Rock & Read 0043 Kai Part 2

Saying that can make you feel some dignity, I suppose. It wasn’t spontaneous that you stood on the stage of Tokyo Dome but you earned it by playing other big venues before.

That’s right. That’s the case I think.

Now that I think about it, there are many people who think that Budoukan is small too, right?

It was small, right? The venue that felt the biggest until now was Shibuya AX (lol). Because it was the first time we experienced a live in that dimension and it felt really wide! It was like ‘Why here? “Why that many people?’(lol).

It was fresh, wasn’t it? (lol) I’ll come back to talking about Tokyo Dome but how was the live itself?

We didn’t feel the scope much but I think we were able to release the GazettE as always. We weren’t intimidated at all by Tokyo Dome. After the live started I even forgot that it was Tokyo Dome. I just thought that it’s the tour final or something like that. There were no strong feelings about Tokyo Dome.

Even though it was the place you had been aiming for since childhood, when you stood there yourself, it was kind of different, right?

Yeah, it's strange though.

If musicians stand on stage nothing matters anymore, whether live house, arena, Japan or oversea. Thats’s pretty common.

Yeah. Because I'm always behind the drum set, the space Ihave doesn't change, right? There's no room to run around and also no stage passage. Especially since I started to pile up (more equipment), right? I ended up with a space where even if I close my eyes I'm still able to hit the drums (lol).

Somehow relieving, somehow lonely (lol). If you're summarizing the Tokyo Dome live, there were many things that happened on the journey towards it but is it okay to think that the live isn't negated by them?

It is. Not just for me, all the members have absolutely no impression that the live itself was negated.

Personally I'm really happy that I was able to see a typical the GazettE live in Tokyo Dome. I had goosebumps when ‚DIM SCENE‘ started to play and I think I won't forget that feeling in all my lifetime.

Ahaha! I'm happy (lol). After Tokyo Dome was over, as expected I was saved by the voices of the fans. I was simply happy, wasn't I? We were told things like ‚You came so far?‘, or ‚ I’ve been following the GazettE for so many years now, I'm so happy!‘. Those words really saved me. In this respect Tokyo Dome was a really great live I think.

I'm relieved to hear that. It was in another magazine but Ruki-san was interviewed right after Tokyo Dome, right? At that time, Ruki said: ‚When we did the live in Tokyo Dome, we noticed many things‘ How do you think about that?

I think he meant that we had just been looking upwards until then. Whenever we released an album, we would go on tour and talk about where our final should be, we were always aiming to reach one step higher than before, right? If you think like that Tokyo Dome would be the biggest live house you could aim for, right? Especially because Tokyo Dome was our dream and afterwards we started to think about where we should head from now on. But it was easy to turn back to the past, while we listened to everything everyone had to say. In conclusion we wanted to pursue the real joy of the GazettE, with this goal in mind everyone changed. If just one person had not turned into that same direction, the whole band would have been in an tenuous situation, I think. But that never happened. I just snapped, and reached my goal, Tokyo Dome. It took about 8 years until then, I think, but the change just naturally happened. Even though we didn't talk about it, at that time either, we walked those steps in unison after all.

That’s the magic of ‘The GazettE magic‘, you're in a great condition, right?

Exactly (lol). Afterwards we immediately went through selecting songs again, but all the songs we brought were nostalgic! (lol) When we listened to what everyone had created, we remembered many things from the past. We said a lot of things like ‘ahh, this chord process is nostalgic’ or ‘this texture is super nostalgic” (lol). That made me remember that everyone in the band has the same feelings. As expected of the main producer, Ruki, he showed us that he was looking one step ahead. This one was really good. It combined the awesomeness of bands from the past with looking ahead into the future. That was “VORTEX.”

You didn’t go with the phrases “back to the roots” and “nostalgia for the good old days”. Instead, the right answer was to walk a new path, right?

Exactly. That’s Rukis strength, isn’t it?

After Tokyo Dome you had the two sided tour ABYSS/LUCY, then VORTEX was released in 2011 “TOXIC” which was an album that expressed the GazettE’s aggressiveness.

For ABYSS/LUCY we decided to do a 2 days FC tour in spring 2011, right? We thought the concept would be more interesting if we did 2 days. Then we decided to do lives that are the polar opposites of each other. That means we wanted to show our FC members something they usually wouldn't be able to see, and it hadn’t had such a deep meaning first.

But I have the feeling that such extreme lives have a great meaning for the band.

That’s right. When I did ABYSS, I had a lot of songs where I thought, ‘Ahh, If you play them now, they’ll sound like that, huh’. Besides, I thought that the GazettE is valued for the aggressive parts but I also understood that everyone likes the emotional parts too. In that sense, the tour was really successful.

ABYSS/ LUCY also had a connection to the latest album DIVISION, right? I think the GazettE is a band that won’t let anything end idly.

Yeah. We don’t do things that aren’t connected to each other, right? It’s the same as the conversation about the recording we had earlier, there are many things you wouldn’t know until you tried them. Once you do it yourself, you really understand them, use them and proceed and repeat that. It’s just a natural flow that DIVISION is also connected to ABYSS/LUCY.

Before we talk about DIVISION, how was the previous album TOXIC?

If I think about the feelings, TOXIC and VORTEX were exactly the same, right? It was fun, not being tied to anything, but being able act freely. Thanks to that, which it turned into an album that had a great feeling of freedom to it! We didn’t aim for anything specific but just like always, we had a certain amount of singing, songs to go wild to… with that balance it turned into quite an aggressive album.

The tour for TOXIC was an aggressive and artistic one, and I got the impression that you directly shaped what you really wanted to do.

The tour at that time had an open feeling too. That’s why we had a lot of things we turned our attention to. For me that was the sound, right? For me it was a big thing to concentrate on my sound and on improving it. I’m convinced that if we were to meet again in 5 years for an interview, this topic will come up again. Thanks to the experiences we’ve gained until now, we didn’t just “try” to change, we did “change”. It was the first time that I had changed something based on the future. The result was great and made the tour really satisfying. When I saw the live DVD I also felt that myself. I thought that the sound had improved.

Even now, where nearly 10 years have passed, you still have that affronting posture that brings great results, right? After the tour for TOXIC was over, you released the new album DIVISION this year in August.

Of course we talked about the next year during the TOXIC tour. In that conversation Ruki told us that he had doubts about releasing another single, the reason being that we thought an album would offer deeper content. Besides, after releasing something we usually want to go on tour but if we just created a single there would only be 3 new songs. A tour like that wouldn’t be much different than the previous tour. For showing everyone the current the GazettE an album would be the best!

You’re really hard to deal with, right?

Ahaha. Well we did the talk about doing a mini album but everyone was a little hesitant about that. When Ruki proposed to make two mini albums into one, everyone went like ‘That’s it, that’s it!” (lol).

You took that step in unison too, right? (lol) DIVISION was split into two groups (the first press limited edition), but how did you decide to separate them?

Until then I still had just one drum! (lol) In the beginning we had the singing and the aggressive songs. We made those our sound source, went on tour with them and so on. If we think about our live flow until then, we really couldn't think about doing just 5 melodious songs, right? At that time we remembered ABYSS/LUCY. We were able to create such diverse lives because of the two days played. Had we played just one, it would have felt halfhearted, right? So when we thought about how to separate the songs into groups, the next that happened was TOXIC. TOXIC started with VORTEX, but it was already a step ahead of VORTEX too. We talked about releasing more songs like that. That's where the first CD was decided on. Based on that, we had to release a new the GazettE for the second CD. If we wouldn’t do that we weren’t going to turn into a new direction. And with those turns and twists we decided to really go for that style.

While separating it into disc 1 with melodious and luxurious, and disc 2 with aggressive and digitally produced songs, those two disc still have links to each other which makes it exquisite.

I know right? This is no advertisement but if you didn’t listen to the first press limited album, which is separated into 2 parts, there is no meaning? The first press limited version conveys our current self completely. Not just with the two faces but also the artwork and the booklet. It was RUKI who thought about that too but even the other members were getting behind the intention in the progress. I think you’ll know why we separated it into 2 parts if you buy the first press limited. You know, I want you to buy the first press at all costs (lol).

I understand that very well. Although it’s 2 parts, both are intended to be independent and in the process of completing them you were especially careful about that.

I think that’s because we already had some kind of balance in our heads when we chose the songs. That’s why, even after the separation, the album had a really great structure.

As expected. Could you give us one song of DIVISION that gives you a strong impression?

From disc 1, it’s IBITSU, isn’t it? Because that was also our starting point. Out of all the songs on DIVISION, that songs feels best to play. The idea of it already existed at the time of REMEMBER THE URGE and it’s a song with a lot of emotional attachment. To live in the same generation as we do, to love music, and as people who started a band together, this song just grabs the heart, I think. I’m really happy we’re able to perform such a song. To young people who listen to it now, it might sound old or it might feel fresh, I don’t really know. But I think that it’s a wonderful song and that it pushes me to convey the greatness and coolness of this world. It’s presumptuous though. Why I’m saying this is because it is typical for the GazettE but I don’t want you to think of the band right away when you listen to it. I rather want to convey that Visual Kei means that such a coolness has already been present since former times. I like IBITSU because it makes you feel exactly that.

I think it’s really important to have the consciousness to express the following: On disc 1 there’s KAGO NO SANAGI which was written by Kai-san, right?

Yes.

It’s been a while since Kai-san wrote a song, right?

I always bring songs though (lol). Fans often tell me to ‘write more songs’ or things like that but well, I do bring them! (lol) That’s why I’m really happy that KAGO NO SANAGI was included. Lately, even if I was able to feel some response from the members, the song still wouldn’t get picked during song collections meetings. In the past I didn’t look confident while everyone was listening to the song and while I secretly thought that the song is good, I remember the pleasure when it got approved in the end (lol). When I brought this song, it was pretty low quality compared to the demos the others had brought with them but I thought maybe it conveys the atmosphere nonetheless. Whether it was the process of the chords, the atmosphere of the song or the structure, if just one member had been pulled in by one of these, I would have been really lucky- that’s how I felt. And then, when they heard this song, when they heard my song they became silent… that was a really rare picture for me (lol). I was like: ‘huh? Won’t you say anything to me?’(lol) Even though they’re usually chuckling, they just kept silent and listened. That’s why I thought ‘maybe…?’. So we talked about it and the conclusion was that the song really wasn’t bad and that made my doubts pass (lol)

It’s a great emotional song and grew into the role of the hook of disc 1, right?

Really? I don#t really know (lol). I’m often told that the chords I create are strange, though. But I think that song was difficult for everyone. From the demo onward the arrangement was pretty strange, but thanks to everyone’s help we were able to complete it in a good way, weren’t we?

I’m expecting your next songs too. How is disc 2?

Disc 2 is more… there are many things but what should I say…One particular song that leaves an impression is DERANGEMENT, I guess? It’s an enthusiastic song and has something like a ‘constant fun kind of feeling to it. It’s rare for the GazettE to do things such as changing the rhythm to match the song development. That’s why this song leaves a strong impression, right? There are many more things about this song though.

Aren’t there many songs on disc 2 that are difficult for the drums?

There are. It was the first time we included so many loop beats throughout the whole album, right? Until now, we’ve had songs like FILTH IN THE BEAUTY where the loop is just in the background and the band is in front. This time, it was exactly like that too! We have quite a lot of songs where the beat pattern is made out of loops and raw drums. To tell the truth, I still don't have the confidence to reproduce that properly during the lives. In regard to that, I have one personal goal for this tour, and I'm really sorry for the fans, but I think I'll tone down the wild actions during the live a little. Being able to hit the drums without hurting the body is connected to hitting the exact rhythm synchronously with the loop. I’ve always left this part out until now! Despite the fact that you shouldn't leave parts out as a drummer. It‘s a good opportunity for me to try it, because you can‘t hit the drums without shifting so you’re always making a big show but there’s is difference between that show and being able to do big hits (on the drums). For that purpose I‘m building up my lower body right now.

Is it necessary to work out? Usually you'd think hitting the drums would use more body strength, right?

No, how should I say that… It's really easy to understand, I say it simply. Are you right handed?

I am.

Can you throw a ball with one hand like with the other?

I can't.

It's the feeling to try to be able to do exactly this! The point is, my right leg has always been my priority until now, my upper half is also moving as if it's cheating. I don't know if you can call it cheating because it also creates a rhythm at the same time. I want to correct that. It's kind of ridiculous to talk about it! I've been hitting the drums for half my life now and always had that kind of playing style. That‘s why it‘s impossible to suddenly be able to use the left as well as the right, so I‘m starting from the beginning again. I’ve been playing Luna Sea’s JESUS and also other song with my left hand for some time now. In doing this I returned to the beginning, doing everything I always did with the right with the left. I think it will take a few years but I do want to pursue it. I have more knowledge about drums now so it is different from the past but because I use my right hand only, my left hand also improved. That‘s why I‘m convinced that it‘s efficient but nothing you‘ll accomplish in 2 or 3 months.

That surprises me a lot. Even if you don't change the form, for you, who achieves so much, to go that far...

That's the price for skipping (lol). We'll be performing the songs from DIVISION on tour soon, won’t we? I don't want the audience to feel that I’ve had difficulty! At lives people who never look at the drums… for example other member’s fans, they are always watching the person they like. But the sound of the drums just naturally enters the ear and it’s comfortable because it doesn't disturb the rhythm so you can enjoy the live, right? If I say it like that, isn‘t that a ‚zero condition‘ for the listeners? I want the songs from DIVISION to reach that far too, but that zero is quite high at the moment. When my drums join the loop beat it doesn’t waver at all so they would notice. It wouldn’t be good if the fans felt odd without knowing the reason. When I thought about how I could avoid that, I realized that I have to correct myself.

Stoic as ever, aren't you? Not running from the problems but to confront them is something I really respect.

Thank you very much. But that's also connected to improving the skills as a drummer, and because it's definitely something crucial for the GazettE. I'm practicing without giving up. It‘s just, like I said earlier, to master that, I think it will take years. That‘s why for now, I want to reach as far as I can until the tour starts. I‘m practicing 6 days a week alone.

Eh? 6 days a week?!...I don't have words for this anymore. Please be careful to not destroy your health, okay? I'm returning to the topic of the GazettE but after 10 years, what is the GazettE aiming for from now on?

Hmm...I think that many people say that about the GazettE but we really are a haphazard band! In a really good way. If something comes up that we want to do we won’t feel relieved until we try it, right? Furthermore, with the experience we have gathered until now, we're confident that after trying something new, the next thing to do will come up automatically. We’ve already decided on most of next years activities and it was either our manager or someone else who wrote „Song production" into our schedule. I doubt that anyone will write a single song though. When the next thing we want to do comes up but we haven’t experience it yet, we won‘t be able to produce songs for it. That‘s why even when you ask me what we‘re aiming for next, the truth is, I really can‘t say anything (lol).

Oh-Okay (lol). It’s just that top bands that just surpassed the 10 year mark usually calm down with the releases and other activities, don’t they? The GazettE didn’t show any signs of doing so and I get the feeling that you’re creating a new image of a top band.

I wonder. I have always loved lives since the past and lives are everything for me. I’m sorry but whether it’s photo shootings, interviews or recordings, everything's connected to lives in a good way so I enjoy doing them. I think that’s probably the same for all the members! That’s why I want to have energetic lives from now on too and like I said earlier, to have the ideal live, new songs are necessary. In that sense, I think that the GazettE won’t change its pace from now on either.