Apryl Fool
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1969 |
| Defunct | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Rock music, albums |
Apryl Fool (エイプリル・フール) was a Japanese rock ensemble established in 1969. They issued a single album in September of that year and dissolved merely a month afterward. Subsequently, two of its members went on to create the folk rock group Happy End.
Outline
Apryl Fool originated from Floral, a band formed by the Japanese Monkees Fan Club in February 1968.[1] Floral made its debut under Nippon Columbia in August 1968, amid the popularity of the Group Sounds movement.[2] Following creative disagreements that caused Floral's breakup, Apryl Fool was established on April 1, 1969, incorporating new members bassist Haruomi Hosono and drummer Rei Matsumoto. The band's name was inspired by their April 1 founding date and their aspiration for artistic independence.[2]
Hiroyoshi Yanagida, a principal member, found his musical influences in American and British art and psychedelic rock bands such as Iron Butterfly, Vanilla Fudge, and The Doors. In contrast to Japan's prevalent guitar-driven blues rock groups of 1969 like (The Golden Cups, Blues Creation, The Mops), Apryl Fool’s style was regarded as avant-garde.[3] They were among the trailblazers of Japan’s "new rock" scene that embraced Anglo-American rock elements.
Their only album, The Apryl Fool, was released on September 27, 1969. Sean Westergaard of AllMusic characterized it as "an excellent blend of hard psych and blues-rock".[4] The record features a rendition of Bob Dylan’s "Pledging My Time". Just two songs are performed in Japanese ("Suite: Mother Earth" and "Dark Sunday"), reflecting the band's belief that English lyrics were vital for global appeal.[5] According to Pitchfork, the Japanese-language tracks are "imbued with lysergic energy."[6]
Apryl Fool’s final performance took place in Ginza on October 26, 1969, before they disbanded. The following day, Hosono and Matsumoto launched Happy End, initially under the name Blue Valentine. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of his first release with Apryl Fool, Hosono issued Hochono House in March 2019, a reimagined version of his debut solo album.[7]
Members
- Chu Kosaka – lead vocals
- Eiji Kikuchi – guitar
- Hiro Yanagida – keyboards
- Haruomi Hosono – bass guitar
- Rei Matsumoto – drums
Studio albums
- Apryl Fool (September 27, 1969) – Columbia LP: YS-10068-J
Extended plays
- Love & Banana with (ラブ&バナナ, late 1969) – Musicolor LP: unnumbered
The Floral
A precursor group to Apryl Fool, associated with a company specializing in picture disc production. Kosaka, Kikuchi, and Yanagida were part of this band.
- Namida Wha Hanabira (, August 1968) – Musicolor / Nippon Colombia EP:MA1
- "Tears are Petals"
- Suiheisen No Bara (), "Roses on the Horizon"
- Samayou Hune (, October 1968) – Musicolor / Nippon Colombia EP:MA2
- "A Wandering Ship"
- Ai No Memory (), "Memories of Love"
See also
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