BRIDGE - April 2010
Featuring Sakurai Atsushi & Imai Hisashi
Interview by Inoue Takako
Translation: Lola
This is your first release of this year. So is this representative of what we can expect from now on with Buck-Tick or is just something you were in the mood for right now?
Imai: The riff just came into my head somehow while I was on tour. It's a song you can dance to, well even if the theme is kinda vague. Of course there's a sharp feel to the song. Like smack! You know it just hits you. That's the sort of song I wanted to do.
Sakurai-san, what was your impression of the song when you heard it?
Sakurai: Mm, I felt like, I wanted to do something upbeat with a greater perspective.
Would you say you wanted to affirm Buck-Tick as being upbeat and full of energy?
Sakurai: It's not quite like that. Well, we're all different as people but last year during the year long tour what I saw from Imai was how the band had progressed, our power. And I think that made me want to go even further. Mm, that's how I felt.
And how will you do that Sakurai-san?
Sakurai: Ah yes.........well. .......mm, by putting aside my personal issues *smiles*.
Oh *smiles*. Really?
Sakurai: Yes. Of course that's what I'll do no matter what, meaning I'll keeping pushing myself when I have to. That's the great power of determination.
When you were kind enough to let me interview you previously you said something like, "When I was in my twenties and thirties I felt like......whatever, I'm going to die anyway so, that's part of what I sang about, those reckless feelings but now, I've come to understand that religion is necessary for some people and life is precious so let's enjoy it". I think that view is really coming through now with Buck-Tick. The main point being, why does religion exist? Is it because people are afraid of dying alone? It seems like you're saying those people would be happier if they just enjoyed their lives more. Were you aware that by singing things like, "I'll smile, watching you " that that's what you were saying? Were you aware that was the role you were taking?
Imai: Somehow that's what was swirling around in my head......I don't really know why but the spirit of the song just came out, just like that on its own. The lyrics aren't so much a story as my own thoughts. So, I don't even really understand the title myself, it was like those words just came to me.
Sakurai: Well............I don't think we can take that on as a role per say......perhaps it's more that we can broaden people's way of thinking *smiles*.
I see. Buck-Tick continues to sing about death as always and because of that, you are saying to enjoy life and haven fun too. But I think your older song 'Speed' said much the same thing. That same realization as is in 'Dokudanjou Beauty'.
Imai: I think that's how it relates to [memento mori], the lyrics......share the same outlook. The outlook that, we're born, we live and we're going to die and that's natural.....mm. But even the line, "I'll smile, watching you" I mean, you can't only do that either.
Yeah, yeah. I thought that was very Buck-Tick-esque. It's like let's go crazy together isn't it? Because in the end we all feel isolated sometimes and since we can't do things together all the time, it's sort of telling people to try it for themselves.
Imai: That's it. You can do amazing things on your own. Or rather.....just try to think about it, for a moment. Yeah, that's what it seems to say.
No matter how important someone is to you, in the end it's rare that you will die together. So you end up alone in the end. That's certainly fitting with Buck-Tick's view of life and death but I think it's also very fitting as a rock theme. I thought the part in the lyrics about "watching you" was incredibly powerful too you know.
Imai: ......yes.
Well then, when you were trying to complete the song, did you realize 'oh, maybe I'm projecting my personal view'?
Imai: Yeah, of course I did...... When the people around you think that, it's natural you'll think about it too. To some degree I have to be aware of what we're doing as a theme. Anyway this whole year has been a bit odd. That's how I felt.
I see. Even just looking at the music scene this past year, after you released the album, there was some greatly shocking news. Like the deaths of Kiyoshiro-san and Michael Jackson.
Imai: I was thinking about things like that, when I was writing lyrics and it was so bizarre......just one thing after another wasn't it? I was wondering if maybe everyone felt that way you know.
Yeah. Well, you can't predict it really but you do know these things happen right?
Imai: Yeah. It's like, with artists right when they're honing their craft, whether they're writing poetry, or crafting something, somehow they don't know where it's going to go but they know that eventually it will turn into something real and I think somehow it's that same sense of knowing.
That reminds me, at your end of the year show in Budoudan, you had a costume made in Kiyoshiro-san's style, was that meant as an homage to him?
Imai: I came across that fabric (with the print of Mary on it) rather accidentally. I wanted it right away so I bought it but then I had no idea what to do with it. Then, when I went to see the Kiyoshiro exhibit I thought I'd like to try a costume that embodied that same feeling of pushing the limit. So, yes.
This time there's a third song on the single as well, a live version of 'Tenshi ha dare da'. Recently, Salinger, the man who wrote "The Catcher in the Rye" died as well.
Imai: Oh really? Huh.......
But I thought putting that song on the single was an homage to him.
Imai: No I had no idea *smiles*.
Incidentally, you didn't play this during the hall tour but at the Zepp show you sang 'Kyokutou yori Ai wo komete' right. When I heard the words, "In the ends of Asia, we will sing with love", I felt once again aware of what had happened.
Sakurai: I think that was Imai-san's idea, to play that.
Imai: What, really?
Sakurai: ......I don't remember *smiles*. Well, but I mean it was rather inevitable that we'd play that wasn't it.
Imai: Oh wait, you're talking about that time when we were talking about Budoukan and I requested 'Kyokutou~'.
Sakurai: Ah, that's right *smiles*. But that still doesn't explain how we came to the decision to play it at the Zepp show.
Imai: I just like playing guitar in that song.
Ha ha ha ha. Speaking of the tour, you also put out a DVD at the end of year and when I was watching it again, I found that for 'memento mori' there was this swell of excitement wasn't there. The flames rose and there was this incredible sense of unity with everything *smiles*. I think that's the feeling you take away with you at the end so how was it, being at the center of all that?
Imai: Well, I didn't think I was at the center of it. Was I?
Wasn't he?
Sakurai: ......yes.
Ha ha ha ha.
Imai: It was like everything came together you know *smiles*.
A lot of bands end their shows with a bang but it seemed like that wasn't the case this time with Buck-Tick.
Sakurai: I thought about that too, like during rehearsals. But if we had ended the main set that way, the wait for excitement would have been too long *smiles*.
Ha ha ha ha ha.
Sakurai: I hate that waiting feeling you know. Because then all the songs that come before that exciting part feel so blah *smiles*. ......well, that's how I always feel no matter how many shows I've done *smiles*.
*smiles* Ok.
Sakurai: It's true. Well, as is the way in Okinawa, people were happy with the way we ended the show there. And I was glad everyone was happy but, of course it had already been decided that we would finish with 'HEAVEN'.
I understand what you mean. In a previous interview, Imai-san said "Well now it's like I actually finally think that hey, you know performing is pretty fun". I think that really came across during the tour.
Imai: Yeah, it was fun.
Even now, don't you feel the band is in fun mode?
Imai: I do, yeah......yeah.........yes. How can I put it......for the past few years now, there's this light feeling, it feels like perhaps we can still do new things. And so I want to do things you know.
When you speak of doing new things, how would you say you feel when you do them?
Imai: I dunno? Hmm, it's like the feeling when you get a new car or, something else you wanted, like......it feels as though you can do fun things with it, yeah. ......I really, don't know how to explain it *smiles*.
*smiles* Ok.
Imai: Ha ha ha ha.
Would you say you're trying a new way of portraying band sound?
Imai: I think so. If I were to put it another way I'd say, I'm always saying the same things aren't I? That's what I've come to feel anyway *smiles*. Well, it's like, I think I can still do something cool I guess.
I kind of get what you're saying but I don't at the same time *smiles*. Do you understand Sakurai-san?
Sakurai: *smiles* Of course, when I listen to one of his songs, I understand that ah, yes it has that atmosphere of drive characteristic of Imai-san.
Imai: Up until about [Juusankai~], it feels like somehow things were different and then it's like after that they transformed.
Like you rediscovered your interest in the band sound right?
Imai: Well that's putting it simply but you could say that yeah. It's......more like we're doing what feels good for us. I think that's it.
I understand. Seems like this year you're bursting with Buck-Tick love *smiles*, and it seems like that feeling shall continue right?
Imai: Yes, it will.
That feeling of drive is something that you've tried to incite as well right Sakurai-san? The lyrics to 'Voo Doo' have incredible drive in them *smiles*.
Sakurai: Do they? Well, no I'd say it's because we were recording and working on the songs at the same time. And for me personally, I don't do what I can't do and what I can do, I happen to like so it feels like well tada! Here it is. It just happens that Hoshino's song has a different dance feel to it, with a feeling of dynamism. And that's what you've picked up on.
I'd say Imai-san's song has a good dance beat too but that's the point of the song right?
Imai: Yes, it's a simple song but you can move to it. I mean it's like disco. That kind of image you know.
"Dancing" has become one of your themes lately hasn't it. In both the music and the lyrics.
Sakurai: Yes. Of course because to dance and to live is I would say, the same thing here.
I understand. Incidentally this single was released in three different editions, regular, with a DVD and then one with figurines. So how do you find the dolls came out?
Imai: ......good.
Ha ha ha ha. Don't you collect figurines?
Imai: I have a few yeah, at my house. Like from "Evangelion". But I don't collect the ones from UFO catchers.
Now you can add these figurines of the band to your collection *smiles*.
Imai: Yes *smiles*.
Sakurai: Well, I think they're cute. Do I get one *smiles*?
Manager: *smiles* You shall get one, of course.
Sakurai: It's like I'm telling you, "Buy it for me!" *smiles*.
Well then I shall continue to look forward to your work this year as usual. Are you working on anything else?
Imai: Well, soon enough. Yes.
I'm looking forward to it. Thank you very much for coming.
Imai: Thank you.