Rock 'n' roll is as much about attitude as about music. Take, for instance, the Yoshida Brothers, whose instrument of choice is not the electric guitar but the shamisen. That traditional three-stringed instrument has a twangy, high-pitched sound, which instantly conjures up picture-postcard images of "the real Japan." The Yoshida Brothers - Ryoichiro and Kenichi - have helped the shamisen overcome its stuffy image by updating and sometimes flouting tradition. For example, while the shamisen is normally... read more

Rock 'n' roll is as much about attitude as about music. Take, for instance, the Yoshida Brothers, whose instrument of choice is not the electric guitar but the shamisen. That traditional three-stringed instrument has a twangy, high-pitched sound, which instantly conjures up picture-postcard images of "the real Japan." The Yoshida Brothers - Ryoichiro and Kenichi - have helped the shamisen overcome its stuffy image by updating and sometimes flouting tradition. For example, while the shamisen is normally a solo instrument or played in a group of several shamisens, the Yoshidas perform as a duo. They also dye their hair, which probably irks some traditionalists. The brothers started studying the shamisen with a teacher in their hometown of Noboribetsu, on Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan's four main islands, at the tender age of five. By high school, they were winning national competitions and soon developed into a touring act. They eventually landed a record deal that confirmed their status as shamisen superstars. By adding elements of pop and world music as well as taking a more aggressive, rhythmic approach in their playing, the Yoshidas have made the shamisen sexy. The Yoshidas - who perform traditional material as well as their own compositions - do a great live show. Ryoichiro and Kenichi play both as a duo and in solo segments, and are sometimes backed by bass, drum, keyboards and guitar. What makes the Yoshidas' live shows special is the almost telepathic interplay between the brothers, as they trade riffs at lightning speed. The Yoshidas released their debut album, Move, in November 2000. Their mini-album, Ibuki, which was released at the same time, has sold more than 100,000 copies - unheard-of for a shamisen album. In August 2003 the Yoshidas made their American CD debut with an album simply titled Yoshida Brothers, released on Los Angeles-based label Domo Records. And in October of the same year they made their U.S. live debut with performances in New York and Los Angeles. collapse