Yoshi (band)

Murray, Matt, Ian, Chib & Bryan

Yoshi are a 5-piece hip hop/indie/punk/pop hybrid from Dunfermline, Scotland.

History

Formed from the ashes of local bands Sinecure and Cruiser (Cruiser have since re-grouped) their first steps into recording were taken at Rosyths' Substation Studio under the wing of producer Coconut Delight (AKA - Murray MacKay, who also performs backing vocals) where they produced 2 singles - Headphones (B/W - Demo style) and Save the Children (B/W - Rainbow Islands). The singles were released on CD format and Yellow and Blue 7 inch vinyl respectively and received good airplay from both XFM and Radio One.

Influence

Musically the band have stated that they draw influence from old school Hip Hop, 8-bit music and quirky punk and pop bands. They have also expressed a special love for Scottish indie bands (The Yummy Fur, Lung Leg, Laeto etc.)

The band are inspired not only by music but by the computer games that have obsessed them since their first early childhood forays with the Sinclair ZX Spectrum. They have followed video games ever since, right through to developing a healthy present day addiction to PS3's, Xbox 360's and all things Nintendo.

Members

Current

  • Lead Vocals - Bryan Morgan (2007 - Present)
  • Bass Guitar - Matt Dean (2007 - Present)
  • Drums/Vocals - Ian Anderson (2007 - Present)
  • Keys/Guitar - Dayle Morgan (2007 - Present)
  • Programing/Vocals - Murray MacKay (2007 - Present)
  • Guitar/Vocals - Andy McDonald (Jan '09 - Present)

Previous

  • Scott Morgan - Guitar (2007 - Dec '08)
  • John Green - Bass (2007 - 2007)
  • Stevie Harper - Drums (2007 - 2007)
  • Craig Howie - Backing Vocals (2007 - 2009)

Career

In the 1 and a half years Yoshi have been gigging they have played shows from Inverness to London, most notably a gig compared by Irish comedian Andrew Maxwell at the Carling Academy in London which earned them an NME review stating that Yoshi were "really rather ace".

They have played live on Vic Galloway's "Session in Scotland" on BBC radio and were a featured band on Jim Gellatly's XFM program.

They also run Fwoosh Records which has released both the bands singles

Press

NME live review - "Crowding the stage like a funky free-style Happy Mondays (with added steel-drum effects), they fire off the likes of 'Headphones', which sees deep bass grooves [...] through Bar Academy's beer-stained floorboards under a pulsating mass of bodies. It's like The Rapture gone digital, and really rather ace."

Is This Music? "Headphones" single review - "Remember the noise the Super Nintendo made when you sleighed it against your wall whilst taking a whooping at Mario Cart? If not, please allow us to introduce FIFE's leading (well… ok, only) bleep-buggering 8-bit bandits Yoshi. Their debut single 'Headphones' starts with the kind of phat [...] ghettoblasted beat the Beasties favoured back in '92, before a distortion doused keytar (possibly) rattles its way in and announces their fleuro-punk arrival. A heady blitz of acid-house, Manga and Mega Drive digi-pop menace certify it's the maddest thing to come out of Fife since, well, forever"

The Skinny "Save The Children" review - "There must be something in the water over in Rosyth, and these Fifers have been drinking litres of it. Bringing together a lil’ psychedelia and a dash of cartoonish 8-bit, Yoshi eschew electro leanings for a more harmonious sound over hip-hop inclinations. The tracks presented–Save the Children and Rainbow Island–can get a little repetitive, though they only clock in at a mere two and a half minutes each. The formula works best on the latter track, where the crunchy lo-fi beat and electro accents demand a comparison to Enon’s Conjugate the Verbs. But the predominant vibe of the tracks recalls the heyday of the now-defunct Grand Royal roster - chiefly the more funked-up moments of Luscious Jackson or a tuned-down Beastie B-side–and hooks it up to a good-time rhythm for a pleasant stroll of a pop song."

The Sunday Mail "Save the Children" review - "The Fife band's happy, catchy tune sounds like the theme to a Japanese cartoon series. Imagine The Rapture and the Happy Mondays having been spending all their time playing Nintendo and Sega and you get the general idea."

Art Work

Yoshi was conceptualised as a brand, heavily influenced by Japanese video gaming culture (think HU cards). In order to achieve the 8-bit cartoony look they desired they employed artist Emma Geary http://www.pussytat.com to design unique and exclusive characters. These characters have featured on both the bands single releases and T-Shirts.

As the band originally planned to stay faceless these characters were a very important addition to their cannon.

Emma also produced the distinctive Yoshi sticker which can be seen plastered over almost every town in Scotland.

Present

The finishing touches are being put to the bands first full length album. This should be completed shortly with a 2009 release planned.

The album will be available as a free download and on specially designed USB sticks.

Scott Morgan played his last gig with Yoshi in Stirling, 27/12/08. He is leaving to concentrate on a career outside of music.

Andy McDonald has replaced Scott Morgan and is now playing live guitar (Jan '09)

Craig Howies services were not required post Jan 09.

Discography

Singles

  1. A - Headphones, B - Demo Style - 2007 (Fwoosh #01)
  2. A - Save the Children, B - Rainbow Islands - 2008 (Fwoosh #02)
  3. (Unrealeased for public consumption, promotional 3 track single for SXSW)
  4. A -Candyoshi, AA - Headphones , AAA - Infrared - 2009

Albums

  1. Unnamed - 2009 (expected)

Compilation

  1. Carling Supports (Featured track - Demo Style) - 2007

References

See Also

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