| People play music for different reasons: They could be looking to kill some time, they need a creative outlet, it's more interesting than studying, they think it looks cool and perhaps will get them laid more often. Some though, create music not because they want to, but because they have to. Sonic demons have been imbedded deep within their soul and gnaw at their existence every day. The only way to defeat these terrible monsters and obtain inner peace is by impaling their body with waves of sound. After watching Eastern Youth's scorching performance at Club Quattro it is evident that frontman Hisashi Yoshino is this type of musician. |
 Bassist Tomokazu Ninomiya and drummer Atsuya Tamori kept low profiles on stage, concentrating more on turning out the tight, intricate melodies that dominate Eastern Youth's emo-tinged sound. Although Yoshino was also completely engrossed in the music, his passionate delivery quickly established him as the focal point of the show. The capacity crowd watched in awe as he wreaked havoc on his helpless instrument in order to extract as much noise as possible. At times it appeared as if he was going into convulsions as his body shook along to the band's driving rhythms. His eyes looked wild and crazy and veins bulged in his neck he unleashed the heartfelt cries that were eating away at his insides. Taken back by the sheer force and overwhelming display of emotion being witnessed the audience clapped and sang along to support Yoshino during this exorcism of sorts. |
After a solid opening slot from fOUL, Eastern Youth's intro echoed through the venue while diehard fans roared in anticipation. Slowly making their way on stage, the Tokyo trio spent several moments tinkering with their instruments before Yoshino thanked everyone for coming. As he began to play the band's opening number attendees began pumping their fists and jumping. Yoshino wasted little time and instantly started to work out whatever it is that forces him to make such riveting music. Drenched in sweat mere minutes into the show, the guitarist's face was twisted and contorted as he belted out his lyrics. Utilizing a wide range of singing techniques, Yoshino's voice went from a hoarse whisper, to a soothing hum, to a tormented howl and back again throughout the night's selection of songs.
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| Ploughing through several cuts from Don Quijote, Eastern Youth's power and energy was contagious. As it swept through the packed room it was impossible not to be moved by the passion radiating from Yoshino and his band mates. Edging towards the end of their set, the three broke into a fantastic version of Quijote's title track. After performing one more song Yoshino's shoulders slumped as he defeated the creature that dwells inside giving himself a few moments of relief and internal harmony. His rest time will be short-lived as the demon will surely return again just as it continually has over the last 15 years. Luckily for Japanese fans Yoshino knows how to battle the savage beast and will be challenging it again soon in live houses throughout the country. |  |
report by shawn and photos by keco |
| eastern youth I fOUL |
 mag files : Music Soothes the Savage Beast : (04/12/20 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : review by shawn, photo by kecophoto report : (04/12/20 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : photo by kecophoto report : (04/10/29 @ Ebisu Liquid Room) : photo by kecophoto report : (04/10/01 @ Sapporo PENNY LANE 24) : photo by q_taphoto report : (04/09/15 @ Shibuya AX) : photo by kecophoto report : (04/09/04 @ Yokohama F.A.D) : photo by kecophoto report : (04/09/01 @ Chiba Look) : photo by kecophoto report : (04/07/01 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : photo by saya38転回のための12曲 : (04/02/17 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : review by nob, photo by kecophoto report : (04/02/17 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : photo by kecoLoud Signals and Quick Stops : (03/12/22 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : review by donald, photo by kecophoto report : (03/12/22 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : photo by kecophoto report : (03/10/27 @ Shinjuku Liquid Room) : photo by kecophoto report : (03/09/02 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : photo by kecoまるで泣きだしそうな顔で : (03/08/06 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : review by iuk, photo by saya38眠りのうた/夜明けの歌 : (03/08/06 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : review by nob, photo by saya38photo report : (03/08/06 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : photo by saya38photo report : (03/06/05 @ Akasaka Blitz) : photo by ryotaまた暑い夏が来る... : (03/06/05 @ Akasaka Blitz) : review by nob, photo by ryotaイースタン初ライブ。熱い、熱い！ : (02/3/20 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : review by toy, photo by makiライヴに行くべし！ : (03/03/25 @ Yokohama Club224) : review by joe, photo by maikiお前はどうなんだ : (03/30/20 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : review by nob, photo by makiphoto report : (02/12/19 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : photo by saya38photo report : (02/10/12 @ 日比谷野外音楽堂) : photo by saya38photo report : (02/04/16 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : photo by saya38伝えておきたいこと : (02/02/28 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : review and photo by saya38photo report : (02/02/28 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : review and photo by saya38いつまでもズッコケ、転がっていく吉野 : (01/12/19 @ Akasaka Blitz) : review by nob, photo by saya38photo report : (01/12/19 @ Akasaka Blitz) : photo by saya38自分になにができるのか... : (01/09/24 @ FAD Yokohama) : review by yohei極東最前線34～ギラリズム夜明け前... : (010/6/22 @ Shibuya AX) : review by nob, photo by nishioka極東最前線33～新世紀上等!... : (01/02/17 @ Shibuya Club Quattro) : review by nob, photo by hanasan |
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The official site eastern youth http://www.saka-sho.co.jp/ the latest album  "DON QUIJOTE(ドン・キホーテ)" |
previous works :
"矯正視力〇.六"(MAXI 3trax)
"其処カラ何ガ見エルカ" (10 trax) "What Can You See from Your Place"(US import) "世界は割れ響く耳鳴りのようだ"(2 trax) "Eight Teeth to Eat You"(US import - with CURSIVE, 8 trax) "感受性応答セヨ" (10 trax) "雲射抜ケ声" (11 trax) "旅路ニ季節ガ燃エ落チル" (10 trax) "踵鳴る" (MAXI 3trax) "静寂が燃える"(MAXI 3trax) "雨曝しなら濡れるがいいさ"(MAXI 3trax) "風ノ中"(MAXI 3trax) "青すぎる空"(MAXI 3trax) "裸足で行かざるを得ない / 道端" "孤立無援の花" "その残像と残響音" (DVD 18trax) "アーカイブス 1997-2001" (DVD 15trax) check the albums? |
shawn's works-->2005  2004CD review : "Christmas" : Old Man Gloom (28th Dec)Music Soothes the Savage Beast
: eastern youth (20th Dec @ Shibuya Club Quattro)And to all A Good Night : Shonen Knife (19th Dec @ Daikanyama Unit)Exciting Music for Exciting People : illreme (6th Dec @ Shibuya Club Quattro)It's In Their Hands Now : Franz Ferdinand (29th Nov @ Shibuya AX)Lights, Camera, Action : Brahman (15th Nov @ Ebisu Liquidroom)Mostly Business : The Stills (8th Nov @ Ebisu Liquidroom)Scare The Rock Right Outta Ya : Halloween Ball 2004 feat . The 5,6,7,8's, Gasoline, The Woggles (30th Oct @ Shiomkitazawa Shelter)Three More, Two More, and Take it to the Left : Hawaiian6/ Idol Punch (11th Oct @ Shinjuku Loft)Busting Eardrums : Mogwai (5th Oct @ Ebisu Liquidroom AX )Medical Breakthrough : The Most Notorious Vol. 18 feat. Melt Banana and K.K. Null (25th Sept @ Shimokitazawa Shelter )Grey Skies Are Going To Clear Up... : HUSKING BEE (5th Sept @ Shibuya AX )no title : V∞REDOMS (8th Aug @ Ebisu Liquidroom )CD review : Andre Ethier With Christopher Sandes : Andre Ethier2003Cause Music Must Be Magic : Mayor McCa (21st Dec @ The Casbah,Hamilton, Ontario )Make It a Double : EVANESCENCE (28th Jul @ Shinjuku AX)Getting Knifed in Tokyo : Shonen Knife / bloodthirsty butchers(12th Jul @ Shibuya Club Quattro)Hail Hail! Some of Japan's best come together to pay tribute to San Diego's finest : TRIBUTE TO ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT feat. John Speedo with Jet Boys, Retro Gretion, and KEMURI, (21st June '03 @ Shibuya Club Quattro)The Canucks are Coming! The Canucks are Coming! : Simple Plan & GOB (26th Apr @ Akasaka Blitz)no title : Banda Bassotti with Doberman, Oi Skall Mates & Rude Bones (12th May @ Kawasaki Club Citta)The Enchanting Sounds of Summer : KEMURI (31st May @ Shinjuku ACB Hall)Absolutely F**king Brilliant!! : The Coral (21st Apr @ Shinjuku Liquid Room)no title : Short Circuit w/ Asparagus (24th Mar @ Shibuya AX) |