Masafumi Gotoh

Masafumi Gotoh
後藤正文
Masafumi Gotoh in 2017
Masafumi Gotoh in 2017
Background information
Also known asGotch
Born (1976-12-02) December 2, 1976 (age 47)
Shimada, Shizuoka, Japan
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • musician
  • producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1996–present
Labels
WebsiteSony OID

Masafumi Gotoh (後藤 正文, Gotō Masafumi) or Gotch (December 2, 1976) is the lead vocalist, main songwriter and rhythm guitarist of the Japanese rock band Asian Kung-Fu Generation. Masafumi met fellow band members Kensuke Kita and Takahiro Yamada while attending a music club of Kanto Gakuin University. The three formed Asian Kung-Fu Generation in 1996, with drummer Kiyoshi Ijichi joining the band shortly after.[1] As the main songwriter of the band, Gotoh is credited with writing a majority of their lyrics, but has a strong tendency to share songwriting duties equally among his bandmates. His vocal style most often alternates between soft, melodic singing, and harder, harsher, yelling.[2] Masafumi has a degree in economics and his favourite artists include Weezer, Number Girl, Oasis, Teenage Fanclub, and Beck.[3] He produces records for other artists such as Chatmonchy, Dr. Downer and The Chef Cooks Me.[4] He was also one of the founding members of the band Skeletons (スケルトンズ).[5]

In 2010, Gotoh launched his own music label, only in dreams.[6] In 2012, he started a solo project under the name Gotch, and released the single "'Lost".[7] In 2014, he released his debut solo album, Can't Be Forever Young and released live album called, Live in Tokyo.[8] In 2016, he released his second solo album, Good New Times, with most songs using English lyrics.[9] In 2024, he established a non profit organization "Apple Vinegar Music Support" and build a studio called "Music inn Fujieda" in Fujieda to support young and independent musicians.[10] In March 2024, Gotoh released drone/ambient music album Recent Report I under his original name.[11]

  1. ^ "ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION: Biography". ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION Official Website. Ki/oon Records Inc. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  2. ^ Kao, Larry (2005-11-03). "Talkin Bout My (Asian Kung-Fu) Generation". Asian Pacific Arts. UCLA Asia Institute. Archived from the original on 2007-02-18. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
  3. ^ Asian Kung-Fu Generation Fansite Flash Back! - Profile Archived 2008-10-14 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Vo.ゴッチの日記". Archived from the original on 2013-09-17. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
  5. ^ "Archived copy". skeletonsman.com. Archived from the original on 17 September 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "Gotch | only in dreams".
  7. ^ "Gotch Profile". only in dreams. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  8. ^ "Gotch of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION to Embark on Solo Tour This May". jpopasia. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  9. ^ "6月8日に新しいアルバム「Good New Times」が発売になりました。" (in Japanese). Gotch. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  10. ^ "アジカン後藤正文が音楽支援を行うNPO法人創立「何度でもチャレンジできる場所を目指す」" (in Japanese). Natalie. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  11. ^ "Masafumi Gotoh released his first drone/ambient album "Recent Report I"". Kyodo News. Retrieved 30 July 2016.