Yakuza (Irish band)
Yakuza is an independent Rock band with an interest in experimenting with different aspects of sound.
Formation and early recordings
Yakuza formed in July 1997 with the members hailing from Counties Armagh and Tyrone in the North of Ireland. Percussionist/multi instrumentalist James McDonald joined the band to complete the lineup of Ronan Quinn (Guitar/ Vocals), Philip McKernan (Bass) and David McCann (Guitar/Vocals). However, founding member and long time friend of Ronan, Robert Sneddon, never appeared on the line-up despite his early influences on the band. His departure was said to be one of the best things that has ever happened to Yakuza as he is renowned for being a fiery and argumentative character. He has since gone on to develop computer games.
Relocating to Belfast the band continued to tour and record, through Ireland the U.K. and Europe. Their first record came in the format of an E.P. entitled "Hatemonkey", recorded in 1997 at Dolphin Studios in Belfast.
This was followed by another E.P. entitled "Silent Violent" recorded through the soundmill studios, also in Belfast.
First Album
Yakuza and played consistently from 1999 through to the middle of 2005, at the beginning they were instrumental in establishing a music collective alongside the youth workers in the area. The Collective named "STAMP" allowed the band to meet and work with John O'Neill from The Undertones and recorded two singles in the Derry Based Blast Furnace record studio. They played with many touring bands such as Electric Eel Shock,Milgram,The Undertones,Oxes,Liars,Dead Meadow,Blood Red Shoes,Devastations and played at the launch of the Alternative Ulster Magazine with Therapy?
They used the songs entitled Everyone Thinks I'm a Dinosaur and MaryCan on a split single with the Dundee tunesmiths Mercury Tilt Switch
These songs were the basis of their first album entitled "One Nation Underawed which came out in 2003. The rest of the album was recorded and mixed in Finglas in Dublin with David 'Dubh' Black.
Present Activity
In the summer of 2006 Yakuza recorded their second album in 2di studios in Coalisland. The album was recorded by the band's bassist. They took the record to Portland, Oregon the following year. Here David 'Dubh' Black produced and mixed the album in Jackpot! Studios. It is due for release toward the end of 2009.
Yakuza operate under the label Novarecords.
References
Alternative Ulster 2004 Irish News