Yakuza
Background information
Also known asChicago Yakuza
OriginChicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Years active1999–present
LabelsCentury Media
Prosthetic
Profound Lore
MembersBruce Lamont
Matt McClelland
Jim Staffel
Ivan Cruz
Past membersEric Plonka
Eric Clark
John E. Bomher Jr.
Websiteyakuzadojo.com

Yakuza is an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1999.[1] They have been acclaimed for their incorporation of jazz and world music elements.

History

Yakuza was formed in 1999. The band debuted with its independently released album Amount to Nothing in 2000. The album was met with acclaim from Terrorizer and the Chicago Sun Times. Yakuza followed its release with a tour alongside Candiria and Burnt by the Sun, eventually leading to a slot on the Vans Warped Tour.

Such exposure led to a record contract and the release of their second album, Way of the Dead, through Century Media Records in 2002. Yakuza then shared the stage with Opeth, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Lacuna Coil and Mastodon. Jazz musician Ken Vandermark guests on the record (a unique live performance from 2002 is on YouTube). While the band received critical acclaim, the record failed to meet sales expectations; as a result, Way of the Dead was the only Century Media release. Eric Plonka parted ways in 2002 to start scientist. In 2005, the band signed with Prosthetic Records; in 2006, Samsara was released.

Samsara was recorded by Matt Bayles (Isis, Botch, Pearl Jam) at Volume Studios in Chicago. Yakuza enlisted a wide variety of musical guests on the album, including pianist Jim Baker, cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm, Sanford Parker, and Mastodon’s Troy Sanders.

Yakuza released Transmutations in 2007. This album incorporates more psychedelic elements alongside stretching, doomy movements and the jazz influences, while also incorporating breakneck grind riffs and grooves. The album features guest performances by world-renowned jazz percussionists Hamid Drake and Michael Zerang. This is unique for the fact that the two rarely play together, except during their annual "Winter Solstice Performances" in Chicago.

In 2010, the band released Of Seismic Consequence, their first album for Profound Lore Records.

In 2012 the band released Beyul again for Profound Lore Records.

Musical style and influences

The Prosthetic record label describes them this way:

Staying deeply rooted in a genre all its own, YAKUZA’s existence lies on a metal base with progressive flair, while somehow also incorporating elements of jazz, world beat, and post-rock ambience.

— [1]

Influence is also noted from King Crimson, John Coltrane, Tortoise, and Napalm Death.[1] Bruce Lamont has discussed an appreciation for Pink Floyd, Huun Huur Tu, Peter Brötzmann, Battles, Enslaved, Brighter Death Now,[2] George Orwell, Ethiopian music, and Blut Aus Nord.[3]

Their musical style has been described as avant-garde metal,[4][5] progressive metal,[6] alternative metal,[7] experimental rock,[8] jazz metal,[9] art metal[10][11][12] and post-metal.[13]

Discography

Band members

Current members

  • Bruce Lamont – saxophone, clarinet, vocals, effects
  • James Staffel – drums, percussion, keyboards
  • Matt McClelland – guitars, vocals
  • Jerome Marshall – bass, vocals

Former members

  • Eric Plonka – guitars, vocals
  • Eric Clark – bass, vocals
  • John E. Bomher – bass
  • Ivan Cruz – bass, vocals

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Yakuza". Prosthetic Records. Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  2. ↑ Hodge, Chris (April 3, 2007). "Yakuza: Chicago's most exotic headbangers: Interview". Sonic Frontiers. Archived from the original on November 20, 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  3. ↑ Jasper (November 2007). "Yakuza | Interview". Lords of Metal. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  4. ↑ Palacios, Julian (2015). Syd Barrett & Pink Floyd: Dark Globe. Plexus Publishing. p. 663. ISBN 978-0-85965-882-9.
  5. ↑ Wall, Patrick (August 19, 2015). "Led Zeppelin 2's Bruce Lamont talks becoming Robert Plant". Indy Week. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  6. ↑ Stosuy, Brandon (June 21, 2010). "Yakuza – "Be That As It May" (Stereogum Premiere)". Stereogum. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  7. ↑ McPadden, Mike (September 8, 2015). "Alt-Metal A To Z: 26 Bands That Define The Genre". VH1. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  8. ↑ York, William. "Yakuza | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  9. ↑ Roche, Jason (August 21, 2019). "Psycho Las Vegas Adds Heavy Metal to An Already Surreal City". LA Weekly. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  10. ↑ Freeman, Phil. "Samsara - Yakuza | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  11. ↑ Freeman, Phil. "Of Seismic Consequence - Yakuza | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  12. ↑ "The Top 10 Arty Metal Bands". LA Weekly. April 11, 2017.
  13. ↑ Terich, Jeff (May 10, 2019). "The 10 Greatest Metal Songs With A Saxophone". Kerrang!. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Yakuza: Of Seismic Consequence". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  15. ↑ Kendrick, Monica (May 17, 2023). "Chicago metal explorers Yakuza return with Sutra, their first album in more than a decade". Chicago Reader. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
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