Interviewer's questions in Bold
Interviewer's notes in (Brackets and Italic grey)
Translator notes in [Brackets]
Talking about things that happened recently, how do all of you feel about the "GAZEROCK FESTIVAL" at Fujikyuu Highlands Conifer Forest after an absence of 2 years?
Ruki : Although I feel great towards the open air [live] that was long-awaited, the rain had.... It would be alright if the rain was just during the ballads. When it rains, the stage is slippery, it wasn't easy to move. Also, the special effects misfired due to the rain. I was already like "Anyway we can't do anything if it rains so rain heavily". (Laughs) Psychologically, drizzles are the hardest [to hold lives]. But I thought that it was good during the ballads as it just influences the heart to fit into the atmosphere. I thought this live is one that will be memorable for the members and the fans.
Reita : Even though there were various things that were problematic, I had fun. I'm impressed by the mood of the fans. I'm also impressed when I saw the fireworks. (Laughs) Although at the last song fireworks were shot off, voices were heard from the stage saying "Even though you hear the sound, but you totally can't see it [the fireworks]!". (Laughs) Well, since we never know what will happen outdoors. But we are prepared for that. Although I still want to have "GAZEROCK FESTIVAL", I'm hoping that the next time it will be a clear weather. This is because there are also things like "The weather = the condition of the instruments". Since if we want to do lives a good environment would be the best.
Kai : I had fun. Even though I had fun from the live itself, the weather wasn't blessed...... what I think that's a pity, as expected was this part. But, although it's already 2 months from the live, now I still remember strongly all the various sights [during the live]. Since it had a strong impression on me, I thought that this live was great.
Uruha : The rain, it made my hair all soggy and stick together. When I'm doing it my hair which was wet moved like paan! [expression of force], and I thought "Aah, this feels good". But, after that when I saw the pictures I was depressed. (Laughs) Because I value all these sights seen, when it rained, there surfaced a difficult side of this. As for the sounds, I had a hard time. Even though it's great to play at outdoors again after 2 years of absence, but indoors the sounds echos better isn't it. At outdoors, I have the feeling that the sound goes off the stage like supaan!.
Aoi : At the Conifer Highlands, all the equipments were totally new. The sounds were good, and I was doing it with a happy feeling, until...... halfway. (Laughs)
It was a pity about the equipment accident, but it was like all of you not to continue from where you all stopped.
Aoi : I think that it's inevitable that there is this kind of trouble. This is because it happens after going through perfect preperations. What's important, is actually what happens after that. If there are troubles and we are able to make a comeback after that, I think that it is actually the evidence of the growth of the band.
During the time when Aoi-san dropped down the stage, the 4 people behind [referring to the other members] were still playing like normal. About that, it looks really good.
Reita : If you see it as so, it's a relief.
I totally couldn't feel a disturbance of the atmosphere at all [When Aoi dropped down the stage]. After "GAZEROCK FESTIVAL", the Fanclub Tour started on 1st October. Up until the interview date (14th October), how was the reaction?
Aoi : I think the mood is good. And I also have the feeling that I like my own sounds. In relation to the contents of the Live, the Fanclub Tour however, I didn't want to make it experienced-like. But I was thinking whether the live had the feeling of being rather grim.
Even though it's the Fanclub Tour, during the lives there wasn't a softer/calmer kind of MC and there wasn't a conservative-like mood, I was a little surprised.
Aoi : About that I didn't like it, because Ruki says it [the MC]. But the rest of us are with the standpoint of being much closer to the fans though...... (Laughs)
Ruki : Oii! It makes me harder to comment! (Laughs) No, at "GAZEROCK FESTIVAL", there were plenty of old songs in it. That's why, I thought it was a rather Fanclub Live-like setlist. On the contrary if I place too much old songs in it, you will have a feeling that the Live is not flowing that well. I thought that for the Fanclub Tour, it is not that kind of lives, but I want to have a setlist where you are able to see portions of us. [From their earlier years till now]
During the "GAZEROCK FESTIVAL" all of you played "Akai one piece", and "Haru ni chirikeri, mi wa kareru de gozaimasu" all these songs that is of retro-taste, and I thought that it was very cool.
Ruki : Thank you very much. (Laughs) For "Haru ni chirikeri, mi wa kareru de gozaimasu", even though we have done it several times... But, the us now who expresses the taste of it, is a little different.
I see. Then, if there is another chance......
Ruki : Well...... if that day comes. (Laughs)
Yes yes yes, I see. (Laughs) How was the feedback since you all have decided to do lives that are "wrong"? [The interviewer mentions batsuu which may mean "wrong" or "punishment" but I don't know what it means here]
Ruki : As usual, even though we do change some songs from the setlist, there are also times where we confirm the important parts of the setlist. There are times when we think "Ah, play this, it's good!", and also times when we feel "What is this?" when we decide for ourselves. I thought that it is good to try out various things like this. Though sometimes I have the kind of feeling like "This flow..." [the setlist], but the fans who came looked like they were having fun. From the usual tours, I have the feeling that we put in more effort into the lives.
Uruha : The Fanclub Tour, comparatively, I wonder if it was a good start. With regards to the stress of the guitar's sounds, as compared to the past it has decreased. If I were to say it specificly, firstly the amp is changed from MESA BOOGIE to KOCH [both are guitar amp brands], and it seems like I'm able to cope with the various things. And also, the cabinet (The box where you plug in the speaker of the guitar amp) also increased [in terms of electrical capacitance], the raw sound [sounds produced by the electric guitar without plugging an amp] and effector seems to produce out the suspending notes much obviously. Then, I've already held the guitar on my hand. The guitar that I'm using, all the basic functions doesn't change, however the pick-up (something like a mike which gathers the sounds of the electric guitar) , it was all changed. For a while, I used P-90 Type (The strongest of the high tone range, the pick-up that produces sharp sounds), but instead it all became Humbuckers (Produces sounds of Low ~ Middle voice range, the pick-up that produces thick sounds). Like clean tones, if with regard to crunch tones use P-90 type would be just fine, but however if its distorted sounds I would prefer using Humbuckers. Currently, I'm using Humbucker Pick-ups, and with the amp I use the pattern where I set the sounds to be tight.
The equipments, they all had a large-scale renewal. The atmosphere during the Live generally, how was it? [When using those new equipments]
Uruha : The decreasing of the stress of the sounds, was afterall fun. Repeating the same thing everyday, is boring. I wanted to have something exciting, and try out various things. But there are also times where it would backfire and fail.
Kai : This time, the biggest thing that had changed, was the usage of Triggers (a system where the sampling sounds would hit together at the same time when the drums are being played). Though we have started using it since the Conifer Highlands Live, but from that we saw many points that we should improve on. Furthermore from the results that we have gathered from our observations during the tour while using it [trigger], presently, we are only fairly satisfied with it.
It's hard. Why do you think that the trigger is used?
Kai : For the reasons, there are various. The biggest reason, is because the band hopes to progress towards this kind of direction. The next is, there are also parts where we want to make it more livelier. I don't like to use triggers because I didn't like the sound it produces, but recently these triggers have been improvised, and it really shows the nuance of the play. And with that, I tried to use triggers. In terms of the sound I used trial and error, and I really had fun during the lives. And with regards to the flow of the live, there are also parts where I thought it was good. For me, it's the new songs. Making the new songs to the point, made me have fun during every live.
Reita : This time's tour, troubles keep occuring quite plainly. During that time at the Live at Sendai too, the sound of the Bass was plainly cut off halfway. (Laughs) I kept thinking "Damn it!" while we were doing the live. But, we figured out the root of the problem right away. It was because the cable was in a bad condition. During that time a new one was bought and the problem was solved, and I feel relieved. (Laughs) With regards to the live, I think that this time's setlists are all full of attack. For Yoyogi [RCE final], at the Ballad section there were 5 songs, but this time there are only 3 songs. The rest, is all basically intensive. The next day after 2 days, I was already about to die. (Laughs) It's just that, this time it's isn't at live houses [the lives]. There are many people who are not used to Live houses. And from there we were thinking from then onwards whether should we have them [lives] in halls or not...
Even though I think that each have their own taste, but both sides just want to have fun.
Reita :Yeah. People who looks at others with wierd eyes, have also decreased quite much. Now and then, we do talk about the manners of the fans, and I would think if I had exaggerated it. How should I put it... there are also people, who goes to the extent of searching for the people with bad manners. Or like people that wants "attention from the members". But you know, we are not guards, we can't observe around to that extent. (Laughs bitterly) On the contrary if we are going to look at all these kind of things while we are doing lives, everyone won't be able to enjoy it this way...
Uruha : Our Vocals, he's a guard. (Laughs)
Reita : That was "former"!
(Laughs) From all their ways of enjoying, but I think you all still want respect from them respectively.
Reita : Yup yup. Those who wants to be violent can be violent, that's because those who perceives it in an adult-like perspective will definitely do so. I think that they shouldn't mind the things that's happening, I want them to have fun in their own ways.
I have the same thoughts as you. This time's tour, regardless of whether it's released, you all played the new single which had the recorded songs "LEECH", "Distorted Daytime" and "HOLE", and it was a necessity check for you all to do when they were being introduced for the first time.
Ruki : Since we did the lives I've been listening to the CD, I thought that we have really improved the songs from the lives...... and I was thinking "I want to do the recording one more time". (Laughs)
The rest : Uwaa! It's too early. (Laughs)
Ruki : Right. (Laughs) And when we did the 3 songs during lives, it had a better atmosphere than the CD's, and that it's different from the other songs. When we tried to do it, it also had a mood that we experienced for the first time. When the fans got used to the live [songs sung in live] and they hear the CD, they might feel a little wierd. Such an impatience, I would like to use it in our making of songs in the future.
Kai : The new songs, there is a feeling of descending. At first it was fun. When the three songs are piled together during the live, there is a premonition that something will change. Next, because all these three song have power within it, even if we add old songs into the setlist, from there it lets other see the the GazettE's "batsuu!" side. And even the songs that we have done not long ago, the impressions these 5 people have created now has been changed. In this way, the new songs have produced out good effects.
Reita : It's our first time, that we did the new songs before the sound sources were done. In the past there were times where the accompaniment [accompanied singing in which the singing is emphasized over the instrumental part] were done first, but basically for intense songs it wasn't done before. Before I do this, I think about "What should I do?", but when we try doing it, we weren't that all worried... That became one of my confidence.
Aoi : Next, Kai-kun starts the song without counting... we were learning the "Art of starting suddenly". (Laughs)
Reita : Yes. (Laughs) Or perhaps I should say it's an Ultimate move. (Laughs)
The rest : Ultimate move. (Laughs)
Reita : Is it wierd? In any case, we started using that in songs like "Distorted Daytime". When we suddenly start it during the middle of the MC, there's a pleasant feeling. (Laughs) Even though when we suddenly play the riffs that everyone would know, there would be a "Ohh!" scene that appears in your eyes, I think that suddenly playing the new songs are very good. However, the fans, they didn't say anything like "Ohh!" though. (Laughs)
Uruha : The members, they have high ratings. (Laughs) [for Distorted Daytime]
Aoi : It's high. (Laughs) All of us were saying "That, it's good". (Laughs)
Reita : Yes. (Laughs) Our enthusiasm seems to be saying "Take that!". Because of our desire such as that, we devote ourselves into it.
Uruha : Now, isn't this just back to back of the Tour just right in time. When I do it, I would think "LEECH is hard...". During the time when the tour just started, I thought that "Distorted Daytime" and "HOLE" was hard... since I wasn't used to it. After I become used to it, movements are also applied in the song, when I first played it, I was thinking "In what kind of manner should I move?", and also because now I have already reached it [the movements], it [the songs]'s very easy. For "LEECH", we had the shooting of the PV, and because we played it for the first time at Conifer forest, the movement arrives earlier. There is an image of showy movements. But, this is because this song is the hardest. (Laughs) Until this date, I still think so. (Laughs) This song has to be played in a more calm manner...(Laughs)
But, like "LEECH" being the 1st~2nd songs during lives, you don't play it in the part where it [lives] becomes high after all?
Uruha : Yes.Or rather I should say... maybe it's me who doesn't want to hold it back. (Laughs) [To place "LEECH" at the later part of setlists] Even though to have an intense song as the first gives out the image of "bang!", to me if I do it [LEECH] with the feelings similar to "Distorted Daytime", it would have already become very loose. It's melody is the best to bring out the mood, however I've noticed that I should control it. (Laughs) At the later part of the Tour, I noticed that, and I wanted to try it out. Probably things like " "LEECH" has become adult-like" might have been said, but firstly I thought we should start from there. [the control of the song]
Aoi : It was fun to do the new songs. Feelings of "moderate", "nervous" and "fun" are all mixed together. That's because we are fumbling our way through it. If you see that [the process of fumbling through it] it's also quite interesting. Like... even though yesterday's live we were moving much around, today we are adult-like. (Laughs) But for that, I was affirmative too. (Laughs) But, there is a really great explosive power in "LEECH". When the voice in my head goes "Da~n!" [expression when playing the guitar] while I'm playing it, I have the feeling like "it's approaching!!" [Like, something good is coming your way]. Also I had fun while doing "Distorted Daytime". Personally, "HOLE" is... my own song. (Laughs) Even though it's a song that's made for the sake of playing it at lives, it looks like... it's kinda the Recording Sect unexpectedly [meaning it's somehow suited for recording]. (Laughs) I thought it was somehow packed up.
Now that you talk about it, Aoi-kun used Strat [Fender Stratocaster ; Brand of a Guitar] in "HOLE". It was the first time I saw you holding any other guitars other than your Signature Models, I was shocked.
Aoi : I'm shocked too. (Laughs) It was not even in my dreams, that I would even possibly play a Strat. With regards to that guitar, there were various hang-ups. At first the white pickguard, was changed to black. When it was done so, there were talks that it looks cheap-looking. Then, I thought a metal-like mirror [pickguard] is still better. When it was done so, I'm told by Ruki-san "It's not good". (Laughs) My standard is Ruki-san's. (Laughs) Next, I was thinking... if it's Sauvage. (Laughs) [Not sure about what he is talking about here, he mentions ソバージュ. Help is much appreciated, thanks.]
Since you have started on Strat, is there any possibility that you will use various guitars? [Of different brands]
Aoi : No, about that I wasn't considering that much to do so. Even though now I'm using Strat, there's still some resistance towards it. It's like, I feel that the color of the head [Guitar headstock] is too new. Then later I was thinking if I should buy a burner, and then burn it [the headstock]. (Laughs) Or to dip it in cigarettes. [To make it darker]
Everyone : Oo! That's cool. (Laughs) That's tasteful. (Laughs)
Aoi : Then, it's Cigarettes. (Laughs) However when you use different guitars, the changes of the sounds are interesting. When I change the way I hold it, I have a feeling like "Oh, this is the sound of a Strat", and it's a fresh feeling. For this time's tour, I will enjoy it [using different guitars], the things later I'll think about it when it[Tour] ends.
I'll be looking forward to it. Talking about changes, since Yoyogi National Stadium First Gymnasium, Fujikyu Highlands Conifer Forest, and this time's Tour, Ruki-san has been continuously changing his visuals isn't it?
Ruki : Well, if you are talking about my clothes, and hairstyle, I just changed it because I came to hate it halfway. (Laughs)
But, if you try doing various things, it's the prove that you are full of "attack".
Ruki : I wonder... if it's so. But, that hairstyle, I thought that it was a relieve that I don't need to have it[Meaning that hairstyle is not compulsory]. In various meanings, it was quite an agony if I were to say it. (Laughs)
Personally, I liked it... Next, during encores Ruki-san is the only one who doesn't wear a T-shirt, is it because you are fussy over it?
Ruki : T-shirts, is alright if you are carrying an instrument. Isn't it becoming like summer[if he wears T-shirt]. For a Vocalist, that is. (Laughs) In the first place, in the past during encores we do songs like "REGRET". If I were to sing it with a T-shirt worn, I think that somehow, it just seems as if you are wearing the wrong thing.
Even if you come to hate changing, however I'm looking forward to look at Ruki-san's various images. From now onwards, I would like you to try out various things. [In terms of visual]
Ruki : You're right. If it's within my means, I would want to do it... I'll do my best. (Laughs)
I will be expecting it then. Even though talking to everyone of you here gave me a new feeling, however the attitude of continuing activites[lives] made axis, is unlikely to change in the future.
Reita : I think it won't change. When I began the band, when I see someone performing I will receive an impact. I want to have as much opportunities as possible to stand in public. If it's not so, I'm just a pretty much plain person. (Laughs) Really, I think that Lives should be done continuously. Although Lives are done quite much, it doesn't mean that we will be standing on the stage everyday, much less that the fans will be able to attend to the GazettE lives. [if there's a live everyday] And there are also people who can only attend one [live] per year. That's why I want them to have fun, and we have to do a good Live. When we remind ourselves of that, all the lives will become very precious to us. How the surroundings are perceiving us, are also becoming rather severe. If they are kind enough, they will cut to the chase. If they are kind enough, since what is said here already doesn't pass. I think during that time, I will do it strictly.
Kai : Whatever we may do, it is all connected with Lives after all...... since there is such a place. I think from now onwards, I still want to purely have fun. Next, if you talk about lives, I think I would want it to surpass how I think it normally is. With regards to Lives, it has a wierd feeling if it progresses like how you imagined it. Since the thing that you can only discover during Lives, is troubles when they surfaced up[halfway during lives]. I want to treasure these things[unexpected situations] I got at this kind of place[Lives].
Ruki : When the old songs were revived, I've also noticed that there are some parts where the old songs cannot surpass. I want to make songs that requires me to go deep into lives. That's one [of the requirements]. Like when I'm working on that song, how much of the tension should I bring up. Be it in what kind of situations, I want to have an increase in songs that raises up the "guahh!" kind of feeling inside me.
Uruha : I want to go back to the days when we were building the stage. I have a good feeling when doing lives, but I also remembered that there were also parts that were difficult. Like "Aa, this part, it's hard" and "The difficult part about this has changed". How should I put it...... When we make them, as compared to that, the difficult part will also increase proportionally. There are also times when I thought how much further can I can endure with my mentality and body. During rehearsals, is the most difficult times. When I keep trying to improve without compromising, I really feel exhausted. During that time, I was really exhausted... I didn't think that it would become so serious, just to make myself pleased [with his own performance]. But, this is because I obtained satisfactory by checking thoroughly without reaching a compromise. That, is totally different from without thinking anything, and you relax your whole body by sleeping on a sofa or something like that, while turning to and fro. Or rather should I say that I could actually realise that I'm alive. By just knowing this great sensation, I think that I will continue to check thoroughly because my body and mentality would endure as much as possible.
Aoi : I feel that with regards to the live, it's best to "be frank". Like what Uruha said, doing Lives are fun, but the fun part is only the starting. The more lives you do, be it points for improvement, or a problem which must be cleared, they will definitely appear. When these kind of things appear, we cannot ignore it. It's a thing we have to explore during the Tour. Although that, we cannot predict what may happen during the Tour. Since the visitors [fans] will see the appearance of us exploring. But, we have no choice but to do so. Well, it's really difficult... Lives.
If it's okay with you, can you please tell us which part [of the live] will make you feel that it's difficult?
Aoi : ......Everything. (Laughs bitterly) Really, I always feel that making people listen or showing it to them is hard. Since the other party [the band] wishes 100% of your attention. At that time if you want to respond back, you will be able to discover the problem. That, as long as it continues, it probably wouldn't change. But, this is the path that I chose to take, so I would want to investigate it further without compromising.
Interviewer's notes in (Brackets and Italic grey)
Translator notes in [Brackets]
Talking about things that happened recently, how do all of you feel about the "GAZEROCK FESTIVAL" at Fujikyuu Highlands Conifer Forest after an absence of 2 years?
Ruki : Although I feel great towards the open air [live] that was long-awaited, the rain had.... It would be alright if the rain was just during the ballads. When it rains, the stage is slippery, it wasn't easy to move. Also, the special effects misfired due to the rain. I was already like "Anyway we can't do anything if it rains so rain heavily". (Laughs) Psychologically, drizzles are the hardest [to hold lives]. But I thought that it was good during the ballads as it just influences the heart to fit into the atmosphere. I thought this live is one that will be memorable for the members and the fans.
Reita : Even though there were various things that were problematic, I had fun. I'm impressed by the mood of the fans. I'm also impressed when I saw the fireworks. (Laughs) Although at the last song fireworks were shot off, voices were heard from the stage saying "Even though you hear the sound, but you totally can't see it [the fireworks]!". (Laughs) Well, since we never know what will happen outdoors. But we are prepared for that. Although I still want to have "GAZEROCK FESTIVAL", I'm hoping that the next time it will be a clear weather. This is because there are also things like "The weather = the condition of the instruments". Since if we want to do lives a good environment would be the best.
Kai : I had fun. Even though I had fun from the live itself, the weather wasn't blessed...... what I think that's a pity, as expected was this part. But, although it's already 2 months from the live, now I still remember strongly all the various sights [during the live]. Since it had a strong impression on me, I thought that this live was great.
Uruha : The rain, it made my hair all soggy and stick together. When I'm doing it my hair which was wet moved like paan! [expression of force], and I thought "Aah, this feels good". But, after that when I saw the pictures I was depressed. (Laughs) Because I value all these sights seen, when it rained, there surfaced a difficult side of this. As for the sounds, I had a hard time. Even though it's great to play at outdoors again after 2 years of absence, but indoors the sounds echos better isn't it. At outdoors, I have the feeling that the sound goes off the stage like supaan!.
Aoi : At the Conifer Highlands, all the equipments were totally new. The sounds were good, and I was doing it with a happy feeling, until...... halfway. (Laughs)
It was a pity about the equipment accident, but it was like all of you not to continue from where you all stopped.
Aoi : I think that it's inevitable that there is this kind of trouble. This is because it happens after going through perfect preperations. What's important, is actually what happens after that. If there are troubles and we are able to make a comeback after that, I think that it is actually the evidence of the growth of the band.
During the time when Aoi-san dropped down the stage, the 4 people behind [referring to the other members] were still playing like normal. About that, it looks really good.
Reita : If you see it as so, it's a relief.
I totally couldn't feel a disturbance of the atmosphere at all [When Aoi dropped down the stage]. After "GAZEROCK FESTIVAL", the Fanclub Tour started on 1st October. Up until the interview date (14th October), how was the reaction?
Aoi : I think the mood is good. And I also have the feeling that I like my own sounds. In relation to the contents of the Live, the Fanclub Tour however, I didn't want to make it experienced-like. But I was thinking whether the live had the feeling of being rather grim.
Even though it's the Fanclub Tour, during the lives there wasn't a softer/calmer kind of MC and there wasn't a conservative-like mood, I was a little surprised.
Aoi : About that I didn't like it, because Ruki says it [the MC]. But the rest of us are with the standpoint of being much closer to the fans though...... (Laughs)
Ruki : Oii! It makes me harder to comment! (Laughs) No, at "GAZEROCK FESTIVAL", there were plenty of old songs in it. That's why, I thought it was a rather Fanclub Live-like setlist. On the contrary if I place too much old songs in it, you will have a feeling that the Live is not flowing that well. I thought that for the Fanclub Tour, it is not that kind of lives, but I want to have a setlist where you are able to see portions of us. [From their earlier years till now]
During the "GAZEROCK FESTIVAL" all of you played "Akai one piece", and "Haru ni chirikeri, mi wa kareru de gozaimasu" all these songs that is of retro-taste, and I thought that it was very cool.
Ruki : Thank you very much. (Laughs) For "Haru ni chirikeri, mi wa kareru de gozaimasu", even though we have done it several times... But, the us now who expresses the taste of it, is a little different.
I see. Then, if there is another chance......
Ruki : Well...... if that day comes. (Laughs)
Yes yes yes, I see. (Laughs) How was the feedback since you all have decided to do lives that are "wrong"? [The interviewer mentions batsuu which may mean "wrong" or "punishment" but I don't know what it means here]
Ruki : As usual, even though we do change some songs from the setlist, there are also times where we confirm the important parts of the setlist. There are times when we think "Ah, play this, it's good!", and also times when we feel "What is this?" when we decide for ourselves. I thought that it is good to try out various things like this. Though sometimes I have the kind of feeling like "This flow..." [the setlist], but the fans who came looked like they were having fun. From the usual tours, I have the feeling that we put in more effort into the lives.
Uruha : The Fanclub Tour, comparatively, I wonder if it was a good start. With regards to the stress of the guitar's sounds, as compared to the past it has decreased. If I were to say it specificly, firstly the amp is changed from MESA BOOGIE to KOCH [both are guitar amp brands], and it seems like I'm able to cope with the various things. And also, the cabinet (The box where you plug in the speaker of the guitar amp) also increased [in terms of electrical capacitance], the raw sound [sounds produced by the electric guitar without plugging an amp] and effector seems to produce out the suspending notes much obviously. Then, I've already held the guitar on my hand. The guitar that I'm using, all the basic functions doesn't change, however the pick-up (something like a mike which gathers the sounds of the electric guitar) , it was all changed. For a while, I used P-90 Type (The strongest of the high tone range, the pick-up that produces sharp sounds), but instead it all became Humbuckers (Produces sounds of Low ~ Middle voice range, the pick-up that produces thick sounds). Like clean tones, if with regard to crunch tones use P-90 type would be just fine, but however if its distorted sounds I would prefer using Humbuckers. Currently, I'm using Humbucker Pick-ups, and with the amp I use the pattern where I set the sounds to be tight.
The equipments, they all had a large-scale renewal. The atmosphere during the Live generally, how was it? [When using those new equipments]
Uruha : The decreasing of the stress of the sounds, was afterall fun. Repeating the same thing everyday, is boring. I wanted to have something exciting, and try out various things. But there are also times where it would backfire and fail.
Kai : This time, the biggest thing that had changed, was the usage of Triggers (a system where the sampling sounds would hit together at the same time when the drums are being played). Though we have started using it since the Conifer Highlands Live, but from that we saw many points that we should improve on. Furthermore from the results that we have gathered from our observations during the tour while using it [trigger], presently, we are only fairly satisfied with it.
It's hard. Why do you think that the trigger is used?
Kai : For the reasons, there are various. The biggest reason, is because the band hopes to progress towards this kind of direction. The next is, there are also parts where we want to make it more livelier. I don't like to use triggers because I didn't like the sound it produces, but recently these triggers have been improvised, and it really shows the nuance of the play. And with that, I tried to use triggers. In terms of the sound I used trial and error, and I really had fun during the lives. And with regards to the flow of the live, there are also parts where I thought it was good. For me, it's the new songs. Making the new songs to the point, made me have fun during every live.
Reita : This time's tour, troubles keep occuring quite plainly. During that time at the Live at Sendai too, the sound of the Bass was plainly cut off halfway. (Laughs) I kept thinking "Damn it!" while we were doing the live. But, we figured out the root of the problem right away. It was because the cable was in a bad condition. During that time a new one was bought and the problem was solved, and I feel relieved. (Laughs) With regards to the live, I think that this time's setlists are all full of attack. For Yoyogi [RCE final], at the Ballad section there were 5 songs, but this time there are only 3 songs. The rest, is all basically intensive. The next day after 2 days, I was already about to die. (Laughs) It's just that, this time it's isn't at live houses [the lives]. There are many people who are not used to Live houses. And from there we were thinking from then onwards whether should we have them [lives] in halls or not...
Even though I think that each have their own taste, but both sides just want to have fun.
Reita :Yeah. People who looks at others with wierd eyes, have also decreased quite much. Now and then, we do talk about the manners of the fans, and I would think if I had exaggerated it. How should I put it... there are also people, who goes to the extent of searching for the people with bad manners. Or like people that wants "attention from the members". But you know, we are not guards, we can't observe around to that extent. (Laughs bitterly) On the contrary if we are going to look at all these kind of things while we are doing lives, everyone won't be able to enjoy it this way...
Uruha : Our Vocals, he's a guard. (Laughs)
Reita : That was "former"!
(Laughs) From all their ways of enjoying, but I think you all still want respect from them respectively.
Reita : Yup yup. Those who wants to be violent can be violent, that's because those who perceives it in an adult-like perspective will definitely do so. I think that they shouldn't mind the things that's happening, I want them to have fun in their own ways.
I have the same thoughts as you. This time's tour, regardless of whether it's released, you all played the new single which had the recorded songs "LEECH", "Distorted Daytime" and "HOLE", and it was a necessity check for you all to do when they were being introduced for the first time.
Ruki : Since we did the lives I've been listening to the CD, I thought that we have really improved the songs from the lives...... and I was thinking "I want to do the recording one more time". (Laughs)
The rest : Uwaa! It's too early. (Laughs)
Ruki : Right. (Laughs) And when we did the 3 songs during lives, it had a better atmosphere than the CD's, and that it's different from the other songs. When we tried to do it, it also had a mood that we experienced for the first time. When the fans got used to the live [songs sung in live] and they hear the CD, they might feel a little wierd. Such an impatience, I would like to use it in our making of songs in the future.
Kai : The new songs, there is a feeling of descending. At first it was fun. When the three songs are piled together during the live, there is a premonition that something will change. Next, because all these three song have power within it, even if we add old songs into the setlist, from there it lets other see the the GazettE's "batsuu!" side. And even the songs that we have done not long ago, the impressions these 5 people have created now has been changed. In this way, the new songs have produced out good effects.
Reita : It's our first time, that we did the new songs before the sound sources were done. In the past there were times where the accompaniment [accompanied singing in which the singing is emphasized over the instrumental part] were done first, but basically for intense songs it wasn't done before. Before I do this, I think about "What should I do?", but when we try doing it, we weren't that all worried... That became one of my confidence.
Aoi : Next, Kai-kun starts the song without counting... we were learning the "Art of starting suddenly". (Laughs)
Reita : Yes. (Laughs) Or perhaps I should say it's an Ultimate move. (Laughs)
The rest : Ultimate move. (Laughs)
Reita : Is it wierd? In any case, we started using that in songs like "Distorted Daytime". When we suddenly start it during the middle of the MC, there's a pleasant feeling. (Laughs) Even though when we suddenly play the riffs that everyone would know, there would be a "Ohh!" scene that appears in your eyes, I think that suddenly playing the new songs are very good. However, the fans, they didn't say anything like "Ohh!" though. (Laughs)
Uruha : The members, they have high ratings. (Laughs) [for Distorted Daytime]
Aoi : It's high. (Laughs) All of us were saying "That, it's good". (Laughs)
Reita : Yes. (Laughs) Our enthusiasm seems to be saying "Take that!". Because of our desire such as that, we devote ourselves into it.
Uruha : Now, isn't this just back to back of the Tour just right in time. When I do it, I would think "LEECH is hard...". During the time when the tour just started, I thought that "Distorted Daytime" and "HOLE" was hard... since I wasn't used to it. After I become used to it, movements are also applied in the song, when I first played it, I was thinking "In what kind of manner should I move?", and also because now I have already reached it [the movements], it [the songs]'s very easy. For "LEECH", we had the shooting of the PV, and because we played it for the first time at Conifer forest, the movement arrives earlier. There is an image of showy movements. But, this is because this song is the hardest. (Laughs) Until this date, I still think so. (Laughs) This song has to be played in a more calm manner...(Laughs)
But, like "LEECH" being the 1st~2nd songs during lives, you don't play it in the part where it [lives] becomes high after all?
Uruha : Yes.Or rather I should say... maybe it's me who doesn't want to hold it back. (Laughs) [To place "LEECH" at the later part of setlists] Even though to have an intense song as the first gives out the image of "bang!", to me if I do it [LEECH] with the feelings similar to "Distorted Daytime", it would have already become very loose. It's melody is the best to bring out the mood, however I've noticed that I should control it. (Laughs) At the later part of the Tour, I noticed that, and I wanted to try it out. Probably things like " "LEECH" has become adult-like" might have been said, but firstly I thought we should start from there. [the control of the song]
Aoi : It was fun to do the new songs. Feelings of "moderate", "nervous" and "fun" are all mixed together. That's because we are fumbling our way through it. If you see that [the process of fumbling through it] it's also quite interesting. Like... even though yesterday's live we were moving much around, today we are adult-like. (Laughs) But for that, I was affirmative too. (Laughs) But, there is a really great explosive power in "LEECH". When the voice in my head goes "Da~n!" [expression when playing the guitar] while I'm playing it, I have the feeling like "it's approaching!!" [Like, something good is coming your way]. Also I had fun while doing "Distorted Daytime". Personally, "HOLE" is... my own song. (Laughs) Even though it's a song that's made for the sake of playing it at lives, it looks like... it's kinda the Recording Sect unexpectedly [meaning it's somehow suited for recording]. (Laughs) I thought it was somehow packed up.
Now that you talk about it, Aoi-kun used Strat [Fender Stratocaster ; Brand of a Guitar] in "HOLE". It was the first time I saw you holding any other guitars other than your Signature Models, I was shocked.
Aoi : I'm shocked too. (Laughs) It was not even in my dreams, that I would even possibly play a Strat. With regards to that guitar, there were various hang-ups. At first the white pickguard, was changed to black. When it was done so, there were talks that it looks cheap-looking. Then, I thought a metal-like mirror [pickguard] is still better. When it was done so, I'm told by Ruki-san "It's not good". (Laughs) My standard is Ruki-san's. (Laughs) Next, I was thinking... if it's Sauvage. (Laughs) [Not sure about what he is talking about here, he mentions ソバージュ. Help is much appreciated, thanks.]
Since you have started on Strat, is there any possibility that you will use various guitars? [Of different brands]
Aoi : No, about that I wasn't considering that much to do so. Even though now I'm using Strat, there's still some resistance towards it. It's like, I feel that the color of the head [Guitar headstock] is too new. Then later I was thinking if I should buy a burner, and then burn it [the headstock]. (Laughs) Or to dip it in cigarettes. [To make it darker]
Everyone : Oo! That's cool. (Laughs) That's tasteful. (Laughs)
Aoi : Then, it's Cigarettes. (Laughs) However when you use different guitars, the changes of the sounds are interesting. When I change the way I hold it, I have a feeling like "Oh, this is the sound of a Strat", and it's a fresh feeling. For this time's tour, I will enjoy it [using different guitars], the things later I'll think about it when it[Tour] ends.
I'll be looking forward to it. Talking about changes, since Yoyogi National Stadium First Gymnasium, Fujikyu Highlands Conifer Forest, and this time's Tour, Ruki-san has been continuously changing his visuals isn't it?
Ruki : Well, if you are talking about my clothes, and hairstyle, I just changed it because I came to hate it halfway. (Laughs)
But, if you try doing various things, it's the prove that you are full of "attack".
Ruki : I wonder... if it's so. But, that hairstyle, I thought that it was a relieve that I don't need to have it[Meaning that hairstyle is not compulsory]. In various meanings, it was quite an agony if I were to say it. (Laughs)
Personally, I liked it... Next, during encores Ruki-san is the only one who doesn't wear a T-shirt, is it because you are fussy over it?
Ruki : T-shirts, is alright if you are carrying an instrument. Isn't it becoming like summer[if he wears T-shirt]. For a Vocalist, that is. (Laughs) In the first place, in the past during encores we do songs like "REGRET". If I were to sing it with a T-shirt worn, I think that somehow, it just seems as if you are wearing the wrong thing.
Even if you come to hate changing, however I'm looking forward to look at Ruki-san's various images. From now onwards, I would like you to try out various things. [In terms of visual]
Ruki : You're right. If it's within my means, I would want to do it... I'll do my best. (Laughs)
I will be expecting it then. Even though talking to everyone of you here gave me a new feeling, however the attitude of continuing activites[lives] made axis, is unlikely to change in the future.
Reita : I think it won't change. When I began the band, when I see someone performing I will receive an impact. I want to have as much opportunities as possible to stand in public. If it's not so, I'm just a pretty much plain person. (Laughs) Really, I think that Lives should be done continuously. Although Lives are done quite much, it doesn't mean that we will be standing on the stage everyday, much less that the fans will be able to attend to the GazettE lives. [if there's a live everyday] And there are also people who can only attend one [live] per year. That's why I want them to have fun, and we have to do a good Live. When we remind ourselves of that, all the lives will become very precious to us. How the surroundings are perceiving us, are also becoming rather severe. If they are kind enough, they will cut to the chase. If they are kind enough, since what is said here already doesn't pass. I think during that time, I will do it strictly.
Kai : Whatever we may do, it is all connected with Lives after all...... since there is such a place. I think from now onwards, I still want to purely have fun. Next, if you talk about lives, I think I would want it to surpass how I think it normally is. With regards to Lives, it has a wierd feeling if it progresses like how you imagined it. Since the thing that you can only discover during Lives, is troubles when they surfaced up[halfway during lives]. I want to treasure these things[unexpected situations] I got at this kind of place[Lives].
Ruki : When the old songs were revived, I've also noticed that there are some parts where the old songs cannot surpass. I want to make songs that requires me to go deep into lives. That's one [of the requirements]. Like when I'm working on that song, how much of the tension should I bring up. Be it in what kind of situations, I want to have an increase in songs that raises up the "guahh!" kind of feeling inside me.
Uruha : I want to go back to the days when we were building the stage. I have a good feeling when doing lives, but I also remembered that there were also parts that were difficult. Like "Aa, this part, it's hard" and "The difficult part about this has changed". How should I put it...... When we make them, as compared to that, the difficult part will also increase proportionally. There are also times when I thought how much further can I can endure with my mentality and body. During rehearsals, is the most difficult times. When I keep trying to improve without compromising, I really feel exhausted. During that time, I was really exhausted... I didn't think that it would become so serious, just to make myself pleased [with his own performance]. But, this is because I obtained satisfactory by checking thoroughly without reaching a compromise. That, is totally different from without thinking anything, and you relax your whole body by sleeping on a sofa or something like that, while turning to and fro. Or rather should I say that I could actually realise that I'm alive. By just knowing this great sensation, I think that I will continue to check thoroughly because my body and mentality would endure as much as possible.
Aoi : I feel that with regards to the live, it's best to "be frank". Like what Uruha said, doing Lives are fun, but the fun part is only the starting. The more lives you do, be it points for improvement, or a problem which must be cleared, they will definitely appear. When these kind of things appear, we cannot ignore it. It's a thing we have to explore during the Tour. Although that, we cannot predict what may happen during the Tour. Since the visitors [fans] will see the appearance of us exploring. But, we have no choice but to do so. Well, it's really difficult... Lives.
If it's okay with you, can you please tell us which part [of the live] will make you feel that it's difficult?
Aoi : ......Everything. (Laughs bitterly) Really, I always feel that making people listen or showing it to them is hard. Since the other party [the band] wishes 100% of your attention. At that time if you want to respond back, you will be able to discover the problem. That, as long as it continues, it probably wouldn't change. But, this is the path that I chose to take, so I would want to investigate it further without compromising.
Zdroj:https://kisekii.livejournal.com/9969.html
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