FUNKIST

FUNKIST (ファンキスト) is a japanese band formed by 7 members.

Members

• Saigo Someya 染谷西郷 (vocal)
• Miyata Taiji 宮田泰治 (electric guitar)
• Yoshirou ヨシロウ (electric guitar)
• Yoko Kasugai 春日井陽子 (flute)
• Jotaro (bass)
• Ogachi オガチ (Percussion)
• Jyu Shoku 住職 (Drums)

Information

Coming together in 2001, FUNKIST is a 7-member band consisting of 2 guitars, bass, drums, percussion, flute and vocals. They are a live band in the truest sense of the word, playing over 100 gigs every year, not only in Japan but South Africa, Asia, India, among many other countries spread out across the world. The African influenced melody, beats and rhythms stemming from vocalist Saigo Someya’s South African heritage is what created the borderless musical style FUNKIST is known for. Their themes ranging from everyday life to world crisis, combined with their ‘laughs and cries’ attitude has earned them legions of fans the world over and their audience typically combines people of all ages and all races. After performing a successful one man show at Shibuya AX in April 2008, they carved their message and song into the hearts of the 6000 people gathered at the Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War in May the same year. Their major debut single, ‘mygirl’ released on 16th July, topped the PIA customer satisfaction charts at No.1. Since then, after also gathering over 1000 people to their show on a sub-stage at the Kyoto Daisakusen Festival organized by 10-FEET, the FUNKIST wind is steadily and strongly flowing across Japanese music fans.

Discography

Albums

• [2009.02.18] SUNRISE7

Singles

• [2008.07.16] my girl
• [2008.12.03] BORDER
• [2009.09.02] MOONRISE CARNIVAL
• [2009.12.02] Snow fairy
• [2009.03.10] Leyona×FUNKIST×Latyr Sy "MAMA AFRICA"
• [2010.04.28] ft.／Peace Ball (ピースボール)

DVDs

• [2010.03.10] South Africa ni Thank You tsua (South AfricaにThank Youツアー Thank You to tour South Africa)