Round Flat Records

Half Japanese – The Band That Would Be King – Cassette

$17.99

Category:

Description

Half Japanese – The Band That Would Be King – Cassette

Half Japanese is an art-punk band known for their lo-fi production and unconventional music style, characterized by a disregard for traditional musicianship and a raw, pure expression of emotion. Founded by brothers Jad and David Fair in the mid-1970s, Half Japanese has a significant cult following and is often cited for their influence on the DIY music ethos and indie rock scenes.

Their album The Band That Would Be King, released in 1989, is one of the more celebrated entries in their extensive discography. This album embodies the band\’s philosophy of enthusiastic amateurism and often explores themes of passion, love, and earnest, unrefined creativity. The title itself, The Band That Would Be King, suggests a self-aware cheekiness about their place in the music world—a band revered within certain circles but esoteric and perhaps inaccessible to the mainstream.

The mid to late \’80s found the personnel of Half Japanese in regular flux. Jad Fair would guide the ensemble in whatever direction he and his cohorts chose to go. By the time of this 1989 release Don Fleming was still on board, with the Workdogs now called in as the rhythm section, joining organist Mark Kramer and guitarist Mr. J. Rice. The album features guest appearances by Fred Frith and saxophonists John Zorn and George Cartwright.

Recorded at Noise New York, the album boasts whopping thirty songs. There\’s the rollicking \”Little Records,\” with its chugging train of a snare roll and Jad\’s delightful yelps. \”Put Some Sugar On It\” finds Jad playing soul man over a Velvet Underground groove. There are plenty of songs about both love and monsters. \”Frankenstein Meets Billy the Kid\” is a hybridized imaginary movie that\’s pure Jad.

The music of Half Japanese typically features unconventional song structures, with a focus on expression over technical skill. This approach has endeared them to fans who value authenticity and emotional rawness over polished production. The influence of Half Japanese can be seen in many indie and alternative bands that emerged in the following decades, showing that their legacy goes beyond their own recordings.

Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal

50,000,000 Watts Records

Track Listing
1. Open Your Eyes/Close Your Eyes
2. Daytona Beach
3. Lucky Star – Unknown
4. Some Things Last a Long Time
5. My Most Embarrassing Moment
6. Buried Treasure
7. Open Book
8. Little Records – David Fair
9. Deadly Alien Spawn
10. Postcard from Far Away
11. Ventriloquism
12. Something in the Wind
13. Bingo\’s Not His Name-O
14. Put Some Sugar on It
15. What More Can I Do
16. Brand New Moon
17. Another World
18. Every Word Is True
19. I Live for Love
20. Werewolf – David Fair
21. Ride Ride Ride
22. Sugarcane
23. I Whish I May
24. Ashes on the Ground – David Fair
25. Curse of the Doll People
26. Horseshoes
27. Bluebirds
28. Frankenstein Metts Billy the Kid
29. My Bucket\’s Got a Hole in It – Hank Williams
30. Africans Built the Pyramids – Mark Jickling
31. Better Than Before
32. Daytona
33. Back Home
34. Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8) – Jimmie Rodgers
35. Sugarcane
36. Jump Up
37. Postcard from Far Away
38. Big Wheels
39. Ordeal
40. Jump Down
41. Cowboys
42. Man Without a Head

roundflatStoreHalf Japanese - The Band That Would Be King - Cassette Half Japanese is an art-punk band known for their lo-fi production and unconventional music style, characterized by a disregard for traditional musicianship and a raw, pure expression of emotion. Founded by brothers Jad and David Fair in the mid-1970s,...Discover the ultimate destination for punk records, indie vinyl, alternative CDs, and metal cassettes since 1992.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.

New Customer Special!

10% off your next order!

Just enter pop10 at check out!