TRANSLATION: THE GAZETTE TOUR11-12 VENOMOUS CELL FINALE OMEGA -- DISC 3 (BACKSTAGE)

TRANSLATION: THE GAZETTE TOUR11-12 VENOMOUS CELL FINALE OMEGA -- DISC 3 (BACKSTAGE)

Tried to do (pretty rough) translation of their dialogues in the backstage because some scenes are quite precious. ♥Please tell me if you have different opinions or if you find any mistakes.I find it quite difficult to hear the things they said with all the noise and all they do is mumblemumblemumble. lol. 00:57 Ruki: Good morning. Good morning. 01:39 Staff: Let's do sound check starting from Kai-kun. Kai: Please. 01:52 Staff: That's enough. 02:13 Kai: Thank you in advance. 02:23 Staff: The bass is okay. Please do (the sound check). Reita: Okay. Please. 02:39 Uruha: In Buried (?) it was chapped. Lately I haven't played Buried. *chuckles* Normally they would use powder or spray for this. *chuckles* 03:01 Reita: That's all. Staff: Yes. Please do the voice (check). 03:12 Staff: Yes. That's good. Reita: Thank you in advance. Staff: Thank you in advance. 03:51 Reita: Nervous.. I was, until yesterday there was no time. Right, Leader? Kai: Eh? Reita: There was no time, right? Kai: That's why the rehearsal just started. Reita: Right. Eventhough we rehearse every time, even if we rehearse the performance, we still need more time. Somehow or other, until after we open the show, I was nervous. Kai: In this time's tour, everyone is determined to finish it in one go. As I thought in the 26th performance or 27th, moreover from new album, it was quite a growth for us. Reita: I see. 04:40 Aoi: Thank you. Is it okay at the moment? Staff: Please. Aoi: Okay. 05:53 Staff: Yes, that's okay. Aoi: I'll do the voice check. Staff: Yes. 06:18 Staff: Yes, that's good. Aoi: Thank you in advance. 06:37 Staff: Well then, we would like to confirm about the clip and the monitor for SUICIDE. 07:28 Reita: It looks really inflated. Kai: It would be good if the drums are dominant. Ruki: The drums can't be seen. *grins* Kai: *chuckles* Well, shall we do it until 13? 07:39 Staff: Sorry for interrupting, but we will do MY DEVIL after this. 09:16 Staff: For now please just rest briefly, and members, please watch from the audience seats. 09:23 Staff: LED is on no.1 09:32 Staff: Well then, please watch. Yo-san, is it okay if we hear the sound too? Well then, we'll let out the clip. 09:44 Staff: Yes, let's do that. Can we play the sound now? For the performance the lights will go out. 10:20 Staff 1: Yes, this logo was chosen and that was the end of the clip. Staff 2: Here it will be on reverse and until the song comes out, at the end it would be like this. Then, in this venue we were thinking of making it like this. Uruha: *laughs* Ruki: Eh? I think we don't need it? Uruha: You can really see it. Staff: You don't need it? You don't need the OMEGA? Ruki: I feel maybe we don't need it. Staff: Well then, can we take out the OMEGA? Aoi: In the venue? Staff: In the venue. Aoi: I think that's fine. Staff: Is this fine? Ruki: Um. Staff: Is that so? Okay. Well then, without OMEGA, we'll go like this. 11:16 Aoi: I just did it. As I thought, you know, near the Sun Hall a long time ago. At that time, at the toilet there, I came to wash my face. As I thought I only have such kind of good tension. *laughs* The color (of the building) is really interesting, but the inside, you know, it is too blue, that's Yokohama Arena. But compared to five years ago, I think the band quality is really different. Hmm, I think we can do this. 12:05 Staff: What you mean just now is after the intro? RUKI: That's right. Staff: Well then, in this and that point too. RUKI: Maybe if we play the image slowly... 12:15 Staff: More or less like this? RUKI: From here it's like this... Staff: Yes. 12:26 RUKI: The SE.. Right from the opening it (wasn't meant) to give you the sense of welcoming, wherever you are going to. Or for example a sense of escaping. As I thought I leave it to the audience. Even the things I worried about all along, we can talk through it, whether it's good or not. Like the lightings, I had been doing it a while ago, working on the songs' lightings without stopping. So we go through it during the tour and when it's over, we replay the clips. It was barely perfect, we don't need to match everything but we talk through it. And if today goes well, let's do the high five, just like that. *laughs* 13:22 Aoi: You look really nervous. Reita: Don't say anything. Aoi + Uruha: *laughs* Aoi: You're not nervous anymore? Reita: Hey you! Aoi: You're not, eh? Uruha: *laughs* You don't have anything to say, do you? Aoi: *laughs* I don't have anything I want to say to YOU. 13:38 Uruha: We do have different opinions, now that I recall it. *chuckles* How to say it, doesn't it seem like a miracle, more than usually? 13:50 Uruha: Well, the venue is always different, the people who are watching during rehearsals too. Eventhough we are doing work, it might look like we're not doing it spontaneously. Kai: It's been 5 years since. Uruha: Yes, it doesn't feel like it's been 5 years since then. Well, they can think anything they want, right? Even now, just like 5 years ago. Ah, but.. 5 years ago I might have more aspiration. I was more aware of things around me. 15:20 Kai: Isn't the pace fast here? It isn't like this, right? Uruha: But the nuance is really something, you guys. I don't get why you stopped midway. Kai: I don't care. Uruha: Uwawawawa.. wawa. HOI! 15:32 Uruha: Then, right after REMEMBER there will be Reila, you have to do tuning and stuffs and you can't make mistake.. Kai: That song wasn't there when we rehearsed! Uruha: If even you forget it then I don't remember either. You forgot that time too. Kai: I don't know! Even after he said all those things the hundredth time, it will never be perfect for him, right?! Uruha: You do it too much. There is never the time when we finish it perfectly. Reita: But even so YOU should apologize for saying it up to that point! Kai + Uruha: *bursts out laughing* 16:10 Aoi: That one is once in the chorus, right? 16:56 RUKI: Ah, I slipped. Why don't you practice? 17:42 Reita: Here we go, I finished and will give my best. Staff: Are you still nervous? Reita: I am. Even if I've done this, I still am. 18:06 Kai: Well then, we've come to this eventhough we're still scattered here and there. It's the last, please allow me to take over. I agree with what Kusaka-kun said, we'll cut it. And soon after cutting, there will be a pause and we'll play INFUSE. For VENOMOUS one third starting we've discussed about it, so.. Staff: We'll wrap it up with the drums, that's why before that we'll use the accent. Kai: Yes. Then, for SLUDGY, today we'll switch the version later. Staff: I've informed everyone, haven't I? Kai: At the beginning of the classics, right. 18:57 Kai: Well, we've gone through the setlist briefly, so for now let's focus on it one by one. Let's do this. Thank you for your help in advance. Staff: Thank you in advance. 19:07 Kai: Ee.. After SUICIDE, we'll go with MY DEVIL. After MY DEVIL it's 13. The instrument team, please pay attention in this, after the instruments are ready, 13 will start. So for today, let's go with this (setlist). 19:44 Staff: Well then, everyone, it's the tour final. Thank you everyone for your help in advance. the GazettE: Thanks in advance! Kai: We have always done this, it's gonna be okay. Reita: Okay. Uruha: It's the last. RUKI: You can just do it all you want. Reita: I've done it all I want way too often. Credits to: ruki-candy n the GazettE Worldwide Fans

SCREW Open Official Facebook Page!

While having just celebrated the tour final of their "BIRAN no ORI" Tour on April 7th, SCREW are in the middle of preparing their European Tour, which will start at the end of May this year. For the occasion, the band has now opened its official Facebook page and is of course welcoming all fans to join! The page will be filled with info on the band and certainly info about and from the tour. Please make sure to check the URL below! SCREW Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SCREW_Official/432556250091153 Moreover, the application period for SCREW's meet&greet in Europe on their tour is still ongoing, so if you would like to meet the band, make sure to join the GLOBAL PS COMPANY FAN CLUB! Please see the links below for details!

the GazettE 10th Anniversary THE DECADE 2012/03/10 at Makuhari Messe Hall

With their most recent tour just finished in January, fans were left at complete zero, when it came to their expectations towards the GazettE's 10th Anniversary performance at Makuhari Messe Hall. What would be a good set list to choose after having performed for 10 years? The concert began with a picture flashback, as the members came on stage and each of them were shown in their outfits from all of their artist photos of the past, up to the most recent ones. In the usual manner, KAI, URUHA, REITA, AOI and RUKI came on stage among the cheers of the highly expectant audience, before the first song already took them by surprise as the set opened with "未成年 / Miseinen" and glitter tape burst over the audience. The set proved to be a live set that accumulated all of the GazettE's best live songs and songs with the greatest meaning for the band. Continuing with "赤いワンピース / AKAI ONE-PIECE", which until now had first been released as a CD track on the 3,000 copy-limited second press of their first single in 2002, and "春ニ散リケリ、身ハ枯レルデゴザイマス / Haru ni chirikeri, mi ha Kareru de gozaimasu", which fans rarely had the chance to witness live in recent years. RUKI doing his signature dance created just as much excitement as the track itself.

"Hey Makuhari! Welcome to the GazettE's 10th Anniversary. We are now 10 years-old. Therefore, we will throw 10 years worth of emotions at you, so come along and have fun!" The singer commanded. Being able to listen to "舐 -zetsu-" and "Psychedelic Heroine" in a row, certainly gave off the feeling of a very special event, much like the slow part, which included some of the emotional highlights of the show, such as "菫 / Sumire", "枯詩 / Kare Uta" and "Cassis". Each of those songs holding a special meaning had the fans at the verge or tears. The image of RUKI playing his guitar surely burned itself into the memories of many, before the set went into much harder territory. "The $ocial riot machine$" as a signature track of the GazettE's "DISORDER" album and a favorite at lives, had everyone boiling with excitement, just as much as more recent tracks like "VERMIN" and "HEADACHE MAN". No other song than "Filth in the beauty" was able to complete the main-set that day and for a moment the band disappeared from stage. KAI and REITA were the first to reappear on stage, as the audience fierce fully demanded more and the bassist took over the microphone. "As it is our 10th Anniversary, the weather is as always pretty bad."

"Yet, while the weather isn't really nice to look at, you are quite a nice sight." REITA concluded and KAI added: "Since it is our 10th Anniversary, it would have been kinda cool, if we had a typhoon." Eventually all members returned on stage an continued with "Nausea & Shudder", which had in 2006 opened their very first Nippon Budokan performance and had lost nothing of its power. "Thank you for coming, really." RUKI said in a voice that sounded so soft and gentle, that many fans must have been surprised by it. "10 years ago, on March 10th, we have played our first performance as the Gazette at Rokumeikan in Meguro and there were hardly 10 people. For some reason, it became less people who supported us by each performance, until only one was left. Many people probably thought we were a strange band, and many probably still think we are weird today. Yet, for some reason our followers increased again and when we reached a 30 people audience, we thought we could actually sell. We were positive like that and had this weird kind of confidence, but since we started from nothing, it was all we had. There were down times and moments when it could have all ended, yet, overcoming those, I think from here there are still things to aim for. There are probably people who couldn't make it today, but it doesn't matter. I am thanking you and everyone with all my heart."

"貴方ノ為ノ此ノ命 / Anata no Tame no Kono Inochi", "関東土下座組合 / Kantou Dogeza Kumiai" and "LINDA ~candydive Pinky heaven~" turned the serene atmosphere of RUKI's emotional speech around and had the hall shake literally, as people jumped and head banged before the GazettE left the stage once again. It was definitely a thing that could only happen at a 10th Anniversary, that when all members returned for a second time, each of them got to express their thoughts. It must have been the first time for many to actually hear each member talking right there on stage. URUHA: "It's been a while. Thank you for today! So many people have gathered today...it's like the MC of a pro-wrestler. (laughs) I am so exhausted, but it's great exhaustion and I think doing this live felt really good. Being able to do this for 10 years makes me really happy and I hope that we can continue this unchangingly for the 11th year, 12th year and so forth. Thank you!" KAI: "Most things have just been said, however, I am so full of this feeling of gratitude. It is so great that I want to remember all your faces before going home. (laughs) We have been doing this for 10 years and I would like to keep this special day very close to my heart in the future as well. Thank you very much." AOI and REITA played a quick game of "Paper-Rock-Scissors" to decide on who would go next. Eventually it was AOI's turn to take the word.

AOI: "Uhm yes, to say something earnest, it must have been because I'm getting old that I have come to be so sentimental. You know, we are close to each other, but there are times when we fight. For me, it's those four and all of you who are the GazettE. It's this view that is the bigger picture of the GazettE." As applause filled the hall, AOI joked: "See, I said something great, didn't I?" making the audience laugh out loud. "Today, I have been really moved with all the gratitude from all of you, so thank you so very much. On a different note, you are very tiring, but it's cute, so I forgive you." REITA: "Really, there is nothing but thankfulness. We had been planning on doing this for 10, 20, 30 years, but we didn't really think that the day we actually did it 10 years would come. It's quite a miracle that you have all gathered here today. So take responsibility and keep supporting us in the future as well. Thank you very much" "Certainly, there are quite some sentimental guys here." RUKI said as it was his turn once again. "It is quite astounding that a band of five people would continue to make the same music for 10 years, reaching for the same dream together. It seems easy and difficult at the same time, and we are good friends while being very alike. At this point the word 'gratitude' has grown a bit thin, but the one who loves you most in this place, is this band, I think. Please come with us, forever. This is happiness for us, to celebrate this 10th anniversary with you. For the 15th year, the 20th, the 30th, the 45th year, let's create an ever greater view. Thank you for today!" With their first single "別れ道 / Wakare Michi" and "春雪の頃 / Shunsetsu no Koro" the GazettE finished off their 10th Anniversary, marking their biggest step of past and future together with their fans. Credit MJP

Twitter Stories: Aoi and Tatsuro - The Formation of New Troll-Allies????

-- Twitter has fallen victim to a number of trolls among the J-rock and Visual-kei artists, and the most random happening might lead to the formation of a new troll duo! It started very harmless and it might only be the prologue, but what if...? Aoi (the GazettE): "We are closing for today. We are looking forward to your visit again." (Note: Aoi might be quoting something he has been told by a shop attendant...) Heeeeyyy. That's why you should stay open! Make a Twitter account and follow me! Let me keep the soup I was drinking! But since I like you, just called not saying any of that. Tatsuro (MUCC): Do you mean the "Akanoren" (Ramen restaurant) in West Azabu? Aoi: ！(◎_◎;) That's the one! (laughs) It's delicious, isn't it!? Tatsuro: I love Ramen and Mizukyoza＼(^o^)／ Aoi: Whaaa! What's with this comradeship!? I'd say, let's go together, but if I do, I feel we won't be able to make it true. So I'll just give you the contact information tomorrow by direct message. (*´ω`*) -- Wait, is that an emoticon happy-blush? Tatsuro: Let's try hanging out for once (｀□´)♪ -- Wait, did Tatsuro just agree??? If troll No.1 and No.2 join, and given the fact that it is successful, this might lead to major trolling in the future. Already "twitter-molested" and "twitter-harassed" band members might fear this new super-troll... or the universe might simply implode.

Welcome Back the GazettE's Aoi!

-- For their 10th Anniversary, the GazettE's Aoi made a surprising comeback on Twitter and of course we need to celebrate the come-back of our favorite Twitter troll. So let's just have a short look at what kind of mischief he has been up to since he rejoined the community. Reika (D=OUT): Aoi-san, I am following you! I am sorry I couldn't go today (to the live). (T_T) We held an in-store event while I was thinking that your sexy staging must be overwhelming. Aoi: Today's theme was the old guy from the forest. Ah, like the forest-girls. * Forest girls is a fashion trend with girls in natural fabrics and subdued colors. Aoi: @RUKI Hey hey! Excuse me following you! I am totally not thinking that I could widen my follower range with yours... Aoi: @ Hitsugi (Nightmare) Oi! Oi! Follow me! Follow me! Plz plz!٩(๑´д`๑)۶ Hitsugi: Oh! Are you the real thing? Or are you fake!? Aoi: hahahaha! It's ok, so follow me! Plz! ლ(́◉◞౪◟◉‵ლ) Riuki (VelBet): Congrats to the 10th Anniversary! I am following you! Aoi: Yes! I'm gonna block you then! (⌒-⌒; ) Is it because the Kanji is different? And why have you been participating within the media frame? * Riuki and Ryohei have for some reason been together with the people from the media during the meeting after the live. Bands and friends had been in another group. Aoi: Everyone, this is the account of Osaka's pervert's gang head! →@mao_Sadie Hiroto (Alice Nine): The final practice is over! Now just the start of the journey is left. Aoi: Thank you for the Anniversary congrats board! The start of the journey? Sounds like a dream! Please give your best! Aah, let's finish for today! （´-`） -- And since it is late, we shall follow Aoi's advice and end it here. However, with him being back, we sure will have more to talk about in the near future! Credit MJP

the GazettE LIVE TOUR 2011-12 VENOMOUS CELL-FINALE- OMEGA di Yokohama Arena

Sudah sekitar lima tahun sejak the GazettE tampil di Yokohama Arena, akhirnya mereka kembali ke tempat itu untuk mengadakan pertunjukan "OMEGA" yang merupakan pertunjukan final dari tur "VENOMOUS CELL" mereka pada tanggal 14 Januari 2012 lalu. Hall tour yang mereka jalani sebelumnya telah membawa kelima member the GazettE keliling aula konser di Jepang, namun karena semua orang tahu bahwa the GazettE adlaah sebuah band live maka mereka membuat setiap aula konser menjadi terasa seperti sebuah live house. Yokohama Arena juga tidak berbeda rasanya malam itu, suka cita para penonton jelas tampak ketika konser akan segera dimulai.

Dibuka dengan "INFUSE INTO"para member the GazettE tampak di atas panggung mengenakan kostum "TOXIC" mereka da n ritme musik menyihir para penonton seraya RUKI membuat 15,000 orang di sana bertepuk tangan. "SLUDGY CULT" dan "VORTEX" semakin membuat para penonton menggila, gambar di layar menambahkan suasana semangat, sekuat asap dan sinar lampu yang menghasi panggung.
Lagu unggulan dalam album "TOXIC" yakni 'THE SUICIDE CIRCUS" membuat suasana yang lebih tenang namun menghipnotis, suara 'tik tok' yang terus bergeming membuat rasa takut dan memukau secara bersamaan.



Tidak ada jeda yang panjang selama pertunjukan, lagu-lagu terus berlanjut mulai dari "MY DEVIL ON THE BED" dan "痴情 / CHIJOU"hingga ke lagu agresif seperti "13 STAIRS[－]1" dan "AGONY".

Seketika lampu panggung padam dan hanya cahaya lilin yang tampak di atas panggung. RUKI mengambil lilin tersebut dengan kedua tangannya dan meletakannya di atas sebuah podium kecil di atas panggung, tepat di depannya, petikan gitar yang lembut membuka lagu "UNTITLED". Para penonton seolah menahan nafas mereka selama suasana penuh emosi menyelimuti saat itu. Ketika bintang-bintang di layar perlahan saling berpisah, RUKI meniup lilin tadi hingga padam dan tepukan tangan segera mengisi aula saat itu juga.

Namun, suasana segera berubah ketika lagu berikutnya yang dipenuhi dengan permainan drum yang cepat dari KAI dan permainan gitar yang mengagumkan dari AOI dan URUHA dibawakan.

"Masih bisa lanjut?" goda RUKI pada para penonton, penonton kurang kuat dalam menjawab pertanyaan tersebut, RUKI tampak kurang puas. RUKI melambaikan jari tengahnya kepada para penonton sembari berkata "kalian kurang ramai. Kalian harus menggunakan semua tenaga kalian untuk ini! Ayolah!!!"

Tentu saja penonton the GazettE tidak akan pernah membantah titah seperti itu, mereka pun tak menunjukkan rasa lelah kala lagu "VERMIN" dan "CLEVER MONKEY" dibawakan, malah membuat para penonton kian bersemangat.



"HEADACHE MAN", "Filth in the Beauty", "PSYCHOPATH", dan "TOMORROW NEVER DIES" mengakhiri bagian utama pertunjukan malam itu, mengguncang seluruh aula dengan kuat.

Belum ada yang mau pulang malam itu, para penonton segera mengeraskan suara mereka, meminta acara tetap berlanjut. Permintaan penuh semangat para penonton untuk encore disambut dengan tampilnya REITA dan KAI kembali di atas panggung, mempersembahkan duet permainan bass dan drum mereka dalam "Ride with the Rockers."

"Hari ini adalah hari terakhir tur kami." Kata REITA. "Jadi keluarkan semua yang kalian punya di sini!"

"Yokohama, kalian tampak keren hari ini!" KAI melanjutkan. "Ini adalah pertunjukan pertama kami tahun ini dan rasanya menyenangkan. Seperti yang pernah kukatakan, pertunjukan the GazettE tidak dibuat oleh kami berlima saja, tapi oleh kalian semua juga. Kalian yang membuatnya nyata, jadi ayo kita lakukan!"

Dengan sebuah teriakan, KAI dan REITA melanjutkan permainan, disusul dengan URUHA dan AOI yang segera berabung di atas panggung.



"REMEMBER THE URGE" dimainkan, kemudian segera disambung dengan "AKAI ONE-PIECE" dan aula besar Yokohama Arena itu berubah menjadi sebuah live house, seraya semua orang berlompatan mengeluarkan semua tenaga mereka.

"Saya bersyukur bisa menghabiskan saat ini di sini dan bersama kalian." RUKI mengutarakan perasaannya kepada semua orang yang hadir.

"Tur ini berakhir dengan pertunjukan final malam ini dan Saya harus katakan bahwa kami sudah merasa kesepian meskipun pertunjukan ini belum berakhir. Kami memulai tahun ini dengan mengakhiri tur yang kami jalani."

Para penontonpun tertawa, namun pastinya mengerti apa yang dimaksud oleh kata-kata RUKI barusan.

"Kami berkeliling negeri dan membawakan lagu dalam TOXIC selama perjalanan kami. Saya rasa kami sudah melakukannya dengan baik. Ketika membuat album tersebut, kami selalu berpikir tentang bagaimana kalian akan bereaksi pada album ini. Melihat kalian di sini, kalian tampak begitu bahagia dengan album ini. Kami ingin sekali melakukan ini lagi."

Seperti the GazettE biasanya, encore diakhiri dengan lagu "COCKROACH", "DISCHARGE", dan "LINDA~candydive Pinky heaven~", tapi sepertinya ada yang kurang.





Ini adalah pertunjukan final, bukannya melompat dan head bang sampai lelah, tidak ada satupun orang di sana yang akan pergi tanpa satu lagu yang membuat mereka malah berlutut: "関東土下座組合 / KANTOU DOGEZA KUMIAI". Itu adalah lagu terakhir yang dibawakan malam itu dan para member band mengelilingi panggung sesuka hati, saling bercanda satu sama lain, juga kepada penggemar mereka.

RUKI bahkan melompat ke arah penonton, membuat para penonton bergemuruh gembira dan mengakhiri malam itu dengan mengeluarkan dukungan penuh untuk langkah the GazettE selanjutnya.

"Saya bersyukur atas hal-hal yang bermula dari sini." Ungkap RUKI, menandai diawalinya tahun ke-10 karir the GazettE.







Credit : MJP

Fool’s Mate – January 2004 – the GazettE’s interview

First interview with the GazettE, under the title “Dai Nihon Itan Geisha”, showing a steep rise in popularity throughout the country. Introductory text to the GazettE taking questions about everything from the sweet beginnings of their five-some to the latest state of affairs. Disliking without knowing is the loss of a lifetime, so wouldn’t you too like to step inside and take a look at the world of the GazettE?



This being your first appearance for this magazine, let us start with the story of the formation of your band!

Uruha – Me, Reita and Ruki were in a band together before the GazettE.

Reita – By the way, me and Uruha have grown up together ever since 4th year of Elementary School!

It’s been a long association then.

Reita – Yes!

Uruha – Ruki was originally a drummer, but he was quite good at writing lyrics so we got him as the vocalist for that band. And we got the original vocalist to be the drummer (laughs). Well, anything to make things ultimately turn out well.

Ruki – Like, breaking up (laughs).

Uruha – But, the three of us – me, Reita and Ruki had become really close friends by then and we decided “The three of us want to do this together again!”

Reita – And then we started searching for members.

And the one you met was Aoi?

Uruha – No, Aoi……

Aoi – What do you mean, saying that so awfully! (laughs)

Uruha – There was no drummer, so we got an acquaintance introduce us to an earlier drummer.

Reita – And then, just because he was the guitarist of the same band as the drummer, someone barged into the set-up.

What do you mean “barged in” (laughs) Didn’t you have the idea of a twin guitarist in mind originally?

Uruha – No, it’s not that we never even thought about it. I just wasn’t sure if it might be a disadvantage (laughs).

Aoi – Eh? Is that so? To that level? You’re lying aren’t you!!

Reita – Such a well concealed matter too……you know (laughs).

Aoi – Ah, is that so……although right now, I’m in a lot of shock (laughs).

And with that the GazettE got going in January 2002. Kai wasn’t there in the beginning, right?

Uruha – Yes. We had a different drummer. We met Kai at a session Live at exactly the same time that person quit, so he joined the band.

Kai – I was already acquainted to Ruki, and knew about the GazettE too and thought they were cool, so when I was asked “Won’t you do it for us”, I said “My pleasure” without any objections.

That was in February this year. Since then the five of you have continued vigorously with music releases and Live activities.

Everybody – Right!

What’s the concept of the GazettE? – Although the cover comes with the catchphrase “Dai Nihon Itan Geisha [The Great Japan Heretic Artists]”.

Uruha – It refers to our aspirations; how we always want to be different from the rest, how we want to be heretics.

Ruki – Like, defying everything.

Uruha – But, it’s not about doing only what is different; we want to empathize with whatever draws our empathy.

Ruki – In terms of music, that range can get quite extensive.

True, there really are a lot of songs ranging from dark and intense to heartrendingly melodious.

Ruki – We ourselves don’t carry any notions like “This is what the GazettE is!” We’re a band that plays songs of every hue.

Kai – On the contrary, it would be nice if this would become a hue unto itself.

Uruha – But there is a foundation, you know. Something like an “over the top”, vehement kind of feel.

Aoi – Also, if one talks about the point of a song, there are various things that unfold within the length of a single song. We’re determined to make songs which carry various outlooks. Not very fond of things just gliding past.

Uruha – Occasionally, there are also songs which get over in a flash. Also, for some reason, there are ones with those old-school melodies. I heard a foreigner somewhere saying “Wonder why Japanese people go on adopting new things. Why don’t they care more about the older, nicer things?” and I thought “I see~”.

Ruki – I feel that the old songs have a deeper impact emotionally, compared to the new ones. One still remembers them, and they’re easy on the ears. For that reason, we adopt those aspects.

Incidentally, who builds the core of the song?

Kai – Ruki brings the original melody, and then we discuss it like th~is and th~at among ourselves and finish it up.

Ruki writes the lyrics too, right?

Ruki – The point is how to express the mentality of people through words. To disclose things directly, without speaking in a roundabout manner.

Kai – I’m always surprised by Ruki’s lyrics. He’s so good at how he expresses things. He writes lyrics which make one feel “Aah, I get it I get it!” “This really does happen”.

Even among those, there are a lot of times when you write about sentiments of loss, of things which ordinarily don’t get expressed openly.

Ruki – That’s true. There really are a lot of those.

Reita – Normally, Ruki can express anything. This fellow is quite frank with his feelings. Like a stereotypical B-type [blood group].

Uruha – Generally speaking, careless and untidy.

Aoi – But, isn’t he quite methodical about his own place?

Ruki – I’m methodical about my own things.

Kai – And that is why he’s stereotypical. SELF-CENTERED.

But I think it’s better to have a somewhat self-centered person for a vocalist, right?

Uruha – It would be a matter of such great adulation if that could turn into a plus point.

Ruki – (face flushing with agitation)

Reita – He’s REALLY showing it frankly (laughs).

He’s just awfully honest, isn’t he?

Reita – He even lies in a way that he’d get caught immediately. Well, in a word, he’s an idiot.

(laughs) Well, what about you, Aoi? Talking of which, haven’t you been in low spirits for a while?

Aoi – ……’cause I’m depressed. Am I being made a part of this as a last resort? My mind is heavy with that thought……I won’t be a part of this conversation anymo~re.

All members – (laughing out)!

Are you getting concerned about what we just talked?

Uruha – Not really, right?

Reita – Hm. Not really.

Aoi – Is that all? Isn’t your defence a bit too lacking!?

Well well (laughs).

Reita – He is stubborn. Inflexible!

Ruki – Childish.

Reita – Elementary School Student.

Aoi – This isn’t a gathering to get me depressed, is it?

Reita – Look, impressions are very important on a debut appearance.

Aoi – Isn’t Kai supposed to be the one getting bullied!? You’ve got the wrong guy!

Uruha – Aoi is the type of person who constantly seeks out the aesthetics.

Aoi – (with “Well spoken!” written on his face) I play the guitar on the left, so even if I’m working out the aesthetics of the staging for myself, this (Reita) keeps on being a nuisance, with his “Me me”!

Reita – Liar! (laughs)

That is probably just Reita being a show-off……or something.

Reita – That is not true. Not true at all. I’m so humble and low-key. Keeping a poker face.

Aoi – That’s not true! If you think or perceive something I see it on your face right before my eyes!

Uruha – He has tremendous power of keeping things hidden to himself.

We were talking about the stage right now, isn’t it? How’s he ordinarily?

Reita – Ordinarily, I pay too much attention to the things around me and my sensitivity wears out……in fact I’m left with no sensitivity at all. There’s a fellow who gets lonely easily, so I go accost them or something.

Uruha – Basically it’s Ruki and Kai who get emotionally attached.

Reita – Speaking in terms of soccer, I’m like the midfielder, you know. Always looking all around before giving a pass……like gauging the atmosphere. Sometimes I get called an air-conditioner.

Aoi – I’ve never said tha~t! (laughs)

It’s like bearing the motherly role in the band, isn’t it? What kind of a person is Uruha?

Aoi – Extremely obstinate.

Uruha – Obstinate, is it? But indeed, I don’t budge from what I think.

Ruki – It’s like if you say something you’ll probably get beaten up (laughs).

Uruha – But, if I feel that I’m making a mistake, I earnestly recheck and confirm things.

Ruki – No~? You just try to bend the truth (laughs). Like, ‘I define the rules!’

Uruha – Aren’t there times when that sort of a thing is also necessary? (laughs)

Reita – YOU don’t make a mistake! That is why I stay with you!

(laughs) A motherly existence within the band. Well, what about Kai?

Reita – Well, there’s nothing special about him.

All members – (laughing out)!

Aoi – Strangely enough, he’s the most serious one.

Uruha – I think he’s the type who does everything untiringly.

Ruki – What do you think of this yourself?

Kai – My wish, I suppose, is to be the centre of laughter. I like getting teased. As long as I keep getting teased and the laughter keeps coming, I’d be enjoying myself immensely.

Reita – You haven’t put that ruse to practice for even 10 minutes until now!

Aoi – If done so, it works really well at breaking the ice. Break the ice by teasing him. This is important.

Uruha – It is an essential requirement for getting him excited (laughs).

(laughs) I imagined you all to be these cool sort of people when I saw the art-pictures but in reality you’re all just brimming with a unique kind of humanity (laughs). Well then, what are your plans up ahead?

Ruki – There’s a One-Man at Shibuya AX on January 16th. We’re simply looking forward to it……

Aoi – None of us have been there, you know, to AX (laughs). On the day itself, we just hope we won’t lose our senses in shock when we go there.

Reita – It’s our first One-Man at a big venue, so I wonder how much aura we’ll have to build up to not look small, to what extent we’ll be able to do something that would be distinctive of a big stage. I’m really looking forward to it.

Kai – We intend to make it a Live which will leave behind an impression, so we want everybody to carry that expectation.

Uruha – Our sense of unity gives us the confidence to conquer any place. I would want the people who want to feel “This is what a Live is” to definitely come and watch us.

And finally, what is the mark of the GazettE?

Aoi – We always keep our aspirations high, no matter what.

Ruki – Without forgetting those first feelings we had when we formed this band, we want to be even more spirited.

Spirited?? Did you, by any chance, mean diligent?

Ruki – Ah, that’s right!

Aoi – Sorry, basically we’re not very intelligent……

Everybody – (roars of laughter)

Credit : Ducky's Blog