Geisha

There are five bands called Geisha. One of them is a British noiserock band from Bristol, known also as Geisha Noise Research Group. The second is a Finnish pop group from the 80's. The third is another 80's band desribed below. The fourth are from London/Brighton. The fifth are a rock combo from Trondheim, Norway. For the latter, visit http://www.myspace.com/geishauniverse

Geisha, the band, and Phantasmagoria, the album, which in 1987 set a before and an after to the history of metal music.

1983: Geisha is formed in Gothenburg, Sweden

Original line-up: Yenz Cheyenne: vocals, Pete Blakk: guitar, Magnus Rosen: bass, Robert Roehr: keyboards, Mikkey Dee: drums

1984: First demo is recorded at the Danish Broadcasting House, Copenhagen. Track listing: Gangland, Whip Of Evil, Claws Of Sin, Over The Top

Magnus Rosen (now Hammerfall) is replaced by Joewan R. Starander.

Mikkey Dee leaves for King Diamond (and later moves on to Dokken and Motörhead) He is replaced by Tony Nemistö aka. Tony Reno (who recorded the first two albums with Europe, and the demos for Final Countdown).

1985: The 2nd. demo is recorded at Custom Sound Lab, Copenhagen. Track listing: Ghetto Girls, Bad Wolf Tattoo

1986: The Phantasmagoria album is recorded at Hookfarm Studios, Copenhagen with Peter Mark at the helm. Track listing: You Got What It Takes, Shock Rock School, Gangland Sector 21, Alive & Scratching, Claws Of Sin, The Underworld, S&M Youth

1987: Phantasmagoria is released through the English Heavy Metal Records label, a division of FM/Revolver.

A video clip for You Got What It Takes is being shot in Gothenburg. Director is Thomas Grøndahl.

Joel R. Starander (later Swedish Erotica, Kharma) is replaced by Hal Patino Jr. (Ex-Maltese Falcon)

1987: A demo for the 2nd. Album is recorded in Gothenburg: Track listing: Kamikaze King/ Bleed To Me/ Flamethrower Rock & Roll

Pete Blakk and Hal Patino Jr. leave to join King Diamond a week before the scheduled recordings for the second Geisha album Conform Or Transform.

1988: Yenz signs with Mega Records (known for D.A.D). The album recordings for Conform Or Transform commence with producer Roberto Falcao (of Mercyful Fate fame) at the Midi Music Studios, Copenhagen.

Recorded songs: House Of Carnivore/ Bleed To Me/ Fangoria/ Dust Till Dawn/ Kamikaze King/ Sex On Wheels/ Flamethrower Rock & Roll/ Manic Rock

Line-Up: Yenz Cheyenne: vocals/guitar/bass, Oliver Steffensen: lead guitar (Mabel/ White Lion/ =Y=/ Freak Of Nature), Tony Nemistö: drums

A video clip for House Of Carnivore was shot in Copenhagen, with Hank Shermann (Mercyful Fate) stepping in to do the bass part. Director: Tom Skiødt Jensen.

1989: In order to finish the Transform Or Conform album Yenz Cheyenne and Oliver Steffensen had been demoing 14 new tracks, which were not consistent with the style of Geisha. Thus, the Transform Or Conform album is scrapped and =Y= is born.

The Bristol UK Geisha released their debut album 'Mondo Dell'orrore' through Crucialblast, Superfi Records and Blood Red Sounds in 2006.

This version of walking the cow, plus other songs such as She's my geisha, you get me so wrong and poor Aileen are done by a London/Brighton band consisting of Huw on Drums, Jed on Bass and Wayne on vocals and guitar www.myspace.com/geishaband