Jad Fair and Jason Willett of legendary art-punk band Half Japanese premiere the first video from their new album as a duo tothis week. The video was hand-animated by Jad Fair using his signature cutout art.
The 18-track album sees the longtime bandmates return hot on the heels of Half Japanese’s 2014 album Overjoyed, which was the band’s first recording in over 13 years.
In keeping with Half Japanese’s tradition of all songs being “either love songs or monster songs,” Jad & Jason’s latest effort vacillates between these lyrical themes throughout with Fair on vocals and “occasional instruments” (mostly guitar) and Willett on “other instruments.” Drag City artist Michael Evans plays drums on title track “The Greatest Power.”
In 1974, with his brother David, Jad Fair co-founded the lo-fi alternative rock group Half Japanese. Over the ensuing three decades, Half Japanese released nearly 30 records, and in the process, attracted a solid base of fans passionate about the band’s pure, unbridled enthusiasm for rock and roll. Jad also performs and records as a solo artist, and occasionally collaborates with such musicians as Daniel Johnston, Danielson, Teenage Fanclub, Moe Tucker (of Velvet Underground), Yo La Tengo, Steve Shelly and Thurston Moore (of Sonic Youth), John Zorn, Kramer, and more.
The Greatest Power was released on LP, CD and download on December 18, 2015 via Dymaxion Groove Records.
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