GISM
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese hardcore punk
band formed in Tokyo
, Japan
in 1980. Even though the guitar style resembled heavy metal style riffs and solos, GISM were one of the first Japanese hardcore
bands, while at the same time drawing influence from the early industrial/avant-garde music scene; something extremely uncommon in punk bands at that time.
The acronym GISM had many different variations; they include: 'Guerrilla Incendiary Sabotage Mutineer' (original), 'God In the Schizoid Mind', 'General Imperialism Social Murder', 'Genocide Infanticide Suicide Menticide', and 'Gnostic Idiosyncrasy Sonic Militant'.
GISM has attained a cult status in the international punk scene, duly for their unique blend of heavy metal and hardcore punk. Numerous Japanese punk bands have emulated the low-pitched vocal style of Sakevi Yokoyama.
'M.A.N.', or 'Military Affairs Neurotic' http://www.globaldarkness.com/cult/gism/gism_Military_affairs_neurotic.html, was released in 1987 on Beast Arts Records. The album was quite a departure from the 'Detestation' album, putting more emphasis on a slower, metal style of music compared to the hardcore punk sound of the previous release.
GISM released their last album on compact disc titled 'SoniCRIME TheRapy' in 2001 http://www.globaldarkness.com/cult/gism/gism_Sonicrime_Therapy.html. The band featured Kiichi Takahashi on bass and Ironfist Tatsushima on drums. Guitarist, Randy Uchida, died from cancer on February 10, 2001, shortly after the release of the album. http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=15809. GISM played two shows in Tokyo in the honor of Randy Uchida, and then broke up.
In 2002, GISM made the cover of Burst Magazine (issue #49), an underground Japanese magazine.
's album titled Totalitarian Sodomy.
Randy Uchida (guitarist) & Hiroshima (original drummer) played with Ronny Wakamats & Michel Hammer in a side project called R.U.G. (Randy Uchida Group), which released one vinyl EP titled “Deathly Fighter” in 1984.
Kiichi Takahashi (bassist) was the vocalist for the occult heavy metal band Sabbrabells.
.
Cloudy (original bassist) played bass for female-fronted band Front Guerrilla, which released an EP titled Fight Back in 1986.
Ironfist Tatushima (drummer) continues to play in the bands Die You Bastard! and Crow, which he had been playing with prior to GISM.
present in their lyrics and live shows. On stage, Sakevi would often wear a balaclava and bullet belt, waving lit flares in audience members' faces, using microphone stands as clubs, and attacking concert goers as Vietnam War
footage was projected behind him. In the past he has attacked photographers for taking pictures of him and has chased audiences with a flamethrower
. It has also rumored that Sakevi has shot off live ammunition rounds at shows, although it is illegal in Japan for citizens to bear arms.
, wrote the P.L.O., and wrote prisoners of war from Anti Japanese Armed Fronts
by asking them all their opinions on death
, included vivid instructions on different ways to kill people and showed vivid drawings on how nbc weapons
are made with images of their horrific consequences. John Duncan
, the guest-editor for the magazine, stated in the introduction of the third issue that Sakevi attacked a salaryman
for staring with a makeshift flamethrower on a Tokyo commuter train, subsequently landing him in prison.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band formed in 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...
, Japan
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...
in 1980. Even though the guitar style resembled heavy metal style riffs and solos, GISM were one of the first Japanese hardcore
Japanese hardcore
Japanese hardcore punk refers to the fast-paced Japanese punk/hardcore genre. The original intent of Japanese hardcore was to protest the social and economic changes sweeping Japan in the 1980s. The band SS is regarded as the first, forming in 1977. Bands, such as G.I.S.M. and The Stalin, soon...
bands, while at the same time drawing influence from the early industrial/avant-garde music scene; something extremely uncommon in punk bands at that time.
The acronym GISM had many different variations; they include: 'Guerrilla Incendiary Sabotage Mutineer' (original), 'God In the Schizoid Mind', 'General Imperialism Social Murder', 'Genocide Infanticide Suicide Menticide', and 'Gnostic Idiosyncrasy Sonic Militant'.
GISM has attained a cult status in the international punk scene, duly for their unique blend of heavy metal and hardcore punk. Numerous Japanese punk bands have emulated the low-pitched vocal style of Sakevi Yokoyama.
Career
In 1984, GISM released their first album titled 'Detestation' on Dogma Records. http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=35954. The album has been applauded for having unique vocals and a guitar style that was very uncommon in hardcore punk.'M.A.N.', or 'Military Affairs Neurotic' http://www.globaldarkness.com/cult/gism/gism_Military_affairs_neurotic.html, was released in 1987 on Beast Arts Records. The album was quite a departure from the 'Detestation' album, putting more emphasis on a slower, metal style of music compared to the hardcore punk sound of the previous release.
GISM released their last album on compact disc titled 'SoniCRIME TheRapy' in 2001 http://www.globaldarkness.com/cult/gism/gism_Sonicrime_Therapy.html. The band featured Kiichi Takahashi on bass and Ironfist Tatsushima on drums. Guitarist, Randy Uchida, died from cancer on February 10, 2001, shortly after the release of the album. http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=15809. GISM played two shows in Tokyo in the honor of Randy Uchida, and then broke up.
In 2002, GISM made the cover of Burst Magazine (issue #49), an underground Japanese magazine.
Members and Other Projects
Sakevi Yokoyama continues to make collage art with his own clothing brand "stlTH", which makes design t-shirts http://koenjicalling.com/2008/11/4564-sakevis-shop-in-harajuku.html. In 1987, he made a cameo appearance in the Japanese film "Robinson's Garden". In the movie, he attacks a Rastafarian man for teaching children spirituality. This film is the only documentation of his "acting" career http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3097748/. In 2004, Sakevi released a solo album titled 'The War' under the name S.K.V.http://www.globaldarkness.com/cult/gism/skv_the_war_cd.html. In 2006, he designed the artwork for World Burns To DeathWorld Burns To Death
World Burns to Death are an American Hardcore punk band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 2000, the current lineup consists of: Jack Control, vocals; Zac Tew, guitar; Craig Merritt, bass; and Jon Guerinot, drums. Current and former members are also involved with other bands, including From Ashes...
's album titled Totalitarian Sodomy.
Randy Uchida (guitarist) & Hiroshima (original drummer) played with Ronny Wakamats & Michel Hammer in a side project called R.U.G. (Randy Uchida Group), which released one vinyl EP titled “Deathly Fighter” in 1984.
Kiichi Takahashi (bassist) was the vocalist for the occult heavy metal band Sabbrabells.
.
Cloudy (original bassist) played bass for female-fronted band Front Guerrilla, which released an EP titled Fight Back in 1986.
Ironfist Tatushima (drummer) continues to play in the bands Die You Bastard! and Crow, which he had been playing with prior to GISM.
Imagery
GISM were widely known for violenceViolence
Violence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others contrary to their wishes. violence, while often a stand-alone issue, is often the culmination of other kinds of conflict, e.g...
present in their lyrics and live shows. On stage, Sakevi would often wear a balaclava and bullet belt, waving lit flares in audience members' faces, using microphone stands as clubs, and attacking concert goers as Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
footage was projected behind him. In the past he has attacked photographers for taking pictures of him and has chased audiences with a flamethrower
Flamethrower
A flamethrower is a mechanical device designed to project a long controllable stream of fire.Some flamethrowers project a stream of ignited flammable liquid; some project a long gas flame. Most military flamethrowers use liquids, but commercial flamethrowers tend to use high-pressure propane and...
. It has also rumored that Sakevi has shot off live ammunition rounds at shows, although it is illegal in Japan for citizens to bear arms.
P.O.W. Magazine
During the mid 80's, Sakevi published a Japanese punkzine titled P.O.W. The acronym of P.O.W. initially stood for Punk On Wave, but then changed to Performance Of War for the third, final issue. The magazine promoted local punk bands from the Tokyo scene at the time. Sakevi also personally interviewed the Tokyo Medical Examiners OfficeCoroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
, wrote the P.L.O., and wrote prisoners of war from Anti Japanese Armed Fronts
Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army
The Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army was an anti-Japanese guerrilla army in the Northeast part of China after the occupation of Manchuria by Japan in 1931. It was organized by the Manchuria branches of the Chinese Communist Party . However, it lost direct contact with the CCP headquarter in...
by asking them all their opinions on death
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
, included vivid instructions on different ways to kill people and showed vivid drawings on how nbc weapons
Weapons of mass destruction
A weapon of mass destruction is a weapon that can kill and bring significant harm to a large number of humans and/or cause great damage to man-made structures , natural structures , or the biosphere in general...
are made with images of their horrific consequences. John Duncan
John Duncan (artist)
This page is about John Duncan the contemporary artist. For the Symbolist artist see John Duncan .John Duncan is an artist who has lived and worked in Los Angeles, Tokyo and Amsterdam, currently lives and works in Bologna...
, the guest-editor for the magazine, stated in the introduction of the third issue that Sakevi attacked a salaryman
Salaryman
refers to someone whose income is salary based; particularly those working for corporations. Its frequent use by Japanese corporations, and its prevalence in Japanese manga and anime has gradually led to its acceptance in English-speaking countries as a noun for a Japanese white-collar...
for staring with a makeshift flamethrower on a Tokyo commuter train, subsequently landing him in prison.
LPs
- "Detestation" (1983) Dogma Records http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=35954
- "M.A.N. (Military Affairs Neurotic)" (1987) Beast Arts http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=37355
CDs
- "DETESTation" (1992) Beast Arts
- "SoniCRIME TheRapy" (2002) Beast Arts http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=37356
Compilations
- "Outsider" LP (1982, City Rocker) Tracks: "Incest", "Gash, Bite, Snatch", "AAHB"
- "Great Punk Hits" LP (1983, Japan Records) Tracks: "Death Exclamations", "Fire"
- "Hardcore Unlawful Assembly" LP (1984, AA records) Tracks: "Still Alive", "Nervous Corps"
- "P.E.A.C.E./WarP.E.A.C.E./WarP.E.A.C.E./War is a compilation double album first released in 1984 by R Radical Records, the label run by MDC's Dave Dictor, in association with the San Francisco Bay Area punk fanzine Maximum RocknRoll...
" 2xLP (1984, R Radical records) Track: "Endless Blockads for the Pussyfooter" - "The Punx" Cassette Tape (1985, JICC) http://homepages.nyu.edu/~cch223/comps/punx.html Tracks: "Shoot to Kill (for epileptic soldier)", "GISM"
Videos
- "Performance" (1985) Beast Arts http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=64889
- "BOOTLEG 1986" (1986) Beast Arts
- "Gay Individual Social Mean - Subj & Egos, chopped" (1995) Beast Arts http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=45864
- "+R, Regicide Reverberation" (2002) Beast Arts