Ezo (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = EZO


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Origin = Sapporo, Japan
Genre = Metal
Years_active = 1984-1990
Label = Victor, Geffen Records
Associated_acts = Loudness
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Current_members =
Past_members = Masaki Yamada Taro Takahashi Shoyo Iida Hirotsugu Homma

nihongo|EZO|イーズィーオー|Ii zuii ō was a Japanese heavy metal band originally formed and known as Flatbacker in Sapporo, Japan. [http://nippop.com/artist/artist_id-129/artist_name-ezo/ "Nippop's EZO Profile] Retrieved Sep 21 2007] EZO has been named a "seminal influence by such artists as Steve McDonald of Redd Kross and Michael Steele of the Bangles."Yang Jeff, Dina Can, Terry Hong, (1997) "Eastern Standard Time" pg 264 New York: Mariner Books ISBN 0-395-76341-X]

History

EZO consisted of Masaki Yamada (vocals), Taro Takahashi (bass), Shoyo Iida (guitar) and Hiro Homma (drums). [http://wc03.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:09foxqy5ldhe All Music Guide "Ezo Profile"] Retrieved on Sep 21 2007] They released one demo cassette ("Minagoroshi") in 1984 and two albums (1985's "Senzo" and 1986's "Esa") in Japan as Flatbacker in the mid-1980s before coming to the U.S. Rumor has it that Gene Simmons of KISS, who produced their self-titled U.S. debut album, was behind the band's name change to EZO,Fact|date=September 2007 inspired by "Eizo", an ancient name for Hokkaidō. They released two albums for Geffen Records, 1987's "E-Z-O" and 1989's "Fire Fire", before being dropped from the label and internal differences led to the band's demise.

Vocalist Masaki Yamada joined fellow Japanese metalheads Loudness in 1992 and drummer Hiro Homma joined Loudness in 1994. In 2000, the original Loudness lineup reunited and Masaki and Hiro left the band. Hiro Homma is currently the drummer for the Japanese metal band Anthem and vocalist Masaki Yamada is now the bass player for the New York-based band FiRESiGN.

Trivia

A single guitar riff from "E-Z-O" song "House of 1,000 Pleasures" served as the signature sound of syndicated radio network Z Rock.

Discography

*"Accident" (1985) (as 'Flatbacker')
*"Esa" (1986) (as 'Flatbacker')
*"EZO" (1987)
*"Fire Fire" (1989)

References