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 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 at the peak of his expressive power.
“There’s a concept in Noh theater—‘The Flower of the Moment.’ To bloom and step back at your most beautiful… I believe that’s true artistic expression.”[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