Japanese "G.S."

Last Updated in Octber 28, 1997

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You should try these Japanese '60s bands (GS) that sound like American garage punk. There were hundreds of rock groups in Japan those days. But most of their records are not worth listening to. Below is rare cases.

They were one of the most famous group in Japan in late '60s. Japanese late '60s rock groups like them are what is called "GS". "GS" stands for "Group Sounds". Japanese press named the new popular musical wave "GS". The wave was caused by THE BEATLES' arrival in 1966. Until the time, Japanese popular music scene hadn't had any rock idiom. THE GOLDEN CUPS are the real R&B band, because their audience were from US and their requests weren't the Bee Gees nor the Walker Brothers. They played real R&B in the base area.

Their "Hey Joe" is one of the best cover of the song which was famous with Jimi Hendrix, remaining its glowing.

Changing members several times, THE GOLDEN CUPS continued to the early '70s.

Dave Hirao (Vocal)

Kenneth Ito (Rythm Guitar, Vocal)

Eddie Ban (Lead Guitar)

Louiselouis Kabe (Bass : He is known as Masayoshi Kabe nowadays.)

Mamoru Manu (Drums, Vocal)

You might not know this Japanese group. They are hardly known to ordinary Japanese people, too. The Dynamites are almost lost in the decades. Though they had faded from sunnyside, fortunitely still kept the distribution of their works --- "Vintage Collection --- Young Sound R&B The DYNAMITES" (Victor Musical Industries, INC., Tokyo, Japan VDR-25187). You would be slain if you heard "Tunnel to heaven" included in Young-Sound CD.

Hiroshi Segawa (Vocal)

Hujio Yamaguchi (Guitar, Vocal)

Hiroshi Yoshida (Bass)

Keizo Ooki (Side Guitar)

Miturou Nomura (Drums)

Not "THE OUTCASTS". This is a different group from Japan.The most rarely-known group. "Long Tall Sally","Everything's Alright" were re-compiled into music from another planet. THE OUTCAST changed its face time to time. A garage punk band, a childish song group, a Japanese traditional song group, etc. Unfortunitely their misconception in direction and promotion led them to break up.

The Carnabeats

AI Takano (SInger & Drummer of THE CARNABEATS) still rocks and rolls in Tokyo. There is a fan page of his ("Loving AI's") in CUTIE MORNING MOON.

The Voltage

The Spiders

The Mops

The Bunnys

The Beavers

The Sommers

The Youngers

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