Flied Egg

Introduction to Flied Egg

Flied Egg, a Japanese power trio, released their debut album titled Dr. Siegel's Fried Egg Shooting Machine in 1972. The record came out under the Vertigo label, known for its distinctive swirl design. This album marks a significant moment in the development of Japanese rock music, particularly in the realms of progressive and hard rock.

Band Formation and Lineup

The band was formed by multi-instrumentalist Shigeru Narumo and drummer Hiro Tsunoda after their previous project, Strawberry Path. They brought in 18-year-old Masayoshi Takanaka to play bass. Takanaka would later gain recognition as one of Japan's leading fusion guitarists. The lineup also featured contributions from orchestral arranger Masahiko Aoi, who worked on select tracks.

Musical Composition

Dr. Siegel's Fried Egg Shooting Machine presents a blend of heavy blues-rock and progressive elements. The album features powerful guitar riffs and a rich tapestry of sounds created by distorted Hammond organ and Moog synthesizer. These elements are reminiscent of bands like Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Deep Purple. Tsunoda's soulful English-language vocals add to the album's unique character. Tracks such as "Burning Fever" and "Plastic Fantasy" exemplify the band's fusion of hard rock and orchestral arrangements.

Production Details

The album was produced by Shigeru Narumo and Masaharu Honjo, with engineering handled by Hideo Takada. The cover design was created by writer Tamio Kageyama, featuring surreal artwork that complements the album's eclectic sound. The combination of different musical styles and the creative production approaches contributed to the album's diverse sonic palette.

Conclusion

Released in 1972, Dr. Siegel's Fried Egg Shooting Machine is a notable entry in the Japanese rock scene, reflecting the experimentation and energy of its time. The album features contributions from Shigeru Narumo on electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, and vocals.