Ghost (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ghost | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Background information | ||
| Origin | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Genre(s) | Neo-psychedelia Indie rock |
|
| Years active | 1984 to Present | |
| Label(s) | Drag City | |
| Associated acts |
Damon and Naomi | |
| Members | ||
| Masaki Batoh Kazuo Ogino Michio Kurihara Junzo Tateiwa Takuyuki Moriya Taishi Takizawa |
||
Ghost is a free-form rock/improvisation group formed in Tokyo, Japan, in 1984.
Contents |
[edit] History
Core-member Masaki Batoh grew up in Kyoto, Japan where he attended a private school. During this time, he became interested in American rock music ranging from Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd to the Velvet Underground and Japanese rock bands such as the Taj Mahal Travellers and the Flower Travellin' Band.
Later, Batoh formed Ghost with a large and often varying lineup. According to reports posted on the All Music Guide, the group lived a nomadic existence, drifting from ruins of ancient temples to disused subway stations around the Tokyo area.
The band began releasing their work with the albums Ghost and Second Time Around, which were released, respectively, in 1991 and 1992. The American independent label Drag City licensed each of the albums for distribution, and the Los Angeles The Now Sound label picked up two of Batoh's solo albums, released together as well under the title Collected Works. Two albums, Tune in, Turn on, Free Tibet and Snuffbox Immanence, were released simultaneously in 1999.
As well as their own work, Ghost have recorded and performed with the ex-Galaxie 500 duo Damon and Naomi. Five years after releasing both Snuffbox Immanence and Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet Ghost returned with Hypnotic Underworld, and there were some changes in the band. Cellist Hiromichi Sakamoto and percussionist Setsuko Furuya left and were replaced by a rhythm section of Takuyuki Moriya (electric bass guitar, double bass, and cello) and Junzo Tateiwa (drums, tabla, and percussion).
In January 2007, Ghost released a new album titled In Stormy Nights.
[edit] Members
- Masaki Batoh: vocals, acoustic guitar
- Kazuo Ogino: piano, electronics
- Michio Kurihara: electric guitar
- Junzo Tateiwa: drums, percussion
- Takuyuki Moriya: bass
- Taishi Takizawa (also known as Giant): Theremin, flute, saxophone
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Ghost (1990)
- Second Time Around (1992)
- Temple Stone (1994)
- Lama Rabi Rabi (1996)
- Snuffbox Immanence (1999)
- Tune In, Turn On, Free Tibet (1999)
- Hypnotic Underworld (2004)
- Metamorphosis: Ghost Chronicles 1984–-2004 (2005)
- In Stormy Nights (2007)
[edit] Featured On
- Damon and Naomi with Ghost (2000)
[edit] Compilation Appearances
- Tama Yura on Tokyo Flashback Vol. 1 (1991)
- Sun is Tangging on Tokyo Flashback Vol. 2 (1992)
- Suspect Tells of Dog Under the Sun on Tokyo Flashback Vol. 3 (1993)
- Way to Coimbula on ALMS: A benefit for Ptolemaic Terrascope (1997)
[edit] Masaki Batoh solo
- Collected Works 95-96 (2004)
[edit] External links
- Ghost at the All Music Guide
- Official Site (Japanese)
