Japanese 70s Heavy Blues Rockers Sonic Flower released their third studio album “Me And My Bellbottom Blues” on September 30th, 2022 via Heavy Psych Sounds Records. Stream the whole album through the official label’s YouTube channel below:
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Sonic Flower was formed as a side project of Church of Misery in 2001. Tatsu Mikami (Church Of Misery bassist) and Takenori Hoshi (guitarist on Church Of Misery’s second album “The Second Coming“) teamed up to play more Bluesy and instrumental Heavy Rock influenced by 70’s acts such as Cactus, Grand Funk Railroads, Groundhogs or Savoy Brown. Guitarist Arisa and drummer Keisuke Fukawa quickly joined them. In 2003, they released their Bluesy Heavy Rock self-titled debut album “Sonic Flower” on Japanese label Leafhound Records. This instrumental, improvised double guitar-charged record was internationally acclaimed, and they got the chance to support Electric Wizard, Bluebird or Acid King on their Japan shows.
In 2005, Sonic Flower went to the studio to record new material, but as Arisa was pregnant and day jobs prevailed, they put the band on hiatus after the recording session. These recordings have been sleeping in the vault for fifteen years until Tatsu decided to reform the band in 2018. This time he teamed up with former Church Of Misery singer: the result was their new album “Rides Again,” 2021 through Heavy Psych Records. Their brand new album “Me And My Bellbottom Blues” sees guitarist Fumiya Hattori joining on guitar, for a late September release on the Italian label.
The Sonic Flower new album “Me And My Bellbottom Blues” is full of 70’s feelings. It’s Heavy but more Bluesy taste than ever. New guitarist Fumiya Hattori is a young bluesman. He uses slide bar and acoustic guitar too. His guitar style’s width is huge. Regarding song writing, of course Tatsu Mikami wrote songs as always. Not only Heavy but also ‘down to earth’ feeling. You can also enjoy tons of RIFF by this riff master. New drummer Toshiaki Umemura made a Heavy and Groovy sound. Most difference from previous album is Sonic Flower got a singer on this album. Kazuhiro Asaeda is original Church Of Misery singer and he sang in their early release “Vol.1.” Tatsu made a tag team with him again and solution is really amazing. Tatsu think: “This album is BEST work in my carrier.”
Recorded in Tokyo in early 2022 and mixed by Japanese Doom guru Yukito Okazaki of Eternal Elysium fame, “Me And My Bellbottom Blues” is “their biggest work to date”, according to Mikami.
Tracklist:
01. Swineherd
02. Love Like Rubber
03. Black Sheep
04. Captain Frost
05. Quicksand Planet
06. Poor Girl
07. Sonic Flower
Lineup:
Tatsu Mikami / Bass
Kazuhiro Asaeda / Vocals
Fumiya Hattori / Guitar
Toshiaki Umemura / Drums