were a Japanese punk rock band formed in June 1980, by leader and vocalist Michiro Endo. After numerous member changes, he disbanded the group in February 1985. formed a punk band called . 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." Their concert on June 24 was the last with drummer Jun, however he still appears on their major label debut album Stop Jap, as well as their first major label single "Romantist", both released on July 1, as they were recorded before he left. "Romantist" is a reworked version of "Ideologist" from Trash, and has become their most well-known song worldwide. Hitoshi joins as drummer in July 1982. Sogo Ishii also directed a promotional video for "Romantist", as well as "Stop Jap" and their next single "Allergy", which was released on August 25. Their concert on September 27, 1982, was the last with Hitoshi. In November Keigo joins on drums, but leaves in December along with Tam.

In January 1983, Makoto joins on guitar and Tatsuya on drums. On February 10, they released their fourth single "Go Go Stalin". Their next album Mushi and single "Nothing", are both released on April 25. After a June 11 gig, Makoto and Tatsuya leave. Also in June 1983 Shintaro leaves. At a concert on September 17, Teruya and former member Jun, play as guest support on guitar and drums respectively.

In early 1984, June-Bleed joins as guitarist. But on March 17, 1984, he leaves and is eventually replaced by Masahiro. Also in March, Jun rejoins the band on drums and Teruya joins as bassist. In May, their song "Chicken Farm" appeared on MRR's international Welcome to 1984 compilation. Other bands and artists also performed and paid tribute to the group, including Loopus, Cobra, Panta and Kenzi. The show was recorded and released as the Hakike Gasuruhodo Romanchikku Daze!! video on June 30, 2001. The concert coincided with the release of the 365 – A Tribute to The Stalin album, which has some of the bands that performed covering The Stalin songs.

On December 1, 2010, two tribute albums were released. One entitled Romantist – The Stalin, Michiro Endo Tribute Album, features bands such as Buck-Tick, Dir En Grey, Group Tamashii and Jun Togawa covering The Stalin and Michiro Endo songs. The other Red Demon, Blue Demon – Michiro Endo 60th Birthday Anniversary Tribute Album, features different artists and was first released at Endo's concert on November 14 to coincide with his 60th birthday.

Endo still gathered various musicians for occasional The Stalin performances. The last being a few shows in early 2011 as "The Stalin Z", with the line-up of Endo on vocals, Tatsuya Nakamura (ex:The Stalin) on drums, KenKen (Rize) on bass and Kazuhiro Hyaku (Mo'Some Tonebender) on guitar.

Michiro Endo died in a Tokyo hospital while battling pancreatic cancer on April 25, 2019, aged 68.

Members

  • Michiro Endo – vocals (1980–1985, 1987–1988, 1989–1993), bass (1980) (Notalin's, M.J.Q, Touch Me)

The Stalin

  • Atsushi Kaneko – guitar (1980–1981)
  • Kazuo "Tam" Tamura – guitar (1981–1982) (ex:Typhus,→G-Zet)
  • Tsugio Makoto – guitar (1983) (ex:The Onanizo Bomb,→The God)
  • June-Bleed – guitar (1984) (The Willard)
  • Masahiro Kitada – guitar (1984)
  • Masayuki Ono – guitar (1984–1985) (ex:Allergy)
  • Shintaro Sugiyama – bass (1980–1983)
  • Teruya Ogata – guitar (support guest) (1983), bass (1984)
  • Hiroshi Higo – bass (support member) (1984–1985) (Shibusashirazu Orchestra)
  • Jun Inui – drums (1980–1982), (1984–1985)
  • Hitoshi Oda – drums (1982)
  • Keigo Nakata – drums (1983) (ex:Enola Gay,→G-Zet, Lip Cream, Nickey & The Warriors, The Star Club, Cobra)
  • Tatsuya Nakamura – drums (1983) (ex:The Onanizo Bomb, →The God, Masturbation, Nickey & The Warriors, Blankey Jet City, Losalios, The Star Club, Touch Me, Friction)

Video Stalin

  • Kubota – guitar (1987–1988)
  • Sakamitsu – guitar (1987)
  • May – bass (1987–1988)
  • Shoko – drums (1987–1988)

Stalin

  • Aihiko Yamamori – guitar (1989–1990)
  • Tadashi "Ritsu" Saito – guitar (1990–1993) (→Loopus, Minimum Rockets)
  • Yusuke Nishimura – bass (1989–1990)
  • Chikao Adachi – bass (1990–1993)
  • Shigeo Mihara – drums (1989–1993) (→The Roosters)

Discography

The Stalin

;Albums & EPs

  • Stalinism (April 7, 1981)
  • Trash (October 21, 1981) Oricon Albums Chart Peak Position: No. 14 (2020 reissue)
  • Stop Jap (July 1, 1982)
  • (April 25, 1983)
  • Fish Inn (November 20, 1984)
  • For Never – Last Live (double live album, May 25, 1985)
  • Fish Inn (1986 Mix) (December 21, 1986)
  • Stalinism (compilation album, January 21, 1987)
  • Bestests (compilation album, July 1987)
  • The Stalin Best Selection (compilation album, December 21, 1996)
  • The Stalin Best (compilation album, January 22, 2003)
  • Stop Jap Naked (October 24, 2007)
  • No. 138
  • Street Value (compilation album, July 21, 1991)

;Singles

  • "Wild Ghetto" (July 21, 1991)

;Videos

  • P. (1989)

References

  • Michiro Endo Official website
  • The Stalin at KFTH