BRIDGE - March 2009
Featuring Sakurai Atsushi & Imai Hisashi
Interview by Inoue Takako
Translation: Lola
You must be extremely proud of this work right?
Imai: Well, the same pride I always have in what I do.
This might be a little hard to answer but, if you had to give your current work a score, what would it be? Would you give yourself full marks of 100% or do you still feel as though it's not good enough?
Imai: ......well, I think it'd be close to 100?
Oo. Do you always feel your work deserves a 100?
Imai: Yeah......well, I think so. I feel like I did it without having any doubts.
You also put out an amazing single, the best up till now I'd say.
Imai: I was conscious of the fact that a song like that, that's catchy and pop is something that's easy for people to relate to. I did it with that sense of, 'I'm going to make something good'.
What made you want to do something that was easy for people to relate to and understand?
Imai: Recently......well for a number of years, I've been fascinated by what people term a more western type of sound in music......that's catchy and pop. That's the image and the direction I've been aiming for now. There's also the fact that I wanted to do something 'good' that was simple now especially. And by 'good', I mean something that most people would think was good and that they would find easy to relate to too. There are good things with noisy songs too but, for most people, maybe, they wouldn't think so. Because of that, my way of capturing things changed a little bit......
Things that you wanted to do for yourself, and doing good for other people now has equal importance for you, and I don't think that has happened very often within your extensive history as a band. I guess that means this is an amazingly good time for you.
Imai: Doing this sort of thing with the band is fun of course, is that what you mean?
But I mean, what made this change happen? Why now after being together for 20 years? Did the Buck-Tick fest make you step back and re-appraise your work and give you the chance to look at it objectively?
Imai: I don't know the exact details of how it happened you know. It's just......something I wanted with all of my being. That's usually how it works when I want something. When I've wanted to do something, like up till now I've done things like techno, and industrial, it was because I had that feeling inside me. It's natural for me. It's not like I have to go around all over and search for how to do it.
What about you Sakurai-san?
Sakurai: I wanted to do this sort of thing from the very beginning, I even said so when the band began. I thought I could do that...by singing. Because the songs were so melodious, it made it easier for me to channel that desire outward and I mean, of course it can be a difficult thing but, this time more than ever it feels like I've accomplished that. It's great. I think the band is moving in a good direction too. And that is in no small part due to Imai-san's energy as well.
So it's not that you're rethinking the appeal of the band? Like, you're not wondering where Buck-Tick's merit lies?
Imai: ......mm, how to say it.........well, of course by doing something that is catchy and pop, that means it's not something else. Is that what you're talking about? Like how when you're in the middle of something, you don't see everything else around you. But I think that's the very reason we can do what we do as a band for so long, there isn't anything we can't do.
What is it then, that lets you do these 'things' do you think?
Sakurai: As I said earlier, Imai-san's energy and musical sense I guess? Then there is the subtle balance of the siblings *smiles*. Well, as for me, I'm forever polishing the words I use for the band and training my voice. I think there are a variety of elements that come through.
When I listened to this album, I realized how important the band is to you. Because you want to be in the band; that is why there is nothing you can't do. There just aren't that many bands that could last for over 20 years. I imagine those who do last so long possess a strength that most people envy, awareness. I think it's due to that awareness that you're able to produce a fresh sound even now.
Imai: It's been since a few previous albums that I began to become aware of my need for a basic sound. I thought that perhaps it was a good direction to go in.
Moreover, because the band sound is more solid, the songs stand out more.
Imai: That's right.
So did you say, "I will arrange the songs like this"? Or something like that?
Imai: When I was making the demo, I already had that kind of arrangement in mind. It was only a little before recording, when we went out to eat together that I talked about it.
So when they heard the demo did they all say, "Ah, so this is how it's gonna be this time"?
Imai: Yes.
There wasn't anyone who said, "No, I want to play something more rough"?
Imai: No there wasn't *smiles*.
Are you sure? *smiles* Maybe according to you Imai-san but that's because you're the absolute voice of authority.
Imai: *laughs* No, no one said that!
Sakurai: *smiles* But you are the voice of authority.
Imai: Hahahahaha! But no one said that.
Sakurai: Then what's that chuckle for, huh? *smiles*
Hahahahaha.
Sakurai: It was very clear from the demo tape which direction he wanted to go in. Even with Hide's songs. So then we agreed that I just had to add my own special way of thinking to it. This time, like the previous work, I wanted to have no limits, it's something I've wanted for a long time because that's how I can do a greater variety of things.
The songs really do cover a broad range. Were you at all surprised when you listened to the demo version of say, 'memento mori'?
Sakurai: I thought it was fresh. And the Okinawan style suited me just fine *smiles*.
Hahahaha. But 'Coyote' too sounds Okinawan because of the imagery of the words you put in.
Sakurai: I absolutely love 'Coyote'. The image for it just came to my mind so suddenly.
'Coyote' is indeed a good song. So your work before last was gothic, then the previous one centered around a band sound and they both had themes. Would you say you've milked themes for all they're worth now...wait that's a weird of saying it, would you say rather it's like when you've been friends with someone for a long time and you've basically done everything you can together and so you look for something new to keep things fresh......
Imai: *smiles* What are you saying?!
Sakurai: Ha ha ha ha ha! Yes really, is that how we seem to you Inoue-san *smiles*.
No no, I only thought perhaps that's how it was. So it's not a problem having the freedom to write whatever you like? Anything's good? There isn't anything you wanted to stick to?
Imai: I already did things that way for the past two albums. I guess it's extreme if I say doing that again would be awful but, well, I wanted to do something different. Because I had freedom to do as I like this time, it was fun. For once I had to remind myself that it's work. And because of that I felt like this time, things were really good. While I worked on the songs I kept searching for what would make it better. That's why I ended up with a band sound with bass and vocals at the centre. I didn't really want to put too much in the songs though so I had to be careful I didn't let my ears get distracted.
So your personal criteria for a song is that it should be easy to understand right?
Imai: Yeah.
I see. Well then I'd like you to explain the title "memento mori" to me.
Imai: ......it's from a doll, see, every once in a while I buy figurines from an artist. And the title of the work I bought was, 'memento mori'. It's tiny, with some black haired tribal kid dancing. There's also a white snake, and a skeleton....and when I saw that I thought, 'ah, I like this'. I had heard the words memento mori before but, for some reason or another I couldn't remember what they meant. When I looked up the meaning, that's when the image started to take shape. But like, I think you can kinda get the nuances of the words, without really knowing their meaning.
And more than the meaning, the words sound cool don't they?
Imai: I thought so too at first. It's positive, I mean it captures death in a positive way. Death is absolutely impartial, it comes for us all and we have to accept that.
How it captures death can be seen as people's view of life. As for Buck-Tick, even up till now it might sound bad to say this but your songs always related to death in some way, however do you find that your view on death has changed?
Imai: .............
For instance, up till now was there any incident that made you acutely aware of death?
Imai: .......it wasn't any particular time, I'd just get these wild ideas out of nowhere and imagine what it'd be like. It's just something that comes to mind sometimes you know.
Does it scare you?
Imai: It's terrifying. This is a strange way of saying it but......it's like, I wonder how it will be?
You're curious about it?
Imai: Yeah. But I'm really scared too *smiles*.
Which reminds me, Kitano Takeshi-san said that once when he was walking home from the train, he was uneasy because it looked like the train tracks were going to draw him in. It's sort of like when you see a spinning fan, and suddenly you're afraid it will suck your hand in.
Imai: Ah, when I was kid......I'd sort of feel like that when I was at the train station and I'd tell myself, 'This white line is nothing to be afraid of' but then, the closer I came to it, the less I wanted to be near it *smiles*.
*smiles* Was it like being on the edge of death?
Imai: *smiles* Yes.
It's scary and yet at the same time, it sort of draws you in doesn't it?
Imai: Yeah.
Sakurai-san, when you were sick overseas you thought about dying so naturally that time must have made you acutely aware of death right?
Sakurai: Not for me, personally. I've said this many times over the years but, when I was in my teens my father died, then when I was in my twenties I lost my mother...one day they were alive...they were my family and then, that just changed. Of course that had a strong impact on me, mm......it took time for me to accept it and even to this day, it's something I always carry with me. When I was sick, I was paralysed from the medical treatment but, I was still sort of dimly aware of what was going on. Like when I was on the plane, it felt like I was high *smiles*. Then during the surgery when I couldn't move, I thought 'Ah, I've been saved'. They told me if they'd waited any longer I would have died. Then after I thought, 'Wow, that was rather terrifying'. Mm. And now, this is rather personal but, I lost my beloved cat after twelve years.
Ah, I didn't realize.
Sakurai: So of course that too, was quite a heavy thing to deal with....... I watched my cat become weaker and weaker from illness. It made me think, ah, is this what memento mori is? My cat, such a tiny creature and yet, I learned so many amazing things from our time together. Even while he was undergoing medical treatment to extend his life. I know people will say it's just a cat but, even while I was recording....... I knew I had to concentrate but I just couldn't stop thinking about it, it made me so anxious. It felt like death was everywhere around me and it was such a terrible feeling. ............it's frightening you know, as you can imagine.
Due to these experiences in your life, I imagine your way of thinking about death would have changed a little. That is to say, perhaps you've become more cautious in regards to death. But how does that affect you? Like when you're writing lyrics.
Sakurai: Right. When I was in my twenties and thirties I felt like......whatever, I'm going to die anyway so, I think I had a rather reckless attitude you know, personally. But for some years now...I've wondered about the connection between death and religion and why is it that religion is necessary for some. I've also come to understand that death comes for us all. And it is for that very reason that life is precious and so wouldn't it be better to enjoy every moment we have? That's really how I think of it.
We see those two facets in this work as well. In the song 'memento mori', you sing of death with this festive dance music. The lines 'BOYS AND GIRLS this evening, feast and let's dance till dawn/Life is love and death' are amazing. How did you get such lyrics from the music Imai-san?
Imai: Ah yes. Well, it felt like hey, will I always be singing about the same thing?
'Life is love and death' and 'We are love and death' are, well, they have this feeling of finality when you say it. Did you feel that we can never shine again after this moment, like 'this is it'?
Imai: Right. I just felt it was something I had to state when I wrote the lyrics.
And then we have the wonderful contrasting poetry of 'GALAXY'. When you said earlier, "Whatever, I'm going to die anyway" that is such an extreme feeling of desperation and yet in this song, it's like you're trying to protect those who have been hurt in your eyes and cover them in a soft blanket. But these words, 'In the middle of the night you are crying as you dream and you had such a pretty dream/ In the middle of the night you tremble as you dream and there is no more sadness' I find seem like they came from facing a person in particular perhaps.
Sakurai: That's right......like when I look at my family........
Ah, I see. And then after that you wrote, 'The sad things I hinted at are not real, I made them up' as if to say that within these fantastical lyrics, there is the weight of reality. Did you want to say that it might be an illusion but, 'the world is beautiful'?
Sakurai: That's right.
That's a pretty drastic change for you isn't it? Like in previous songs like 'Rendezvous~' the words were very straight forward, 'I'm happy to have been able to meet you/From my heart, thank you' and then you speak of your final moments. Even in 'Long Distance Call', you write of the moment before going to war and saying 'I love you Mama'. But the feelings expressed in 'GALAXY' are universal aren't they.
Sakurai: That's the kind of thing that, yeah, ended up coming through the songs on its own, even before. So I thought I should just accept it.
Since they're directed at people right. Meanwhile, Imai-san wants to do things that are easy to understand and that will be good for everyone. Do you intend on continuing this way?
Imai: Yes.
By the way, do you find your way of looking at the band has changed after making so many albums?
Imai: Well now it's like I actually finally think that hey, you know performing is pretty fun *smiles*.
Really? I'd have thought that being in a band for 20 years, fun wouldn't be your top priority.
Imai: I guess you mean the band's sound should be our foundation? But I think it's the atmosphere that goes with it that makes things interesting.
When you first formed the band, wasn't it because you thought, 'forming a band seems fun'? Or am I completely wrong?
Imai: At first, I was being completely childish about it though. So it wasn't anything to get excited about.
So when Imai-san is having fun, then it's enjoyable for the other members and everyone else right?
Imai: It's not just because of me! *smiles*
Sakurai: If it's fun for Imai-san, then it's fun for all of us *smiles*. But if he's having too much fun, then it's not so enjoyable for the rest of us.
Hahahaha. Does someone put a stop to it?
Sakurai: No, well ok I do *smiles*.
Imai: Hahahaha!
Anyway, in the album before last, 'Juusankai ha Gekkou' you had a definite frame for the lyrics, that of a fairytale. To what degree did straying from a theme come from you?
Sakurai: Well, see......there is a feeling of achievement for the band when you can create a full story. But this time it's like, I was able to express something more real and personal and that creates an even greater feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.
So then you're saying that even though 'Katteni shiyagare' is a story, the words are from your experience.
Sakurai: Of course, if that were not the case I couldn't be satisfied with it. Imai and Hide write the songs, and since they are different people, in order to make it my own, the words have to come from me personally and my experiences and that's what makes it Buck-Tick. And that's what I want to do from now on for as long as I need to.
Now for my final question. Between Buck-Tick and your other projects you've done all sorts of things, you've played with musicians from overseas, soon after your debut you played in Budoukan and the Tokyo Dome and all that must be quite exhausting. So I wonder, what would you like to do next?
Imai: What would I like to do? .........be with the band. I don't feel at all exhausted yet with the band. I may have composed a ton of songs but still, I feel like is that all I've done? It's amazing really. I enjoy working on songs whether they're mine or ours. Like I wonder what kind of new song can I do next? And I wonder what would be interesting you know?