GodofShamisen gets their own thread of coolness

[AnaIkimaru]

Well, where to start?

Let's start with Kevin-san's bio:

Kevin Kmetz
G.o.S. bandleader
Tsugaru Shamisen Master
First foreigner in history to win the honorary Daijo Kazuo Award at the Tsugaru Shamisen Championship Competition in Kanagi, Japan. May 5, 2005
And the "Judges Choice" Award at the Hirosaki Championship tournament May 4, 2005. In both 2006 and 2007, Kevin placed Nyusho (runner-up) at Hirosaki and Jyun Yuusho (2nd place) at Kanagi.

In December, 2008, Kevin released his major label debut on EMI Japan, with God of Shamisen as his band. You can read more about this CD here, in Japanese.

Background: BFA Music composition degree from Cal Arts School of Music (1995). Performed with the J.S. Bach Experience in the late 90s and moved to Santa Cruz in 2003. after approximately 20 years as a rock guitarist and wacky composer, Kevin was kidnapped in northern Japan where he was forced to learn the local art of Tsugaru Shamisen. Emerging as a shamisen master, Kevin returned to his new home in Santa Cruz, California, where he has recently worked with the phenomenal Estradasphere. Kevin's goal is to create a true fusion of cultures by combining traditional Tsugaru Shamisen with modern rock, surf, metal, funk & noise!

Musical Influences & Inspirations: Kinoshita Shinichi, Cryptopsy, J.S. Bach

Now, onto the videos of coolness!

Stairway to Heaven

[rjTheUser]

Super Cool