Formed in 1975, this US group has undergone numerous personnel changes since its inception. Despite an erratic history, the unit remains an important outlet for the considerable but anachronistic talents of Jad Fair, who has also pursued a musically indistinguishable solo career. Half Japanese performances were events in the truest sense, often featuring two sets of drums, brass bands, magicians and up to four guitars. The most regular outside contributor was David Stansky, though all sorts of guest appearances punctuate the band's extensive recording career. Guest collaborators on the Jad Fair Solo Album 'I Like To See You Smile' include J. Mascis (Dinosaur Jr), Ira Kaplan (Yo La Tengo) and Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth.) Half Japanese's body of work taken as a whole represents an almost inconceivable playground of diversity and experimentation. However, it should not be a roll-call of distinguished colleagues that provides Jad Fair and Half Japanese with their notoriety, but the stature of their music and lyrics, which have played a large part in shaping the development of the American underground rock scene (influencing artists such as Beck, Sebadoh and Nirvana.)