Fushitsusha at the Empty Bottle
Table of the Elements Festival No. 2: Yttrium
Chicago, Illinois
November 9, 1996
Since 1978, Tokyo’s Fushitsusha have translated spiral galaxy hub / black hole reality into electronic sound via the most immense guitar, bass and drums storms imaginable. Their guitarist Keiji Haino has established himself as the most original, intentionally sloppy, free, loose, soul-soaring and deeply felt guitarist ever. With simple, plodding bass by Yasushi Ozawa and drums by Jun Kosugi acting as a foundation, many uncharted territories of serenity and chaos, lightness and dark were explored at the Empty Bottle through a way overloaded half stack with much true abandon and freedom.
Photos enlarge.
A house packed to the gills, lungs and hot-air balloons was crowded up against the stage—only to be thoroughly spackled, beat, damped down, wrung out and pulled back for more throughout the 90-minute set. Somewhere in the middle of it all, Haino wildly taunted the drummer and bassist further on into the depths of improvland with bells, cymbals and a cane. There were more flashes goin’ off than a Hollywood movie premiere, and someone probably taped it—too bad they’re not my best friend ever. This set was part of the Table of the Elements Festival No. 2: Yttrium.
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More: Keiji Haino + Fushitsusha
Text and photos ©1996 Arcane Candy.
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