Gastunk

Gastunk
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1983
Founder	Baby
Headquarters	Tokyo, Japan
Products	Music albums, singles, EPs, live albums, videos
Website	gastunk.com

Gastunk (often stylized as GASTUNK) is a seminal Japanese rock ensemble that was first active between 1983 and 1988. Initially rooted in hardcore punk, guitarist Tatsu remarked that their debut under a major label caused the press to categorize them as heavy metal. The band reunited for concerts in 1999 and 2006 before fully recommencing their activities in 2010.

History

Established in 1983 by bassist Baby, Gastunk experienced multiple lineup adjustments during their formative years. In 1984, they contributed three tracks to the compilation Holdup Omnibus. Their self-titled EP was released in February 1985, followed by the album Dead Song in August of the same year. That August also saw their appearance on NHK's Indies no Shūrai and a performance at an event sponsored by Takarajimasha. In 1986, Gastunk issued the single "Geronimo" along with two EPs titled The Vanishing Signs and To Fans, and took part in the Indies Festival held at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall. The album Under the Sun, featuring cover artwork by Tadanori Yokoo, was launched in June 1987; an international edition with artwork by Pushead was released in November. Their third studio album, Mother, was recorded in Los Angeles and came out in June 1988. At the Street Fighting Man event at MZA Ariake that November, Gastunk announced their breakup due to Baby’s intention to pursue opportunities in the United States. Their final concert was held at Shibuya Public Hall on December 22, 1988.

Gastunk reunited in January 1999 for a tribute concert named Rest in Peace at Akasaka Blitz, honoring the late musician hide. This show was later issued as a live album and subsequently on DVD. They performed again in 2006 during Shinjuku Loft’s 30th anniversary celebration before officially resuming full activities in January 2010. Their first new release after a 22-year hiatus was the three-track single "Deadman's Face," which debuted on June 9, 2010.

Drummer Pazz, who had joined the band in 1986, departed in September 2019 and was succeeded by Kei from Tatsu’s project The Deadrocks in August 2020. Gastunk unveiled Vintage Spirit, The Fact, their first full-length album in over three decades, on June 9, 2021. On August 31, 2022, vocalist Baki unexpectedly left the group; consequently, four scheduled shows were canceled but the band affirmed that they would continue their activities. In August 2023, Kei exited and was replaced by Motokatsu Miyagami, formerly of The Mad Capsule Markets; Gastunk then entered the studio to work on new recordings.

The refreshed lineup featuring Baby and Tatsu sharing vocal duties made their live debut on November 30 and December 1, 2024. Their album The Greatest Swell followed shortly after on December 11. In February 2025, Motokatsu announced his departure following their March concert, later revealing he had not received payment during his time with the band but joined to support friends. On October 19, Tatsu revealed that new drummer Maruo would make his debut at their December concert at Shinjuku Samurai.

Influence

Gastunk is widely acknowledged as trailblazers who merged elements of metal and punk music. They are also recognized for a visual aesthetic connected to visual kei, with vocalist Baki’s white face paint drawing inspiration from Kiss and Tatsu’s distinctive red hair.

Notable artists such as Hide, Hyde, and Hakuei of Penicillin have cited Gastunk as an influence or expressed admiration for them. Morrie credited Baki’s alternating use of distorted and clean vocals as influential on his own singing style. Early in his career, Aki of Laputa adopted Gastunk’s approach of incorporating rare kanji characters into lyrics.

Members

Present lineup

Baby – bass guitar, vocals 1983–1988, 1999, 2006, 2010–current (The Execute, The Highest Region, Rebel Tribe)
– guitar, vocals 1983–1988, 1999, 2006, 2010–current (Dead Cops, Jacks 'n' Joker, The Eye Scream, The Killing Red Addiction, Punktronica, The Deadrocks)
– drums 2025–current (Clingon)

Past members

Naoki – guitar 1983 (The Comes, Lip Cream) Deceased 2021
Yutaka – lead vocals 1983–1984 (Dead Cops under the name "Otakevi")
Matsumura – drums 1983–1986 (The Comes)
Kill – drums 1984
Shigeru "Pazz" Kobayashi – drums 1986–1988, 1999, 2006, 2010–2019 (Z.O.A., Doom, Quartergate, I love you... OK?)
– vocals 1984–1988, 1999, 2006, 2010–2022 (Lip Cream, The Execute, Joy, Quartergate, No. 9, Mosquito Spiral)
Kei – drums 2020–2023 (The Jacks, The Deadrocks)
– drums 2023–2025 (The Mad Capsule Markets, Ace of Spades)

Studio albums

Dead Song (August 1985)
Under the Sun (June 21, 1987; US edition December 1987)
Mother (June 21, 1988)
Vintage Spirit, The Fact (June 9, 2021), Oricon Albums Chart Peak Position: No. 24
The Greatest Swell (December 11, 2024)

EPs

Gastunk (February 1985)
The Vanishing Signs (May 1, 1986)
To Fans (July 1986)
Midnight Rain (November 18, 1988), Peak Position: No. 82

Singles

"Mr. Gazime" (December 1985)
"Geronimo" (March 30, 1986)
"Sunshine of Your Love" (December 16, 1988), Oricon Singles Chart Peak Position: No. 85
"Counter-Clock Wise" (June 1988)
"Dead Song" (1989; featured in Rockin' f magazine)
"Deadman's Face" (June 9, 2010), Peak Position: No. 128

Live albums

The End (February 21, 1989), Peak Position: No. 82
Rest in Peace (March 25, 1999)
Live at Loft 2011 (limited cassette release in 2018)

Compilation albums

Heartful Melody (1983-1988) (1994)
Early Singles (August 21, 2002)

Home videos

Smash the Wall (VHS:1988; DVD:2004)
Revelation (VHS:1988; DVD:2006)
The End Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 (March 25, 2004)
Rest in Peace (February 23, 2005)
Gig DVD 1987 (November 8, 2006)
Double Gigs (August 6, 2008)
Gig DVD 1988 (April 21, 2010)
Arise Again Tour 2010 (November 17, 2010)
The Running Mad Blood in a Dead Indian's Dream! (2 DVDs & CD; February 6, 2019), Oricon DVDs Chart Peak Position: No. 54

External links