Fake lock stars' starting point!?
*** translator's notes are in [ ] brackets
Lay & Towa
SHOXX: So what happened to your May Blues' symptoms?
Lay: Well, once May had passed, everyone ran outside. There were still some people who were scared, but they went out at the crack of dawn, and began taking memorable pictures.
SHOXX: Sightseeing, huh? (Smiles).
Lay: Yeah, that's Tokyo Station. It has a Tokyo feeling to it (Laughs). And then we were all okay.
Towa: Lay's Al dente spaghetti really worked for me. But now that we've gotten into this new month, the taste has changed somewhat.
Lay: I've added garlic to fit the change of mood [that this month brings].
SHOXX: You want to get hyped up! So let's get to this month's topic, which is what started your interest in the instruments you play?
Lay: Well, when I was in high school, I wanted to play the guitar. And [at that time], I thought I'd like to play in a band, but of course everyone wanted to be a guitarist (Laughs). Then I entered a soft rock club, and that was when I first learned of the bass. After that, I saw Luna Sea's Hideo, and he was an awesome bassist. Even though I thought the guitar was cool, I changed my mind on what I wanted to devote myself to. There weren't really that many interesting bass players out there, so I thought I could try it out. That was in my third year at high school.
SHOXX: What charm did it have that the guitar didn't?
Lay: It doesn't stand out so much, and it's not simple. And even though it doesn't stick in your mind, without the bass you can't do anything, and it greatly influences the mood of the music, and so I think that's why I find the bass so interesting.
SHOXX: And what about you Towa-kun and the drums?
Towa: My family was very musical, so since I was little, I learned the piano from my parents. My brother played the violin, and it was from him that I listened to an X Japan CD. From there, I watched one of their live videos and saw YOSHIKI-san play the piano so meticulously and the drums so harshly. It was that gap in his performance that amazed me. I thought, what kind of instrument is the drums? That's the line of thinking that got me interested. That was my second year in middle school, during the winter I think.
SHOXX: How did the two of you meet?
Towa: When? The first time I saw Lay was on a poster.
Lay: No you didn't (Laughs).
SHOXX: You say you saw him on a poster, he must've seemed like a huge star.
Lay: (Laughs). When Fatima was looking for a new guitarist, Towa was in the same band as 4ge. At that time, Towa was really unskilled (Laughs). Then the time came that we needed a new drummer ...
Towa: When I saw Fatima live, it was inevitable that I'd become obsessed, and so I auditioned for the drummer position (Laughs).
SHOXX: Were you recruiting yourself?
Towa: I was (Laughs).
Lay: He was different from before [when he auditioned]. He had gotten a lot better. Personally, I like that type of person who has this strong kick. He played the bass drum set easily. And I thought if he could get better in that length of time, then surely he could even get better.
Towa: When we first met, I was scared of Lay-kun and really nervous (Laughs). There is no bassist like him. His phrases are so unique, and he plays so dangerously. He has really good taste. He really thinks about how to entangle the drums into the music, as well as our performances, and the rhythm; no matter what he always makes something new.
SHOXX: Lay-kun, could you clarify your vision of Fatima?
Lay: Well, what Fatima was and what it is now has slightly changed. Right now, it's not a raw band with a bunch of things going on, but a band that we all really want to do, and that is gradually taking shape as a result of that.
SHOXX: I feel that your world view comes out at lives, and in regards to Lay-kun and movies, it's an essential item, huh?
Lay: Movies are the foundation of my creative urges. When I see something good, I'm able to create songs. I really like David Lynch and Kubrik. It's the mini theatre feel that I like.
SHOXX: What have you seen recently?
Lay: The Matrix.
Towa: That's epic (Laughs)!
SHOXX: Towa-kun, how would you describe Lay-kun's presence?
Towa: He's very older brother-ish. He tells you what's good and what's bad. And everyday is new and exciting.
Lay: Towa's ambition, on the other hand, is attractive. He's also the type of person that wants to improve his sense of things.
SHOXX: And now, for your thoughts on where Fatima is heading!
Lay: It's my whole life. It's work. It's my hobby.
SHOXX: When you say it like that, it's so cool.
Towa: This band also means everything to me. Some day, I'd like to be able to write my own music. And I know I already said this about the dual nature of the piano and the drums, but I'd like to contribute it to the band, as it's something really important to me.
