2008/09/25＊Takuro
「I’m telling you, arituussu¹ is ancient!」
YOUNG FLAG is over! On my way back now. It was another wild show! I couldn’t stop grinning and getting goosebumps. Lots of people also came for the recording of the SCHOOL OF LOCK live broadcast of the wrap-up party. Everyone, be sure to not catch a cold. We’re coming back to Sendai in November to play with Midori. Later.
¹ Outdated slang for — you knew it — “arigatou.”
2008/09/24＊Takuro
「Since it’s shuubun no hi, does that mean it’s finally autumn?」
With a bunch of Zankyo artists gathered in one place, the 21st at Shinjuku LOFT was a really fun night. We were in a party mood ever since the soundchecks at noon. The wrap-up party was fun, too. All the youngsters who came over from Nagoya as well as the captain, everyone got smashed. Everyone was cool.
Today I went to UNIT to see Masudore (mass of the fermenting dregs, check them out if you don’t know them). As I reached the venue, I got orders as follows: “as the show’s ending, you get on stage and scatter around the castanets inside these yellow buckets”. Getting to my task without delay, I helped carry the buckets, took off my hat in greeting while taking care to conceal my identity by wearing these questionable sunglasses I had with me, almost having it snatched away by a member of the audience in the front, etc. Somehow I felt a little confused up there by myself. In any case, the main thing is that Masudore’s show was great. They were really lively. I want to play with them. After that, I spent my time at a wonderful drinking party.
Anyway, we have a show in Sendai on the 25th! We’ll be heading there tomorrow. Everyone from the Miyagi prefecture! We’ll also be making a live appearance on radio, so please listen to that.
2008/09/18＊Takuro
「The day after GG08」
Tonight was a really fun and stimulating night. It feels like SOIL & PIMPSESSIONS, Qomolangma Tomato and 9mm Parabellum Bullet were all drawing inspiration from each other for their respective shows. As everyone got on stage, they were saying how they felt energized thanks to the other two bands. I think it helped create a tremendous atmosphere. Motonaru from SOIL was saying how “it’s been a while since I last saw an audience as sweaty as me.” Indeed, the total amount of sweat produced last night was quite something. Every band was completely drenched afterwards, not to mention the stage floor. You could call yesterday a contest between different schools — 9mm, who were there as guests, and SOIL — but also the opposite of that as well. Above all, the presence of friends from another band made everyone excited, or rather, we strongly felt the appeal of having another band playing alongside us (on a sidenote, that also happens on 9mm’s tours as well). And for giving us that opportunity and arranging the event, I’d like to express my gratitude to George and M-ON TV once more. Thank you. The event itself will still continue tomorrow and the day after! George’s awesome!
After our show, we went drinking and had an awesome time with the members of Chomo, Taki, Kazuhiko and the staff. The whole time was spent laughing at utterances I can’t write down here (due to the excessive dirty stories, inside jokes and other indecency that comes with partying). I do however have an example documenting just that on my cellphone, which I’ll now be publishing here. I don’t know if you can spot them. They’re hanging there.
※ Mr. A from Chomo’s staff, showing a talent he takes pride in.
2008/09/15＊Takuro
「Unexpected」
We attended the GG08 at Shibuya AX. Just strolling about, we happened to randomly come across Serizawa from the SPECIAL OTHERS who invited us to come, so we decided to just head over. Even though monobright was playing that day, we made our way over too leisurely and managed to miss them…… But I’m glad we at least got to talk. Maybe I should start using framed glasses like them.
We’re performing there the day after tomorrow, too. The place has a really good atmosphere so I’m looking forward to it. Thank you to everyone from the GG staff for tonight. We look forward to working with you on the 17th. The picture is from when a member of one of the bands performing today, BOYS OF SUMMER, knocked over an ashtray. I think he couldn’t see where he was going because of his mask.
2008/09/14＊Takuro
「Did you all see it?」
The video for “Living Dying Message”! There was that day when we went to the sand dunes for the purpose of making this video. The director is someone you should already be familiar with, Daisuke Shimada. Mr. Shimada is responsible for all the videos of the Termination-era (aside from the one using live footage). Of course, he’s also had a hand in several works by other artists as well (RADWIMPS, etc.). All of his works have unique color tones, giving them this strange sentimental feel where you can’t even quite determine when they were made (something I’ve never told the man himself). I was just watching CS the other day when Kimura Kaela’s new song aired, and I thought to myself “this has got to be Shimada’s work!” I waited until the credits and it was indeed just like I thought. I think with this I’ve now got some of you thinking “I wonder if he also did that song for that artist!?“
In any case, I think the video this time around is again a very interesting one.
Do check it out!
2008/09/12＊Takuro
「9mm as of late」
Every night as I go to sleep, I’m silently thinking and hoping, “The weather’ll get cooler tomorrow for sure. Tomorrow……“, but it doesn’t look like the sunlight’s really easing up.
9mm as of late might have entered another interview period. I say “might have” because it’s not really clear when those periods begin and end — sort of like the rainy season (Wasn’t there a rainy season a couple of years back that just never cleared up? Okay, maybe not.) Today, too, we’ve been busy with fun conversations for magazine interviews and so. We have a rehearsal scheduled for tomorrow but I’m sure we’ll have to also do some interviews again.
On my way back home, I happened to run across friends from my hometown. The girls had been here since yesterday and are going back tomorrow. That moment when you meet old friends for the first time in years, you just never get sick of that feeling. That pleasant dialogue of “Huh……? Ah!!“
With that, later.
Tomorrow for sure………
2008/09/11＊Takuro
『According to rumors, he’s a 9mm’er (lie)』
The 9mm Day “Chaos no Hyakunen vol.5” ended without incident.
In the staff blogs uploaded yesterday, it suddenly warped from the signboard being finished to the backstage when the show was already over. That leaves a definite hole in time, so let’s shed some light on the events that took place for those of you who weren’t able to attend. I’ll write down my memories of yesterday.
Firstly, the secret guests in question were the comedians Dienoji, who brought along with them the young comedians Genkis, Penguin Nut and Long Hair!! I’m sure you all know them, right. Since it’s a big festival, we had to have everyone laughing, right! Us in the band didn’t get to say a thing! Nhahaha. Yes, we got them to do our intros as well as all the MC’s between songs. Ah man, it was really, really funny all the way through. Our show supposedly lasted close to two hours, but it felt like five minutes to us. It’s been a while since we’d played a live house of that size, too, so that aspect of it was fun, too. The audience was really close. All the venues on the tour, too, are like that. Very good, very good.
The comedians joined our wrap-up party, all high and mighty. You take your eyes off them for a second and they start telling jokes. Hey, wasn’t this supposed to be 9mm’s party? There was even a beach parasol at La.mama (the owner’s hobby apparently). After receiving lots of alcohol from several sources (shochu, nihonshu, wine, everything), we drank all of them in succession yesterday. Thanks to everyone who joined us in getting smashed.
Today I slept until afternoon and in the evening I received seitai, acupuncture, massage, the full course. There’s nothing more to say. Starting from tomorrow, we’ll be again heading towards our next show. I’ve been writing this while listening to the new album from SOIL, the band we’re playing with on the 17th. I can’t wait. Chomo’s going to be there, too, so there’s no doubt of it being a good show.
With that, see you at the next show.
2008/09/09＊Staff
The signboard is complete!
We’re hoping for your support!
Here’s what the finished product looks like!
