Music Banter - Fu****susha

Music Banter (https://www.musicbanter.com/)

- Avant Garde/Experimental (https://www.musicbanter.com/avant-garde-experimental/)

- - Fu****susha (https://www.musicbanter.com/avant-garde-experimental/62628-fu-susha.html)

Fushitsusha
Formed: 1978
Genres: Noise, noise rock, psychedelic rock

http://www.doubtmusic.com/mart/ph136.jpg

Fushitsusha is what I see as the darker side of psychedelic music, and I use the word "psychedelic" like I would use it to describe Throbbing Gristle... "other-worldly" (although, less so in TG's case) and atmospheric. Darker because well... just listen to them and you'll see for yourself! You'll find that their music blurs the line between rock and noise music and creates this treacherous yet beautiful landscape of absolutely relentless sound.

The only constant member of the band is Keiji Haino, whose guitar playing and singing is the primary focus of the music. His playing can best be described in the following ways: visceral, elegant, abrasive, ethereal, and contemplative. Visceral in that most of his playing is improvised. Elegant in that he plays the guitar with an air of grace and beauty that is unique only to him. Abrasive in that it is often loud, dissonant, and atonal. Ethereal in that he can be rather atmospheric and hypnotic. And contemplative in that he is very cautious and pays extremely close attention to his improvisations (you really need to know Haino's philosophy behind making music to fully understand this).

The drums and bass are often very simple and played in a selfless manner. What I mean by selfless is that they aren't there to be showy... they're there to set up a steady beat for which Haino can fall back to after he goes off into a tangent. This is where I make the comparison to The Velvet Underground. Not for the noisy, feedback-driven aesthetic, but for the rhythm sections. Both feature relentless amounts of energy and steady, selfless playing.

Recommended albums:

Untitled - PSF 15/16
Hisou (Pathétique)
Purple Trap (The Wound That Was Given Birth to Must Be Bigger Than The Wound That Gave Birth)

Their 1989 live album would be the best place to start for those wanting a more accessible area to dive into. It has blues rock and psychedelic rock undertones and proves to be less chaotic as their later recorded work. Anyways, I'm an enormous fan of their music, and I highly recommend them to those who love experimental or noisy rock. :)

I have Allegorical Misunderstanding, it's not all that. Since you rate them so highly I'll check out the recommended albums. I do like some of Haino's solo work, namely Watashi Dake?, and I love the likes of Les Rallizes Denudes and High Rise, so I have high hopes.

I had one record by them a while ago which I really disliked, but the name of it eludes me. I've a friend who adores them and I've been meaning to give them another go, though. I'll check out those ones you recommended.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sneer (Post 1191344)

I actually dislike Allegorical Misunderstanding. It's too structured for me and bears more resemblance to free jazz (John Zorn's doing, no doubt)... While this may be a different (and possibly interesting) side of their work, it's not quite what I look for when I listen to their music.

Anyways... I know that you're a fan of textural, layered music, so I'm sure you'll find something you'll enjoy by them.

Bump...

Trying to breathe a little more life into this part of the forum.

Why's the name starred out?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cenotaph (Post 1297110)

Bump...

Trying to breathe a little more life into this part of the forum.

Good work for doing so. I will go check them out.

I'm in love with their 2012 album Hikari to Nazukeyo. It still has that distinctive Haino sound, but it does stray away from Fushitsusha's other work. It's like a Japanese noise-punk version of Trout Mask Replica.