This time I am reposting another translation I did some time ago from Karyu’s (Angelo lead guitarrist) interview included in the Interplay Members Fanclub magazine, this time from 2018 and from the Remissionary volume (before the usual Angelo mid-year tour).
Question: It’s been more than 3 months already since 2018 started. Are you the kind that sets goals when receiving the New Year?
Karyu: Yes, I set goals. I write memos in the computer. One could say it is roughly a matter of aspiration. For example, things like: “Make 2 deeply moving songs”, at that kind of level.
Q: By the way, what were your aspirations in years such as 2016 and 2017?
K: At the end of the year, I tried reading my last year’s aspirations again, and realized that I had written something with very similar feeling (laughs). But after the recording of the album “HETERODOX” was over, the circuits of my head switched over to the next phase, only saving up song ideas. Because, right now I am in the middle of making songs. It always starts from the point where I record the ideas that came to my mind in the handy app of the smartphone; but to put it simply, I start from the state of not having the main concept yet. However, this time I have saved many ideas, so until now I am feeling a slight different response. Moreover, the ideas that I had saved up during the first stage, like what kind of feeling I had, as expected I have already forgotten. When I try listening to it again, I feel like ohh this is nice. I appreciate very much the rediscovery of those ideas (laughs). If I reach to a standstill during the process of making songs, I listen to the saved-up ideas once more. Then I encounter with things that can be used and that’s sufficient. But there’s also my own song-making habits, like ending up stuffing all sorts of ideas into one single song. And that’s why the concepts I have saved since autumn from last year, will soon be consumed (laughs). It is the stage where I think every day if new ideas will come to mind or not.
Q: On a personal level, what has taken shape already?
K: Although I always say “new”, additionally it seems I can create songs that can be displayed in a new way during concerts. When I am making songs, I do it with the supposition that I am doing a concert, and there are many times where I am able to come up with a mental picture in my mind while I am creating songs.
Q: Naturally, what comes to your mind is you performing in a very stylish way?
K: Relatively, the feeling is more like having an overhead view from above.
Q: So that means that occasionally there were also images of failing when talking during the MC? (laughs)
K: I have never imagined something like that (laughs). And I have never failed during an MC. Only within my mental images I have failed without knowing (laughs).
Q: As expected.
K: Only in there, I don’t face the reality (laughs). But also, during tours, I’m always looking for some ideas that could transform into songs.
Q: During the “HETERODOX” tour, unusually you were not partying and drinking alcohol during the after-shows, instead you were diligently dedicating yourself to music composition?
K: Oh, recently I don’t drink that much anymore, so I believe my time to think about songs has increased. Regardless if it’s released or not, if it becomes a good song, I get the feeling I may be able to use it in the future.
Q: What kind of revolution are you plotting to bring into Angelo?
K: I didn’t have the feeling of it as such a top-secret strategy (laughs). Up till now, I think I’ve been able to produce songs with a different way of climax and ambience. I can’t talk about the details yet, because I don’t know if perhaps that song will be accepted or not.
Q: On February of this year, the leader became 46 years old, the other members also have reached to considerable age. But in concerts it doesn’t feel this way. Strangely, it doesn’t decline.
K: Their age is going backwards, isn’t it? Every time you become older, you become harder (laughs). But making that kind of concerts it’s difficult, since it has become an aggressive live. And that’s why I think I must train the body, I am collecting goods to train the trunk of the body (laughs).
Q: So, you’re just accumulating things, to put it simply you are a collector, aren’t you?
K: I actually use them (laughs). I started with jump rope…that jump rope is already second generation. The first generation one I had was already worn-out. And then, I got the body trunk board. Initially I bought the one for advanced users. Although It looks like a skateboard, it has wheels attached that keep the balance when you get on. It is extremely difficult. Because of that I bought a new one for beginners, I thought it would be better to start from there (laughs). And then I also bought a stretch ball.
Q: Can you truly feel there is efficacy on that?
K: I think there is. I really feel results with the jump rope, for example in this year’s February concert. During the song making period each year, I don’t go out too much, so even if I go to the gym, I can only go about 1 to 2 times a week. If it’s the jump rope, I can always use it anywhere and anytime, I just searched for some time to do it. If I do that, then I can get physical strength, endurance and instantaneous force too. In the gym I can run sets of 30 minutes, but with the jump rope, I can do 3 sets of 3 minutes each. Training the body in a short time also has the wonderful “Time is money” effect (laughs).
Q: There is a way to jump in order to train the body trunk? Is it not good to do jump rope like elementary school kids play with it?
K: It’s jumping like boxers do. I do it with one feet and then with both alternately. Once, I looked it up in YouTube and learned how to do it (laughs). The first generation of jump rope is made of wire of ordinary type, however the second generation one can even be used at home, like the air jump rope (laughs). This one has a weight attached around intended for each leg, but it doesn’t have a rope attached to it. You can replace those with a normal jump rope and it can be used too.
Q: Within European and American bands, for example Aerosmith and such, in the past they used to be all about “Sex, drugs and Rock n’ roll” right? Karyu was also close to that.
K: No no! (laughs)
Q: So now you deny it (laughs). But, that kind of people are quickly becoming more and more health conscious, right?
K: Yes, there is a lot of them. I guess it also has something to do with the era, being healthy-oriented. But, what I long for sometimes is that crazy rock n’ roll lifestyle. Even while being drunk, you seem to be able to do a great concert. But I am not able to do that (laughs).
Q: Ha!?
K: Ah, no, that was in the past (laughs). But it was not suitable for me. Even if I drank a lot of strong liquor before the concert, I would still be able to perform good with tension, but my head would get extremely dizzy and it became an obstacle… it is really not suitable.
Q: That was of course in your previous band’s era?
K: Yeah.
Q: If you did such thing in Angelo, it would be received with a double slap on the face, honestly.
K: It’s not just because it’s in Angelo, I’ve had many kinds of experiences, and I feel that continues to add up right now, so even if I was allowed to do it, that’s generally not a good thing to do (laughs). But I thought it was wrong, so I decided to give a try becoming healthy. Because I like soccer, I often watch the player’s comments, such as “Prepare properly for the game!” and recently I’ve come to understand that feeling. I wonder if it’s similar, to music bands.
Q: In order to make a great performance of about 2 hours on the stage, it’s necessary to have daily discipline.
K: Yeah, because being properly prepared for the stage will definitely improve the performance. But I still drink occasionally. Like at the end of the live, I would drink light. Recently I don’t get any drink until the morning, because I become sleepy immediately (laughs). I’ve become weak to alcohol.
Q: So, you have become health-conscious? You also said you were going to quit smoking. However, right now you are puffing and smoking a cigar (laughs).
K: I did say that, but I have not been able to quit (laughs). I tried buying VAPE (electronic cigarette), but that was really… impossible (laughs). But I did feel a sign that I could switch to it, so I will try harder. I want to live longer…but that is an unexpected statement coming from a rock musician (laughs). When I was young, I thought I wanted to disappear gloriously when I became around 30 years old, but now what I want is to feel as much as possible, because I think this is the best moment (laughs).
K: In addition, to what extend you can perform in the tough stage, and how long you can continue, those are the big themes of life.
K: That’s exactly what it is.
Q: The “REMISSIONARY” tour starts from May. Towards the upcoming concert, are you elaborating any new ideas?
K: Right now, there’s a song I’m personally working on, I think I would like to perform it in concert as soon as possible.
Q: Besides music and band activities, what kind of usual things are you doing on your leisure time?
K: In regards to that kind of topic, I ordered a soccer uniform, but I think it has not arrived yet.
Q: Have you started building a team again?
K: No, I’m just on cheering side (laughs). This year I went to watch games twice already. Supporters shouldn’t wear everyday clothes. You should wear the team’s uniform and carry the team’s towel so you can feel the excitement to its fullest.
Q: That’s awesome. That brings to mind Eikichi Yazawa’s fans (famous Japanese singer from the 70’s). His fans would wear white suits, the ducktail hairstyle and that towel.
K: Everyone, wearing white suits?
Q: That’s right. Because there’s also visual-kei which leads to cosplay. By wearing the clothes, you can turn completely into the person in question. That is the aesthetics. So, having said that, can you totally become that kind of Karyu?
K: I wonder if I can totally become that (laughs).
Q: There’s preparations for the tour that starts in May. In regards to “Prepare properly for the concert”. If that kind of fans completely filled the audience, even if you do the concert, your energy will speed up I think
K: I wonder? I’m not really interested in that kind of thing (laughs). There were times where there were people who looked like me, and there is that kind of feeling (laughs). But if the audience was completely filled of people who looked like me, I think I would be scared (laughs). However, I also think it’s good there’s that kind of people, I believe everyone should be free to have any appearance they want. Regardless of what you wear, if you will enjoy the concert like that, then it’s fine.
Q: Then, on the contrary, without imitating anyone’s appearance, what would be something good for Karyu to try? Something with an appropriate feeling for an aggressive concert.
K: Certainly, I think I want to be eccentric. If it was something that could be undone, I’d like to try Nine Inch Nails’ guitarist Robert Finck’s hairstyle. Having just sideburns, and then maybe a pigtail, that’s something I’d like to try at least once. In regards to clothing too, since long ago I prefer clothes that look like they are torn or dirty more than formal clothes.
Q: That’s great, you made a decision. New aspirations for 2018. Dirty and eccentric.
K: That’s coming, it will be intense (laughs). During D’espairsRay’s time, ZERO had the Mohawk dread hairstyle. I also had a recommended hairstyle done. I thought it was very stylish but, for the fans maybe it was an excessive character transformation, and I felt this is not how I want to be seen (laughs). However, this kind of looks were very popular with the foreign audience. And that’s why I must also be good at being dirty & eccentric (laughs). Even so, I think leader and I must become mind-blowing in our ways, so for the time being, I will think about it.
JAPAN MUSIC SEKAI ~ Jrock & Jpop talk ~ 