Mori Shinichi

Mori Shinichi formed his band in 1978, and they released their debut album 'Erimo Misaki' in 1981. The title track became their best-known song, describing the rugged coastline of Cape Erimo in Hokkaido. Other songs like 'Fuyu No Riviera' and 'Minato Machi Blues' also became part of their catalog.

Shinichi grew up in Hokkaido with a father who was a folk singer and a mother who played the shamisen. That background informed the band's sound, which mixed Japanese folk elements with rock arrangements. Their music often referenced northern Japanese landscapes, as heard in songs like 'Hakkoda'.

While 'Erimo Misaki' gained popularity, Shinichi sometimes faced criticism for lyrics that touched on social or political themes. The band kept recording through the 1980s, putting out albums like 'Northern Lights' and 'Tsuruga Blues' with a lineup that included Koji Funakubo on bass and Akira Nakajima on drums.