// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhy did Spectrum's music go viral? It was on the right wavelength.
SPECTRUM | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Brass rock |
| Years active | 1979–1981 |
| Label | Victor |
| Spinoff of | Horn Spectrum |
SPECTRUM was a Japanese brass rock band that formed in Spring 1979 and broke apart following their final concert in September 1981. The complete line-up was Ichirō Nitta and Jun'ichi Kanesaki on trumpet, Tetsu Nakamura on saxophone, Toshiyuka Yoshida on trombone, Shinji Nishi on guitar, Atsuo Okamoro on drums, Keiichi Oku on keyboard, and Takuro Konno on percussion.
History
[edit]Formation
[edit]Trumpeters Ichirō Nitta and Jun'ichi Kanesaki, with saxophonist Tetsu Nakamura were part of Horn Spectrum, a horn-only group emerging from musicians surrounding Music Mate Players (MMP).[1] Nitta had wanted to form a band was looking for the opportunity while at Amuse. After Southern All Stars debuted and achieved success in 1978, Nitta, Kanesaki, and bassist Naoki Watanabe made a demo tape at the end of 1978. In Spring 1979, five more musicians joined and producing the eight-member lineup for SPECTRUM. The five members were trombone player Toshiyuki Yoshida, then a member of Harada Shinji's band, guitarist Shinji Nishi, then a member of MMP, drummer Atsuo Okamoro, then a member of Ai-do associated with Hamada Shōgo, keyboardist Keiichi Oku, and percussionist Takuro Konno.[2] These eight members then constituted SPECTRUM, and they began recording their first album in Los Angeles, California on 12 May 1979.[3]
Debut
[edit]On 7 June 1979, SPECTRUM had wrapped up recording their debut album utilising LA Warner Studio at 11114 Cumpston Street, North Hollywood. They also used a second studio for overdubbing and mixing, Amigo Studios also located on Cumpston Street.[3] During the recording, Bobby Hata was the principal American recording engineer, with Hideo Takada as another recording engineer while Yuki Sugawara participated as a supporting percussionist.[4] When Takada travelled to the United States as part of the Japanese production team, he encountered recording-equipments configurations from what he was accustomed to in Japan.[3]
On 22 July, SPECTRUM made their first performance at Seibu Stadium in Tokorozawa, Saitama under event name 80's JAM OVER JAPAN. Nippon Broadcasting System served as the broadcaster, which was celebrating its 25th anniversary at the time.[5] On 25 August, the band released the album, SPECTRUM under label Victor and distributed by Victor Music Industries, Inc.[4] At the time, the band combined a three-piece horn front line, 16-beat arrangements, falsetto vocals, and elaborate choreography. Victor described them as an exceptionally distinctive act, while industry opinion described them as being "three years too early" and that Japanese audiences supposedly only liked 8-beat music.[6]
Optical Sunrise (1979 - 1980)
[edit]On 12 September 1979, SPECTRUM began recording their second album at Victor Studio, Aoyama, and Hitokuchizaka Studio, Ichigaya in Tokyo. This time, recording engineer Takada was entirely responsible for the recording the album. It was also the first album where Konno was the band's regular percussionist, formally joining before the recording of it. On 28 October, the band held a debut concert tour titled SPECTRUM SHOCK beginning at Osaka Koseinenkin Hall. They then toured at Aichi Kinrō Kaikan on 1 November, and lastly at Nippon Seinenkan in Tokyo on the 13th that month. On 18 January 1980, the band wrapped up recording their album. It was released on 5 March 1980 under Victor, under title OPTICAL SUNRISE, also known as SPECTRUM 2. The album had a track list of seven songs, which as follows: Side A: MOTION, F.L.Y, 侍S (SAMURAI S), IN THE SPACE, and Side B: ミーチャン GOING TO THE HOIKUEN, SONG, and SUNRISE. [3] SUNRISE would become famous as the entrance theme associated with professional wrestler Stan Hansen. It was also adopted as a high-school baseball cheering song.[7] Another song, IN THE SPACE was used in a Matsushita Electric Industrial commercial for the Technics SPACE-7 component stereo.[8]
Time Break (1980)
[edit]Takada served as the recording engineer in the recording of SPECTRUM's third album. It was released on 21 November 1980 under Victor, and was more ambitious than the first two. Its first half was largely instrumental and forms a large-scale suite. The album had a track list of six songs, which is listed as follows: TIME BREAK, ACT-1, ACT-2, ACT-3, 夜明け(アルバ) (Yoake / Alba), and あがき (Agaki). Yoake was also released as a single and was used as the advertising song for Seiko Watch's ALBA watch brand originally launched in 1979.[9][10][3]
Dissolution
[edit]When members began to diverge in their views, especially with the differences of opinions between Nitta and the other members. At the time, band's management sought a major commercial hit, and Nitta tried to adapt its direction without abandoning its identify. However, other members increasingly objected and the internal disagreement became unmanageable. By the time TIME BREAK was released, they had considered dissolution which was settled on by mid-1981. Instead of immediately breaking apart, they planned to stage a final concert in September. The band ceased recording further albums following the 5 July concert at Shinjuku Kōsei Nenkin Kaikan.[11] In August, Amuse had deliberately gave the members a break to plan their individual careers, ahead of the final concert. On 17 September, their final Osaka concert was held at Osaka Festival Hall, titled 「哀しきブラスバンドクラブ」スペクトラム・ラスト・コンサート ("The Sad Brass Band Club" — Spectrum’s Last Concert).[12]
Final Concert
[edit]On 22 September 1981, SPECTRUM held the final concert at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, featuring the complete lineup. The concert had a ticket price of ¥3,000 and began at 18:30.[11][13] Keisuke Kuwata appeared as a guest as opening MC, introducing each band member whilst the band's opening song, Samba in F played. Following the concert, the SPECTRUM broke apart after two years of activity. The concert was recorded live and was released as the final album on 15 November, under the title SPECTRUM 6 (SPECTRUM FINAL).[14]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| SPECTRUM |
|
| SPECTRUM 2 OPTICAL SUNRISE |
|
| SPECTRUM 3 TIME BREAK |
|
| SPECTRUM 4 SECOND NAVIGATION |
|
| SPECTRUM 5 SPECTRUM BRASSBAND CLUB |
|
Live albums
[edit]| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| SPECTRUM 6 SPECTRUM FINAL |
|
Singles
[edit]| Title | Single details |
|---|---|
| トマト・イッパツ / ロリータ |
|
| イン・ザ・スペース / アクトショー (Live Version) |
|
| F・L・Y / ミーチャン Going to the Hoikuen |
|
| SUNRISE / SONG |
|
| 夜明け（アルバ） / やすらぎ (Love for You) |
|
| Night Night Knight / Paradise |
|
References
[edit]- ↑ "残像 アフター・イマージュ - 新田一郎・二番（生産限定紙ジャケット仕様）". VIVID SOUND. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- ↑ "スペクトラム、「F・L・Y」が海外で快進撃 新田一郎のコメントも到着". CDJournal. 7 March 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "ろ紹介20／『スペクトラム(+4)／スペクトラム』『オプティカル･サンライズ(+3)／スペクトラム2』". Stereo Sound ONLINE. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- 1 2 "モンテアプリ". PR TIMES. 2 March 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- ↑ "イン・ザ・スペ～～ス♪古代ローマの戦士・バイキングを思わせる『スペクトラム』が懐い！！". Middle Edge. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "スペクトラム". ビクターエンタテインメント. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- ↑ "ブラス・ロックバンドの最高峰 スペクトラム オリジナルアルバム全5作を完全生産限定で世界初SACD化決定！" (PDF). Tower Records. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- ↑ "第52回放送 音楽プロデューサー・田村充義を迎えて（前篇）". FMおだわら「午前0時の歌謡祭」. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- ↑ "セイコー腕時計の歴史". セイコーウオッチ. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- ↑ "TIME BREAK (+2)＜タワーレコード限定/完全限定盤＞／スペクトラム". TOWER RECORDS ONLINE. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- 1 2 山川敦司 (14 November 2022). "プロレスファン熱狂！キャンディーズのバックバンドは色物扱いされ…/日本音楽シーン「名作裏面史」". アサ芸プラス. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- ↑ "『魔神英雄伝ワタル』＆『魔神英雄伝ワタル２』兼崎順一＆吉田俊之インタビューがコンプリート・サウンドトラック ブックレットから一部公開〖後編〗". SPICE. 20 January 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- ↑ "日本武道館 1980-1984". livehis. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- ↑ "Concert Data: As a Band Member". Okamocchi Workshop. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
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