Youth In Asia

Youth in Asia (also known as Youthinasia and/or YIA) represented a brief but impactful chapter in the realm of American no wave conceptual art noise music. Formed in 1978 in New York City, the band comprised Frank Schroder (bass), Taro Suzuki (keyboards and vocals), Steven Harvey (guitar and vocals), and Stephan Wischerth (drums).

History

Founders and Artistic Background

Taro Suzuki and Frank Schroder, the founders, were practicing visual artists. Steven Harvey, an artist himself, now manages an art gallery called Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects. Wischerth and Harvey contributed tracks to the Just Another Asshole compilation anthology, showcasing the band members’ keen interest in visual and conceptual art. Despite lacking extensive musical training, a characteristic shared by many no wave music bands, their focus was on creating conceptual noise music rather than conforming to traditional new wave norms. For instance, Taro Suzuki’s unconventional approach included playing the piano with his forehead.

Performance History

The band made its debut at 66 East 4th Street in the summer of 1978, sharing the stage with influential post-punk noise bands like The Contortions, Theoretical Girls, and DNA. In 1979, they stood as the sole noise band at the Public Arts International/Free Speech performance festival, an invitation extended by Joseph Nechvatal. Key members, including Harvey, Suzuki, and Schroder, also participated in Glenn Branca’s inaugural instrumental group featuring six guitars. Wischerth became Branca’s regular drummer for several years. The final performance by YIA was Taro Suzuki’s Shock Opera, accompanied by a video installation at Danceteria.

Youth in Asia regrouped briefly at Tier 3 post-disbandment, with original members Taro Suzuki and Frank Schroder collaborating with visual artists Richard Prince (on guitar), Dike Blair (on radio guitar), and Nancy Arlen, a sculptor and drummer from Mars.

Recording History

One of YIA’s tracks, Amnesia, was included in the 135 Grand Street: New York 1979 CD released in 2010 by Soul Jazz Records. They also featured in the 135 Grand Street New York 1979 video by Ericka Beckman, and a photo of two band members adorned the back cover of Beckman’s 55-minute Super-8/HD box released in 2009.

Members

• Frank Schroder – Bass
• Taro Suzuki – Keyboards and Vocals
• Steven Harvey – Guitar and Vocals
• Stephan Wischerth – Drums

Augmenting YIA

• Evan Lurie from the Lounge Lizards
• Fritz Van Orden from The Ordinaires
• Richard Prince
• Dike Blair
• Nancy Arlen from Mars