Interview With ScReW

One day before Jrock Invasion we got the opportunity to make an interview with SCREW, a relatively young Visual Kei Band, who performed at the Rock Identity Event Jrock Invasion in Germany. The five musicians - all in bulky jackets - and apparently a little battered from the long flight greeted us friendly in one of the backstage rooms in the Palladium of Cologne.

Hello. Please introduce yourself to our readers!
Jin: I am the drummer of the band, Jin.
Yuuto: I am Yuuto, the bassist.
Manabu: My name is Manabu and I am guitarist.
Kazuki: I am a guitarist aswell and my name is Kazuki.
Byou: I am the vocalist, Byou.

You are in germany for the first time. Which impressions could you gather and what do you think about Germany?

Jin: I have heard beforehand that Germany is great and that the german fans are generally in a good mood. I like that and I hope it will be proven true tomorrow!
Yuuto: I have only seen Cologne so far, for me the city is beautiful - like from a movie.
Manabu: Since I have arrived at the airport, I feel that the air here is kinda different.
Kazuki: I have heard that in Germany, it is very cold. But personally, I find the climate very pleasant.
Byou: I think the germans are very good at soccer. *laughs*

Tomorrow you will be performing at Jrock Invasion. What are you expectations?

Jin: I would be pleased if we could enthuse the fans.
Yuuto: When I perform in Japan, it is more of a matter of the head. Here one is so close to the fans, I think that's great.
Manabu: I think the german fans react and feel different that the fans in Japan. I am really curious about how the fans will accept us, what it will be emotion-wise.
Kazuki: Tomorrow we will play together with bands who are above us, so to speak. Especially because of this, we would like to show our abilities and deliver a good show.
Byou: We want to - especially as a japanese Band - leave an impression with our performance.

Manabu, you are a regular member of SCREW since May 2007. Have you settled in well?

Manabu: I am really happy to be a member of this band. It is a beautiful thing and it is a lot of fun.

Which meaning does the name "SCREW" have?

Byou: I'm not quite fond of things that are 'straight forward', I prefer things were you need to use your head and think. Screw means Screw translated, and as a listener, you have got to occupy yourself with us, to 'screw yourself in' and we as a band want to screw us into the hearts of our fans with our music *smiles*

How did you meet each other?

Yuuto: Well, me and Byou have done music together before, Kazuki was introduced to us through acquaintances and we immediately thought that he would fit to us. We met Jin on the Internet *laughs*, we thought he was cool and he fit to us, Manabu then was also introduced to us personally through a friend and then joined us.

Byou and Yuuto, so you have been together in a band before. How come you are in a band together again?

Yuuto: In between, I made music with other people too but I realized that Byou and me fit together best. It is most fun with him, additionally, together we achieve the best results musically and take advantage of this.

You are a relatively young band and already have the chance to perform abroad. What do you think about that?

Jin: When we got to know about this, we were very astonished, precisely because we are a young band. We never would have expected that but this chance has made us very ambitious - we definitely want to deliver a good show and not 'loose' to the other bands.

I heard that your stage performance is very interesting. How does it distinguish?

Jin: Our songs are very hard on the one hand, but they also contain beautiful melodies. We try our best to convey this interplay on stage aswell.

Byou, you were a roadie for the band kagerou and said once that the vocalist Daisuke is your role model. Why?

Byou: Yes. I learnt a lot through him, he was kind of a teacher for me. His influence has definitely heavily influenced me.

Different music styles do influence your music. Do you decide beforehand in which direction a song should go or does it happen spontaneously?

Kazuki: Byou usually allows and sets up a structure and tells us how he imagines a song. The rest of the band then creates a certain image on this base how we like it. So we actually decide beforehand in which direction the speficic song should go and what kind of topic it has got.

Has the joining of the Label Indie PSC helped your career in your opinion?
(the band shortly confers with each other and the manager)

Byou: First the band was pushed a lot, of course. Additionally, Manabu joined us, and the band grew, he really is an enrichment for us. So it was a positive decision which definitely helped us.

Why did you only play Secret Lives at first?

Byou: We wanted to see what it is like to perform with four people at that time. We had to approach slowly to the whole thing and that is why everything happened secretly *laughs*

Do you have a certain kind of message which you want to convey in your songs?

Yuuto: We do not have a special message, it always depends on the song we play. The listener has to let our music sink in and then decide for themselves which message he sees in it.

How did you get into Visual Kei and fascinates you about it?

Jin: I was mainly influenced by X Japan and my passion for music got me into Visual Kei. This band has definitely thrilled me.
Yuuto: What really like about Visual Kei is that in this scene there are different styles of music. There are pop bands, very hard bands and very different melodic bands. I like this variety.
Manabu: I got hooked by the whole package in particular, especially the exceptional style.
Kazuki: I can only associate with that. The style really fascinated me, additionally I was influenced very much through my older friends who were interested in this style and the music and they finally got me into it.
Byou: God told me to follow the Visual Kei *laughs*

And what kind of music do you listen to private?
SCREW: Mainly Slipknot and Radiohead. But we often listen to our own music privately!

Do you have any ambitions as a band for the future?

Jin: We want to evolve as a band and be successful.
Yuuto: We do not want to perform in germany alone but wish to play our music everywhere in the world.
Manabu: We want to become successful step by step and improve music-wise.
Kazuki: I think one should set a goal at a time, reach this and then set a new, higher goal. Currently I am looking forward to tomorrow and see this performance as a goal. After that I will search for a higher goal!
Byou: We would like to do a oneman tour in germany.

Do you have got a final message to our readers?

Jin: I hope you will get to know SCREW better and that we will please you.
Yuuto: We want to become a famous japanese band and we would be happy if the readers of JaMe would support us in this matter.
Manabu: I'd also be happy if our popularity would increase with the help of the readers. Thanks!
Kazuki: We definitely want to come back to germany and hope for your support!
Byou: I would be happy about new friends. *laughs*

Interview With Kai the GazettE Part 1

For someone who has never heard about the GazettE, how would you describe your music, image, and message?

KAI: Hmm, We have a mixture of everything. *laugh* That's how I see it. I think we are a band that is able to do all genres of music. Sometimes when making new songs, there are times when we think, "This is quite new for us," but once we actually do it, somehow it always end up sounding like our music, that when the five of us do it together, it will turn to the GazettE's music. That's why I think we are able to cover all types of music.


How did you become the leader of the GazettE?

KAI: *Laughs* About that, to tell you the truth, we asked for a volunteer. We asked each other, "Who wants to be the leader?" so I said, "Ok I'll do it."


Were you the only one that raised your hand?

KAI: Yes. I think the others thought it'll probably just be troublesome work. *laugh* But naturally, a drummer's position is the only position that can oversee the whole audience and the whole band at the same time. So in that sense, I feel that I would like to support the members from behind; that is why I volunteered to become the leader. When I said "I'll do it!" nobody else raised their hand so...


Maybe they wanted to, but were just shy?

KAI: I thought so too, I thought at least two or three of them would want to be the leader *laugh* but nobody raised their hands, so I said I'd do it.


So you want to support the others from behind, that's like YOSHIKI.

KAI: Eh? No, no, I'm not that good *laugh*.


When making music, do you start with the music first or the lyrics? How does each band member contribute?

KAI: RUKI covers all the lyrics; music-wise, the five of us would compose tunes, select one together, and then arrange it together. We start with the music, well, RUKI would add the lyrics and the melody later on, so I guess we start with composing the music first.


So you compose the songs together?

KAI: Yes.


The musical direction of STACKED RUBBISH is very different from that of NIL. Some fans even say that parts of it sounded more hip-hop. Was this a conscious decision on the band's part or did it just happen?

KAI: For us, when we make an album, we don't decide on a set concept. When making a single, since there are only a few tracks on a single, we have to use the leading track to present our view, and the image of the CD. But in an album, the first thing we think of is that we need to have variations in music, so we try to cover a range of types of music. So in NIL, that presented the challenges we had at that time, and the new album, well to say hip-hop, there was only one track that was like that. But it was new to us, so for us we feel like it has opened up a new door for us. We did not exactly aim for the hip-hop sound, though.


Speaking of releases, you will be releasing a new single next year. Could you tell us about it?

KAI: Yeah well, the release date has not yet been decided. But right now the music is coming together bit by bit, we are discussing let's do this, let's do that, so we can't really tell you anything because well, it's not complete yet. It's a secret *laugh*.

*Everyone laughs*

Top secret!!

In DISORDER, the song "Saraba" had a very strong anti-war message. Are there any songs such as ones from STACKED RUBBISH that raise strong political or moral questions?

KAI: I don't think so, anything politically. According to RUKI, all the lyrics he writes are from things he's actually experienced. He's the only one that writes lyrics.

Have you ever attempted to write lyrics?

KAI: There was once, a while back, RUKI asked us to contribute some lyrics to a song. It was three lines, and he asked us to write whatever we felt like. I did and he laughed at what I wrote. *laugh*

Where those lines used at all?

KAI: No, actually, yes, REITA's lines got used, in "ITO."

Now that you mention him, why does REITA wear the handkerchief on his nose?

KAI: Oh, that's like his trademark now, it's like a part of his body. That is REITA.

Does he wear that normally?

KAI: *Laugh* No, but as the bassist of the GazettE, that is the way REITA is.

Isn't it hard to breathe like that?

KAI: Well, I guess since he's still alive it mustn't be too bad.

*Everyone laughs*

If we think about it, we do start wondering, but since he hasn't complained about it I guess it's alright.

Do you design your own costumes, or do you let the stylist design for you?

KAI: We work with the stylist to come up with the design. We would draw up a design of what we imagine ourselves wearing, and then the stylist would suggest "Wouldn't it be better like this?" afterwards, so we design together.


That's really interesting to hear about the creative process that goes into your image. So, to digress a little, you have just completed a live at the Budokan this year. Last September, you also did a live concert there. What was the biggest difference, experience-wise?

KAI: Definitely. This time around, we know what we are doing and how we are presenting ourselves. We are able to look at ourselves objectively, since it's our second time performing there, and I think that's the biggest difference. It really applies to all the concerts we did in this tour.


At the Yokohama and the Budokan concerts, all of your parents were there amongst the audience. How did that make you feel?

KAI: You mean how it felt to perform in front of our parents? It was a happy experience, it wasn't really like repaying them, but when we first started the band, we had to go through a lot of difficulties and they helped us a lot. Finally now we are at a place where we can, not just substantially repay them, but emotionally as well, and I am really happy about that.


Was there anything that presented itself as a challenge during your tour this time?

KAI: Hmm.. challenge. It's not as much of a challenge, being that I think we have discovered new things that we can work on. When doing a live, we come to know what we are lacking, and what we need to do to change that. So, at the next live, or even at a recording session, we can find ways to overcome the problems. We basically found new things that we need to work on, and didn't really have much opportunity to face new challenges.

Last summer, you played your first show in Europe. What was that like?

KAI: The biggest difference to Japan was that it was unrestricted and had an open feeling, the fans were too, and they show how much they are enjoying the music with their whole body. To non-Japanese fans, it might be just something natural that they do, but since we'd only done concerts in Japan, it was a quite fresh experience for us. Surprisingly we felt that it was close to what we expect from our fans, in regards to the relationship and their response. In that sense, the Japanese fans are a bit more restricted, so I think it's a good thing that the overseas fans don't have that restricted feeling. Music is not something that you have to think about or consider while listening, right? I think it's meant to be experienced subconsciously.

Was there anything unpleasant, or something that surprised you?

KAI: Nothing in particular but, probably food. We are so accustomed to Japanese food, so food there was very different and some didn't cater to our taste *laugh* But the beer was good. And sausages. The rice was very different from Japanese rice. We were surprised. *laugh* We ordered rice and were surprised by what they brought out. *laugh*

You will soon be departing to go to Europe to do your PULSE WRIGGLING TO BLACK tour. Are you excited about that?

KAI: Yes, I am really looking forward to that.

It will be your second time to Germany, and first time to London, Paris, and Helsinki. How do you feel about going to perform in those new places?

KAI: Yeah well, this is totally unrelated, but I love soccer, and so does my manager. *laugh*

Did you play soccer?

KAI: Yes, in elementary school, junior high, and high school. So to me, France is like the holy ground for soccer, so I am really excited about going there. Although that's totally unrelated to what you asked *laugh*

*Everyone laughs*

In regards to this European tour, how did that come about?

KAI: Last year we attended ANIMAGIC there, an anime convention, and at the same time we were asked if we would like to perform in Europe. A bit prior to that, we had already contemplated with the idea of doing concerts overseas, so we took that offer. And we have gotten hooked on doing concerts overseas *laugh* It was really fun. So after the first time, we already thought that we would like to do more, even though we didn't get the new offers yet. We talked amongst ourselves that we would like to do lives in more countries. We thought we would like to take any chance possible.

Do you plan on doing tours in other countries, or release CDs there?

KAI: In Germany, well, in Europe, our CDs are already being sold there, I saw it myself at the stores there. NIL was being sold *laugh*

What about other countries?

KAI: If we have the opportunity, we would definitely like to go.

What about Asia?

KAI: Asia‚, nothing so far. We haven't been to Korea, or America, for that matter, so if we decide to do concerts there, I think naturally the CDs will be sold there, too.

You will be spending your birthday (October 28th) this year in Europe. Are you planning to do anything to celebrate your birthday?

KAI: Yeah *laugh* I think we will end up doing nothing *laugh* I think we will be too busy. We will probably be moving to a different location that day. But I think it will be quite an experience, since we don't normally get to spend our birthdays overseas. We might be crossing national borders at that time.

*Everyone laughs*

I don't really have the need that I have to spend my birthday in Japan.

What is the most fun song to perform at a live, and what is the most difficult song to perform at a live?

KAI: The most fun song would be "LINDA," and the most difficult one would be the song in our new album, "GENTLE LIE" I think, because we put in a lot of phrases that I am not so good at. Well it's not so much as,"Oh let's just put those in," but I wanted to make it more challenging for myself. So it's the most difficult.

What direction will the GazettE take on from here, and how would you like to grow as a band?

KAI: Hmm, we would really like to have more people listen to our music. Of course, there are a lot of people in the world that don't know about us. We would like to have them know us, listen to our music, and if they don't like it, then that's fine. We don't want to be judged because of our appearance when they haven't even listened to our music. So the first thing would be to have more people listen to our music. We would also like to expand our activities to overseas.

Fool's Mate August 2008 - Reita Interview

- First, please tell us when and why you started playing the bass.
I started the bass in my third year of middle school. At first I had played guitar in my second year. And it was acoustic (laugh). I started because I thought it would be cool if I knew how to play guitar. There wasn't anyone I knew who did, so I bought one as soon as I could. But after that, I saw LUNA SEA on TV. It really affected me, and I thought "I have to join a band, this isn't the time to be buying an acoustic guitar!" (laugh) So then I bought an electric guitar.

- But you switched to the bass soon after, right?
Yes. I started playing bass after I got frustrated with the guitar (laugh). Since I didn't know anyone who played guitar, so I couldn't improve. Then everyone started buying guitars, including Uruha. Then Uruha said he was going to perform at the arts festival, and wanted to borrow my amplifier. At the time I lent it to him, the electric guitar had already become boring. I couldn't do more than make that raw "pekepeke" noise (laugh). I wasn't getting better, and it was boring...so I stopped. But I wanted to be in a band. At that time, even when I listened to CDs and stuff I couldn't pick out the sound of the bass, so I didn't know which part I wanted to play. Then I thought, "I can do this even if I don't practice!" and decided on bass (laugh). My reason for starting to play the bass is pretty impure (laugh).

- No, I think it's fine (laugh). Did you start a band right after that?
At first it was me, Uruha, and one other friend who played guitar. We would play a CD, turn our amps up really loud, and record onto a casette tape (laugh). I also had a friend who was pretty good at singing, so after we started using him as a vocalist we did the same thing, playing CDs and recording onto casette tapes...it was fun anyway, and we did that until high school (laugh). At that time we also found a drummer, and by our first year of high school we were able to play at a live house. That band broke up before we graduated, but after that Uruha and I would still always play together. There was also a time when we didn't have a drummer, so we played live with a rhythm machine. Just recently, I went over to my friend's house and he had a DVD from that time. We watched it, but it was pretty painful (laugh). First off, no one was there (laugh). There weren't any more than 5 people, and even they were talking and stuff (laugh). Even so, the point was that we were performing as best we could. So much that it created my view of the world even more than recently (laugh). At that time, I met Ruki...he was a drummer then, but we decided to be in a band together. When that band had a live, about 80 people would show up on a good day. But a lot happened, and we broke up. And for the next band Ruki had gotten good at singing, so he became the vocalist, and we found a new drummer. And that drummer brought Aoi with him. That was at the beginning of 2002.

- The birth of Gazette, huh. What kind of band were you at the time?
Pretty different from now, we kept with a very Japanese image. Everyone loved to use kanji for everything and things like that. But as we kept doing lives, we wanted a different, more manly kind of mood...so we started thinking that, and gradually changed. Then about a year later our drummer said he was quitting. But Ruki had made friends with Kai-kun by that point, so once he joined it became the 5 members we have now.

- At that time, what kind part did you think a bassist had?
I thought they should stand out (laugh). I thought I should move around a lot when I played my phrase. I wanted people to think, "Wow, this bassist moves a lot"...like that. Nothing about wanting to support the band (laugh). I wanted people to say, "He's like a guitarist, huh". But at that time, everyone was like that. No one thought that someone should be more in the background for the sake of the band (laugh). It was just like, "Go for it all at once!" (laugh).

- There's a lot of bands who were like that at first (laugh). In 2003 Gazette began to stand out more, so what are your thoughts on that time?
We had joined a label and started appearing in magazines, while having lives at the same time, so more people found out about us. In the spring of 2003, we also had a coupling tour. On the first day, March 9th at Takadanobaba Area, there were about 90 people, but on the May 6th final (Shibuya O-West), about 280 people came. Also, on the day of the final we talked about a oneman performance on January 16th, 2004 at Shibuya AX. Our manager at the time said, "At the rate people are coming, by January you'll have 1,800 people at Shibuya AX." I got goosebumps when I heard that, but I didn't feel like it was real. I thought, "Yeah, that probably won't happen." (laugh). At that point I thought 280 people would be a miracle (laugh).

- Even if it's not a miracle, 1,800 people is almost six times that amount, after all.
Yeah. After we started talking about that, we didn't have any oneman lives. We would have two-band lives or perform at events. We began to travel the region a little more. Then, during the summer we decided to really do Shibuya AX. We actually didn't think it would be filled up or anything, but when I peeked out from behind the curtain it was totally full. I think I was more nervous that day than I've ever been in my life. My legs were shaking and everything. But I did understand the feeling of playing at a larger area, and how good it feels (laugh). I thought that maybe we'll try to change the world a little. But at that time there was a feeling that we had been brought there, not that we had gotten there ourselves. Because of that a kind of fire had been lit in the band, but in the end it worked out well. After that, starting from April 2004 we had our first oneman tour, and we were able to create more sound. It was also at that time when I started realizing what a bassist should be like. The first place on the tour was Fukuoka, but our manager at the time had gotten mad at us. After the live he was like, "Isn't something different?". I don't remember what he told the other members, but he told me "You're too far forward!". At first I was like, "What?", but after a while I got it. I had never been told that before, so I didn't know. After that I decided to stand back a little. It was at that time when I started thinking about where I should stand.

- I guess you had recieved some good advice at a good time. If there was one song at that time that became a turning point for you, what would it be?
Probably [DIS]. When we started aiming for a better mood, that was the first song we brought out. I think it was October of 2003, but that was when more and more people started raising their fists and things like that. Perfoming that song live also began to influence our sound afterwards. So because of that I think it was a turning point. We also gradually stopped messing around so much. We did that a lot at first. I can't belive it now, but in the middle of our oneman live there was a small break, and during that we'd play a comment video we had taken beforehand. And it was filled with us just messing around, doing impressions and stuff. We always played those during the break (laugh). We really did dumb stuff like that then. But eventually our feelings of "It's fine as long as it's fun" changed to "It should be cool". The visual part also changed, and we started to use harder things like studs and things like that.

- I think that the album NIL released in 2006 was when you changed the most.
That's true. Since then we've used more B tuning. But the reason was way before that. We joined PS Company and released consecutive CDs for about three months after May 2003. The day before we started recording for "Akuyuukai", which was released in June, we all gathered at Uruha's house. The conversation turned to, "Why don't we bring all of our strings down a note?", or "For tomorrow's recording, should we do this?" kinda thing...all of a sudden (laugh). Things started changing after that. I think the increase in our tuning variations created the present Gazette.

- Your sound became heavier, the visual style became more manly, but I think the fact that you left a luxurious feeling became charactaristic of the GazettE.
Yeah, I guess because we're not too guyish. Cool has a lot of different meanings, so we want to show a lot of different forms of cool. Because we've always done whatever we wanted to at the time. We've never said things like, "This song doesn't sound like Gazette", we just do whatever we think sounds good. That also expanded after we started using different tuning. I think in the future we'll continue to show a lot of different faces as well. How should I say it...there are rails that our senpais put up, right? If there are kouhais that go above those, I think there are also kouhais that digress from them and put up a different rail. For us, even if we digress we don't want to go in a completely different direction, but we want to continue the rail that our senpais put up...a really thick rail.

- I'm looking forward to it. After getting more and more popular, Gazette then performed at Budokan on May 7th, 2006.
That's right. When we started talking about Budokan I thought, "It's finally here, huh".

- When you heard about Budokan, did you think that as a band and as a bassist, now would be a good time?
Well, we discussed it a lot. While on the ferry during our tour (laugh). Plus the water was really rough, so I got seasick too (laugh). But we thought that if we were going to do it, we would have to decide now. Then we got the staff together and talked about it. About 4,500 people had come to the International Forum, but there were people who pointed out that 10,000 people was a lot different than one or two thousand. But we were able to do Shibuya AX, which we didn't think was possible, as well as Yaon and Shibuya 2 Days. I thought, "We should go for it." Plus I was getting really seasick and I felt like throwing up (laugh). Anyway, I just wanted to lay down and go to sleep, so I was just like "Let's do it!" (laugh). And then it was decided (laugh).

- So that rough ocean also helped push the GazettE forward (laugh). How was it when you were onstage at Budokan?
Before Budokan we had been on a long tour of 34 places, and a lot had happened on it. There was something regarding the encores that we wanted to show, and there were about 2 times when we didn't do one. It's becoming as if encores are a given thing, isn't it. So there were a few times when we thought, "What is this? It doesn't sound like an encore." For us, we just want to get things energized during the main part. Then afterwards, go even higher with the encore...we felt that strongly. In order for that to be understood, we decided not to do one. I'm pretty sure it was at Kumamoto. Of course, I know there were some people who were seriously calling for an encore. But we think that if it doesn't become one big wave, it doesn't feel like our live. So as much as it hurt, we didn't do it. And the surveys that we read afterwards were amazing. Like, "Don't be so full of it, bastards", "Who do you think you are?", or "Don't treat us like that!" kinda thing. But I still think not doing an encore was the right choice. It was different after that, though. Since it was that kind of tour, Budokan was really important. For the fans too, it wasn't all fun. Because of what we did, there was sadness and anger as well. So it was a final at the end of those experiences. I think it really made an impression on everyone.

- At the end all the members started crying, didn't they.
We did. It was really suprising. Going along with the end of the live, the impact of it just spilled out, and none of us knew that kind of thing would happen. I was crying at that point. I just saw the faces of the staff members and started crying in a second. Because I had talked. In a lot of ways, Budokan made the greatest impression on me. I was the most nervous at Shibuya AX, and Budokan made the biggest impression. For Budokan I felt that we had made it there ourselves. We weren't taken there, we had done it. So I wanted to become closer to the fans, and to understand each other better. Those feelings became even stronger.

- It's because of that attitude that I think Gazette has great fans. Then in 2007, it progressed into a monster band. Can you tell us what Gazette means to you?
Well...99% of me is Gazette. If it wasn't, I think even my personality would be different. I guess if there was no Gazette, the present me wouldn't exist either. I really love it...it's the band I want to continue with my whole life. It's my work, fun, and interests. All of me is in it. So for me, Gazette is a way of life. I think it's the most blessed band in the world. Our members, fans, and staff all make me think that. Basically, there aren't any bad people around us, only really great ones. I think we've grown up in that amazing kind of environment. Because of that, we need people to think "I'm definitely gonna follow these guys!". We have to become something that can pull along the fans and staff....is what I think. So I want the fans and staff to understand us even better.

- I think you have those feelings of wanting the fans and staff to understand you better because everyone is at an equal position. Because you aren't looking down on anyone, you feel a deep affection for the fans and staff.
That's true. But if it was out of 100, I would want them to understand about 50 (laugh). I don't want all 100 to be understood. 50 is plenty. The remaining 50 doesn't need to be known, and actually I think it's better that it's not (laugh). From the fans' point of view, there are a lot of people who would want to know everything. Everything about what Gazette does and what we think. But I don't think that's right. Saying everything you think and telling your lover every single day "I love you" is something Westerners do (laugh). Japanese people don't talk about things like that in the same way. And things are hard to convey with words. You can't feel with words, so it's fine. I just don't want to be misunderstood. Whenever I am, I want to say "That's not what I meant!", but I'm not good at putting things to words, and I can't say it well. So our real intent is in our recent activities, our music, lives, and what we talk about in magazines. Out of that, it'd be great if we could have half of us understood....is what I think.

- I think that's fine. So six years after forming the band, what is your image now of the perfect bassist?
Now, I think the bass is an all-purpose instrument. It creates a rhythm, but can also play the melody. A bassist can have a frontman position or be more towards the back. I think it's the most versatile position. If it was soccer, it would be the libero [sweeper]. They can do defense, offense, and midfield...kinda thing. When I think about it like that, I found out on this recent tour that there are even more things I can do.

- So completely different than at first when it was "How much you stand out".
That's true. Though I think it's fine if you stand out from the back. So there's not much point in being in front. I want to be able to say, "Even if I'm standing in the back, I'm in front!". I don't want to feel an actual distance. That's also why I leave the stage first after a live. I'm leaving my feelings behind. If I didn't, I would want to stay there forever. If I don't leave right after the song ends, who knows how many days I'll spend there...that's the extreme (laugh).

- You're an "unspoken aesthetics" kind of person, aren't you. You want to be understood and not misunderstood, but you don't want to explain everything from 1 to 100. The "Just understand from my actions" type, huh.
Yes. If I try to explain it, it won't end...or rather, depending on what I say there would be more people who would misunderstand, and it would keep looping like that. So in the end, what I wanted to say became even harder to understand (laugh). I know there are people who think, "Just say it", but I'll only say what's necessary.

- I see. You have had a lot of dreams come true with Gazette, but what is your dream now?
My dream....if I start explaining it won't end, but I guess if it's a dream for the near future, my goal is Tokyo Dome. That's as far as performance areas go, anyway. For that I want to gain even more friends. Rather than selling 100,000 CDs and having 10,000 people come to a live, I would want to sell 50,000 CDs and have those 50,000 people come. I want to become that kind of band. So there's no need for Gazette to be a band that everyone knows about. Whenever I peek out from behind the curtain, to see so many comrades....I want to be like that.

------------------------

ok, i have to say. if i went to a recent gazeconcert and they played clips of themselves acting like total retards backstage, i think i would die of happy. whats wrong with doing that D:

and yeah, i'll probably do the kai one too, lol. i actually haven't even looked at the interview, i just finished going "is that kai? how is that kai?? what happened to him?! what is this sexyness al;skdfja;sldkfja;sdf" for like twenty minutes, soo...might as well ^^

Interview Uruha the Gazette

Uruha likes alcohol. Too likes.
He likes teasing Kai.
For his free time he likes to stay at home and cut video clips at his PC.
Uruha has older sister whom he has not good relationships with.
In high school he was the one who likes visual kei.
He often thinks about death. Too often.
Uruha and Rita have been friends for more than 15 years.

About Uruha by other members:

What is your first impression of Uruha?
Ruki: His face looked gentle, but I though he was a big brother of heavy metal.
Kai: It was just the first impression anyway. I thought he was lack of personality charm.
All: (laughter)
Kai: Actually, I thought he was a supporting technician and Aoi was the solo guitarist.
Reita: I have known him for a long time. We met each other at the suburb soccer club. My first impression of him is just “what a blushing”. (laugh)
Aoi: I first met Uruha among the other members. I was waiting him at my friend’s home and I heard the door opened. When I turned around I saw a heavy metal guy standing there. That’s my first impression.

Uruha’s expression: What’s that?! You guys! (grumbling himself)

What are Uruha’s strong and weak points?
Ruki: The good point is that he acts like a big brother, and that’s what he so-called himself as well. (laugh) And he is gentle too. The weak point is that he forgets what he said very soon. I hope he can take the responsibility of his own words.
Reita: What is this? Stand on yourself!
Ruki: But Uruha is looking here through the sunglasses. (smirk)
Kai: He is someone very passionate with music. When it’s just the two of us, “I am just like this! I think on that way!”, he will speak of himself seriously. “Do like this! Should do like that!” It’s good to always be the pioneer.

And the weak point is……
Reita: Kai kun, be tough! What are you afraid of? [Uruha seems terrified to the others…]
Kai: Okay, I’ll try my best. (sweat) It’s awful that he is stubborn and will not change his idea.
Ruki: God! You said it loud. (laugh)
Reita: Good point is, don’t judge by his appearance, he is actually a hardworking person. About the weak point, didn’t he said I am too talkative and don’t listen to him at all in my interview? But he is also just talking of himself all the time.
Ruki: Oh, no. We are now turning into a malicious talk.
Aoi: The good point is he can talk a lot with me about music without hesitation. And the bad point is just like the others said, he is a little impetuous. And I like to drink slowly, but Uruha get drunk very soon and go teasing people.

Do you have things like “Please keep your mind on that! Please stop doing this!” that you want to tell Uruha?
Ruki: He is a nice person indeed. But why must he dug out things from ages to speak of? And everytime I go to his home, he will make me watch our first live video.
All: (laugh)
Ruki: It really made my stomach twist by watching that, so I told him everytime that I don’t want to watch that. But then he would have that brilliant big smile on his face, and I felt so melancholy. I hope he can throw that away.

It can be done by giving it to the manager?
Ruki: That’s also…disturbing…It’d be the best to let me keep it.
Kai: I hope he can have more interest in me. No matter what I talked to him, I found his face was just emotionless. It would be fine to tell me “It’s boring” if he felt like that, but he had no reaction at all.
Reita: Ahh! I am so sorry for that. How come Uruha has no interest in Kai? I am sorry if he said something bad, Kai kun. I will talk about this with him.
Kai: I will count on you then
Reita: May be Uruha is too self-paced. And it takes him so long in the shower, it takes long time to dry his hair, long, long, long, why is everything takes him so long?
All: (nodding)
Aoi: Uruha and Kai were playing games beside me when I was writing songs. Actually it doesn’t matter that they were playing games. But Uruha would keep talking about the games with Kai kun when I was working seriously beside. That’s really distracting so please stop doing that.
Reita: And you (Kai) too!.
Kai: Err, I am sorry. (sweat)

Here is the corner of instant dialogue.
Ruki: The question is asked through the editor, right. Sure, what are you scared of? (smile)

Uruha’s expression: (Taking off the sunglasses and staring at the members)

Ruki: Uruha always acts like he is usual, especially to me and Reita, like we are some wired people. He said his style is “street casual”. And sometimes ago we are on the street in Shibuya, there is a villain said, “Hair! Long.” I want to know what did Uruha think at that time. And where does his moral of “big brother” come form?
Uruha: Isn’t that good? (get serious suddenly)
Ruki: Well, if he think so. I am just curious of that.
Kai: Uruha is too self-confident. He once said himself looks like imai tsubasa or takizawa kun. I want to know what does it make he think he looks like them?
Uruha: Kai doesn’t understand me much. What is the problem to look like them? My sister said my hair style looks like takki before, and I was really happy about that.
Kai: Ah, I got it then, you mean hair style. I can understand that. My question is cleared, next please. (smile)
Reita: Mine is similar to Ruki’s. In winter, I wore my favorite jacket which I brought earlier, but Uruha didn’t want to walk with me on the street. It’s liked he thought himself is the usual one and looked at me like some weirdo. Didn’t he want to go out with me for just a while?
Uruha: But that’s a jacket with a green skull! Can I really walk with him?
Reita: That’s why I took it off.
Ruki: didn’t you still wore it before?
Reita: Not this winter. I want to say something here. Please don’t pick on other people’s wearing.
Uruha: I got it. I won’t say that anymore.
Aoi: I want to know why Uruha likes to occupy the bed everytime when he stay overnight at people’s home?
Uruha: Because human beings are meant to sleep on the bed.
Aoi: Why does the owner of the bed has to sleep under the bed?
Uruha: I think the owner has his right over his property. The owner also has the right to tell me not to sleep on the bed when he doesn’t want me to. What is the problem of sleeping on the bed if you don’t tell me?
Aoi:…………Ok…I got it.

Is there any difference when it’s just two of you instead of all being together?
Ruki: Scrupulous. He has high tension when everybody is around.[Japanese refer “tension” as vitality rather than nervousness.] If he says I am chiyu-kei[Type of person that can comfort the others, their existence can make the other feel relax.], then I am going to roll on his bed for him. (laugh) And please bring me to somewhere fun more often like the old times.
Kai: No matter we are all there or it’s just the two of us, he is indomitable all the time. Both Uruha and me like playing games, he won’t stop until he finally win. And he won’t admit it if I win.
All: (laugh)
Reita: Uruha is the only one that can talk world affair with me, that’s the topic that the others won’t talk about. We talked about the war ardently some times before, and it changes into a malicious talk of the other members.
Ruki: Really?
Aoi: What’s that about?
Kai: Just as expected…… (sweat)
Reita: That’s right. So you guys would better put a bug on us! The atmosphere is embarrassed. (smile)
Reita: Okay, okay. Of course we wouldn’t say something like that, we love you guys so much.
Aoi: Well, Anyway. When it’s just me and Uruha……
Ruki: There wasn’t times of just two of you right?
Aoi: Yeah (smirk). It’s only when we two practicing guitar. His eyes was so sparkling at that time.

What makes you feel cool of Uruha recently?
Ruki: He has been more attractive……

Hum? No more illustration?
Ruki: Because he looked terrified staring at me(sweat)
Kai: He started calling me recently. He wouldn’t call me at all even about matters of the band before. But I saw more of his name on my call-in list currently, I am quite glad of that.
Reita: He will get mad at the pedestrians when he is driving, I hope he can stop behaving like that. That’s not something cool at all. (smile)
Aoi: I always think he is stiff by observation. But he became more attractive and desirable on stage now. I won’t give in to him.

At last, please say a sentence to Uruha.
All: We love you.
Reita: We talked a lot of this and that, but those are all comments of love.
Ruki: We wouldn’t have said that much if we don’t love him indeed.

Reita X Ruki Is Canon! [In the GazettE Interview]

about Reita angry at Ruki because he messed his room [but Reita also messep up Ruki's room ^^ baka isn't it?]

then about Ruki very hungry and buying 2 burger, he ate one and he save one for later. but when he wanted to eat the burger, it's gone. Ruki gets a bad mood and sleep [hahha, so sensitive, ne?] but Reita keeps asking him, "Are you hungry? You want to eat?" and he always ask that for straight 2 years. Ruki thought that Reita teased him, but Reita only try to be caring to Ruki [so sweet!!]

then on Gazette's first impression on Ruki:

Reita said when he visit Ruki's house, Ruki will take off his coat and hang it. Reita also said that he want to MARRY Ruki if Ruki keep doing these kind of thing! hahha Ruki will be a good wife, ne? M A R R Y ?

musiQ vol.13 Aoi Interview

musiQ vol.13 Aoi Interview


Theme Interview - 1
"Friendship"

- Are you the type of person who has a lot of friends?
No, I don't think I am.

- Has it always been that way?
Not exactly. I think when I was in school everyone was friends with each other. So basically I just stayed with the crowd. There were three middle schools in my town, but the grade you were in didn't matter, and for the most part neither did the school you went to. Everyone had known each other since they were little, so we all called each other by our first names instead of last names.

- Do you keep in contact with your old school friends now?
There are some that I keep in touch with, but everyone left Mie and are all spread out, so I've lost track of where some live.

- What is your definition of a friend?
A friend is someone who you don't have to be careful around. I always watch and think about what I say, so if I could just be like, "You hungry? I'm gonna go get some food." kinda thing. I think a friend isn't someone you say "Let's be friends" to, but someone who you all of a sudden realize has always been there.

- So are the other members different from friends, then?
A little different. There are times when I'm careful around them, when things are hard to say, and times I wonder what they're thinking. And I don't go "Hey, hey!" kinda thing. I started thinking that maybe if you can talk to someone too easily about anything, it might start affecting our work....Also, I'm too embarrassed to talk with them about a lot of things.

- Then, do you have any friends living close by?
I don't think there's anyone living in Tokyo that I can say is a true friend.

- Isn't that lonely?
It is lonely. But I don't leave my house that often, either. And I can't go out to eat alone. Even during tours I just go to the convenience store....I meet up with my friends whenever I go back to Mie, because when I go back there I want to go out to a bunch of different places. I don't like crowds, and since I am from the country it's hard to get used to Tokyo.


Theme Interview - 2
"Love"

- What are you like when you're in love?
I'm always careful (laugh)

- I think that men and women are careful about different things, so what are you careful about?
Everything (laugh)

- So, are you really kind?
I just get tired. I really don't like doing anything. I love just lazing around the most.

- So do you like girls who aren't that careful?
No? Because I'm careful around everyone. Though I don't know how it would be after being together for 10 or 20 years.

- Are you careful about saying personal things like, "You don't look so well"?
Ahh, I would say that. So much that it would get annoying (laugh)

- Would you like it if a girl payed a lot of attention to you?
Not really. I would want her to hold back on the "Ne, ne!" sort of thing (laugh). In a way I would want a kind of distance, I wouldn't want her to always be concerned about me. Like, to live using her own strength (laugh).

- So an independent girl, then?
Yes. That would be the most comfortable. So not someone who doesn't have a job (laugh).

- Or a part-time job?
I would want her to have a job four days a week (laugh). Since there'd be a lot of times when I'm not there, being together all the time would get tiring. I think someone who is independent, would give me space and have her own opinions about things would be perfect.

- Then, even if she was really strong-willed?
That's perfectly OK. Though always wanting to fight would get annoying (laugh).

- So someone who works a lot?
Well, if it was six days a week that would be hard. Wouldn't it be lonely to never be able to see each other?

- (laugh) You're difficult, huh?
I'm waiting for that person (laugh)


Theme Interview - 3
"Family"

- Please tell us who is in your family.
My father, mother, older sister, older brother, and me.

- Are the ages between you and your siblings very far apart?
They are. My sister is nine years and my brother is six years older.

- What makes you like being the youngest?
I don't really know myself, but it seems like even if my dad gets mad at my brother and sister, he doesn't get very mad at me (laugh). He told me, "At least go to high school.", and I did go, but even when I quit after one term, he didn't say anything to me.

- So you grew up in a loving environment?
I guess so, yes. Because our ages are different, when I entered middle school my sister was already out of the house and my brother had also started living on his own. My dad had gotten a job transfer, so he only came home on the weekends. So it was always just my mother and I.

- Are you closer to your mother, then?
Ahh, I'm not sure about that. I like both my parents.

- Do you think you're a good son?
No, I still don't think I completely am (laugh)

- Do you call them every once in a while?
I do. When our final live was in Tokyo I stayed with them.

- Isn't that being a good son?
Well, whenever I go home there's more food, so I'm like "Yes!" (laugh)

- Does your mom read the magazines you're in?
She does. Our home has gotten pretty amazing. When you walk in it's Gazette. There's posters on the walls, and signatures.

- Then, say something to your mother here.
Mom, thanks for everything (laugh)


----------------------------------


- In what way do you think the fans see you?
Eh? Well, I think I'm different than how they picture me. They think I'm really serious....

- Too serious?
Yes, yes. They might have the image that when I'm making music I don't move from my PC. That's not true (laugh).

- That's different from reality?
Totally different (laugh). It's probably because I never talk about anything else during interviews. It seems like I'm always making songs.

- So, actually?
I am in front of the computer a lot, but I take a break about once every hour (laugh). I have bad concentration. I work really hard for a while, then it's time to drink coffee or something.

- I understand. You want to rest as soon as possible.
When you're resting all the time, the day goes by fast (laugh). And I can't get anything done unless it's right before the deadline. That hasn't changed from when I had to do homework over the summer.

- So you were really rushed around the 30th or 31st of August, huh?
Yes, I was. I'm always saying how I stay up all night a lot, but it's always because of that last stretch. I'm in the middle of making songs now, but I can't get the engine running. So I'll just think about it for a while.

- Really?
All I do is space out while watching TV, though (laugh). I can't do anything unless the image I have has taken shape. I hate trying to make something without thinking, when it isn't consistent. It really irritates me if even one part doesn't sound good.

- That might go along with that serious image. Do you have a way of relaxing at home?
Whenever I'm not at my computer (laugh). Before I had my living area as a working space, but when I turned around I could see the bath, so there would always be that temptation. So now I have all of my equipment in the most boring looking room next to the entrance.

- The bath is a temptation?
Baths are the best. Isn't it refreshing? I like that, but most of the time after a bath I drink down a beer. Then the only thing to do is sleep. But, a lot of my songs get started while I'm taking a bath.

- That must be a great place, then.
It is, but there are dangers to it, so it's a double-edged sword. Though it is while I'm taking a bath that I'm the most high-spirited.

- High-spirited...
My brain is, anyway. It's not like I'm dancing in the bathtub. I just replay really exciting lives in my head. Of course starting with the new songs.

- I see. So you have that listlesness and a unique feeling that past rock musicians had, huh?
I'm half-hearted? (laugh)

- No, no, not like that. For instance, how you learned guitar from your brother.
Yes, I did. When my brother was at his most rebellious in high school, he played guitar in a band. It seemed fun, and I wanted to join in, but I was chased out (laugh). In return, he gave me a guitar and a book of chords and lyrics and was like "Here, I'll lend you these so practice downstairs" (laugh). Then I started practicing in about middle school.

- What kind of songs did you practice?
I practiced chords of X [Japan]. But it was a classic guitar, so it wasn't rock at all (laugh). Then when my brother graduated high school I asked him for a guitar, and even though it was my first electric guitar, it was broken.

- It wouldn't play when you plugged in into an amp?
I had my dad take me to get a small amp. I bought it with the money I had saved from New Year's gifts. When I brought it home and it wouldn't play, I just started crying.

- (laugh) You were shocked
But from the end of elementary school to my third year of middle school I had a newspaper delivery route, so I bought my own electric guitar in middle school. I was like, "This is the best!", and I was so into it I would even sleep holding the guitar. But I was so busy during that time, I would wake up, deliver papers, go to school, and since I was in the baseball club I would go to that after school, then at night play the guitar, then go to sleep. So I didn't have time to do homework.

- You just didn't have the energy, huh.
No, I didn't. Kids are busy (laugh). But after I quit high school I didn't play the guitar. I wanted to become a pro, but my brother told me that reality was hard, so my dream was sort of broken. Actually, my brother really loved music, but he ended up just getting a normal job, so I thought that was just how it went.

- You thought you'd take a different route, then?
After being lazy for a while, the brother of the girl I was going out with was a surfer.

- (laugh) Another brother, huh.
Yes. I can't do anything without other people's help (laugh). Then, when I tried it I thought it was really fun. Most of the time when you first get on the board you can't stand on it, but I was able to stand up from the start, so I thought I had the talent for it.

- Like, "Okay, I'm going to be a pro surfer!"
I did aim for that. The thought of being a pro just sounded really cool. Baseball players, too.

- Did you want a job where you could be in the spotlight?
Kind of like that (laugh). Then, I entered in a surfing contest. So the first magazine I was ever in was a surfing magazine (laugh).

- About how long did you do that?
Maybe two or three years. At that time I had plenty of physical strength, so I would go to the beach in the morning, take a nap in the afternoon, go back to the beach in the evening, then go to work at night.

- Busy as always.
I was busy. I was living like that, but one day when I was watching TV in the middle of the night, there was an indies band on. I thought, "I could be better than them", then while mistakenly thinking that sort of thing I was eventually like, "I'm going to Tokyo". (laugh)

- But you weren't in a band, right?
No. I figured if I went to Tokyo, something would happen. I went and told my parents that day. But I couldn't quit work that fast, so I worked for about a month, then was like, "See you". During that month I practiced the guitar as much as I could.

- Pretty reckless, huh?
It was reckless. Even I thought I was being stupid (laugh). Like, "Don't get the wrong idea".

- No, but that's important.
It's fine now that it's turned out like this, but if it hadn't then I'd just be an idiot (laugh). I did get to Tokyo, but I had no money or a place to stay. I was thinking that I'd just get another paper route and live at their place, but someone I knew asked if I wanted to be introduced to their sister and her husband living in Tokyo. I was like, "You don't even have to ask" (laugh). Then I was able to find a job, and while I was doing that I formed a band, and it was with the former drummer of Gazette.

- That kind of seems like a rock musician sort of lifestyle.
Well, when I think about it now the parents who let that sort of kid go to Tokyo rocked the most (laugh). They gave me money for a ticket back home, but they probably thought I would come home pretty soon. Then after 7 or 8 years, I'm where I am now (laugh).

- So what does the brother who taught you to play guitar think about you being in a successful band?
He didn't say anything at first. But his wife showed me some videos she secretly took, and he's been copying Gazette's songs (laugh).

- (laugh) The places have been switched.
And he's really good. He might be a little better than me (laugh).

- Hahaha. So, what do you think the members think of you?
I wonder. I don't really want to ask, and part of me doesn't want to know. I don't want them to think of me badly.

- (laugh) But you're always careful, so don't you think about that kind of thing?
I often do (laugh). For some reason, Uruha has been kind of distant to me lately. I don't know if it's because I'm older or because we both play guitar or what. Of course, when we're working we talk a lot. But normally we don't. That sort of bothers me (laugh).

- A strange feeling of distance?
Yes, does it have to do with our group photos? (laugh). But I guess he's within reachable distance. Before, we would often share the same hotel room, so we would have conversations like, "How do you want this to sound?" kind of thing. But now we stay in different rooms, and I don't talk to him as much as to everyone else. I'm lonely (laugh).

- Why can't you just talk to him?
There's nothing to talk about (laugh). And he always looks like he's having fun talking with everyone else. I'm thinking, "That's not fair" (laugh). A while ago, even though I was embarrassed I called him and asked how to work the digital cable. Then he was like, "You should just ask the electrician." (laugh)

- You look embarrassed
I'm not gay or anything (laugh).

- (laugh) I didn't ask that.
Well anyway, the person in Gazette who is on my mind the most is probably Uruha.

- But when you're talking you seem kind of shy. Like you don't want to be taken too seriously.
Shy has a good ring to it (laugh). I think all the members get embarrassed easily. When we're working we'll share opinions, get angry, and say whatever we want, but other than that we can't even say, "Let's go get some dinner". Wouldn't it be a shock if they refused? (laugh). So I invite the manager a lot, but when he refuses it makes me mad (laugh). Like, "You don't have the right to refuse" (laugh). But I really do want to go get dinner and talk with everyone. So I guess I'm just embarrassed?

- Then you end up on your own?
Yeah. I actually might not like being alone so much. Maybe it's just that it always ends up that way (laugh). Am I lonely?! I guess when this magazine comes out I'll buy it at the bookstore and secretly deliver it to the members' houses (laugh).

- (laugh) Got it. Lastly, Gazette is in the middle of working on something new, right?
We're completely focusing on it. Our last single, "Guren", was made while we were on tour, but this time we're in an environment that we can concentrate in, and some powerful songs are coming along. Not as far as the melody goes, though.

- Is the power you recieved from the tour reflecting in the songs?
There is that, but right now the band is in a really aggressive mode. We're getting sharp, and if you're not careful we might knock you off your feet, kinda thing. Like, it might not be a good idea to underestimate us. We're all heated up at the moment. So if this turns out to be a complete ballad, I'm sorry (laugh).

- Hahahaha
But I'm really looking forward to it. We're putting all of our energy into making this. Because of that everyone is getting stoic, and when we clash in the studio, it might get intense. Anyway, I plan on going at it with intensity.

- Even though you're normally careful
I can't be careful like that when we're making things. I think when it comes to music, once you give in it's over.

- So you also get a lot of feedback about the songs and phrases you come up with?
When I'm making something basic I'll take in opinions, but when I've advanced past that I present it like, "This song is like this, with this kind of feeling." Though especially with Uruha I get nervous. So if he tells me "This is pretty good", I'll do a little "Yes!" pose in my heart (laugh).

- And you also have a live on August 23rd at Fujikyu Highland Conifer Forest
That's right. Since it's our first outdoor live in two years, we want to make it like a festival. Because last time at Tokyo Big Sight we had fireworks and food stands up. This time at Fujikyu we're going to have a live with different scenery and we're looking forward to it, so you guys are too, right? Like that.

- Then, I think you should hurry and finish your homework.
I guess so. If I don't keep doing it until the 30th, I won't be able to do it because of the effects of the live (laugh).

Global PS Company Fan Club

You can get services for all PS COMPANY bands

All the band in PS COMPANY are part of this fan club. (Including indies bands.)

This is a completely new fan club service, different from the existing fan clubs in Japan.

Wawancara setelah SCREW TV SHOW Vol.1

Hari ini adalah hari 'SCREW TV SHOW Vol.2' disiarkan.
Apakah kalian siap?

Sebelum acara dimulai, mari kita baca komentar personil SCREW setelah 'SCREW TV SHOW Vol.1'!

Para personil SCREW juga menjawab pertanyaan-pertanyaan yang tidak sempat dijawab saat 'SCREW TV SHOW Vol.1'.

Sementara para staff bersiap-siap untuk 'SCREW TV SHOW Vol.2', nikmati artikel ini dan juga laporan backstage dari siaran pertama!

Informasi mengenai program hari ini akan diberikan pada akhir artikel ini, jadi pastikan kalian membacanya juga!

＜Komentar mengenai 'SCREW TV SHOW Vol.1'＞
―Terima kasih sudah tampil di 'SCREW TV SHOW Vol.1'. Bagaimana perasaan kalian?

Jin: Sebelum acara dimulai, entah kenapa saya merasa gugup. Namun ketika siaran berlangsung, saya sangat bersemangat ketika saya berpikir berapa banyak orang sedang menyaksikan kami.

Manabu: Saya sedikit takut ketika saya melihat semua staff dan peralatan di dalam studio...tapi saya juga merasa kalau saya ingin tampil lagi! Program TV internet benar-benar luar biasa. Orang-orang dari seluruh penjuru dunia sedang menyaksikan kamu (tertawa). Saya ingin banyak dan banyak orang lagi menyaksikan kami.

Rui: Saya tidak terbiasa tampil di TV live, jadi saya tidak tahu ke arah mana saya harus melihat ketika berbicara... masih banyak hal yang saya harus belajar. Namun karena ini adalah kesempatan yang bagus, saya harap saya dapat menikmatinya di lain waktu.

Kazuki: Ini adalah siaran pertama kami, jadi kadang-kadang saya tidak tahu apa yang harus saya lakukan. Namun saya menikmatinya juga. Kami dapat berinteraksi baik dengan fans yang berada di Jepang maupun yang berada di luar negeri, dan saya merasa kalau itu sangatlah keren. Lain kali, saya akan berusaha untuk lebih santai sedikit jadi saya dapat berinteraksi lebih banyak lagi dengan fans kami!

―Byo-san, bagaimana menurutmu?

Byo: Saya sangat gugup. Namun sangatlah menyenangkan untuk tampil di TV (tertawa).

―Oh begitu. (tertawa) Sudah diumumkan kalau akan ada siaran kedua. Saya yakin banyak fans tidak sabar untuk menyaksikannya. Kami yakin itu akan menjadi acara yang menyenangkan!

Byo: Kami akan berusaha sebaik mungkin.

＜Sisa pertanyaan dari Wawancara selama SCREW TV SHOW Vol.1＞

Untuk Byo

Q. Ketika kamu masih menjadi siswa, siapakah artis favoritmu?
A. Coba kalian tebak.

Q. Kenapa kamu memilih untuk menjadi vokalis?
A. Sekali lagi, coba kalian tebak.

Q. Bagaimana SCREW dibentuk?
A. Itu adalah takdir kami.

Q. Bagaimana kalian terinspirasi dengan nama "SCREW"?
A. [Itu mengekspresikan] bagaimana kami menyalurkan emosi kami [ke dalam musik kami].

Q. Kalian merilis single pertama kalian 'ネジれた紫相 / Nejireta Shiso' pada bulan Juni 2006. Lagu side-b 'S=r&b' sering dibawakan saat konser. Tolong beritahu kami apa pendapatmu mengenai lagu ini!
A. Kami mencoba menciptakan sebuah lagu yang dapat populer saat pertunjukkan live.

Q. Sejak tahun 2008 kamu sudah mengadakan banyak acara live solo berjudul '○○主義の非公式集会 / ○○shugi no Hikoshiki-shukai'. [Harafiahnya 'Perkumpulan ○○ Informal'. Kata-kata yang menyertai '○○' berubah untuk setiap acara.] Apa bedanya dengan konser biasa?
A. Lebih kasar, lebih keras.

Q. Pada bulan Januari 2009, [agensi manajemen] PS COMPANY merayakan perayaan kesepuluhnya di Nippon Budokan! Bagaimana perasaanmu ketika berada di atas panggung?
A. Saya berharap kami dapat mengadakan konser solo di sana!

Q. Barangkali ada banyak fans luar negeri yang ingin melihat SCREW. Jika kalian mengadakan konser di luar negeri, ke mana kah kamu ingin pergi?
A. Amerika.

Q. Apakah gol SCREW?
A. Meraih posisi puncak.

Untuk Kazuki

Q. Ketika kamu masih menjadi siswa, siapakah artis favoritmu?
A. HELLOWEEN

Q. Kenapa kamu memilih untuk menjadi gitaris?
A. Saya lebih tertarik dengan senar 6 [gitar] daripada senar 4 [bass].

Q. Barangkali ada banyak fans luar negeri yang ingin melihat SCREW. Jika kalian mengadakan konser di luar negeri, ke mana kah kamu ingin pergi?
A. Eropa.

Q. Apakah gol SCREW?
A. Untuk menjadi nomor satu dan satu-satunya.

Untuk Manabu

Q. Ketika kamu masih menjadi siswa, siapakah artis favoritmu?
A. Bermacam-macam artis.

Q. Kenapa kamu memilih untuk menjadi gitaris?
A. Berdasarkan intuisi.

Q. Pada bulan Januari 2009, [agensi manajemen] PS COMPANY merayakan perayaan kesepuluhnya di Nippon Budokan! Bagaimana perasaanmu ketika berada di atas panggung?
A. Saya sangat gembira.

Q Barangkali ada banyak fans luar negeri yang ingin melihat SCREW. Jika kalian mengadakan konser di luar negeri, ke mana kah kamu ingin pergi?
A. Perancis, London, New Delhi.

Q. Apakah gol SCREW?
A. Untuk meraih puncak yang tertinggi.

Untuk Rui

Q. Ketika kamu masih menjadi siswa, siapakah artis favoritmu?
A. Saya menyukai banyak artis.

Q. Kenapa kamu memilih untuk menjadi bassis?
A. Itu adalah takdir saya.

Q. Barangkali ada banyak fans luar negeri yang ingin melihat SCREW. Jika kalian mengadakan konser di luar negeri, ke mana kah kamu ingin pergi?
A. Seluruh dunia!

Q. Apakah gol SCREW?
A. Untuk meraih puncak.

Untuk Jin

Q. Ketika kamu masih menjadi siswa, siapakah artis favoritmu?
A. Tré Cool.

Q. Kenapa kamu memilih untuk menjadi drummer?
A. Saya suka membuat ketukan ritmis, dan saya rasa itu keren.

Q. Kalian merilis single pertama kalian 'ネジれた紫相 / Nejireta Shiso' pada bulan Juni 2006. Lagu side-b 'S=r&b' sering dibawakan saat konser. Tolong beritahu kami apa pendapatmu mengenai lagu ini!
A. Kamu sudah memainkan lagu ini sejak konser pertama kami. Lagu ini sangatlah berarti bagi SCREW.

Q. Pada bulan Januari 2009, [agensi manajemen] PS COMPANY merayakan perayaan kesepuluhnya di Nippon Budokan! Bagaimana perasaanmu ketika berada di atas panggung?
A. Suatu saat kami akan datang ke sini dan mengadakan konser solo.

Q. Barangkali ada banyak fans luar negeri yang ingin melihat SCREW. Jika kalian mengadakan konser di luar negeri, ke mana kah kamu ingin pergi?
A. Amerika, Eropa.

Q. Apakah gol SCREW?
A. Untuk meraih puncak.

Apakah kalian menikmati wawancara ini?
Para personil berkata kalau mereka sangat gugup dengan siaran sebelumnya. Namun mereka juga ingin tampil lagi! Seperti yang sudah disebutkan di atas, selama siaran pertama ada pertanyaan-pertanyaan yang dikirim oleh penonton yang kami tidak sempat bahas karena waktu yang terbatas. Para personil SCREW menjawab pertanyaan-pertanyaan tersebut dalam artikel ini, dan dengan jelas hal ini menunjukkan kalau mereka bercita-cita untuk meraih ketinggian baru sebagai band.
Sekarang mari periksa lagi informasi siaran 'SCREW TV SHOW Vol.2'!
Kalian dapat mengirim pertanyaan dan pesan kalian kepada personil SCREW selama program. Jika kalian belum mengirimkan pesan, silakan berpartisipasi.
(Gunakan hashtag '#SCREWTV')

■ Informasi Siaran
Tanggal/Waktu Siaran: 29 Oktober (Jumat) Dari Pukul 21:00 (Waktu Lokal Jepang)
Saksikan Siaran di: Halaman Atas MJP (musicJAPANplus) (http://www.musicjapanplus.jp/)
※Ketika waktunya siaran dimulai, tayangan live akan tampil pada halaman atas situs.

Episode 177: Hot, Hotter, Hotter than this Summer! the GazettE TOUR-START!

Hello everyone! This is writer Misaki (^-^)/!
Eventually it really IS summer in Japan! When walking under the scorching sun of Tokyo, it really only takes a single step and you start to sweat. That's the heat as it continues each day...! However, yet even hotter than that was the GazettE's concert held at Nippon Budokan on July 22nd.

At that day around Budokan, there have been a great number of fans.
Of course they would be wearing the official tour T-Shirts in pink, white and black, and then there would be five to six people, who had made the same T-shirt, or were wearing school uniforms and also very glamorous dresses could be seen. Of course there have also been cosplays of the band members! Everything was really done to perfection, which was really cool! (^-^)

Also, before the start of the concerts, in the rows for the press and relatives Alice Nine could also be spotted! They came in a very rough fashion just like on a day off. Yet, with their always-present aura, they certainly gathered a lot of attention! Also, when speaking of the hall, right behind me, there had been fans and their excitement came all the way to me. So I was waiting all like: "Just a bit more! Just a bit longer! I'm nervous..."
And the fans are even more so drawn to the GazettE...these sinful men. (laughs)



For the GazettE their long tour started on that day and they also announced their performance at TOKYO DOME, as well as single releases during that tour, which is quite some big news that have dropped that day. The state of the live will soon be featured in a live report at MJP.
While the songs are a must, I also want to tell you about the thoughts conveyed in the many MCs that day, so please look forward to it!

Exist†Trace London Live Photo Report

Episode 175: Lc5 Are Earnestly Taking on Activities! miku Is Doing Well, too!

While not having written PRESS NOTES, the season has turned to the middle of summer... (laughs) This year's first half is also already over again, which surprised me! When looking back on it, this year started with AN CAFÉ's concert at Nippon Budokan for me!

Half a year has passed and it is now that vocalist miku has established and started his solo project with Lc5! At first, making an appearance on stage with such a secret has certainly caused some turmoil. When I saw the artist photographs I also thought "Huh? miku, Really?" and could hardly hide my shock.

Then the other day, I got a call saying "Today is Lc5's tour final" and I rushed to CLUB QUATTRO in Shibuya hurriedly.

When reaching the venue, Ayabie's vocalist Aoi, who had been doing the tour together with them, was already on stage, which is why I quickly got to my seat!

On the one hand Aoi also advertised Ayabie's Live DVD and he will be participating in the coming tour, yet somehow, he also seems to be planning his solo debut. The first single will be called "MI DA RA". "However, I am not going to advertise "MI DA RA", but only Ayabie's live DVD. (laughs) After all, I am Aoi with his band in mind!"



After Aoi it was Lc5 on stage! Of course all the songs presented were new songs. Half of the set list was still with provisional titles, yet there were hard rock songs as much as melodious ballads. And while being surprised over and over, I am looking forward to more! One more things, though...Reo's height was certainly something that surprised me as well. That's something to pay attention to. (laughs)

More detailed information on the live are soon to be found in the live report. I am eagerly writing it right now and I think I can show it to you soon!! Personally I am looking forward to it, so please check back with MJP again!

ROCK 'n' ROLL Diary SHOXX Vol. 213

The visual-kei club event 'Viju☆Love☆Night#001' was a success! Thank you for participating! We had a lot of fun!

The DJs for this event were SHOXX Chief Editor Pokkun, the photographer 'Kyosho [巨匠; grandmaster]' Miyawaki, SARINO, Aicle. (愛狂います。) member Emiru, the duo stmk (TV Saitama 'HOT WAVE' director Ms. Ohara (Obara) + Tower Records Shinjuku's Ms. Suzuki) and me, Oshima. We had a fun time choosing a unique and wide variety of songs! Since it was an event held at a club, we mainly chose songs that will get the audience fired up. But still it was really interesting to see how the songs we each picked were quite different depending on our personalities. Details of the event have been posted on the online version of 'Rock 'n' Roll Diary' (http://www.esp.ac.jp/oshima/) and the complete song list is shown at http://ameblo.jp/vijulovex. Please go check it out!

It was the first time I met SARINO-kun and Emiru-kun. Both have always said that they're great fans of visual-kei music. We instantly became friends because the songs they liked were very similar to my tastes, and I also found out that we went to the same high school. After we each took our turns disk-jockeying we continued to talk backstage. We joined Pokkun during his turn and made everyone on the dance floor get fired up. We capped off the event with '紅 / Kurenai' (X JAPAN) and 'WISH' (LUNA SEA).
Our Pokkun was well prepared for the event. Before the event started he practiced using the DJ equipment at the club, and also brought along some remixes of his own. He was very good at getting the crowd moving. Among the DJs he was the only one who used the microphone. We had a blast!

When he arrived he was not so much downcast as baffled by how his computer malfunctioned. For the first 7, 8 minutes of the interview he talked mostly about that accident. He seemed to be truly shocked. We (as in everyone who was there) all know how depressing it is to lose the data you've worked on so hard due to a computer glitch. The best we could do was to warmly welcome him.


Month/Date X/X

DOG inThe Parallel World Orchestra and heidi. appeared as guests in the TV program 'HOT WAVE'. The recording was conducted in front of a live audience. We usually go over the details of the program an hour before the actual recording. But then we got word that Kosuke-kun might be very late. According to the other members, "We checked Kosuke's Twitter page and it seems he's really anxious." But fortunately they also said that he will make it to the studio on time. That was a relief. He is good at talking in front of a camera on the fly, so unless there's something very important that he should know beforehand, he probably will have no trouble. So for that broadcast Kosuke-kun appeared on TV completely unrehearsed. During the program Nao-kun dropped the bomb by revealing that Kosuke-kun had been late! After the recording Kosuke-kun deeply bowed and apologized to everybody (laugh).
As I said, the other guest artist was DOG inThe Parallel World Orchestra. Junjun-kun has a unique personality bordering on the eccentric, so I had a lot of fun. During the meeting before the broadcast he was quiet, so I never expected him to be so funny. I was quite surprised when he changed all of a sudden in front of the camera.

Month/Date X/X
I went to see a THE KIDDIE concert at AX. After the concert the members and staff got together to have a few drinks. I met their producer On-chan (of JUDY AND MARY, JACKS`N`JOKER, PRESENCE). I often talked about him during interviews with various artists, but it was the first time in 2 or 3 years to meet him face to face. The last time was when PRESENCE held their reunion concert. The very first time we had met was before he had made his debut as PRESENCE, so how many years ago had that been? One of the THE KIDDIE members said "We've worked with him (On-chan) ever since I was 22." So it must have been a long while ago (laugh). Yusa-kun and Yudai (Yuhdai)-kun told me "In the online version of 'Rock 'n' Roll Diary' you've mentioned that today's concert will be held at C.C.Lemon [instead of AX]." Whoops, sorry! But I was happy to know that they were reading my diary. I need to be careful from now on!


SHOXX Vol.213 November the GazettE, MUCC, SID, Nightmare w/ 5 Posters and Book in Book Special

go to store -- >>
http://www.cooljapanstore.com/product_info.php?cPath=105&products_id=1042

Harajuku Spring 2006 原宿 コスプレ