Gab. Interview
*** translator's notes are in brackets
GAB: Because we wanted a memorable guest for this first issue, we chose Fatima. (Laughs) How long has it been since forming the band?
Lay (From now on, L): We formed in 4.98, but with these members it's been about half a year.
GAB: Anyways, when did you become conscious of rock?
Sanaka (From now on S): It was around my third year in elementary school. Influenced by a friend's brother, I saw a western movie; hearing its soundtrack, I became aware of 'rock music.'
GAB: So from that point, you preferred foreign music [to Japanese music]?
S: Yeah. I didn't have any interest in Japanese music, until middle school when I happened to hear King-Show (Laughs). It was then that I got into Visual Kei.
GAB: What about you, Lay?
L: When I was in middle school, I knew of BUCK-TICK, and they had really peculiar lyrics. That was during the time of visual kei and angura. And of course, I liked it. From the start, seeing how Imai-san played the guitar, I started a band and became the bassist because I liked its sound. Furthermore, seeing how J-san came on stage, "he's fucking awesome!" made me like the bass [even more].
GAB: And Towa (Further on, T)?
T: I've been playing the piano since I was four. [My discovery of rock kind of happened when] my older brother said, "you should listen to this." And so he gave me an X CD to listen to. There was such a difference between the piano and drums, and so I gave the drums a shot.
GAB: When was that?
T: Towards the end of middle school and the beginning of high school.
GAB: Right now you're in the middle of activity. [Let me ask] when you're polishing for a release, is there a certain genre you aim for, like rock and so on?
S: We don't really stick to any genre in particular. Simply put, I think all five members have kakkoii [cool] ideas, so putting those together, we get music that's Fatima.
GAB: What do you think Lay?
L: I don't want to do just angura or the like. There aren't many options [if you stick to one genre]. Thus, if I do it by myself, I like to be in that unique 'location.'
GAB: Towa?
T: On stage, I play "the other me." I'd like to be admired with "awesome" or "cool" in that respect.
GAB: Fatima's sound consists of all five of your input, and the taste is rather bewitching. How do you do that?
L: We're confident that our taste won't lose to anyone.
(All laugh)
S: It certainly seems that way. But there's no foundation for such confidence. (Laughs)
GAB: But there are so many young bands out there that hold a lot of respect for Fatima --- which is great! For example, Fatima's members are like an impetus, and those artists who are stimulated by such, seem to go far... But first, it's Fatima's music that reinvents things, which is good, right?
S: That makes us seem like 'everything,' which I don't really agree with (Laughs). How you talk of Fatima['s influence] is really great, but outside of that everyone is our rival.
GAB: How about your fans?
S: I love our fans. It's because of them that there's Fatima.
GAB: And so, to end this, why don't each of you give a few words to your fans.
S: There are a lot of bands out there that have a distinct taste, I think. In regards to what Fatima produces, we create [music] freely, and whether you're looking for something or merely want to try something out, I want you to try [our music].
L: I want to further elaborate on what I said. We're looking to broaden our music more, and hopefully it will be received well.
GAB: Isn't that the secret of Lay's wonderful taste?
L: I guess I have rather good 'taste' then.
GAB: And Towa?
T: If you come to our lives, you'll know.
