Typical example of Pool logo, from Pool Volume 5.
Pool is a fanzine founded and distributed by Fishmans in collaboration with their administrative group/fanclub Neri. Pool volumes are speculated to have begun production in late 1993 after Neri's founding on November 1 of that year, and there are 25 confirmed volumes of Pool in existence which were mostly if not all printed throughout the 1990s. Currently, complete scans exist for more than half of these volumes.
Volumes of Pool would most often contain dense and detailed information regarding the band's activities during a 2-4 month period of time according to when the volume was issued. On top of this, volumes would regularly contain interviews with the band, fun facts about band members and interactive activities. There are recurring segments in multiple Pool volumes which make regular appearances, such as the De La Poet segment which appears in every edition.
Volumes of Pool likely concluded after the distribution of Volume 25 in the mid-to-late year of 2000, coinciding with the release of concert film 記憶の増大. Also coinciding with this end date is the beginning of a five-year hiatus from Fishmans, beginning after the release of said concert film and ending with the 2005 live performance August 20, 2005 @Rising Sun Rock Festival.
Known recurring segments in Pool[]
De La Poet[]
De La Poet is a segment containing one or more poems written by Shinji Sato. It is regularly misspelled, for example, "Do Lae Poet". It can take up an entire page, or only a smaller portion of one. Unrelated to De La Poet, after Sato's passing, his lyrical works were all collected in a book called Long Season (not to be confused with the album or song of the same name). This book does not include the poems published in De La Poet. An incomplete collection of his written poetry featured in Pool can be found at this wiki's page for De La Poet.
Supporters of Fishmans[]
Supporters of Fishmans is a segment containing a profile and interview with an individual close to the band who assisted in their activities. For example, in Pool volume 7, this segment featured DJ Moog Yamamoto.
Fishmans Room/Member's Room[]
Fishmans Room/Member's Room seems to be a freeform segment allowing each member of the band to create a small segment of whatever they wish. Not all volumes contain a segment like this, and these were more explicit in volumes 3 and 4.
Poolside de Utatane/Utatane[]
Poolside de Utatane is a segment which features illustrations shared by readers/members. The name means 'taking a nap on/at the pool side'. The presence of 'de' is meant to make the segment sound foreign to Japan.
Live Report[]
Live Report (or simply whatever event was occurring, followed by 'Report') is a segment containing a description of a live show or event the band participated in, usually including a complete setlist and date of performance, as well as occasional photos of the event.
Information[]
Information is a segment at the end of most Pool volumes, meant to advertise what the band is planning to do in the future. This can include concert dates, radio appearances, book appearances, merchandise drops, upcoming releases and more. This segment is typically the most densely written part of Pool volumes.
Canon Pool Volumes Available to Read[]
- Volumes 1 and 2 are currently unavailable.
- Pool Volume 3 (June-July 1994)
- Pool Volume 4 (August-September 1994)
- Pool Volume 5 (October 1994)
- Pool Volume 6 (January-February 1995)
- Pool Volume 7 (May 1995)
- Volume 8 is currently unavailable.
- Pool Volume 9 (November 1995)
- Pool Volume 10 (February 1996)
- Volumes 11 through 13 are currently unavailable.
- Pool Volume 14 (April 1997)
- Pool Volume 15 (July-August 1997)
- Volumes 16 and 17 are currently unavailable.
- Pool Volume 18 (April-May 1998)
- Pool Volume 19 (July-August 1998)
- Pool Volume 20 (October-November 1998)
- Pool Volume 21 (January-February 1999)
- Pool Volume 22 (June-July 1999)
- Pool Volume 23 (September-October 1999)
- Volumes 24 and 25 are currently unavailable.