FUJI TAKASHI and KEITH? Who are those two persons? M-BAND and ARB? Who?
That’s a question I receive a lot when I talk with people about Japanese rock music. I didn’t know M-BAND myself yet and after checking Fuji’s website I wished to know more about him, he released a brand new mini album ROOTS OF ROCK as a digital release which is available to purchase and to stream world wide too. Music style? Amazing rock music which brings you back in the time back to the beautiful rock sound. You can check it here via spotify.
But who is KEITH? Well, KEITH is the drummer of ARB, ARB was a very well known rock band in the 80s. And yes you also can listen to ARB on spotify! ARB is still around however without lead singer Ryo Ishibashi. But KEITH keeps ARB alive with playing their songs time to time with wonderful musicians, the line-up isn’t always the same. Also KEITH support various musicians for playing (support) drums. So can follow KEITH on twitter and facebook.
However what is this video about?
Well FUJI just started his own youtube channel which he wish to fill with various content as so also introducing rock artists he works with, his first guest is KEITH. KEITH joined his new mini album ROOTS OF ROCK. Also he will join the special release live on October 3rd which KEITH will support as guest.
PART2
In this part we learn that back in the days a roadie was called “BANDBOY”. Also that KEITH started as a roadie for the band “Jackey Yoshikawa & His Blue Comets” [YOUTUBE] [WIKIPEDIA JP] Blue Comets played the genre グループ・サウンズ (GS) (Group Sound). Music which was extremely popular back in the days. KEITH was their roadie for a while until his body couldn’t handel the stress etc. However after stayed home for some time he went back to Tokyo and started to be the roadie for FLIED EGG [YOUTUBE] also KEITH started his own band Orange Peco [YOUTUBE] [WIKIPEDIA JP] Which also sounds very much as popular group sound. After KEITH discovered that Orange Peco didn’t make the music he actually wanted to play he started ARB.
ARB early music style wasn’t also that much ROCK at the beginning but much more a idol boyband feeling similar to “Bay City Rollers”.
Also we learn that KEITH was a support drummer of the UK band The Stranglers which he supported on their Canada and USA tour.
The Tempters & The Golden Cups are two famous Japanese bands from back in the days.
You can watch my translated version here. If you understand Japanese well, be free to correct anything. You also can download my subtitles here. Keep in mind that my translation isn’t perfect, but it gives a good feeling about what they are talking about. So any corrections are welcome! And the band also appreciate it!
If you still do have any questions please drop me a message!
If you think, I should write more article like this.
Please drop me a tweet to @jrocknroll_
This second part was really hard to translate, and even while writing this blog post I made a few corrections to the translation. But hopefully everyone is able to Enjoy it!
ARB debut song Norainu (野良犬)
AKIRA (The song they talk about at the end is at the end of the interview)