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Eastern Youth (FiveOneInc.) w/ Facing New York (FiveOneInc.), The Plastic Constellations (Frenchkiss Records) & Awake and Alert @ The Rhythm Room
Eastern Youth originated in Sapporo, Hokkaido in 1988. After the band moved to Tokyo in 1990, Ninomiya joined eastern youth, thus forming the dynamic lineup we have today. Since then, the band has created their own independent label, "Sakamoto-Shouten," and releases their own materials.
In 1994, in the spirit of showing better live concert in the style of battle of the bands, they started their regular live performance series called "Kyokutoh-Saizensen." They kept both independent releases and the live series honestly and steadily and established the name.
Eastern Youth's originality in lyrics, illustrating their deep respect for the rich Japanese culture and western musical influences, tied in with strong live performances, has led the band to become a legend among the indie rock scene in Japan. In 1996, the band signed to Toy's Factory and released their first single, "Aosugiru-Sora." The single successfully reached a wider audience in Japan. Since then, the band has released three albums and five singles and they were all co-produced by Eddie Ashworth. The lyrics, written by Yoshino and sung in Japanese, are intense literary expressions of emotions and the sense of helpless in the passage in life. Eastern Youth stands out amidst the numerous bands in the current Japanese music scene, who opt to perform in English rather than their mother tongue. Yoshino credits Fugazi, Jawbreaker, Stiff Little Fingers, and Discharge for having an impact in his music background. He also cited Mogwai, Dilan Group, Yo La Tengo as his latest favorites. Although Eastern Youth's sound is punk-based, it's uniquely diverse and complex, despite being only a three-piece band.
In August 2000, the band released the compilation album "Kyokuto-Saizensen" from Sakamoto-Shouten, which features bands like Husking Bee, Bloodthirsty Butchers, Number Girl, and Naht, who joined the series of the show in the past. After embarking on west coast dates with At The Drive-In in the fall of the year, Eastern Youth released new single "Kakato-Naru" in Japan and recorded the new album "Kanjusei Ohtohseyo (Respond sensibility). During the recording in the U.S., they played a few shows with Jimmy Eat World, and later they invited Jimmy Eat World for their "Kyokuto-Saizensen tour" in Japan. After releasing the album "Kanjusei-Ohtohseyo", the band toured the country extensively. In June 2002, Eastern Youth are coming back to the U.S. with long waited the first official U.S. release, "8 Teeth To Eat You ", split CD with Cursive. In the spirit of "Kyokuto-Saizensen", their first national tour with Cursive is scheduled.
