Redemption 97 only formed in 2008, held a few small gigs and are yet to release their first single - but they immediately made it into the lineups for both Punkspring Tokyo and Arabaki Rock Fest 2009. Were the organizers feeling lucky? Not so, they knew pretty well what to expect, as R97's members are well-known among Ska fans: Vocal Ryoji came from POTSHOT, while bassist Tsuda and Trombonist Yuji Shimoda are ex Kemuri members. After their original bands separated, they joined forces to play the...

Redemption 97 only formed in 2008, held a few small gigs and are yet to release their first single - but they immediately made it into the lineups for both Punkspring Tokyo and Arabaki Rock Fest 2009. Were the organizers feeling lucky? Not so, they knew pretty well what to expect, as R97's members are well-known among Ska fans: Vocal Ryoji came from POTSHOT, while bassist Tsuda and Trombonist Yuji Shimoda are ex Kemuri members. After their original bands separated, they joined forces to play the Ska Punk sound they love, inviting guitarist Ryoma and Keyboarder Yoshio Taniguchi along. Looking at the band's myspace, another big name comes into view. The group was named by Asian Man Records' Mike Park, according to whom "The meaning of the name will be to bring back the sound that you love. The 97 symbolizes the year that POTS AND SHOTS was released. It's also the year that Little Playmate was released.". Their first CD, "Good Friends Good Music", is set to release this April, and fans of Japanese Ska should definitely be keeping an eye out for it.