Dive were one of the first active bands in Japan’s second wave of Shoegaze, recording their first demos in 1995. This second wave differed from the first in its lack of major label support; as a result, Dive and other bands in this period began stepping away from the sounds common in those major label releases. Eschewing Brit Pop and Dream Pop in favor of harsh metal and trippy ambient sounds, Dive (headed by frontman/songwriter Takaharu Sasaoka and guitarist/vocalist Miyou) played a big part in encouraging the independent spirit that would become vital to keeping the Shoegaze scene alive and active in Japan for decades to come. With support members Nakazawa and Yonaha, the band couple vague and abstract lyrical imagery with sounds by turns acerbic and soothing, always accompanied by a tight and minimalistic rhythm section. Their live shows, though infrequent, always turn every nearby ear their way. The band is still creating music and are planning on releasing new material in the future.

dis-002: early sonic june and dis-003: white shore, white sky AVAILABLE DECEMBER 2022 in vinyl w/digital format