Shoxx Interview: 4.2005
*** translator's notes are beside *** asterisks
SHOXX INTERVIEW : 4.2005
The five member's parties, for anata.*
*here, they use the kanji for anata that seems to specify
girls
Fatima has done it once again! This time they've conspired a plan...it's in the name as well! "The contamination of the Kantou region [Eastern half of Japan] project: solo performances." Towa starts it with his oneman on 4.16 at Yokohama ARENASOUNDHALL. Each member performs where they feel most connected to, and each of the five also decide on how to produce their oneman! But the question is what will they do... SHOXX plans to have an article covering the five onemans (which goes on sale in May [vol. 149]).
SHOXX: Kanoma-kun, you had a lolita-dress-up hatsumoude*.
[apparently in fatima's official mail magazine issue around New Year's,
they had a special announcement: you could go with Sanaka
to celebrate the New Year at a temple. There weren't any real specifics,
other than the feeling you had to dress up lolita-ish with a kimono.]
*hatsumoude is: first temple visit of New Year.
Kanoma: About 130 people came for the hatsumoude. It was really surprising, but fun. We were there till 5am. (Laughs) During it, I got a call from Towa, and let everyone that came take turns on the phone.
Towa: So, I got about 100 responses that were all: "Happy New Year!"
Lay: That's amazing (Laughs).
Kanoma: I had thought that maybe someone from Fatima would come...
Mizuha: You said "No one's going to go?" a while ago. (Laughs). If I had been feeling good, I would've gone. I had a cold, and slept. So my whole day pretty much sucked.
SHOXX: What were you doing Towa-kun?
Towa: I was at my house, and then the New Year dawned, so I quickly called Kanoma, and then until the morning I watched a comical TV show.
Kanoma: Lay, and 4ge what were you up to?
Lay: I thought in the instant that the year changed, I would create music. Instead of that (because music comes from the sky) I thought inspiration would just fall into my lap.
SHOXX: Did it come?
Lay: You might say it was relative. At any cost, I completed the music I was working on.
4ge: On New Year's Eve, I visited my parents at their house. Since it was snowing, the train was incredibly delayed, which made New Year's Eve hard to enjoy.
Mizuha: How much did it snow?
4ge: About 70centimeters...maybe? Cars were buried by it.
Everyone: (With shining eyes) That's amazing~!
SHOXX: Let's now talk about "The contanimation of the Kantou region [Eastern half of Japan] project: solo performances" (in which each member produces their own show). First, how did this come about?
Towa: A triumphant return home... that's close to the feeling I want.
Lay: That's the only reason it became so?
Towa: There wasn't a real reason.
SHOXX: What?! (Laughs)
Lay: Oh! Is that so? You're kidding. (Laughs)
Towa: Um... at first we talked about doing onemans throughout the entire Kanto district.
Mizuha: First at a live, Lay said "I want to do it like this." Kanoma then said, "No, I want it like this." "No! This way!" "Then, think what you want!" --- That's how we came to the decision.
SHOXX: So, it was because of a fight? (Laughs)
Lay: It became something like, "Well then, let's see what you've got!" And so, we decided on doing these shows.
SHOXX: So it was a situation of "I want it my way! Mine!"
Mizuha: It's a battle (Laughs).
Kanoma: To cut a long story short, we wanted to pick where to play: "Then... I want to play at a soundhall." "If that's so, NARCISS would be good."
Mizuha: "I think Meguro Rock May Kan is better! (angry)!"
Lay: "Dumbass! If we're going to play, it'll be at Hachiouji RIPS!"
Kanoma: We were all completely scattered in our choices, so we compromised: "Let's play five different places each then..."
SHOXX: Ahaha!
Kanoma: I think it's a good thing that we can play where we want, and do what we want. It's a relief, because then we don't have defined rules.
SHOXX: So, really, it became individually defined.
Kanoma: Yeah. When I first realized it, I'd wanted to be able to do it at the NARCISS livehouse. I had wanted to play there before. But 4ge had already asked Sakai-san (the owner of NARCISS).
Everyone: Hahahaha!
SHOXX: Your wish came true.
4ge: Yes. It did.
Kanoma: Hahahahahhaha!
SHOXX: How about Mizuha at Meguro Rock May Kan?
Lay: Well Meguro Rock May Kan's shop owner...
Everyone: Gyahahahaahaha!
Kanoma: It's because he likes pro-wrestling.
Mizuha: Do you know the poster that is stuck on the wall in the office? It's of All-Japan pro-wrestlers...
Kanoma: I know, I know. It's like an all cast poster, right?
Lay: Yeah, I think it is.
SHOXX: (Laughs) How about Towa, and the soundhall?
Towa: Yokohama was where I grew up during High School. It was also where I became an adult. I'd make two roundtrips by motorcycle, from Inagi!
Lay: When you say that, I feel some sort of hyperness return; I feel somewhat the same about Yokohama.
Kanoma: Then why Hachiouji? (Laughs)
Lay: Naturally, it's home. Though, I've never had the chance to have a live there.
Towa: I've had the chance.
SHOXX: What was it like?
Towa: Uh... I don't remember. (Laughs)
Kanoma: What?!
Lay: Somehow... I feel Hachiouji raises the bar.
SHOXX : Ah, so it was where you were turned on to the music scene.
Lay: Yeah. When I was in High School and started to like music, Hachiouji didn't really handle Visual-Kei-like CDs or anything, but complete sets of recently good music. (Laughs) In this, it seems that's where the bandman grew in me.
Kanoma: I still haven't met a bandman from my hometown Abiko [a town in Chiba]...
Lay: There seems to be quite a few people who like Visual kei, and in those people there should be genuine rock.
SHOXX: Yes, that would be good. And such people will bring this to the region!
Kanoma: In my case, during Junior High, in my neighborhood, you could only buy Visual Kei CDs at Kashiwa ZAX. It was at that point that I awakened to Visual kei, so it was at Kashiwa ZAX that my perspective grew. But recently Kashiwa ZAX promotes punk and hardcore, so their visual corner seems to be disappearing.
SHOXX: That's sad to hear.
Kanoma: I am at the point that Visual kei at Kashiwa ZAX cannot be lost!
SHOXX: Everyone, it is wonderful to hear all of your thoughts on each place!
Kanoma: Yes... I really wanted to play in Abiko, but there were no live houses or CDshops. Wait there is a CD shop, but it's ESP (ItoYokada). [It sells soft sounding music :D]
SHOXX: (Laughs) So, 4ge, is there some real reason why you chose Narciss?
4ge: No, I just like it. (Everyone, surprised by 4ge, laughs) Actually, there is something. I am indebted from long ago. In a previous band, we advanced from Nagano to the Kanto Region, and we weren't able to play at Narciss, so it is something I must do.
SHOXX: Whoa. Toryuu-gate?
4ge: Hmm. My Nagano band. [Lure+Selene]
Kanoma: Ah, such a unique culture.
Towa: A culture must succeed.
4ge: If I couldn't be able to play there, I don't know if I'd exist right now. It's a very important place.
SHOXX: Oh... really? ... I see it now. With that, everyone, I'd like to hear what you're planning to do, and if there are any expectations.
Towa: I've kind of decided. Since the first day we booked the place. First, I'm going to change the location of the drums. And then, all members will have the same costume. Black enameled pants, and no top, (Members smile/laugh at Towa), and on the neck will be corsets. With this, the Opening SE will be "Prologue," and then the 1st song will be "BLUE BLOOD!!!" Don't you think that'd be just the best!
SHOXX: What are you talking about? (Laughs)
Towa: It will be a metal day, we'll need to persist! (Note: This is his planned "wild idea", please take note that this most likely will differ from what actually happens.)
Mizuha: I still don't know what I want to do, but Rock May Kan looks like a place for an all night metal party, so I want to do that if I can. We've begun to investigate everyone's plans. Today, we will consult everyone's opinions!
SHOXX: Yes, well, that's the thought right (Laughs)
Mizuha: We're limitless in personalizing these performances, so it will be fun. The members will do things that I like to do. And if they do what I want to do, I'll return the favor!
Kanoma: Since you're the second day, you'd better return the favor well, right?
Mizuha: Hahah...
4ge: I . . . well, I want to have the feeling of my main point being dyed in my color. Afterwards, I want to try out the PA system. In rehearsals, it's always Lay like, 'Please let me hear the drums a little bit more' and that kind of thing, but I'd like to say 'Hey, why don't you lower your bass a little before that then?'
All: (roar of laughter)
Lay: (laughs) You just said it!
Kanoma: That, that doesn't have anything to do with the fans!
4ge: Although I'm not a fan, I'd like to look at Fatima's stage from the fans' point of view.
Lay: First off, I'd sort of disregarded the oneman, but I want to have interesting clothes and songs. And I want to do covers that I like. I think it's good if we can all enjoy it; Hachiouji must raise the bar. And if Fatima is misunderstood that would be bad. It's these kind of troubles that I will and am thinking about.
Kanoma: At Kashiwa ZAX there is a dress code. Lolita, dark clothes, cosplay (anime, various uniforms, Fatima cosplay) and the like are okay. If you wear normal clothing you really will not be able to get inside. Wearing something as small as Mickey ears is no good as well. So please be careful about what you pick. I want this live to have a party-like atmosphere. Anyhow, these five different shows will be a lot of fun.
