Founded by guitarist Ken Matsutani and grown from the late-'80s PSF scene in Tokyo, the original lineup was known as Marble Sheep and the Run Down Sun's Children. Documented on Old from New Heads (featuring the obliterating lead guitar of Michio Kurihara, also of White Heaven) and Whirl Live, the band coasted from noise peaks to deep space-outs. By the early '90s, Kurihara departed and the space-outs took over, combined with Matsutani's interest in the Grateful Dead, specifically (it seems) the lazy tropical vibe of their two-chord latter-day jam staple "Fire on the Mountain." Albums like 1992's Big Deal and 1994's Message from Oarfish toned the band's sense of adventure into mellow, often indistinct rock vibes. The band took a break of several years while Matsutani operated Captain Trip Records, named for Jerry Garcia and featuring Japanese reissues of Krautrock pioneers like Neu! and Amon Düül, American sludge-psychers Blue Cheer, and others. One artist Captain Trip reissued was the pioneering street improv troupe Maru-Sankaku-Shikaku, or Circle Triangle Square. In 2003, the reunited Marble Sheep teamed up with a re-formed Maru-Sankaku-Shikaku for the jam-heavy Marble Sheep Meets Circle Triangle Square. Since returning to action, Marble Sheep have been extraordinarily prolific, turning out nearly 20 live CD-Rs plus assorted other side projects, and seeking a middle ground between their early noise work and their jammier hippie years. ~ Jesse Jarnow