ISW
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Artist Profile
ISW
**ISW**
Formed in 2010, a street punk band from Koza, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture.
Guitarist/Vocalist Mike (originally from Yokohama) ran away to Okinawa at the age of 20, settled down in Koza, and formed the band centered around himself.
From the very beginning, they performed nearly 100 local shows a year, mainly at rock bars around the American military bases.
They appeared at rock festivals in Okinawa Prefecture and the U.S. base outdoor rock festival "ROCKTOBER FEST" for three consecutive years. In 2013, they released their 1st EP *VIVA FIASCO* nationwide through Tokyo's STARTING OFF RECORDS.
They shared the stage with bands such as WANIMA, HEY-SMITH, OVER ARM THROW, SiM, ROACH, SHANK, EGG BRAIN, Minor League, BUZZ THE BEARS, SHACHI, UZUMAKI, and others.
Later, TAKIRO joined as lead guitarist, turning the band into a four-piece. They left the Tokyo label and signed with Australia's BRIDGE SOUNDS RECORDS, changing the band name to **ISW**.
That same year, they held their own two-stage outdoor event "KOKO FEST" at Koza Music Town in Okinawa City, drawing nearly 500 people and achieving great success.
They toured Japan with fellow BRIDGE SOUNDS label band THE BENNIES.
While frequently touring outside Okinawa Prefecture and overseas (USA, Hong Kong, Taiwan), they kept their main base of operations in Okinawa and built their own live house/recording studio "SLUM BAR" to further pursue their music activities.
In 2015, following a member change, they announced the release of a full album.
Originally planned for distribution only in Australia, but due to many requests from Japanese kids for a Japan release, they launched their own label **Fuck Off Records** and released it in Japan.
Around this time, they released the music video for "No you no here."
In 2016, they released three consecutive music videos: "In my case," "Upside down," and "Never Enough."
In 2017, they toured California (14 shows total, from San Francisco to San Diego) with Heartless Folk, Hummer Bombs, and others.
That same year, YOSHIKAZU joined on drums. Soon after, under the direction of HIGE FILM, they released the music video for "Just The Way We Are," featuring Okinawan skater Chris Matayoshi. It gained attention among skaters in Okinawa and beyond, mainly via SNS (especially Twitter).
In 2018, despite repeated member changes, they refused to slow down the number of live shows or release pace, so they also performed as a three-piece during transitions. Tokyo native Yuto (Ba/Vo) joined.
They began holding their regular event "MASHUP NIGHT" on the first Saturday of every month at their own SLUM BAR, inviting guests from mainland Japan.
Past performers include: ANGER FLARES, THE DISASTER POINTS, SOBUT, BOMB FACTORY, DOINGLIFE, OWEAK, Jolly Bobby SEX, and many more.
In 2019, they released the EP *Crazy on the downhill* (distributed exclusively through HOLIDAY! RECORDS).
That same year, they released another EP *ACROSS THE STREET*, putting out two releases in one year (this one also exclusively through HOLIDAY! RECORDS).
In 2020, they performed at
614 & Japonicus presents
"FIGHT FOR RIGHTS"
Special Edition in OKINAWA.
Along with touring band WILLIS DRUMMOND from the Basque Country, DJs included Fujii Satoru, CARIBBEAN DANDY, TXAKO, and others.
They continue to be active to this day.
Genre: Rock
MEMBER
mikeRole: Vocals