David Fair, Co-Founder of Art Rock Innovators Half Japanese, Dead at 74

David Fair, co-founder of the unconventional punk duo Half Japanese, passed away at the age of 74. His brother, Jad Fair, confirmed the news on Facebook and in a statement to Rolling Stone, stating that David had died from cancer. The duo's story was as unconventional as their music, starting in either Michigan or Maryland in 1974.

Initially, Half Japanese was formed by a pair of twenty-somethings experimenting in a bedroom with an audience of just themselves. They eventually signed with the British indie label Armageddon, releasing their debut album, 1/2 Gentlemen/Not Beasts, in 1980. This album kick-started the band's journey, leading to a 3xLP box set of covers, punk skirmishes, sound art, and noise that became a cherished cult classic.

David Fair was also known for his publication, How to Play Guitar, which challenged traditional guitar-playing norms and became a defining guide for punk purists. This ethos can be seen in the music of both brothers, ranging from sweet love songs to fantastical creatures, absurd intertextual references, and freeform noise. The band's journey included collaborations with various musicians and reached a wider audience through Kurt Cobain's invitation to open on the In Utero tour.

The band signed with Alternative Tentacles, releasing two albums—Bone Head in 1997 and Hello in 2001—before a hiatus. They reunited in 2012 for the All Tomorrow's Parties festival, with both brothers returning in 2014 to release Overjoyed. Over the past decade, David Fair continued to release solo and collaborative albums via Thick Syrup, cementing his reputation as a unique and rule-breaking musician.