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DMBQ
Shinji Masuko of DMBQ at AS220 in Providence, Rhode Island, 2008
Background information
Origin	Tokyo, Japan
Genres	Hard rock rock and roll
Years active	1989 – present
Labels	God?/Drag City
Members	Shinji Masuko Shinji Wada Maki
Past members	Yuka Yoshimura Mana Nishiura Toru Mastui Ryuichi Watanabe
Website	http://www.dmbq.net/

DMBQ is a Japanese rock band from Tokyo, whose name stands for Dynamite Masters Blues Quartet. They are influenced by British and American rock music of the early 1970s, especially bands like The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin.

History

DMBQ was formed in Hokkaido in 1989. The founding members were Shinji Masuko (vocals/guitar), Ryuuichi Watanabe (bass), and Yuka Yoshimura (drums). Shinji Masuko is a well-known journalist in Japan who has regular columns in several music, pornography and subculture magazines. He is a younger brother of Naozumi Masuko, who is a member of Dohatsuten. Yuka Yoshimura was also a member of OOIOO and Hatsuiku Status.

DMBQ began performing in Tokyo in early 1990 and quickly gained notoriety for their psychedelic live performances. In 1995, their debut album Dynamite Masters Blues Quartet was released. In 1997, Toru Matsui (guitar) became a member of the band. In 1999, they contracted with PARCO/Columbia and made their major label debut. In 2002, they contracted with avex trax.

In June 2004, they were supposed to start their first American tour, but Yoshimura left the band just before embarking, and Mana Nishiura (also a member of Shonen Knife) became her replacement. In 2005, they contracted with the American label Estrus/Touch and Go, and toured in the United States.

On November 4, 2005, while driving to a show at New York City's Club Exit, Mana Nishiura died when another vehicle crossed lanes and struck the band's van in southern New Jersey. After recovering from their injuries, DMBQ decided to go back to the US (west coast only) for another mini-tour. In February, 2006, Shinji Wada formally assumed DMBQ's drummer duties.

By 2014, Toru Matsui and Ryuichi Watanabe left DMBQ and Maki (formerly of OOIOO) assumed bass duties. They have continued as a three-piece since then. In February 2018, they released their first new album in 13 years, Keeenly, in Japan. After a Japan tour in March 2018 with Ty Segall and the Freedom band, Segall re-released Keeenly on his own label in the United States. Ty Segall said, "There is no band like DMBQ. They are unique destroyers of sound, and lovers of sonic beauty, existing in the places between. Masters of harsh tone and psychotic rhythm. Keeenly is an alien planet type record, evoking images of landscapes and weather patterns found in other galaxies. Purple wind and green fire.”

Related bands

Former members of DMBQ have formed the bands Tompei & Bishop and Hydro-Guru. Shinji Masuko has also been a member of Boredoms since 2004 and has also served as an instrument designer and live sound technician for Yamantaka Eye. Masuko also formed a solo project called Moan.

Personnel

Current members

• Shinji Masuko - guitar
• Shinji Wada - drums (formerly of King Brothers BROTHERS)
• Maki - bass (formerly of OOIOO)

Former members

• Mana Nishiura - drums
• Yuka Yoshimura - drums (formerly of OOIOO, currently in Catsuomaticdeath and Metalchicks)
• Toru Matsui - guitar
• Ryuichi Watanabe - bass

Partial discography

References

1. MKCL-002 Fable of Thinnerlemon
2. "NEW YORK NIGHT TRAIN - issue 1: DMBQ FATAL VAN ACCIDENT". Newyorknighttrain.com. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
3. "DRAG CITY/GOD? RECORDS KEEENLY PRESS RELEASE". Dragcity.com. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
4. "MOAN Shinji Masuko (DMBQ, Boredoms)". Lightning-usa.com. Retrieved 16 January 2019.

External links

• DMBQ official site
• Official Myspace page
• DMBQ performing in Brooklyn
• DMBQ's Photo Feature in SPIN's Dec. '08 Issue

• Japanese hard rock musical groups
• Musical groups established in 1989
• 1989 establishments in Japan