Kaneko Jutok RIP

Kaneko Jutok ranks on my short list of the heaviest guitar gods, both solo and as a mighty force behind the great Kousokuya.  What set him apart from his other axe-wielding contemporaries dealing in psychedelic overload was a unique ability to conjure up deep, heavy and spacious atmosphere in silence as much as during his amazing flights. I also think Kousokuya were surely among the Japanese ensembles most influenced by the NYC No Wave movement; his playing spit shards of Teenage Jesus and DNA as much as the West Coast flairs that connected with many of his other countrymen; the recent PSF issue of the band's early 1979 Live at Minor recordings probably affirmed this more than anything (Real Audio of untitled 1st track). It was a great thrill to witness Kaneko-san perform at WFMU in person visiting the Janitor From Mars show back in September 2004, joined by drummer Koji Shimura (White Heaven/Mainliner), and you can hear the archive here. Word is he died very suddenly, having collapsed at a train station. He was only 48.

More Real Audio: "Buried Memories" from Wedged Night, Kaneko's collaborative LP with Kikukawa Takehisa, "Longing For the Ray" from his Solo LP.

Comments

[WmMBerger]

Sad news. Their stuff is really incomparable, heavy and dense, different from Fushitsusha and much meatier than the oft-discussed Les Rallizes Denudes, whose music I've never been able connect with. BTW, the English spelling of their name is "Kousokuya," not "Kousoyuka."

[BrianTurner]

Yes, very dyslexic late night, sorry. Fixed.

[Andy]

3 months late but I just heard about this, after looking through Keiji Haino's site and noticing that he's playing a Jutok tribute concert...sad news...

I saw Kousokuya play a comeback concert in Scotland in 2005 and I feel very lucky to have had the chance to see them live. If you like their stuff make sure to check out Jutok's solo album ("Endless Ruins")...it's an excellent showcase for his primitive heavy-psych style, and many of the songs are oddly affecting in a way I can't quite put my finger on (the hallmark of great music, IMHO)