Ezo (band)
Ezo | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Flatbacker |
| Origin | Sapporo, Japan |
| Genres | Heavy metal, hard rock |
| Years active | 1982–1990 |
| Labels | Victor, Geffen Records |
| Past members | Masaki Yamada Taro Takahashi Shoyo Iida Hirotsugu Homma |
Ezo (イーズィーオー, Iiziiō) was a Japanese heavy metal band originally formed as Flatbacker in the spring of 1982 in Sapporo, Japan[1] out of the remnants of two high school bands, Power-Station and Scrap. Ezo has been named a "seminal influence by such artists as Steve McDonald of Redd Kross and Michael Steele of the The Bangles."[2]
History
Ezo consisted of Masaki Yamada (vocals), Taro Takahashi (bass), Shoyo Iida (guitar) and Hiro Homma (drums).[3] 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.[1] Rumor has it that Gene Simmons of Kiss, who produced their self-titled U.S. debut album,[2] was behind the band's name change to Ezo,[citation needed] inspired by Eizo, an ancient name for Hokkaidō.[1] 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.[1]
Vocalist Masaki Yamada joined fellow Japanese metalheads Loudness in 1992 and drummer Hiro Homma joined Loudness in 1994.[1] In 2000, the original Loudness lineup reunited and Masaki and Hiro left the band.[1] 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.
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.[citation needed]
Discography
- Accident (1985) (as 'Flatbacker')
- Esa (1986) (as 'Flatbacker')
- EZO (1987) U.S. #150[4]
- Fire Fire (1989)