Stone Deaf

Stone Deaf, a 3-piece rock band hailing from Tokyo , Japan will have you fixated from the first listen. Stone Deaf features Yukio on guitar, Koujiro on bass, and Ai on drums with all the members contributing to vocal duties. Yukio is the main lyricist and vocalist though. It?fs also nice to see that drummer, Ai, if you didn?ft realize by the name is a female, which is rare to see.

While they dub themselves as a ?gBritish influenced Japanese 3-piece rock band?h, an appropriate title, there is more to them as they bring elements of stoner rock. The music is quite groovy with twangy guitar and at times Opeth-esque instrumentation. However, their music isn?ft complex or technical as there are a mere three members. The band rocks out and bring straightforward songs as their influences range from The Beatles to The Clash to U2. The band tends to rely more on the music.

Their lyrics are a bit odd and they focus on repetition and first person references. ?gHot Shot Cool Cut?h and Superstitious?h were two tracks featured on their EPK and they were great. ?gHot Shot?h had the lyrics ?gThere was this whole kind a punk rock folk scene/And noise music chaos poetry underground basement?h. The song lyrics really fit with the music and ?gSuperstitious?h clocked in at 7 minutes, providing a nice easy, rocking tune.

The band formed in 2003 and released their first ep in December 2003. They went on to tour in New York a year later. Playing at such clubs as the legendary CBGB?fs and Arlene?fs Grocery. November 2005 saw the band focused and driven as they finally released their self titled album on Hardon Records, which they self produced. With the new release they prepared to embark on a Japanese tour with Marky Ramone for two weeks last month. Stone Deaf is definitely a band to look out for because it?fs not too often there?fs a Japanese rock band coming around. Oh, also be sure to check out their site, it?fs quite creative.
By: Star Child - North-East In-Tune Magazine Star Child