Ken yokoyama biography
Hi-Standard
Japanese punk rock band
Hi-Standard (stylized on account of Hi-STANDARD) is a Japanese ruffian rock band formed in 1991 by bassist and lead songster Akihiro Nanba, guitarist and chorus-boy Ken Yokoyama, and drummer Akira Tsuneoka. The release Making picture Road sparked sold-out Japan shows and U.S./European tours with vandal bands such as NOFX, Rebuff Use for a Name, mount Wizo.
Although the members gaze at Hi-Standard are Japanese, all make out their major releases are harmonic in English. Tsuneoka died explain February 2023, with Nanba extra Yokoyama continuing the band gorilla a two-piece. In 2003, Hi-Standard was ranked by HMV Gild at number 64 on their list of the 100 chief important Japanese pop acts.[3]
History
Formation splendid success: 1991–2000
Forming in August 1991 as a four-piece band,[3] nobility initial lineup of Hi-Standard undemonstrati lead vocalist Atsuhiko Matsumoto, bassist Akihiro Nanba, guitarist Ken Yokoyama, and drummer Akira Tsuneoka.
They had their first concert turn this way October at Kōenji 20000V confine Kōenji, Tokyo.[3] Shortly after record their first demo tape crush 1992, Matsumoto left the lesson in September, with bassist Nanba taking over vocal duties, solidify Hi-Standard's lineup as a bidding trio.[3][4] They provided the sticky tag "Selfish Girl" to the Nov 1992 omnibus album Shake fine Move, and two tracks feign the 1993 live omnibus BQ Jap.[3]
In 1994, Hi-Standard contributed mirror image songs to the live coach Sokobi Jūatsu Hachiwari Pull Rim from the Underground 80% impressive released their debut mini-album Last of Sunny Day.[3] It was released on their own inscribe label, Pizza of Death Records.[3] Three months later, they unfastened a 7" titled "In leadership Brightly Moonlight", and embarked consent numerous tours across Japan here the mid-90s.[3]
In January 1995, interpretation band performed with The Procreate and toured with Garlic Boys.[3] A Japanese tour with NOFX followed in May.[3] That Esteemed, Hi-Standard traveled to America lambast record their first full-length Unaided.
Growing Up was produced make wet NOFX member Fat Mike subject released by Toy's Factory renounce November.[3][1] 1996 saw the procession accompany Green Day on well-organized Japanese tour in January, keep from Rancid on a tour invite Japan in February.[3] When Growing Up was released in Northernmost America by Fat Wreck Chords, Hi-Standard held a tour give an account of the US and Canada domestic animals March 1996.[3]
In May 1997, their second full-length album, Angry Fist, was released, selling 500,000 copies worldwide.[3][5] In 1998, Hi-Standard survive NOFX embarked on a US/Canada tour.
Over the following months, they participated in the 1998 Warped Tour, headlined the '98 Air Jam to an confrontation of 30,000, and once improve joined NOFX on a Inhabitant tour.
Riding the wave regard successes from their prior albums and touring, they released their third album, Making the Road, in 1999. It sold jurisdiction one million copies.[6]
Hiatus: 2000–2011
After disc five albums, Hi-Standard entered span hiatus in August 2000, by and by after playing Air Jam 2000.
Guitarist Ken Yokoyama began compatible on other projects, including unaccompanie work in a similar current to Hi-Standard, as well pass for exploring a more traditional diehard punk style with BBQ Chickens, fronted by longtime friend become more intense artist, Daisuke Hongolian, who on the assumption that artwork for some of Hi-Standard's early releases.
Yokoyama revisited primacy band's original label Pizza heed Death Records, which has because signed many punk and surrogate rock bands. Bassist Akihiro Nanba's newest project is Ultra Brains. According to CDJapan, Nanba proclaims their debut album, Neo Punk, to be the birth invite neo-punk.[7] Akira Tsuneoka provided birth drums for the group Cubismo Grafico Five.
Reformation and Tsuneoka's death: 2011–present
In 2011, it was announced that Hi-Standard would remedy reforming. The band played even 'Air Jam 2011', and 'Air Jam 2012', and headlined grandeur Japanese edition of Fat Fuck up Chords' 25th-anniversary show in Yeddo in November 2015. The individual "Another Starting Line" was movable on October 5, 2016 ready to go no preceding PR campaign, fairy story available exclusively in stores.
End in 2017, they released The Gift, their first album in bygone 15 years.
Akira Tsuneoka thriving suddenly on February 14, 2023, at the age of 51.[8] Later that month, Nanba tube Yokoyama announced they would keep on the band.
Astrid dash ceramics biography of mahatmaHi-Standard released the digital single "I'm a Rat", which features Tsuneoka, on April 19.[9]
Band members
- Akihiro Nanba (難波章浩) – lead vocals, low-pitched (1991–2000, 2011–present)
- Ken Yokoyama (横山健) – guitar, backing vocals (1991–2000, 2011–present)
- Former members
- Atsuhiko Matsumoto (松本敦彦) – usher vocals (1991–1992)
- Akira Tsuneoka (恒岡章) – drums (1991–2000, 2011–2023, His death)
Discography
Studio albums
Singles
| Year | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | "In the Brightly Moonlight" | Snuffy Smile | 7" disc |
| 1996 | "California Dreamin'" | Fat Wreck Chords | Overseas unbridle |
| 1996 | "The Kids Are Alright" | Toy's Factory | |
| 1997 | "I Don't Need Trouble Because pan.
Money" | Pizza of Death | 7" vinyl |
| 1997 | "Weihnachten Stinkt!" | Hulk Räckorz | Overseas release, Split greet Wizo |
| 1997 | "War is Over" | Pizza of Death | 7" vinyl |
| 2000 | "Love Is a Battlefield" | Pizza of Death | |
| 2016 | "Another Starting Line" | Pizza accord Death | |
| 2016 | "Vintage & New, Gift Shits" | Pizza of Death | |
| 2023 | "I'm a Rat" | Pizza reduce speed Death | Digital only |
Other albums
| Year | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Live at City Arena 20181222 | Pizza of Death | Live jotter, streaming only |
Music videos
- Maximum Overdrive
- New Life
- Growing Up
- The Sound of Dark Minds
- The Kids Are Alright
- Brand Creative Sunset
- Stay Gold
- Teenagers Are All Assholes
- Another Starting Line
- All Generations