Translated by Ku
—Please give us commentary for one song from the new full album, "DIAVOLO," released on March 2nd.
"Inma -BELPHEGOR-," in both lyrics and music, is a condensed version of THE GALLO's worldview. Regarding the lyrical content, I'm proud that it's a showpiece that gathers together the flow from "Muma -INCUBUS-" and "Muma -SUCCUBUS-." I'd like it if you would regard it as heresy to love songs.
—Please tell us about something to look for, a story, a scene you're particular about, or something that happened during the shooting of the MVs that were recorded at the same time* -- "Douma -BELIAL-" and "Inma -BELPHEGOR-."
"Douma -BELIAL-": I will sing my last song from the gallows for you, my beloved.
"Inma -BELPHEGOR-": The bedroom in the middle of the night is a utopia and the bed on a moonless night is an amusement park.**
* These were not actually recorded at the same time, as evidenced by the change in members' hair colors and styles. This is the interviewer's mistake, not a translation mistake.
** Both of his answers are lyrics from the respective o
—What is something to look out for at THE GALLO's lives?
Welcome to the foreign brothel, "The Black World."
—Please let us hear about a performance that left an impression on you from the sponsored [tour], "Kyokutou Kuro Shakai Rengou Daisensou," or your thoughts on it.
The bonds of solidarity between [us and] the assisting bands and audiences were an inspiration.
—Please recommend one song for those who haven't heard THE GALLO['s music].
"Muma -INCUBUS" → "DIAVOLO"
—Please tell about the main point of your current clothes and hair/makeup.
For clothes, the overall theme is a glittering surplice over complete blackness.
For makeup, it's the bizarre curl in my fringe and raunchy glittering lips.
—What got you involved in music; where are your roots? And, please tell us why you chose the part of vocalist.
My starting point was the SEX PISTOLS. I learned [music] with the rebellious spirit of punk rock. I decided to sing using my words as my weapon in order to express myself.
—Please offer a message of support to those who are beginning a new life this spring.
The Heisei* world is hell. However, we do not know the true Hell. Please be grateful that you were born into into an era of happiness.
* The current calendar era (as of this writing in 2016) is Heisei.
—Do you have a defining feature?
Affection
—Please tell us what your favorite chocolate is.
JEAN-PAUL HEVIN
—About your interest in toys -- please tell us just about your favorite item.
Along with my life in music, I posses all of the Super Action Statue as well as Statue Legend items, issued by the unchallenged leader, reputable Medicos*, which replicate "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure," which I've poured my affection into. If you are in possession of the Swarovski items**, please drop me a line or present them to me right away.***
* Medicos is a toy maker that makes the figure lines Jojo mentions; one is an action figure line, and the other is a high-quality figure line.
** There have been collaboration JJBA figures with Swarovski crystals; it's clear that Jojo doesn't own them and wants them badly. They're very rare and very expensive.
*** This whole response is written in extremely stiff formal writing, typical of Jojo in writing.
—What is THE GALLO to you?
Life
—Lastly, please give a message to the readers of SEVEN.
I cannot stand the exchange of shams sent out by fake music advocates. I would be glad if you would kindly satisfy yourself with the world of THE GALLO's new album "DIAVOLO" and sense the attitude therein of smashing our way through to the future. The world of THE GALLO plunges into a new chapter.
Showing posts with label Article (English). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Article (English). Show all posts
Friday, April 1, 2016
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Corner - Stuppy Vol. 7, October 2015
Translated by Ku
Q1. Please tell us about the concept of the band.
Incubi, heresy, shamelessness.
Q2. What is each member's character, or thing to watch for at a live?
Jojo: The height of shamelessness.
Hikaru: Like having multiple personalities, I create countless expressions, and I'm an incubus of ever-changing music, inviting you to first-rate nightmares with what you see. I don't just play the guitar, but also the theremin, and do the Robot, delivering one-of-a-kind staging. Also, every now and then I do my own artistic makeup like drawing pictures, and express what I'm really good at that can only be seen at those times.
Wajow: I'm a first-rate silly character, but my devastating performance at lives can't be missed.
Andy: I'm a taciturn character, and during lives I blow a silent air with a powerful performance.
Kaede: I'm THE GALLO's leader. With ever-changing music.
Q3. Please leave a message for the readers.
IN THE FARTHEST LAND, FARTHER THAN THE FAR EAST IS "THE FOREIGN BROTHEL -THE BLACK WORLD-" WHICH IS ALWAYS BEING ADDED TO
HERE, WE CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO A FIRST-RATE NIGHTMARE...
IF YOU OPEN THE DOOR... YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO YOUR OWN WORLD...
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Personal Interview - Jojo - ZEAL LINK Free Paper vol.023
THE GALLO Jojo, Vocals
Interview by Takayuki Murakami
Translated by Ku
―A little time has passed since the release of your new single, "INCUBUS." Now, looking at it again, how do you feel it is as a work?
Jojo: "INCUBUS" is a work that was made with a theme of returning to the start, and I think it turned out like that. When played at lives, too, the title track, "INCUBUS," is that way for sure. At lives, we incorporate a performance that uses plates and spoons. That included, now I'm able to present the things that I'd wanted to do since I formed THE GALLO. The fan's response is good, too, and it's become a song that's crucial to THE GALLO.―A little time has passed since the release of your new single, "INCUBUS." Now, looking at it again, how do you feel it is as a work?
―A return to the start is right. Speaking of that, could you tell us about your musical background?
Jojo: When I was a kid I always played soccer. I liked soccer so much that I thought I might like to go to the UK in the future. But, when I was 15 I suffered a setback. That's when I found music, and headed down the road of delinquency (laugh). At the time I really liked Kiyoharu-san and I had his posters and clippings up in my room. I really liked him; he's someone who hugely influenced me, and even now I'm grateful. If not for him I feel like I probably wouldn't be in music.
―So he's someone who guided your life. There are a lot of people who start to learn guitar when they're awakened to rock music, but were you a vocalist from the beginning?
Jojo: I had no skill, and in those days I didn't feel like I wanted to play an instrument. I thought I definitely wouldn't be able to do it. With singing, my mother's hobby was singing and my grandmother also liked to sing. Since I was raised in that kind of environment I naturally felt like I'd sing, too.
―Coming into music from that, how did you create your own style?
Jojo: I'm a contrarian. The reason for that was in my environment as a kid. My household has a lineage in jobs related to civil engineering, which started with my great grandfather's generation. So from the time I was born I was raised as the fourth generation, and I couldn't help but dislike it. No matter what I just couldn't adopt the idea of walking the path a parent chose for me. Besides, my grandfather was a general contractor, so he drove a nice car, and even though my school was super close he'd drive me. When he did, the teachers would say things like "he came to school in a Benz..." I really hated that, too. From the rebellious spirit I had towards my family, I started thinking I wanted to walk my own path in life, and I just kept moving forward from there, and started thinking I had to be different from everyone else. This is also reflected in my music, and I think it's naturally established my individuality.
―As a listener, were you also the type who looked for things that no one else listened to?
Jojo: I feel like I had an attitude of wanting to go different places than other people. I started with Kiyoharu-san and rushed into punk. Western punk, like the Sex Pistols and Rancid. When I was in high school I saw the Sex Pistols' movie, "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle," it had an impact on me, and I thought 'this is all there is.' I felt that music and fashion and piercings are all symbols of rebellion. After that, I studied punk music from the '70s to modern.
―So you were drawn to the rebellious mentality of punk music. In addition to musicianship, the gloomy and grotesque have become characteristic of your lyrics, too.
Jojo: That's also rebellion, absolutely. When I started writing lyrics, thought they should make people uncomfortable, that they should be rejected by people. So when I started writing, I was harsher than I am now. I have a feeling it wasn't on a level to draw people in. Regarding the worldview of my lyrics, I often hear that there are hints of books or movies in them, but I don't watch movies or TV or look at books. Since there's no environment where my surroundings inspire me, I don't even know where the scenes I conjure in my lyrics come from. I think that's just typical of me, but I've been alone since I was little. I was raised by a single mother, but she was never at home. There was that, and my grandfather would give me anything I wanted. So I earnestly liked playing with my toys by myself. It was only through that that I could forget my loneliness. And so I was always considering how to play alone, and about what kinds of worlds to create. That was the kind of kid I was, so I think I'm better than most people at creating my own worlds. I have the feeling that that's reflected in the lyrics I write.
―So you had a strong imagination. But aren't your recent lyrics surprisingly poppy, even with a gloomy worldview?
Jojo: Because even I grew up (laugh). The foundation is the same as in the past, but lately you could say I want my cues to be more easily understood. What should I say... From my point of view, almost all the lyrics out there look like nothing more than stiff, formal writing. I think that those that can be called brilliant are few and far between. When it comes to competing with them as a lyricist, your cues have to be easy to understand. Now, I'm groping for how to express my own worlds.
―Like being in the process of changing and still preserving the core. The new single, "SUCCUBUS," will be released on August 8th; what kind of work will it be?
Jojo: When we made the previous work, "INCUBUS," I chose the theme of a male dream demon, so I was thinking for the next one I'd portray a female dream demon. We'd decided at that point to put out a live house limited release, so I thought it'd be fun to have continuity. There isn't an INCUBUS and a SUCCUBUS, but they're both the same. To men, it manifests as SUCCUBUS, and to women, it manifests as INCUBUS. So, I'd wanted to make a paired work. When I was looking for something that could compete with "INCUBUS" in the existing track, I listened to the original melody that Kaede-kun made, and thought that that was it. "SUCCUBUS" came from that and then took shape.
―The chorus with its decadent, super high-speed beat and instrument parts are impressive. Coupled with it are two songs: the heavy "Shinigami -THANATOS-" and the exotically impressive "Nemurigami -HYPNOS-."
Jojo: "Shinigami -THANATOS-" is a song that was on the "Kokkeiron" album that we put out before. The guitar played on the album was before Wajow-kun joined the band. So even though we'll run out of stock [of the album] soon, we weren't thinking about making another pressing. So then we decided to re-record "Shinigami -THANATOS-" with the current members. But, I've rewritten the lyrics. At first I thought it'd be best to leave the original lyrics, but after looking really, really closely, I started feeling like I couldn't stomach it. I don't know what the other members think, but I think that just leaving it as it was before for a re-recording is no good. So I decided to rewrite it. I really touched it up, and this time the "Shinigami -THANATOS-" in me is complete.
―I get the impression that you're picky about lyrics.
Jojo: I am. But I've also been getting tired of it, including with "Nemurigami -HYPNOS-." It's like... somehow it's always about killing people (laugh). I have a feeling this kind of thing's a little unusual. I hear that my specialty is flow that I've had up through now, and both "SUCCUBUS" and "Shinigami -THANATOS-" are more relaxed in that regard, I think. I get the impression it's good now.
―Again, there's an indication that you're going to a different place. What kind of tour can we expect from THE GALLO's six metropolitan tour, "THE INCUBUS CIRCUS," which will carry out "SUCCUBUS?"
Jojo: It's based on the word "challenge." When there are a lot of lives, it's really hard to to create something myself that feels special. But I don't think that's good. First of all, it's no good to think things like "today's not a one-man so it's okay not to push it," or "it's not a one-man so it's okay to go to bed late the day before." It may be a one-man, or it may be a live with other bands, but more than just standing on stage I want to make the time special for myself. It's impossible to make the fans feel that way if I don't first think it's special, myself. I consider how I can put that into practice on a regular basis, and since I try different things, every live I reflect on different things as a participant, too. So for this summer tour it's not that it's because they're one-mans, but it's about the challenge of making each and every live something special. Aside from that, I'm taking on everything, like thinking of the people coming to see us, the content of the lives, and that we're having one-mans in places for the first time.
―We have high hopes. After the tour on September 12th, there will also be an in-store event at Shibuya ZEAL LINK.
Jojo: We're all talking about the in-store event, too. Since the in-store for "SUCCUBUS" in September will only happen once, we want to make it a special day. At the "INCUBUS" in-store, I got to sing in a space for acoustic lives. I don't know if I'll sing again in September, but I'd like to do something that surprises everyone.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Artist Column - Jojo - CURE V-SPLASH March 2014
THE GALLO Formal Thesis - Jojo
Translated by Ku
To all the Cure V-splash readers
Today I will take fanatics (otaku) into consideration
I suppose that "otaku" exist in any world (realm) and support this world (realm)
The world of music is no exception
Without a doubt, you, readers, are sustaining our world!
Without your assistance, even to exist would be difficult
As my name suggests, yours truly, too, is living nobly as a "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" otaku
An "otaku" living nobly as an "otaku"
Is an honor to the world you love
"Otaku" is not "derogatory" it's an "honor"!
Keigu1
1 Keigu is a set word for closing a formal letter; it could be translated into English as "sincerely" but doesn't need to be followed by a signature.
Jojo's written this column in very formal Japanese.
Translated by Ku
To all the Cure V-splash readers
Today I will take fanatics (otaku) into consideration
I suppose that "otaku" exist in any world (realm) and support this world (realm)
The world of music is no exception
Without a doubt, you, readers, are sustaining our world!
Without your assistance, even to exist would be difficult
As my name suggests, yours truly, too, is living nobly as a "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" otaku
An "otaku" living nobly as an "otaku"
Is an honor to the world you love
"Otaku" is not "derogatory" it's an "honor"!
Keigu1
1 Keigu is a set word for closing a formal letter; it could be translated into English as "sincerely" but doesn't need to be followed by a signature.
Jojo's written this column in very formal Japanese.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Interview - ViSULOG HYSTERIC CIRCUS vol.13
The monthly event, "HYSTERIC CIRCUS," will be held at Shibuya REX on January 17, 2014 (Fri). This time brings a power-up with the venue move to Shibuya REX.
With ViSULOG PRESENTS "HYSTERIC CIRCUS Vol.13," which will adorn this rising curtain of 2014, as the first [of the year], we held a discussion with representatives from each appearing band. The four participating members are Ayumu from Glam Grammar, Jojo from THE GALLO, Chitose from Chanty, and ral from METEOROID. What kind of discussion resulted!?
―Let's first begin with an introduction of your bands.
Chitose: The concept of our band is "piercing music," and the idea of being able to honestly express ourselves through our music.
Ayumu: When you say Chanty, don't you think "gorilla"?
Chitose: Oh, that person is Ousmane Sankhon's son, Yonkhon (laugh). It's not a joke; he's an entertainer -- DJ Yonkhon.
―As a supplement to those who don't know -- when Chanty's formation was announced, instead of photographs of the members Yonkhon's photographs were published on the official site.
Ayumu: I thought it was a strange band (laugh).
Chitose: We wanted to do something strange... Ideally, we'd wanted to get five black people together to hold our instruments, but it was really hard to find five people, so we had Yonkhon do all five roles.
―Moving along, please introduce Glam Grammar.
Ayumu: Following Yonkhon... What can I even say that's interesting?
―It's okay to give an honest introduction here (laugh).
Ayumu: More than having a concept, we wanted to make a band were we could do what we think is cool, and since everyone shared that opinion, we're a band that -- while not necessarily "freestyle rock" -- can consistently put out things we actually want to create.
Jojo: We also don't think it's too good to lock ourselves into a decision, but we use the word "heresy." Still, when I sent our band introduction to a magazine, I wrote, "theme: heresy; content: shameless extremes" (laugh). After we put that out, I thought to myself, "I wrote something really risky, huh," and from there thought that just "heresy" was fine. We also have no use for rules and perform with the thought that it's good to be able to do all kinds of music.
ral: The word METEOROID means "meteoroid*." We play with the concept that the final fall over the earth emits the most beautiful glow, and we're always touting the idea, "let's just do cool stuff."
*The band's name is in English, so ral is simply giving the Japanese equivalent to readers who may not know the word.
―I think there are [musicians] who may or may not have acquaintances; what's the reason you get close to other bands?
Chisato: If we play sessions together we get close, fast.
ral: That's right.
Chisato: Since we start with "nice to meet you" at the studio and there's a lot of time together in the green room the day of the live, we tell personal stories and in the end it's like, "Shall we go for a drink?" (laugh).
―Getting to the point you go drinking is a pretty long time.
Chisato: But in the past other bands you play with were thought of as enemies... (laugh). But we didn't dislike each other.
Ayumu: Is that how it was?
Chisato: There was some mutual feeling of distance. But recently at event [lives] themselves there's a good atmosphere, and keeping that in mind we can make friends even at events now. My goal is to make 100 (laugh).
Ayumu: Since you definitely have chances to talk when you do sessions, it's normal to get close, but if we're playing with other bands I wouldn't say that...
ral: And since everyone is busy with preparations, we don't know when it would be okay to start a conversation.
Ayumu: But on tours and such, when you're always together, you get close. When you see lives and you think, "That guy's so cool!" or, "That staging is cool," normally you hardly get to talk, but I start conversations myself. Starting with an earnest opening like, "You were super cool; how do you usually practice?" and in the end something like "Please let me treat you to a meal" (laugh).
Jojo: Since there are times I can watch someone and know they must like such-and-such musician, even I sometimes strike up a conversation, but really rarely.
Chisato: Lately there may be a trend of asking to take pictures together, too. It's an opportunity to talk, but timing an approach to talk is pretty hard.
Ayumu: Sometimes it's like, "Why're you talking to me?"
Jojo: Sometimes it is (laugh).
―At a typical event there are a lot of bands in the green room -- do you take pictures with every band?
Ayumu: Well, you pick and choose. To be frank, I pick the most popular band at the live.
Everyone: (roar of laughter)
ral: He's super-honest (laugh).
Chisato: It might be because I'm a coward but my timing for asking for pictures is really rough... So I'm really jealous of people who can go [and ask] without that kind of [hesitation].
ral: I understand that. I'm shy with strangers...
Ayumu: If I'm excited I'll just go as I please. Before this, I was with Black Gene For the Next Scene, and isn't Ice-san just super macho? My seat in the green room was next to him; he was constantly lifting like five folding chairs and weight training with them and naturally I couldn't ignore it. So I asked him like, "Um, uh, Ice-san, this is the first time we've met, but why do you maintain such a great body?" (laugh). So that was the reason, then I found out he's a fan of Vivienne. I am, too, so the talk just kept coming.
―The reasons are important. So, can I hear the reason each of you got involved with music?
Jojo: I saw my senpai performing a live at my school festival, so I think the first thought I had was "He's so cool." But at first I thought people with instruments looked cool. I wasn't able to buy an instrument, but my friends' parents bought them for them and even though they said "let's start a band," I was the only one who couldn't join their circle. At that time a friend told me, "Try singing? You don't need an instrument, right?" and that was the beginning.
―So you were a vocalist from the beginning.
Jojo: That's right. It was to get in with my circle of friends, but I also wanted to be popular with girls.
―Were you in visual kei from the beginning?
Jojo: I started with visual kei and flowed into punk. At the time I had a Mohawk, but even now there's a marked effect punk has left on me.
Chisato: Now that you mention it, I do get a punk-vibe from Jojo-san.
Jojo: I think visual kei has some parts that somehow or another look like they have no rules, and I think there are also times when it's like, "Actually, you have to do it like this," but my attitude is that I want to break that kind of thing.
―What about you, ral-san?
ral: I liked L'Arc-en-Ciel and Mr.Children, and originally I was a vocalist and guitarist. But along the way I decided I wanted to play bass, too, and I made my little brother buy a bass that pretty much only I played...
Ayumu: You're a bad brother (laugh).
ral: From there I started a band, but no matter what we couldn't find a bassist, so I said that I could play bass. In the beginning I was singing while playing. At the time I was fascinated by how good it felt to keep time with the drums, and thought, "Isn't this so much better than singing?" From there I had a longing for the bass. So I'm grateful to my little brother (laugh).
―What about you, Chisato-san?
Chisato: When I would stay up late during summer break, "BREAK OUT" came out on TV, and it was like, "What the hell is this! Something amazing's started!" (laugh). Until then I didn't know the word "visual kei" and I'd had no interest in music and was a so-called studious type. From there I delved into it in my own way bit by bit and for some reason decided I'd play the guitar. More than being interested in a particular person, I just wanted to be a part of the scene. I might have wanted to slip away from the "unpopular group" I'd been a part of until then, but even my parents said "You were kind of a creep before, but since you started playing an instrument you've leveled out" (laugh).
ral: There's this desire to walk around your hometown carrying a guitar.
Chisato: There is. Because carrying an instrument in your school uniform somehow made you a really cool person... (laugh).
―So "BREAK OUT" was your reason.
Chisato: That's right. Even saying that "BREAK OUT" changed my life is no exaggeration.
Ayumu: When I first saw "BREAK OUT," too, I thought, "Whoa, what are these people? Wearing makeup -- what is this?" I don't really know what's okay to say, but in the beginning I hated visual kei... As for music itself, my parents bought me a guitar for my graduation from junior high, and naturally I formed a band. But I didn't like that guitarists stay in the corner; I thought the center was better (laugh). Since then I started singing, but somehow it was in a hardcore band where it was almost entirely shouting instead of singing. Then one day I realized that if I kept that up I wouldn't be able to make ends meet. So I quit the band, told them I was going to Tokyo, and left.
―How did you end up in visual kei from there?
Ayumu: After I got to Tokyo I was in a band that wasn't visual kei, but we weren't getting many fans and I thought if it stayed like that I'd return to my parents' house. At that time Tara-kun (ex-176BIZ) had his eye on me and I got to sing for him as a guest. Then the CD got popular and there were also lots of fans, and I thought, "This genre's amazing! It's super fun!" And now I'm here (laugh).
―It was because of Tara-kun.
Ayumu: If Tara-chan hadn't approached me I'd have already gone back home (laugh).
―Changing the subject, what do you do on your days off?
Chisato: On my days off I relapse back into how I was in the days of the "uncool group" (laugh). Like, staying inside to the best of my ability and just sitting at my computer...
Everyone: (laugh).
Chisato: Aside from that, I also really like looking at new instruments and gear, so I go to music shops.
ral: Music shops are exciting. I go just to buy strings and before I know it I've been there for hours...
―Vocalists don't often go to music shops, do they?
Jojo: But there was a period where I thought this one guitar was cool. But I think it was probably because my friend wanted to go.
Ayumu: Naturally (laugh).
Jojo: I'm someone who easily gets lonely so I like to join the topics people with instruments [discuss]... (laugh).
Chisato: Are vocalists the fashion people?
Ayumu: They are. I could spend all day in a clothing shop.
―Is there anything you want to ask each other?
Chisato: When you make songs do you make them alone, or do you make them together at a studio, or what?
ral: For us, first we get the demo sent to us by computer from the composer, then we each play around with it, and after it takes shape to some extent we often meet at the studio.
Jojo: We also get the music from the composer, and we each arrange and memorize it, then it's like we refine the composition at the studio and focus on the details.
Ayumu: We all come together at the end, too.
Chisato: I thought it was like that. Isn't there the opposite, too, where the demo may be really good, but when you meet at the studio it's like, "Something's off?" It's like sorcery.
ral: It happens.
―Finally, please give the viewers of ViSULOG a message.
Chistao: 2014 is a year on the offensive for Chanty -- soon after the year starts we have our first sponsored live, are putting out our second single, "Yoku no Katamari," on January 29th, and have our first countrywide tour!! This will be our second time in "HYSTERIC CIRCUS," so please look forward to a chanty which has grown even more since our last appearance!!
Ayumu: As this is our second time appearing at a ViSULOG event, as a principle I'd like to show everyone even more than last time. So to the people who have come to see Glam Grammar before -- which is breaking into its second year -- and of course to the first-timers: Let's all get loose* together!
Jojo: Next year we also have a tour carrying the album, but we'll also be doing a one-man on February 23rd at Shinjuku's Fuurin Kaikan, so I think it'd be great if we can do big activities next year -- and of course this [ViSULOG] event is one, too. I think right now I seem surprisingly quiet, but I think it'd be good to show you the gap between this and really being a wild person (laugh). I'd like us to have a good time, so please [come see us].
ral: We've been rushing forward since our commencement on February 11, 2013 until now, but from December through next year we'll be starting the "GEMINI program," and we have our anniversary one-man on February 11th so I think we'll keep rapidly rushing ahead in 2014. We've also appeared in "HYSTERIC CIRCUS" several times, and I think each time is better than the last, so I'd like everyone who comes to rock out. Let's have a great live!
* This looks like a play on words; while the literal meaning translates as written, the word used is also an abbreviation for Glam Grammar.
With ViSULOG PRESENTS "HYSTERIC CIRCUS Vol.13," which will adorn this rising curtain of 2014, as the first [of the year], we held a discussion with representatives from each appearing band. The four participating members are Ayumu from Glam Grammar, Jojo from THE GALLO, Chitose from Chanty, and ral from METEOROID. What kind of discussion resulted!?
Interview by Takaya Yamamoto
Translated by Ku
Republished in conjunction with Shattered-Tranquility.net
―Let's first begin with an introduction of your bands.
Chitose: The concept of our band is "piercing music," and the idea of being able to honestly express ourselves through our music.
Ayumu: When you say Chanty, don't you think "gorilla"?
Chitose: Oh, that person is Ousmane Sankhon's son, Yonkhon (laugh). It's not a joke; he's an entertainer -- DJ Yonkhon.
―As a supplement to those who don't know -- when Chanty's formation was announced, instead of photographs of the members Yonkhon's photographs were published on the official site.
Ayumu: I thought it was a strange band (laugh).
Chitose: We wanted to do something strange... Ideally, we'd wanted to get five black people together to hold our instruments, but it was really hard to find five people, so we had Yonkhon do all five roles.
―Moving along, please introduce Glam Grammar.
Ayumu: Following Yonkhon... What can I even say that's interesting?
―It's okay to give an honest introduction here (laugh).
Ayumu: More than having a concept, we wanted to make a band were we could do what we think is cool, and since everyone shared that opinion, we're a band that -- while not necessarily "freestyle rock" -- can consistently put out things we actually want to create.
Jojo: We also don't think it's too good to lock ourselves into a decision, but we use the word "heresy." Still, when I sent our band introduction to a magazine, I wrote, "theme: heresy; content: shameless extremes" (laugh). After we put that out, I thought to myself, "I wrote something really risky, huh," and from there thought that just "heresy" was fine. We also have no use for rules and perform with the thought that it's good to be able to do all kinds of music.
ral: The word METEOROID means "meteoroid*." We play with the concept that the final fall over the earth emits the most beautiful glow, and we're always touting the idea, "let's just do cool stuff."
*The band's name is in English, so ral is simply giving the Japanese equivalent to readers who may not know the word.
―I think there are [musicians] who may or may not have acquaintances; what's the reason you get close to other bands?
Chisato: If we play sessions together we get close, fast.
ral: That's right.
Chisato: Since we start with "nice to meet you" at the studio and there's a lot of time together in the green room the day of the live, we tell personal stories and in the end it's like, "Shall we go for a drink?" (laugh).
―Getting to the point you go drinking is a pretty long time.
Chisato: But in the past other bands you play with were thought of as enemies... (laugh). But we didn't dislike each other.
Ayumu: Is that how it was?
Chisato: There was some mutual feeling of distance. But recently at event [lives] themselves there's a good atmosphere, and keeping that in mind we can make friends even at events now. My goal is to make 100 (laugh).
Ayumu: Since you definitely have chances to talk when you do sessions, it's normal to get close, but if we're playing with other bands I wouldn't say that...
ral: And since everyone is busy with preparations, we don't know when it would be okay to start a conversation.
Ayumu: But on tours and such, when you're always together, you get close. When you see lives and you think, "That guy's so cool!" or, "That staging is cool," normally you hardly get to talk, but I start conversations myself. Starting with an earnest opening like, "You were super cool; how do you usually practice?" and in the end something like "Please let me treat you to a meal" (laugh).
Jojo: Since there are times I can watch someone and know they must like such-and-such musician, even I sometimes strike up a conversation, but really rarely.
Chisato: Lately there may be a trend of asking to take pictures together, too. It's an opportunity to talk, but timing an approach to talk is pretty hard.
Ayumu: Sometimes it's like, "Why're you talking to me?"
Jojo: Sometimes it is (laugh).
―At a typical event there are a lot of bands in the green room -- do you take pictures with every band?
Ayumu: Well, you pick and choose. To be frank, I pick the most popular band at the live.
Everyone: (roar of laughter)
ral: He's super-honest (laugh).
Chisato: It might be because I'm a coward but my timing for asking for pictures is really rough... So I'm really jealous of people who can go [and ask] without that kind of [hesitation].
ral: I understand that. I'm shy with strangers...
Ayumu: If I'm excited I'll just go as I please. Before this, I was with Black Gene For the Next Scene, and isn't Ice-san just super macho? My seat in the green room was next to him; he was constantly lifting like five folding chairs and weight training with them and naturally I couldn't ignore it. So I asked him like, "Um, uh, Ice-san, this is the first time we've met, but why do you maintain such a great body?" (laugh). So that was the reason, then I found out he's a fan of Vivienne. I am, too, so the talk just kept coming.
―The reasons are important. So, can I hear the reason each of you got involved with music?
Jojo: I saw my senpai performing a live at my school festival, so I think the first thought I had was "He's so cool." But at first I thought people with instruments looked cool. I wasn't able to buy an instrument, but my friends' parents bought them for them and even though they said "let's start a band," I was the only one who couldn't join their circle. At that time a friend told me, "Try singing? You don't need an instrument, right?" and that was the beginning.
―So you were a vocalist from the beginning.
Jojo: That's right. It was to get in with my circle of friends, but I also wanted to be popular with girls.
―Were you in visual kei from the beginning?
Jojo: I started with visual kei and flowed into punk. At the time I had a Mohawk, but even now there's a marked effect punk has left on me.
Chisato: Now that you mention it, I do get a punk-vibe from Jojo-san.
Jojo: I think visual kei has some parts that somehow or another look like they have no rules, and I think there are also times when it's like, "Actually, you have to do it like this," but my attitude is that I want to break that kind of thing.
―What about you, ral-san?
ral: I liked L'Arc-en-Ciel and Mr.Children, and originally I was a vocalist and guitarist. But along the way I decided I wanted to play bass, too, and I made my little brother buy a bass that pretty much only I played...
Ayumu: You're a bad brother (laugh).
ral: From there I started a band, but no matter what we couldn't find a bassist, so I said that I could play bass. In the beginning I was singing while playing. At the time I was fascinated by how good it felt to keep time with the drums, and thought, "Isn't this so much better than singing?" From there I had a longing for the bass. So I'm grateful to my little brother (laugh).
―What about you, Chisato-san?
Chisato: When I would stay up late during summer break, "BREAK OUT" came out on TV, and it was like, "What the hell is this! Something amazing's started!" (laugh). Until then I didn't know the word "visual kei" and I'd had no interest in music and was a so-called studious type. From there I delved into it in my own way bit by bit and for some reason decided I'd play the guitar. More than being interested in a particular person, I just wanted to be a part of the scene. I might have wanted to slip away from the "unpopular group" I'd been a part of until then, but even my parents said "You were kind of a creep before, but since you started playing an instrument you've leveled out" (laugh).
ral: There's this desire to walk around your hometown carrying a guitar.
Chisato: There is. Because carrying an instrument in your school uniform somehow made you a really cool person... (laugh).
―So "BREAK OUT" was your reason.
Chisato: That's right. Even saying that "BREAK OUT" changed my life is no exaggeration.
Ayumu: When I first saw "BREAK OUT," too, I thought, "Whoa, what are these people? Wearing makeup -- what is this?" I don't really know what's okay to say, but in the beginning I hated visual kei... As for music itself, my parents bought me a guitar for my graduation from junior high, and naturally I formed a band. But I didn't like that guitarists stay in the corner; I thought the center was better (laugh). Since then I started singing, but somehow it was in a hardcore band where it was almost entirely shouting instead of singing. Then one day I realized that if I kept that up I wouldn't be able to make ends meet. So I quit the band, told them I was going to Tokyo, and left.
―How did you end up in visual kei from there?
Ayumu: After I got to Tokyo I was in a band that wasn't visual kei, but we weren't getting many fans and I thought if it stayed like that I'd return to my parents' house. At that time Tara-kun (ex-176BIZ) had his eye on me and I got to sing for him as a guest. Then the CD got popular and there were also lots of fans, and I thought, "This genre's amazing! It's super fun!" And now I'm here (laugh).
―It was because of Tara-kun.
Ayumu: If Tara-chan hadn't approached me I'd have already gone back home (laugh).
―Changing the subject, what do you do on your days off?
Chisato: On my days off I relapse back into how I was in the days of the "uncool group" (laugh). Like, staying inside to the best of my ability and just sitting at my computer...
Everyone: (laugh).
Chisato: Aside from that, I also really like looking at new instruments and gear, so I go to music shops.
ral: Music shops are exciting. I go just to buy strings and before I know it I've been there for hours...
―Vocalists don't often go to music shops, do they?
Jojo: But there was a period where I thought this one guitar was cool. But I think it was probably because my friend wanted to go.
Ayumu: Naturally (laugh).
Jojo: I'm someone who easily gets lonely so I like to join the topics people with instruments [discuss]... (laugh).
Chisato: Are vocalists the fashion people?
Ayumu: They are. I could spend all day in a clothing shop.
―Is there anything you want to ask each other?
Chisato: When you make songs do you make them alone, or do you make them together at a studio, or what?
ral: For us, first we get the demo sent to us by computer from the composer, then we each play around with it, and after it takes shape to some extent we often meet at the studio.
Jojo: We also get the music from the composer, and we each arrange and memorize it, then it's like we refine the composition at the studio and focus on the details.
Ayumu: We all come together at the end, too.
Chisato: I thought it was like that. Isn't there the opposite, too, where the demo may be really good, but when you meet at the studio it's like, "Something's off?" It's like sorcery.
ral: It happens.
―Finally, please give the viewers of ViSULOG a message.
Chistao: 2014 is a year on the offensive for Chanty -- soon after the year starts we have our first sponsored live, are putting out our second single, "Yoku no Katamari," on January 29th, and have our first countrywide tour!! This will be our second time in "HYSTERIC CIRCUS," so please look forward to a chanty which has grown even more since our last appearance!!
Ayumu: As this is our second time appearing at a ViSULOG event, as a principle I'd like to show everyone even more than last time. So to the people who have come to see Glam Grammar before -- which is breaking into its second year -- and of course to the first-timers: Let's all get loose* together!
Jojo: Next year we also have a tour carrying the album, but we'll also be doing a one-man on February 23rd at Shinjuku's Fuurin Kaikan, so I think it'd be great if we can do big activities next year -- and of course this [ViSULOG] event is one, too. I think right now I seem surprisingly quiet, but I think it'd be good to show you the gap between this and really being a wild person (laugh). I'd like us to have a good time, so please [come see us].
ral: We've been rushing forward since our commencement on February 11, 2013 until now, but from December through next year we'll be starting the "GEMINI program," and we have our anniversary one-man on February 11th so I think we'll keep rapidly rushing ahead in 2014. We've also appeared in "HYSTERIC CIRCUS" several times, and I think each time is better than the last, so I'd like everyone who comes to rock out. Let's have a great live!
* This looks like a play on words; while the literal meaning translates as written, the word used is also an abbreviation for Glam Grammar.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Interview - ViSULOG HYSTERIC CIRCUS vol.07
ViSULOG PRESENTS "HYSTERIC CIRCUS Vol.7" was held at Ikebukuro EDGE in July 19, 2013.
Prior the event, a discussion took place between the representatives of each band that appeared on the stage. The six members who gathered were RYO (defspiral), Sakai Hiroaki (12012), Yoshiatsu (Crazy★shampoo), Maki (ALSDEAD), Shuutarou (GAKIDO), and Jojo (THE GALLO). At the discussion this time, where these six unique people gathered, we were able to hear many interesting and precious stories that one can't hear normally. We'd like everyone to have a look [at these] before the event.
―Are you all acquainted with each other?
Shuutarou: With some I am, with some I'm not.
Sakai: Roughly...
RYO: Are we? (laugh)
Sakai: From Akihabara Internet radio.
RYO: Ah, that's right. We did pass each other by (laugh). I am sorry...
―By the way, is there someone who you don't know at all?
RYO: I only know Kaede-kun from THE GALLO, so this is the first time with Jojo-kun, right? Please, treat me well (laugh).
Jojo: Pleased to meet you.
―If you perform at an event, you get to meet a lot of bands, but how do you befriend people from other bands?
Sakai: I'm a guitarist, so I usually end up following the pattern where I start with talk about guitar equipment and from there on I flood [people] with more questions, then befriend them.
―So naturally it's easier to talk to someone who plays the same instrument?
Sakai: That's right. I'm not quite sure how and what to talk about with vocalists (laugh).
Shuutarou: For me, I just greedily talk to anyone. For example, as soon as I hear some lowbrow talk coming from the other person, I join in right away and end up mingling vigorously (laugh). Both Jojo-kun and I like accessories, so we became friends sharing such talk.
Jojo: Right. In my case, because my name is Jojo, well, I guess people who like Jojo's Bizarre Adventure know this, but everyone from JoJo's family has a star-shaped birthmark. And I have the same kind of a birthmark...
Shuutarou: Really? I'm hearing this first time (laugh).
Jojo: In any case, for me it's because of the birthmark, but (laugh) I became friends with Maki-san talking about this, right?
Maki: Yup, that's right. The moment I found that star-shaped birthmark, I went like, "Ah, Joestar family right there, let's talk to him for now." (laugh)
Jojo: We talked about JoJo all the time, right? (laugh)
―Are all of the members of ALSDEAD sociable?
Maki: They're not sociable at all... They're really bad at getting involved with other people, and even if they're approached at great lengths, they only reply and that's the end of the conversation. It's like that constantly. (laugh)
Shuutarou: It didn't feel that way though.
Maki: But when at least Shuutarou-kun approaches boldly, they are forced to talk, so it's fine. (laugh) Normally, even after they go out of their way to talk, the conversation ends after one exchange and it becomes gradually awkward...
RYO: We don't talk much either. Basically, we welcome anyone, but more often than not no one approaches us except special bold guys. (laugh)
Sakai: That's about me, isn't it? (laugh)
RYO: Speaking about 12012, Enya-kun is the like that, too.
―So you're basically the types to wait, right?
RYO: I keep thinking we are not at the age where you act so forcefully [anymore]. (laugh)
―What about you, Yoshiatsu-kun?
Yoshiatsu: In our band, we completely stick to each other and chatter. But you know, we made this game, and there are bands that we befriended during the previous tour because of it.
―What is the game called?
Yoshiatsu: It's called the "weenie warrior game," and when we play it....
Shuutarou: I heard from the other members. "Crazy★shampoo plays this really funny game." So when I went to have a look at what kind of a game it is, I went like, "I wanna do it! I wanna do it!" right away. (laugh)
Yoshiatsu: At that time, we played it together right until we went up on stage, and because we performed with that excitement, we managed to make it a really good live. (laugh)
―What kind of game is it?
Yoshiatsu: It's like the Yamanote Line game.*
* The best known drinking game in Japan. Players go around in a circle (like the titular train line) and name any stations they can think of that are on the Yamanote sen. While playing, everyone claps in rhythm, and each player has to say a station name on the correct beat. If they hesitate, repeat a station already named, say a station on the wrong train line, or can't think of anything to say, they have to drink.
―And that's how you became friends with Shuutarou-kun, right?
Shuutarou: When I asked: "Won't you do it today?"
Yoshiatsu: I said we'd already finished. (laugh)
―Do you always do it?
Yoshiatsu: Yes, we do. We also do it at the rehearsal studio; it's a game to lighten the mood of the band. Even when there is no SE and we're standing on stage when the curtain goes up, we do it right until the last minute. (laugh)
―Is it famous among the fans?
Yoshiatsu: I don't think anyone knows about it.
―Since the topic of the "weenie warrior game" came up, is there anything that has become popular in your bands?
Shuutarou: There is, but it can't be compared to the "weenie warrior." (laugh)
―Just now, Sakai-san said that he starts with guitar equipment talk, but how do vocalists befriend others?
Maki: I guess it's talk about manga, games, or hobbies, right? I don't really talk about who my favourite vocalists are. In the past I searched for people who could talk about things like, "Ah, the shouts here in this metal band are awesome," but there weren't too many people who could understand that, and so gradually I changed the main topic to games... (laugh)
―At what occasion do you make conversation?
Maki: The way I do it is if there are people who play games that seem like I might like, then in a barely audible tone as if to myself, I say something like: "Ah, that's that, right?" and then join from there on. (laugh)
―(laugh) What about you, Jojo-san?
Jojo: I'm also the type who does't really start [the conversation] himself, but when I'm allowed to watch a rehearsal, if I think, "this guy is cool," naturally I end up wanting to talk to them.
―So you approach to the person you are interested, right?
Jojo: I start myself.
―And you, Yoshiatsu?
Yoshiatsu: I totally can't. In a chance encounter, I'm not able to do more than a very polite greeting, so at that time I only go as far as to show my interest a little bit. (laugh) That's why when someone talks to me, I'm really happy.
RYO: I don't really talk to people first either, but I get asked about equipment often. But getting to the exchange of contact information just from [that little interaction] is more difficult than asking a girl. (laugh) It's unpleasant if they think, "Why is he asking?" and even if I try hard and ask, it mostly feels like it'll end right there. And most of the time it does around the time when I send a message like, "Please, treat me well next time too." (laugh)
Shuutarou: Sometimes, even if they say, "Let's swap [information afterwards]," they've already gone home before I've noticed.
Jojo: And it feels somehow embarrassing to send a message on Ameba or Twitter specifically after we get home, right? (laugh)
RYO: If there's an after party or something, it's probably something different, but lately there aren't many people who really go as far as throwing an afterparty, right? But when I'm told, "Let's go drinking," I feel like I'll definitely make time.
Maki: I often get asked to go drinking, and I answer, "Let's go," but I can't really drink much.... That's why not being able to drink is difficult. (laugh)
―But do you go if you're invited?
Maki: I do. But still, if you try to look at it from the viewpoint of the person who is drinking, wouldn't it boring if I'm not drinking myself. I drink to a certain degree, but there are times when I feel a difference in enthusiasm from the people who are drinking and I take that into a consideration a lot.
―We talked about afterparties just now; are there not that many lately?
Sakai: There aren't. When an event ends, everyone gets out right away; it wasn't like that in the past, was it?
RYO: We usually do them. Even if we're not invited, we go drinking just as a band.
―There aren't any afterparties even during coupling tours?
Shuutarou: Even if we have them, it's only after the final live. Compared to the past, I feel like the number of bandmen who don't drink has increased.
RYO: That might be right.
―I would like to ask about music too. What was the motive for starting with music for everyone?
Sakai: I got a guitar and formed a band at the same time - I put together a band with a classmate from my hometown. The motive was that I started getting interested in the music that was popular at that time, and so I started somewhere along the lines of, "Well, can't I do this myself?" It was a rural area, so there was nothing else to do but be in a band. (laugh)
―Why guitar?
Sakai: Somehow, the looks... (laugh) Around that time people who had guitars looked cool. Then I performed at my school festival, got caught up in the moment, and from then on I got addicted to it. (laugh)
―At that time it wasn't visual kei, was it?
Sakai: That's right. But when I started a band, I had the impression that everyone normally wears make-up. That's why I thought it was natural to wear makeup and it wasn't particularly because it was visual kei or anything. I think that perhaps there was no word like visual kei yet...
―How about you, Maki-san?
Maki: For me it was similar, but in my case I listened a lot to overseas metal because of my older brother's influence, and in the first year of middle school I put a band together with my friend. That band was an Iron Maiden cover band. With that band I performed at the middle school festival, but no one was into it. (laugh) Only the teachers got excited... But it wasn't like I wanted to be popular; my only motive was the desire to play metal, so it was different from wanting to be popular. At the time I had this huge prejudice that Japanese music being bad, so when I think of it now I was an unfriendly brat.
―You've liked metal for a long time, right?
Maki: That's right. That continued until around when I was in my third year of high school, but from that point on I realized other music is good too, and [my interest] has become wider at last.
―Why did you become a vocalist?
Maki: Because not many singers were around, but also metal singers have really high voices. And so when I tried to imitate such a voice, it came out high. (laugh)
―How did you become interested in visual kei?
Maki: At first I hated things like makeup, but when I was told that Ozzy was doing it too, I thought, "Yeah, that's true." When I looked at it calmly I thought it was cool.
―How about you, RYO-san?
RYO: I have two older brothers, and they naturally had a big influence on me, and also I come from this place in Hyogo Prefecture, Akashi City, which is the countryside, so you could really only be in a biker gang or in a band. (laugh) At that time artists like BOOWY were popular, and Hotei-san and X's appearances were amazing. In the beginning I was a guitarist, but when I started a band we didn't have anyone on bass, so I became a bassist. And I was very blessed when it came to circumstances; I was surrounded by several senior bands that were aiming to become pro. So, I began roadying as soon as I entered high school and went around national tours during summer break.
―Was X's arrival as big a thing as I thought?
RYO: Yes, it was. Around that time many omnibuses of Japanese heavy metal came out, but X was different and had an impact.
―And you, Shuutarou-kun?
Shuutarou: I wanted to become a baseball player, so I was always playing baseball. Now I'm 175 cm tall, but in the third year of middle school I was only 149 cm, so when I entered high school I hated having my hair closely cropped and I doubted I could play baseball at that height. Even when you look at Koshien*, everyone is around 180 cm, right? So I thought it was impossible and suppressed my dream in my third year of middle school. When I did, Dad whipped out an acoustic guitar all of a sudden. "Shuutarou, music has nothing to do with your body type. Only those who practice can win." I was moved by his words and went all "I will do guitar!" From then on it has always been guitar. My parents banned me from playing guitar solos and said I have to start from [simple] chords. So I played "Shiki no Uta"** and such all the time and until my siblings or other people could recognize the song, I couldn't buy an electric guitar. That's why I practiced desperately until they recognized it and I bought that electric guitar. But I am left-handed and there weren't many such guitars [in general], so it was quite difficult.
RYO: Dad's influence, that's sort of nice. He surely must understand.
Shuutarou: The neck of the accoustic guitar was really warped. (laughs) From there on, IShuutarou: The neck of the accoustic guitar was really warped. (laughs) From there on, I put together a band, and together with Maki, we ran towards Western music, feeling like "Japanese music is not good." (laugh)
dium was built to host the national high school baseball tournaments, and opened on August 1, 1924. In this case Koshien stands for Natioanl High School Baseball League.
**A famous Japanese song by Araki Toyohisa.
―There are times like that, aren't there? When did you stat singing?
Shuutarou: Since Gakido. Until then I was told I have to do "all parts," and I did them all briefly, except vocals, so from Gakido onwards...
―And you, Jojo-san?
Jojo: It's similar for me, but I played soccer instead of baseball. But it was deep in the countryside and the team was bad, so that's also why when we played a match against a city team, the city kids were all huge, and we never won. Secretly, I wished to go study abroad in UK [for soccer], but I thought it was impossible and I quit. I saw my senpai was doing a band and thought bands are cool, but I couldn't buy an instrument or anything and I wondered what I should do then, and went like, "It's okay if I sing, isn't it?" Afterwards, I started with music, but I ended up venturing into punk, not metal. I cut my hair short and dyed it flashy colors and thought the coolest hairstyle was the mohawk. But it wasn't like I was popular with a mohawk either; in Japan even if you have a mohawk, you're simply an outlaw and I ended up thinking, "That's not right. Well, should I do makeup?"
Shuutarou: Didn't punk and visual kei clashed during your high school years?
Jojo: They might have. At first I thought, "Why are they using make-up?" and I thought that everything except punk was shit. That's exactly why I thought I was invincible, but... I wasn't [after all]... (laugh)
―What about you, Yoshiatsu-kun?
Yoshiatsu: I probably wanted to be popular. (laugh) From middle school until I entered high school I was planning on being a band, but I didn't have any instrument. And I thought about if there was any way to only practice, and because there was a drum kit in brass band, I joined the club and practiced drums. Then my senpai, who was in a band, told me: "You can play drums, right?" and I was invited to join; at first we covered SUM41 or catchy stuff. But I borrowed a DIR EN GREY's CD from a friend and when I watched a live video, [Kyo] drew blood during the live, and I was so shocked I thought, "Just what is this man!? I want to be like that too." So I [turned to] visual kei.
―When did you change to vocals?
Yoshiatsu: I played drums during my three years of high school, but when I graduated I became a guitarist because my senpai's band lost theirs. But, that band's vocalist gradually stopped coming, so I was like, "Then, I'll be a vocalist," and it's lasted until now. (laugh)
―The event HYSTERIC CIRCUS vol.7, where these six bands are going to gather, will be held on July 19th. If you have any words of enthusiasm for the event, please share.
Shuutarou: I want to let everyone see "weenie warrior!"
RYO: Ah, but we are definitely not going to participate. (laugh). Depending on the live house, the stage and the backstage are separate and there are no screens in the green room, and many times we can't watch bands we play with. So when we get together prior to the event, it's nice that we can mingle and talk like this, right? The music we make is different, but I think it would be great if we could create an event where everyone can have fun until the end and doesn't leave immediately after the band they came to see, to just sit and talk in the lobby.
Prior the event, a discussion took place between the representatives of each band that appeared on the stage. The six members who gathered were RYO (defspiral), Sakai Hiroaki (12012), Yoshiatsu (Crazy★shampoo), Maki (ALSDEAD), Shuutarou (GAKIDO), and Jojo (THE GALLO). At the discussion this time, where these six unique people gathered, we were able to hear many interesting and precious stories that one can't hear normally. We'd like everyone to have a look [at these] before the event.
Interview by Takaya Yamamoto
Translated by chiva
―Are you all acquainted with each other?
Shuutarou: With some I am, with some I'm not.
Sakai: Roughly...
RYO: Are we? (laugh)
Sakai: From Akihabara Internet radio.
RYO: Ah, that's right. We did pass each other by (laugh). I am sorry...
―By the way, is there someone who you don't know at all?
RYO: I only know Kaede-kun from THE GALLO, so this is the first time with Jojo-kun, right? Please, treat me well (laugh).
Jojo: Pleased to meet you.
―If you perform at an event, you get to meet a lot of bands, but how do you befriend people from other bands?
Sakai: I'm a guitarist, so I usually end up following the pattern where I start with talk about guitar equipment and from there on I flood [people] with more questions, then befriend them.
―So naturally it's easier to talk to someone who plays the same instrument?
Sakai: That's right. I'm not quite sure how and what to talk about with vocalists (laugh).
Shuutarou: For me, I just greedily talk to anyone. For example, as soon as I hear some lowbrow talk coming from the other person, I join in right away and end up mingling vigorously (laugh). Both Jojo-kun and I like accessories, so we became friends sharing such talk.
Jojo: Right. In my case, because my name is Jojo, well, I guess people who like Jojo's Bizarre Adventure know this, but everyone from JoJo's family has a star-shaped birthmark. And I have the same kind of a birthmark...
Shuutarou: Really? I'm hearing this first time (laugh).
Jojo: In any case, for me it's because of the birthmark, but (laugh) I became friends with Maki-san talking about this, right?
Maki: Yup, that's right. The moment I found that star-shaped birthmark, I went like, "Ah, Joestar family right there, let's talk to him for now." (laugh)
Jojo: We talked about JoJo all the time, right? (laugh)
―Are all of the members of ALSDEAD sociable?
Maki: They're not sociable at all... They're really bad at getting involved with other people, and even if they're approached at great lengths, they only reply and that's the end of the conversation. It's like that constantly. (laugh)
Shuutarou: It didn't feel that way though.
Maki: But when at least Shuutarou-kun approaches boldly, they are forced to talk, so it's fine. (laugh) Normally, even after they go out of their way to talk, the conversation ends after one exchange and it becomes gradually awkward...
RYO: We don't talk much either. Basically, we welcome anyone, but more often than not no one approaches us except special bold guys. (laugh)
Sakai: That's about me, isn't it? (laugh)
RYO: Speaking about 12012, Enya-kun is the like that, too.
―So you're basically the types to wait, right?
RYO: I keep thinking we are not at the age where you act so forcefully [anymore]. (laugh)
―What about you, Yoshiatsu-kun?
Yoshiatsu: In our band, we completely stick to each other and chatter. But you know, we made this game, and there are bands that we befriended during the previous tour because of it.
―What is the game called?
Yoshiatsu: It's called the "weenie warrior game," and when we play it....
Shuutarou: I heard from the other members. "Crazy★shampoo plays this really funny game." So when I went to have a look at what kind of a game it is, I went like, "I wanna do it! I wanna do it!" right away. (laugh)
Yoshiatsu: At that time, we played it together right until we went up on stage, and because we performed with that excitement, we managed to make it a really good live. (laugh)
―What kind of game is it?
Yoshiatsu: It's like the Yamanote Line game.*
* The best known drinking game in Japan. Players go around in a circle (like the titular train line) and name any stations they can think of that are on the Yamanote sen. While playing, everyone claps in rhythm, and each player has to say a station name on the correct beat. If they hesitate, repeat a station already named, say a station on the wrong train line, or can't think of anything to say, they have to drink.
―And that's how you became friends with Shuutarou-kun, right?
Shuutarou: When I asked: "Won't you do it today?"
Yoshiatsu: I said we'd already finished. (laugh)
―Do you always do it?
Yoshiatsu: Yes, we do. We also do it at the rehearsal studio; it's a game to lighten the mood of the band. Even when there is no SE and we're standing on stage when the curtain goes up, we do it right until the last minute. (laugh)
―Is it famous among the fans?
Yoshiatsu: I don't think anyone knows about it.
―Since the topic of the "weenie warrior game" came up, is there anything that has become popular in your bands?
Shuutarou: There is, but it can't be compared to the "weenie warrior." (laugh)
―Just now, Sakai-san said that he starts with guitar equipment talk, but how do vocalists befriend others?
Maki: I guess it's talk about manga, games, or hobbies, right? I don't really talk about who my favourite vocalists are. In the past I searched for people who could talk about things like, "Ah, the shouts here in this metal band are awesome," but there weren't too many people who could understand that, and so gradually I changed the main topic to games... (laugh)
―At what occasion do you make conversation?
Maki: The way I do it is if there are people who play games that seem like I might like, then in a barely audible tone as if to myself, I say something like: "Ah, that's that, right?" and then join from there on. (laugh)
―(laugh) What about you, Jojo-san?
Jojo: I'm also the type who does't really start [the conversation] himself, but when I'm allowed to watch a rehearsal, if I think, "this guy is cool," naturally I end up wanting to talk to them.
―So you approach to the person you are interested, right?
Jojo: I start myself.
―And you, Yoshiatsu?
Yoshiatsu: I totally can't. In a chance encounter, I'm not able to do more than a very polite greeting, so at that time I only go as far as to show my interest a little bit. (laugh) That's why when someone talks to me, I'm really happy.
RYO: I don't really talk to people first either, but I get asked about equipment often. But getting to the exchange of contact information just from [that little interaction] is more difficult than asking a girl. (laugh) It's unpleasant if they think, "Why is he asking?" and even if I try hard and ask, it mostly feels like it'll end right there. And most of the time it does around the time when I send a message like, "Please, treat me well next time too." (laugh)
Shuutarou: Sometimes, even if they say, "Let's swap [information afterwards]," they've already gone home before I've noticed.
Jojo: And it feels somehow embarrassing to send a message on Ameba or Twitter specifically after we get home, right? (laugh)
RYO: If there's an after party or something, it's probably something different, but lately there aren't many people who really go as far as throwing an afterparty, right? But when I'm told, "Let's go drinking," I feel like I'll definitely make time.
Maki: I often get asked to go drinking, and I answer, "Let's go," but I can't really drink much.... That's why not being able to drink is difficult. (laugh)
―But do you go if you're invited?
Maki: I do. But still, if you try to look at it from the viewpoint of the person who is drinking, wouldn't it boring if I'm not drinking myself. I drink to a certain degree, but there are times when I feel a difference in enthusiasm from the people who are drinking and I take that into a consideration a lot.
―We talked about afterparties just now; are there not that many lately?
Sakai: There aren't. When an event ends, everyone gets out right away; it wasn't like that in the past, was it?
RYO: We usually do them. Even if we're not invited, we go drinking just as a band.
―There aren't any afterparties even during coupling tours?
Shuutarou: Even if we have them, it's only after the final live. Compared to the past, I feel like the number of bandmen who don't drink has increased.
RYO: That might be right.
―I would like to ask about music too. What was the motive for starting with music for everyone?
Sakai: I got a guitar and formed a band at the same time - I put together a band with a classmate from my hometown. The motive was that I started getting interested in the music that was popular at that time, and so I started somewhere along the lines of, "Well, can't I do this myself?" It was a rural area, so there was nothing else to do but be in a band. (laugh)
―Why guitar?
Sakai: Somehow, the looks... (laugh) Around that time people who had guitars looked cool. Then I performed at my school festival, got caught up in the moment, and from then on I got addicted to it. (laugh)
―At that time it wasn't visual kei, was it?
Sakai: That's right. But when I started a band, I had the impression that everyone normally wears make-up. That's why I thought it was natural to wear makeup and it wasn't particularly because it was visual kei or anything. I think that perhaps there was no word like visual kei yet...
―How about you, Maki-san?
Maki: For me it was similar, but in my case I listened a lot to overseas metal because of my older brother's influence, and in the first year of middle school I put a band together with my friend. That band was an Iron Maiden cover band. With that band I performed at the middle school festival, but no one was into it. (laugh) Only the teachers got excited... But it wasn't like I wanted to be popular; my only motive was the desire to play metal, so it was different from wanting to be popular. At the time I had this huge prejudice that Japanese music being bad, so when I think of it now I was an unfriendly brat.
―You've liked metal for a long time, right?
Maki: That's right. That continued until around when I was in my third year of high school, but from that point on I realized other music is good too, and [my interest] has become wider at last.
―Why did you become a vocalist?
Maki: Because not many singers were around, but also metal singers have really high voices. And so when I tried to imitate such a voice, it came out high. (laugh)
―How did you become interested in visual kei?
Maki: At first I hated things like makeup, but when I was told that Ozzy was doing it too, I thought, "Yeah, that's true." When I looked at it calmly I thought it was cool.
―How about you, RYO-san?
RYO: I have two older brothers, and they naturally had a big influence on me, and also I come from this place in Hyogo Prefecture, Akashi City, which is the countryside, so you could really only be in a biker gang or in a band. (laugh) At that time artists like BOOWY were popular, and Hotei-san and X's appearances were amazing. In the beginning I was a guitarist, but when I started a band we didn't have anyone on bass, so I became a bassist. And I was very blessed when it came to circumstances; I was surrounded by several senior bands that were aiming to become pro. So, I began roadying as soon as I entered high school and went around national tours during summer break.
―Was X's arrival as big a thing as I thought?
RYO: Yes, it was. Around that time many omnibuses of Japanese heavy metal came out, but X was different and had an impact.
―And you, Shuutarou-kun?
Shuutarou: I wanted to become a baseball player, so I was always playing baseball. Now I'm 175 cm tall, but in the third year of middle school I was only 149 cm, so when I entered high school I hated having my hair closely cropped and I doubted I could play baseball at that height. Even when you look at Koshien*, everyone is around 180 cm, right? So I thought it was impossible and suppressed my dream in my third year of middle school. When I did, Dad whipped out an acoustic guitar all of a sudden. "Shuutarou, music has nothing to do with your body type. Only those who practice can win." I was moved by his words and went all "I will do guitar!" From then on it has always been guitar. My parents banned me from playing guitar solos and said I have to start from [simple] chords. So I played "Shiki no Uta"** and such all the time and until my siblings or other people could recognize the song, I couldn't buy an electric guitar. That's why I practiced desperately until they recognized it and I bought that electric guitar. But I am left-handed and there weren't many such guitars [in general], so it was quite difficult.
RYO: Dad's influence, that's sort of nice. He surely must understand.
Shuutarou: The neck of the accoustic guitar was really warped. (laughs) From there on, IShuutarou: The neck of the accoustic guitar was really warped. (laughs) From there on, I put together a band, and together with Maki, we ran towards Western music, feeling like "Japanese music is not good." (laugh)
dium was built to host the national high school baseball tournaments, and opened on August 1, 1924. In this case Koshien stands for Natioanl High School Baseball League.
**A famous Japanese song by Araki Toyohisa.
―There are times like that, aren't there? When did you stat singing?
Shuutarou: Since Gakido. Until then I was told I have to do "all parts," and I did them all briefly, except vocals, so from Gakido onwards...
―And you, Jojo-san?
Jojo: It's similar for me, but I played soccer instead of baseball. But it was deep in the countryside and the team was bad, so that's also why when we played a match against a city team, the city kids were all huge, and we never won. Secretly, I wished to go study abroad in UK [for soccer], but I thought it was impossible and I quit. I saw my senpai was doing a band and thought bands are cool, but I couldn't buy an instrument or anything and I wondered what I should do then, and went like, "It's okay if I sing, isn't it?" Afterwards, I started with music, but I ended up venturing into punk, not metal. I cut my hair short and dyed it flashy colors and thought the coolest hairstyle was the mohawk. But it wasn't like I was popular with a mohawk either; in Japan even if you have a mohawk, you're simply an outlaw and I ended up thinking, "That's not right. Well, should I do makeup?"
Shuutarou: Didn't punk and visual kei clashed during your high school years?
Jojo: They might have. At first I thought, "Why are they using make-up?" and I thought that everything except punk was shit. That's exactly why I thought I was invincible, but... I wasn't [after all]... (laugh)
―What about you, Yoshiatsu-kun?
Yoshiatsu: I probably wanted to be popular. (laugh) From middle school until I entered high school I was planning on being a band, but I didn't have any instrument. And I thought about if there was any way to only practice, and because there was a drum kit in brass band, I joined the club and practiced drums. Then my senpai, who was in a band, told me: "You can play drums, right?" and I was invited to join; at first we covered SUM41 or catchy stuff. But I borrowed a DIR EN GREY's CD from a friend and when I watched a live video, [Kyo] drew blood during the live, and I was so shocked I thought, "Just what is this man!? I want to be like that too." So I [turned to] visual kei.
―When did you change to vocals?
Yoshiatsu: I played drums during my three years of high school, but when I graduated I became a guitarist because my senpai's band lost theirs. But, that band's vocalist gradually stopped coming, so I was like, "Then, I'll be a vocalist," and it's lasted until now. (laugh)
―The event HYSTERIC CIRCUS vol.7, where these six bands are going to gather, will be held on July 19th. If you have any words of enthusiasm for the event, please share.
Shuutarou: I want to let everyone see "weenie warrior!"
RYO: Ah, but we are definitely not going to participate. (laugh). Depending on the live house, the stage and the backstage are separate and there are no screens in the green room, and many times we can't watch bands we play with. So when we get together prior to the event, it's nice that we can mingle and talk like this, right? The music we make is different, but I think it would be great if we could create an event where everyone can have fun until the end and doesn't leave immediately after the band they came to see, to just sit and talk in the lobby.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Kinsho - 5.5.2013 Version
Translated by Ku
This is from a pamphlet which was distributed at the 4th anniversary live on May 5, 2013.
Elo'tm,Essaim,frugativi et appellavi.
This is the farthest land, farther than the far east...
The "Black World"
And... there is a foreign brothel buidling which is always being added on to...
Welcome, you are welcomed here...
In order to enter this building... no... the fee is not even a single yen...
What is necessary is the forbidden words which will call and awaken the demon...
And... your "dreams"...
It is your "dreams"...
However... please be cautioned...
The master of this building, the black rooster, is a demon who devours dreams...
The reflective spoon and white dish are the items for eating your dreams...
If you open the door... you will not be able to go back into your own world...
Well then... please forge a first-rate nightmare...
Troubled with eating your foolish "dreams"
We will turn those "dreams" into "nightmares"...
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Style Council - Hikaru - Cure vol. 116
Photos by Mari Morita [ODD JOB], Hair & Makeup by Natsuki Takashino
Translated by Ku
Theme: Elohim Essaim
THE GALLO G. Hikaru
Recent anime you'd recommend: Shinsekai, Psycho Pass
Your special attack: Rerorero, SHININ [sic]
The shampoo you use: The non-silicone kind
Hair & makeup time: I'm a devil so 10 seconds
My makeup point: This time, specifically, it's fish shapes [tropical fish (right eye) and deep-sea fish (left eye) and marlin (mouth)]
Clothing point: The black world
Your father (the devil)'s name: Lucifer
A devil style you want to try doing next: Amaymon
Makeup Tools
A. Bobbi Brown Metallic Eye Shadow, Burnt Sugar
B. Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow, Straight
C. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, Black Ink
D. PROFESSIONAL MAKE UP FOR EVER
E. MAKE UP FOR EVER Pure Pigment 8
F. PROFESSIONAL MAKE UP FOR EVER
G. Stones
H. BEAUTIES FACTORY
I. MAKE UP FOR EVER Pure Pigment 14
J. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream 11
K. BYS Eye Cream Glitter
L. Sanki Crown Color Black
M. Lame
N. drypaste wax DEUXER
O. Osis Dust Quick (styling powder)
P. Trie Fix Spray 10
Base Makeup
1. BEFORE
2. Consulting with the servant for today's makeup
3. Shaping along the hollows of the eyes and nose with two colors of nose shadow, A and B.
Eye Makeup
4. Encompass the eyes with gel eyeliner C to round them.
5. Draw three strokes with gel eyeliner C with the bottom fins of a tropical fish in mind.
6. Draw fan-shaped back fins and three circles at the corner of the eye with gel eyeliner C.
7. Draw two corals at the end of the eye with gel eyeliner C.
8. [Photo overlay: white, red] Create a gradient by filling the tops of the back fins with white shadow D, and the bottoms with red shadow E.
9. Add shading with black shadow F.
10. Affix three G stones to the circles at the corner of the eye drawn in step 6.
11. Draw three deep sea fish fins with gel eyeliner C.
12. Draw at the bottom of the eye with gel eyeliner C with a heart shape in mind.
13. Draw a tail at the end of the eye with gel eyeliner C.
14. Draw back fins with gel eyeliner C so that they can be seen with the eye fold.
15. [Photo overlay: green, purple, red] Add color with red shadow E, emerald green shadow H, and purple shadow I, then add shading with black shadow F.
16. Put gold lame J and K along the points.
17. With a marlin in mind, draw with L and add M lame to just the bottom lip.
Hair
18. Sprinkle on powder wax 0 and straighten with a hair iron.
19. Using magic, gather hair towards the middle for a mowhawk-like shape while wax N and spray P dry.
20. Using electromagnetic magic, upturn the ends of the hair.
21. [Photo overlay: grimoire] Chant the forbidden spell...
After
Translated by Ku
Theme: Elohim Essaim
THE GALLO G. Hikaru
Recent anime you'd recommend: Shinsekai, Psycho Pass
Your special attack: Rerorero, SHININ [sic]
The shampoo you use: The non-silicone kind
Hair & makeup time: I'm a devil so 10 seconds
My makeup point: This time, specifically, it's fish shapes [tropical fish (right eye) and deep-sea fish (left eye) and marlin (mouth)]
Clothing point: The black world
Your father (the devil)'s name: Lucifer
A devil style you want to try doing next: Amaymon
Makeup Tools
A. Bobbi Brown Metallic Eye Shadow, Burnt Sugar
B. Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow, Straight
C. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, Black Ink
D. PROFESSIONAL MAKE UP FOR EVER
E. MAKE UP FOR EVER Pure Pigment 8
F. PROFESSIONAL MAKE UP FOR EVER
G. Stones
H. BEAUTIES FACTORY
I. MAKE UP FOR EVER Pure Pigment 14
J. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream 11
K. BYS Eye Cream Glitter
L. Sanki Crown Color Black
M. Lame
N. drypaste wax DEUXER
O. Osis Dust Quick (styling powder)
P. Trie Fix Spray 10
Base Makeup
1. BEFORE
2. Consulting with the servant for today's makeup
3. Shaping along the hollows of the eyes and nose with two colors of nose shadow, A and B.
Eye Makeup
4. Encompass the eyes with gel eyeliner C to round them.
5. Draw three strokes with gel eyeliner C with the bottom fins of a tropical fish in mind.
6. Draw fan-shaped back fins and three circles at the corner of the eye with gel eyeliner C.
7. Draw two corals at the end of the eye with gel eyeliner C.
8. [Photo overlay: white, red] Create a gradient by filling the tops of the back fins with white shadow D, and the bottoms with red shadow E.
9. Add shading with black shadow F.
10. Affix three G stones to the circles at the corner of the eye drawn in step 6.
11. Draw three deep sea fish fins with gel eyeliner C.
12. Draw at the bottom of the eye with gel eyeliner C with a heart shape in mind.
13. Draw a tail at the end of the eye with gel eyeliner C.
14. Draw back fins with gel eyeliner C so that they can be seen with the eye fold.
15. [Photo overlay: green, purple, red] Add color with red shadow E, emerald green shadow H, and purple shadow I, then add shading with black shadow F.
16. Put gold lame J and K along the points.
17. With a marlin in mind, draw with L and add M lame to just the bottom lip.
Hair
18. Sprinkle on powder wax 0 and straighten with a hair iron.
19. Using magic, gather hair towards the middle for a mowhawk-like shape while wax N and spray P dry.
20. Using electromagnetic magic, upturn the ends of the hair.
21. [Photo overlay: grimoire] Chant the forbidden spell...
After
Friday, March 1, 2013
Cover Special Feature - Cure V-Splash March 2013
Translated by Ku
Vo. Jojo
Q. How would you briefly describe THE GALLO?
Heresy
Q. Please tell us what production you're interested in lately and why.
[Title] JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
[Reason] An ode to humanity is an ode of "courage!!"1
Q. Is there anything you're looking forward to this Spring?
The taste of Spring
Q. Please tell us your motto.
Mutiny
Q. Please give us some enthusiasm for the May 5th and June 8th solo performances.
THE GALLO will take a new form and this is the first trial! In order to move on and on we'll certainly show you success!
Q. A message for the readers, please!
We'll strike with an iron hammer the Heisei2 world which spreads boring music! Please, give us your encouragement!
1 This is a direct quote from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
2 Heisei is the current era on the Japanese calendar, as of the time of this publication.
G. Hikaru
Q. How would you briefly describe THE GALLO?
In terms of curry, level 7 spiciness
Q. Please tell us what production you're interested in lately and why.
[Title] Minamike
[Reason] Hosaka's way of laughing
Q. Is there anything you're looking forward to this Spring?
Schoolgirl swimsuits, photosynthesis
Q. Please tell us your motto.
Even if there's no meaning it's not meaningless
Q. Please give us some enthusiasm for the May 5th and June 8th solo performances.
Wouldn't it be nice if everyone came [to the lives] in schoolgirl swimsuits since the weather's turning warm? (・w・o)
Q. A message for the readers, please!
Rerorero (・w・o)
G. Wajow
Q. How would you briefly describe THE GALLO?
THE GALLO IS THE BESTEST BAND1
Q. Please tell us what production you're interested in lately and why.
[Title] Gasaraki (anime)
[Reason] It's so interesting; watching it's a waste and I've only seen one episode.
Q. Is there anything you're looking forward to this Spring?
I want to do hanami. And I want to say how elegant it is when the flower petals fall into my drink.
Q. Please tell us your motto.
Sleeping, sleeping. I'm sleeping.
Q. Please give us some enthusiasm for the May 5th and June 8th solo performances.
I've already started thinking dutifully about posing for the free performance in May and Jojo's birthday event in June, when we'll have coverage by periodicals, since these will totally remain in history.
Q. A message for the readers, please!
Oh, it's changing the subject a little, but for breakfast, are you in the rice group? The bread group?2 By the way, I'm in the soba group, myself.
1 ギャロサイコウイイバンド (gyaro saikou ii bando) is more or less the band's goofy motto.
2 There's a popular opinion in Japan that one eats either rice or bread with breakfast, so belonging to one of the groups would mean you prefer that food to the other food. There isn't really a soba group; Wajow's just being a clown.
Ba. Andy
Q. How would you briefly describe THE GALLO?
Obscenity
Q. Please tell us what production you're interested in lately and why.
[Item] Midori-iro no Monster
[Reason] Because when I drink it my spirits go rushing up.
Q. Is there anything you're looking forward to this Spring?
Hanami
Q. Please tell us your motto.
Health comes first
Q. Please give us some enthusiasm for the May 5th and June 8th solo performances.
We're gonna bring the house down.
Q. A message for the readers, please!
Thanks for reading this. Give THE GALLO your best.
Dr. Kaede
Q. How would you briefly describe THE GALLO?
Humanism
Q. Please tell us what production you're interested in lately and why.
[Title] MPD Psycho
[Reason] It's developing really well.
Q. Is there anything you're looking forward to this Spring?
Fashion
Q. Please tell us your motto.
When you're lost, just go
Q. Please give us some enthusiasm for the May 5th and June 8th solo performances.
Please, go wild [at the lives].
We will respond.
Q. A message for the readers, please!
Please love us more and more. Please pursue us.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Style Council - Jojo - Cure vol. 101
Photos by Mari Morita [ODD JOB], Hair & Makeup by Natsuki Takashino
Translated by Ku
Theme: The Last Class-A War Criminal
THE GALLO Vo. Jojo
Your favorite color?: Black, pink
Your favorite coordinate?: Three-quarter length pants and high socks
Your favorite brand?: Christopher Nemeth
The shampoo you use: Vidal Sassoon
Hair & makeup time: 40 minutes
How often you go to the salon: About twice a month
Favorite cosmetics brand: Shu Uemura
A style you want to try doing next: Neon green lips
Your characteristic style: A style that no one but me can do
Makeup Tools
A. Skin Polish, Supermoist Hyaluronic Acid
B. Anbriorisu Moisture Cream
C. Smooth Erase Stay Perfect Remakeup 03
D. Revlon Color Stay, Stay Natural Makeup 09
E. Octard Cover Foundation (Meikou Cosmetics)
F. Clear Last Face Powder High Cover Matte Ochre
G. Revlon Custom Eyes Shadow & Liner (Bronzer)
H. MAKE UP FOREVER Pure Pigment 12
I. Maybelline Eye Studio Creamy Gel Liner 01 Black (mixed with KATE Lasting Gel Eyeliner BK1)
J. MAC Small Eye Shadow Carbon
K. MAC Small Eye Shadow Guess
L. BEAUTIES FACTORY EYE SHADOW PALETTE (Silver)
M. BEAUTIES FACTORY EYE SHADOW PALETTE (Grey)
N. BEAUTIES FACTORY EYE SHADOW PALETTE (Charcoal Grey)
O. BEAUTIES FACTORY EYE SHADOW PALETTE (Black)
P. LoLo Hairspray Ultra Super Hard
Base Makeup
1. BEFORE
2. Prepare the face with moisturizer A.
3. Massage with serum B.
4. Apply liquid foundations C and D to the T-zone with a brush and dab around the face with a sponge.
5. Pat concealer E onto noticable spots with a finger.
6. Pat on powder F.
Eye Makeup
7. Apply nose shadow with G.
8. Draw on eyebrows with H on a thin brush.
9. Put H around the eyes. Point the corners!
10. Raise the outer ends of the eye with eyeliner I. Draw the lines as shown.
11. Blend the edges of the eye line with J.
12. Draw a double line with eyeliner I.
13. Highlight the T-zone with K.
14. Apply false lashes.
15. Mixing shadows L, M, N, and O, apply above the double line.
Hair
16. Iron all hair.
17. Tease up all hair at the back of the head with spray P.
18. Set hair from the crown of the head to the front similar to a mowhawk.
19. Arrange fringe.
20. Prepare for the live by practicing JoJo poses!
21. Change clothes♥
After
Translated by Ku
Theme: The Last Class-A War Criminal
THE GALLO Vo. Jojo
Your favorite color?: Black, pink
Your favorite coordinate?: Three-quarter length pants and high socks
Your favorite brand?: Christopher Nemeth
The shampoo you use: Vidal Sassoon
Hair & makeup time: 40 minutes
How often you go to the salon: About twice a month
Favorite cosmetics brand: Shu Uemura
A style you want to try doing next: Neon green lips
Your characteristic style: A style that no one but me can do
Makeup Tools
A. Skin Polish, Supermoist Hyaluronic Acid
B. Anbriorisu Moisture Cream
C. Smooth Erase Stay Perfect Remakeup 03
D. Revlon Color Stay, Stay Natural Makeup 09
E. Octard Cover Foundation (Meikou Cosmetics)
F. Clear Last Face Powder High Cover Matte Ochre
G. Revlon Custom Eyes Shadow & Liner (Bronzer)
H. MAKE UP FOREVER Pure Pigment 12
I. Maybelline Eye Studio Creamy Gel Liner 01 Black (mixed with KATE Lasting Gel Eyeliner BK1)
J. MAC Small Eye Shadow Carbon
K. MAC Small Eye Shadow Guess
L. BEAUTIES FACTORY EYE SHADOW PALETTE (Silver)
M. BEAUTIES FACTORY EYE SHADOW PALETTE (Grey)
N. BEAUTIES FACTORY EYE SHADOW PALETTE (Charcoal Grey)
O. BEAUTIES FACTORY EYE SHADOW PALETTE (Black)
P. LoLo Hairspray Ultra Super Hard
Base Makeup
1. BEFORE
2. Prepare the face with moisturizer A.
3. Massage with serum B.
4. Apply liquid foundations C and D to the T-zone with a brush and dab around the face with a sponge.
5. Pat concealer E onto noticable spots with a finger.
6. Pat on powder F.
Eye Makeup
7. Apply nose shadow with G.
8. Draw on eyebrows with H on a thin brush.
9. Put H around the eyes. Point the corners!
10. Raise the outer ends of the eye with eyeliner I. Draw the lines as shown.
11. Blend the edges of the eye line with J.
12. Draw a double line with eyeliner I.
13. Highlight the T-zone with K.
14. Apply false lashes.
15. Mixing shadows L, M, N, and O, apply above the double line.
Hair
16. Iron all hair.
17. Tease up all hair at the back of the head with spray P.
18. Set hair from the crown of the head to the front similar to a mowhawk.
19. Arrange fringe.
20. Prepare for the live by practicing JoJo poses!
21. Change clothes♥
After
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Q&A - Lulu - Plug January 5, 2010
THE GALLO Lulu, Guitar
Translated by Chiva
Originally published on a now-defunct interview site.
Name/part
Lulu/six-string
Birthday/blood type
December 20/B
Three words that describe you
Not interesting, gastroptosis*, pointless pickiness
1: In medicine, gastroptosis is the abnormal downward displacement of the stomach. It is not a life threatening condition. The condition frequently causes digestive symptoms and constipation.
Favorite phrase
Sturdy
Strong points / strengths
Driving, sleeping in late
Weak points / weaknesses
Insects and reptiles
Piercing count
2 in my left ear
Calls or cell phone mail?
If I have to pick one, I guess calls
What you always carry with you
Cigarettes, a notebook, a charger
A magazine you read often
Magazines about fashion, cars, instruments, and clocks
Something you collect
When I see tools, I always want to buy them
When you feel maxed-out
When my neck and shoulders are so stiff I can't even turn my head
Something that makes you a little happy
The first mouthful of beer
What you like about each member
It's embarrassing, so I will keep it a secret
If you could be someone else for a day who would you be?
I'd want to be a policeman driving a motorbike, be sturdy
Childhood dream
To become a policeman or Ultraman*
* A character from a Japanese TV series from 1960s.
Favorite convenience store
If there is a Mini Stop, I always go in (゜∀゜)
Specialty cuisine
There're a lot
Your own personal routine
Drinking alcohol in a good mood
A challenge you want to try soon
Mongolian tanmen3
Something that recently made you happy
Everyone throwing me a birthday party
Something that recently made you sad
During a live my guitar got horribly out of tune
Something on your mind recently
Mongolian tanmen*
* A kind of a Mongolian dish - tanmen - a mild, usually salt-tasted soup, served with a mix of sauteed vegetables and seafood.
Favorite fragrance
BVLGARI BLUE, BVLGARI BLACK
Cell phone wall paper
A picture of myself that someone drew for me
What do you have on your cell phone?
Nothing
Three things you want the most right now
Gear, clothes, Lamborgini Countach
Your message
The roosters of 2010 have spread their wings after all! Everyone, look forward to thaaaat.
Q&A - Kaede - Plug January 5, 2010
THE GALLO Kaede, Drums
Translated by Ku
Originally published on a now-defunct interview site.
Name/part
Kaede/drums
Birthday/blood type
September 7/A
Three words that describe you
Fast, cheap, delicious
Favorite phrase
Regular order
Strong points / strengths
Eating fast
Weak points / weaknesses
Drawing pictures
Piercing count
2, ears
Calls or cell phone mail?
Calls
What you always carry with you
ipod, notebook, etc. (always in a bag)
A magazine you read often
Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku (but it's manga)
Something you collect
Equipment (for drumming, composition)
When you feel maxed-out
When I'm sleepy
Something that makes you a little happy
Seeing happy faces during a live
What you like about each member
Jojo→that he's the boss
Hikaru→his special attack
Lulu→his gourmet
Andy→his secrecy
If you could be someone else for a day who would you be?
A sumo wrestler, to try feeling the burden on the knees
Childhood dream
Action star
Favorite convenience store
Seiko Mart (Hokkaido)
Specialty cuisine
Inventive pastas
Your own personal routine
Starting with my neck when washing
A challenge you want to try soon
Climbing Mt. Fuji (it's scary so only in the summer)
Something that recently made you happy
Finishing the new work "Tokyo Cinderella"
Something that recently made you sad
A lot
Something on your mind recently
Always current events
Favorite fragrance
Tiary Classic
Cell phone wall paper
GALLO-go
What do you have on your cell phone?
A silver brand strap from PX-G
Three things you want the most right now
PC, shoes, time
Your message
Best regards
Q&A - Jojo - Plug January 5, 2010
THE GALLO Jojo, Vocals
Translated by Chiva
Originally published on a now-defunct interview site.
Name/part
Jojo/vocals
Birthday/blood type
June 5/B
Three words that describe you
Overwhelmingly strange, incredibly wondrous; Wild ideas beyond heavens rounded up; Quick delivery, No graffiti*
* 奇妙奇天烈摩訶不思議、奇想天外四捨五入、出前迅速落書き無用 - this is an original answer, written by Jojo as one line - it's part of lyrics for a song from a popular Japanese anime series Doraemon; the translation is only very rough since it's very difficult to transform it properly into English without the song context, and because basically it's only a string of nouns
Favorite phrase
Shit
Strong points / strengths
Creation
Weak points / weaknesses
Being passive
Piercing count
Right ear- 7, left ear- 9, eyebrow- 1, nose-1, mouth- 1, tongue- 1, nipple- 2, navel- 1
Calls or cell phone mail?
Calls
What you always carry with you
Cigarettes
A magazine you read often
Adult magazines
Something you collect
Toys, clothing, accessories
When you feel maxed-out
When I'm lacking sleep
Something that makes you a little happy
When I find something I want at auction and I win it too
What you like about each member
Things that are too obscene, restraining myself
If you could be someone else for a day who would you be?
Yanguu Shigekiyo*; I´d use his stand, Harvest**
* A character from the fourth story arc, Diamond is Unbreakable, of the Japanese manga series Jojo's Bizarre Adventure.
** In the manga some characters are capable of using Stands. A Stand is a a semi-physical manifestation of one's ripple powers. In Jojo´s Bizarre Adventure ripple is a martial arts technique that allows the user to focus bodily energy into other kinds of energy via proper breathing.
Childhood dream
To conquer the world
Favorite convenience store
Owson*
* A convenience store from J's BA, a parody a real conbini, Lawson. The asterisk here actually appears in the interview, with Jojo's note at the bottom...
Specialty cuisine
Little Gourmet*
* A recipe that appeared in the Japanese cooking manga series OH!MY Konbu. The recipe comprises of heating a few marshmallows in microwave, adding chocolate flakes on the top and then mixing it all together.
Your own personal routine
When I need to calm down, I count prime numbers*
* Another JJBA reference: in part 6, the priest Pucci does this.
A challenge you want to try soon
English
Something that recently made you happy
The announcement of the sale of the figurine series for Jojo´s Bizarre Adventure・Part 4
Something that recently made you sad
Despite the announcement, there was nothing about the sales for Hirose Koiichi and Echoes ACT-1, ACT-2, and ACT-3*
* A character in 4th arc of J's BA and his Stand.
Something on your mind recently
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Part 8
Favorite fragrance
Vivienne Westwood ANGLOMANIA
Cell phone wall paper
Kujo Joutarou*
* Perhaps the most popular character, from the 3rd arc of J's BA.
What do you have on your cell phone?
Silver stars (a strap)
Three things you want the most right now
A life-size stone mask*. Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Cassette Book, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Hyakunin isshu Douhet**
* A prop from J's BA - a mask that transform anyone into a vampire.
** A type of a card game.
Your message
In 2010, we, THE GALLO, a flock of black roosters, will infallibly become the center of this music industry! Therefore, stay tuned! Please look after us kindly!
*My favourite conbini is not Lawson, it is Owson★
Q&A - Hikaru - Plug January 5, 2010
THE GALLO Hikaru, Guitar
Translated by Chiva
Originally published on a now-defunct interview site.
Name/part
Hikaru/six-string
Birthday/blood type
February 26/B
Three words that describe you
Red, crazed, kamite guitarist
Favorite phrase
Shining Wizard Weapon Hikaru
Strong point / strength
It's a secret
Weak points / weaknesses
There are none in particular
Piercing count
One in my left ear
Calls or cell phone mail?
Calls
What you always carry with you
Tiny old man*
*A rumoured "creature" from a Japanese urban legend that´s started spreading in 2009. "Tiny old man" is said to be 8 - 20 cm big and can be seen practically anywhere - he has been spotted in the windows, in people´s bathrooms or in the trees of parks.
A magazine you read often
Kera, Zipper
Something you collect
CDs
When you feel maxed-out
When sleeping for 18 hours
Something that makes you a little happy
When I wake up, but then I fall asleep again.
What you like about each member
Jojo: He can be a funny character, something that can't be expressed in words
Lulu: He is kind
Andy: He is kind and passionate, he generally accepts me
Kaede: That he always does his best in the shadows, seriousness
If you could be someone else for a day who would you be?
I would want to be an alien and invade the Earth
Childhood dream
To be a painter
Favorite convenience store
Family Mart
Specialty cuisine
Curry & rice
Your own personal routine
A Red Bull before every live
A challenge you want to try soon
I want to meet lots of people on the tour even if by myself
Something that recently made you happy
Joining THE GALLO
Something that recently made you sad
The loss of a friend
Something on your mind recently
A song
Favorite fragrance
GUCCI RUSH 2
Cell phone wall paper
A portrait
What do you have on your cell phone?
Nothing
Three things you want the most right now
Status, prestige, kindness
Your message
Everyone, let's get wild and loud without holding back! Let's meet at a live!
Q&A - Andy - Plug January 5, 2010
THE GALLO Andy, Bass
Translated by Ku
Originally published on a now-defunct interview site.
Name/part
Andy/four-string
Birthday/blood type
December 18/A
Three words that describe you
Huge, scary, long
Favorite phrase
Isn't it~
Strong points / strengths
Having nightmares
Weak points / weaknesses
Waking up
Piercing count
6 in my left ear
Calls or cell phone mail?
Calls
What you always carry with you
Cell phone, cigarettes, wallet
A magazine you read often
None in particular
Something you collect
Nothing in particular
When you feel maxed-out
The day after I've had too much to drink
Something that makes you a little happy
When I win some kind of sweets
What you like about each member
I like everything about everyone
If you could be someone else for a day who would you be?
I'd become Jojo and drink alcohol like a flood
Childhood dream
Police officer
Favorite convenience store
Seiko Mart
Specialty cuisine
Vegetable stew
Your own personal routine
Dozing off after waking in the morning
A challenge you want to try soon
Eating Soba everywhere all over the country
Something that recently made you happy
Eating soba
Something that recently made you sad
Losing my DS
Something on your mind recently
Movements around the world
Favorite fragrance
Davidoff Cool Water
Cell phone wall paper
Whatever I feel like
What do you have on your cell phone?
A strap
Three things you want the most right now
Luck, leeway, soba
Your message
Please continue supporting THE GALLO.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Interview - Risknote November 2009
Let's open the door to the strange world where we can see such a scene
Interview by Ayako Tokita
Translated by Chiva
―Gallo started their activities only in the beginning of this year, right?
Jojo Right, right, right. This year in May.
Andy From a small meeting.
Kaede We were already playing in a session band at the end of January though.
Jojo Andy, Lulu, and I were previously in the same band, so it was more like we were searching for new members while doing sessions and many other things. And I've known Kaede for a long time, so at one unexpected meeting, when I asked him: "Kaede, won't you play drums?" he said, "Okay." (laugh)
Kaede By chance, when I was doing support for a band called Watashime Slug, I also played at some of the same lives as everyone else. We met up every month for one thing or another and in December I called Jojo.
Jojo I was kidnapped. (laugh)
Kaede I said "Let's do a little something!" And then he was like: "Okay then, please join THE GALLO." (laugh)
―Did you play with each other's previous bands?
Jojo That's right. There was that as well...
―According to some sources, Kaede is Jojo's senpai.
Jojo Hahahaha!!
Kaede To put it frankly, he was a member of a band my roadie was in. (laugh)
Jojo Well, I think that the fans also probably know that Kaede is older than us...
Kaede Is it because I'm doing something differently? (laugh)
Jojo I guess they probably know because of the atmosphere, but we haven't made any official announcement. (laugh)
Kaede That might be it, since I'm in a band with those old men [test-No.]
―Well then, you have that big brother image in THE GALLO?
Jojo Hmmm
Kaede ... I'm hearing this for the first time. (bitter laugh)
Jojo More like Kaede bro.*
Kaede That's only you who says that! Everyone thinks that you are a bro here!
Jojo No way! Every time something comes up, it's like "It was Kaede bro!"
Kaede You turn me into a bad guy!
Jojo But somehow it's because you're the busiest. But since there is only Kaede for us, if it's not him, we don't like it.
* aniki - originally yakuza terminology; meaning someone older and more experienced, literally older brother
―In other words, Kaede is the busiest, but you want to be in [the band] with him.
Jojo But I was really happy. I think I can stand on the stage only because everyone is there.
―It seems like you three [Jojo, Andy, Lulu] have always been in bands together though.
Jojo That's right, from the time when we were kids. It wasn't that we were together, we knew each other's faces. I've known Lulu since kindergarten. (laugh)
―Kindergarten!?
Jojo And Andy since primary school.
―I wonder what it feels like to grow up and be in a band together with people one has known since they were children.
Jojo Our love for home is strong. (laugh)
―In this case it is understanding each other, thus doing a band together, right? THE GALLO created a great individual worldview, but has it always [even before] been such a harsh worldview?
Jojo It's because I like harsh. (laugh)
―You don't do sparkly nor even a little happy.
Jojo Exactly.
Kaede It's not happy, hmmm.
Jojo I think that whatever we do, it probably ends up being that way. Even if we did the sparkly... it would become-how should I put it?-a little weird. If it's in this business, we want to be a little heretic.
―What is the meaning of the word THE GALLO?
Jojo We write the name of the band in katakana, but transcribe it as GALLO in romaji; it's the Italian word for a 'rooster'. It has this"Eh, why a rooster?!" feeling, but Gallo just had a good sound. We even have a song called "Black Roosters". There is a grimoire called Black Pullet [hen] too...
―A grimoire?
Jojo It really seems there is. By chanting the incantation "Elloim Essaim Elloim Essaim" written in this grimoire, apparently you can invoke an evil spirit. It makes a hen lay eggs. So, isn't "Black roosters" cool? That's why we've been calling ourselves "a flock of black roosters". It's that kind of a strange concept...
―You started your activities in May, released a CD right afterwards and then released another one in September. You produce ... a lot. (laugh)
Kaede It certainly feels that way. (laugh)
Jojo Even though we are roosters. (laugh)
―The title of the 1st single is...which one?
Jojo It's "Mudai."*
Kaede Because the title of the first song is "Mudai."
*actually means "untitled"
―Contradicting yourself in such place already!
Jojo Haha! Right! (laugh) But it also means something; what we do is... our works have continuation. Without regard to the previous bands or the present one, I think it would be good if THE GALLO was able to express itself.
―Meaning it doesn't matter where [in what band] Jojo composes his music, it's still Jojo's world?
Jojo I am Jojo.
―The name of the 2nd single is "Maou".
Kaede It's a ...bit old-fashioned. Our choice of words.
Jojo Right.
Kaede Moreover, all the songs are called "Maou". (laughs)
Jojo I talked to Andy and we were like "It would be interesting if it was a trilogy, wouldn't it?" That kind of a thing.
*Maou = "The Devil"
―Then these songs are Andy's contribution?
Andy Well... nah, Jojo's?
Jojo It happened while the two of us talked, right? If by some chance it becomes a tetralogy, that would be Andy's contribution.
―So it's something like, there is "Maou" as a theme and inside this theme there are more minute scenes?
Andy For the time being, yeah, there are subtitles [for every song].
―What is the whole image then?
Jojo The whole image...hmm. "Anti-war" or something like that.
―Isn't it a pretty peaceful theme?
Jojo It is! But written in a difficult way... (laugh)
Kaede It's not that our own thoughts become the lyrics. It's certain people in the whirlpool of the settings. Or a certain place. That's why perhaps it's not Jojo's point of view.
―So there is something like a fictional protagonist in the songs?
Jojo That's right. I guess if you try thinking about it as of one volume of a book, it's easier. First "Mudai" would be a book called "Foreign Brothel". And when you open its door, there is a different world. So for example if you opened the door to your room, it could have been a boutique before, overseas afterwards, something like that.
―Is there a story like that in reality?
Jojo It's my creation. It's not like I decide one theme. It's tied together with various worlds.
―Like a door that takes you anywhere?
Jojo Well, yeah. (laugh) To put it simply, "The dora to anywhere"* ... I said Dora. (bitter laugh)
Andy No good, no good! (laugh)
Jojo I ended up saying a friend's name. (bright smile)
Andy Advertising him. (laugh)
Jojo Hahahahaha!
*どこでもドラ - dokodemodora, Jojo's tongue slips and instead of dokodemodoa - the door to anywhere says a name of his friend Dokodemo Dora - now Dora is in the band Blood (previously in Hibi subete wo nomikomu fukamoka)
―So to say it simply, it's similar to the door to anywhere in Doraemon.*
Jojo Yeah, that's right.
Kaede THE GALLO is the building and the songs are the individual rooms.
*Japanese anime
―And when you open the door to a room, you don't know where it leads.
Kaede So, maybe the lyrics in "Mudai" are the beginning of it all.
Jojo Exactly.
Andy That's why "Mudai" is the entrance. (laugh)
Jojo Clever!
―So for a listener it's like entering THE GALLO?
Jojo That's right.
―It seems like "THE HOUSE" in a horror movie.
Kaede Aaah, I know what you mean!
―The house itself is an apparition, so it can happen that for example a piano ends up eating a person.
Jojo I haven't seen that. Well, I'm being asked whether I watch movies or read books, but I'm the type that doesn't watch at all. I don't watch/read anything except "Jojo's Bizarre Adventure".* (laugh) That or at most "Vagabond" that Andy borrowed.
Kaede I will lend you "Super Radical Gag Family"*! (laugh)
Jojo I haven't decided much about the lyrics yet. If I'd decided, it would have ended up being bound by it.
Kaede For example, even if we didn't make that harsh of a song, if put inside that house called THE GALLO, it could be heard as such.
* both titles are manga
―The subtitles for "Maou" are "Taidou" ["Fetal Movement"], "Kakusei" ["Awakening"], "Maisou" ["Burial"]. It ends up as a life completion.
Kaede Even so, there is a talk of maybe making a second volume! (laugh)
―Will you really continue?
Jojo Andy has the compositions!
Andy For a 4th "Maou".
―So it's a certain direction, right?
Andy The direction, yeah. (laugh)
Kaede Oh, but we might change the title!
Jojo No, no, no! I want to try making at least five songs for "Maou"!
Kaede Five...!?
Jojo I have ideas for the subtitles inside me!
Kaede Like "Revival"? (laugh)
Andy That'd be too easy. *bitter laughter*
Jojo But I've been thinking.
―December 21st is the planned day for the release of the new mini-album.
Jojo That's right! The songs that will be included are...still in a raw form.
Andy But which songs are going to be used.... we've decided to that extent.
―Even if only a little bit, can you tell us about the content?
Jojo What about "Songs of love that Jojo writes".
―Love!? What have you written about until now?
Jojo There were none [about love]. There were none, but these are quite good. Everyone will be surprised probably!
―Now everyone's burst out laughing. (laugh)
Andy Weee~ll (laughs)
Kaede I just thought this was a very veteran-like...speech. (laugh)
Jojo Now everyone is acting dumbfounded, but they don't understand my talent! I think when I die they will all say: "Ah, that guy was so awesome."
Kaede Nah, I understand!
Jojo Kaede understands!
―But aren't Andy and Lulu the ones who have always been watching Jojo?
Jojo They both understand, but they don't dare to say...?
―So exactly because these two really know you and at the same time are in a band with you, they feel rather sceptical about "Songs of love that Jojo writes"?
Andy Tha~t's right. (laugh)
Jojo Like "Eh, you!?" (laugh)
Andy On the contrary, it's because we know him, we go like "Eh?" (laugh)
Jojo No, no, no! I want to understand love~ Though, I've been turning in the spiral.
Kaede It's more like whether or not you can call it "love". (laugh)
Jojo But I think there are many kinds of love. Not only love stories like they make on TV. Many kinds of love at different times.
―So many meanings. I am really looking forward to this; what it will be like.
Jojo Please, do look forward to this! (laugh)
―It seems that you've only sold all the CDs you've released until now at the venues where you performed, but what about putting this third mini album out in music stores?
Jojo We're thinking about that direction. But putting it out into stores... I think it may happen only after the event on the December 21st.
―It was decided that the event for the release of the new record will take place at Takadanobaba Area; is this Andy and Lulu's birthday event?
Jojo Right! When is Lulu's birthday?
Lulu December 20th.
Jojo Andy's?
Andy It's December 18th.
Jojo At first we thought of doing 2DAYS - 18th and 19th or 19th and 20th, but our discussions resulted in combining them. We are sorry. They'll be held together as a Christmas present and New Year. (laugh)
―But putting it all together into one will make it very exciting!
Jojo We are still thinking a little about what to do, but we're considering calling a magician to do some magic or something. (laugh) I have a friend who's a professional magician, he is really great. My proposal to him is shaken though... By things like "Where in Area will I do it?" I'm still worried about that. (laugh)
Kaede If he can't come, wouldn't it be good if he taught you and you did it?
Jojo Right, that could work too. (laugh)
―The day's special feature "THE GALLO The Limited" is?
Jojo It's a DVD.
―And it seems like at first until now you were selling "THE GALLO The Boot" one, two, three, four...
Jojo The people who bought all those four DVDs were given a "rooster mark"; then if they all bring it on 21st they can buy "THE GALLO The Limited 2nd Volume". (laughs) On December 21st anyone can buy "THE GALLO The Boot 1st Volume".
―What did you record?
Jojo The footage from lives was the main part, but what the special feature is I wonder... "THE GALLO The Boot 1st Volume" is a secret.
―Can't you buy all four DVDs at once on the 21st?
Jojo You can't. There is a limit for the sales on that day.
Kaede Perhaps we like that kind of project, right? Until September 4th, we had this project where if you bought XYZ, then you got a CD as a present, and that probably felt like getting even stricter.
Jojo Getting stricter..., but later you can feel the kindness. It would have been good, if you'd come to a live; you could have bought it and brought it.
Kaede I really think the content is not bad at all.
―People who read this can only buy the first volume of the bootleg now.
Jojo That's right. We're sorry.
Kaede If we got around 5000 orders, then we'd reconsider. (laugh)
―So what are your plans for the next year?
Jojo Next year, probably around March, we might sponsor a show. Then we were thinking about holding 3-month consecutive shows.
Kaede And maybe we will put an album out. Perhaps, we will show more than this year, won't we? I think that more opportunities to show ourselves will come arbitrarily.
―The number of lives will increase and there will be more tours...
Kaede And we will collect loads of data.
Jojo Next year a fifth rooster will... maybe...
―Really?
Jojo Really. (laugh)
―Eh~?! Isn't this huge news? Won't next year be full of changes?
Jojo That's right. A lot will change.
―It seems there is a lot that can't be said yet, but what can you say?
Kaede Hmm, maybe I can say our costumes will change?
―New costumes...
Kaede And I want to make loads of friends next year.
Jojo Wait, wait, wait. You totally have friends, right?! (bitter laugh)
―When I went to see one of the sponsored events, I led a meeting and everyone talked to me. Do you like that kind of thing?
Jojo Talking... I like that. I don't think that everyone hates it. Just the other day, I thought I'd like to try out a project called "Jojo's Bizarre Talkshow" and I did it. Everyone was having so much fun. I don't know whether I'll do it next time or not, but I realized that everyone can talk well.
Kaede Only I don't see you talking every time, that's why I don't know that.
―I see. What about on the video then?
Kaede I still haven't seen it all.
Jojo That image perhaps....!!!!! A place like this is in the video.
Andy Did you not just give it all away? (bitter laugh)
Jojo No, no, we have to let them taste it...
―I think that THE GALLO's music, lives and character has a really staggering individuality, and that's why I really want our readers to check the band out as soon as possible. With that in mind we did this interview this time.
Jojo Certainly, without fail, I want everyone to have a taste of this individual and heretic atmosphere. Come [see us] for sure.
Lulu Yeah, Pisces.*
Jojo If you are worried, "Pisces". (laugh)
Andy Well, if you come, you will get it. Something like that. If you come, you will understand it all.
Kaede The number of rooms [songs] will gradually increase and I can already feel like our individuality will keep on growing even wider. I think it'd be awesome if you came and we could have fun together.
* Pisces is a sneaky reference to Hikaru, the band's guitarist who hadn't joined yet when this interview was conducted. His zodiac sign is Pisces, and in this interview he is referred to like this as a sort of an inside joke.
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