SILVER STARS silver stars TRSH-1001

A truly unique and enigmatic release from the late 70s Japanese rock scene is the focus today: the debut album “Ginseidan” (銀星団) by the masked band Silver Stars. This 12-inch vinyl LP was issued in 1979 on the independent Trash Record label with the catalog number TRSH-1001. This particular copy includes the original obi strip.

“Ginseidan” is a fascinating piece of history, widely understood to be a “masked” project led by legendary guitarist Kyoji Yamamoto of Bow Wow, featuring members of his main band operating under pseudonyms (like Rayzor Cruiser, Jimmy Driver, etc.).

This album stands out for its wild and eclectic mix of styles, a far cry from straightforward hard rock. It dives into synth-pop (like the opener “金銭偽体 (You)”), space rock, stoner rock, and heavy metal, creating a bizarre and unique listening experience. Most famously, it includes a heavy rock cover of the Paul Desmond jazz standard “Take Five.”

Recorded in mid-1979, the album’s mystique was further enhanced by its packaging, which included an insert with notoriously poor-quality Chinese text. TRSH-1001 is a rare and coveted artifact, capturing a moment of strange, experimental rock from one of Japan’s most celebrated guitarists.