The Stalin

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The Stalin was a Japanese punk rock band formed in 1980, and have spawned multiple reunion projects. The Stalin were considered pioneers of the Japanese hardcore punk scene.[citation needed] Michiro Endo while highly influential, is notorious for his shocking live performances.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] 1980-1982 Formation

The Stalin began in 1980 and was founded by Michiro Endo, a 32 year-old socialist activist. He chose the name because "the name Stalin is very hated by most people in Japan, so it is very good for our image."[citation needed] Because he was a socialist, he also explained the name as meaning "the downside of every good idea." Michiro was also the editor of INGO fanzine, which helped release the second press of Stalin's first flexi Dendou Kokeshi in 1980. This sound continued on their second EP, 1981's 5-song Stalinism 7", on which at least one Ramones riff can be heard within the Stalin sound. Not impressed with crowd reactions at Stalin shows, Michiro behaved like a madman, leaving a wake of destruction everywhere he went. He would spit, pull hair, or just beat up members of the audience. If that didn't work, he would leave the stage after one song. A Maximum Rocknroll scene report from the time describes fish heads and human feces on stage. The Stalin were quickly banned from most venues.

For the first LP, 1981's Trash, they sped up the pace and began to sound like a hardcore band. Released on Political Records, the record is so rare that it has been bootlegged even in Japan. The new sound of the Stalin was due partly to the addition of guitarist Tam, formerly of Typhus, the band that spawned Gauze. Tam was a producer as well and ran the ADK label, although the Stalin decided at this point to sign to the major label Climax. Michiro later explained that he always hoped the band could break into the mainstream and wreak even more havoc (this never happened).[citation needed] He was obsessed with the breakdown of romantic communication in Japanese society, and the "fascist" ideal of love.

[edit] 1982-1984

The band's major label debut was 1982's Stop Jap LP. The lyrics from this album supposedly reflect a more anti-nationalist, anarchistic slant on political issues. The band reached their peak in popularity with the next two hardcore records in 1983: the 4-song Go Go Stalin 12" and the Mushi LP. The Stalin was one of the first Japanese bands to reach an international audience when their song "Chicken Farm" appeared on MRR's seminal Welcome to 1984 compilation alongside other international hardcore pioneers like Raw Power and BGK.[citation needed] Shortly after, Tam left the band. 1984's Fish Inn LP found the Stalin with American musicians playing parts. After releasing a 1985 double live album, the Stalin called it quits.

[edit] 1988-1990 Birth of "Stalin"

Inspired by the monumental events of 1988, especially the collapse of Soviet Communism[citation needed]}, Michiro formed a new band just called "Stalin". He had been fascinated with the Polish Solidarity movement, which began the same year as the band, and after a visit to Warsaw he organized a Japanese tour for the Polish punk band Dezerter. The Stalin completed the cultural exchange in 1990 when they toured Eastern Europe. At some point the band converted to Video Stalin, a video production ensemble. One video they made, "The History of the Stalin," has live footage and promo clips from the band's early days. Some of the Stalin's music is in print today in the form of CD reissues, including their track on Welcome to 1984. Also, various bootlegs and Killed by Death type compilations have kept them in small circulation.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Singles

[edit] Albums

[edit] The Stalin

[edit] Video-Stalin

[edit] Stalin

[edit] Members

Current Members:
Past Members:

[edit] Other Projects

[edit] Links

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