The Stalin

[1] Circa 1979, Michiro Endo, a 29-year-old socialist activist,[2] formed a punk band called Jiheitai (自閉体).

"[2] Originally a three piece with Endo on vocals and bass, Atsushi on guitar and Jun on drums.

Shintaro joined as bassist later in the month, however their first single, "Dendou Kokeshi", was already recorded without him and was released on September 5, 1980.

On November 4, at a live performance at Kanto Gakuin High School, Endo is arrested for indecent exposure.

The Stalin were one of the bands to star in Sogo Ishii's movie Burst City, released on March 13, 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.

At a concert on September 17, Teruya and former member Jun, play as guest support on guitar and drums respectively.

Stalin completed the cultural exchange in 1990 when they toured Eastern Europe, which was recorded and released as the Saigo no Akai Natsu -Stalin Call in East Europe- video.

Michiro Endo performed with Keigo Nakata (ex:The Stalin) on drums, Shinichi Suzuki (Pulling Teeth) on guitar and Katsuta on bass.

[4] Other bands and artists also performed and paid tribute to the group, including Loopus, Cobra, Panta and Kenzi.

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.

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