The Stalin

were an influential Japanese punk rock band formed in June 1980, by leader and vocalist Michiro Endo. In May 1987 Michiro formed a group called Video Stalin, which mostly made videos instead of albums, they disbanded in 1988. In 1989 Michiro created a new band named Stalin and continued to make music with them until 1993.

History

1979: Jieitai

Circa 1979, Michiro Endo, a 29 year-old socialist activist, formed a punk band called , named after Japan's Self-Defense Forces. Several of their songs would later become The Stalin songs, such as "Ideologist", "Niku" and their versions of "No Fun" and "Light My Fire".

1980–1981: Beginning

In June 1980 Endo formed The Stalin. He chose the name because "Joseph Stalin is very hated by most people in Japan, so it is very good for our image." Originally a three piece with Endo on vocals and bass, Atsushi on guitar and Jun on drums. Shintaro joined as bassist later in the month, however their first single, "Dendou Kokeshi", was already recorded without him and was released on September 5, 1980. On April 7, 1981, they released the Stalinism EP....
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