Ryukyu-no (Okinawan) Rock – JET

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Well, here it is almost the end of summer 2005. We thank all of you who are waiting for the release of the new JET CD. It is still being worked on and hopefully will be ready for release at the end of the month.

About a month ago, I informed you that the band was working on a much awaited for CD. Due to muscle strains and flu viruses, the boys are running a little behind schedule. But JET is still trying to get that CD out to you and aiming for a summer release.

(Click on image to view large size)

Guitar……………………….Atsushi (Appin) Shinjo
Drums/vocals………………….Koji (Kozi) Nagahama
Bass guitar/lead vocals……Takashi (Taki) Furugen

Taki and Koji first played together in the early seventies in a band known as Kotobuki. Koji quit Kotobuki in 1972 and eventually joined Marie with Medusa. In the ’80s he joined forces with George Murasaki in the band Okinawa, and in the ’90s Katchan in Katchan Band. Koji rejoined Taki in March 1998.

Taki continued to play in Kotobuki until his departure to Guam in 1976. In Guam he played Japanese tourist hotels in Prism. He moved to the U.S. in 1978, playing and recording with STP (Steve Tingen Plus) in Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas. Taki returned to Okinawa in 1980 and helped form the band Bullet, which played the Okinawan military circuit and various local concerts throughout the ’80s. In 1994, the original JET band began when he financed and opened Live Music Bar JET

Appin and Koji originally played together in Katchan Band in the ’90s. Appin had been the JET stand-in guitarist whenever needed for four years. In May 2004, he began playing as JET band guitarist on a regular basis and officially took over the role in September 2004.

The combination of this trio of independent Okinawan musicians culminates in a band that focuses on outstanding music, not outrageous behavior. The result of that combination is a sound that is infused with a seasoned talent that is difficult to match.

JET MUSIC IS GREAT!!!!!

I come into Jet about 2-3 times a month on Sats.I am retired Marine living on Okinawa I run my own business(Motorcycle shop in Kin).My wife is the little Okinawa girl.You might know me?.Anyways you,ve surely heard this 1,000 Times (Or more HEHE).But you music is way SUPER!!!!.I really like Apins style your lead.Of course I remember Jimmy too.But APin has a style thta definatley brings fresh music to your band.Ok See you Sat.
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Gixxer94

“Hello! This is Marlene Clemente, the woman who was visiting her son in Okinawa with her younger son at Christmas time.

I put on my Jet T-Shirt the other day and it had me reminiscing of Oki so I went to your website and found the pic you took in the bar of my son and I. What a nice picture…

It was entertaining to watch my son excited to take me to this really cool bar called the Jet – knowing that I would like it – and then watching his shocked surprise finding out that old mom had already been there and done that scene many years before. It was also very entertaining to watch my younger son learn just how outstanding Oki-rock is! He was very surprised. When young people experience a culture so different from their own at an impressionable age, it changes their attitude for the better and leaves a lasting impression. I am glad that our trip to Okinawa was able to do that for him…

Thanks again for the fun at the Jet! It brought me back to a more youthful time and many Okinawa memories came flooding back. It also made me realize how lucky I am to be older, watching the young people act like their parents never taught them manners, lol! ”

Marlene Clemente

Keep on Truckin!