The Stalin

The Stalin

The Stalin: Tam, Jun, Michiro, Shintaro
Background information
Also known as ザ・スターリン, Video Stalin, Stalin
Origin Fukushima, Japan
Genres Punk rock, hardcore punk
Years active 1980–1985, 1987–1988, 1989–1993
Labels Political, Tokuma Japan, BQ, Alfa
Associated acts Jieitai, Touch Me, The Star Club, Nickey & The Warriors, The God, The Onanizo Bomb, G-Zet
Past members
  • Michiro Endo
  • Atsushi Kaneko
  • Shintaro Sugiyama
  • Jun Inui
  • Kazuo Tamura
  • Hitoshi Oda
  • Makoto Tsugio
  • Keigo Nakata
  • Tatsuya Nakamura
  • June-Bleed
  • Masahiro Kitada
  • Teruya Ogata
  • Masayuki Ono
  • Kubota
  • May
  • Shoko
  • Aihiko Yamamori
  • Yusuke Nishimura
  • Ritsu Saito
  • Chikao Adachi
  • Shigeo Mihara

The Stalin (ザ・スターリン, stylized as THE STALIN) were an influential Japanese punk rock band formed in June 1980, by leader and vocalist Michiro Endo.[1] After numerous member changes, he disbanded the group in February 1985.[1] In May 1987 Michiro formed a group called Video Stalin, which mostly made videos instead of albums; they disbanded in 1988.[1] In 1989 Michiro created a new band named Stalin and continued to make music with them until 1993.[1]

History

1979: Jieitai

Circa 1979, Michiro Endo, a 29-year-old socialist activist,[2] formed a punk band called Jieitai (自衛隊), named after Japan's Self-Defense Forces. Several of their songs would later become The Stalin songs, such as "Ideologist", "Niku" and their versions of "No Fun" and "Light My Fire".

1980–1981: Beginning

In June 1980 Endo formed The Stalin. He chose the name because "Joseph Stalin is very hated by most people in Japan, so it is very good for our image."[2] Originally a three piece with Endo on vocals and bass, Atsushi on guitar and Jun on drums. Shintaro joined as bassist later in the month, however their first single, "Dendou Kokeshi", was already recorded without him and was released on September 5, 1980. On April 7, 1981, they released the Stalinism EP. In July Tam replaced Atsushi on guitar. On November 4, at a live performance at Kanto Gakuin High School, Endo is arrested for indecent exposure. On December 24, 1981, they released their first full-length album, the half studio/half live, Trash.

1982–1985: The End

The Stalin were one of the bands to star in Sogo Ishii's movie Burst City, released on March 13, 1982.[3] Their concert on June 24 was the last with drummer Jun, however he still appears on their major label debut album Stop Jap, as well as their first major label single "Romantist", both released on July 1, as they were recorded before he left. "Romantist" is a reworked version of "Ideologist" from Trash, and has become their most well-known song worldwide. Hitoshi joins as drummer in July 1982. Sogo Ishii also directed a promotional video for "Romantist", as well as "Stop Jap" and their next single "Allergy", which was released on August 25. Their concert on September 27, 1982, was the last with Hitoshi. In November Keigo joins on drums, but leaves in December along with Tam.

In January 1983, Makoto joins on guitar and Tatsuya on drums. On February 10, they released their fourth single "Go Go Stalin". Their next album Mushi and single "Nothing", are both released on April 25. After a June 11 gig, Makoto and Tatsuya leave. Also in June 1983 Shintaro leaves. At a concert on September 17, Teruya and former member Jun, play as guest support on guitar and drums respectively.

In early 1984, June-Bleed joins as guitarist. But on March 17, 1984, he leaves and is eventually replaced by Masahiro. Also in March, Jun rejoins the band on drums and Teruya joins as bassist. In May, their song "Chicken Farm" appeared on MRR's international Welcome to 1984 compilation.[2] The concert on June 3 was the last with Masahiro and Teruya. Also in June Hiroshi would become support bassist, never officially joining. Masayuki joined on guitar in August 1984. Their last album Fish Inn was released on November 20. After their concert on December 29, Endo announced "This is the end of The Stalin". Although their true last concert was held on February 21, 1985 at Chofu Daiei Studio and was entitled "I was the Stalin". The show was recorded and released, on both VHS, Last Live - Zessan Kaisan Naka!!, and double LP, For Never - Last Live, on May 25, 1985.

1987–1988: Video Stalin

In May 1987, Endo created Video Stalin, a group of musicians who were more of a video production group than a band. They released three videos and one album. One of the videos, Your Order! The History of The Stalin, can be considered a The Stalin video instead, as it is composed almost entirely of live footage and promo clips throughout The Stalin's career. They disbanded in 1988.

1989–1993: Stalin

Inspired by the monumental events of 1988, especially the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Endo revived The Stalin with new members and a new name, now simply Stalin.[2] He had been fascinated with the Polish Solidarity movement, which began the same year as The Stalin, and after a visit to Warsaw he organized a Japanese tour for the Polish punk band Dezerter. Stalin completed the cultural exchange in 1990 when they toured Eastern Europe, which was recorded and released as the Saigo no Akai Natsu -Stalin Call in East Europe- video. They had a couple line-up changes and released six singles, four studio albums and one live album, before calling it quits in 1993.

Recent

On February 8, 2001 there was a special The Stalin concert entitled "One Night Dream". Michiro Endo performed with Keigo Nakata (ex:The Stalin) on drums, Shinichi Suzuki (Pulling Teeth) on guitar and Katsuta on bass.[4] Other bands and artists also performed and paid tribute to the group, including Loopus, Cobra, Panta and Kenzi. The show was recorded and released as the Hakike Gasuruhodo Romanchikku Daze!! video on June 30, 2001. The concert coincided with the release of the 365 - A Tribute to The Stalin album, which has some of the bands that performed covering The Stalin songs.[4][5]

On December 1, 2010 two tribute albums were released. One entitled Romantist - The Stalin, Michiro Endo Tribute Album, features bands such as Buck-Tick, Dir en grey, Group Tamashii and Jun Togawa covering The Stalin and Michiro Endo songs.[6] The other Red Demon, Blue Demon - Michiro Endo 60th Birthday Anniversary Tribute Album, features different artists and was first released at Endo's concert on November 14 to coincide with his 60th birthday.

Michiro Endo still gathers various musicians for occasional The Stalin performances. The most recent being a few shows in early 2011 as "The Stalin Z", with the line-up of Endo on vocals, Tatsuya Nakamura (ex:The Stalin) on drums, KenKen (Rize) on bass and Kazuhiro Hyaku (Mo'Some Tonebender) on guitar.[7]

Members

The Stalin

Video Stalin

Stalin

Discography

The Stalin

Albums & EPs
Singles
Videos

Video Stalin

Albums
Videos

Stalin

Albums
Singles
Videos

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The Stalin". discogs.com. Retrieved 2011-07-29.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Article on The Stalin at KFTH. Retrieved 2009-05-13.
  3. ↑ "Burst City: a Japanese punk rock film classic". kawaiikakkoiisugoi.com. Retrieved 2011-07-29.
  4. 1 2 "ザ・スターリン10年ぶりに復活！大阪でワンマンライブ決定". natalie.mu. Retrieved 2012-02-04.
  5. ↑ "365:A TRIBUTE TO THE STALIN". amazon.co.jp. Retrieved 2012-02-04.
  6. ↑ "Romantist - The Stalin, Michiro Endo Tribute Album -". cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved 2011-07-29.
  7. ↑ "ミチロウ、達也、百々、KenKenで「THE STALIN Z」ライブ". natalie.mu. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  8. ↑ THE STALINのアルバム売り上げランキング. oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 2012-03-07.

External links

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