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Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ), commonly abbreviated by fans as Skapara or TSPO, is a Japanese Ska and Jazz band officially formed in 1988. At the time, the band's sound was unlike that of any of its contemporaries in the then fledgling Japanese ska scene, and over the course of the past 21 years, their innovation has proved to have been very influential on Japanese music as a whole. Its sound, the product of the musical influences of its numerous members, is an eclectic mix of traditional ska, jazz, and rock. The band’s first release was 1989's eponymous six track EP, released on vinyl by local independent label KOKSAI Records. That record’s acceptance, coupled with the band’s already infamous live shows, got them a deal with EPIC (SONY) Records. Skapara's Intro was released in 1990, and includes their first big hit, Monster Rock. Within a year, the band was playing Tokyo’s respected BUDOKAN arena in front of 10,000 screaming fans. For their next record with new label, AVEX with their imprint JUSTA RECORDS, "Stomping on Downbeat Alley" was released. The album and singles were a huge success and a gig at Yokohama Arena (with all three guest singers) was released as "Downbeat Arena". The band also embarked on a European tour which was documented on the DVD Catch the Rainbow. High Numbers was a more low-profile release, having mostly instrumental tracks, along with Kin-Ichi Motegi’s first lead vocal track, Ginga to Meiro. 2004’s Answer was a similar affair. For 2006’s Wild Peace, the band once again recruited three guest vocalists: Chara, Hanaregumi, and Hiroto Komoto (High Lows). As with Downbeat Alley these singles became huge hits, and the band also recorded a DVD at the final show for the tour, with all three singers. They once again toured Europe with this record. The DVD Smile was released to document this tour. In early 2009 Paradise Blue was released, this marks the 20th anniversary since the band’s first EP was released, and they have been busy touring Japan in support of the album. |
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Notable Venues: Underworld (UK), Mean Fiddler (UK), Jazz Café, (UK), Melkweg (NL), La Laiterie (FR), Le Café de la Danse (FR), Apolo (ES), Riviera (ES), Arena (AT), Backstage (DE), SO36 (DE) and many more... Notable Festivals Shows: Glastonbury Festival (UK), Lowlands, Parkpop , (NL), Roskilde Festival (DK), Summer Jam (DE), Chiemsee Festival (DE), Dour Festival (BE), Cactus Festival (BE), Gurten Festival (CH), St Gallen (CH), Monteux Jazz Festival (CH), Eurockeennes Festival (FR), Rock En Seine (FR), Rototom (IT) and many more... |
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