Okay I'm late but I have to reply because well duh. I'm Kazu #1 fan and adorer and apparently this topic has gotten kinda...off topic? But I appreciate Kaz. I don't just look at him and think "OMG HE'S HOT!! OMG OMG OMG!!" If people would stop to listen to other projects he's been in and not just see him as "Hyde's shadow", "Hyde's guitarist" etc they'd see he has a helleva lot of talent and skill. Not only does the man know and I mean KNOW how to play a guitar but he can write some awesome songs as well. And don't forget he is also a producer/programmer as well. I'll admit when I first saw Kaz I was kind of...scared of him. He looked intimidating and mean, I thought "Geez you just look at him and he'll punch you or something" but then my curiosity got the best of me and I decided to listen to something other than just Hyde's stuff he worked on. I will admit his guitar playing skill is what first made me kind of drool over him. To make this story short, I advise people to watch the "Resurrected" Oblivion Dust live. He doesn't sing back up vocals like he does in VAMPS/HYDE and it was before he broke his foot so he's more active on stage. I mean how many guitarist do YOU know who can use a freaking mic stand as a slide when a finger slide is not available? Yeah, exactly.

Another thing that I like about him is he isn't one of these show off type of guitarists. He does his thing and that's it. No flashy crap just him and what he does. The most "flashy" thing about him is his guitars LOL. And he makes playing guitar look so easy. Like ANYONE can do it. I mean look at how at ease and comfortable he is!

I know I for one get VERY defensive when it comes to Kazu. I'm sorry but he is under appreciated, a LOT of people forget about him and act like Hyde is the only one who does any work. And don't try to tell me they don't because I have seen it first hand on VARIOUS places. I mean how would you like it if I said "Oh look there's Hyde, lets go ask him where Kaz is at?" that would hurt his feelings and probably yours too right?! RIGHT. Or if I said "OMG KAZ IS SO WONDERFUL AND HE'S THE ONLY ONE THAT EXISTS TO ME!!" that's kinda rude yeah? I mean I UNDERSTAND fangirling but when you start disrespecting the other artists, even if you are not intentionally meaning to..its a little extreme. As for those fans who pretend to like/love Kaz...I KNOW they are doing it for show, I mean I had one girl screaming her undying love for Kaz into my ear at one show thus making me deaf and she was beyond rude as well pushing on me and shoving my hand out of the way. I was like UM Sorry I spent well over 15 hours in line to get in front and you didn't. I turned around to her at one point and said STOP IT! Yeah it didn't work she kept it up. Did it impress Kazu that she was rabid? I highly doubt it. Much to my embarrassment she screamed out "I LOVE YOU KAZ" during a quiet moment while he was switching guitars and he turned around and looked at me. I felt like yelling "THAT WASN'T ME THAT SAID THAT" It's not that I don't love him, I do. I care for him very deeply, admire him and adore him. But I am not one to scream out "I LOVE YOU" like that. It's not my character. I call myself a Kaz supporter. Because I support him in anything he does. I don't do it to make myself look like a "better" fan or to look like something I'm not. I would notice instantly if Kaz left VAMPS and any other band he's in. I would be sad but I would respect him for his decision and I would support him where ever he decided to go next. I also am not one to hunt him down just to get a picture with him. If I bumped into him, I would say hello just as I did with Ju-ken. I said "Hello Ju-ken" and he smiled and waved while having a "Me?" look on his face LOL. Again with Kazu, I saw him in Vegas but I did not chase him down or stalk after him in an effort to get a photograph/autograph etc. I saw he was doing his thing, enjoying himself and that is what I want. For him to not feel he has to sneak around to have fun. Sure, he smiled and waved at me and I did the same back to him but that was it. I didn't feel the need to badger him. Basically what I'm saying is I respect him as an artist and a person. He's not an object or a piece of meat, he's a person a human being with feelings just as we all have. Just because he is famous does not make him immune to feelings/emotions.

I know I get onto people when they say "Hyde this" "Hyde that". I know I can be kinda bitchy about people forgetting Kazu but honestly would Hyde fan girls like it if someone forgot Hyde? No, so therefore that is what I'm here for, to remind everyone that Kaz does exist even to those who seem to wish so badly he didn't, which is beyond rude. Okay I'm shutting up now.

---

(09-19-2009, 02:26 PM)VAMPkito Wrote: Again, I can't speak for everyone, but I think it's an easy guess that people have not yet grown use to the name "VAMPS." For the longest time, we've just thought of K.A.Z as a support musician, and even today he acts like he still is. So it's hard for fans to adjust to remembering his very existence.

Also I'd like to add that Kazu does NOT act like a support musician. He acts that way in Oblivion Dust even. He's a very shy and quiet person. He lets his guitar do the talking for him hence the "Screamin' Silence". Kaz is just naturally quiet and it's his personality. I'm not saying he HATES the spot light as I do not know. I just think he's more comfortable being over here while Hyde talks and does his thing. HOWEVER, in recent months Kazu has started to break out of that quiet, shy shell and become more out there. But he will not start acting like Hyde if that is what everyone wants. Kazu is very much his own person, he has his own very strong stage presence. He should be looked at as Kaz not Kaz + Hyde's name attached. As for people forgetting about him...its because they are rabid fan girls, sorry. As much as I love Kaz I still remember Ju-ken, Arimatsu, Hyde and Jin. I still see them and do not forget about their existence.

I think there is not a "real" fandom of VAMPS yet. It's easy to chase, to take pics and ask for autographs, but it doesn't mean they got a solid fanbase so fast. I guess some fans consider VAMPS as the unique chance to see Hyde close, not because of their music and the group itself / or a pastime during the Laruku hiatus......on the other hand I won't hide it: Hyde is my favourite Artist, and of course he attracts my attention more than anyone else, but I don't think it's something to feel guilty about.

I really can't find the "mega-difference" between VAMPS and HYDE - except ROENTGEN but that Album is another matter / Universe -. 666, FAITH and VAMPS are different works BUT K.A.Z was always there, even being the 666 co-producer (and helping there as a guitarist as well). He is my favourite guitarist and I do like his work in OD and Spin Aqua, so since the first time I supported the existence of this UNIT.

I don't get this post at all. I've always liked Hyde and everything but when I listened to the songs, saw the videos, went to their concerts and met them in person, I really appreciate and support both of them. K.A.Z is way awesome and I even got a concert pick from him. I mean to me VAMPS is both Hyde and K.A.Z and I support them all the way. I love VAMPS so much that I don't think of them Hyde and Vamps. Even Ju-ken which i also adore and the rest of the band are really awesome. VAMPS is everybody who made one of the best experience for me. I find this post a bit hurtful. Specially since I've come to love K.A.Z so much. This is just Hyde fandom getting in the way of accepting him making new career choices and partners. Please, be more open minded. VAMPS (HydeXK.A.Z)!!!

(09-29-2009, 11:50 AM)Guest Wrote: I don't get this post at all. I've always liked Hyde and everything but when I listened to the songs, saw the videos, went to their concerts and met them in person, I really appreciate and support both of them. K.A.Z is way awesome and I even got a concert pick from him. I mean to me VAMPS is both Hyde and K.A.Z and I support them all the way. I love VAMPS so much that I don't think of them Hyde and Vamps. Even Ju-ken which i also adore and the rest of the band are really awesome. VAMPS is everybody who made one of the best experience for me. I find this post a bit hurtful. Specially since I've come to love K.A.Z so much. This is just Hyde fandom getting in the way of accepting him making new career choices and partners. Please, be more open minded. VAMPS (HydeXK.A.Z)!!!

Sorry to say this but Hyde rabid fangirls will never "accept" anyone but Hyde. It's all they see, the rest of the band does not exist, only Hyde does. I've seen it time and time again. There are some girls I've talked to who are like "Who's Kaz?" and it floors me that he's been with Hyde in VAMPS/HYDE for so long they STILL do not know who he is. That's sad and it's their loss but it still angers me that they only look at Hyde and do not appreciated Kaz and the rest of the guys like they should. To me when I think of VAMPS I don't just think of Hyde & Kaz. I think of ALL of them, VAMPS to me is Ju-ken, Jin and Arimatsu as well.

good topic. glad to see something with a bit more meat on it. =)

i am a long-time L'Arc fan. bet you didn't know that. hahaha. as such , i have followed not just Hyde's side ventures, but the other L'Arc members as well. some i enjoy more than others. i'd be lying if i didn't admit Hyde holds a bit more charm for me because i am really word and voice oriented even more than instruments. i like his lyrical sense, i like how he lays it out there in a performance. i freakin' LOVE his voice. i thoroughly appreciate the other L'Arc members because the voice and words don't tell the whole story, they are just my 1st focal point. with me so far?

VAMPS is to me a side project, just as HYDE 666/FAITH were. ROENTGEN was more of a solo act, Hyde and studio musicians. i don't want to see him have to slow down for a long time; but when he does, i look forward to the next stage in solo artist. based on some comment i read earlier this year.[u]

KAZ i have seen long before he made a visual appearance with FAITH. that did prompt me to dig a bit deeper than what i was most familiar with, hide with Spread Beaver. Iceybabes and i were just musing over how much like the innocent, younger brother KAZ appeared in that delightful freakshow. even if he wasn't much, if any, younger in reality, just quieter and less of an attention grabber than some of his mates. same with OD. i love the Spin Aqua concept, another duo heading. i was impressed with Anna T. talking about how strong and supportive he was in that project. (mu-jack special with VAMPS- a paraphrase, don't have the exact quote in front of me) i think that was something Hyde has also found and KAZ has found a good match to be the voice and focal point so he can do what he feels comfortable doing. ok, just an opinion.

i think these 2 have gathered 3 very admirable and special musicians to join with them in fleshing out their ideas and dreams. thank goodness Gackt didn't throw a monkey wrench into the line-up. VAMPS has a different image than HYDE did, a slight change in line-up maybe fit better. Hyde has worked with Jin for a long time with L'Arc in the studio, no surprises there. KAZ knows and has worked with a huge number of musicians, Hyde used to claim he barely knew any outside of laruku. KAZ is a beneficial partner and influence there. he'd worked with Ju-ken before. Hiroki was great before, Ju-ken is more "vampish"..a flashier style perhaps. *shrugs* i know i really enjoy watching him prowl around, and not because he pulls attention to himself. most often he is trying to draw attention to another member's performance, rouse the crowd to becoming more active and vocal. the cheer-leader. XD

the one i know the least about is Arimatsu. i did see a photo of him in an old 1993 magazine a few months ago. shirtless, long hair and very hot. XP a lot of people felt he didn't fit at 1st. wasn't as good as Furuton. huh. i cannot say anything there. there might have been lots of things going on when touring 1st started last year. i find it amusing that he and Yukihiro had known each other so long and Hyde didn't know it. ^ ^

one thing i do see in videos, live, in photos is the camaraderie that has developed between all of the members. so quickly in reality. this is a much more cohesive unit than most side projects. it's that whole 'technically, on paper, VAMPS is Hyde and KAZ.' but on stage, where they all come to life, every man there is a member and integral part of the cohesive whole which is VAMPS. so, while i love the various parts, for varying reasons and lengths of time, i love VAMPS as a whole unit of 5 as well.

side note, i don't add J to this anymore than the other managers. he isn't the only one in that crew, just the American native english speaker and so more comfortable dealing directly with overseas fans. he works for VAMPROSE just like FA or the other members. they all came from Maverick DC probably before this gig. also, i don't think J just followed whichever band was going overseas, he was also assigned to MONORAL during last year's Japan touring, remember? not to belittle the man at all, but the management team is also a team effort i think.

sorry for this long harangue, epistle, pedantic ramble or senile jabber. take your pick. i also have a tendency of not being understood always, mostly because i dig deep, am not afraid to speak my full piece and have a long lifetime of being in the minority when it came to things i like. spoken my thoughts, "shot my wad" so to speak. 8P see you guys, hope i might have thrown a few more bits of tender in the fire. ^_^)V

(09-29-2009, 11:11 PM)mamikochan Wrote: good topic. glad to see something with a bit more meat on it. =)

i am a long-time L'Arc fan. bet you didn't know that. hahaha. as such , i have followed not just Hyde's side ventures, but the other L'Arc members as well. some i enjoy more than others. i'd be lying if i didn't admit Hyde holds a bit more charm for me because i am really word and voice oriented even more than instruments. i like his lyrical sense, i like how he lays it out there in a performance. i freakin' LOVE his voice. i thoroughly appreciate the other L'Arc members because the voice and words don't tell the whole story, they are just my 1st focal point. with me so far?

VAMPS is to me a side project, just as HYDE 666/FAITH were. ROENTGEN was more of a solo act, Hyde and studio musicians. i don't want to see him have to slow down for a long time; but when he does, i look forward to the next stage in solo artist. based on some comment i read earlier this year.[u]

KAZ i have seen long before he made a visual appearance with FAITH. that did prompt me to dig a bit deeper than what i was most familiar with, hide with Spread Beaver. Iceybabes and i were just musing over how much like the innocent, younger brother KAZ appeared in that delightful freakshow. even if he wasn't much, if any, younger in reality, just quieter and less of an attention grabber than some of his mates. same with OD. i love the Spin Aqua concept, another duo heading. i was impressed with Anna T. talking about how strong and supportive he was in that project. (mu-jack special with VAMPS- a paraphrase, don't have the exact quote in front of me) i think that was something Hyde has also found and KAZ has found a good match to be the voice and focal point so he can do what he feels comfortable doing. ok, just an opinion.

i think these 2 have gathered 3 very admirable and special musicians to join with them in fleshing out their ideas and dreams. thank goodness Gackt didn't throw a monkey wrench into the line-up. VAMPS has a different image than HYDE did, a slight change in line-up maybe fit better. Hyde has worked with Jin for a long time with L'Arc in the studio, no surprises there. KAZ knows and has worked with a huge number of musicians, Hyde used to claim he barely knew any outside of laruku. KAZ is a beneficial partner and influence there. he'd worked with Ju-ken before. Hiroki was great before, Ju-ken is more "vampish"..a flashier style perhaps. *shrugs* i know i really enjoy watching him prowl around, and not because he pulls attention to himself. most often he is trying to draw attention to another member's performance, rouse the crowd to becoming more active and vocal. the cheer-leader. XD

the one i know the least about is Arimatsu. i did see a photo of him in an old 1993 magazine a few months ago. shirtless, long hair and very hot. XP a lot of people felt he didn't fit at 1st. wasn't as good as Furuton. huh. i cannot say anything there. there might have been lots of things going on when touring 1st started last year. i find it amusing that he and Yukihiro had known each other so long and Hyde didn't know it. ^ ^

one thing i do see in videos, live, in photos is the camaraderie that has developed between all of the members. so quickly in reality. this is a much more cohesive unit than most side projects. it's that whole 'technically, on paper, VAMPS is Hyde and KAZ.' but on stage, where they all come to life, every man there is a member and integral part of the cohesive whole which is VAMPS. so, while i love the various parts, for varying reasons and lengths of time, i love VAMPS as a whole unit of 5 as well.

side note, i don't add J to this anymore than the other managers. he isn't the only one in that crew, just the American native english speaker and so more comfortable dealing directly with overseas fans. he works for VAMPROSE just like FA or the other members. they all came from Maverick DC probably before this gig. also, i don't think J just followed whichever band was going overseas, he was also assigned to MONORAL during last year's Japan touring, remember? not to belittle the man at all, but the management team is also a team effort i think.

sorry for this long harangue, epistle, pedantic ramble or senile jabber. take your pick. i also have a tendency of not being understood always, mostly because i dig deep, am not afraid to speak my full piece and have a long lifetime of being in the minority when it came to things i like. spoken my thoughts, "shot my wad" so to speak. 8P see you guys, hope i might have thrown a few more bits of tender in the fire. ^_^)V

Very well said and I think you echo my thoughts, too.

(09-30-2009, 12:12 AM)cathb Wrote:

(09-29-2009, 11:11 PM)mamikochan Wrote: good topic. glad to see something with a bit more meat on it. =)

i am a long-time L'Arc fan. bet you didn't know that. hahaha. as such , i have followed not just Hyde's side ventures, but the other L'Arc members as well. some i enjoy more than others. i'd be lying if i didn't admit Hyde holds a bit more charm for me because i am really word and voice oriented even more than instruments. i like his lyrical sense, i like how he lays it out there in a performance. i freakin' LOVE his voice. i thoroughly appreciate the other L'Arc members because the voice and words don't tell the whole story, they are just my 1st focal point. with me so far?

VAMPS is to me a side project, just as HYDE 666/FAITH were. ROENTGEN was more of a solo act, Hyde and studio musicians. i don't want to see him have to slow down for a long time; but when he does, i look forward to the next stage in solo artist. based on some comment i read earlier this year.[u]

KAZ i have seen long before he made a visual appearance with FAITH. that did prompt me to dig a bit deeper than what i was most familiar with, hide with Spread Beaver. Iceybabes and i were just musing over how much like the innocent, younger brother KAZ appeared in that delightful freakshow. even if he wasn't much, if any, younger in reality, just quieter and less of an attention grabber than some of his mates. same with OD. i love the Spin Aqua concept, another duo heading. i was impressed with Anna T. talking about how strong and supportive he was in that project. (mu-jack special with VAMPS- a paraphrase, don't have the exact quote in front of me) i think that was something Hyde has also found and KAZ has found a good match to be the voice and focal point so he can do what he feels comfortable doing. ok, just an opinion.

i think these 2 have gathered 3 very admirable and special musicians to join with them in fleshing out their ideas and dreams. thank goodness Gackt didn't throw a monkey wrench into the line-up. VAMPS has a different image than HYDE did, a slight change in line-up maybe fit better. Hyde has worked with Jin for a long time with L'Arc in the studio, no surprises there. KAZ knows and has worked with a huge number of musicians, Hyde used to claim he barely knew any outside of laruku. KAZ is a beneficial partner and influence there. he'd worked with Ju-ken before. Hiroki was great before, Ju-ken is more "vampish"..a flashier style perhaps. *shrugs* i know i really enjoy watching him prowl around, and not because he pulls attention to himself. most often he is trying to draw attention to another member's performance, rouse the crowd to becoming more active and vocal. the cheer-leader. XD

the one i know the least about is Arimatsu. i did see a photo of him in an old 1993 magazine a few months ago. shirtless, long hair and very hot. XP a lot of people felt he didn't fit at 1st. wasn't as good as Furuton. huh. i cannot say anything there. there might have been lots of things going on when touring 1st started last year. i find it amusing that he and Yukihiro had known each other so long and Hyde didn't know it. ^ ^

one thing i do see in videos, live, in photos is the camaraderie that has developed between all of the members. so quickly in reality. this is a much more cohesive unit than most side projects. it's that whole 'technically, on paper, VAMPS is Hyde and KAZ.' but on stage, where they all come to life, every man there is a member and integral part of the cohesive whole which is VAMPS. so, while i love the various parts, for varying reasons and lengths of time, i love VAMPS as a whole unit of 5 as well.

side note, i don't add J to this anymore than the other managers. he isn't the only one in that crew, just the American native english speaker and so more comfortable dealing directly with overseas fans. he works for VAMPROSE just like FA or the other members. they all came from Maverick DC probably before this gig. also, i don't think J just followed whichever band was going overseas, he was also assigned to MONORAL during last year's Japan touring, remember? not to belittle the man at all, but the management team is also a team effort i think.

sorry for this long harangue, epistle, pedantic ramble or senile jabber. take your pick. i also have a tendency of not being understood always, mostly because i dig deep, am not afraid to speak my full piece and have a long lifetime of being in the minority when it came to things i like. spoken my thoughts, "shot my wad" so to speak. 8P see you guys, hope i might have thrown a few more bits of tender in the fire. ^_^)V

Very well said and I think you echo my thoughts, too.

-----------------------
woohoo! for the old-timers! though you're still wet behind the ears in comparison. ^ ^

it's good to have discussions. keeps the air healthy and you don't get those small cliques of super-fans who ruin it for the majority.

(09-29-2009, 11:11 PM)mamikochan Wrote: good topic. glad to see something with a bit more meat on it. =)

i am a long-time L'Arc fan. bet you didn't know that. hahaha. as such , i have followed not just Hyde's side ventures, but the other L'Arc members as well. some i enjoy more than others. i'd be lying if i didn't admit Hyde holds a bit more charm for me because i am really word and voice oriented even more than instruments. i like his lyrical sense, i like how he lays it out there in a performance. i freakin' LOVE his voice. i thoroughly appreciate the other L'Arc members because the voice and words don't tell the whole story, they are just my 1st focal point. with me so far?

VAMPS is to me a side project, just as HYDE 666/FAITH were. ROENTGEN was more of a solo act, Hyde and studio musicians. i don't want to see him have to slow down for a long time; but when he does, i look forward to the next stage in solo artist. based on some comment i read earlier this year.[u]

KAZ i have seen long before he made a visual appearance with FAITH. that did prompt me to dig a bit deeper than what i was most familiar with, hide with Spread Beaver. Iceybabes and i were just musing over how much like the innocent, younger brother KAZ appeared in that delightful freakshow. even if he wasn't much, if any, younger in reality, just quieter and less of an attention grabber than some of his mates. same with OD. i love the Spin Aqua concept, another duo heading. i was impressed with Anna T. talking about how strong and supportive he was in that project. (mu-jack special with VAMPS- a paraphrase, don't have the exact quote in front of me) i think that was something Hyde has also found and KAZ has found a good match to be the voice and focal point so he can do what he feels comfortable doing. ok, just an opinion.

i think these 2 have gathered 3 very admirable and special musicians to join with them in fleshing out their ideas and dreams. thank goodness Gackt didn't throw a monkey wrench into the line-up. VAMPS has a different image than HYDE did, a slight change in line-up maybe fit better. Hyde has worked with Jin for a long time with L'Arc in the studio, no surprises there. KAZ knows and has worked with a huge number of musicians, Hyde used to claim he barely knew any outside of laruku. KAZ is a beneficial partner and influence there. he'd worked with Ju-ken before. Hiroki was great before, Ju-ken is more "vampish"..a flashier style perhaps. *shrugs* i know i really enjoy watching him prowl around, and not because he pulls attention to himself. most often he is trying to draw attention to another member's performance, rouse the crowd to becoming more active and vocal. the cheer-leader. XD

the one i know the least about is Arimatsu. i did see a photo of him in an old 1993 magazine a few months ago. shirtless, long hair and very hot. XP a lot of people felt he didn't fit at 1st. wasn't as good as Furuton. huh. i cannot say anything there. there might have been lots of things going on when touring 1st started last year. i find it amusing that he and Yukihiro had known each other so long and Hyde didn't know it. ^ ^

one thing i do see in videos, live, in photos is the camaraderie that has developed between all of the members. so quickly in reality. this is a much more cohesive unit than most side projects. it's that whole 'technically, on paper, VAMPS is Hyde and KAZ.' but on stage, where they all come to life, every man there is a member and integral part of the cohesive whole which is VAMPS. so, while i love the various parts, for varying reasons and lengths of time, i love VAMPS as a whole unit of 5 as well.

side note, i don't add J to this anymore than the other managers. he isn't the only one in that crew, just the American native english speaker and so more comfortable dealing directly with overseas fans. he works for VAMPROSE just like FA or the other members. they all came from Maverick DC probably before this gig. also, i don't think J just followed whichever band was going overseas, he was also assigned to MONORAL during last year's Japan touring, remember? not to belittle the man at all, but the management team is also a team effort i think.

sorry for this long harangue, epistle, pedantic ramble or senile jabber. take your pick. i also have a tendency of not being understood always, mostly because i dig deep, am not afraid to speak my full piece and have a long lifetime of being in the minority when it came to things i like. spoken my thoughts, "shot my wad" so to speak. 8P see you guys, hope i might have thrown a few more bits of tender in the fire. ^_^)V

I was trying to say that but you know...me I get derailed and start talking about Kazu and how I him and what not. Then I'll go on about how Ju-ken is awesome then back to Kazu. I'm all over the place. But yes, Kazu will always look like the younger brother in a circus freakshow in hide with SB. No matter what LOL. He was like WTH am I doing?! *tries to hide unsuccessfully*

I do love VAMPS as a whole unit and support them all but no matter what Kazu is in, I'll support him as well. I'm not so insanely in love with him that I do not see the other guys. As you can see on my post for the San Francisco show, I remembered what each of them was wearing. I can't remember it now because I saw too many different clothes since then on them LOL.

(09-30-2009, 03:17 PM)iceybabes Wrote:

(09-29-2009, 11:11 PM)mamikochan Wrote: good topic. glad to see something with a bit more meat on it. =)

i am a long-time L'Arc fan. bet you didn't know that. hahaha. as such , i have followed not just Hyde's side ventures, but the other L'Arc members as well. some i enjoy more than others. i'd be lying if i didn't admit Hyde holds a bit more charm for me because i am really word and voice oriented even more than instruments. i like his lyrical sense, i like how he lays it out there in a performance. i freakin' LOVE his voice. i thoroughly appreciate the other L'Arc members because the voice and words don't tell the whole story, they are just my 1st focal point. with me so far?

VAMPS is to me a side project, just as HYDE 666/FAITH were. ROENTGEN was more of a solo act, Hyde and studio musicians. i don't want to see him have to slow down for a long time; but when he does, i look forward to the next stage in solo artist. based on some comment i read earlier this year.[u]

KAZ i have seen long before he made a visual appearance with FAITH. that did prompt me to dig a bit deeper than what i was most familiar with, hide with Spread Beaver. Iceybabes and i were just musing over how much like the innocent, younger brother KAZ appeared in that delightful freakshow. even if he wasn't much, if any, younger in reality, just quieter and less of an attention grabber than some of his mates. same with OD. i love the Spin Aqua concept, another duo heading. i was impressed with Anna T. talking about how strong and supportive he was in that project. (mu-jack special with VAMPS- a paraphrase, don't have the exact quote in front of me) i think that was something Hyde has also found and KAZ has found a good match to be the voice and focal point so he can do what he feels comfortable doing. ok, just an opinion.

i think these 2 have gathered 3 very admirable and special musicians to join with them in fleshing out their ideas and dreams. thank goodness Gackt didn't throw a monkey wrench into the line-up. VAMPS has a different image than HYDE did, a slight change in line-up maybe fit better. Hyde has worked with Jin for a long time with L'Arc in the studio, no surprises there. KAZ knows and has worked with a huge number of musicians, Hyde used to claim he barely knew any outside of laruku. KAZ is a beneficial partner and influence there. he'd worked with Ju-ken before. Hiroki was great before, Ju-ken is more "vampish"..a flashier style perhaps. *shrugs* i know i really enjoy watching him prowl around, and not because he pulls attention to himself. most often he is trying to draw attention to another member's performance, rouse the crowd to becoming more active and vocal. the cheer-leader. XD

the one i know the least about is Arimatsu. i did see a photo of him in an old 1993 magazine a few months ago. shirtless, long hair and very hot. XP a lot of people felt he didn't fit at 1st. wasn't as good as Furuton. huh. i cannot say anything there. there might have been lots of things going on when touring 1st started last year. i find it amusing that he and Yukihiro had known each other so long and Hyde didn't know it. ^ ^

one thing i do see in videos, live, in photos is the camaraderie that has developed between all of the members. so quickly in reality. this is a much more cohesive unit than most side projects. it's that whole 'technically, on paper, VAMPS is Hyde and KAZ.' but on stage, where they all come to life, every man there is a member and integral part of the cohesive whole which is VAMPS. so, while i love the various parts, for varying reasons and lengths of time, i love VAMPS as a whole unit of 5 as well.

side note, i don't add J to this anymore than the other managers. he isn't the only one in that crew, just the American native english speaker and so more comfortable dealing directly with overseas fans. he works for VAMPROSE just like FA or the other members. they all came from Maverick DC probably before this gig. also, i don't think J just followed whichever band was going overseas, he was also assigned to MONORAL during last year's Japan touring, remember? not to belittle the man at all, but the management team is also a team effort i think.

sorry for this long harangue, epistle, pedantic ramble or senile jabber. take your pick. i also have a tendency of not being understood always, mostly because i dig deep, am not afraid to speak my full piece and have a long lifetime of being in the minority when it came to things i like. spoken my thoughts, "shot my wad" so to speak. 8P see you guys, hope i might have thrown a few more bits of tender in the fire. ^_^)V

I was trying to say that but you know...me I get derailed and start talking about Kazu and how I him and what not. Then I'll go on about how Ju-ken is awesome then back to Kazu. I'm all over the place. But yes, Kazu will always look like the younger brother in a circus freakshow in hide with SB. No matter what LOL. He was like WTH am I doing?! *tries to hide unsuccessfully*

I do love VAMPS as a whole unit and support them all but no matter what Kazu is in, I'll support him as well. I'm not so insanely in love with him that I do not see the other guys. As you can see on my post for the San Francisco show, I remembered what each of them was wearing. I can't remember it now because I saw too many different clothes since then on them LOL.

--------------------------
i know sweetie. i can honestly say this, as i have been on your f-list since VAMPS came to be, going to see VAMPS live was an extraordinary experience for most of us. for you, even more so i think. despite having some truly horrendous moments in Vegas, reading your comments was like watching your eyes open even wider.

icey/mel, don't take this wrong, you know i love u. i think you had gotten so sensitive to the whole "OMG HYDE!!! I LURVE HIM" and "KAZ WHO?" thing that it was impinging on your enjoyment of the band as a whole. i get it too, it was getting about shoulder deep sometimes. but as you just said, seeing them all, not just how strong and adorable Kazu is on stage, but Ju-ken's magnetism, Ari and Jin doing their wizardry, almost invisible most of the time behind their walls of equipment and Hyde doing his cute frontman thing was amazing and memorable. they became a UNIT, not just an assorted collection of talented men.

and i'm not singling you out, it happened to me and most of the other folks who saw them this summer, i really think so. somehow i came away from that with a lighter spirit, these guys are truly going to do well feeling. sure, it was disappointing that the shows weren't sold out, but the really important thing was that it was an overall success as far as fan enjoyment of the band was concerned. lots of things we'd probably all love to change about venues, lines, being crushed etc. but did we have fun? YES! would we do it again? HELL YES!!

(09-19-2009, 07:25 PM)VAMPkito Wrote: ^ I wasn't referring solely to people acknowledging just K.A.Z, but how people seem to have not adjusted much to the name "VAMPS" and looking into it as an entire band instead of looking for "HYDE" plastered everywhere. To be fair, HYDE always made sure that his support musicians are given a visible amount of credit as opposed to most solo artists, coughgacktcough, who flash their face and name everywhere and then put their support band in tiny, tiny print. So it's not like the band environment has changed the way they do things.

Quote:i disagree with the "hyde's support musician" idea...he is not and never was.

um... yeah, he was. K.A.Z even says himself.

K.A.Z.: Though I didn't consider myself as part of his support band when I was playing for HYDE's solo project, I feel I can brace myself with the name VAMPS.

Source: http://www.jame-world.com/uk/articles-54...vamps.html

But um... I don't think anyone's actually seeing where I'm going with this, so I'm probably just going to shut up and ask an Admin to lock this before I get myself in deep shit. I'll try explaining again, but I suck at it. I'm not referring to K.A.Z or the unity of VAMPS. I'm referring to how many people have grown used to referring to HYDE's side project -as- VAMPS. Maybe it's just me, but I'm hoping I'm not alone in the people who still accidentally type "hyde - insert name here here" when a VAMPS release is announced. The many times I've accidentally typed "hyde - sweet dreams" looking for the PV to come out is uncanny. It's not that I don't like the thought of K.A.Z or VAMPS or anything like that. I'm just not used to it. It's not just when looking for a new song though. A number of VAMPS-related activities, I accidentally type "hyde" instead of "VAMPS." Again, not because I don't like it, but because I haven't adjusted to typing it because I'm used to drooling mostly on HYDE. Old habits die hard as they say.

So maybe it's not a problem on THIS board in particular, but... I dunno. As I said, this was mostly based on MY account and from what I've seen. So yeah.

And just so this is made clear to people again - I adore K.A.Z, Ju-Ken, Arimatsu, and JIN like I do HYDE and I have nothing against their changing the project to "VAMPS." This topic is not about my liking or disliking anything, but rather the disorientation it may have caused some fans by changing the names and what we might be able to do to get the general fandome back on track. But it looks like nobody here seems to have that problem D:

^^;;; I have to reply before the Admin locks it down~~

but I understand where you're coming from... I actually still have most of my VAMPS stuff mixed with my HYDE stuff honestly. It actually was a bit confusing at first for me honestly- switching from HYDE to VAMPS. I think I've kinda gotten used to it over time though- especially after seeing them live. I'm sure that half of the fans out there do have this problem though. It really was a bit of a surprise and I just kinda went "um... okay" to it lulz

^^;;; sorry~~ I had to reply