noise RIPs

news:

>>
>> Our friend Koji Tano died yesterday, sunday july 31st.
>>
>> My information is limited, but what I know is that Koji was

diagnosed

>> with
>> stomach cancer in may, but after surgery the doctors could only
>> conclude it
>> was too late, the cancer had spread too far, and he was given

maximum

>> a year
>> left to live. It lasted only two months.
>>
>> Koji did more in his short time (I belive he was only 43) than most

of

>> us
>> can hope for in a full lifetime. He had many friends around the

world.

>> As an
>> organizer of shows and tours in Japan he was the key to almost
>> everyone in
>> the noise/experimental community coming to Japan. He seemed

tireless,

>> as he
>> was constantly networking and helping people out (myself included).
>>
>> As a musican Koji made a name for himself with his project MSBR,

with

>> countless releases and tours all over the world. (On his tours he
>> always
>> took with him younger acts, giving them exposure). Koji also

launched

>> the
>> first extensive website for noise music, up and running in 1996. He
>> published a magazine, ran an online mailorder, booked shows and

tours,

>> ran
>> several labels, and in the last two years had his own store in

Tokyo.

>> His
>> dedication and support for the music he loved was something
>> extraordinary
>> and his passing leaves a huge void in the noise scene.
>>
>> I have been corresponding with Koji for over ten years and met him

in

>> person
>> on a handful of occations. This april I was in Japan, touring with

John

>> Hegre and John Sharp. During our time in Tokyo we stayed at his
>> apartment,
>> Koji sleeping on the livingroom floor, insisting we use his

bedroom. He

>> guided us around and made sure our stay was the best it could be. I
>> belive
>> the show he set up with us at Shibuya O-nest on April 16th was not
>> only the
>> last show he ever set up, but also his last MSBR concert

performance.

>>
>> Usually when people pass away people remember the good stuff, but I

can