NAVIGATION
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
Newgrave Magazine Issue#3 2001.
Interview Written By: Kako Tanabe & Matt Riser
Conducted and Translated By: Kako Tanabe
Promotional Photographs by: Shuichi Tsunoda
Hair & Make-up By: Shinnosuke Yamada, Atsushi Yamaguchi (animus)
Styling By: Sawako Sato (ID-bos)
Costume By: ID-Japan
Live Photographs By: Takaaki Henmi
Early in 1997, the Japanese Visual rock scene was blessed with the formation of Dir en grey. Possessing a sound that is dark, heavy, energetic, and truly bizarre, Dir en grey has more than made their mark in history as one of the top visual rock bands of the past decade. With the independent label release of their first mini album "Missa", they achieved chart status and ranked 93 on the Oricon music chart (similar to Billboard here in the US). Within less than a year afterwards, they released their first single which ranked 35; an unheard of task for an indy band (X-Japan being the only other visual band to ever debut with such success). In the past four years, they have released a slew of hit singles and two full length major label albums entitled "Gauze" and "Macabre". In most cases, the success of Dir en grey has been only enjoyed by Japanese audiences, however, with the convenience and ever increasing popularity of the internet, their presence is being felt in America as well as the rest of the world. While much of their sound may be a bit harsh and heavy for the old school fans of Bauhaus and the Cure, the modern wave of energetic Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie followers should definitely explore the world of Dir en grey.
Interview with Kaoru (guitar) and Shinya (drums) from Dir en grey on May 17th, 2001 at Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
What does the name "Dir en grey" mean?
Kaoru: It means "grayish silver coin"...it's a kind of coinage that German ("dir"), French ("en"), and English ("grey") rolled into one.
Who came up with this name?
Kaoru: Each of us came up with a different name for the band at first. Then, I forget who, maybe me, but someone came up with this name, and in the end, it was the one we chose. In fact, I preferred this name from the start. However, there were some members who didn't prefer this, but with a little persuasion I got them to agree to it. (smile)
How long have you all been friends?
Kaoru: Well, it's been 5 or 6 years...it's a bit uneven between each member, but for the most part is has been almost 6 years.
Is there a certain theme or philosophy behind the music and imagery of Dir en grey?
Kaoru: ...No, nothing in particular. I mean, we have nothing in particular that we want to express in words. Anyway, we would like people to listen to our music at first, and then we are curious what they would start to think. We don't have any opinion to force on the people. And perhaps you could think of that as our theme.
Well, I see. Are your fashions and costumes your own creations, or do you have outside designers?
Shinya: Well, first we create our own imagery by ourselves, and then bring that to our designers, and from those designs we work together with the designers to create the clothes.
How do you feel when you see cosplayers dressing like you? Do you ever purposefully create a really strange and bizarre fashion just to see if anyone tries to copy it?
Kaoru: Are you asking if I create something that they can hardly cosplay...?
Yes...do you, Kaoru?
Kaoru: Well, yes, I think I do. I try to create my clothes as strange as possible so nobody can copy them. Also, when they see our photographs, it would often be impossible to make out the details of the black clothes or something...then I try to design its detail elaborately so nobody can recognize them on the photographs. It would be amazing, and I would appreciate it if anyone were to find out the detailed design and cosplay perfectly, but I usually create mine in a way that I doubt that someone would be able to copy them perfectly. (smile)
How about you, Shinya?
Shinya: No, it's not for me. I don't take my image so seriously.
Well, what is your favorite song to play live?
Kaoru: Hmm...my fav? ...I like them all, but as a guitar player, I prefer the songs that I am more confident in playing the guitar solo, so I like our latest song titled "Ain't Afraid To Die" best recently. I feel this kind is better to play live.
Shinya: For me, Macabre...A song titled "Macabre", which is on the album titled "Macabre", is the best.
What are your thoughts about the whole Mp3/Napster movement on the internet? Do you think it has helped your band or hurt your record sales? What's your opinion, Kaoru?
Kaoru: Yeah, I think of it as just another kind of promotion or something...you know what I mean? For instance, singles are OK as Mp3 files because these songs would usually b e featured on the radio of TV as well. We just think of that as a promotion, so I think in the same way about the internet. However, when speaking of the albums, I don't like to put our albums into this movement. You know when I was young, it was a pleasure that I had to save my money to buy the CDs of the bands I liked, and it was great fun that I could take them in my hands. So I don't agree with a movement that is operating only with sounds. Although it seems all right to me to work with these sound files, as long as they get people interested, and to listen to our music. However, it's absolutely impossible for us to think of this movement as our main action program.
Then, could you tell me your thought, Shinya?
Shinya: I'm afraid I'm not so curious.
Do you have no interest?
Shinya: Exactly.
I see. Then, how do you see your sound evolving? Are you still changing?
Kaoru: Well, yeah, there's been some evolution actually. It's so natural because, for instance, what we listen to is still evolving as well. Also, I don't think it is cool to do the same thing forever. If it were really cool, we would have played all the concerts with all the same songs, you know. We are always wanting to do different things, so we can feel fresh all the time. I would rather change and evolve all the time.
Is there any style of music that is starting to find its way into Dir en grey that wasn't there in your previous releases?
Kaoru: Yes, there is, but you know if I mention it, I will absolutely have to do it...(laughter)
Have there been any American bands that have had an influence on you?
Kaoru: When I was younger and easily influenced, I rarely listened to American bands. But after that, there have been a lot of impressive bands in America. However, I don't think of them as an influence.
Who would some of your favorites be?
Kaoru: Well, speaking of current bands...recently...which kind should I mention? (smile)...it's not the latest band, but I liked Snot. Also, lately Papa Roach or something...do you know them? (smile)
I guess you know American bands pretty well?
Kaoru: Yeah. (smile) I like these kinds. And also I like some of more popular bands like Rage or Linkin Park. I sometimes go and see their concerts. So to say, I like the bands which have an element of entertainment. I mean, a band that just makes you curious when you see the inside of their CD for the first time...
Well, have there been any bands for you, Shinya?
Shinya: There's been no one at all.
No one at all? ...I see. From what I understand, most of you were big fans of X-Japan. What was it like to work with Yoshiki as your producer? Were you very nervous in the studio while working with him?
Kaoru: It seemed like nothing but tenseness. Both of us [Kaoru and Shinya] were very much influenced by X [X-Japan]. So much that we started to think we wanted to have our own bands at first. I could not help getting nervous...(laughter)...I worried that I would not be able to do my job very well if I was too nervous, so I tried to change my way of thinking while working with him. I had to be myself no matter how much I admired him. Anyway, we both, Yoshiki and us, aimed to create the best stuff we could, and we had to be more than a star and some fans to do it well.
Shinya, both of you and Yoshiki are drummers, aren't you?
Shinya: Yes.
In this respect, how did you feel about him as a producer?
Shinya: Well, at first I got very nervous, and before that I was thinking he would be very, very severe to me...but, in fact, I was so glad that he treated me kindly.
You didn't expect that he would be kind to you, did you?
Shinya: Oh well. (laughter) So to speak...(more laughter)
Was it your request that Yoshiki worked as your producer? Or was it him that offered to work with you?
Kaoru: It was not him; we asked him to do that.
Is there still anyone else that you hope to work with as your producer or guest musician?
Kaoru: As for an outside producer, I don't think we need one anymore. Of course it would depend on how we would want to appeal to the listeners, but I wonder if the name of the producer was too big, it would let the people prejudge our music. You know they often judge the bands like that? And I don't like that. Hopefully someday we will find out the way to do something with great guest musicians, without them being producers. But anyway, it's still hard for me to give an example. For the present, I will have to try very hard to evolve until I deserve to work with those respectable musicians.
It sounds like you also hope to work with some musicians in foreign countries?
Kaoru: ...That's right. Well, I don't feel like devoting all my energy to doing things like that, but I do hope to do something with some other people. And not only as guest musicians; there are so many people I would like to collaborate on something with.
Is it hard for you to mention who right now?
Kaoru: Yes, too many to mention. Also, nothing seems to change if I mention them or not, you know what I mean? (smile)
Shinya, is there someone you personally hope to work with?
Shinya: Nobody in particular.
You all must receive many gifts from your fans. What do you think was your favorite gift? Have you ever gotten a gift that really scared or disturbed you?
Kaoru: There's a kind of humidifier that sprays de-ionized steam. Someone gave me this, and I liked it best.
Oh, it sounds useful.
Kaoru: Haha, yeah. I don't think I would buy stuff like that for myself. (laughter) But I love to use it if I have it, so I mean my favorite gifts have been the things like that. Also, stuff like underwear is my favorite because I don't go out shopping just to look into the underwear shop so often, you know. So I'd have to say my favorite gift is something that would be useful.
Shinya: I got a vacuum cleaner from a fan.
Vacuum cleaner? Well, something useable again. (laughter) You may get something more from the USA when this interview is printed...
Kaoru: What do you expect we would get?
I mean something "made in USA"...
Kaoru: Oh! Yeah. Recently I got one. It was a waterproof CD deck. I got this as a gift, and it was made in USA. It was with waterproof speakers also. I really liked it.
What concert of band experience has been the most memorable, strange, or embarrassing?
Kaoru: Ah, I had a strange experience that my clothes were ripped and taken off.
Oh, during the concert?
Kaoru: At the concert, yeah. I dove into the audience. I was wearing my clothes at that point, but when I got back to the stage, I was topless. (laughter)
Shinya, what about you?
Shinya: When we were playing at a small club, other members of the band popped me into the audience.
Then what happened?
Shinya: They crumpled me up like...(tearing his hair). I was desperate to get back onstage.
Now that you are playing huge concert halls, do you ever miss the intimacy of smaller venues like that?
Kaoru: I don't miss the intimacy itself.
Does it feel the same?
Kaoru: Yes, because there's still the same good communications in the huge halls as the small clubs. At the halls we can see the audience so well, you know we can see each face of the audience more clearly than at the small venues, so I rather feel the intimacy better. But, talking about the groove of playing live, I sometimes miss the small clubs. Sometimes I really feel like playing the concert at a smaller venue.
How about you, Shinya? Do you ever get frustrated with being the drummer because you are stuck behind the drum set while the rest of the band members get to run around on stage and interact with the audience?
Shinya: I usually don't feel like that.
Can you also feel the communication between you and the audience?
Shinya: Yeah.
Do you play any instruments other than the drums?
Shinya: No, I don't.
From what I understand, you have recently been to Los Angeles. I was also told that you plan to return soon. What was your impression of America?
Kaoru: The first time? My first time was that...I felt like going home. (laughter) To be honest, my throat was sickly, and I don't like the dry weather. I also dislike the wet though. (smile) You know, it was so dry there, so I got a sore throat and had a fever at first. I kinda got homesick pretty badly, and I really felt like getting back to Japan, but then I had adjusted myself to the California weather.
Before you came here, what did you expect LA to be like? How was it different from your expectations?
Kaoru: Well, I didn't expect much, but my expectation was that there must be places like I had seen in some Motley Crue videos. (laughter) I used to expect the same. (more laughter)
Kaoru: I imagined it like this. There's a large car with some chicks, and a young cool guy drives both the car and the chicks, and there's all kinds of cars like this everywhere...(laughter) An amazing world like that.
Then did things seem different in reality?
Kaoru: Too different. (everyone's laughter) there was an ordinary world.
Well, I would like to ask some questions about your latest release song "Ain't Afraid to Die." From its title, I expected an aggressive song like Dir en grey's ever-popular releases, but this sounded quite different, and I got surprised. Did you expect a reaction like this?
Kaoru: No, not at all.
Was this title thought up by all the members?
Kaoru: I named this song. All the members thought about it though. Well, like you said, yeah I think I actually expected that kind of reaction a bit. I thought a little bit about the word "Die," and how at first sight it would be impressive, and how someone may think this song would seem dirty or something. But anyway, I thought up thise title from the meaning of the lyrics. So, I didn't think this title was so different from the imagery of the song.
Shinya, you remixed this song and your remix is also in this CID, and it was very beautiful and romantic. Was that your favorite style of music?
Shinya: Yes, it was.
Was that style only your idea?
Shinya: I came up with the idea by myself, and after that crated the sound with our manipulator.
Well, wasn't there any influence from other members?
Shinya: Nope, not at all.
Then which version do the band usually play onstage?
Kaoru: Of course the first original version. The one with the entire band's sound on it.
I see. The lyrics of this song tell a story, and I think lots of Dir en grey's songs do that. Do you think it is a problem that foreign listeners rarely understand your lyrics?
Kaoru: I don't think it's a problem. We usually listen to the foreign bands without understanding what they are singing. (smile) So I feel it doesn't matter.
What do you think, Shinya?
Shinya: Well, it doesn't matter.
Can you leave a message to the American readers?
Kaoru: ...What shall I say? (smile) Well, if you get curious about our live concerts, we hope you'll do something about that. (laughter)
Then, what about you, Shinya?
Shinya: Well...if you get interested a bit, I hope you try and listen to our music.
Thank you very much.
Kaoru+Shinya: Thank you.
Interview with Kyo (vocals) from Dir en grey via e-mail.
Your vocal style is so bizarre. Where have you found the confidence and inspiration to sing in the manner in which you do? Have you had any formal voice training?
Kyo: No, I have never had any voice training. I have found my wall all by myself. I just sing with my emotions, whether at the studio or on stage. Any skill of singing doesn't mean a thing without emotion. Without this, the audience would not be able to sympathize with my songs, or I would lose the meaning of singing.
Where do you find the inspiration for your lyrics? Do you write from personal experiences? Do the other members ever dislike your lyrics and advise you not to use them?
Kyo: The other members leave all the lyrics up to me, so they don't advise me on anything. The first thing I do is, I listen to the music to create an image before writing lyrics for it. Occasionally, I also write lyrics that are a reverse image of the music.
For many visual bands, the singer is always trying to look pretty. You seem to take a different approach to your image. You do not seem as concerted with the "pin-up boy" image as much as most singers do. When you could look pretty, you often decide to come across as scary or disturbing. Is there any conscious reasoning to this approach?
Kyo: I do hate to be "effeminate." I really hate the effeminate things. Also, one silly band has created a weird imagery of visual rock like "queers" to the other people. I never want Dir en grey to be judged like this. And you know every visual band almost looks the same. So I wanted to find a strictly different direction of our visual imagery, and maybe we are the "visual rock breakers" or "visual rock dropouts." Others usually keep out of the nasty image, but I dare to choose this kind, and I would rather like to be disliked to the bitter end. <3
Conducted and Translated By: Kako Tanabe
Promotional Photographs by: Shuichi Tsunoda
Hair & Make-up By: Shinnosuke Yamada, Atsushi Yamaguchi (animus)
Styling By: Sawako Sato (ID-bos)
Costume By: ID-Japan
Live Photographs By: Takaaki Henmi
Early in 1997, the Japanese Visual rock scene was blessed with the formation of Dir en grey. Possessing a sound that is dark, heavy, energetic, and truly bizarre, Dir en grey has more than made their mark in history as one of the top visual rock bands of the past decade. With the independent label release of their first mini album "Missa", they achieved chart status and ranked 93 on the Oricon music chart (similar to Billboard here in the US). Within less than a year afterwards, they released their first single which ranked 35; an unheard of task for an indy band (X-Japan being the only other visual band to ever debut with such success). In the past four years, they have released a slew of hit singles and two full length major label albums entitled "Gauze" and "Macabre". In most cases, the success of Dir en grey has been only enjoyed by Japanese audiences, however, with the convenience and ever increasing popularity of the internet, their presence is being felt in America as well as the rest of the world. While much of their sound may be a bit harsh and heavy for the old school fans of Bauhaus and the Cure, the modern wave of energetic Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie followers should definitely explore the world of Dir en grey.
Interview with Kaoru (guitar) and Shinya (drums) from Dir en grey on May 17th, 2001 at Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
What does the name "Dir en grey" mean?
Kaoru: It means "grayish silver coin"...it's a kind of coinage that German ("dir"), French ("en"), and English ("grey") rolled into one.
Who came up with this name?
Kaoru: Each of us came up with a different name for the band at first. Then, I forget who, maybe me, but someone came up with this name, and in the end, it was the one we chose. In fact, I preferred this name from the start. However, there were some members who didn't prefer this, but with a little persuasion I got them to agree to it. (smile)
How long have you all been friends?
Kaoru: Well, it's been 5 or 6 years...it's a bit uneven between each member, but for the most part is has been almost 6 years.
Is there a certain theme or philosophy behind the music and imagery of Dir en grey?
Kaoru: ...No, nothing in particular. I mean, we have nothing in particular that we want to express in words. Anyway, we would like people to listen to our music at first, and then we are curious what they would start to think. We don't have any opinion to force on the people. And perhaps you could think of that as our theme.
Well, I see. Are your fashions and costumes your own creations, or do you have outside designers?
Shinya: Well, first we create our own imagery by ourselves, and then bring that to our designers, and from those designs we work together with the designers to create the clothes.
How do you feel when you see cosplayers dressing like you? Do you ever purposefully create a really strange and bizarre fashion just to see if anyone tries to copy it?
Kaoru: Are you asking if I create something that they can hardly cosplay...?
Yes...do you, Kaoru?
Kaoru: Well, yes, I think I do. I try to create my clothes as strange as possible so nobody can copy them. Also, when they see our photographs, it would often be impossible to make out the details of the black clothes or something...then I try to design its detail elaborately so nobody can recognize them on the photographs. It would be amazing, and I would appreciate it if anyone were to find out the detailed design and cosplay perfectly, but I usually create mine in a way that I doubt that someone would be able to copy them perfectly. (smile)
How about you, Shinya?
Shinya: No, it's not for me. I don't take my image so seriously.
Well, what is your favorite song to play live?
Kaoru: Hmm...my fav? ...I like them all, but as a guitar player, I prefer the songs that I am more confident in playing the guitar solo, so I like our latest song titled "Ain't Afraid To Die" best recently. I feel this kind is better to play live.
Shinya: For me, Macabre...A song titled "Macabre", which is on the album titled "Macabre", is the best.
What are your thoughts about the whole Mp3/Napster movement on the internet? Do you think it has helped your band or hurt your record sales? What's your opinion, Kaoru?
Kaoru: Yeah, I think of it as just another kind of promotion or something...you know what I mean? For instance, singles are OK as Mp3 files because these songs would usually b e featured on the radio of TV as well. We just think of that as a promotion, so I think in the same way about the internet. However, when speaking of the albums, I don't like to put our albums into this movement. You know when I was young, it was a pleasure that I had to save my money to buy the CDs of the bands I liked, and it was great fun that I could take them in my hands. So I don't agree with a movement that is operating only with sounds. Although it seems all right to me to work with these sound files, as long as they get people interested, and to listen to our music. However, it's absolutely impossible for us to think of this movement as our main action program.
Then, could you tell me your thought, Shinya?
Shinya: I'm afraid I'm not so curious.
Do you have no interest?
Shinya: Exactly.
I see. Then, how do you see your sound evolving? Are you still changing?
Kaoru: Well, yeah, there's been some evolution actually. It's so natural because, for instance, what we listen to is still evolving as well. Also, I don't think it is cool to do the same thing forever. If it were really cool, we would have played all the concerts with all the same songs, you know. We are always wanting to do different things, so we can feel fresh all the time. I would rather change and evolve all the time.
Is there any style of music that is starting to find its way into Dir en grey that wasn't there in your previous releases?
Kaoru: Yes, there is, but you know if I mention it, I will absolutely have to do it...(laughter)
Have there been any American bands that have had an influence on you?
Kaoru: When I was younger and easily influenced, I rarely listened to American bands. But after that, there have been a lot of impressive bands in America. However, I don't think of them as an influence.
Who would some of your favorites be?
Kaoru: Well, speaking of current bands...recently...which kind should I mention? (smile)...it's not the latest band, but I liked Snot. Also, lately Papa Roach or something...do you know them? (smile)
I guess you know American bands pretty well?
Kaoru: Yeah. (smile) I like these kinds. And also I like some of more popular bands like Rage or Linkin Park. I sometimes go and see their concerts. So to say, I like the bands which have an element of entertainment. I mean, a band that just makes you curious when you see the inside of their CD for the first time...
Well, have there been any bands for you, Shinya?
Shinya: There's been no one at all.
No one at all? ...I see. From what I understand, most of you were big fans of X-Japan. What was it like to work with Yoshiki as your producer? Were you very nervous in the studio while working with him?
Kaoru: It seemed like nothing but tenseness. Both of us [Kaoru and Shinya] were very much influenced by X [X-Japan]. So much that we started to think we wanted to have our own bands at first. I could not help getting nervous...(laughter)...I worried that I would not be able to do my job very well if I was too nervous, so I tried to change my way of thinking while working with him. I had to be myself no matter how much I admired him. Anyway, we both, Yoshiki and us, aimed to create the best stuff we could, and we had to be more than a star and some fans to do it well.
Shinya, both of you and Yoshiki are drummers, aren't you?
Shinya: Yes.
In this respect, how did you feel about him as a producer?
Shinya: Well, at first I got very nervous, and before that I was thinking he would be very, very severe to me...but, in fact, I was so glad that he treated me kindly.
You didn't expect that he would be kind to you, did you?
Shinya: Oh well. (laughter) So to speak...(more laughter)
Was it your request that Yoshiki worked as your producer? Or was it him that offered to work with you?
Kaoru: It was not him; we asked him to do that.
Is there still anyone else that you hope to work with as your producer or guest musician?
Kaoru: As for an outside producer, I don't think we need one anymore. Of course it would depend on how we would want to appeal to the listeners, but I wonder if the name of the producer was too big, it would let the people prejudge our music. You know they often judge the bands like that? And I don't like that. Hopefully someday we will find out the way to do something with great guest musicians, without them being producers. But anyway, it's still hard for me to give an example. For the present, I will have to try very hard to evolve until I deserve to work with those respectable musicians.
It sounds like you also hope to work with some musicians in foreign countries?
Kaoru: ...That's right. Well, I don't feel like devoting all my energy to doing things like that, but I do hope to do something with some other people. And not only as guest musicians; there are so many people I would like to collaborate on something with.
Is it hard for you to mention who right now?
Kaoru: Yes, too many to mention. Also, nothing seems to change if I mention them or not, you know what I mean? (smile)
Shinya, is there someone you personally hope to work with?
Shinya: Nobody in particular.
You all must receive many gifts from your fans. What do you think was your favorite gift? Have you ever gotten a gift that really scared or disturbed you?
Kaoru: There's a kind of humidifier that sprays de-ionized steam. Someone gave me this, and I liked it best.
Oh, it sounds useful.
Kaoru: Haha, yeah. I don't think I would buy stuff like that for myself. (laughter) But I love to use it if I have it, so I mean my favorite gifts have been the things like that. Also, stuff like underwear is my favorite because I don't go out shopping just to look into the underwear shop so often, you know. So I'd have to say my favorite gift is something that would be useful.
Shinya: I got a vacuum cleaner from a fan.
Vacuum cleaner? Well, something useable again. (laughter) You may get something more from the USA when this interview is printed...
Kaoru: What do you expect we would get?
I mean something "made in USA"...
Kaoru: Oh! Yeah. Recently I got one. It was a waterproof CD deck. I got this as a gift, and it was made in USA. It was with waterproof speakers also. I really liked it.
What concert of band experience has been the most memorable, strange, or embarrassing?
Kaoru: Ah, I had a strange experience that my clothes were ripped and taken off.
Oh, during the concert?
Kaoru: At the concert, yeah. I dove into the audience. I was wearing my clothes at that point, but when I got back to the stage, I was topless. (laughter)
Shinya, what about you?
Shinya: When we were playing at a small club, other members of the band popped me into the audience.
Then what happened?
Shinya: They crumpled me up like...(tearing his hair). I was desperate to get back onstage.
Now that you are playing huge concert halls, do you ever miss the intimacy of smaller venues like that?
Kaoru: I don't miss the intimacy itself.
Does it feel the same?
Kaoru: Yes, because there's still the same good communications in the huge halls as the small clubs. At the halls we can see the audience so well, you know we can see each face of the audience more clearly than at the small venues, so I rather feel the intimacy better. But, talking about the groove of playing live, I sometimes miss the small clubs. Sometimes I really feel like playing the concert at a smaller venue.
How about you, Shinya? Do you ever get frustrated with being the drummer because you are stuck behind the drum set while the rest of the band members get to run around on stage and interact with the audience?
Shinya: I usually don't feel like that.
Can you also feel the communication between you and the audience?
Shinya: Yeah.
Do you play any instruments other than the drums?
Shinya: No, I don't.
From what I understand, you have recently been to Los Angeles. I was also told that you plan to return soon. What was your impression of America?
Kaoru: The first time? My first time was that...I felt like going home. (laughter) To be honest, my throat was sickly, and I don't like the dry weather. I also dislike the wet though. (smile) You know, it was so dry there, so I got a sore throat and had a fever at first. I kinda got homesick pretty badly, and I really felt like getting back to Japan, but then I had adjusted myself to the California weather.
Before you came here, what did you expect LA to be like? How was it different from your expectations?
Kaoru: Well, I didn't expect much, but my expectation was that there must be places like I had seen in some Motley Crue videos. (laughter) I used to expect the same. (more laughter)
Kaoru: I imagined it like this. There's a large car with some chicks, and a young cool guy drives both the car and the chicks, and there's all kinds of cars like this everywhere...(laughter) An amazing world like that.
Then did things seem different in reality?
Kaoru: Too different. (everyone's laughter) there was an ordinary world.
Well, I would like to ask some questions about your latest release song "Ain't Afraid to Die." From its title, I expected an aggressive song like Dir en grey's ever-popular releases, but this sounded quite different, and I got surprised. Did you expect a reaction like this?
Kaoru: No, not at all.
Was this title thought up by all the members?
Kaoru: I named this song. All the members thought about it though. Well, like you said, yeah I think I actually expected that kind of reaction a bit. I thought a little bit about the word "Die," and how at first sight it would be impressive, and how someone may think this song would seem dirty or something. But anyway, I thought up thise title from the meaning of the lyrics. So, I didn't think this title was so different from the imagery of the song.
Shinya, you remixed this song and your remix is also in this CID, and it was very beautiful and romantic. Was that your favorite style of music?
Shinya: Yes, it was.
Was that style only your idea?
Shinya: I came up with the idea by myself, and after that crated the sound with our manipulator.
Well, wasn't there any influence from other members?
Shinya: Nope, not at all.
Then which version do the band usually play onstage?
Kaoru: Of course the first original version. The one with the entire band's sound on it.
I see. The lyrics of this song tell a story, and I think lots of Dir en grey's songs do that. Do you think it is a problem that foreign listeners rarely understand your lyrics?
Kaoru: I don't think it's a problem. We usually listen to the foreign bands without understanding what they are singing. (smile) So I feel it doesn't matter.
What do you think, Shinya?
Shinya: Well, it doesn't matter.
Can you leave a message to the American readers?
Kaoru: ...What shall I say? (smile) Well, if you get curious about our live concerts, we hope you'll do something about that. (laughter)
Then, what about you, Shinya?
Shinya: Well...if you get interested a bit, I hope you try and listen to our music.
Thank you very much.
Kaoru+Shinya: Thank you.
Interview with Kyo (vocals) from Dir en grey via e-mail.
Your vocal style is so bizarre. Where have you found the confidence and inspiration to sing in the manner in which you do? Have you had any formal voice training?
Kyo: No, I have never had any voice training. I have found my wall all by myself. I just sing with my emotions, whether at the studio or on stage. Any skill of singing doesn't mean a thing without emotion. Without this, the audience would not be able to sympathize with my songs, or I would lose the meaning of singing.
Where do you find the inspiration for your lyrics? Do you write from personal experiences? Do the other members ever dislike your lyrics and advise you not to use them?
Kyo: The other members leave all the lyrics up to me, so they don't advise me on anything. The first thing I do is, I listen to the music to create an image before writing lyrics for it. Occasionally, I also write lyrics that are a reverse image of the music.
For many visual bands, the singer is always trying to look pretty. You seem to take a different approach to your image. You do not seem as concerted with the "pin-up boy" image as much as most singers do. When you could look pretty, you often decide to come across as scary or disturbing. Is there any conscious reasoning to this approach?
Kyo: I do hate to be "effeminate." I really hate the effeminate things. Also, one silly band has created a weird imagery of visual rock like "queers" to the other people. I never want Dir en grey to be judged like this. And you know every visual band almost looks the same. So I wanted to find a strictly different direction of our visual imagery, and maybe we are the "visual rock breakers" or "visual rock dropouts." Others usually keep out of the nasty image, but I dare to choose this kind, and I would rather like to be disliked to the bitter end. <3
THE SITE
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
Small Large |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
