Evening.
It's seems there're
more and more chances to come into contact with you all... ★
That means there’s an urgent announcement, but… w
Probably… tomorrow
I’ll… announce… it!!
Sorry. But I’m in a hurry.
Just a little longer ‘til the release of GALLO.
While in contact with shop people today
We got to liven things up together, so
I feel a barrage of gratitude and inspiration.
Believing that someday
THE GALLO’s steady movements will become a powerful force
I’ll fight on
With the mendori…!!
[Mendori = hens, THE GALLO's name for their fans]
I wanna face the drums carefully, today and now.
I plan to put to use
The new weapons I got the other day
Starting at the next performance★
★"Gallo The Sample Ni" distribution notice
The special recording "Gallo The Sample Ni" will be distributed at 14 places across the country.
Please be sure to take a look.
★Distribution begins on 12/7
・ZEAL LINK Shibuya
・ZEAL LINK Takadanobaba
・ZEAL LINK Osaka
・Brand X
・Jishuban Club
・little Hearts Shinjuku
・little Hearts Sendai
・Village Vanguard Takadanobaba
・Hamamatsu AshLD50
・Niigata R.I.P
・ Sapporo ongaku-dokoro
・Sapporo Traumerei
・Fukuoka SKULLROSE
・Media Station BIG Yahatahigashi
・THE GALLO's merchandise booth (beginning December 11, 2013)
※Numbers are limited. Please be sure to
get it quickly.
December 18, 2013 release
THE GALLO full album
"GALLO"
01. Kinsho
02. Kyoumei
03. Dainihon Kokkei Shugisha Renmei Koushinkyoku Ei he Tanchou
04. Tokyo Harenchi Gekijou -eden-
05. Kyokutou Koi Shigure ・ Ai
06. Maou -kyousou-
07. Maou -doukoku-
08. Kokkeiron -souzouhen-
09. Taiyou
10. Dainihon Kokkei Shugisha Renmei Koushinkyoku ho Tanchou
11. Kyokutou Koi Shigure ・ Beni
12. Dokusou
EMR-004 ￥3000 (tax included)
Sales: Emperor Records
Distribution: ONG DISTRIBUTION
★THE GALLO full album "GALLO" special bonus notice★
・Jishuban Club Comment DVD / photo set (singles + group)
・Brand X Comment DVD / artist card set (singles)
・Hamamatsu AshLD50 Comment DVD
・little Hearts Shinjuku Comment DVD
・little Hearts Sendai Comment DVD
・Niigata R.I.P Comment DVD
・Sapporo ongaku-dokoro Comment DVD
・Fukuoka SKULLROSE Comment DVD
・ZEAL LINK Comment DVD / signed artist photo set (singles)
※Please buy them soon, as quantities are limited.
Tons of advertising. Sorry.
Kae.
Monday, December 16, 2013
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
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