Chicago's experimental hardcore/metal band YAKUZA

have finished demoing material for their upcoming release, tentatively titled “Dishonor”. Singer/saxophonist Bruce Lamont describes the music as “much more dynamically intense and stylistically even more adventurous” than past projects.

“Our intention was never to find a specific formula and stick with it, be it jazz-influenced, metal or whatever,” he said. “It has its elements of brutality as well as subtlety. Some of the material particularly was inspired by work we did for an independent film a while back entitled 'Peep Show'.”

“Peep Show” director Justin Baron has previously worked with YAKUZA on their 2003 “Chicago Typewriter” video and has put together a mini-documentary of the band from numerous live performances as well as studio footage.

In other news, the band's longtime bass player Eric Clark has decided to quit the music business. The band are actively seeking a replacement. Interested parties may contact the band at yakuza@yakuzadojo.com. For now, the band have recruited Brett Bamberger from New Jersey's POSTMAN SYNDROME, who will fill in for a string of dates including this year's South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival.

February 19. 2004