OFFCOURSE

Mixing Simon & Garfunkel's acoustic influence with traditional harmonies, Off Course were among the founding fathers of Japanese folk-rock. The band enjoyed a 25-year career run until finally dissolving in 1989, but its influence is still felt in later acts such as Yuzu or Kobukuro. The group was formed in 1964 by a bunch of high schoolers including keyboardist Kazumasa Oda and guitarist Yashiro Suzuki who teamed up to play at a local festival. They continued to play together on holidays, and appeared at festivals in the following years even though Oda and Suzuki were both in...