Masanori Mark Christianson

Masanori Mark Christianson (born Masanori Shirota, January 18, 1976 in Ōmori, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese American musician, art director, copywriter, visual artist and model. He may be best known as a bass guitarist and multi-instrumentalist for the seminal Oakland, California indie rock band The Heavenly States. In addition to releasing a split-single with Coldplay and The Postal Service, The Heavenly States have shared bills with artists rangi... more

Masanori Mark Christianson (born Masanori Shirota, January 18, 1976 in Ōmori, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese American musician, art director, copywriter, visual artist and model. He may be best known as a bass guitarist and multi-instrumentalist for the seminal Oakland, California indie rock band The Heavenly States. In addition to releasing a split-single with Coldplay and The Postal Service, The Heavenly States have shared bills with artists ranging from Beck and Modest Mouse, to The Flaming Lips and have had their music profiled on shows such as the MTV drama series The Hills, E! True Hollywood Story and Saturn automobile commercials. Masanori, also a nationally published and award winning advertising art director and copywriter, has worked for clients ranging from the Target Corporation to the Tiger Woods Foundation. Although never a serious venture, Masanori occasionally dabbles in print modeling and voice-over work for corporations such as UnitedHealth Group. Masanori is the older... less