One of the Folk Crusaders Kazuhiko KATO - quite immersed in British Glam Rock scene led by David Bowie or Marc Bolan - and his wife (and his eternal fan) Mika KATO have founded an as-it-is-said modern rock project named SADISTIC MIKA BAND (it's said the project name was a parody merged with Plastic Ono Band and Mika's sadistic movements of a knife upon her cooking) with Hiro TSUNODA (drums), and Masayoshi TAKANAKA (guitar) later soon. Although Hiro's left after releasing a single "Cycling Boogie" for founding his own band, Yukihiro TAKAHASHI has replaced Hiro as a drummer and has taken Rei (Ray) OHARA into the project as a bassist. In 1973, the new SADISTIC MIKA BAND released their eponymous debut album, that could be much appreciated in UK (especially in London), not achieve enough success in Japan though.Chris THOMAS, already renowned as a recording engineer for The Beatles or Pink Floyd, had been so immersed in their first album that he offered them production of their second album "Kurofune (Black Ship)". They spent over 450 hours for recording and producing the second creation in collaboration with Chris, and finally released in November 1974 all over the world. This album has been estimated as one of the most important Japanese rock albums by Rolling Stone Magazine. Sadly, owing to Mika's falling in love with Chris during their UK tour in 1975 and being divorced with Kazuhiko, SADISTIC MIKA BAND were disbanded after replacement of bassist by Tsugutoshi GOTO and releasing their third album "Hot! Menu" in November 1975.After disbandment, Kazuhiko reformed the project with the collaboration of another vocalist some time - in 1989, as SADISTIC MICA BAND with Karen KIRISHIMA, and in 2006, as SADISTIC MICA BAND REVISITED or SADISTIC MIKAELA BAND with Kaela KIMURA. Two single records "Boys & Girls" (1989) and "Time Machine (rerecorded by the new lineup)" (2006), one studio album "Narkissos" (2006), and two live albums "Seiten" (1989) and "Live In Tokyo" (2007) have been released. On the other hand, a documentary film "Sadistic Mica Band" (by a director Kazuyuki IZUTSU) has been shown in Autumn 2007. Line-up / Musicians Kazuhiko Kato/guitar,synthesizer,vocals Masayoshi Takanaka/guitar,synthesizer Mika Kato/voices Rey Ohara/bass Yukihiro Takahashi/drums,vocals Discography(Album) Kurofune (Black Ship) 1974
1.Sumie No Kuni E 2.Nanika Ga Umi Wo Yattekuru 2.Time Machine Ni Onegai 3.Kurofune (Black Ship) (Second June) 4.Kurofune (Black Ship) (Third June) 5.Kurofune (Black Ship) (Fourth June) 6.Yoroshiku Dozo 7.Dontaku 8.Shiki Shoka 9.Hei Made Hitottobi (Suki Suki Suki) 10.Typhoon 11.Sayonara
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