|
 |
The Gauntlet: Earthshaker |
 |
|
|
 |
With the explosion of interest in Japanese Metal bands in Europe during the mid 80's a crop of acts broke into international recognition including EARTHSHAKER. EARTHSHAKER are almost unique in maintaining a stable line up, although they have added keyboard player Toshio Egawa from famed Progressive Rock trio GERARD, and are still a popular concert draw in Japan. The band was formed by guitarist Shinchiro Isihara and named after the famous Y&T album, relocated to San Francisco to have their debut album produced by IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith. The band's 1983 album 'Earthshaker' received excellent reviews and received a European release through the British Music For Nations label.
'Fugitive', again licensed to Music For Nations and with a guesting Mitchell Froom of GAMMA on keyboards, also scored well. 'Midnight Fright' would be the band's last European release as EARTHSHAKER retired to Japan in the late 80's, going from strength to strength in their homeland.
In 1994 Shinichiro Ishihara forged side act SLY, a high profile union with ousted LOUDNESS singer Minoru Niihara, BLIZZARD bassist Koichi Terasawa and LOUDNESS drummer Munetaka Higuchi, this unit releasing four albums. Vocalist 'Marcy' Masafumi Nishida released a solo album and toured Japan in 2000. EARTHSHAKER's 'Birthday' album arrived in November 2001. Drummer Yoshihirio Kudo would team up with the erstwhile DEEP PURPLE pairing of GLENN HUGHES and JOE LYNN TURNER for their HUGHES TURNER PROJECT tour of Japan in May of 2002.
During 2004 guitarist Shinichiro Ishihara united with former MARINO man Reibun Ohtani to perform an acoustic live set, captured on the April release 'Rock Ballads: Secret Live At Tokyo'. For this outing the pair gave their take on such tracks as AEROSMITH's 'Dream On', GARY MOORE's 'Parisienne Walkways', JOURNEY's 'Open Arms' and WHITESNAKE's 'Is This Love'.
|
|
|
