Ai Ishigaki
Ai Ishigaki | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | ISHIG∀KI |
| Born | December 25, 1970 |
| Origin | Yokohama, Japan |
| Genres | Punk rock |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Years active | 1990 to 2021 |
| Website | http://www.redblood.com |
Ai Ishigaki (also known as 'ISHIG∀KI' born 25 December 1970) was the guitarist for The Mad Capsule Markets (MCM) from 1990 to 1996. He got the job as support guitarist after being a roadie for MCM in the Berrie days. Ishigaki debuted on their Thrash-Punk album P.O.P, “It was a whirlwind experience—I went from hanging around with bandmates after school to debuting professionally within months,” he told Visual Music Japan (VMJ) in an interview with Mandah Frénot.[1]
While originally a composer, his early contributions were overshadowed by the band’s internal structure. His stylistic identity, however, became increasingly pronounced by the time of the 1992 album Speak!!!!, and he credited a pivotal meeting with Atsushi Sakurai[2] (BUCK-TICK) as a catalyst for embracing his own aesthetic and creative voice.
After leaving the band in 1996, Ishigaki deepened his collaboration with Ryoichi Endo (ex-Soft Ballet) in the solo project ends, co-arranging and composing on their second album SPACY (1997).
“Despite being labeled as a solo project, it had more of a band dynamic. There wasn’t a clear distinction—we created together.”[3]
From the late 1990s through the 2010s, Ishigaki worked as a sought-after supporting guitarist, performing with Tomoyasu Hotei, who was an ex-member of Japanese rock group Boøwy[4] , DEMON KAKKA, Maki Ohguro, and Kōji Kikkawa, among others. While these collaborations were often initiated by offers from other artists, he left a distinctive mark on each.
“I never saw myself as a lifelong musician. Music was simply the language I used to communicate who I was at the time.”[5]
In the 2010s, Ishigaki also pursued his own band projects, including ROCKSTEADY and Derailers (DRLS). While both were short-lived, he expressed regret over not asserting himself more creatively, especially in ROCKSTEADY, and a desire for more live performances with MUNEHIRO and DRLS.
In 2021, Ishigaki officially announced his retirement from music, choosing to step away while still successful in his career.[6]
References
- ↑ VMJ (2024-05-05). "Ai Ishigaki | When a successful composer & guitarist chooses to step away from the limelight to embrace the simplicity of life". VMJ. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ↑ VMJ (2024-05-05). "Ai Ishigaki | When a successful composer & guitarist chooses to step away from the limelight to embrace the simplicity of life". VMJ. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ↑ VMJ (2024-05-05). "Ai Ishigaki | When a successful composer & guitarist chooses to step away from the limelight to embrace the simplicity of life". VMJ. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ↑ 元THE MAD CAPSULE MARKETSのAi Ishigaki（Gt）らによるスペシャル・バンド "Derailers"、12/3にリリースするメジャー・デビュー作『A.R.T』のティーザー公開！ [Former THE MAD CAPSULE MARKETS special band "Derailers" by Ai Ishigaki (Gt) and others, teaser release of major debut work "ART" to be released on 12/3!] (in Japanese). November 26, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ↑ VMJ (2024-05-05). "Ai Ishigaki | When a successful composer & guitarist chooses to step away from the limelight to embrace the simplicity of life". VMJ. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ↑ VMJ (2024-05-05). "Ai Ishigaki | When a successful composer & guitarist chooses to step away from the limelight to embrace the simplicity of life". VMJ. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
External links
- http://www.redblood.com/ Fansite, not updated since 2001
- http://www.ends.co.jp/ Ends website