Half Japanese is an American art punk band formed in 1974 by brothers Jad and David Fair in Uniontown, Maryland. Known for their raw, lo-fi sound and deliberately untuned guitars, the band embraced a DIY ethos that rejected conventional musical technique in favor of pure creative energy. Their lyrics often explore themes of love and monsters, and their early recordings—like the sprawling triple album 1/2 Gentlemen/Not Beasts—became cult classics, influencing generations of indie and experimental musicians. Jad Fair remains the band’s constant member, and their outsider charm earned fans like Kurt Cobain, who famously wore their T-shirt.
