Fake lock stars' starting point!?
*** translator's notes are in [ ] brackets
Last month, Fatima was experiencing the May Blues. But as we head into June, it seems that they've gotten better, even though some members are only better in the early morning. In this interview, we return to Fatima, talking about each part that the members play, and how such came to be.
Sanaka
SHOXX: Sanaka-kun, what made you aware of bands?
Sanaka: Honestly, it was movie soundtracks. It was during my 4th grade in elementary school. My friend's older brother loved movies, and he talked about them constantly, and without noticing it, I started to watch movies. And so my elementary school life was spent immersing myself in movies. From there, my interest kept maniacally growing, until a point where I started to listen to the movie soundtracks. In the eighties, I liked soundtracks as well as foriegn music, which ranged from electronic pop to hard rock. But when it came to horror movie soundtracks, it was mainly hard rock, which I heavily listened to.
SHOXX: Do you remember any specific movies?
Sanaka: Specific movies? Return of the Living Dead (Laughs). It's from those kinds of movies that my interest in 'hard' music began. I guess, I admired 'bad' things during my childhood (Laughs). Bands like Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Megadeath, and Motley Crue were some of the bands I listened too. I even bought hard rock magazines. As a result of these things, I thought it'd be great if I could have a future band like that.
SHOXX: And you'd be the vocalist?
Sanaka: No. From the very start, I wanted to be a guitarist. But that changed when I entered high school. I had bought and begun playing the guitar, but couldn't improve at all (Laughs). There were people that became Guitar Heroes instantly, they could play chords and everything else so well, which I yearned to do. But no matter how much I played, I couldn't do it. Hahahahaha !! (Laughs) Your typical story, isn't it?
SHOXX: The feeling of jumping the gun. I completely understand (Laughs).
Sanaka: So when I joined an easy listening music club during high school, we had to submit what part we wanted to play. I wrote that I wanted to play the guitar. When we began our activities, it turned out that I was the only one that wanted to play the guitar (Laughs)! But when we assembled, they thought I was going to play the guitar and sing. And when everyone sang, it ended up that I was the best vocalist. Another thing that made me aware of bands was my first time going to karaoke in high school. Up until then, it had been impossible for me to sing in front of people during events, like school trips. But when my friends took me to karaoke and I tried to sing, I found the feeling incredible. And my friends said I was really good, so my thoughts changed to: "I guess I'd be a good vocalist."
SHOXX: And slowly, you became interested in doing vocals?
Sanaka: Yeah. At that time, I went to see a Gilles de Rais live, and JOE-san's vocals were like dialogue, and the atmosphere in the hall was great, and from my perspective, it was awesome. It was then that I understood the importance of 'call & response,' especially how it relates to a vocalist.
SHOXX: So how did you get involved with Fatima from that time?
Sanaka: Well, I played in a band [Alicia] with some people I knew from high school, but then we broke up. After that, there were a few known bands looking for a vocalist. They invited me to try out, but I didn't want to just be a vocalist, I wanted to be a leader. And I wanted a band that I could realize this in. But I thought, where could I find a nameless band to do such a thing in? I started looking in recruit postings. During that time, the band where Fatima would originate from existed. When I first went to see them, a "I want to do this" feeling filled me, and I knew that we could do a band that no one had ever seen before. And when I talked to the members, they said they felt the same way.
SHOXX: I've thought the same thing, having listened to the songs. And how you sing and your voice, Sanaka-kun, is melodic and fits perfectly. You really understand your singing voice, don't you?
Sanaka: My singing voice comes off as very objective. In our songs, I think about the melody and lyrics, rather than self-connections.
SHOXX: Your lyrics have a way of looking at the world. I'd like to ask where you get that from?
Sanaka: In my lyrics, I hide a side of me that I don't show to normal people. What tends to come out [in my lyrics] then is a theme from deep inside of me. For example, when we experience normal things like having a problem, or being under stress, or falling in love with someone, we usually hold it inside. In my lyrics, I create different stories from such things by weaving them [in certain ways]. But you know, I've come to the conclusion that I'm a very negative person, and I can never grasp a positive feeling. And that's what comes out in my songs.
SHOXX: I've always thought your lyrics are really interesting, as well as the words you use. They really hold your world view, don't you?
Sanaka: They do. I'm not sure how to make it any clearer, but there's always something that I don't like about myself. It tends to come out in my lyrics, I think. I'll then pick words that won't kill the melody, but I don't ever choose normal words. I like to think that makes my lyrics original.
SHOXX: Are you just as particular in how you present yourself on stage?
Sanaka: During shows, I am always conscious [of how I present myself]. It's a kind of self-liberation that has two themes. When on stage, movements have to be exaggerated and the entertainment aspect must be splendid. I try to appeal to the audience in both an original and striking way by mixing an eccentric person and a lover together. It's what I feel is very Fatima. Apart from what I do consciously, there's another part of me that is sleeping and ailing. That part of me also comes out on stage suddenly, which is what I mean by self-liberalization. And it's very much Fatima's Sanaka. Ideally, that's what rockstars do. Lately, I've noticed I've become more and more like such.
SHOXX: There's a movie called "Hedwig and the Angry Inch." When seeing you on stage, Sanaka-kun, I think that feeling [the movie has] is really there.
Sanaka: Probably. Usually, my performance stands out as much as the costume. But I really try to get as close to [this ideal of myself] as possible.
SHOXX: Do you think Fatima will be able to do a lot in the future?
Sanaka: I do. If we can improve all the elements that are a part of our shows, then I think what is Fatima will be clearer and clearer. And I know we can start playing at bigger venues. But my personal self will have to remain dormant, because it's taboo to let it all come out during performances.
SHOXX: So personal life is a no-no (Laughs)?
Sanaka: (Laughs). I try to keep it under control as much as possible. Everyone wants to lead a normal life. But sometimes it can blow up in your face. And I don't think that can fit my lifestyle right now.
