Lemon’s Chair
Homepage: http://white.ap.teacup.com/lemonschair/
Twitter: @HIGH_FADER
Genre: Shoegaze, Post Rock
For fans of: Noise, Mono, Mogwai, Cocteau Twins
Lineup:
Masashi Imanishi (Guitar)
Kondo (Drums)
Yuko (Guitar)
Bio:
Lemon’s Chair was formed in 2002 as an instrumental “acid rock” three-piece featuring Masashi Imanishi and Yuko on guitars and Ryo on drums. As time passed the band’s sound transformed into the minimalist shoegaze/post-rock blend that has since been a staple of the Japanese shoegaze music scene.
The band began to publish music actively beginning in 2009, having appeared on a compilation album for American label Series Two Records. Later that year, on Masashi Imanishi’s own High Fader Records, the band released a split album with monocism title “high shoegazer”. The following year the band released it’s first full album “I hate? I hope?” while also appearing on a Rocket Girl Records compilation alongside Ulrich Schnauss and A Place to Bury Strangers. In 2011, Lemon’s Chair took part in the “The Light Shines into your Dreams” compilation in aide of the earthquake relief efforts. The shoegaze/dreampop charity album also featured My Bloody Valentine.
In 2013, Lemon’s Chair played a major role in the release of “Yellow Loveless”, a tribute to the quintessential My Bloody Valentine record. The band submitted two tracks for the album: “To Here Knows When” and “What you Want”. Released alongside the tribute album was “Japan Shoegazer as Only One”, a split single with fellow genre-mates Tokyo Shoegazer. These releases coincided with not only the 2013 My Bloody Valentine tour of Japan, but High Fader Records’ Japan Shoegazer Festival.
While Lemon’s Chair are always accompanied by a “who’s who” of Japanese shoegazer outfits, the band have an impressive international resume. Among the overseas acts they have performed live with in Japan are Ringo Deathstarr, Ulrich Schnauss, Sad Day for Puppets, Chapterhouse, and Spectrum.
Masashi Imanishi and Lemon’s Chair’s role in the Japanese shoegaze community has been very highly-regarded. In addition to their contributions as a band, they are very active in organizing events such as the annual “Japan Shoegazer Festival” and the indie-music showcase “High Fader Night”, as well as offering services to shoegaze bands.
The band have slated the release of their second full album for the summer of 2013.
Muso Japan’s Thoughts: Lemon’s Chair are deservedly given a lot of credit for their contributions to shoegaze music in Japan. Their recordings are most definitely worth checking out, but their live show is a must-see. If you like extremely loud, beautiful music then do yourself a favor and make it out to one of their events. Masashi Imanishi and Yuko work brilliantly together on guitars, while Kondo is a very very impressive drummer. Their tracks tend to be quite long, which works out brilliantly as each song builds up in it’s own way.
Sample: