What is Fish(mans)?#

Fishmans are a Japanese dub/rock group from Minato City, Tokyo, Japan. Their influences are primarily in reggae and downtempo records, and their most popular music is often described as dream pop and psychedelic rock.

The band's 90s lineup includes...

• founder and band leader Shinji Sato on vocals and guitar
• Kin-Ichi Motegi on drums
• Yuzuru Kashiwabara on bass
• Kensuke Ojima on guitar (left the band in '94)
• Hakase on keyboards (left the band in '95)

Musicians such as keyboardist/violinist Honzi and guitarists Shinya Kogure and Michio "Darts" Sekiguchi began their tenure with the band in the late 90s, being considered support musicians and often appearing live with the band. Studio engineer Kazuyuki Matsumura, known as ZAK, is Fishmans' resident producer and typically supports the band during live concerts.

After Shinji Sato's passing in 1999, the band's lineup changed and their focus shifted to memorial live concerts. This new incarnation includes...

• Kin-Ichi Motegi on drums and vocals
• Ikuko Harada on vocals
• Yuzuru Kashiwabara on bass
• Hakase on keyboards
• Shinya Kogure, Michio "Darts" Sekiguchi and Kensuke Ojima on guitar

This modern lineup is in addition to a rotating cast of support vocalists, including UA, Hanaregumi and more. ZAK remains with the group, however Honzi has since passed away in September 2007. The band continues to tour to this day, being under temporary hiatus while bassist Yuzuru Kashiwabara recovers from an illness.

How do I start walking in the rhythm?#

Among their studio records, Fishmans' album Long Season is their most popular in Western music circles, which is a one-song, 35-minute opus written as the second of their "Setagaya Trilogy" records, named after the location of the private studio they were recorded in.

The first, Something in the Air (or as it's titled in Japanese, Kuchu Camp) is their most popular record in Japan, with singles Baby Blue and Nightcruising being particular favorites. The final of these albums, Uchu Nippon Setagaya is also highly praised for its more psychedelic approach and inclusion of tracks such as Daydream, Walking in the Rhythm and Weather Report.

Their earlier four records are sometimes preferred by their most dedicated fans however, and records like Orange and King Master George are particular favorites among them.

Their live career is popular as well, and 98.12.28 Otokotachi no Wakare is an essential part of their mythos and widely praised, being the #1 rated live album of all time according to RateYourMusic.

And where should I fish for their best live concerts?#

Fishmans is known for their live performances, where the band (especially leader Shinji Sato) often updates their music, making structural changes that are often altered between concerts, making each one especially precious. Here's where to start!

Fishmans' most popular era is their late 90s period, which is famous for its psychedelic rock sound. You should start here before anywhere else. Start with...

• 1998-12-28 - Akasaka Blitz, their most famous concert and vocalist Shinji Sato's final before passing
• 1996-12-26 - Akasaka Blitz, their most "98.12.28"-like soundboard-quality concert
• 1997-12-12 - Shinjuku Liquid Room, a broadcast recording preferred by fans for its variety
• 1996-03-02 - Shinjuku Liquid Room, a concert celebrating their fifth album in particular

If you'd like to navigate toward their large catalog of early-era live recordings, start with...

• 1992-07-26 - Nagoya Light Plaza, a well-rounded and atmospheric recording with lots to love
• 1991-06-01 - Nagoya Heartland, for a more early psychedelic, dubby sound
• 1991-03-26 - Shibuya Club Quattro, to hear a number of great unreleased songs

If instead you'd like to break into Fishmans' lineup of post-2000 era bootlegs, you'd best start with...

• 2011-05-03 - Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall, to hear completely reinterpreted versions of Fishmans' music
• 2025-02-18 - Tokyo Garden Theater, their largest ever concert and our only recording of "Daydream" live

If you'd prefer the band's rawest audience recording bootlegs, some popular favorites are...

• 1998-12-27 - Akasaka Blitz, did you know they played the day before the 28th?!
• 1994-01-22 - Shinjuku Nissin Power Station, which provides a rare look into the band's 1994 live setup

Community Links#

• Official website - No place like .jp!
• Official Instagram page - Promos and the like!
• Official Twitter page - Frequent updates!
• Fan wiki - Reliable fan resource of all knowledge ever!
• Fan Discord server The Fish Tank - Join or die!
• Fishmans Subreddit - Come post a question!
• English Wikipedia - A good overview!
• Japanese Wikipedia - A good overview, in Japanese!
• Nearly-complete Fishmans Archive.org list - Get yer Fishmans here, folks!
• POOL, the band's fan magazine - Read all about it!
• LilithInfinity's YouTube channel - One of the community's most prolific bootleggers!
• LilithInfinity's Pinterest board - Wide array of Fishmans photos from around the web!
• Petition to Pony Canyon to release more early Fishmans content - SIGN NOW!!