2010/03/17＊Takuro
「About Takamatsu」
On the night 9mm and telephones were playing in Takamatsu, POLYSICS were meanwhile playing at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo.
While eating udon in the backstage of OLIVE HALL, we were reminiscing about how each time we came to Shikoku on tour, we’d always play with POLY. It’s too bad I couldn’t go see them. The tour has its unfortunate downsides like that, too. Well, at least Hayashi told me they’re making it into a DVD(!) and besides, I can look forward to the next time we tour together.
The date has changed to the 18th. The finale is here.
2010/03/16＊Takuro
「Semi-finale」
The Tottori show is over. Hamamatsu is all that remains.
I’m happy we have the telephones to head over with us.
This is all for tonight for the time being. Talk to you tomorrow.
2010/03/13＊Takuro
「We’ve arrived at Kouchi」
I was surprised when there was snow in Kyushu, but it turns out there’s a cold wave going over all of Japan. It seems Aomori and Sapporo made new records in the amount it snowed. I have to be thankful for the fact that we weren’t affected by it because of our nice tour schedule.
9mm and BAWDIES have entered Shikoku and today we’re playing in Kouchi. Our first time in 3 years playing at X-POINT. BAWDIES are in rehearsal right now. It’s too bad we have to already go our separate ways even though we got quite close through partying together so much. (Even though we partied together so much in Oita.¹) I’m sure they’ll put on another awesome performance of groovy rock tonight. I think we, too, will continue doing our hard-hitting shows.
By the way, it seems our LESSTHAN-produced limited time shop has T-shirts worn by 9mm live and polo shirts worn by Taki, lined up at the front. The person in the photo is wearing something with a printed rose full of impact. I like how it doesn’t have the usual aesthetic appeal found in rose motifs. The sneakers are ECLODEVICE ones I use live. Maybe I should make the laces black, too.
Now then. I’m ready to rock tonight.
Later.
¹ A kanji pun that doesn’t translate well into English.
2009/03/09＊Takuro
「Saga GEILS」
The BAWDIES are in soundcheck at the moment. They’re the best. It’d be great if everyone danced for all they’re worth. Talk to you later.
2010/03/05＊Takuro
「Quattro series」
Only one show left on the four-stop Quattro leg of the tour which we began with the HIATUS. I received a lot of motivation from seeing them play in Shibuya. They were the coolest I’ve seen them so far. TRICERATOPS in Nagoya tonight was awesome and groovy, too. I’m so enjoying playing with other bands. Also, drinking with them is fun, too.
I went to cameraman Rui’s photography exhibit in Osaka the other night. The venue’s close by (right nex to BIGCAT! Check the details on Rui Hashimoto’s website etc. There’s a picture on his blog we took together.) so he came over and took pictures of us tonight, too. I caught a glimpse of them and they looked great. Even if they don’t get put on display in an exhibition this time, you might get to see them sooner or later anyway. Or, we might upload them here. Look forward to it.
Tomorrow we’ll be heading to Hiroshima. It’s been pretty warm these past few days. Especially plum trees must be in bloom right now. It’ll be our first time performing in Quattro Hiroshima.
As the tour continues, my senses get sharpened and my ears open. I can hear lots more sounds now compared to when the tour started. We’re now over halfway through, but I feel we’ll still keep getting much, much better in our performances. I’ll set my sights on the next show in Hiroshima. With that, later.
2010/03/01＊Takuro
「Going back a little」
This is something that happened before Shibuya Quattro the other day. I got to talk with Ken Yokoyama for a project on the monthly edition of GIGS. About Ken’s love for the guitar and his thoughts on that — I don’t know if that sounds weird — but I was really glad. I even got to play his guitar. I thought I’d try secretly playing some Hi-STANDARD, but couldn’t. If the 16-year-old me heard this, he’d be pretty surprised. During our conversation, he told me how “twitter’s so fun～ you gotta try it“. I’m sorry, but I still haven’t started. If I do, I’m sure to suck with all the “following” and all that other stuff. (laughs)
Also, the original shape guitar made for me by ESP is finally done!! I did play it at Quattro, but I’ll tell you the details later. Should I put up a picture, too? Nfufufu. I’ll be playing it a lot on the second half of the tour!!
2010/02/20
「It’s snowing」
It’s snowing in Sendai. It was snowing yesterday, too, but it stopped around midnight which gave me a short-lived peace of mind. If it keeps snowing through the night, it might start piling up.
…as I was writing that, it stopped again. We’re already at the venue today. To those of you coming to Junk, see you later.
2010/02/15＊Takuro
「Closing shop clearance sale」
We’ve arrived at Morioka. I spent the evening walking about quite lot, randomly coming across this record shop that was just about to be closing shop. They thus had a big sale going on, so I instinctively walked in. It must’ve been a well-established record shop as there were for some reason cameras from the TV station doing a piece on it. So, my stupid hair, frantically picking out CD’s, might be broadcasted in living rooms across Iwate. If by any chance that was to happen, just think of it being like that episode of Top Runner we did the other week. (laughs) It’s too bad I didn’t get asked for a comment. Maybe it’s because I’m an outsider, I don’t know. Or maybe it’s because of the bad impression I gave with me wearing sneakers barefoot (I was actually only just supposed to go to the convenience store).
Now then, joining us in Morioka are Northern19. It’s our first time properly playing together, even though we’ve met them several times. We’ll go at it with all we’ve got. See you at CHANGE WAVE. With that, later.
2010/02/13＊Takuro
「Vancouver」
I’m watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics and it’s amazingly grand. I think among the people watching this, some might’ve fallen asleep already. (laughs) The theme is to promote Canada’s nature, right? I don’t usually watch sports but I decided to give it a go this time. It seemed interesting and besides, I have a TV in my hotel room.
That reminds me, I read on the newspaper the other day that they’ve trespassed on the holy ground of some tribe when constructing the game course. They’re televising a documentary that’s intent on stopping it. I’m interested in watching the games, but I want to see that, too.
Ah, we’ve arrived at Tomakomai. Last night after our show at Asahikawa, we had a wrap-up party (as seen in the picture uploaded by the staff) due to which every last member of the band and staff forgot to watch Top Runner. (laughs) It was great how earlier when we were doing some interviews in Sapporo, there’d be questions that started with “so in Top Runner yesterday, you said…” and all we could say was “ah, is that right?” (laughs) I don’t think that’ll get published though, nhaha. Don’t worry, we’ll be sure to watch it later.
Ah, the program’s (I couldn’t remember the right word for it (laughs)) ended it seems. The dancers sure danced for all they were worth. That was nice. Regardless of gender, I just like watching people dance. It’s not just dancing either, I just like when people randomly clamor about. Let’s make it another wonderful night tomorrow. With that, later (I’ll keep the Olympic-watching at a reasonable level).
2010/02/10＊Takuro
「Going North」
We’re heading for Hokkaido at the moment. The Tohoku Express is surprisingly free of snow so that’s nice.
Something I’ve learned while getting through the three shows of Yokohama, Toyama and Matsumoto is that this tour has a higher level of humidity, less oxygen and most of all is hotter than any of our tours yet. People of Asahikawa & Tomakomai, please come to the show prepared to release steam from your body. Because it seriously will come out, like “woosh“. (laughs) Since it gets into our guitars and effect pedals during our performance, I’m worried if they’ll last until the end of the tour. (laughs) This is no laughing matter though.
Ah, is that Mount Iwate I wonder? We’re doing good. With that, later.
