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Post by tangerinesun on Nov 9, 2014 18:57:26 GMT -5
Just for the record, and it is a sad record, there’s a slightly more detailed account of DMBQ’s pitiful road wreck on an inactive message board devoted to Boredoms/vOOredoms and OoioO. Sad news... at Tribe.netYou don’t find most this in press reports of the day. Not easy now to tell who posted, though one can guess at it. There is an air of authentic personal knowledge. It was a long time ago. I found this looking for photos of happier moments.
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Post by tangerinesun on Nov 10, 2014 3:18:34 GMT -5
Now Mana's literally everywhere I go. This would also be from the 2005 US tour, looks like. It was posted in 2011 without attribution on the fairly awesome Chicks With Sticks blog at Tumblr.
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Nov 17, 2014 15:29:54 GMT -5
Now Mana's literally everywhere I go. This would also be from the 2005 US tour, looks like. It was posted in 2011 without attribution on the fairly awesome Chicks With Sticks blog at Tumblr. Mana looks uncharacteristically sensuous here... TY for all these great "new" pics of Mana; we didn't have much on here for such a long time.
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Nov 17, 2014 15:32:39 GMT -5
Just for the record, and it is a sad record, there’s a slightly more detailed account of DMBQ’s pitiful road wreck on an inactive message board devoted to Boredoms/vOOredoms and OoioO. Sad news... at Tribe.netYou don’t find most this in press reports of the day. Not easy now to tell who posted, though one can guess at it. There is an air of authentic personal knowledge. It was a long time ago. I found this looking for photos of happier moments. >>>This page can’t be displayed<<<
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Post by tangerinesun on Nov 18, 2014 2:59:27 GMT -5
Just for the record, and it is a sad record, there’s a slightly more detailed account of DMBQ’s pitiful road wreck on an inactive message board devoted to Boredoms/vOOredoms and OoioO. Sad news... at Tribe.netYou don’t find most this in press reports of the day. Not easy now to tell who posted, though one can guess at it. There is an air of authentic personal knowledge. It was a long time ago. I found this looking for photos of happier moments. >>>This page can’t be displayed<<< Well... it's working from my little node on the net, so here I have copied the report posted three days after the event. What chills me about this painfully dignified service to the dead is that it conveys so simply what a drawn-out, cruel accident it was. How miserable it would be to write these words about someone you knew!
Text copied from: boredoms.tribe.net/thread/5405a26c-199a-4e6d-b84b-6827ce4c4475tribes » music » boredoms / vooredoms / ooioo » topics » Sad news... topic posted Mon, November 7, 2005 - 2:55 PM by Unsubscribed Mana "China" Nishiura, drummer for DMBQ, Shonen Knife and girlfriend of Seiichi Yamamoto passed away last Friday due to injuries stemming from a horrible car accident in New Jersey. She was tragically killed in a three-vehicle accident near the Delaware Memorial Bridge on the afternoon of November 4th shortly before 1 p.m., after the Econoline van carrying her band, DMBQ, had crossed the bridge from New Jersey near Carneys Point in Salem County. A Mitsubishi Eclipse clipped the van's left rear fender. The van spun out of control, and careened over a barrier on the ramp to Route 40. The van - carrying the four band members and their tour manager Michelle Cable, from San Francisco - then rolled several times down an embankment and into the path of a Ford pickup truck. Mana was ejected from the van and she died at the scene. The other passengers were being treated last night for non-life-threatening, but serious, injuries. Her family was notified by the Japanese Embassy of the tragedy. "China", (her stage name - which she enjoyed) was the support drummer for Shonen Knife from Year 2001 through 2004, and was with them on their North American Tour in 2003. She was a tremendous talent - a session drummer in Japan who performed with many bands there, and she was much respected and in demand for her drumming skills and ability to play many styles. Her great energy and vitality in the live shows she played with Shonen Knife made her an instant favorite with all their fans, wherever they performed. Mana was also a strong person with a kindly free spirit who made friends with everyone she met. She was previously drummer for respected Japanese fusion band, Rashinban. She joined the Japanese metal band, DMBQ in 2004, when they offered her an opportunity to be part of their first American tour when their previous drummer Yoshiko became pregnant. Mana's work with them was a driving force in the success of their stage shows. Mana was a huge baseball fan, (her favorite team was the Hanshin Tigers), and she enjoyed a continuing dialogue with friend Mamiko Nakagawa about baseball in Japan. Mamiko Nakagawa is the webmaster for Mana's China-Mana Personal Homepage in Japan and a longtime fan, and friend, of Shonen Knife. China's homepage: china-mana.hp.infoseek.co.jp/eng...html [ PAGE NO LONGER EXISTS ]DMBQ's homepage: www.dmbq.net/Shonen Knife's homepage: shonenknife.com/mainpage.html [ DOMAIN IS NOW FOR SALE ]As for the other members of the band: Shinji Masuko, lead singer of DMBQ was released from the hospital yesterday after being treated for moderate injuries. Once they are well enough to board a plane, the remaining members of DMBQ will be needing to make their long journey home, which no doubt will be made longer by the fact they are on the east coast instead of the west where they need to be to get back to Japan. A paypal account has been set-up but I am waiting for verification prior to endorsing it. posted by: Unsubscribed
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Nov 18, 2014 9:18:52 GMT -5
A sad postscript is that Mana had just been engaged to her BF, before she left for the tour.
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Post by tangerinesun on Jan 2, 2015 5:35:16 GMT -5
I ran across this recorded TV coverage of the sixth Fuji Rock Festival, in 2002.
Shonen Knife plays "A.A.A." under the Red Marquee, also blabs briefly on some segment bumpers for the WOWOW entertainment channel. Mana-chan is visible, and speaks. And rocks!
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Jan 18, 2015 3:45:11 GMT -5
I asked Mamiko how Mana got her nickname China... she wasn't sure how to answer, instead, George "Ojisan" Handlon , who used to run the SK Nexus, gave me this answer:
George Wesley Handlon: Mana felt that she looked "Chinese", so she adopted the nickname "China" for herself. I'm sure Mamiko would have this view. And, Mamiko felt a kinship with the mysterious Japanese "Kappa" and used the name "Kappa-chan" for herself in the early days. (The "Kappa" is a water being that is a bit of a trickster... grabs kids by the ankles and pulls them under, etc. - tho' Mamiko said "no one has ever SEEN a Kappa" - but that's what makes "legends" so compelling.) Things that go "splash" in the water? That's basically the story on "China". Mana was also in a band with her boyfriend, & Shonen Knife Manager Atsushi Shibata, called "Rashinban" - very smooth ambient jazz/pop format - I have 2 of their CDs. She was a great drummer in every style she played. Audrey Kimura of Sister/Benten label said Mana was "the greatest female drummer she had ever heard". (Mana had played with "Droop", a band on the Benten label for a while). So, "China-Mana" was how she saw herself. --- So, Mana gave the name, to herself!
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Post by tangerinesun on Jan 19, 2015 18:14:59 GMT -5
George Wesley Handlon: Mana felt that she looked "Chinese", so she adopted the nickname "China" for herself... Thanks for digging up and preserving this little bit of lore. "China" is a pretty cool-sounding handle, very cowboy in my mind, and Mana seems to have taken to a "have gun, will travel" style in all things.
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Post by tangerinesun on Dec 14, 2015 6:04:12 GMT -5
Over 10 years since that luckless day on the highway. I came across a group photo on the MySpace pages of legendary Chinese punks Hang on the Box (of all places). 2001 October 09, Osaka Club Quattro (Audrey Kimura photo, pretty sure)Rear, L/R: From HOTB; Shen Jing ("Shenggy", dr), Wang Yue ("Gia Wang", vo + gt), Yilina (ba), Li Yan Fan (gt). Front, L/R: From SK; Atsuko and Naoko Yamano, Mana "China" Nishiura, and... a fit-looking gentleman with a nice tan. Any ID for him? HOTB are taking part in a micro-tour of Japan with 3 other Benten Label bands (Lolita No.18, Nonstop Body, Mummy the Peepshow). They have their first-ever album release, Yellow Banana, to support. This is the same Japan trip that will result in some live performance footage, as well as the MV for "There Is A City" (shot in Shinjuku). Shonen Knife shared the 09 October date in Osaka, either because Club Quattro put together a special or because SK was prevailed on to come out in support of their Benten friends, especially Lolita No.18. Later that same day... (Audrey Kimura photo)Gia got her new boot autographed. You can just about make out: 少年ナイフ Shonen Knife ♡ Naoko (mouse) Atsuko (lop-ear bunny) Mana winged cat signature in red (version) Mana being Mana.
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Dec 16, 2015 4:45:00 GMT -5
Wow, fantastic post, Tan... Mana looks adorable here, prettier than Naoko, even!
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Post by tangerinesun on Dec 16, 2015 4:57:39 GMT -5
Rooting around for Mana's signature specimen took me to interesting pages. One being her antique profile at Music Square.Shonen Knife Bio page for Mana at Music Square (Shift JIS text encoding)Mana NishiuraDrums / Chorus Birthday: | October 11 | Blood type: | A | Hobbies: | LIFE | Favorite music: | Yurui no, "Loose" (as in "no restrictions") | Favorite food: | MUSHROOMS、BEANS | Message: | I was born in Mihara, Hiroshima Prefecture, boring, huh? |
〜 From there, you get linked to a darker place. Without knowing anything about it, I would guess this is Naoko writing.MUSIC SQUARE – MANA (Shift JIS encoded text)Shonen Knife support drummer from about 2001–2004, Ms. Mana Nishiura passed away on November 4th after being ejected in a rear-end collision while touring the United States with DMBQ. Formal obituaries have been published on the official websites of DMBQ and Shonen Knife. My honest belief is that this has been too sudden for any real resolution of feelings. As a fan of Mana's, I am speechless with shock. At full power Mana's drumming was impressive, and whether singing backup live or dancing to Chinese Disco, her smile never dimmed but was just wonderful at all times. Because of her furious drumming Mana's hand was always stained with blood in spite of being wound 'round with tape, and when I recall her responding with a smile, "It doesn't hurt a bit," my heart aches terribly. As this is Music Square, I considered that I might share some of the times Mana spent with Shonen Knife, so I would like to dedicate the following memorial page. In conclusion, I offer my heartfelt prayers for the soul of Mana-san. [Music in which Mana participated] Strawberry Sound | "Mosquitoes" | Orange Sun Maxi | "Top Of The World" | Heavy Songs | "Rubber Band" | Heavy Songs | "Mango Juice" | Power Of Money (as "712") | "Power Of Money" |
〜 Next, we're taken to a Flash-encoded automatic slide show with 19 small images: In Memory of ManaBGM: "Herbs" (Mana's favorite song; music no longer plays in my browser)
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Dec 16, 2015 5:33:02 GMT -5
insert code here Wow, I wish I had your ability to find such cool stuff!
I find it so sad that someone so caring and likeable, should lose her life so young!
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Post by tangerinesun on Dec 16, 2015 6:10:12 GMT -5
...I find it so sad that someone so caring and likeable, should lose her life so young! It's truly miserable when someone has all their opportunities taken from them like that. But, in reality, it happens all day every day, all around the world. Mana made a big impression on people. We know because they tell us so, and some of them only met her casually, for a day, or an hour.
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Post by tangerinesun on Dec 16, 2015 7:10:11 GMT -5
Mamiko Nakagawa's Facebook post from Yokohama for 4th November 親友だった元・少年ナイフやDMBQのドラマー真奈ちゃんがアメリカツアー中での交通事故で亡くなって11月5日未明で10年。 もうすぐその時間。いつもその時間に泣いている。「まだ泣いてるんか?アホやな」って言ってるだろうな。 ドラムを再開した私をいちばん見て欲しかった人。どんなにライブをやってがんばっても、それはもうかなわない。 毎年ご両親にお花を送っているが、ご健在だ。 It’s ten years since my best friend MANA passed way (former Shonen Knife drummer). I’ve learned a lot from you! because, you live eternally in my heart. I started again the drum a year ago MANA passed way. She wanted to see that very much. I wanted her to see my drumming. but, it will never come true. I still have sent flowers to her parents every year. Parents is good. Mamiko's Japanese says rather more than the English. To me, it's almost as if she is addressing Mana directly: "My best friend Mana-chan, former drummer for Shonen Knife and DMBQ, died in a traffic accident on tour in America in the early morning of November 5th, ten years ago. Soon it will be that time. I always cry at that time. I guess you would say, "You're not still crying? What a fool!" [She was] the person I most wanted to see that I had started drumming again. No matter how I hard I try at live shows, that is something that's no longer within my power. I send flowers to her parents every year, they are alive and well." Can't find anything to reply to that, really... :-(
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