I: 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?
K: Yes.
I: It’s been a while since Kai-san wrote a song, right?
K: 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)
I: It’s a great emotional song and grew into the role of the hook of disc 1, right?
K: 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: I’m expecting your next songs too. How is disc 2?
K: 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.
I: Aren’t there many songs on disc 2 that are difficult for the drums?
K: 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.
I: Is it necessary to work out? Usually you’d think hitting the drums would use more body strength, right?
K: No, how should I say that… It’s really easy to understand, I say it simply. Are you right handed?
I: I am.
K: Can you throw a ball with one hand like with the other?
I: I can’t.
K: 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.
I: That surprises me a lot. Even if you don’t change the form, for you, who achieves so much, to go that far…
K: 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.
I: Stoic as ever, aren’t you? Not running from the problems but to confront them is something I really respect.
K: 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.
I: 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?
K: 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).
I: 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.
K 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.
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