Ezo (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| EZO | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sapporo, Japan |
| Genre(s) | Metal |
| Years active | 1984-1990 |
| Label(s) | Victor, Geffen Records |
| Associated acts | Loudness |
| Former members | |
| Masaki Yamada Taro Takahashi Shoyo Iida Hirotsugu Homma |
|
EZO (イーズィーオー Ii zuii ō?) was a Japanese heavy metal band originally formed and known as Flatbacker in Sapporo, Japan.[1] EZO has been named a "seminal influence by such artists as Steve McDonald of Redd Kross and Michael Steele of the Bangles."[2]
Contents |
[edit] History
EZO consisted of Masaki Yamada (vocals), Taro Takahashi (bass), Shoyo Iida (guitar) and Hiro Homma (drums).[3] They released one demo cassette (Minagoroshi) in 1984 and two albums (1985's Senzo and 1986's Esa) in Japan as Flatbacker in the mid-1980s before coming to the U.S.[1] Rumor has it that Gene Simmons of KISS, who produced their self-titled U.S. debut album,[2] was behind the band's name change to EZO,[citation needed] inspired by Eizo, an ancient name for Hokkaidō.[1] They released two albums for Geffen Records, 1987's E-Z-O and 1989's Fire Fire, before being dropped from the label and internal differences led to the band's demise.[1]
Vocalist Masaki Yamada joined fellow Japanese metalheads Loudness in 1992 and drummer Hiro Homma joined Loudness in 1994.[1] In 2000, the original Loudness lineup reunited and Masaki and Hiro left the band.[1] Hiro Homma is currently the drummer for the Japanese metal band Anthem and vocalist Masaki Yamada is now the bass player for the New York-based band FiRESiGN.
[edit] Trivia
A single guitar riff from E-Z-O song "House of 1,000 Pleasures" served as the signature sound of syndicated radio network Z Rock.
[edit] Discography
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f Nippop's EZO Profile Retrieved Sep 21 2007
- ^ a b Yang Jeff, Dina Can, Terry Hong, (1997) Eastern Standard Time pg 264 New York: Mariner Books ISBN 0-395-76341-X
- ^ All Music Guide Ezo Profile Retrieved on Sep 21 2007
