Jagatara

About

Japanese new wave and funk rock band formed by frontman Akemi Edo in 1979. In their early years, the band was originally inspired by early punk, new wave/post-punk and no wave movements. Akemi has mentioned The Stalin and Michiro Endo as his early influences, but also vice versa, they were said to be inspired by each other. Also, James Chance of The Contortions was another major influence of his.

During 1979~1981, the band was initially called エド & じゃがたら (Edo & Jagatara), エド & じゃがたらお春 (Edo & Jagatara-Oharu) and other name variations include 財団呆人じゃがたらお春 (Zaidanhōjin Jagatara-Oharu) and 財団法人じゃがたら (Zaidanhōjin Jagatara).

In April 1981 the band self released their first 7" single "Last Tango In Juku", still under the early name of 財団法人じゃがたら (Zaidanhōjin Jagatara), on their own label Ugly Orphans Records. After the new guitarist Oto (村田尚紀), a former member of Maria 023 joining them in September 1981 Jagatara's music style shifted towards more funk and afrobeat-based rock and they were renamed to 暗黒大陸じゃがたら (Ankoku-tairiku Jagatara). Their first album 南蛮渡来 (Nanban-torai) with Oto on guitar was released in May 1982.

They were once again renamed to simply じゃがたら (Jagatara) in 1983.

The band signed to a major label in 1989. In January 1990 they disbanded after Akemi's death.

Data provided by Discogs