“Without them, we wouldn’t have the primitive pop of Beat Happening nor the id-bearing beauty of Daniel Johnston.” – Paste Magazine

In 1974 Jad Fair, along with his brother David Fair co-founded the alternative lo-fi rock group Half Japanese. Despite being lifelong music obsessives, their approach to the craft of writing and the art of performing was utterly unique. Heavily inspired by Jackson Pollock, Half Japanese were always more of an art project than a musical journey. More important than technical ability, was enthusiasm and a thirst for creation. They eschewed traditional ways of playing to explore different tunings, allowing them to coax new sounds from their instruments. Over the ensuing three decades, Half Japanese released fourteen albums, and in the process attracted a solid base of fans, passionate about the band’s pure, unbridled enthusiasm for rock and roll.

“The band sounds as urgent and vital as it did four decades ago.” – NPR

“A brilliant mix of loud punk blasts, shapeless rants, heartfelt confessions, and minimal experiments.” – Pitchfork

“Half Japanese is one of the most influential bands of all time. Fronted by Jad Fair, a man famous for once stating that "the only chord I know is the one that connects the guitar to the amp". Half Japanese spearheaded the DIY and Lo-Fi movements, influencing countless bands such as Sonic Youth, Neutral Milk Hotel, Daniel Johnston, and perhaps most notably, Kurt Cobain (who ranked Half Japanese amongst his top 50 favorites, had them open the "In Utero" tour, and was wearing their t-shirt when he died).” - Joyful Noise