Fuse interview (forgot who it came from)
Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xWbBTagW-0
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8liZKSp1IWc
I havent seen the fuse interview yet (slow comp)
-------------------------
and also another interview from Sonic Seducer translated by in_monochrome on livejournal (link:
http://in-monochrome.livejournal.com/25370.html)
Unforgettable stays Dir en greys entrance last year at Rock am Ring before Deftones, Korn, Tool and Guns 'N Roses on the huge mainstage. Even today not only the Japanese staff talks about this exceptional-performance of the exotic rocktunes (I really hate usage of trend English in German texts! x__x) Kaoru, Die (both guitar), bassist Toshiya and drummer Shinya as well as the rabiesly self-destruction performance of vocalist Kyo. The whole music-cricus is exicted to see the evolution of these superstars (2007 at the Wacken Open Air), who will release their newest work "The Marrow Of A Bone" in March. Finally we got the band to ask them questions to make Dir en grey and J-rock accessible to us.
Could you see at least a bit of the Federal Republic besides than stages and hotels while your last Germany tour?
Shinya: It's very important to me to walk around very much, to take a look at the city and their historical buildings and to simply get the feeling for the area. Everyone in our band manages that different: The one sleeps or dawdles all the time inside the hotel, the other one simply goes on sightseeing.
How do you get along with the German traditions?
Die: At the beginning we had simply no image what would wait for us, but then we discovered that Germany and Japan are quite familiar to each other. Mental maybe even more close as one is i.e. to Americans. By now we even eat the domestic food, drink German beer and know your traditions. Slowly we're getting used to it and it almost feels nature for us.
What's your state in your home country? Some underground bands can't live of their arts and have to job somewhere else as well...
Toshiya: Are you joking? We really have no time for other jobs, cause we're too busy with Dir en grey. Although there are many talented musicians in Japan who have to work in their freetime i.e. at a gas station, while others became millionaires through their music. We're standing between these millionaires and those workaholics - that's what I'd say - and we're lucky with it.
How is the reception of J-rock in Japan? Does it count as rebellious?
Die: The term J-rock is very complex and includes some under-fields, we don't wanna know about this describtion. There are really huge acts with millions, but also an extreme underground community. Even though it's more a thing of the music industry. J-rock is really popular in Japan, but it hasn't changed anything about the culture yet. By now it got almost as usual as wearing a T-shirt.
Does no one reacts shocked, because of these tattooed musicians who sing about things like death?
Kyo: Well, actually. Especially older people react shocked, because of our look, our music or my self-destruction (self-hurting...? @.@) on stage. But I believe that is a natural circle. Our grandparents surely also disliked the music of our parents. We maybe just strengthen the visual in our generation. But we never wanted to be Everybody's Darling.
What do Dir en greys lyrics refer to? Are they more a carrier of a message or is it just because the entertainment?
Kyo: We write our music with a message to the fans. All lyrics are written by myself and it's mostly about pain, suffer and despairing, emotions that actually most humans want to hide inside themselves. I try to write my alternating hot and cold baths of feelings down, so the chaos inside my mind. So my lyrics are actually very personal.
How big is the rivalry in the J-rock scene really?
Die: We all hate each other. (loud laughing) We're not really a media-friendly band...
Toshiya: One has to see it positive: The competition is actually extreme, but it supports the mutual growing. It's like a challenge. Everyone wants to be different and that strengths the quality in that category. Just very less bands are friends with each other.
Many bands have exchanged this extreme androgen look of their beginning for an casual, daily-friendly, prettier look. Does that mean the music becomes more the focus?
Die: Yes, absolutely! I remember shows with extravagant outfits and high heels it was almost impossible to play guitar with. It works excellent with our recent outfits. But: We never wanted to be ugly. Music was always the main reason for us, but when people start liking something about us we immediately throw it overboard and search for something new. That counts for our outfits as for our music. If someone wants to have harder songs we will make exactly the opposite - but have success anyway.
Are there typical Japanese elements in your music?
Kaoru: Everything that sounds mysterious in any kind of way might be original Japanese, but not traditional.
Often one can recognize J-rock band, because of their melodic, melancholic chorus that distinguishes from western habits. Let's turn the tables now: Do you feel our music sometimes as exotic as we feel yours?
Shinya: Difficult. We notice that bands in America and Europe mostly remain true to their style. Heavy bands stay heavy, soft stays soft - the whole time - while our music stylistically is much more versatile. I believe that's the main difference between our music cultures.
Does that mean you think our music is boring, cause it's fixed on a style?
Toshiya: (hesitating) Yes, actually in some way. Anyway there are many exceptions. But we don't wanna sound like Rammstein who always just sounds like Rammstein, or like other western bores. We have higher demands.
---------------------------------
I like the interview except the last comment. They always just sound like diru to me but I love it and I dont know if they have heard all the western bands to say they are boring *shrugs*. And thats kinda weird that they dont get along with any other jrock bands but they seem to get along really well with the western bands here.
anyway what do you all think?