Steve Jansen

Steve Jansen is a producer and multi-instrumentalist best known as the former drummer of new wave band Japan, which he formed in 1974 with his brother, David, and schoolfriend Mick Karn. Originally on guitar, Jansen got behind the drum kit as new guitarist Rob Dean joined the group, in addition to keyboardist Richard Barbieri. When Japan switched from a mainly glam-oriented sound to a more electronic one, Jansen became well-known for his unique drumming style and interesting use of East Asian percussion on the album Tin Drum.

After the band split up in 1982, Jansen continued to collaborate with his former bandmates in the following years; he formed The Dolphin Brothers with Barbieri, and both teamed up with Mick Karn to form JBK. The most significant of these collaborations was the forming of Nine Horses with his brother and Burnt Friedman. He also joined all the former Japan members (bar Rob Dean) in 1991 for the short-lived Rain Tree Crow project.

As a solo artist, Steve Jansen has released one studio album: Slope, in 2007, which features input from numerous musicians, including David Sylvian. In addition to music, Jansen has also shown an interest in photography and blogging.