Uruha (1/3) - Groan of Diplosomia 01 Pamphlet

GOD PAMPHLET
URUHA another myself
Interview

Interviewer: This time, what was the concept of your photoshooting?

Uruha: As first thing, the meeting regarding the photoshoot for this Pamphlet took place during the FC only tour. The designer, Yoda-san, said "think about what do you think 'division' is", he told that like he was giving us homeworks. *laugh* I thought "Ah I got it, interesting.." but it was really hard too. From the point of view of the meaning of the work, isn't it something like "scission" or something similar? Even if I was looking for an answer based on that, I couldn't find anything. Moreover, I couldn't come up with an other word to replace 'DIVISION' with. In the end I realized that, since inside of me only one realty was left -which was: "we made an album"-, I thought it was better to express this concept. The album we made this time, since it something we created 'carving out' our actual selves, it can be seen as something that basically express ourselves. So I thought at a 'mirror'. Division, for me it's a mirror, that was my conclusion. Despite that, there wasn't a way to take photos placing a mirror. Moreover, I had no idea how to represent this concept.

Interviewer: So, how did you come up with such an imposing photoshooting?

Uruha: Well, the designer developed my idea. In the first place we rented the terrace of a building, we spread out silver aluminum and then we took photos as if that was the mirror.

Interviewer: I'm feeling hot just imagining the scene.

Uruha: It was awfully hot. *laugh* When I actually tried to stand there, it was like I was in a oven. *laugh* Speaking of the outfit, I was wearing a kind of suit. I thought "let's get over with these photos!". I was incandescent like I was generating electricity. *laugh* Luckly, we managed to take awesome photos. After that I came back to the studio and they told me that this time I had to take photos surrounded by squared mirrors that will become like a whole magic mirror.

Interviewer: It was like being inside a kaleidoscope?

Uruha: Exactly. Moreover, the cameraman, Hirano-san, was trying to bring us slowly to an unpleasant direction. *laugh* To get things worst, being surrounded by mirrors is really tiring. I don't know quite know the reason, I was the feeling like everything was spinning.

Interviewer: I see, however Yoda-san took out a really complex theme!

Uruha: I really was complicated. *laugh* Since the same homework was given to all members, could we ponder even in moments when we couldn't keep from laughing? At the same time, I thought "could it happen that we come up with the same idea?" I think that if something like this happens, it could just be when a theme on such an obvious argument is given and you end up taking it slightly. However, if we can really find a concept about "DIVISION" according to ourselves, it's impossible for the ideas to correspond.

Interviewer: A job in which you reflects like in a mirror. I think that in each album there's something like that, however speaking of DIVISION you can feel in particular and very pronounced this nature, can't you?

Uruha: Without any doubts, since each time we think we want to do a certain thing. However as time goes by this experience mirrors itself on different things. This mirror is like a mirror inside the imagination. I could even say that it reflects my real self.. for example, speaking of this album, if ideals and things I'd like to do are embodied in DISC 2, speaking of DISC 1 you could say that it mirrors the reality. Moreover, the mirror symbolizes the image that we harbor etc… it's like to say "the things we'd like to do are in a certain way, however the image that fans see is different". You can perceive that reading opinions that arrives through fan mails. For example, when we want to go ahead towards a new direction, we work having crystal clear in mind the new image. However, inside fans' mind there's still the image till that point. This kind of deviation is interesting but sometimes is sad too. Because, no matter what we'll do, I think without any doubts that this deviation will keep on existing. Of course in the proportion of some people there's a difference between the ones who are coherent and the size of this deviation.

Interviewer: I think it's unluckily that fans and band could evolve at the same peace and speed.

Uruha: Yes. It's probably impossible. Moreover, this difference can't be calculated.

Interviewer: Perhaps this can be said inside the band itself.

Uruha: Exactly, it's not possible to be all the same. I don't know if it's momentary but basically we should be similar however there are times when we are completely different. So, of course, there's this kind of gap. Moreover, I think there are times when you can't cancel this gap.

Interviewer: For sure. However it's really interesting. Thinking about the shade of significance of a piece made by your band, you had the possibility to deeply reflect on other sides beside the musical aspect.

Uruha: It's rather a spiritual side. However I can say that even I had fun doing all of this.

Interviewer: You have the feeling that the chasing of ideal and reality is something without an ending. However, in the past, there had to be a time when -even imagining it- you couldn't even get near that. Compared to the past, now can't you say that the reality and the ideal arrived near to each other?

Uruha: If we try and interpret it in a positive way, it can probably be as you say. However, reaching such a point of reality consciousness.. I think it's a consequence of this age. Since we know we can obtain -in a second- a plethora of various information, if we try and search for something we know nothing about, couldn't we comprehend it? For example, if we'd like to know what people, who went see us when we took part to a festival, really think, we could easily find out about it. I think it's really practical, however there are things that it would be better not to know at all from the start too. There's a part of people who ended up loving festival when they know strange things happened.

Interviewer: If you understand that the reaction was awesome, everything becomes more natural.

Uruha: When you find people you don't know saying something like "I had fun!" or "I didn't expect that but it was great!" etc. You realize that there are lots of people without prejudices towards this type of music or Visual Kei, that's why it makes me happy taking part to festivals and it became amusing for me too. However, in the end it made me realize that probably I was the one being influenced. *laugh* It happens this too.

Interviewer: Speaking of the reality in this way, I think it's good thinking that it's something favorable. It's the same for forecasts?

Uruha: Yes, but sometimes it's unpleasant. Being able to comfortably obtain information changes you. Basically I've a negative nature. *laugh* That's why if I generally know nothing I have a propensity for thinking negatively and probably my works too would become darker.

Interviewer: In other words it means that, in this way, you find yourself in a "original" situation. You are able to create something that should be born in a completely natural way from yourself? Does it means it's more difficult to create in a direct way?

Uruha: When you hear positive opinions, aren't you more confident? So the result is that your work too will be full of that confidence. I think that this is really positive of course. However, it can also be that this is not your 'real' self.

Interviewer: Does it mean that in the end you can feel a bit of regret?

Uruha: It happens that I feel like I'm not completely satisfied. I think "I'm not being able to fully pull out the real turbid side that should be inside of me". It's like a feeling where the fog is dissolving mysteriously. This, I think, it's not bad… but..

Interviewer: It probably means that when it's reflecting in that mirror is something different from Division, even if you are trying to reflect the actual Uruha in that mirror that doesn't have any shadows nor distortions.

Uruha: How can I say it..? If I hadn't been influenced at all, in a situation in which I can't at all hear information, other opinions, etc.. maybe the band wouldn't be what it is now since before Division. If we hadn't hear anything, voices around us, who knows what we would have become? If it wasn't for those voices, maybe we wouldn't even had the desire to be what we are now. It's a strange subject but I've the feeling that if we had been people who weren't influenced at all, we wouldn't mature at all in this way and the way of being of the band itself tells the different influences experienced. I've the feeling that I've just said something extraordinary. *laugh* Interviewer: I think I know what you mean. What kind of people and what they think of you? And even if you wouldn't like to now, in the end you find out about that. This is for sure a current worry in contemporary society.

Uruha: It's exactly because we are in the middle of this kind of society. And since time moves on we can't do anything about it. Ultimately, there's the freedom of not joining the system of the so called social networks. Maybe it's because when I wanted to join visual kei this kind of things didn't exist? However, precisely because I was a fan, I dreamed about various things and I think this made the charisma of the artist much stronger. Everything was in the world of imagination. In particular, I think that probably this tendency was very strong in the visual kei world. People thought things like "That guy sure as hell don't go to the toilet." *laugh* I couldn't even image (the artist) eating or something similar. But this was the fun. Probably the imagination ability is much stimulated through printed interviews and such than showing vivid images through videos ecc. In these days things like these aren't disappearing? Now you can see everything. This is why I don't use SNS [1], I've a vibe that opposes against this. Since I'm an artist I can't think it makes sense to show a reality that should be better not to show, or the production process in a precise way etc. Even if from that you could take joy, I think that this is just an extremely superficial joy.

Interviewer: It happens too that the distance between you and the listeners shortens considerably.

Uruha: That too, it comes out a part that will get damaged because you are showing your naked self. I think this is just a spoiler [2]. Moreover, I think that because of that the listener stops using their imagination. For example, if I wrote regularly daily routines of my live, fans could think "ah it's a completely normal guy". In reality I'm a normal human being and there are pros of being a common person too. *laugh* However, I think that not showing this side is something good in today's visual key. But at the same time, since there's not a more comfortable way of gathering information, even I use it daily. Of course I feel the contradiction. This is without any doubts this is the world described in IBITSU lyrics. That world is certainly that song. For now, I think that probably is expected that that song exists. In reality, even when I didn't think about all of that, it happened that I wanted to make a single out of that song. But that didn't happen. I thought "Pulling this song out during the meeting for this album's songs isn't maybe the right time for this song?"

[1] Social Networking Service
[2] He means something that shouldn't be shown.





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Aoi (3/3) - Groan of Diplosomia 01 Pamphlet

GOD PAMPHLET
AOI abrasion
Interview

Interviewer: So did you get your head together?

Aoi: Who knows… however, I deeply hate going to conbinis. The day I'll meet someone while doing shopping in a conbini, I'll be really depressed. *laugh*

Interviewer: Someone.. are you talking about fans?

Aoi: Exactly. It's easy that just when I'm doing shopping there, I meet them. *laugh* I wonder why is that. *laugh*

Interviewer: Since they are fans who came to the live, I think the time you do this kind of things in the end it coincide for the both of you.

Aoi: Probably. Since I don't want to get out of the hotel, I stock up. For example, when we stay in the same hotel for two nights, I stock up for two days. So if people saw me, they could think "does he eat so much?" *laugh*

Interviewer: Moreover, people who drinks alcohol buy it in big quantities, don't they?

Aoi: Exactly, I buy a lot. Even buying alcohol is a pain so I buy packs of them. *laugh* They'll think "how much does he drink?" *laugh* It's something I hate. It's a good chance to tell you, since during tours I don't go every evening shopping at conbinis, I'd like you to understand something: even if you see me there, please pretend you didn't. *laugh*

Interviewer: I want you to understand that, eh. *laugh* The fact that you go around for taverns, bars doesn't mean you are the kind of person who enjoys the taste of different places?

Aoi: Not so much. Since I usually go to Izakayas. If -going into the right place- there are different things is the best… I don't do things like.. going around and looking for a place so I can drink different things. Above all I want to drink. *laugh* And then, while you're looking for a drink, couldn't you already drink a shot? *laugh*

Interviewer: You're seasoned… which is the alcohol you like the most?

Aoi: Recently as first thing is beer, then I really like Shochu [1]. In the past I said Whisky but I grew tired of that. *laugh* Now I say "Shochu is the best!" *laugh*

Interviewer: Shouchu, it'd be a good thing if it's not left over.

Aoi: Really? I leave it over.

Interviewer: … isn't it maybe because you drink a lot of it?

Aoi: Ahh you think? *laugh* Since whisky's flavor is strong, it happens that you grew tired of it and you can reduce it. While for Shochu ..you can drink your fill. *laugh* I can even say that each part of my body perspire alcohol by now. *laugh*

Interviewer: Wanting to drink your fill with alcohol easy to drink is something of heavy drinkers, isn't it?

Aoi: I want to drink a lot of it by now. *laugh* Then, when I wake up the next morning, my throat is super dry. *laugh*

Interviewer: It's better if you put near your pillow some water when you sleep.

Aoi: Of course, I always do that. *laugh* When I come back from bars, I absolutely buy water. However, sometimes it happened I forgot and the next morning I felt like shit. *laugh*

Interviewer: I feel you. *laugh* In the end you drink tap water.

Aoi: I do, I do. *laugh* I normally drink it by now. *laugh* Having such a dry throat is so terrible it can't be described. *laugh*

Interviewer: Please, don't forget to buy water, ok? So you get drunk… how can I sau… not speaking of Izakayas, is there a food you absolutely eat when you go into a place?

Aoi: Hokkaido's Ebi [2] ramen. It's not that I want to eat it but I really like it and other members too. That's why we usually go and eat it. It's in those moments that we go all together eating or when we party the end of something.

Interviewer: For bands who holds together for such a long time, such a thing seems natural.

Aoi: Probably. It doesn't mean we don't get along well but if you always stay together you end up feeling suffocated. Of course everyone's taste is different. Fans usually say "isn't it better to go with the other members?", I answer "No, It's not." It's worst to force ourselves and go out eating together. I want to say this too taking advantage from this interview.

Interviewer: Respecting each one of your individuality is the pillar that allows a band to hold together for such a long time, isn't it? Aoi-san, aren't there food you would like to eat?

Aoi: When we go to Osaka, I absolutely eat Takoyaki. To say the truth I only eat Takoyaki. *laugh* After drinking, there's a Takoyaki restaurant open till morning. It's good too. *laugh* They don't pour sauce, instead it's mixed with the broth. It seems it's really famous. But I forgot the name of the place. *laugh*

Interviewer: Eeeh?? You can't remember it?

Aoi: I can't. When I go to Osaka, I always go there having fun with members of bands of the place. So, after I drank like a fish I asked "isn't there a Takoyaki restaurant?" and they said there's only that place opened. In a few words, since there's just that place open, I eat Takoyaki only there. *laugh* But it's good!

Interviewer: If you'll remember the name, please let me know. So, during tours, do you do something? Like paying attention to your physical?

Aoi: I don't.

Interviewer: I thought "would it be rude if I ask"? It seems there are a lot of people that during tours go running or do muscle training.

Aoi: Eh….

Interviewer: What does "eh…" mean? *laugh* Then, you can have plenty of sleep.

Aoi: Not at all. Everybody says to me "since you don't care of your body, wouldn't it break dawn sooner or later?" *laugh* Not thinking too much is the most important thing. *laugh* Even if I don't care, my body will be ok. On the contrary, when I go back to Tokyo, its conditions get worst. *laugh* Moreover, during tour even if I drink till morning, I still have to work and couldn't it happened that they could forbid drinking to me? That's what worries me a lot. *laugh* That's why during tours no matter how terrible the hangover Is, I try and avoid to be late at the live's hall or I do my best not to show how tired I am. And when manager says to me "Aoi-san, please control yourself." I get a hold on myself. *laugh* Sometimes it happens I wake up late but not as in the past.

Interviewer: During tours, isn't it normal since the flowing of the day is set up? Maybe that's why your body doesn't break down.

Aoi: It could be. However, I really feel like shit in the morning. *laugh* I've nausea and my body feels heavy. Moreover, I think I stink of alcohol quite a lot. However during the live, the alcohol goes away too with the sweat. When the lives end, I feel again my strength back and I want to drink again. *laugh* I say like "Ah, I've to fuel!" *laugh*

Interviewer: You're the sample of a rock musician. *laugh* Did it happen at least once during the tour that you felt extremely bad and did a live in really bad conditions?

Aoi: Maybe never. However, I'm thinking about how to sleep properly in bed. *laugh* Covering myself up really well with the futon. *laugh* If I'm at home, I just throw myself on the bed and I fell asleep like that. *laugh* That's why I catch a cold. Since I know it, I try and pay attention during tours. I try to do at least this well. *laugh*

Interviewer: The hotel is dry and since the air-conditioning works perfectly, I think this is great.

Aoi: True, when it's cold but even in plain summer I feel cold. Moreover, when I feel I'm getting a cold, I take the medicines they give me in the morning. It's better to take them as soon as possible, so they have an effect. I took Loxonins [3] but when I do it my head hurts because of the hangover. *laugh* Loxonis is the best. *laugh* Even if I'd go to the doctor, they'll prescribe me only Loxonis in big quantities. *laugh*

Interviewer: You reached the end of the line, eh? *laugh* Is there something you absolutely have to do before lives?

Aoi: Recently it happens that I play guitar. And then I do some light bending and stretching exercises. Uruha does some accurate stretching, he prepares the mat and do it there.

Interviewer: Is it ok if you suddenly head-bang without doing stretching or similar before?

Aoi: It's just one of those things. *laugh* You get whiplash. *laugh* But it never happened to me. Speaking of which, at least two times I exercised listening to a radio for gymnastic exercises. I think that's great. It makes you think good of it. The first lessons of gymnastic exercises at the radio is awesome… I know just the first one. *laugh* During summer holidays if you do it seriously, you sweat a lot, I don't know if doing it listlessly too. It's hard, at the beginning you're out of breath.

Interviewer: Ah.. even if you know that radio's gymnastic exercises are effective, how come you don't keep doing them?

Aoi: Well.. during the previous tour, there were lots of things to do before the live. When a lot of your time is taken away form these things, in the end the checking of the guitar comes first. But in the next tour I want to persevere with exercises at the radio. *laugh*

Interviewer: Absolutely do that. It seems you can dived artists among who -accumulating experience- consider lives as an extensions to their normal life and who consider the stage as a special place. What do you think about that?

Aoi: To say the truth, there were times I thought it was a real pain. But that was simply an egoistic behavior. Even now it happens it's a pain but I consider it something particular inside of me. Going on a stage is a fun but I'm afraid of it too. It's not fear like being nervous but how to convey everything to people watching me. Since I'm the kind of person who pays particular attention to that, I remember well fans' reaction. During previous lives this opinion come out too and now I'm wondering if everything will be alright. Fans who speak about music are really nit-picking. Sometimes they are out of place but generally they're right. Critics from those fans are really painful. *laugh* However, I'm happy because it means there are some people who listen to us with passion. Lately, these kind of fans are increasing and I want to respond well to their expectations. When I think about that, I can't go on stage as if it was an extension of my normal life.

Interviewer: Impressing. I think isn't the fun of a live going on stage with motivation and managing to take out the sound you wanted?

Aoi: In the past -during tours- I had the feeling like I was there by chance. Since then for sure there's a part of my way of thinking that hasn't changed. It doesn't mean I took it lightly but now the feeling is deeper. Moreover, each time I face the live with a precise pourpose. I pay more attention to how I could appear too. I'm sure if you come and see me live, I'll manage to convey the fact that I'm on stage with that awareness.



[1] Shōchū
[2] Ebi means prawn.
[3] Loxoprofen






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Aoi (2/3) - Groan of Diplosomia 01 Pamphlet

GOD PAMPHLET
AOI abrasion
Interview

Interviewer: Basically, even if you can play your solo without difficulties when you are home, when you play it live you are anxious, aren't you? *laugh*

Aoi: Exactly. At home, I actually think "I'm so good!!" *laugh* Maybe at lives I'm dragged in that kind of atmosphere.. ? Inside, I think the most challenging part is the guitar solo in YOIN. Besides the fact that it's not a simple solo, this time I want to bring it to the point of playing it with passion.

Interviewer: You're conveying us the fun of trying and do all of this. In order to face this tour, it seems you renewed the equipment you are going do you use, right?

Aoi: I completely replaced it!! It's without any doubts different from the one used for LIVE TOUR 11 VENOMOUS CELL. First of all, the amp, since for VENOMOUS CELL I used a CORNFORD amp, I think the sound too gave a modern feeling. Even if it was a bit high gain. Now I use a Divided by 13, which doesn't distort. Actually I used it 2 o 3 years ago, I stopped using it but now I'm doing it again. Moreover, I bought a Marshall that has the same age as me. It's a two input JCM-600 with master volume. That makes me really happy!! I like it a lot!

Interviewer: It's an original 2203, isn't it? People say that since it has a particular sound it's difficult to play.

Aoi: No, I think it's a great sound! It's the same model Nuno Bettencourt from Extreme used and I wanted one from the same period. When I found it, I immediately bought it. Even when I go to the studio and play I think "Marshall has a really great sound!" and then "Aahh, this is the sound!!". Even recently, a certain guitarist, who uses a modified Marshall, wrote a tweet "Guys, you don't know the real Marshall!!". It seems there's a place like a Marshall museum in Yamaguchi prefecture. Apparently the owner said that it's a big loss that no-one knows the real Marshall. For sure there's a Marshall in every rehearsal studio but aren't they overused amps and so not in good conditions? The ones used in live houses are like this too. It's the same for me. Since it happened to me to only play that kind of Marshalls, I didn't know the real sound. I thought the Marshall had a frail and not strong sound and that the way out of the sound was slow. But for the JCM-800 I bought, they did a complete maintenance and I've the feeling it's totally different from the Marshalls I played until now.

Interviewer: That was a really good investment!

Aoi: For sure! Moreover, in the past I thought that the sound when you directly plugged the guitar in an amp, which could distort, was the best. However, recently I learned to use both the distortion by the amp and the Effect units at the same time. [1]

Interviewer: Eh? Are you serious?

Aoi: Yes. *laugh* I didn't use comps at first. So now I'm a so called "normal guitarist" *laugh*. Like, I line up all comps with the distortion unit and the effect unit.. now, speaking of Multi Effector I just use the Delay audio effect. In the past I thought that arranging a lot of amp racks was the coolest thing to do but now I don't have that feeling anymore. Since now I can use the effect unit with the distortion unit, even with the JMC-800 the sound is easy to create.

Interviewer: Divided by 13 doesn't distort very much and the timber is vintage-kei but it's extremely Hi-Fi.

Aoi: Exactly. It's an extremely Hi-Fi sound. That's why I'm still not sure if using the Marshall or Divided by 13. I think I'll find the solution during the rehearsals for the tour. However, I didn't go for the fancy. In the past I used 3 or even 4 amps but now I usually end up with just one. *laugh* and it doesn't matter which amp you use, the distorted sound you create using the bucking and the crunch tone are the same. I thought of regulating the distortion with the guitar volume without changing the amp settings.

Interviewer: Really? Isn't it how guitarist from the 70s played?

Aoi: Exactly *laugh*. Uruha said "doing this kind of adjustment.. wouldn't it be hard during lives?" but I've the feeling that if I won't do in this way, there will be a sound that won't come out… that's why I even substituted the volume pot of the guitar. In the past, during lives a used a pot A turner in order not to change sound, even if the volume decreased when I hit it with my hand. Now, I decided to use a B turner, it changes the gain and the sound volume. In the past I used the multi-effects, the distortion using the baking, the crunch tone, the clean tone and I selected in details the sound for the solo but now I'm going towards an old style, let's say analogical. I hope that in this way it will be easier to apply the change to the songs. To say the truth, during the fanclub tour and the festival I did it shiftily. *laugh* In this way I've the feeling like not to touch it as usual. Even during rehearsals I realized that I was calibrating the sound with the volume in a natural way!! Since the extremely tricky sound and the clean tone are extremely different, I regulate the sound with the multi Fractal Audio system. The "wah-wah" and "whammy" effects, I play them directly with the amp. Let's say I resolved this way.

Interviewer: Don't you have the feeling the guitar is somewhat alive when you can regulate the sound with the guitar volume?

Aoi: I do! *laugh* I'd like you to experience this during a live.

Interviewer: In the next tour is important to pay attention to Aoi-san's right hand, isn't it? Moving on, let's speak about guitars!

Aoi: Recently I changed the pick up. How to say… it belongs to single coil [2] and humbucker [3] groups. I found the pick up that has a distortion like the Humbucker but it remains the typical sound of the single coil. I bought the Bill Lawrence pick up privately and I had it shipped to my house. The guitar I use is the same one, however since I changed the pick up it has a different attitude. The sound is more real and catchy. I looked for so long for a good Humbucker with the dimensions of the single coil but I couldn't find it. One like that was made by ESP but I wasn't convinced. So I tried the Bill Lawrence and when I did, a melodious sound came out! It hit me so much that I use it for all guitars.

Interviewer: It was a great sound 5 or 6 years ago, perfectly mixed with other musical instrument and it gave a deep feeling, now it changed for sure.

Aoi: Now that I finally perfectly understood the touch of the picking, the sound is real. I think that if I'll make kohai guitarists play with the set up I'm using now, they'll say it's extremely hard. Because it's a sound in which the impetuosity of the play is direct, moreover it's not fluid and it doesn't distort as it seems. I'm using a picking set like this. There's no doubt that the sound is extremely crystal clear. Moreover, the shade is different with Uruha's sound.

Interviewer: It seems like you are satisfied with your new equipment.

Aoi: Let's say yes. Speaking about Bill Lawrence PU, it's not much compatible with the multi Fractal Audio system multi-effects. When I play it directly with the amp the sound is really rich but if I use the multi effects, the timber changes. It doesn't matter if it's a good sound or not, the multi-effects create a multi sound anyway. Since the different timbers are more emphasized I can say it gives a security feeling but I think sometimes this is a disadvantage. That's why I find interesting that with a PU, a guitar and an amp the result doesn't change. However, I was a person that thought these things were too much trouble. But recently, since the sound I want to create is clear, now creating that sound is extremely funny.

Interviewer: You move on with something new. During lives, you alternate among different guitars, what what's their utility?

Aoi: Actually I'd like to use just one guitar. However, since the GazettE uses different tuning, I've to do it this way. Who knows if there's a main guitar..

Interviewer: You have a lot recently, but is there one with which you can create a standard sound?

Aoi: There is! Actually two, the A-III in which the Synchro arm is installed [4] and the snakeskin A-III[5]. They create a sound that suits me, how to say.. now the sound is much more mild. Then there's the completely black A-III I recently created, with that one too I'm managing to create a sound which conveys a great feeling.

Interviewer: Among the original models you created with ESP, you care more for the A-III than the 艶~en~[6], don't you?

Aoi: Yes. But I use the 艶~en~ too. It's just that for the 艶~en~ the body material is different. For the others is alder, but fort the 艶~en~ if we used alder, the sound would be light, I had the feeling that high would be too hight. That's why its body is in mahogany. So for these 4 guitars we make tunings different for each one of them and then I play them for songs. However, when people usually ask me "which is your main guitar?" I usually answer "The ESP Forest[7] I use at home." *laugh*

Interviewer: Is it the guitar you are using since a long time?

Aoi: Exactly. It's a model for sale, it's the Forest in which a Hambucker is generally installed *laugh*. No, at home I don't use models created by me. I use the Forest to practice, let's say that it's probably the guitar I use the most *laugh*. However, since my models became interesting, right now I'm making guitars to play at home.

Interviewer: When you're done, please show them. Going on, I'd like to ask you things about the tour and such. During the tour, you go around a lot in the cities?

Aoi: I'm the kind of person who goes around in taverns, bars. Or I lock myself inside the hotel. However, I generally go out drinking. When I don't go out drinking, it's because I can't catch the manager. *laugh*

Interviewer: I.. I see. *laugh* During our off days don't you go out sightseeing?

Aoi: I don't. When we move from one place to an other, once we arrive, I don't say anything if not "Is there a tavern/bar?" *laugh*

Interviewer: There aren't cities without taverns or bars. *laugh*

Aoi: No no. Sometimes I found them. Near the hotel there's nothing… just darkness. *laugh*

Interviewer: When it's like this there's no choice...

Aoi: I stay mad in bed. *laugh* Or I buy sake in the hotel but then I want to go to a Izakaya [8]. However, there are moments I'm tired of this. *laugh* Thinking about the past, I'm less attached to the fact of going out drinking.



[1] Effects pedal
[2] Single coil - for a strong sound.
[3] Humbucker - for a full-bodied sound.
[4] The third one.
[5] This one.
[6] The first one from the right.
[7] This one.
[8] Izakaya






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Aoi (1/3) - Groan of Diplosomia 01 Pamphlet

GOD PAMPHLET
AOI abrasion
Interview

Interviewer: While facing the realization of the LIVE TOUR 12 -DIVISION- GROAN OF DIPLOSOMIA 01, were there themes you wanted to stick to?

Aoi: Isn't DIVISION an album with 2 CDs with different concepts? It was divided in two: one part with really strong electro elements and the other one in which you can find the new form of the GazettE until today. It was necessary to gather these two parts during lives but if we think about the bond it has with TOXIC, isn't it all much easier? Even when preparing the setlist, there's the feeling that you can combine the songs without much difficulties. From the beginning the GazettE was a band that crated various kind of music and we showed different faces during lives. Since we didn't begin the tour yet, I don't know but I think lives won't divert from the actual the GazettE image till the extreme.

Interviewer: I can't wait to see the lives! The hard tune used in DIVISION, while exploiting electro elements, gives a feeling that it can create a different atmosphere than before.

Aoi: When we were interviewed about DIVISION, words like electro or dustup came out, I couldn't fully understand the meaning… so I thought that since it's out of my competence, it would be better to hand it to Uruha and Ruki. However, facing lives, I thought it could be impossible if I didn't know at least a bit of what kind of things they are. So I did some researches and unexpectedly it was interesting. *laugh*. Starting from this, I'm recently having fun dabbling with the synthesizer. That's why I'm really busy. Because I've to both play guitar and dabble with the synthesizer. *laugh* I've just started recently with that, I'm still in that phase in which I look everywhere for buying equipments and stuff.

Interviewer: What you are doing now, could it be aimed to the future more than the next tour?

Aoi: Let's say it's now in my view of things. There's nothing better for me than understanding it too. In the end, the synthesizer is an electronic sound that goes 'pi-' or 'bu-' [1], adding them you create sounds and that's interesting. If I've to say it I think it would be good to exploit all of this during our next tour. Creating a SE using the synthesizer, playing it between the main part of the live and the encore. But I think I won't be in time for that. I've got the idea too late. *laugh* Even if it's not possible for this tour, I think I'll do it soon.

Interviewer: You are full of good will as always. Speaking of stage set [2], gimmick, etc.. which kind of things were conceived?

Aoi: I think it will be a pattern in which images will flow using LED. I don't know yet which kind of images but they could be things to awake the imagination. Ruki is taking care of that this time too. Moreover, since the staff said that the nature and quality of the images are better than TOXIC, I'd like you to look forward to it.

Interviewer: I can't wait! Speaking of the pamphlet of this tour, it's important that you are using photos in which the DIVISION concept is expressed from each member.

Aoi: The suggestion to do this kind of photos came from Ruki. Even doing only one point of view of the concept with all members would be fine but this suggestion points to put in motion our mind. Since it could be a good opportunity to show the way of being of each of us, I thought "why not?".

Interviewer: While DIVISION artwork has a form that express the concept as a whole, looking at the pamphlet photos you can understand how DIVISION is perceived from each member. For this reason, I think fans will be extremely happy.

Aoi: Just like that, since you will be able to see the personal part of each member. Our photos are.. how to say.. really forward, extremely ambiguous and staff told me "what do you want to do?" Since that, from when the suggestion came out to the photoshoot not much time passed, I thought I could simply express the first thing I had inside myself. These photos were taken basing on this. The theme is "tearing the skin off" and from the point in which the epidermis is ripped, you can see the inside of the body.

Interviewer: I thought that maybe you were representing (from the divided form of DIVISION) the nature of the two faces: the outer face (the exterior part) and the inner face (the interior part).

Aoi: It's not like that. the GazettE keeps changing, doesn't it? Among all of this, since I work in this band I feel that you can't always remain the same. While the band goes by, don't you have to change skin more than once? I think that probably while doing this, evolving is necessary. I wanted to express this not in a grotesque way, not with blood, but I turned on a mechanic feeling. That's why I lacerated the skin of a man in the flesh, not to say "I'm a machine". I'm introducing the image of 'changing skin' in my own way.

Interviewer: The part where the skin is lifted.. is it some special make up?

Aoi: Exactly. Even if I say it's a special make up, they were just some kind of pleats attached to the skin. *laugh* The make up staff took them already shaped so since they had to just attach them, it didn't take much time. The photoshoot too was fast. As a whole, about two hours. I thought that it could take a whole day but I was lucky to finish so soon. *laugh* It's awful keeping the tension during a long photoshoot. I thought "doing a solo photoshoot is the best!" *laugh* When we took photos, the designer told me to kind of scratch the part where the skin was torn. However, I wanted to convey that the skin was torn not that I lacerated it myself. In the end, we took that kind of photos too. Since we were in the middle of producing I thought to express my opinion. *laugh*

Interviewer: I look forward to the fulfillment of the photos! Heading towards the tour, what are thinking privately? Aoi: Inside of me, a part from the huge respect of being a part of this band, there's the desire to show myself even more. I think that realizing this is an advantage for the band too. However, doing this during lives is hard. Especially in the tour for this album. Because if you don't move along as in program on a certain level, there will be negative consequences. For this reason, I don't know how it will end. In this note, the goal of this tour could maybe be to blow away all mistakes? *laugh*

Interviewer: But.. do you make so many mistakes?

Aoi: I do.*laugh* I don't want you to misunderstand. The mistakes I talk about are not just elementary things like doing a chord wrong. For example. When I go and see lives of young bands, it happens that exhibitions do not fit together [3] and members run far and wide until they are dead tired and I say "where are you going in such a hurry?" *laugh* Maybe you are busy jumping while playing a song with a fast tempo or showing yourself. However, doesn't it lead to mistakes too? These kind of exhibitions.. I think they lead to mistake from the point of view of the whole song.

Interviewer: It's a weak point without any doubts.

Aoi: Since they are less evident than chord mistakes maybe there are lot of listeners who don't realize that but these mistakes are worse. The mistakes I talk about are the shades of the picking, the precision in the ensemble, a pleasing groove, etc.. it's a topic of this level and I don't want you to mistake it with elementary mistakes. However even if I say that, in the previous tour I didn't play the guitar solo, I turned around! *laugh* But I said sorry lot of time for that. *laugh*

Interviewer: It's true. *laugh* I speak with lots of artists and I can divide them between people who make mistakes but they don't care about it and people who's tension crashes.

Aoi: In my case the tension falls down. That's why it's dangerous for me to make a mistake. I arrived to the point of thinking that it was a shame. I don't care if it's one or two times but if it keeps going on I sag. I think "I can't really play today" and I can't have fun during the live.

Interviewer: In these moments, even if it's not like this for sure, don't you have the feeling that people in the first row are laughing at you?

Aoi: Just like that. *laugh* That's why I can't look at fans. *laugh* Even if I don't care in the exact moment I do a mistake, while time passes I think "I made a mistake before!" and from that moment I sag. *laugh* Moreover, during fan club tours, fans and band are close and this is good but in the next tour I want to 'leave' the fans. I don't do it egoistically, I want to show this attitude. In this condition doing a mile a minute mistakes is different. Now, I'm in a phase of constant preparation. *laugh*

Interviewer: It's wrong playing straight, still in order to prevent the mistakes, isn't it?

Aoi: Exactly. After doing a mistake-less exhibition I want to make a good impression too. Speaking for visual key, isn't the standing and way of showing themselves of hardcore bands hectic? That's why some bands mess up with the exhibition but there are anyway people with a good play. I want to point at that. the GazettE messed up too in the past, there were parts connected in a natural way but you couldn't say that they were harmonized in a clear way. *laugh* Since fans are maturing with the band, fans who give lot of importance to the listening and not only to have fun and go wild are increasing. That's why I seriously read fan letters, etc.. and when things that are not good are pointed out I think "ah, sorry.." *laugh* It's hard but I'd like for both parts [4] to have fun. And I think that from now I've to desire this even more with this awareness.

Interviewer: It's really admirable that you are pointing that high even now! Among DIVISION songs, if you have to name a song you have fun playing and, on the contrary, a song that makes you feel the pressure, which would they be?

Aoi: I think that each song gives a kind of satisfaction while playing it so I'm impatient. In an interview I said that I made my part of guitar really simple.. but when I looked back at it, I thought I was doing my utmost. Moreover, when I make new songs for the first time, I'm always unsure during the rehearsal but this time I made them well combined. Who knows if they'll convey a good feeling. There's not a particular song that makes me feel the pressure. For Kago no Sanagi acoustic part, I've the feeling that I can do it in some way, unexpectedly I think I can play it. I practiced and I think it's good. *laugh* It's really true that practicing is very important, it's not a fib. Recently, I practice a lot with the guitar playing not only our songs. Yesterday, we started the rehearsals and I felt that this way of practicing is giving its fruits. Until that moment, since I played alone, I didn't realized that but when I play with the band I can fully understand that.

Interviewer: This is the proof that if you gain experience and practice, you make progress. Moreover, the fact that you are not against playing the acoustic guitar during lives is a strong point of the GazettE.

Aoi: Really? I don't know that. However, I can understand why lot of guitarists don't want to play the acoustic. But I want to play as soon as I can Kago no Sanagi. Maybe the song during which I feel more the pressure is Yoin. Probably because, during the live, when it slows down I've to play my solo. *laugh* I wonder why I played the solo in that song. *laugh* It would be better playing it in a fast song. *laugh*



[1] We think he meant high and low sounds.
[2] Everything related to the stage: lights, screens, images on the screen etc.
[3] We think he meant that members are not harmonized together.
[4] Band and fans.







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the GazettE @ REDNIQS 15/10 (2/3)

Please read here first:
Since we managed to find a recorded version of the radio we decided to translate it.
Please note that there could be some mistakes because they sometime speak at the same time or -especially Ruki- mumble.
If you find any mistakes please tell us in a comment so we can check and correct!

[talking about word recently looked for~]

Dj: the word you recently looked for on the net, what is it? Ruki-san wrote "unsolved cases".

Ruki: Exactly.

Reita: 'recently' my ass, he always does that! *laugh*

All: *laugh*

Dj: unsolved cases...

Ruki: I like this kind of news.. more than 'like', I found them interesting, unsolved cases in history until now, like a sudden and mysterious disappearance..

Dj: Archived cases but yet you don't know who the culprit is..

Ruki: Yes, archived cases.. that became incidents too etc.. so I look for only this type of things.

Dj: Eeeh… for sure not happy things..

Uruha: *laugh*

Ruki: It's true, they're not happy things. But this type of drama exists, doesn't it?

Dj: Eeeh, since they describe crimes, in the end you can take suggestions..

Ruki: No, because I'm not directly related with this type of things. It's just that as moral problem, on a large case.. [we can't grab what he says here >_<]

Dj: I see.. then, Aoi-san, the word you recently looked for is "MH3G"

Aoi: Yes, it's connected to MONSTER HUNTER 3G

All: *laugh*

Dj: ahh I see!!

Kai: Mohan 3G. [Mohan is the japanese short way to call Monster Hunter]

Dj: Mohan, isn't it? 

Aoi: Yes, yes.

Dj: So looking for this word…

Aoi: Exactly, if you play without looking for you, you'll understand.

Dj: eh? Really?

Aoi: Yes, yes, yes.

Dj: Kai-san plays Monster Hunter too, doesn't he?

Kai: Exactly. It's a boom among members now. *laugh*

Dj: So you go on with the game while looking for answers on the web?

Aoi: mah.. don't you hate doing it the long way?

All: *laugh*

Aoi: Every human being hates that.

Dj: ah is that so?

Aoi: Yes yes yes. You want to take the shortest way, don't you?

Dj: Even if you cheat...

Aoi: Exactly. Wait no, this… this is not cheating! It's something important between social informations. I'm not dishonest. 

Dj: I see. Speaking of Blue Kelbi Horn… 

Aoi: ahh... those.

Kai: *laugh*

Aoi: If you do everything in that way, you can have them. 

Dj: All three of them? I see..

Aoi: Exactly, exactly, exactly

Dj: So looking in the proximity…

Aoi: Doing your researches, you'll understand which is the shortest way..

Dj: But this is cheating!!

Kai: *laugh*

Dj: Good, than Uruha-san's word is liquid crystal HDMI.

Reita: Uuuuua!

Kai: *laugh*

Uruha: I'm sorry but it's something I like. 

Dj: What is it about?

Uruha: During tour I want to play PS3..

*someone snorts*

Uruha: *laugh*.. I think that connecting it with the PC is convenient and until know I bought setups to connect it with the PC but it's complicated and in the end it took time, so I thought it would be better to bought a liquid crystal..

Dj: One specific for games?

Uruha: But I'm still doing researches for the small, light and thin ones.

Dj: Even smaller of the standard model of the game?

Uruha: Yes yes, a type that you can have it on your lap and play while laying down.

Dj: Do you play like that?

Uruha: Ehm, not yet. *laugh* Not that much?

Dj: From now on?

Uruha: From now one.. It's better if I play with what I bought.

Dj: What are you playing with your PS3?

Uruha: BIO HAZARD  [it's the Japanese name for Resident Evil] and things like that…

Dj: ohhhhhh, so it's a game!!

Uruha: Unexpectedly games are a lot...

Dj: ehh they really are!! Good, than.. the word that Reita-san looked for is…

Ruki: Saving.

All: huhu

Reita: what? 

Dj: You could thing like that, couldn't you? It's Propolis!

Kai: *laugh*

All:  *burst out laughing*

Kai: In the end he was infected! *laugh*

Ruki: In the end eh! *laugh*

Reita: He (Uruha) talked about it so much, moreover mine health conditions didn't get worse during rehearsals 

Dj: I see I see...

Reita: I thought that maybe I was being deceived so I thought "let's try and drink it" and Uruha said to me "the one produced in Brazil is really effective."

All: *laugh*

Dj: So that's how it come about?

All: *laugh*

Uruha: Brazil's bees are really strong..

Dj: ohhhhh 

Reita: So I ordered and bought it and now I'm drinking it.

Uruha: More than a week passed, right?

Reita: More or less 10 days..

Dj: 10 day passed?

Reita: Now I'm all BINBIN. [Binbin is used to say brisk/lively but it means to be excited/to have an boner too, that's why Kai is laughing.]

Dj: Did you say BINBIN?? *laugh* Ok ok, for sure you can't separate from that during the tour, eh? 

Uruha: Awesome.

Dj: Uruha, does the maker donate it to you? 

All: *laugh*

Reita: Didn't he say it was the first time?

Uruha: How to say, it can be *laugh*

All: *laugh*

Dj: Ehm what will be of the GazettE image?

All: *laugh*

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