DMBQ

The letters used as a name by this Japanese quartet stand for "Dynamite Masters Blues Quartet," and the handle's pretty damn accurate, all things considered. Although DMBQ was founded during the late '80s, The Essential Sounds From the Far East, just unleashed by Estrus Records, is only the group's fourth...

By Michael Roberts

April 7, 2005

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The letters used as a name by this Japanese quartet stand for "Dynamite Masters Blues Quartet," and the handle's pretty damn accurate, all things considered. Although DMBQ was founded during the late '80s, The Essential Sounds From the Far East, just unleashed by Estrus Records, is only the group's fourth full-length, and that's a shame, since the disc will leave any listener with a taste for raw psychedelia ravenous for more -- much more. Rather than offering cautious, genteel variations on blues-rock verities, or settling for the same stereotypes that typify forgettable bar bands in either hemisphere, songs such as "She Walks" and "Nowhere" rush to the edge of sonic hysteria and then gleefully dive over it. Guitarist/vocalist Shinji Masuko plays like he shrieks -- with crazed abandon -- and cohorts Toru Matsui, Ryuichi Watanabe and uni-monikered China feed off his frenzy to create music that overflows with a wonderfully filthy brand of joy. The men of DMBQ, who are slated to appear alongside Little Compass at the hi-dive, definitely deserve the "Dynamite Masters" designation. Explosions never sounded so good.

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Westword has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo