Kezia:

Kezia or Keziah is a Hebrew name used in the Old Testament. A number of etymologies have been suggested, among them the Hebrew for C, Cassia from the name for the spice tree.

In the Old Testament, the second of the three daughters born to job after his sufferings is named Keziah . The name has been taken to symbolizes female equality, since all of Job's three daughters received an inheritance from their father, an unusual circumstance in a time period when women and men were not treated equally.

In the United Kingdom, the name Kezia is now unusual, but it was more common in Victorian times. In 1890, the births of 137 children named Kezia were registered in England; in 1990, only 40 were


.LisaBlaque

         2 weeks into school and I've already gotten the bad grade talk. Wow, Lisa you really out do yourself don't you ? It's definitely not because I'm incapable, but rather the fact that I'm messy, busy, procrastinate, and lazy.  The only subject in school I actually am having troubles in is math [a.k.a. variables and radicals.] my mom is actually willing to do something for me by paying for tutoring. [Yay?] Well anyways, things are going good as gold ! [Not that gold is good or anything .__.] I actually know everything and understand it, but more in a personal sense as opposed to say, academic? If that makes any sense at all. I want to buy a new iPod -___- ! Because recently, it was stolen in the past couple weeks at school, second one to be stolen at Brit... [wooo!] As a matter of fact, I was actually browsing through craigslist today and found one for $160 [iPod video in 80 gb] Being the idiot I am I'll probably end up getting it, after all that is a really good price. Poor guy must not know the value of iPods these days...

Being without my music has been fucking hell though, I'm not even kidding. [notice how I said 'fucking']
         Anyways though, I've just been sort of daydreaming again, not that I've ever taken a break but its become quite more.... realistic ? I think its from Maki [This post-hyper-active dancer I've recently become instant best friends with. She's just amazing]. Because lately the both of us have been fangirling about Gazetto, well more like Reita and Kai. I think that it's good though, considering how the hell my mind has been lately, along with a not-so-pleasing mood... I just feel like jumping into that little dream world her and I made and stay there for a bit. 

I wish that I had this little remote control, it would have the buttons to be able to make fantasies come true, or whatever your mind thinks of.
Oh wait ! I already do.
It's called lucid dreaming, if you havent heard about it...
My lucid dreaming techniques have fallen into the dark lately because I actually haven't dreamt in a whole of 2 weeks. [A lot for me if you didn't know]
When I finally get enough sleep, at least to put SOMETHING in my dreaded Dream Journal...
I'll start lucid dreaming and wouldn't ever want to wake or stay up.



.LisaBlaque

Bonjour,

     Yesterday I had finished stringing my Floyd Rose, it was actually really fun and easy. Last time I messed up big time... now I just kind of wondered how. I used DR Extra Life Handmade coated guitar strings in black beauties, they sound a bit awkward but they're probably just stretching out. I love how the mash together with the silver and add a little bit of character...  my dad saw this dent in my guitar that has been in there for the longest time and started yelling at me randomly, he told me to throw it away -___- Honestly, I would never fucking throw a guitar away, what a waste of hard work.
     One of the strings snapped while I was tuning it so today I went out to downtown with Marcus to buy a new one. We went to PC and then made our way to grandville. Went into Tom lee, I bought some thin picks for playing power and then got my .11 string. It's silver and plain.... -sigh- it looks kind of cool though, in the guitar of black strings. While in the pouring rain I made a new word, snai. Snai means snow and rain :) It snai's alot in Vancouver hahas xD Today was fun, I guess, I got to take a few photo's with Marcus and then dilly-dally around at my place. He's starting to grow on my dad, considering my dad use to have a raging fury for him... LOL


.LisaBlaque

Usually I use facebook for this sort of thing, but whatever.
Not too many people know me here on LJ so I might as well ramble on with what thoughts I have.
Recently, I joined a band called L'iminate, we do covers. First practice was on last Sunday as well.. The beginning was pretty awkward till I started acting almost like a coach and gave advice. Made me seem like a little know it all really, but there's nothing I can do now. I actually didn't play a single note on my guitar... Instead I took this oppurtunity to observe everybody that I hadn't known and take in their skills and playing techniques. Then from that I was able to assume some personalities so I would be able to approach them in a proper manner.
Honestly though,
I never wanted to be in a band, it was sort of a pledge to myself.
Reasons? Plenty.
Even if I did make a pretty good rockstar or whatever -
Thats not quite what I wanna do for a living.
I want to be known for my future record in the arts, while not using a status as a musician to get there.
I want to be known as a a photographer.
I want to be known for being nomadic.
I want to be known to the world as talented and skilled in the arts.
I want to be known in the art world.
I want to be known as someone who sticks to their desires.
I want to be known as a novelist/journalist.
I want to be known as Lisa Blaque.


That is why I will not keep with any dead serious bands.

I play drums.
I play guitar.
I play bass. [Future Proche]

I have a plan for the future, and now I guess.
-sigh-
One day I'll get there... sooner or later.

Anyways, L'iminate's first live is in March [yay!]
It's actually been awhile since I've performed in front of crowds or anything so this may be a bit of a challenge. [Probably not though :/ ]
Anyways, its about that time of year when I have to string my Floyd Rose. Yum... NOT! Last time I tried to fucking re-string this I fucked up.
On the topic of music, enough about my band... I just recently made 2 new street teams. One for Fighting for Ithaca & another for Incura . Please check them out on myspace or Facebook :)

If you're in for another interesting bit about me... I have 4 journals. Yeah, 4.
-Dream Journal [Lucid dreams]
-Creative/Fantasy Journal [ Where I write out all my fantasies and short stories]
-Drawing Journal [For random and personal use]
-Blog Journal [Basically Facebook notes and here now]

They all serve very important roles in my life, even if I could live without them.


Thanks for reading this short bit on my life.




.LisaBlaque

将 – Shou
:: has gotten phone pranked by Keiyuu of Kra last year
:: Went to a My Chemical Romance concert with SID's bassist, Aki
:: Was really freaked out on the set for their Ruri no Ame pv
:: Camwhore
:: can't hold his liquor to save his life
:: Shou also almost got into a wreck in a taxi. And he laughed about it!
:: has been a haircut and clothes model a couple of times
:: moved to Tokyo when he was 1 year old
:: is friends with Ayabie's Ryouhei
:: used to be in a band called Givuss with Tora (虎)
:: the first instrument he ever played was guitar
:: 将 literally means commander, general, leader
:: used to skip high school
:: not a big fan of dogs or soccer
:: rumored to have the same vocal coach as Miku (AN CAFE) and knows him
:: his favorite subject in school used to be Japanese. His least favorite was Math.
:: likes playing with everyone's hair
:: is terribly terrified of cucumbers. He says their disgusting
:: Harrasses Saga to relieves stress lol!
:: Wishes to never get dizzy no matter how much he head bangs
:: Would sleep the day before the world ended.

 

ヒロト – Hiroto
:: is obsessed with spiderman
:: Occasionally becomes "Hirito-Man" (Spider Man) and fights against Saga's alter-ego
:: Is a camwhore
:: Can and has picked up Shou
:: acts as though they`re actually doing a live during rehearsals
:: wanted to be a Johnny's Junior when he was little
:: designs some of the merchendise
:: either can't swim, or he can't swim very well
:: was "molested" by a middle-age woman on the train when he was in high school
:: always carries salt and pepper in his bag
:: lives in a 2dlk with his parents
:: was so excited after the STYLISH WAVE EXTRA live he couldn't sleep and he wrote a new song
:: the first instrument he ever played was accoustic guitar
:: while trying to be cool yelling something on the mic, bumped his teeth against it, and against Shou's teeth at another live
:: Tatsurou of MUCC gave Hiroto a 100 yen coin for him to "enjoy fall " with.
:: one of his classmates in high school (a friend) died
:: wants a pet lizard
:: named his guitars "black" and "corina"
:: the energizer of the band
:: once spit strawberry milk onto the audience during a show with Tora
:: gave away a guitar during the "fans only" Christmas Party
:: was still in high school when he joined alice nine.
:: hates Red Shiso - a red herb used for Umeboshi, a salty pickle made from unripe japanese plums
::  Favorite food is white rice
:: Was very happy when he got an ipod!
:: Would love to name his child Arusu.

虎 – Tora
:: Other memebrs referred to him as Piccolo if they were Dragon BallZ characters
:: Really likes Korn's music and I believe is inspired by it
:: Owns a Johnny Depp POTC doll lol
:: enjoys getting drunk
:: stopped blogging after his birthday
:: says that he never writes letters, because his writing is messy
:: got harrassed by some old lady in a cafe once
:: used to be in a band called Givuss with Shou (将)
:: the first instrument he ever played was bass
:: has a younger brother (who is apparently rumoured to be Touya from Charlotte) [Note: speculation, NOT fact])
:: his biggest fear is his father
:: 虎 literally means tiger
:: has a HIM tattoo on his right index finger
:: hated school because he was forced to go
:: had a friend who commited suicide
:: doesn't like to read
:: has a cat named neko-chan
:: favorite subject was PE... and he disliked everything except PE
:: used to go by the name Makoto (真 meaning sincere, truthful, and honest). It was the name he had in a message when they first started out (Shoxx July 04 issue)
:: once spit strawberry milk onto the audience during a show with Hiroto
:: Tora likes skateboarding and anything including Johnny Depp
:: scared of insects. He says he hates everything that's creepy-crawly
:: Favorite food is curry
:: Things the he looks in a women is a girl who can keep up with him
:: His room is Gothic Style
:: Relieves stress by taking a bath
:: His goal is to become a cooler guitarist

 

沙我 – Saga
:: loves wine
:: Total camwhore
:: His goal is to become even sexier for his fans
:: Molests his bass
:: Occasionally transforms to his evil alter-ego to fight Hirito-Man
:: Sometimes transforms into Buddha
:: "slept" with Nao
:: likes older women
:: stayed over at Nao's and caught him undressing
:: loves Doraemon
:: has a younger brother and an older sister
:: wears briefs
:: the first instrument he ever played was guitar
:: his favorite video game is Metal Gear Solid
:: wasn't recognized when he got harrassed by an older woman for playing his guitar on the street
:: was almost recognized when he went for a haricut recently, but the stylist only said "you look like someone famous...."
:: his younger brother is rumoured to be in lolita23
:: asked the staff to run out and buy the newest Smashing Pumpkin's CD for him
:: Likes gentle girls
:: Would name his child Gundam
:: Spend his days off drinking sake or sleeping
:: Lives in his parents house
:: Relieves stress by breaking something
:: Would of become a teacher if he wasn't a musician
:: Said that all members were perverted

 

Nao
:: Love love LOVES talking about food and coffee and takes pictures of it
:: Likes to read manga and recently found Slam Dunk addicting
:: Used to be the drummer for Fatima
:: wants an american Girlfriend.
:: once got left behind by the tour bus because he went to the toilet
:: was in a band during high school, and he did vocals
:: is the one who started alice nine. (アリス九號.)
:: the first instrument he ever played was bass
:: had a hamster that ran away while they were on tour; fortunately it came back later
:: likes to put drawings of Radish-san on his blogs
:: was stopping Saga during an interview from telling him what happend in that night
:: can tie a cherry stem into a knot in his mouth
:: has a futon named "marie-chan"
:: used to play the bass
:: afraid of getting sick. He says that the worst that can happen to him is to have to go to the hospital because he finds "those men in white," scary
:: is against smoking
:: Favorite food is breaded fried shrimp
:: Would name his child Gurakorosuka
:: Favorite artist is Fall Out Boy

:: HE'S GETTING MARRIED SOON

I would have to say, The Jabbawocky.

Visually and musically aesthetic band Versailles recently went on their first tour 'Sentiment of Genesis' in the United States. Their first stop was A-KON in Dallas, Texas, and their second and final stop was Los Angeles, California at the well known venue: the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. Jrock Revolution was able to take some time after the band's amazing performance to ask them some questions about their first U.S. trip, their upcoming album, and more! Read on!

JRR: How is everyone feeling right after the show?

KAMIJO: We feel great.

JRR: Last time when we interviewed you, you stated that “The Revenant Choir” and “Lyrical Sympathy” were parts of one story; so how does your new album “NOBLE” fit into the story of Versailles?

KAMIJO: “NOBLE” would come after “Lyrical Sympathy.”

JRR: Was there anything you were very insistent about when making this album?

KAMIJO: As Versailles, of course there were a lot of things that we were insistent on doing; but mostly we were able to achieve 100% of what each of us set out to do.

YUKI: Whilst doing things that I wanted to do, since the composition, tempo changes, extensions, etc, of Versailles’ music are very complicated, I made sure that the phrases for each song flowed perfectly and beautifully.

Jasmine You: I put my soul into playing each and every note.

TERU: As the guitarist of Versailles, HIZAKI and I play a unified sound, yet we both have our own characteristically unique phrases. I think we’ve successfully made an interesting contrast of our guitar playing styles.

HIZAKI: Every time we go into recording, we take on different challenges. I personally like challenges, so this time I also tried a lot of different things.

JRR: Congratulations on your first two lives in America! Please tell us how performing at A-Kon was different from playing here in L.A.

KAMIJO: I think at A-Kon, most people only knew a little bit about us, or were exposed to us for the first time, but they still gave us so much support. I found it miraculous. We were very happy to have those people who are passionate about Japanese culture direct that passion to us, and to be able to respond to that passion. The people who came to watch our show today are either our fans or people who already know about us, and had come to show their support for us. We are very happy to have stood in front of them and gave them all we’ve got.

JRR: Which did you like better, Dallas or L.A.?

KAMIJO: We like both; it’s all America to us. (laughs)

JRR: Was this your first time in America?

KAMIJO: This is my second time.

YUKI: This is my first time.

Jasmine You: First time.

TERU: Me too.

HIZAKI: First time.

JRR: What was your first impression of America?

YUKI: I didn’t feel that the city was too different from Japan, since Japan got a lot of its influences from America. But one thing is that, everything here is big!

(Group laughter)

HIZAKI: That’s because Japan is smaller/Japanese things are small.

TERU: In Japan, all the stores are right next to each other, but here everything is spaced apart, so we feel that that’s a lot of wasted space. (laughs)

HIZAKI: The spacing is just more generous.

JRR: How was sight-seeing in L.A.?

KAMIJO: We did a photo shoot yesterday, and we also went to several places.

JRR: Did you go shopping?

KAMIJO: Just a little, on Melrose Avenue.

JRR: You participated in the hide Memorial Summit a little over a month ago. How was it like being with all these other artists?

KAMIJO: All of the artists are great performers on stage, and when they get off the stage, they are also reliable and capable guys. They’re not just rock stars, they’re also great guys and it was really enjoyable to be with them.

YUKI: A few of them I had grew up listening to their music, so I was very happy to be able to perform on the same stage as them.

Jasmine You: I really respect all the artists, so it had a great effect on me [to perform with them], and I was filled with passion [for music].

TERU: I felt the same, I was just really happy to be able to perform with people I respect so much. At the same time I also felt that we have taken another step closer to what they have achieved.

HIZAKI: During the song “X,” it was really incredible to see fifty thousand people jump at once. Most bands would never get the chance to see something like that [when they perform]. We want to be able to do that one day, too. It was beautiful to see fifty thousand people jump crazily like that.

JRR: What influences and impact do you think hide has had on the Japanese rock scene?

KAMIJO: To make people happy and to surprise them. To have a naughty heart [that likes to have fun].

YUKI: Also not to be tied down to a certain style of music, but to freely express yourself.

JRR: Do you each have a motto?

KAMIJO: Yes. “Nana korobi yaoki.” (To stand back up and keep on trying no matter how many times you fall/fail)

Jasmine You: “Toki ha kane nari.” (Time is money)

TERU: “Dokonjo.” (laughs) (To have guts)

HIZAKI: “Kita toki yori motto utsukushiku.”

(Group laughter)

It means to leave the place, e.g. the live house, cleaner than before you came. That way, the whole world will be a cleaner and prettier place.

JRR: Well said!

YUKI: Since I use my whole body a lot [to play drums], I say “Kenkou daiichi.” (Health first)

(Group laughter)

JRR: So far you’ve performed in Europe, did your first one-man live in America, and you will be releasing your first full album “NOBLE” (July 9^th, 2008). What is your next goal?

KAMIJO: To be number one in Japan.

YUKI: We did perform in Europe and America, but we have yet to release the album here. The lives don’t necessarily mean we’ve left much of an impact, so I’d like more opportunities for us to come back and make a difference.

JRR: Could each of you give a message to your fans at Jrock Revolution?

YUKI: Thank you for your ever present support! This time we had the chance to do a live here, and I definitely would like to do more lives. We will be releasing the album soon and will be touring in Japan for a while, and after that we’d like to go to more countries to perform. Please keep on supporting us.

Jasmine You: I was able to fill my heart with wonderful things thanks to the European and American fans. I will attempt to show what I’ve experienced here to our Japanese fans upon our return. We’d like to go to Europe, America, and more other countries in the future. Please continue to support us.

TERU: We have yet to reach our goal yet, but we will work towards it step by step. Everyone should also have a desire to reach your goal, so let’s all work hard together!

HIZAKI: Thank you to our fans from Jrock Revolution. Although we are active in Japan, we will be releasing an album and would like to go all over the world. Please show your support by asking us to come back, then we will go there.

KAMIJO: To our overseas fans, when we can meet next would be dependent on how hard you try to get us to come back. Until we meet next, please listen to our new album NOBLE, enjoy it thoroughly like a movie, feel it, and send in your requests to have us come back. Thank you for all these wonderful nights in America.

 

Interview by Christina and Misha

Translated and Transcripted by Christina

Questions Contributed by Krystal, Christina, and Misha

Special Thanks to Tainted Reality and Versailles

Versailles appears courtesy of Tainted Reality and Sherow Artist Society

alicenine. has released single MIRROR BALL on March 26, 2008 and will be releasing two music clip DVDs: alice in pictures I and alice in pictures II, on July 2^nd, 2008. Please check out their official websitefor more information.

JRR: First of all, please start off by introducing yourselves.

TORA: I’m TORA on guitar.

SAGA: I’m SAGA on bass.

SHOU: This is SHOU on vocal.

HIROTO: I’m HIROTO, on guitar.

NAO: I’m NAO on drums.

JRR: You will be doing a live today; are you guys excited about it?

NAO: Of course.

JRR: Since this is on Christmas day, do you plan on doing anything special?

NAO: We’ve prepared some small presents.

JRR: For the fans?

NAO: Yes. Some of them are store-bought, and some are our personal belongings.

JRR: Wow, that’s great.

HIROTO: Tonight will be our first time performing songs from our new album, “Alpha ”

JRR: What songs from the album are you most looking forward to performing?

SAGA: All. There are songs that we have actually played before, but quite a few that we haven’t yet.

JRR: The theme to “Alpha” is “the beginning;” could you talk about how different this album is from your previous releases?

SHOU: In our past three years as alicenine., we feel that we have finally fully utilized all our potentials when making this album. That’s not to say we didn’t maximize our abilities in our previous releases, but we’d like this new album to represent a new high standard for us. Along with that, we also want this to be a new start, which is why we chose to name the album “Alpha”

JRR: Each of you contributes songs to the album. How does that process work, and how do you present your compositions?

HIROTO: Usually the composer composes in the computer, and we add on the drum, bass, guitar lines. Or someone brings the tune, and SHOU adds the melody. Once the song has a form to it, we work on the arrangements.

JRR: Could you each talk about one of the songs you took part in composing on Alpha, and talk about what that song is about?

TORA: In this new album, I contributed to the 3^rd track, “Aoi Tsuki…”

*Group laughter*

SHOU: It’s “Aoi Tori!”

TORA: Oh yeah… and also the fifth track, “9^th Revolver,” and the sixth track, “-Dice-.” When I wrote “Aoi Tori,” I wanted to best represent alicenine. as a rock band. The other two tracks were meant to show the band’s style in a different light. I thought it’d be a good idea to have a good balance of heavier songs and ballads in this album.

SAGA: I composed the first track, “ZERO” and the tenth track, “Eraser.” In our singles, we usually have the more pop-sounding songs, which give people the image that alicenine. has a pop sound. But I wanted to show the origins of alicenine., and the music that have influenced us, with the track “ZERO.” For “Eraser,” I wanted to create something that’s different from what we’ve had so far. I started with the idea of mixing dance beat with acoustic guitar, and that’s how the song came about.

SHOU: I didn’t compose any songs; I just write the lyrics.

HIROTO: I wrote the second track “cosmic world,” the eighth track “Kousai,” and the last instrumental track, “Cradle to [Alpha].”

JRR: The track “Cradle to [Alpha] is very different from the usual alicenine. songs; why did you decide to compose a piece like it?

HIROTO: Originally I had intended it to be a track that plays when we go up onto the stage, which is just something that plays in the background; but later on I thought it’d be good to perform it, too, so midway through composing the track, we went back to the beginning and made it into an actual instrumental track.

JRR: What about “cosmic world”?

HIROTO: For “cosmic world,” I wrote it thinking about what alicenine. is as a band, what our music entails, the world we have created with our fans and staff, and I wanted to convey that world via this song. I wanted to convey that feeling of wonderfulness through this song.

“Kousai” is a song about love.

JRR: What kind of love were you thinking of?

HIROTO: A universal love. It’s not meant to be any particular love toward a lover or a band member, but just about love in general.

NAO: I didn’t compose any songs this time.

JRR: In your “Blue Planet” PV, there is a girl in a bunny suit running around and it is really interesting. Did you come up with that idea?

SHOU: We wanted to create a happy feeling, so when we told the director, he thought it’d be interesting to have something like that to create this outer space feel, as if we are riding in a space shuttle. The bunny outfit the girl is wearing is supposed to be the uniform for the flight attendant of the space shuttle. We had a lot of fun coming up with ideas with the director.

JRR: At the end of the PV, you guys are having so much fun together it shows how close you are as members of the band, and we think that’s one of the things that make your fans love you. It’s not just the music, but you also seem to be close friends with each other. What are your relationships like within the band?

SHOU: It’s basically what we do at lives. We don’t pretend to be close; that’s just the way we are.

HIROTO: We are all good friends. We filmed it just as what we’d do at lives. “Blue Planet” is a song that we have fostered through our interactions with fans at lives, and this song has been deeply ingrained in us, so I think it has came out naturally.

JRR: Do you do things together besides work?

SHOU: Basically we work together almost everyday; we probably only get time off a couple times a year.

JRR: What was the last video game you played?

NAO: Gundam Seed. Dan-dan-dan! (makes attack noise) (laughs)

JRR: Are you a Gundam fan?

SHOU: We are all Gundam fans.

JRR: And HIROTO is Dragon Ball…?

HIROTO: We all like Dragon Ball.

NAO: Did you mean he looks like Dragon Ball?

(Group laughter)

JRR: Who are your favorite characters from either anime/manga?

TORA: Tao Bai bai.

SAGA: I like Broli, because he is strong.

TORA: By the way, Tao Bai Bai used to be a salary man; after he quit being one, he became a professional killer.

JRR: Did he get fired?

TORA: Yes he did.

SAGA: Broli too.

(Group laughter)

SHOU: Chao.

HIROTO: Matilda.

NAO: Lacus Clyne.

JRR: Would you do an impersonation?

NAO: (Laughs) What? No.

JRR: Before you were in a band, what part time jobs have you had?

HIROTO: Wendy’s.

SAGA: Lawson’s*.

SHOU: Family Mart*.

(*Convenience stores)

TORA: I didn’t have one.

HIROTO: (whispers) Kentucky. (KFC)

TORA: Kentucky.

NAO: Game center.

JRR: Did you get to play while working?

NAO: No (laughs).

JRR: Please tell us of one thing that you like about the member sitting next to you.

NAO: (-> HIROTO)Seriously speaking, I envy the passion and sincere interest he has for everything. I wish I could have the same level of passion he has.

HIROTO: (-> SHOＵ) I like his singing voice. I’ve been in several bands prior to alicenine., but I think he is the best vocalist out of all. Although he might not look it, he’s really masculine.

SHOU: Really?

(Group laughter)

JRR: For example?

HIROTO: He is very passionate and kind.

SHOU: (-> SAGA) I envy his beautiful looks. I wish I was born as beautiful as he is. I was about 80% serious about that. He is also a very sensitive person. I respect him a lot.

SAGA: (-> TORA) He is…. Junichi.

TORA: No I’m not (laughs)

SAGA: All the members respects each other. During live performances, CD-making, pre-production, when I look at them, I feel that it is great that I am in alicenine..

TORA: (-> NAO) I like his meticulous nature. That’s why he’s made to be the leader.

JRR: For each member, what are your most fun moment and most embarrassing moment on stage?

TORA: There are not many embarrassing moments… but sometimes the string snaps at the first song. It’s happened about twice or thrice. I just laugh at something like that. The fun moments… it’s most fun when the audience blends with us and enjoys the live.

SAGA: The MCs are embarrassing. I don’t really dislike it, but sometimes the harder I try, the less of a reaction I get. I’d like to learn how to be more interesting when doing MCs. The most fun moment is when we get on the stage and the fans start cheering.

SHOU: The happiest moments are to have the fans listen to our songs. It makes me happy every time. I always look forward to doing lives. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that that’s what we do lives for.

NAO: Yes.

SHOU: The embarrassing thing is, since I have big muscles on my legs, if I move around too much onstage, sometimes the pants rip. That’s embarrassing… especially depending on where it rips.

(Group laughter)

HIROTO: The embarrassing moment would be when I jumped after the break of a song, at the beginning of the bridge, I slipped and fell when I landed. I wanted to leave right after that. (laughs) It hurt too… it hurt. The happy moment would be when we all play together on stage.

NAO: To think of it, I really don’t have that many embarrassing memories. I do fall sometimes, but even that’s fun to me. The happiest moment… it doesn’t happen often… (group laughter) Oh I don’t mean that there’s no happy moments, I mean that during my drum solos, when I interact with the audience, that’s the happiest moment for me. Even though I might get slightly nervous, it’s fun. Usually SHOU is the main person and he does most of the MCs and I don’t have much experience doing it, so when I get to do it, I feel like being one with the audience and it’s fun for me.

JRR: What would you like to do in 2008 to reach out more to your international fans?

NAO: As the band grows, if we can get more chances to perform overseas, we would love to go.

Interview by Misha
Translation by Christina
Transcribed by Christina
Special thanks to PS Company