Tokyo Raid (band)
Encyclopedia
Tokyo Raid is a psyche rock group based in San Francisco, California
. Tokyo Raid was formed by singer-bassist
-guitarist
Ben Utah, organist
Ailene Bui and drummer
Mike Manocchi in 2004. Originally called the Mandarins; guitarist
Dean Taylor
joined and contributed during 2006-2007.
The band changed their name in 2008 with the addition of drummer
Mike Thompson and later guitarist
Tim Kearney. Their sound is referred to as post-grunge/post-psyche and their sound is described as having hypnotic bass lines. Their music is of an aggressive nature; their sound is created largely by heavy use of distortion
and feedback effects
in both Utah’s bass and the angular attack of the guitar. Tokyo Raid are noted for incorporating improvisation into their live performances. In 2005, the band produced two EP’s “Pictures of Prague” and “When the Devil Calls, Tell Him to Take a Number”. The band produced their third EP "Cleopatra" with Scott Tusa in 2006. Guest artists on the EP included Dave Han from Astral
and Cary LaScala from Bellavista
. In 2009, Tokyo Raid released a self-produced, self titled EP, "Tokyo Raid". Tokyo Raid announced in 2010, they had recorded a new set of singles at Tiny Telephone with engineer Ian Pellici (Deerhoof
, Rogue Wave
, Hauschka
). The new songs featured guest artist Kat Downs on piano and organ. She had previously appeared on "Tokyo Raid". In 2011, Ty Gerhardt (the Girlfriend Experience, Songs for Snakes) joined on guitar replacing Kearney.
As Tokyo Raid
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Tokyo Raid was formed by singer-bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
-guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Ben Utah, organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
Ailene Bui and drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Mike Manocchi in 2004. Originally called the Mandarins; guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Dean Taylor
Dean Taylor (musician)
Dean Taylor is an American indie rock guitarist.-The Brian Jonestown Massacre:Taylor is most famous for his work with the neo-psychedelic rock band, The Brian Jonestown Massacre. He was an original member and contributed as a guitarist throughout the band's early career.Taylor was featured in the...
joined and contributed during 2006-2007.
The band changed their name in 2008 with the addition of drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Mike Thompson and later guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Tim Kearney. Their sound is referred to as post-grunge/post-psyche and their sound is described as having hypnotic bass lines. Their music is of an aggressive nature; their sound is created largely by heavy use of distortion
Distortion
A distortion is the alteration of the original shape of an object, image, sound, waveform or other form of information or representation. Distortion is usually unwanted, and often many methods are employed to minimize it in practice...
and feedback effects
Audio feedback
Audio feedback is a special kind of positive feedback which occurs when a sound loop exists between an audio input and an audio output...
in both Utah’s bass and the angular attack of the guitar. Tokyo Raid are noted for incorporating improvisation into their live performances. In 2005, the band produced two EP’s “Pictures of Prague” and “When the Devil Calls, Tell Him to Take a Number”. The band produced their third EP "Cleopatra" with Scott Tusa in 2006. Guest artists on the EP included Dave Han from Astral
Astral (band)
Astral is a dream pop group based in San Francisco, California. Astral was formed by singer-guitarist Dave Han and drummer Shawn in 1999; bassist Amy Rosenoff joined them in 2001. Their vocals are frequently compared to those of The Cure; other influences include My Bloody Valentine and Joy...
and Cary LaScala from Bellavista
Bellavista (band)
Bellavista is a rock band from San Francisco, California, comprising Rex Shelverton, Jeremy Bringetto and Cary LaScala. Shelverton and Bringetto were childhood friends who grew up around Half Moon Bay, in Northern California. Cary La Scala joined the band in 2004...
. In 2009, Tokyo Raid released a self-produced, self titled EP, "Tokyo Raid". Tokyo Raid announced in 2010, they had recorded a new set of singles at Tiny Telephone with engineer Ian Pellici (Deerhoof
Deerhoof
Deerhoof is a musical group consisting of Satomi Matsuzaki, John Dieterich, Ed Rodriguez and Greg Saunier.-Origins:In 1992, Greg Saunier, having recently graduated with a degree in music composition from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, joined a short-lived San Francisco quartet called Nitre Pit, on...
, Rogue Wave
Rogue Wave (band)
Rogue Wave is an indie rock band from Oakland, California, , and headed by Zach Schwartz who created the band after losing his job in the dot-com bust. Their first album was Out of the Shadow which was released privately in 2003 and re-released in 2004...
, Hauschka
Hauschka
Hauschka is the alias of Düsseldorf-based pianist and composer Volker Bertelmann.- Background :Bertelmann's work is based upon an exploration of the possibilities of the prepared piano - a playfully disruptive intervention into the preconceived idea of the piano as a pure-toned, perfected...
). The new songs featured guest artist Kat Downs on piano and organ. She had previously appeared on "Tokyo Raid". In 2011, Ty Gerhardt (the Girlfriend Experience, Songs for Snakes) joined on guitar replacing Kearney.
Other Contributors
- Mike Manocchi- drums, percussion
- Ailene Biu- organ
- Robert Liebsch- drums, percussion
- Tish Cortez- bass
- Ed Sorrell- guitar
- Dean TaylorDean Taylor (musician)Dean Taylor is an American indie rock guitarist.-The Brian Jonestown Massacre:Taylor is most famous for his work with the neo-psychedelic rock band, The Brian Jonestown Massacre. He was an original member and contributed as a guitarist throughout the band's early career.Taylor was featured in the...
- guitar - Dave HanAstral (band)Astral is a dream pop group based in San Francisco, California. Astral was formed by singer-guitarist Dave Han and drummer Shawn in 1999; bassist Amy Rosenoff joined them in 2001. Their vocals are frequently compared to those of The Cure; other influences include My Bloody Valentine and Joy...
- bass (guest artist on Cleopatra EP) - Cary LaScalaBellavista (band)Bellavista is a rock band from San Francisco, California, comprising Rex Shelverton, Jeremy Bringetto and Cary LaScala. Shelverton and Bringetto were childhood friends who grew up around Half Moon Bay, in Northern California. Cary La Scala joined the band in 2004...
- drums (guest artist on Cleopatra EP) - Scott Tusa- drums, ambient noises, guitar
- Kat Downs- piano, organ (guest artist,now with Saints of Ruin and Sit Kitty Sit)
- Tim Kearney - additional vocals, guitars
Discography
As the Mandarins- Pictures of Prague (EP) 2005
- When the Devils Calls, Tell Him to Take a Number (EP) 2005
- Cleopatra (EP) 2006
As Tokyo Raid
- Tokyo Raid (EP) 2009
- Classic Diversion/Room (Single) 2011 (Out of Print)
- Cleopatra Digital Remaster (EP) 2011
- Indulgence (Single Rock Band Network) 2011
- The Fear of Sleeping" (EP) announced for September 2011