Masafumi Gotoh (後藤 正文, Gotō Masafumi) or Gotch (December 2, 1976) is the lead vocalist, main songwriter and rhythm guitarist of the Japanese rock band Asian Kung-Fu Generation. Masafumi met fellow band members Kensuke Kita and Takahiro Yamada while attending a music club of Kanto Gakuin University. The three formed Asian Kung-Fu Generation in 1996, with drummer Kiyoshi Ijichi joining the band shortly after.[1] As the main songwriter of the band, Gotoh is credited with writing a majority of their lyrics, but has a strong tendency to share songwriting duties equally among his bandmates. His vocal style most often alternates between soft, melodic singing, and harder, harsher, yelling.[2] Masafumi has a degree in economics and his favourite artists include Weezer, Number Girl, Oasis, Teenage Fanclub, and Beck.[3] He produces records for other artists such as Chatmonchy, Dr. Downer and The Chef Cooks Me.[4] He was also one of the founding members of the band Skeletons (スケルトンズ).[5]
In 2010, Gotoh launched his own music label, only in dreams.[6] In 2012, he started a solo project under the name Gotch, and released the single "'Lost".[7] In 2014, he released his debut solo album, Can't Be Forever Young and released live album called, Live in Tokyo.[8] In 2016, he released his second solo album, Good New Times, with most songs using English lyrics.[9] In 2024, he established a non profit organization "Apple Vinegar Music Support" and build a studio called "Music inn Fujieda" in Fujieda to support young and independent musicians.[10] In March 2024, Gotoh released drone/ambient music album Recent Report I under his original name.[11]
Furusato Osamu to Furoshiki – "Ryusui" (2024) co-producer, recording, mixing, mastering; guitar and chorus on "Ryusui"; lyrics, vocal, guitar, and programming on "Ryusui Remix"
Furusato Osamu to Furoshiki – "Takibi" (2024) co-producer, recording, mastering
^"Archived copy". skeletonsman.com. Archived from the original on 17 September 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)