Fushitsusha (不失者) is a Japanese rock band specialising in experimental and psychedelic rock genres. The band consists of guitarist and singer Keiji Haino, and a shifting cast of complementary musicians. The group released the majority of its material in the 1990s.
History Haino formed Fushitsusha in 1978, although their first LP was not released until 1989. The band initially consisted of Haino on guitar and vocals, and Tamio Shiraishi on synthesizer. After the departure of Shiraishi, Ayuo joined briefly in 1979 before Fushitsusha became a trio with the addition of Jun Hamano (bass) and Shuhei Takashima (drums). The lineup soon changed, adding Yasushi Ozawa (bass) and Jun Kosugi (drums) throughout the 1990s. Their 1993 album Allegorical Misunderstanding was released on John Zorn's record label, Avant, although most of their albums have come out on independent label PSF and on major label Tokuma.
Fushitsusha recently returned to duo status, with Haino supplementing percussion with tape loops, though the band is believed to have been on hiatus since 2001.
In February 2008, longtime bassist Yasushi Ozawa died.
In August 2015, bassist Chiyo Kamekawa was dismissed because he plays in another band MANNERS. Later, Yasumune Morishige joined as a bassist.
In 2018, Mitsuru Nasuno joined as a bassist.
Music The band's sound is influenced by German krautrock bands of the 1970s and British psychedelic music of the 1960s and 1970s. They are generally considered part of the Japanese psychedelic music scene alongside bands like Ghost and Acid Mothers Temple. Their music occasionally ventures to the more aggressive "Japanoise" end of the sonic spectrum, but usually remains haunting and contemplative.
Discography Studio albums
Year Album name Album details 1993 Allegorical Misunderstanding Label: Avant Records Format: CD 1994 悲愴 (aka Hisou / Pathétique / 4) Label: P.S.F. Records Format: CD 1995 The Caution Appears Label: Les Disques Du Soleil Et De L'Acier Format: CD 1997 A Death Never to Be Complete Label: Tokuma Japan Communications Format: CD 1997 The Time Is Nigh Label: Tokuma Japan Communications Format: CD 1998 A Little Longer Thus Label: Tokuma Japan Communications Format: CD 1998 The Wisdom Prepared Label: Tokuma Japan Communications Format: CD 2000 I Saw It! That Which Before I Could Only Sense... Label: Paratactile Format: CD 2001 Origin's Hesitation Label: P.S.F. Records Format: CD 2012 Hikari To Nazukeyou Label: Heartfast Format: CD 2012 Mabushii Itazura na Inori Label: Heartfast Format: CD 2013 名前をつけないでほしい名前をつけてしまうと全てでなくなってしまうから Label: Heartfast Format: CD 2013 まだ温かいうちのこの今に全ての謎を注ぎ込んでしまおう Label: Heartfast Format: CD
Live albums
Year Album name Album details 1989 Radio Code Label: No label Format: Cassette Live radio recordings in Amsterdam from 1988 to 1989 1989 1st Label: P.S.F. Records Format: Vinyl LP, CD (1997 reissue) 1991 Fushitsusha Label: P.S.F. Records Format: CD 1996 Purple Trap (The Wound That Was Given Birth to Must Be Bigger Than the Wound That Gave Birth) Label: Blast First Format: CD Recorded live in London 1998 Withdrawe, This Sable Disclosure Ere Devot'd Label: Victo Format: CD Live in Victoriaville, Canada, 16 May 1997 1998 Gold Blood Label: Charnel Music Format: CD Live in San Francisco, U.S.A., 7 November 1996 2003 It Was Eternity That Reached Out First Label: P.S.F. Records Format: CD Live recording from 1978 2013 Live at Freedommune 0 <Zero> a New Zero 2012 Format: Digital file 2014 Nothing Changes. No One Can Change Anything. I Am Ever-Changing. Only You Can Change Yourself . Label: Utech Format: CD Recorded in 1996, featuring Peter Brötzmann
Filmography 1991.9.26 – VHS (1992) (Reissued on DVD, 2006)
References
Official (Japanese) Unofficial (English) [ Biography at Allmusic] Interview with Fushitsusha Fushitsusha discography Another Fushitsusha discography Forced Exposure page Video of Fushitsusha