Monsters of Shamisen

[gurdymonkey]

bovil wants to blame me for the Yoshida Brothers. I'm not sure what he's blaming me for or why, especially as they're fabulous musicians, but as long as he's blaming me for the Yoshida Brothers, I shall defend myself with Monsters of Shamisen. I saw Mike Penny (the redhead) with Fishtank Ensemble last spring here in Berkeley and his shamisen chops are impressive!!!! 

...and Fishtank Ensemble, while we're at it! So there. Nyah.

Comments

Here Be Monsters....

[shalmestere.livejournal.com]

Looking over my shoulder, hudebnik asks, "What are they using for plectra?" (They look like car scrapers, but that would be unwieldy :-D)

Re: Here Be Monsters....

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

Those are called bachi and they're traditional shamisen plectra.
http://www.kotosandmore.com/images/Shamisen/Tsugaru/Tsu_kouki_sm.jpg will give you a better look at the "car scraper".

The ones used for biwa are even bigger!
http://ermengardis.com/blogm/culture_jp/biwa.jpg

Re: Here Be Monsters....

[takadai-no-tora.livejournal.com]

There used to be a show on Japanese TV from LA featuring an assassin who did people in with a sharpened bachi...

[bedouinchick.livejournal.com]

Totally groovin' on Fishtank Ensemble; it agrees with my "Middle Eastern ear" with that Rom undercurrent. Love it -- gotta get some of that!!!

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

They're on iTunes. I just downloaded "Samurai Over Serbia" last night. You might also like Luminescent Orchestrii, which is sorta punk Klezmer.