Despite the name, The Mods were one of Japan's first high profile punk bands. In their earliest days they were mod-geared, but during their heyday their musical and fashion influences were primarily the Clash and the Sex Pistols. The group was founded in 1974 by charismatic singer Tatsuya Moriyama, then just 18, in his hometown of Hakata, a city on the southern island of Kyushu. The group was originally called the Mozz, and went through countless member changes. In 1978 the line-up gelled with...

Despite the name, The Mods were one of Japan's first high profile punk bands. In their earliest days they were mod-geared, but during their heyday their musical and fashion influences were primarily the Clash and the Sex Pistols. The group was founded in 1974 by charismatic singer Tatsuya Moriyama, then just 18, in his hometown of Hakata, a city on the southern island of Kyushu. The group was originally called the Mozz, and went through countless member changes. In 1978 the line-up gelled with Hiroyuki Chisaki on guitar, Masahiro Kajiura on drums, and skinny, disheveled Sid Vicious lookalike Koichi Kitazato on bass, and they became The Mods. Also in 1978 they worked with budding Hakata film maker Sogo Ishii, and supplied the soundtrack to his Crazy Thunder Road, which became a cult classic. The group became quite popular around Kyushu, and in 1980 they decided to move to Tokyo to target bigger things. In 1981 they went to London's Matrix studio, and worked Jam producer Nick Bradford to record their debut album Fight or Flightfor Epic/ Sony. The album sold moderately well, but the group was still most highly regarded for their live shows. Later in 1981 the Jam toured Japan, with the Mods opening. The Mods second album, News Beatwas also released in 1981. The group again traveled to London, where they did three shows at the Marquee Club billed as News Beat. Their third album Look Out was produced by Masami Tsuchiya of Ippu-Do, who some thought had come closer to capturing their live sound on record. Their 1983 single "Hageshii Ame ga (the Violent Rain)" was a bonafide hit, and sold well far beyond their hardcore fans. As time went on, punk drifted from the fashion spotlight, and the Mods were no longer the sensation that they were when they first hit. In more recent times the band participated in a Clash tribute album in 1999 called Burning London, and in 2001 made the movie Paradise. The Mods still maintain a steady cult following, and continue to record albums, their most recent being July 2004's Live With Rock'n'Roll on the Rockaholic label. They are also an active live band and in 2003 played at the Fuji Rock Festival.