Fishmans facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fishmans
Fishmans in 1996. Left to right: Yuzuru Kashiwabara, Shinji Sato, Kin-ichi Motegi
Background information
Origin	Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Genres	Dub dream pop Shibuya-kei
Years active	1987 (1987)–1999, 2005–present
Labels	Virgin Japan Media Remoras Pony Canyon Polydor Milestone Crowds Universal
Associated acts	Polaris Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra So Many Tears
Members	Kin-ichi Motegi Yuzuru Kashiwabara Hakase-Sun
Past members	Shinji Sato Kensuke Ojima

Fishmans (フィッシュマンズ, Fisshumanzu) is a Japanese band that started in 1987 in Minato, Tokyo. They are known for their special psychedelic sound. This sound includes the unique singing of their lead singer, Shinji Sato, the drumming of Kin-Ichi Motegi, and the rocksteady bass lines from Yuzuru Kashiwabara. Fishmans were not very famous at first and stopped playing together when Shinji Sato sadly passed away in 1999. However, they later became very popular around the world, especially on the internet. In 2019, a writer named James Hadfield said that their albums Aerial Camp and Long Season are now considered very important in Japanese rock music.

The Story of Fishmans

Starting Out: 1987–1995

Fishmans began in the summer of 1987 in Minato, Tokyo. The first members were Shinji Sato (who sang, played guitar, and trumpet), Kin-Ichi Motegi (drums, vocals, and sampler), and Kensuke Ojima (guitar and vocals). Their first demo, called Blue Summer, was made that same year but was never finished.

In May 1988, Fishmans started playing live shows in small places in Tokyo. Yuzuru Kashiwabara joined as the bass player in August. Their first recorded music appeared on a 1989 album called Panic Paradise. In March 1990, keyboard player Hakase-Sun joined the band for their first solo show. Later that year, Virgin Records Japan offered them a record deal, which they accepted. Hakase-Sun officially joined in November, making the band's first full lineup.

Their first album, Chappie Don't Cry, came out in 1991. It was produced by Kazufumi Kodama, who was famous for a Japanese dub band called Mute Beat. He told Fishmans, "let's make a rocksteady album." This album was their most straightforward reggae-style record. After this, producer ZAK started working with Fishmans, beginning a long partnership with Shinji Sato.

Later in 1991, Fishmans released their first EP (a shorter album) called Corduroy's Mood. This record was more experimental and had a shibuya-kei sound mixed with reggae. It was meant to sound like "a feeling of winter." The band developed an easy-going sound, mixing reggae and dub with rock, pop, drum and bass, hip hop, and ska. Sato's unique voice helped them become popular in Japan's underground music scene.

In 1992, a Japanese TV company, Fuji TV, asked the band to write a theme song for a show. They created "100mm-Chottono (100ミリちょっとの)", which played on the show from January to March. They released it as a single. Their second album, King Master George, came out later that year, featuring sounds from jazz rock to sunshine pop.

In 1993, Fishmans worked with ZAK in the studio for the first time on their single Walkin. This was very popular and led to more work with ZAK. They then released Ikareta Baby (いかれたBaby), which became a hit on the radio. This led to their third album, Neo Yankees' Holiday, which included both songs. This album made their sound more clearly dub with nice, calm melodies. They toured a lot after this album, changing their sound to be more rock-like for their next album.

On February 2, 1994, Fishmans released the single Go Go Round This World!. This song had a more funk sound. It included a popular version of "Smilin' Days, Summer Holiday" that was more energetic. In May, guitarist Kensuke Ojima left the band. Even so, the band released another single, Melody, in June. This song was important for Fishmans and was their first release on vinyl records. They then worked with guitarist suGar Yoshinaga from Buffalo Daughter for their next album. On October 21, the single My Life and the new album Orange came out. These took the band towards a funk rock sound. Some songs on Orange also hinted at the dream pop style they would explore later.

Big Albums: 1995–1998

On March 17, 1995, Fishmans released their first live album, Oh! Mountain. This album was special because producer ZAK remixed the live recordings in the studio to make them sound better and add interesting effects.

In the spring of 1995, Fishmans signed with Polydor Records. They got their own recording studio, Waikiki Beach. In September, Hakase-Sun left the band. The remaining three members then worked with guest musicians like Honzi (keyboards, violin, accordion, vocals) and Shinya Kogure (guitar). ZAK continued to mix their sound. The band's music started to include space rock, ambient, and psychedelic elements, and their songs became longer. On November 25, they released the single "Nightcruising (ナイトクルージング)", which was a new dream pop sound that would lead to their next album.

On February 1, 1996, Fishmans released their fifth album, Kūchū Camp (空中キャンプ). This album had a very clear and simple sound. ZAK and Sato worked together to make songs that were stripped down to their main parts, without too many extra sounds. This, along with their new dream pop style, helped them become a respected rock band. This clean style became a key part of Fishmans' music. This album was also their first to be released on colored vinyl records. They went on a tour called Young but Historical (若いながらも歴史あり). During these tours, guitarist Michigo "Darts" Sekiguchi joined them as a permanent support member. On March 27, they released the calm single Baby Blue from Kūchū Camp.

Even with their success, Sato and the band wanted to try new sounds. In July, they started recording the single Season, which was a preview for their upcoming album Long Season. This album, released on October 25, was a 35-minute-long song divided into five parts, based on "Season." It was recorded in their private studio. The lyrics and melodies were very personal to Sato and created a dreamlike musical experience. This album became very famous among underground music fans for its unique structure. After it came out, Fishmans played the song live, changing it each time so it was never played the same way twice.

From February to June 1997, Fishmans spent a long time recording new music in their studio. They started using music software called Pro Tools. On July 2, they released their single Magic Love, which was remixed by Hiroshi Kawabe from Tokyo No. 1 Soul Set.

Their last studio album, Uchū Nippon Setagaya (宇宙 日本 世田谷), came out on July 24. This album had a more ambient pop sound. The lyrics were about everyday life but also had a big-picture view, which inspired the album's title (from space, down to Japan, then to the city of Setagaya). The album included Magic Love and other popular songs like "Walking in the Rhythm." They toured Japan for this album.

On October 22, the four-track remix single Walking in the Rhythm was released, showing how good the band was at making new versions of their songs. A full concert from their tour was shown on Japanese music TV, Space Shower TV, in February 1998. Fishmans appeared on Space Shower TV many times in 1998.

In 1998, the band started working on a new live album. In March, they played four concerts in Japan. Their live album, 8 Gatsu no Genjō (8月の現状), was released on August 19. It was a collection of their best live performances from 1996 to 1998, remixed in the studio, similar to their earlier live album Oh! Mountain. They toured to support this album, ending on October 10 at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall. Here, they played an unreleased song called "A Piece of Future," which hinted at a post-rock sound for the band.

In July 1998, the band started working on a new, long song called "Yurameki in the Air (ゆらめき in the Air)". This 13-minute song was not on any album but had a similar sound to 宇宙 日本 世田谷. After this single was released on December 2, bass player Yuzuru Kashiwabara decided to leave the band at the end of the year.

The Final Concert and Beyond: 1998–2004

In December 1998, Fishmans played five concerts for the Otokotachi no Wakare Tour (男達の別れツアー) (meaning "Men's Farewell Tour") to say goodbye to Kashiwabara. The tour ended with two shows on December 27 and 28 at Akasaka Blitz in Minato.

Fishmans played their last concert on December 28, 1998. That night, they played many of their most famous songs and finished with a full performance of Long Season. This was Kashiwabara's last show with the band. Shinji Sato and Kin-Ichi Motegi had planned to continue Fishmans, but Sato passed away on March 15, 1999. Fishmans' last concert was released as the live album 98.12.28 Otokotachi no Wakare (98.12.28 男達の別れ) on September 29, 1999. It has been highly praised by fans and critics.

Sato's passing was very sudden. Their record label, Polydor, had already planned to release two collection albums just two days after his death. Fishmans 1991–1994 Singles & More and The Three Birds & More Feelings (a collection of their music videos) were released on March 17.

Later in 1999, on June 30, the album Aloha Polydor was released. It had many of Fishmans' songs from their time with Polydor, plus an unreleased demo of Sore wa Tada no Kibun sa (それはただの気分さ), a song they were working on when Sato passed away. The next month, Motegi, Kashiwabara, Honzi, Darts, and former members Hakase-Sun and Kensuke Ojima played three live shows in Japan under the Fishmans name.

After Sato's death, Kin-Ichi Motegi became a drummer for Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. Kashiwabara, who had planned to leave music, later formed a band called Polaris, which has a sound similar to Fishmans' later music. Motegi and Kashiwabara also joined another rock band called So Many Tears.

New Popularity: 2004–Present

Fishmans became even more popular after Sato's passing. In 2004, a tribute album called Sweet Dreams for Fishmans was released, with covers by different artists. This was followed by the albums Kūchū (空中) and Uchū (宇宙) in 2005, which included rare songs and their best hits. One of these was A Piece of Future, a 10-minute post-rock song that had only been played live before.

On November 22, 2005, the remaining members of Fishmans played a tribute concert at the Rising Sun Rock Festival. The show lasted three and a half hours and featured many guest singers. The next month, an art show called The Long Season Rewind was held in Shibuya. Also, a live compilation single with three remixed live songs was released.

In 2006, The Long Season Revue was released on DVD. It showed a nearly complete video of the 2005 tribute concert. The original band members played with supporting musicians. Sadly, Honzi, who had contributed to the band for a long time, passed away in 2007.

Since 2006, the band has played several live shows at festivals. On May 3, 2011, Fishmans held a three-hour concert at Hibiya Nozon, which was recorded and released on DVD. In 2016, they played three shows with original members and guests. In February 2019, Fishmans played live with the Japanese jazz-rock band cero.

In August 2018, all of Fishmans' music became available on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube. This has greatly increased their fanbase, especially in North America and Europe.

Band Members

• Shinji Sato (佐藤 伸治) – lead singer, guitar, trumpet (1987–1999; passed away 1999)
• Kin-ichi Motegi (茂木 欣一) – drums, sampler, backing vocals (1987–1999, 2005–present), lead vocals (1999, 2005—present)
• Yuzuru Kashiwabara (柏原 譲) – bass (1988–1998, 1999, 2005–present)
• Hakase-Sun (ハカセ) – keyboards (1990–1995, 1999, 2005–present)
• Kensuke Ojima (小嶋 謙介) – guitar, backing vocals (1987–1994, 1999)

Supporting Musicians

• Michio "Darts" Sekiguchi (ダーツ関口) – guitar (1996–1999)
• Honzi – keyboard, violin, accordion, backing vocals (1995–1999; passed away 2007)
• ZAK – production, sound mix (1995–1999)
• Shinya Kogure (木暮 晋也) – guitar (1995–1999)

Timeline

Music Albums

Studio Albums

• Chappie, Don't Cry (1991)
• King Master George (1992)
• Neo Yankees' Holiday (1993)
• Orange (1994)
• Aerial Camp (空中キャンプ) (1996)
• Long Season (1996)
• Uchū Nippon Setagaya (宇宙 日本 世田谷) (1997)

EPs (Mini Albums)

• Corduroy's Mood (1991)
• I Dub Fish (2016)

Live Albums

• Oh! Mountain (1995)
• 若いながらも歴史あり 96.3.2@新宿Liquid Room (2021)
• Long Season '96～7 96.12.26 Akasaka Blitz (2016)
• 8月の現状 (1998)
• 98.12.28 男達の別れ (1999)

Compilation Albums (Best Of)

• Fishmans 1991–1994 Singles & More (1999)
• Aloha Polydor (1999)
• 宇宙 ベスト・オブ・フィッシュマンズ (2005)
• 空中 ベスト・オブ・フィッシュマンズ (2005)
• Fishmans Rock Festival (2007) (a box set of vinyl records)
• Golden Best Fishmans: Polydor Years (2012)
• Go Go Round This World! ~ Fishmans 25th Anniversary Record Box (2016) (a box set of vinyl records)
• BLUE SUMMER ~Selected Tracks 1991–1995~ (2018)
• Night Cruising 2018 (2018)

Singles

Videos (Live Shows and Collections)

• The Three Birds & More Feelings (2000)
• 記憶の増大 (2000)
• 若いながらも歴史あり96.3.2 @ 新宿 Liquid Room (2005)
• 男達の別れ 98.12.28 @ 赤坂 Blitz (2005)
• The Long Season Revue (2006)
• Fishmans in Space Shower TV: Episode.1 (2007)
• Fishmans in Space Shower TV: Episode.2 (2007)
• Fishmans in Space Shower TV: Episode.3 (2007)
• Live 2011/5.3 At Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall "A Piece of Future" (2012)

Music Videos

• Night Cruising「ナイトクルージング」 (1995)
• Slow Days (1995)
• Baby Blue (1996)
• SEASON (1996)
• MAGIC LOVE (1997)
• WALKING IN THE RHYTHM (1997)
• Yurameki in the Air「ゆらめき in the Air」 (1998)

Videos on Space Shower TV

• Nobody in Tokyo (Video Jingle for Space Shower TV, Japanese Music TV Channel) (1998) YouTube