1980-1982 Formation

The Stalin began in 1980 and was founded by Michiro Endo a 32 year-old socialist activist. He chose the name because “the name Stalin is very hated by most people in Japan, so it is very good for our image.” At live shows, Michiro behaved like a madman, leaving a wake of destruction everywhere he went. The Stalin were quickly banned from many venues, especially after beating up members of the audience, or simply leaving after singing one song.

For the first LP, 1981’s Trash, they sped up the pace and began to sound like a hardcore band. Released on Political Records the record is so rare that it has been bootlegged even in Japan. The new sound of the Stalin was due partly to the addition of guitarist Tam, formerly of Typhus, the band that spawned the band Gauze.

1982-1984

The band’s major label debut was 1982’s Stop Jap LP. The lyrics from this album supposedly reflect a more anarchistic slant on political issues.The band reached their peak in popularity with the next two hardcore records in 1983: the 4-song Go Go Stalin 12″ and the Mushi LP. The Stalin was one of the first Japanese bands to reach an international audience when their song “Chicken Farm” appeared on MRR’s seminal Welcome to 1984 compilation alongside other international hardcore pioneers like Raw Power and BGK. Shortly after, Tam left the band. 1984’s Fish Inn LP found the Stalin with American musicians playing parts. After releasing a 1985 double live album, the Stalin called it quits.

1988-1990 Birth of “Stalin”

Inspired by the monumental events of 1988, especially the collapse of the Soviet Union, Michiro formed a new band just called “Stalin”. He had been fascinated with the Polish Solidarity Movement, which began the same year as the band, and after a visit to Warsaw he organized a Japanese tour for the Polish punk band Dezerter. The Stalin completed the cultural exchange in 1990 when they toured Eastern Europe. At some point the band converted to Video Stalin, a video production ensemble. One video they made, “The History of the Stalin,” has live footage and promo clips from the band’s early days.

Discography

The Stalin

Albums & EPs

• Stalinism (1981)
• Trash (1981)
• Stop Jap (1982)
• Mushi (? The Insect^?) (1983)
• Fish Inn (1984)
• For Never double album (1985)
• Fish Inn (1986 Mix) (1986)
• Stalinism (1987)
• Stop Jap Naked (2007)

Singles

• Dendou Kokeshi (?????^? Vibrator) (1980)
• Romantist (?????? Romanchisuto^?) (1982)
• Allergy (????? Arerugii^?) (1982)
• Go Go Stalin (GoGo????? Go Go Sutarin^?) (1983)
• Nothing (1984)

Stalin

Albums

• Joy (1989)
• Stalin (1989)
• Sakkin Barricade (??????? Sterilization Barricade^?) (1990)
• Street Value (1990)
• Live to be Stalin (????^?) (1991)
• Kiseki no Hito (???? The Miracle Worker^?) (1992)

Singles

• Houchou & Man-jyu (????????^? Kitchen Knife & Bun) (1989)
• Benkyou ga Dekinai (???????^? Can’t study) (1989)
• ’90s Sentimental Osechi (’90s?????????? 90s Senchimentaru Osechi^?) (1989)
• Mayonaka no Omocha Bako (?????????^? Toy Box of Midnight) (1990)
• Wild Ghetto (1991)
• Ride on Time (?????????? Raido On Taimu^?) (1992)

Video-Stalin

Albums

• -1 (Minus One) (1988)