Fishmans and Effects Pedals

Do you know the band Fishmans?
They are a rock band formed in 1987, but they have recently gained a lot of attention through various streaming platforms, particularly becoming popular among overseas music listeners. Since the death of vocalist Shinji Sato, they haven’t released any new albums, but Kin-ichi Motegi (currently a member of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra) frequently performs live with guest vocalists like UA, Tavito Nanao, Hanaregumi, and Ikuko Harada.

On a personal note, I managed to get a ticket for a music festival this summer where I will finally be able to see Fishmans live. Being a huge fan, I am incredibly excited and eagerly looking forward to it every day! In this post, I will introduce some of Fishmans’ standard songs and, at the end, share my thoughts on “which effects pedals I would use to replicate their guitar sound.” I hope you enjoy it!

First, let’s introduce the iconic song “Night Cruising”

This song features a slow tempo rhythm reminiscent of reggae and dub, a floating riff, and the overwhelming expressiveness of vocalist Shinji Sato. It embodies the charm of Fishmans. To me, it’s a song that gently accompanies you during gloomy and tough times. The line “It’s no one’s fault” softly sung by Shinji Sato has given me strength countless times. This was the song that got me into Fishmans, and I will keep it close to my heart.

Fishmans’ debut single “Hikouki”

This song represents the early days of Fishmans when they played pop and cheerful music. Despite its bright atmosphere, the song also showcases Shinji Sato's unique world view. The song depicts a world of just ‘me and you’, sung by Sato as if he was praying and this style was gradually built up since their early days. At their final live performance before Sato’s death, “Otokotachi no Wakare”, Sato performed an extended guitar solo for this song. I love that guitar performance and often listen to it on tough days for motivation to face tomorrow.

Lastly, “Yurameki in the Air”

This song is a stark contrast to “Hikouki” and is the last track Fishmans released. It’s over ten minutes long and could be considered their magnum opus. With its simple sound and melody repeating, it captures the grand world of ‘me and you’, a recurring theme in Fishmans’ work. The line “I hope you’re still here today” sung by Shinji Sato suggests to me that he wasn’t attached to reality but found fulfillment in their own world. This worldview is evident in their music, which is one of the reasons I love Fishmans. With Shinji Sato gone, I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing what kind of music the remaining members will create at the music festival!

Now, let me introduce two effects pedals I’d like to use if I were to replicate Fishmans’ guitar sound.

TC Electronic / Flashback 2 Delay Pedal

First up is the TC Electronic Flashback 2!
This high-performance delay pedal comes in a compact size but features seven different presets. It incorporates MASH technology for pressure-sensitive expression control, allowing for free and creative sound making and space expression beyond conventional delay effects. Even guitarists who are not familiar with effects pedals can intuitively chase the Fishmans sound with this pedal. The TonePrint function, which allows you to import tones of top artists, is also very appealing. The blue casing somehow reminds me of the band’s vibe.

Strymon / blueSky V2

Next is the renowned reverb pedal, the Strymon blueSky V2!
This reverb is something you’d want to use for any band and any song. From vintage sounds that pursue realism to fantastically unrealistic sounds, this high-quality effects pedal covers a wide range of sounds. It features a SHIMMER knob that allows you to add as much shimmer effect as you like to any mode, making it very useful for recreating Fishman’' floating and mystical sound. The blue exterior of this pedal is also beautiful. With this pedal, you’ll never have to worry about reverb again! It’s a must-check for anyone interested!

If you're interested in effects pedals or Fishmans, I highly recommend exploring further. You’ll definitely fall more and more in love with both!