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.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
the GazettE LIVE TOUR 12-DIVISION- GROAN OF DIPLOSOMIA 01 2012/11/29 at NHK Hall
With "DIVISION" the GazettE had released a follow-up album to their previous record "TOXIC" without any single release in between, and just as the album and its overall packaging had a strong visual appeal, the final of the GazettE's tour at NHK Hall would be no different. And as the GazettE's performances always create a well rounded picture, the harmony of the fans is just as astounding and fascinating.
As the hall turned dark, the powerful SE "Diplosomia" marked the beginning of a show that held the surreal atmosphere of a dark and beautiful movie with a deep artistic impact. From the images on the screen to the lights on stage, to the unity of movements the audience showed to each perfectly matched beat of the songs, the GazettE presented their world to an audience that dove into it fully.
"This is the last day of this tour, so come with us!" Vocalist RUKI fired up the crowd, before the audience submerged into a massive head banging frenzy that was unbroken for the best part of the show. the GazettE mixed tracks of "DIVISION", such as the hard-riffed title track "DERANGEMENT" with previous power songs like beat-heavy "VENOMOUS SPIDER'S WEB" from "TOXIC".
While the GazettE songs have reached a new level of incorporating different elements into the overall making with rock, dubstep and metal, people new to their music must be left in awe, when tracks like "DRIPPING INSANITY" suddenly turn from slow and emotional to immensely aggressive and emotional at an instant. Soft female background vocals are violently torn apart by RUKI's death voice in the same song, while the audience can only stand and watch and listen.
The beauty of the lighting arrangement showed in songs like "影踏み / KAGEFUMI", when red overhead spotlights formed pillars around the band members to a frighteningly beautiful atmosphere.
Once the "softer" part of the concert had been left behind with the intermezzo of instrumental track "Depth", the GazettE members made sure to get back to the speedy tracks like "VERMIN" and "HEADACHE MAN", which turned the neatly arranged rows between chairs into a moshpit without care about the consequences. People jumped left and right and all over the place, giving in to the catchy beats and heavy bass lines of the rhythm section that was REITA and KAI.
"This is the finale! I can feel your power more than usual, so let's do this together!. If we don't become one here tonight, there is no meaning to it!" RUKI shouted out, once more pulling the audience together.
Each song smoothly joined in with the next and way too soon, the main set was already over, ending with the track "Melt", to which the band members slowly left the stage.
As if in fear that the band might not return, chants for an encore rose immediately and clapping accompanied the shouts, until REITA and KAI returned for their signature piece "Ride with the Rockers". The section proved to be a completely new arrangement for the crowd to jump and shout accordingly. Soon the two of them were joined by AOI and URUHA, who added fast-paced guitar riffs to it and last but not least RUKI completed the team.
Over the past year the track "TOMORROW NEVER DIES" had become a frequent opener to the encore set and that night was no different.
"Hey Tokyo! First and foremost I am thankful for the time I we are able to spend here and now with you!" RUKI said. "This tour had been neatly put together with everyone and the audience had a lot of power. I really love you for this and I am looking forward to the next tour and then the finale -MELT- in March. Let's make this an even better tour."
What might have sounded like "final last words" for the tour proved to just heat the excitement up once again and with that the GazettE went on to present their signature tracks "COCKROACH" and "DISCHARGE", which had always had the power to break any last barrier between the band and the fans. The floor shook and whatever last bit of resistance to let go there might have been, was certainly gone.
Closing the encore with "LINDA 〜candydive pinky heaven〜"left the fans just a tiny bit hanging it seemed and so the band members came out once more to present their ultimate "destruction" song "関東土下座組合 / Kantou Dogeza Kumiai", which had the crowd on its knees head banging at full power. The band members joined each other head banging heavily to the beats. URUHA joined KAI on the drum raiser, before changing positions with AOI, who danced along playing his guitar.
Too soon the last notes subsided and while the fans were really reluctant to leave, it was time to go home and eventually charge power for the upcoming tour starting next year and the anniversary performance in March!
And no matter at how many the GazettE live performances one has been to, the artistic, yet natural genius of the band is surprising over and over again.
Set List:
SE [Diplosomia]・[XI]
01 DERANGEMENT
02 GABRIEL ON THE GALLOWS
03 VENOMOUS SPIDER'S WEB
04 VORTEX
05 CLEVR MONKEY
06 THE SUICIDE CIRCUS
07 DRIPPING INSANITY
08 余韻 / YOIN
09 影踏み / KAGEFUMI
10 籠の蛹 / KAGO NO SANAGI
[Depth]
11 歪 / IBITSU
12 ヘドロ / HEDORO
13 VERMIN
14 SLUDGY CULT
15 HEADACHE MAN
16 ATTITUDE
17 REQUIRED MALFUNCTION
[Melt]
EN1 Ride with the Rockers
EN2 TOMORROW NEVER DIES
EN3 赤いワンピース / AKAI ONE-PIECE
EN4 COCKROACH
EN5 DISCHARGE
EN6 LINDA 〜candydive pinky heaven〜
WEN 関東土下座組合 / Kantou Dogeza Kumiai
Credit : Music Japan Plus
As the hall turned dark, the powerful SE "Diplosomia" marked the beginning of a show that held the surreal atmosphere of a dark and beautiful movie with a deep artistic impact. From the images on the screen to the lights on stage, to the unity of movements the audience showed to each perfectly matched beat of the songs, the GazettE presented their world to an audience that dove into it fully.
"This is the last day of this tour, so come with us!" Vocalist RUKI fired up the crowd, before the audience submerged into a massive head banging frenzy that was unbroken for the best part of the show. the GazettE mixed tracks of "DIVISION", such as the hard-riffed title track "DERANGEMENT" with previous power songs like beat-heavy "VENOMOUS SPIDER'S WEB" from "TOXIC".
While the GazettE songs have reached a new level of incorporating different elements into the overall making with rock, dubstep and metal, people new to their music must be left in awe, when tracks like "DRIPPING INSANITY" suddenly turn from slow and emotional to immensely aggressive and emotional at an instant. Soft female background vocals are violently torn apart by RUKI's death voice in the same song, while the audience can only stand and watch and listen.
The beauty of the lighting arrangement showed in songs like "影踏み / KAGEFUMI", when red overhead spotlights formed pillars around the band members to a frighteningly beautiful atmosphere.
Once the "softer" part of the concert had been left behind with the intermezzo of instrumental track "Depth", the GazettE members made sure to get back to the speedy tracks like "VERMIN" and "HEADACHE MAN", which turned the neatly arranged rows between chairs into a moshpit without care about the consequences. People jumped left and right and all over the place, giving in to the catchy beats and heavy bass lines of the rhythm section that was REITA and KAI.
"This is the finale! I can feel your power more than usual, so let's do this together!. If we don't become one here tonight, there is no meaning to it!" RUKI shouted out, once more pulling the audience together.
Each song smoothly joined in with the next and way too soon, the main set was already over, ending with the track "Melt", to which the band members slowly left the stage.
As if in fear that the band might not return, chants for an encore rose immediately and clapping accompanied the shouts, until REITA and KAI returned for their signature piece "Ride with the Rockers". The section proved to be a completely new arrangement for the crowd to jump and shout accordingly. Soon the two of them were joined by AOI and URUHA, who added fast-paced guitar riffs to it and last but not least RUKI completed the team.
Over the past year the track "TOMORROW NEVER DIES" had become a frequent opener to the encore set and that night was no different.
"Hey Tokyo! First and foremost I am thankful for the time I we are able to spend here and now with you!" RUKI said. "This tour had been neatly put together with everyone and the audience had a lot of power. I really love you for this and I am looking forward to the next tour and then the finale -MELT- in March. Let's make this an even better tour."
What might have sounded like "final last words" for the tour proved to just heat the excitement up once again and with that the GazettE went on to present their signature tracks "COCKROACH" and "DISCHARGE", which had always had the power to break any last barrier between the band and the fans. The floor shook and whatever last bit of resistance to let go there might have been, was certainly gone.
Closing the encore with "LINDA 〜candydive pinky heaven〜"left the fans just a tiny bit hanging it seemed and so the band members came out once more to present their ultimate "destruction" song "関東土下座組合 / Kantou Dogeza Kumiai", which had the crowd on its knees head banging at full power. The band members joined each other head banging heavily to the beats. URUHA joined KAI on the drum raiser, before changing positions with AOI, who danced along playing his guitar.
Too soon the last notes subsided and while the fans were really reluctant to leave, it was time to go home and eventually charge power for the upcoming tour starting next year and the anniversary performance in March!
And no matter at how many the GazettE live performances one has been to, the artistic, yet natural genius of the band is surprising over and over again.
Set List:
SE [Diplosomia]・[XI]
01 DERANGEMENT
02 GABRIEL ON THE GALLOWS
03 VENOMOUS SPIDER'S WEB
04 VORTEX
05 CLEVR MONKEY
06 THE SUICIDE CIRCUS
07 DRIPPING INSANITY
08 余韻 / YOIN
09 影踏み / KAGEFUMI
10 籠の蛹 / KAGO NO SANAGI
[Depth]
11 歪 / IBITSU
12 ヘドロ / HEDORO
13 VERMIN
14 SLUDGY CULT
15 HEADACHE MAN
16 ATTITUDE
17 REQUIRED MALFUNCTION
[Melt]
EN1 Ride with the Rockers
EN2 TOMORROW NEVER DIES
EN3 赤いワンピース / AKAI ONE-PIECE
EN4 COCKROACH
EN5 DISCHARGE
EN6 LINDA 〜candydive pinky heaven〜
WEN 関東土下座組合 / Kantou Dogeza Kumiai
Credit : Music Japan Plus
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