MALICE MIZER LIVE Merveilles ~ The End And Fate ~ In NIPPON BUDOKAN 1998.4.1

V's Break Out

"On July 19th Malice Mizer will make their major debut with the single 'Bel Air In the Moment of Emptiness.'

'Bel Air'—a French term meaning 'green wings' or 'clear air.' It’s a beautiful melody that would suit a European landscape filled with silence and melancholy, capturing the rise and fall of emotions. The lyricist, Gackt, and the composer, Mana, share the story behind this song.

Photograph: Hideaki Yajima

Costume: Yukari Ohba (Midi: Nette)

Interview by Hiroko Yamamoto"

―Your first major release, "Bel Air In the Moment of Emptiness," is about to come out. When you two work together to create songs, how does it usually go?

Gackt: It depends on the case. Often, we have the prototype of the song first, and then we go into the studio to shape it together.

Mana: This song, in particular, kept evolving. At first, I had an image of Scandinavia.

―Did you picture the Scandinavian landscape?

Mana: No, it was more Scandinavian metal (laughs). I imagined a beautiful guitar melody. I didn’t really picture a specific scene.

―Did you expect it to become your debut single?

Mana: I wasn’t really conscious of that. I feel like people look at Malice Mizer and think, “What are they?” But this song focuses on the sound of the five members, so I thought it was a track that could convey that the band is the core. Even though it’s our debut, we didn’t aim to make a pop song. The time signatures are irregular, and the tempo changes constantly, but the melody in the chorus is easy to listen to. It felt very much like us.

―Did you feel like you had created a masterpiece?

Gackt: Usually, I’d ask, “What’s the theme of this song?” But this time it was the opposite—Mana asked me, “What kind of lyrics are you going to write?” So I told him what I wanted to express with “Bel Air.”

Mana: On the other hand when it comes to songs where i can picture a scene, I’ll explain in detail, even to the point of being persistent. For example, while working on “Transylvania,” i constantly had the story of a Dracula movie in mind. But this time there wasn’t a specific scene, just emotions like sadness and melancholy.

Mana: Yes, with the harmonized twin guitars typical of Scandinavian metal, they’re beautifully melancholic, right? From the intro to the end i wanted both guitars to play harmonized parts non stop. Nowadays, in many bands, one guitarist does rhythm while the other plays the solo, so I thought having both play like that was kind of unique.

―So, did you communicate this song’s concept to Gackt?

Mana: Did I say “Scandinavian metal” (laughs)?

Gackt: I didn’t hear that (laughs).

Mana: I remember telling Közi, but I don’t recall how I explained it.

Gackt: I think you didn’t explain anything (laughs). Usually, there’s some kind of theme, but maybe that’s why you didn’t say anything this time.

―The lyrics bring to mind a tragic love story, don’t they?

Gackt: Hmm… I’m sure a lot of people would imagine a negative scene when they hear these lyrics, but I don’t generally write such lyrics. The events in this song are indeed sad and painful, but I wrote the lyrics with great importance on taking a step forward from that. The last part of the lyrics doesn’t have a subject or conclusion, and I wanted people to interpret it through their own experiences.

―Is it about losing someone you loved?

Gackt: Yes, that’s right. When I first heard this song, the word “Bel Air” came to mind. But since it had irregular time signatures and many transitions, I hit a wall and couldn’t finish the lyrics. Then I heard the news that someone close to me had passed away. After thinking about many things at home, the remaining melody and lyrics finally came to me. That’s why I have such a deep attachment to this song.

―The phrase “floating while swaying” is particularly striking.

Gackt: Yes, that phrase is key to this song.

―The transitions in the song seem to represent the passage of time. It’s very profound.

Gackt: “Emptiness” can mean many things. Sometimes, just five minutes can feel like a year or two. I think I was able to express the moment when you suddenly snap back to reality after a period of emptiness.

―By the way, this release comes with a video, right?

Mana: Yes, it does. We’re releasing the video in September. The video included with the single is just a small part of the footage shot in France, but the September release will be more like a movie. Malice Mizer is a band with a three-dimensional concept, so we use various stage performances to bring our songs to life. Visuals are an essential part of our expression.

Gackt: So, it won’t be just a typical music video; it will be something that embodies the feelings behind “Bel Air.”

I did a little translation of Yu~ki's interview. Feel free to correct me in my mistakes.

Interviewer: This outfit is your personal clothing, right? Is it for a party?

Yu~ki: It’s casual clothing for going out. My pants are showing a bit (laughs), it’s a little too much (laughs).

Interviewer: Are you planning to attend a Christmas party like this?

Yu~ki: Yes, I am.

Interviewer: So, what comes to mind when you think of Christmas?

Yu~ki: Nothing much really. I’m happy because I get to eat cake, that’s about it. ...Though, it’s like, "you can eat cake anytime!" (laughs).

Interviewer: The lights are beautiful, right?

Yu~ki: Yes, they’re definitely beautiful.

Interviewer: Or maybe it’s about getting a lot of presents?

Yu~ki: I guess presents do arrive.

Interviewer: Do you have any positive impressions of Christmas?

Yu~ki: Well, not really. I don’t have any plans for this year either. It’ll probably be over before I even notice (laughs). The cold wind blows, the leaves fall, it’s a lonely season that makes you miss people. And since I look like Dracula in this outfit, maybe I should just go around sucking blood (laughs). But, yeah, it does kind of make you feel excited in a way.

Interviewer: It feels like we’re making you say that... (laughs). What’s a memorable Christmas for you?

Yu~ki: There was someone whose birthday was close to Christmas, so we had a party with a bunch of close friends. We exchanged gifts but it was all guys.

Interviewer: What about sweet memories with a girl?

Yu~ki: Memories with a girl... I can’t say there aren’t any.

Interviewer: Come on!

Yu~ki: I mean, I do have some, but they’re not sweet at all (laughs). Actually, now that I think about it, there really aren’t any interesting stories (laughs).

Interviewer: Until when did you believe in Santa Claus?

Yu~ki: Probably until I entered elementary school. My parents would always leave presents by my pillow, and maybe I pretended to believe for their sake. I’ve always been the type to look at things realistically from a young age (laughs).

Interviewer: That’s not very cute! So, what’s your ideal way to spend Christmas?

Yu~ki: Cake. ...Well, I don’t really care, to be honest (laughs). As long as it’s fun, that’s good enough, right? But is it normal for people to have plans for Christmas?

Interviewer: Even though your fans usually call out, "Yu~ki ♥," on Christmas...

Yu~ki: I hope everyone listens to a CD and eats cake alone. ...That’s what I’ll be doing! While thinking of my fans!!

Malice Mizer Magazines

(Part 2/6)

All the photo credits to voulerie on tumblr

Zapping CD Track 24: Interview!

Gackt

"This time, the PV is based on the story of the song’s world."

15:58 - Gackt makes a magnificent entrance through the grasslands.

17:44 - Gackt gives direction to Jasmine, saying, "Relax and entrust your heart and body to me."

18:16 - A playful scene during filming for the engine shot.

"This song was originally created last year when I went to France to shoot a video. I was zoning out on top of a hill when the world of 'Le ciel' suddenly came to me. The version in the album and this version aren’t about which is correct; I think people will feel our emotions and the expanded worldview in this single. And for this promotional video, we wanted to portray the song’s world as a story. We spent a huge amount of time on the storyboard, and I think it changed about 14 or 15 times. By the way, Nagano is really a wonderful place, right? I’m having fun, and it’s been relaxing to film here."

17:03 - During a shoot for this magazine, Gackt asks, "Is this photo an extension of the PV or something separate?" showing his attention to detail.

16:04 - After checking the eyeline, they started the test. Five test takes, two main takes, and it was a wrap.

We enjoyed nature, including the various bird calls, but almost all of the staff were bitten by insects…

MALICE MIZER

Day 2

6:30 - 18:30 Filming in a pasture in Nagano was purely magical!

At 6:30 AM, the staff gathered at a certain location in Tokyo and headed to a ranch in Nagano. The scene was shot in a pasture where ordinary people are not allowed. That day, it was just Gackt and Jasmine appearing again. The two blended so beautifully into the landscape that it seemed almost surreal. On this day, they shot 20 scenes and 48 takes. After each take, they checked the monitor and discussed the subtle expressions and movements with director Muto. The attention to detail and the commitment to refining every shot was a testament to their passion as creators.

At 16:25, Gackt continued holding Jasmine, smiling wryly as he said, "I'm starting to sweat."

Director Hiroyuki Muto

"There's no one more interesting than them."

We held three full meetings with everyone involved. While respecting the vision of Gackt, who wrote the lyrics, we discussed everything as a team and created the storyboard. The challenge was to maintain the unity of the group while highlighting each individual member. Their concept is always clear, so it’s fun to shoot each time.

This is the third time that director Muto, who usually works in television drama, has filmed a PV for MALICE MIZER.

A completely new arrangement of "Le ciel Beyond the Blank Space"

Since their major debut in July of last year, MALICE MIZER has built a world of "merveilles" (which means "wonders"). To conclude the concept of this album, they’ve released this song. While the song was already included in the album "merveilles," this single features a completely new arrangement, making it even more dramatic. The track begins with a bass drum beat (with each beat at a different pitch) and has been meticulously crafted. From the beginning to its shocking ending, it’s a song meant to be played at high volume. (Released by Nippon Columbia CODA-16178, priced at 1,400 yen, released on 9/30.)

A studio where the entire set was completely rearranged in one night.

Yu-ki’s prop was a staff adorned with a crystal ball.

Day 4

9:00 - 22:00 Finally, the entire cast appeared, and it was simply breathtaking!

On the final day, the filming proceeded with Jasmine, followed by Kami. Initially, Kami was unsure of how to move, but gradually, his poses came together, and he finished within two hours. Then, at 16:26, the entire cast appeared. This was the only scene in the video where all the members appeared together, and the tension of the final scene made everyone assume it would take a long time to get an OK take (meaning the end time was undetermined). Surprisingly, though, it was completed in about 40 minutes with just six takes. Afterward, Gackt was filmed alone, marking the end of all shooting.

→ After filming, Kami took Jasmine out for a stroll in this very outfit to a convenience store.

13th Day, 20:56 - Yu-ki checking the oboe fingerings.

Interview!

Yu-ki

Even the other members were surprised.

"At 20:44 on the 13th, I was instructed by Director Muto to take on the image of a 'bad fairy.'"

"I’m trying to surprise everyone."

"It’s not just an ordinary promotional video. I want to capture the world of the song in a concrete way through the visuals, so I’m putting in a lot of effort. Regarding the costumes, this time, for the first time, we used 'white' as a theme, and each of us brought in our own ideas, trying to surprise even the other members. I think everyone had that feeling. I made my own headpiece, but I didn’t have any initial image for the makeup. As I was drawing, it just ended up like this (laughs)."

→ At 20:39 on the 13th, he checks his position during a makeup touch-up.

14th Day, 19:07 - Only two scenes left!

At 1:27 on the 14th, the director instructed, "Don’t forget your affection for her."

Yu-ki’s look was highly praised among the staff. On the 3rd day, he shot three scenes with five takes.

14th Day, 13:54 - Kami shows off a daring move, playing the sitar with a bow.

This song has the most emotion packed into the interlude.

Gackt appeared at 16:26 on the 14th day. The scene of breaking the flower was symbolic.

→ Even just standing still, Kami looks like a picture.

"This was the hardest shoot for me. There was so little movement (laughs). During 'Gekka no Yasoukyoku,' there was quite a bit of movement. Somehow, the movements feel forced. As for 'Le ciel Beyond the Blank Space,' I focused on the pacing, especially in the interlude. We mixed four types of drums, and for me, that part is packed with the most emotion. Some sounds don’t even seem like they’re from drums. In this interlude, I wanted it to feel like the emotions of all five members were clashing. Time off? None (decisively). We’re destined to keep running (laughs)."

Kami teaching Jasmine how to play the sitar.

Filming completed! Time for a commemorative photo!!

After the unexpectedly quick conclusion of the full-cast scene, at 18:38, the staff joined in, and they took a commemorative photo. Some covered their faces, and some turned their backs, but in any case, great job, everyone!

"The song started to take on a different feeling, and the way we approached it also changed.

With the existence of wind, and so on i feel that I am sensing a sense of closeness or maybe i should call it a difficulty in perceiving it in myself."

By the way, with the arena performance now complete and 'Le ciel' being released as a single, the merveilles series is finally coming to an end, right? However, when I think about the final scene expressed at the Yokohama Arena performance and the atmosphere at the ending of this song, I can’t help but wonder… is it really over? There’s a part of me that can’t help but feel doubtful. So, what’s the truth about that?"

Mana: "Who knows? There might be something new starting from here… but it’s not yet the time to talk about that, so I can’t say. Well, it’s certainly true that i can’t say it’s over in an absolute sense."

Interviewer: "Exactly. The way the sound cuts off at the end of the song feels like it has some deep meaning hidden behind it. Why did it end that way?"

Gackt: "Well, why do you think it is? In fact, I’m curious to hear how you felt."

Interviewer: "Hmm… i felt a certain loneliness. It gave me a sense of being left behind, in a way."

Mana: "I see."

Gackt: "To put it another way, that feeling comes from Sugie san’s own sensitivity and past experiences, which made you feel that way. And that’s okay; everyone can feel it in their own way. And in another moment if you listen again, it might leave you with a different impression. On the other hand, what we aim to present is music that creates different stories and landscapes within each listener over time."

Check Out the Fashion of the Stars!

Vol. 5

Mana (MALICE MIZER)

Paying Attention to Invisible Style

Finally, the long awaited MALICE MIZER is here! This time we talked mainly about the costumes for their new song “The Blood and Roses of Reunion,” which will be released on November 3rd. Use it as a reference for cosplay. Also look forward to Közi in the issue coming out on November 1st and Yu~ki in the issue coming out on November 29th!

What About This Time’s Costume?

Mana: It’s inspired by “The Bloodline,” and we’ve unified the costumes for the three members. My role hasn’t changed. It’s supposed to be unclear whether I’m alive or dead...

Any Particular Details You Focused On?

Mana: The flouncy part of the mini skirt is a focus. This time, I wanted to create a sense of heaviness overall, so the fabric is relatively heavy, but the skirt is fluffy. Also, since the song is “The Blood and Roses of Reunion,” we’ve placed the emblem on each member's chest as a focal point. The color is blue, and I’ve also used a slightly darker lipstick than usual. And the knee-high socks—they’re worn over stockings. The color matches the blue theme. Even if they aren’t visible? It’s important to be stylish!

The Hair Roll Looks Great Too.

Mana: This time, setting the roll higher is key. Start by creating rolls at the roots, then curl them up and pin them. The number of rolls depends on the mood of the moment. The trick is to avoid making them too thick or too thin; use the curling iron carefully for each one. Straight hair is fine, but using the curling iron is tricky, so it takes practice. If you’re not used to it, it won’t curl easily. It’s better not to use too strong a hairspray; if it’s too hard it loses its natural softness.

It Won’t Show, You Know (laughs). This time all the lace parts of the costume are made from the same fabric and the headpiece is also made from the same lace.

You’ve Slimmed Down a Lot, Haven’t You?

Mana: I’m opening an original fashion brand shop (“Moi-même Moitie”), so the owner can’t be overweight (laughs). Plus gothic fashion doesn’t suit someone who isn’t slim. I’ve lost a few kilograms for that reason.

Are the Accessories for the Costume Store Products?

Mana: They aren’t store products; they were made specifically for this occasion. The earrings, rings, and necklace are all crosses, and they have a specific meaning. In “The Blood and Roses of Reunion,” the cross represents “spiritual communion.”

Regarding Mana’s Look...

Mana: It hasn’t changed; it’s the same (costume) (laughs). There are a lot of skirts. The points of style are mysterious, alluring, elegant, and extreme. The hairstyle is also carefully adjusted to match the occasion. It feels like “mysterious gothic horror,” right?

Any Future Challenges You Want to Try?

Mana: Maybe a pompadour. I really like pompadours. A big pompadour. It looks cool. I might incorporate that into a costume.

MALICE MIZER

“Merveilles” The End and the Return TOUR '98 / 7.22 Yokohama Arena

A dangerous drug that captivates those who see it

Text: Roku Ono

Photo: Miwa Oya

"Starting around 4 PM i t began to drizzle which soon turned into a downpour. Even with umbrellas it was only a slight comfort against the incredible intensity of the rain. In the midst of it, girls, filled with thoughts of Malice Mizer and a desire to get as close to them as possible, gathered while desperately lifting the hems of their dresses and cloaks.

On July 2nd at Yokohama Arena. Fans gathered for the final of Malice Mizer’s concert tour “merveilles" The End and the Return~TOUR '98," forming a long line from Shin Yokohama Station. Commuters completely unaware of what was happening, passed by with looks of sympathy and curiosity at the girls dressed in the most inappropriate outfits for the rain. But they didn’t care about that. Ignoring the rain, the fans gathered..."

Artist Q&A File63-MALICE MIZER || Translation in english

yu-ki (b)

Q1. Date of birth, blood type, height, weight, shoe size, vision?

August 8th, Type A, 175cm, 54kg, 26cm shoe size, both eyes 8.8.

Q2. Hobby?

Being alone in the dark.

Q3. Habit?

Staring off into the distance.

Q4. The CD you like the most right now?

(Answer not provided)

Q5. When you drink alcohol, what do you drink, how much, and with whom?

I don't drink much.

Q6. If you smoke, what do you smoke and how much?

GITANES (CAPORAL), two packs a day.

Q7. Favorite form of gambling?

None.

Q8. The kind of present you'd be happy to receive?

Something suspicious.

Q9. Your ideal type of woman (if you had to compare her to a celebrity)?

Trish Goff.

Q10. Pickup line for women?

Words aren’t necessary.

Q11. Where do you mainly write lyrics or compose music?

In a dark room.

Q13. The most memorable song from your own music?

"Kioku to Sora" (Memory and Sky).

Q14. A mistake you’ve made during a live performance?

I often forget to turn off the bypass switch, so the sound doesn’t come out.

Q15. What type of women catch your eye during live shows?

Those who are enjoying themselves.

Q16. How do you decide what to wear on stage?

It depends on the concept at that time.

Q17. The last thing you do before a show starts?

Have a smoke.

Q18. The first thing you do after a show ends?

Have five smokes.

Q19. A song you'd like to play as an intro during a live show?

A song I composed myself.

Q20. The most memorable live performance you’ve had, where and when?

The last indie live at Shibuya Public Hall.

Q21. If you could collaborate with someone outside of the band, who would it be?

Lisa Gerrard from Dead Can Dance.

Q22. If one of your band's songs became a drama theme song, which would you choose?

It depends on the story…

Q23. If you had to describe the current state of the band with a color, what would it be?

Colorless.

Q24. Lastly, any message to the fans?

Please feel it.

kami(dr)

Q1. Date of birth, blood type, height, weight, shoe size, vision?

February 1st, 199X, Type A, about 180cm, average weight, 25.0cm shoe size, left eye: gray 2.0 / right eye: purple 2.0.

Q2. Hobby?

Enjoying being alone.

Q3. Habit?

If I knew, I wouldn’t need to worry about it.

Q4. The CD you like the most right now?

There are too many…

Q5. When you drink alcohol, what do you drink, how much, and with whom?

Kalua milk.

Q6. If you smoke, what do you smoke and how much?

Just a puff of smoke each time.

Q7. Favorite form of gambling?

Casino.

Q8. The kind of present you'd be happy to receive?

Cigarettes or CD vouchers.

Q9. Your ideal type of woman (if you had to compare her to a celebrity)?

Someone with piercing eyes and hair longer than mine. Like Maetel.

Q10. Pickup line for women?

You’re beautiful.

Q11. Where do you mainly write lyrics or compose music?

At home.

Q12. How do you compose—do melodies come to you first, or do you build from riffs and chords?

By humming.

Q13. The most memorable song from your own music?

"Bel air ~In the Moment of Blankness…" from MALICE MIZER

Q14. A mistake you’ve made during a live performance?

(Answer not provided)

Q15. What type of women catch your eye during live shows?

A little chubby and in cosplay, hahaha.

Q16. How do you decide what to wear on stage?

We have our own costumes, you know…

Q17. The last thing you do before a show starts?

Smoke a cigarette.

Q18. The first thing you do after a show ends?

Drink water.

Q19. A song you'd like to play as an intro during a live show?

We even compose our own SE (sound effects)...

Q20. The most memorable live performance you’ve had, where and when?

January 10th, at Nihon Seinenkan. I couldn’t stop crying.

Q21. If you could collaborate with someone outside of the band, who would it be?

There are many people.

Q22. If one of your band's songs became a drama theme song, which would you choose?

The song that fits the drama…

Q23. If you had to describe the current state of the band with a color, what would it be?

Five people, five colors.

Q24. Lastly, any message to the fans?

We will keep doing things beyond your imagination, so please grow with us and be able to keep up. Even mistakes are part of the performance!

The end!

Moi dix Mois

Welcome to the Strange Year End Party

Moi dix Mois' annual grand year end party, sandwiched between their signature dark live performances with a spectacular ending! This year as well Seth (Vo) appeared as the character "Umezawa Sesuo" performing the song "Yume Shibai," while Mana (G) displayed his brilliant drum and bass playing.

The evening's feast began with a comedic opening hosted by K (G, Voice) and included highlights such as the anime "Martin Theater," which evoked shouts of "kawaii!" from the audience. Of course when Moi dix Mois performed they swiftly shifted from the fun atmosphere to their signature coolness, impressing as always.

Now witness an entertainment show infused with the dark aesthetics that define Supreme Commander Mana.

Dis inferno Vol. IV LAST YEAR PARTY 2006.12.26, Shibuya O-East

The venue dimmed and the host K appeared on a small stage on the right side of the floor, announcing today's opening act. The band was called MANALEY CRUE (a play on the name Mötley Crüe). As the curtain opened to "Red Hot," Mana appeared first, wearing tight slim pants decorated with mesh and handcuffs in a very Mötley Crüe like outfit. For a moment, you could almost think you were witnessing the LA metal scene of the early '80s. As the other members appeared, their resemblance to the original band was quite impressive, especially Sugiya (G), whose appearance was strikingly similar to Mick Mars. It seemed like Mana's choice for sure.

After playing drums in the past, Mana took the double bass drum kit for this show, setting the tone for this two-year comeback event, Moi dix Mois' Last Year Party under the name Dis inferno. Though usually known for their serious live performances, on this night, it was all about fun, giving fans a rare glimpse into the band members' hidden talents and unique sides. As always, the central figure was Moi dix Mois' leader, Mana.

The band played "Looks That Kill" with enthusiasm continuing the Mötley Crüe tribute and series of covers. The next act saw a dazzling Seth take the stage as "Umezawa Iku," performing Umezawa Tomio's "Yume Shibai." Seth's performance was remarkable, fully immersing himself in the song's world. Hayato dressed as a stagehand, added manual effects like tossing confetti, making it a full-fledged show.

Following the metal and enka (Japanese ballad) performance, Fukuyama Kenji's "Squall" was performed with an acoustic guitar, not by K, but by Keiny-chan. Although casually dressed in a white shirt and jeans, his face was still decked out in the usual death/gothic makeup, with half of his hair braided and the other half spiked—an extreme look that added an eerie touch to the performance. Despite the visual contrast, his voice resonated powerfully.

Next up was "The King of Knowledge" Sugiya, who appeared as "Sugick" to perform... balloon art! Yes, twisting long balloons into shapes like animals and flowers in a street-performer style. In a short time, he created a parrot, leaving the audience exclaiming, "Amazing!"

Afterward, the atmosphere completely shifted as "Now the other side in blood" began, marked by the intense double bass drumming. The live performance by Moi dix Mois proper started, powerfully leading with "Front et Baiser." The band's signature sound, featuring crushing metal riffs, had the audience headbanging enthusiastically, creating an electric atmosphere.

During the break, an animated short, "Martin Theater," featuring Mana as a chibi character, was shown on the screen. The whole band appeared in super-deformed (SD) style in a cute and comical story, delighting the audience with its adorable depiction.

On this night, the setlist was built around particularly aggressive songs, driving the audience into a frenzy. The combination of metal riffs and fierce melodies, like in the nostalgic track "Lamentful Miss," echoed strongly through the venue. Moi dix Mois’ performances, such as "Ange," highlighted their unique style, combining intensity and a haunting beauty that remains true to their essence.

The visual spectacle also included Mana’s new guitar, "Jeune Fille X Bronze -Cross Ray-," which had a glowing blue cross in the center. He concluded his performance by collapsing dramatically on stage, leaving a lasting impression. This glimpse into the recording of their upcoming album, due in March, hinted that intensity would be a major theme.

After the show closed with a powerful and flawless performance, the grand year-end party concluded with the entire Moi dix Mois band plus K performing a massive singalong to "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," with giant balloons floating through the crowd, bringing the festive night to a spectacular finish.

Malice Mizer Kami

"The number of outfits I have is quite impressive you know. I love shopping so I tend to make impulsive buys (laughs). Yeah I don’t dislike trends either. If I think something is good I’ll often incorporate it right away. But I don’t incorporate trends into my outfits behind the scenes. Fashion is something beyond trends so it’s not really in that dimension for me.

As for the obsession with costumes it can vary depending on the song but to express the essence of the song I focus on the character of each person and the concept of their image color. For me my image color is purple but that doesn't mean I’ll wear any shade of purple. I consider the story of the song and the color choices I make are in line with that.

The reason purple became my image color was during our debut. Before that most of my costumes were based on black or silver. But for the debut I thought, "Why not try a different color?" At first I resisted it with a smile but once I wore it it didn’t feel out of place at all so I decided to go with it and that's when purple became my color.

When it comes to costumes, there’s always some creative thinking involved. For example the costume for "Ver. Aile" had pants with a wide bottom part from the knee down. They were hard to pedal in so I made a foot strap in the same color as the costume (laughs). Before playing the drums I’d quickly turn around and put it on instant performance art (laughs). There are plenty of behind the scenes stories like that.

As for my favorite costume it’s hard to choose since I like all of them and each one has sentimental value... But the costume for "Gekka no YasoKyoku" stands out as one I particularly love. The lines are beautiful and the inner fabric is a lovely purple iridescent material there was a lot of attention to detail even in parts you don’t see. I think that costume has a very high level of completion. Also the white costume I wore this time is another one I really love. It's the one that came closest to my image. We always design our costumes ourselves but sometimes the final product isn’t exactly what we envisioned. But this time it turned out perfectly to the design and I’m really happy with it. It might even be a personal hit (laughs).

The part I focused on the most this time was the wig. It has a blue to purple gradient and up until just before the photoshoot I couldn’t find a wig that matched my vision. I was so worried. Then while I was walking around the city I found a purple wig displayed in a shop window. And the part of it lit up with lights was changing colors to a blue creating a natural gradient. When I saw it I just knew, "This is it!" Even though the store told me it wasn’t for sale I begged them to sell it to me. The shopkeeper asked, “Are you sure you want it with the color change?” and I said, “That’s exactly what I’m looking for!" (laughs). So I really focus on the details like that and I hope everyone will enjoy looking at all the little details too."

Credits to my friend for the photo

Friend & Friend

kami Tama (MALICE MIZER) (CASCADE)

— You went to the beach, right? On the MALICE MIZER boat, right? — Tama

Tama: And then we stayed at some weird kind of pension.

kami: Yeah, it was like a strange pension-type place.

— Has it been a long time since you last saw Tama?

kami: It's been a while. We used to meet up often.

Tama: Yeah, it’s not like we planned it, but we used to run into each other a lot.

kami: We used to do nothing but bad things (laughs).

Tama: Right? (laughs)

— What kind of bad things?

kami: I can't say (laughs).

Tama: Can't say (laughs).

— It’s fine, the statute of limitations is up by now (laughs)!

Tama: We smoked incense (laughs).

kami: Yeah, we smoked incense (laughs).

— Incense!?

Tama: There was some kind of incense from India or somewhere...

— Real incense?

Tama: Yeah. We were like, "If we smoke this, we can trip, right?!" and we all smoked it (laughs).

kami: Yeah, yeah (laughs).

Tama: But all it did was make our throats hurt, we couldn’t trip at all (laughs).

— That’s obvious (laughs)!

Tama: And then we went to the beach, right?

kami: We did!

— Who did you go with?

kami: With Tama-chan, közi, me, and Kou...

Tama: Back then, we had a friend named Kou.

— Did you suddenly decide to go after drinking?

kami: No, Tama-chan arranged everything for us.

Tama: Yeah, we went on the MALICE MIZER boat.

kami: And we stayed at some weird pension-type place.

Tama: It was more like a lodge than a pension, though (laughs). But the dinner was delicious, right?

kami: It was great!

Tama: We ate until we were stuffed. And back then, I still had long hair, so I coolly jumped into the ocean and played beach volleyball with some gals.

kami: Yeah, you did! And then Kou, that friend of ours, was doing this thing called the “Kou-bar Head Kick!” It was hilarious (laughs).

Tama: I don’t think the people around us thought it was funny at all (laughs). But it was a good memory. At one point, when everyone was partying and making noise at night, I went outside and disappeared for about two hours.

— What were you doing?

Tama: What was I doing? I was probably staring at the sea. It was around the time I had just left my previous band, so I was probably caught up in self-loathing, thinking, “What am I doing with my life?” But since my hair was long, I kept getting hit on by all kinds of people (laughs).

kami: We should go again!

Tama: We were saying, "Let’s go again next year!" and making plans.

— Let’s make it happen this summer! Vicious can cover the cost (laughs).

(Vicious: Sure! By Vicious)

kami: Oh yeah, remember we drank at Shinjuku West Gate Park? It was me, the members of CASCADE, and közi.

Tama: Oh yeah, we did!

— Why were you drinking in the park?

Tama: Back when CASCADE still didn’t have much of an audience, kami and közi came to one of our shows, and we had the afterparty in Shinjuku West Gate Park. That’s when I handed over our demo tape.

kami: And that's when I learned the song "KILL ME STOP."

Tama: That song's pretty good, right?

kami: Yeah. I thought it was really interesting.

— Did you have a feeling back then that "this band is going to make it"?

kami: There were two songs on the demo tape, and while it was different from Tama-chan's previous band, I definitely had a feeling about it.

Tama: Come on (laughs)!

kami: It’s true! I was happy when I saw you doing well on "Ebisu Onsen" (a music show that served as a stepping stone for new bands; CASCADE made their debut thanks to it).

— Hold on! The conversation is starting to get serious (laughs)!

kami: What’s wrong with that?

— This isn't that kind of corner (laughs). So, how are things with the ladies lately?

kami: Ahahahaha (laughs).

Tama: Kami is pretty proactive, isn’t he?

kami: You think so?

Tama: More like animalistic than proactive (laughs). But that’s what I like about you (laughs).

— That’s not what you said during your previous interview with SHUSE (laughs)!

kami: Well, going major made me a bit more negative.

Tama: So you’ve been thinking negatively about a lot of things?

kami: Yeah, recently.

Tama: When you debut as a major artist, you tend to become mentally unstable. I went through that too.

kami: It’s not so much instability. When you're indie, the band feels like home, but when it turns into a job, it becomes something different.

— I see.

kami: I started thinking, "Where is my home now?"

— Well, it’s obviously in a girl's chest (laughs)!

Tama: Speaking of that, how's your relationship with your high school girlfriend?

— We broke up! And two days before Valentine’s Day, no less!

Tama: That’s because you were cheating all the time (laughs)!

— Shut up (laughs)! Tama-chan, are you the type who gets dumped?

Tama: I haven’t been dumped much.

— So are you the one who does the dumping?

Tama: Not really that either. It’s more like things just naturally fizzle out.

kami: Same here!

Tama: It sounds terrible to say you’re just waiting for the right time, but you can kind of tell, right?

— You both start feeling like, "It’s probably about time"?

Tama: Yeah, you wait for that moment.

— That’s awful (laughs)!

Tama: Yeah, I guess I’m awful (laughs)! But in my school days, I used to get dumped all the time.

— Were you always going after girls who were out of your league?

Tama: Not at all, I’ve always had a really wide strike zone.

kami: Ahahahaha (laughs)!

Tama: My first experience was with someone quite a bit older.

kami: Really?

Tama: Really.

— How old were you?

Tama: I was 17.

— And the other person?

Tama: She was quite a bit older.

— In a way, that’s kind of enviable!

Tama: When was your first time, kami?

kami: I was 17 too. But mine was with a girl a year younger than me.

— I was also 17, and she was a year younger than me.

kami: We’re the same then!

— Want to hear about it?

kami: What is it?

— I used to commute by train, and one day, this girl suddenly gave me a love letter.

kami: That’s great!

Tama: Was she cute?

— She was super cute!

kami: That’s really great!

— So we started dating, and I gave her my virginity. But after a while, she suddenly said, “I’m getting married,” and when I told her, “I’m not ready for that yet,” she said, “It’s not you. I’ve been seeing someone else too.” I was like, "Gah!"

kami: Oh no!

— Turns out she had been dating a 23-year-old guy, and about a week later, she quit school and really got married.

kami: Oh no!

— I want my virginity back!

kami: Ahahahaha (laughs)!

Tama: That must’ve been a shock, right?

— It was a huge shock!

Tama: The first girl I dated also cheated on me. Her name was Miki. You can write that down!

kami: Ahahahaha (laughs)!

Tama: Miki cheated on me. We started dating when I was in the second year of middle school, and she was my first kiss, but she’d also been dating this guy since the fourth grade. His name was Tanabe!

kami: Ahahahaha (laughs)!

Tama: You know how, in middle school, when you start dating someone, rumors spread fast? So my friends started saying, “Hey, I heard she has a boyfriend. They’ve been dating since the fourth grade!” So I asked her directly.

— You asked Miki (laughs)?

Tama: Yeah, I asked her, “Miki, do you like me?” “I do.” “Do you like Tanabe?” “I do.” “So, who do you like more, me or Tanabe?” “Tanabe.” (laughs).

kami: Gya-hahaha (laughs)!

Tama: Right after that, we went on a school trip, but for me, it was a heartbroken trip.

kami: Gya-hahaha (laughs)!

— When was your first kiss, kami?

kami: I was really focused on my band until my first year of high school. I didn’t even look at girls; I was just drumming all the time. But in my second year, I started paying attention to the opposite sex and ended up dating someone.

— What was her name?

kami: Maki (laughs).

Tama: Was she cute?

kami: Yeah, she was cute. But, to be honest, she was kind of a delinquent. She had a lot of guy friends, and I couldn’t trust her, so we broke up.

Tama: You seem to like delinquent girls, right? The ones with brown hair and a bit rebellious?

kami: I like Nanase Aikawa (laughs). I once dated a full-on delinquent girl. A friend of mine brought her to one of our live shows, and I guess she liked me because she called me up and asked, “Would you go out with me?” I couldn’t say no, so I said, “Sure!” (laughs). Then I went to her house, and there were all these gang flags and tons of pictures of motorcycles. I thought, “Nope, this isn’t for me!” and broke up with her right away (laughs).