July 31, 2019

Hibushibire Turn On, Tune In, Freak Out!

9.5 / 10 Psychedelic Rock Meltdown!

Hibushibire Turn On, Tune In, Freak Out! “Holy shit this album kicks ass!” flying at 150 mph hour down the psychedelic rock highway with ripping guitars, and an amazing rhythm section. This album is not the mild psychedelic rock, it is tooth grinding, eye watering, tight hard rock with dynamics which climax in freak-out psychedelic rock. Turn on, Tune In, Freak Out! is the seocnd album from Hibushibire released on Riot Season Records.

The bass playing and drums are technical but never out awkward. The tight starts and stops can adjust your spine with pin point accuracy. This album has virtuosic technical playing but it never comes off as pretentious; they are focused on the overall effect of the music and strike a harmony with-in these fascinating and dense arrangements.

Hibushibire Turn On, Tune In, Freak Out! Was recorded in a few days at Helluva Lounge in late 2018. This was the second run at recording this album. The first time the band resolved to record and mix the album themselves, however, the process did not end with the results they desired. They scrapped the project and looked for outside help at Helluva Lounge. They had a contract deadline which was fast approaching and speed was of the essence. The mixing process was becoming a lynch pin and they reached out to Kawabata Makoto of Acid Mothers Temple for help.

Kawabata Makoto did production and mixing on Hibushibire’s first album Freak Out Orgasm! The linear notes of Turn On, Tune In, Freak Out! Describe the process as follows:

“Kawabata had said that he would no get involved in the production of this album, but he decided to take on the work in spite of his busy schedule, and after twists and turns, completed the production in January of 2019. He could not have any preparation in advance, he did know nothing about how things were going through the recording, and moreover there was little time left for mixing, but his technique of mixing was so mighty and almost destructive. He said to ChangChang during the mixing process, ‘Listen carefully! I am teaching how to work Magic.” He completed the work, literally.

Hibushibire is From Osaka, Japan a town with one music venue. Changchang is the founding member and struggled for a long time to get a steady line-up and has played with a rotating cast of fine rockers. For this album the band is ferocious and professional. Hani aka 821 on Bass has played in over 10 bands including Hawkroses, Jojo Hiroshige, Starry, Jigkuhen, and more. Ryu Matsumoto on drums member of Haizara a wild electro-jazz-rock band. Changchang is on guitar and voice and is the founder of the band.

Hibushibire Turn On Tune In Freak Out!
Hibushibire Turn On, Tune In, Freak Out! Is next level psychedelic experimental rock done in a distinctly Japanese style. This album has the potential to be an underground classic and is mercilessly energized with all the contemporary Japanese psych-rock hooks. The band is at home with Acid Mothers Temple, Kawabata Makoto, RUINS, Sundays and Cybele, Night Beats, and the heavier moments of Kikagaku Moyo. This album is wild and so good!