Boredoms

Boredoms are an experimental and noise rock group from Osaka, Japan, active from 1986. They are also known as V∞redoms. The band begins with early bedroom tape experiments in 1982, then forms officially in 1986.

Style and development

The group starts as a dada-influenced “no-core” noise-punk act, then moves through harsh punk, psychedelic krautrock, and later forms of repetitive minimalism, ambient music, tribal drumming and trance-rock. Their music remains strongly linked to noise rock, psychedelic rock, neo-psychedelia, experimental rock, electronic and Japanese rock traditions, but it is also described as hard to classify because of its changing sound and use of performance-driven noise.

In its early period, the band works with violent, noisy punk and no wave thrash, with heavy studio editing. Their later records move towards a warmer, more rhythmic sound, and their releases split between standard Boredoms records and the Super Roots series. The band also performs and records under the V∞redoms name, with a stripped-down live format centred on three drummers and Yamataka Eye adding vocals and sound effects.

Line-up and members

Yamataka Eye is the closest the group has to a frontman and is associated with screams, babbling, electronic effects and heavy post-production. Yoshimi P-We appears on many recordings and serves as drummer, singer and trumpeter. The group’s line-up changes frequently and many members use stage names. Members associated with the band include 竹谷郁夫, 山本精一, YoshimiO, Chew Hasegawa, Kazuhisa Iida, 千住宗臣, 増子真二, 吉川豊人, ATR, Yamataka Eye, John McSwain, 田畑満, 楯川陽二郎 and Hira.

Earlier members and collaborators include Ikuo Taketani, Tabata Mitsuru, Hosoi Hisato, Makki Sasarato, Yoshikawa Toyohito, Seiichi Yamamoto and Kazuya Nishimura, also known as Atari. Tabata later joins Zeni Geva, while Seiichi Yamamoto’s side project Rovo is one of the best-known related acts. Eye also works with John Zorn, and Yoshimi P-We’s OOIOO is another major associated project.

Recordings and related work

The band records the single track “U.S.A.” for a compilation tape before changing its name to Boredoms, taking the name from the Buzzcocks song “Boredom”. Their early official EP is Anal by Anal, and their first full-length album is Osorezan no Stooges Kyo. Later releases include Chocolate Synthesizer, Pop Tatari, Super æ and Vision Creation Newsun. Super Roots 5 is described as a turning point in the group’s shift towards a warmer, more expansive sound.

The band’s work with film also includes soundtrack music for Ichi the Killer, credited under the name Karera Musication. Their live activity includes performances augmented by a choir, as well as the large-scale “Boadrum 77” performance with 77 drummers.

Live reputation

From the beginning, Boredoms are associated with unpredictable live shows, costume changes and improvisation. Hanatarash, the earlier noise/performance art act led by Eye, is noted for destructive performances involving power tools and industrial machinery, and that approach influences the earliest Boredoms material. Across their career, the group combines noise, free jazz, improvisation, motorik rhythm, ritualistic drumming and heavily edited studio work into a large and unusually varied catalogue.