's specifications. Shinji has built two versions of this instrument, the first being made of seven Fender Telecaster guitars connected together, and the second being made of seven custom steel guitars. The instrument is played as a percussion instrument by Eye, who either strikes the individual necks of the instrument with drum sticks or strikes many of them at once with a staff. The instruments are connected to a mixing console and are played through a Marshall guitar amp. Due to the ferocity with which Eye plays the instruments, Masuko can be seen behind the Sevenas constantly replacing and tuning broken strings throughout a Boredoms live performance.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese rock band from Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, whose name stands for Dynamite Masters Blues Quartet. They are heavily influenced by British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock music of the early 1970s, especially bands such as The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Jimi Hendrix Experience were an English-American psychedelic rock band that formed in London in October 1966. Comprising eponymous singer-songwriter and guitarist Jimi Hendrix, bassist and backing vocalist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, the band was active until June 1969, in which...
, Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
, and Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
.
Shinji Masuko is a well-known journalist in Japan who has regular columns in several music, pornography and subculture magazines. He is a younger brother of Naozumi Masuko who is a member of Dohatsuten.
Yuka Yoshimura belonged to OOIOO
OOIOO
OOIOO are an all-female group founded by Boredoms drummer Yoshimi P-We.According to allmusic's Kieran McCarthy "It's next to impossible to describe their sound, because — by design — it rarely follows consistent patterns"...
under the name "Yoshico" at the same time as DMBQ until 2003, and participated in Hatsuiku Status which was temporarily formed by Shiina Ringo
Shiina Ringo
, known by her stage name , is a Japanese singer-songwriter, music composer and music producer. She is also the founder and lead vocalist of the band Tokyo Jihen.She describes herself as ""....
, and now a member in CATSUOMATICDEATH, METALCHICKS.
History
DMBQ was formed in HokkaidoHokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
in 1989.
The founding members were Shinji Masuko (vocals/guitar), Ryuuichi Watanabe (bass), and Yuka Yoshimura (drums).
They began performing in Tokyo in early 1990 and quickly gained notoriety for their psychedelic live performances.
In 1995, their debut album "DYNAMITE MASTERS BLUES QUARTET" was released.
In 1997, Toru Matsui (guitar) became a member of the band.
In 1999, they contracted with "PARCO
Parco
Parco is a town in Dêngqên County, Tibet Autonomous Region of China.-See also:*List of towns and villages in Tibet*Pak Arab Refinery...
/Colomubia
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
" and made their major label debut.
In 2002, they contracted with "avex trax
Avex Trax
, listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange as 7860 and abbreviated as AGHD, is the holding company for a group of entertainment-related subsidiaries based in Japan...
".
In 2004, they were supposed to start their first America tour in June, but Yoshimura left the band just before embarking, and Mana Nishiura
Mana Nishiura
was a drummer for Japanese alternative rock bands Shonen Knife and DMBQ. She died in a car accident in 2005.-Life and career:...
(a.k.a. China, formerly of Shonen Knife
Shonen Knife
Shonen Knife, written in Japanese characters as 少年ナイフ, which transliterates as Shōnen Naifu, literally "Boy Knife," is an all-female Japanese pop-punk band formed in Osaka, Japan, in 1981...
(2001–2004)) became her replacement behind the kit.
In 2005, they contracted with the American label "Estrus/Touch And Go
Touch and Go Records
Touch and Go Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, USA.After its genesis as a hand-made fanzine in 1979, it grew into one of the key record labels in the American 1980s alternative and underground rock scenes, Touch & Go carved out a reputation for releasing adventurous...
", and toured in the United States.
On November 4, 2005, while driving to a show at New York City's "Club Exit," Mana Nishiura
Mana Nishiura
was a drummer for Japanese alternative rock bands Shonen Knife and DMBQ. She died in a car accident in 2005.-Life and career:...
died when another vehicle crossed lanes and struck the band's van in southern New Jersey.
After recovering from their injuries, DMBQ decided to go right back to the US (west coast only) for another mini-tour.
In February, 2006, Shinji Wada formally assumed DMBQ's drummer duties.
Current members
- Shinji Masuko - guitar, synth
- Toru Matsui - guitar
- Ryuichi Watanabe - bass
- Shinji Wada - drums (ex KING BROTHERS)
Former members
- Mana NishiuraMana Nishiurawas a drummer for Japanese alternative rock bands Shonen Knife and DMBQ. She died in a car accident in 2005.-Life and career:...
- drums - Yuka Yoshimura - drums (Formerly of OOIOOOOIOOOOIOO are an all-female group founded by Boredoms drummer Yoshimi P-We.According to allmusic's Kieran McCarthy "It's next to impossible to describe their sound, because — by design — it rarely follows consistent patterns"...
, currently in CATSUOMATICDEATH & MetalchicksMetalchicksMetalchicks are a Japanese rock duo supergroup. Their second album, St. Wonder was also the soundtrack to the movie Warau Michael. They play regularly in Japan, and also played at SXSW 2007.-Members:*Sugar Yoshinaga - guitar...
)
Masuko's work with Boredoms
In 2004 Masuko became a member of Boredoms, in which he assumes live tuning and maintenance duties of the seven neck guitar instruments Sevena, which he built to Yamantaka EyeYamantaka Eye
, real name , born February 13, 1964 in Kobe, is a Japanese vocalist and visual artist, best known as a member of Boredoms. He has changed his name three times, from Yamatsuka Eye, to Yamantaka Eye, to Yamataka Eye, and sometimes calls himself eYe or EYヨ...
's specifications. Shinji has built two versions of this instrument, the first being made of seven Fender Telecaster guitars connected together, and the second being made of seven custom steel guitars. The instrument is played as a percussion instrument by Eye, who either strikes the individual necks of the instrument with drum sticks or strikes many of them at once with a staff. The instruments are connected to a mixing console and are played through a Marshall guitar amp. Due to the ferocity with which Eye plays the instruments, Masuko can be seen behind the Sevenas constantly replacing and tuning broken strings throughout a Boredoms live performance.
Partial discography
| Year | Title | Label + Catalog Number |
| 1995 1995 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident.... |
Dynamite Masters Blues Quartet | Less Than TV |
| 1996 1996 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact... |
EXP | Less Than TV ch-24 |
| 1997 | COG | |
| 1998 | Fable of Thinnerlemon | Nanophonica MKCL-2002 |
| 1999 | I Know Your Sweet | |
| 2000 | Jinni | |
| 2001 | Annular Music | |
| 2001 | Resonated (remix album) | |
| 2002 | Phalanges | |
| 2003 | The Cold One | |
| 2004 2004 in music See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol.... |
Esoteric Black Hair | Fake Chapter Records Fake Chapter Records Fake Chapter Records is a US independent record label based in Maywood, New Jersey.The label was founded by Michael Gilligan in 1996 under the name Chapter 11 Records... |
| 2004 | DMBQ vs. Hysteric Glamour | |
| 2004 | Hercules Hits (DMBQ Best) | |
| 2004 | You Must Be Psychic (promo one-song EP from 2004 tour) | released by the band as a CDR |
| 2005 2005 in music -Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:... |
The Essential Sounds from the Far East | Estrus Records Estrus Records Estrus Records is an independent record label from Bellingham, Washington that makes surf, garage and trash rock music.They have released such bands as Soledad Brothers, The Drags, The Mummies, Impala, Man or Astro-man?, the Makers, Gas Huffer, The Mooney Suzuki, DMBQ, The Cherry Valence, Midnight... |