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It took forever but I finally did it...Hyde interview from Monthly VAMPS vol. 14. kaz interview to follow when I complete that one....hopefully before I move to New England next month lol...busy days XD
Q: Another phase has come to an end in the VAMPS saga. You must have really put a lot of hard work into it. A little time has passed now so, for the present, can you give us an idea of what kinds of thoughts VAMPS are currently faced with?
Hyde: “Well, as you might expect our band has a pretty hectic schedule and we go after the things we want to do. With things as crazy as they’ve been, we wouldn’t have been able to do it. Obviously, just because you want to do something doesn’t mean it will go well. There are still issues with our program that can be improved. There were also places where we overshot the mark and we were unable to keep up with the production as a whole. I think we’re a good band but I think it’s really good to stop once in awhile. That way the staff can take a breather to collect themselves and we can move forward again. I think we had some good timing with that.”
When you make a little time you can look over your objectives, allow issues at hand to emerge…it’s that kind of period right?
“It’s true there were times when some issues came up, but there’s nothing you can do, especially when you know you’ve given it your all. Right now we’re doing a lot of checking over the footage and when I see it I think things like “Oh it did turn out looking cool” or “It’s a good band.” So I do have some feelings of regret but of course I also feel that next time I want to spread my wings more, but for now I want to further solidify our foundation.”
Well that’s because VAMPS began its career with the concept of performing as a permanent band. So although, this time around, there is a sense that you’re closing up on the first phase of things, looking back on these three years, and how tumultuous your schedule has been, is there anything you finished that you were completely satisfied with?
“Hmm..I’m kind of split down the middle on that one. There were some good points, but I think there were also some bad points. So there’s never been a time where I can just let loose with something like “We did it!!!” Though I’m sorry I can’t tell you something more positive (smile). Of course there have been times when we’ve thought along the lines of, “Our feelings are not keeping up here.” But by the same token, the world of VAMPS has expanded beyond our imagination. I’ve had a band I’ve been working with for 20 years and there are still a lot of times were I do lives and I’m surprised. And there’s also a lot we can boast about. In the end, our relationship with our fans has reached an interesting state, and there’s a lot about that that I wouldn’t have imagined before. But as I said, there have been down sides and so that does nag at me a bit (smile).”
In the time it’s taken for VAMPS to rise up, how much of the image you had for VAMPS come to realization?
“Are you referring to our prior objectives in this case?”
When I reread the past issues of Monthly VAMPS, in the issues when you first started the band you say things like “I want VAMPS’ songs to resound all over the world” “I want to go to America” “I want to make music that will be well received in America.” After that, “With this new project I want to attempt to do what I’ve never done before.”
I see…”Resound throughout the world” may be a bit of an exaggeration but I know we did talk often of doing the world tour thing. It’s just that America felt like an even taller hurdle to overcome than before. From the outset we wanted to be able to break through in America but we felt like we hadn’t reached that point just yet. Looking at the total picture, it was just fine but America was difficult as expected. After, when talking about what it meant for VAMPS’ chances there, we reached the point when we set fire to this huge entertainment that was better than we had initially thought. But when we first started, right? All we could think was, “We want to do hard rock and we need to break through into live houses.” On the way there, we became aware of the entertainment factor.”
But since the time of the first tour, you continue to hold onto live houses and the entire floor is laid out a certain way. I think that it has a lot to do with considering the height of the entertainment factor.
That probably came about after we made the first album. I don’t know the precise moment in time, but while we were searching for a direction we wanted VAMPS to go in, we knew entertainment was it. I say this often but, I often think anyone can accomplish the underground scene. So, for example, you would go for everything except live houses: arenas, outdoor venues. And then, once you’re satisfied with that, the essence of the live performances is transformed. I thought that VAMPS was really suited to the cool image. Now if you just give it your all, anyone can do that but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll get the cool image. But since VAMPS has that rock essence about it, it can take on any kind of shape. Once I came to understand that, I was able to get a better feel for what seemed to fit VAMPS image more. And that was probably around the time we made the first album. To that point even I had no clue what it meant to be “like VAMPS” but as I kept trying to create that and we put more lives behind us, I was able to say “This is more like VAMPS” “If we do this like this, it will seem more like an ordinary band” “We’re VAMPS so don’t we need to make the stage up with this showier rock feel?”
So through the completion of your first Album “VAMPS”, you were able to much more clearly express yourself as a band?
“That’s right. After that, the fans were very supportive of us.”
That does seem to be true. So now, when you look at that kind of VAMPS fan, what does it put you in mind of?
“Well, more and more since I started going solo, I started strategically trying to separate myself from L’arc en Ciel. So at first I approached VAMPS very precisely and deliberately. I think if I tried for L’arc en Ciel fans the lives would be difficult to look at at. There wouldn’t be everyone standing, screaming, and it wouldn’t shine as much (smile). But that’s why I thought it would be better to go about this in a deliberate way. Regarding VAMPS.”
And so what resulted was the birth of this wonderful connection with your fans. What I mean by that is, you have this huge “we’re up for anything” response now. Do you feel that?
“Yes, that’s true. But in that, too, there’s been a kind of interesting transformation in my thoughts. I never imagined we’d be in such a position. It’s kind of like…we’ve had more mischievous people show up, and when I think that the support we’re getting is kind of standard that’s when I wonder if maybe I shouldn’t say “Well it’s not so standard” or even maybe I should say “It’s actually interesting.” Those kinds of things will crop up (smile). Since everyone knows what VAMPS aims are, we’ll get the sexy girls, almost like the fans themselves are decorations or that this is the single only live we’ll ever do…it’s really great support we’re getting. I have a great time watching them too. Even while we’re performing.”
Yeah that’s difficult for others to obtain. It really is a special connection. So, turn around a bit here and look at things a bit more tangible. Now, when you look back, what was the most fun you had? Truly the list of things you want to accomplish packed, and there were all kinds of things you ended up doing, but through all that, is there any single moment that remains in your heart?
“Hmmm that’s difficult. Choosing one is difficult but I think I would have to say that the live we did in Chile stands out pretty singularly to me. Including the staff, we all thought that if we didn’t really do our best that the live would have no chance of being successful. Speaking honestly, in Japan we’ve already raised the bar so there’s very little we can’t accomplish there. But we knew if we went into Chile without giving it a lot of careful and deliberate thought that it would be a bust. I’m not exactly sure how Japanese fans will respond to what I’m saying here. Obviously if we didn’t have the Japanese fans we wouldn’t have been able to go to Chile in the first place. So with everyone we had gathered at Chile, we were able to accomplish that and with everyone’s efforts we were able to bring about a really good result in Chile. That’s how I feel anyway. The live itself was a little like a miracle.”
That live must have really changed the personification of the VAMPS spirit for you considering that this was unchartered territory and that you guys seem to try to attempt things no one else has ever done before.
“That’s true.”
Is there anything else?
“I noticed we had a lot more guys showing up while we were doing the lives. That really was refreshing. Kinda like, “Wha~t? You’re here I see.” (smile). That really made me happy. There’s been a few times when we planned to do a live like that, but hadn’t done it before, and so when we did give it a try it produced some interesting results.”
I see. Well let’s try and talk about someone else’s point of view. What do you think kaz thinks about all this?
“Hm…I wonder what he does think…These last 3 years have been kind of a tumultuous age for us is probably what he would say. “So are you okay?” is also something he might say (smile). I have a feeling he wouldn’t ask that. He probably thinks I’m okay.”
So you are okay, Hyde? Well you’re with kaz so I would think you’ve been able to get through a lot.
“Yeah, that’s true. If he wasn’t there, it wouldn’t be VAMPS. In the beginning we both started kinda going after the same things in a sort of vague way, but as we kept going, gradually, the work started kind of just coming down to me. “He’s been here until now and I will continue from here,” was the attitude. I mean after all, our performances were just awesome. At least that’s what we thought about the situation in relation to each other. So it’s hard to know what I should say. Maybe that we’ve got two hearts. Something like that.”
That’s true of your lives and the collaborating you do on the albums. You and kaz are like two wheels working together as VAMPS.
“Yes. But I think we were each still operating as just one wheel until around the 1st ablum’s tour (smile).”
After that, kaz’s personality grew didn’t it? With such a hectic schedule kaz’s amazing personality, perhaps, acted as a kind of buffer to help you get through?
“Hmm…I wonder…From my standpoint it’s normal for him (smile). It’s normal but maybe from every else’s standpoint if everyone tries it’s probably more infatuation points for him. Like looking at something like twitter, kaz will be playing with a frog toy or something and it makes him seem cute. But from my standpoint it’s more like “He’s always doing that, geeze…” (smile)
I see. So what about the other band members? These days it seems clear that on stage VAMPS is 5 people. But, looking back on things, from the beginning it seemed like there was a lot of commotion when it came to deciding on the members and there’s a sense that the identity you’ve all assumed now was not what it originally was.
Yes, that’s true. From the start we didn’t want VAMPS to be tied to the image of a band. But, of course, after a few lives are put behind us, we find new members, and we’re teaching this from zero point again, and it’s really a big problem. Like if speaking honestly it can be a real pain in the ass (smile). But that’s what getting started is all about I guess. But now I can think we were able to get our roots in with the help of those members. Considering that we made our decisions kind of haphazardly I really think we have some good members. It’s kinda strange but those guys really help to create the band’s atmosphere. Like they really care a lot about VAMPS. Ju-ken actually…he’s really noisy but when he’s gone it’s almost too quiet (smile). “Wow it’s really quiet today. Oh, it’s cuz Ju-ken’s not here!” That kind of conversation seems to happen a lot (smile).”
Is that something that makes you lonely, like something’s missing?
“Oh yeah, sure. But sometimes it’s also nice to have quiet every once in awhile (smile).”
And what about Arimatsu?
Yeah, he’s our mood maker. What I mean by that is, he’s like the oil of our machine. Take such and such member…maybe someone isn’t always being nice to everyone. When something like that happens and Arimatsu is there it’s like everything turns out okay. It’s almost like this smoothing feeling. So everyone can be calm and level out.
With Jin as the third person it seems he becomes like a support. It’s kind of unusual how he puts up this character as a support member for the fans. He does that with his really rich personality.
Sure. We’re not shy about what we bring to the front and what we all put out is rock. What we put out as a rock band, and keeping with VAMPS style, if we think it looks cool, I’m sure that’s what appears. So I think it’s easy for us to let our personalities show. Like if the occasion were to arise where someone thinks “I want to stand out right now so I’m going to seize this opportunity” I think you’d see a change in costume or movement. But since that’s not the case we do let our personalities come out quite a bit.
I see. We’re going to change the direction of the conversation a bit again. Since this Vol 14 of Monthly Vamps features the Halloween parties, I want to talk about the Halloween events VAMPS has been a part of for the last 3 years. The scale just seems to keep expanding to the point where you seem to have reached the height of entertainment.
“Yes. Yasu has often told me that whatever I do becomes the thing to do. And when I hear that I kinda think that’s a lot to put on me. But then I also think “Well that’s the point isn’t it?” I think because I like horror, and it has that rock atmosphere, and all these people able to combine the rock and horror elements a lot of surprises come out. If we just exploit the horror element we can maybe build some good entertainment. It’s kind of nice saying that it’s expanding. It’s strange, though. Cuz in the beginning yasu and daigo just kind of would get together and drink together like normal (smile). I mean Daigo used to never even do anything on TV. I don’t think they had any idea the power they’d one day come to have. But since they’ve come to have such a huge draw I think it will expand even more.”
It’s like synergy right? But really, if VAMPS hadn’t been there, and you hadn’t been there, I don’t think anyone else could have accomplished it. With VAMPS’ burgeoning entertainment factor I think your presence really made it into a solid event.
“No, no, you’re gonna embarrass me (smile). Really, it was the kind of party you could have thrown someplace else.”
But the fans really did have a lot of fun. That was reflected in their costumes and the response they gave during the live.
I really did want it to be a good event. To put it plainly, I wanted to create a kind of anime expo feel (smile). I say anime expo, but I’m not a huge fan of anime so I don’t really go to those sorts of thins, but I’d say we had this upbeat anime expo thing going on with the cosplay only without the actual anime part included. Not so well known but still really great. I think with that kind of atmosphere people were really able to have a good time.
Yeah, I agree. I think this is one of the truly epoch making things VAMPS has accomplished. Do you intend to keep doing the Halloween events?
“Yeah, as long as the timing works out, we want to do it.”
So, now I want to ask a little about what’s next for VAMPS. Based off the past three years, after this, what does VAMPS want to bring to the table, what kind of presence do you think you need to become?
“I think it would be best if we took a more intelligent approach. Even with our songs, taking a more calculated, intelligent approach. Up until now we’ve put out all these hard rock songs, and I don’t just mean we need to balance that with pop songs, I mean we might just put a pop element in maybe one song. Of course we want to be able to write a song that will carry in the charts. Without that we lose our entertainment factor, and we don’t want to disregard that. Other bands like ours tend to neglect that, but if we were to neglect it we’d become that kind of band so we’re always trying to change the pace of things, we want to think outside the box. This is why we included America in our considerations, we wanted to go at this much more strategically. Of course the Japanese fans are the most important. And we’ve come up with a lot of methods to keep showing how much we value them. But just because I’m always saying that we really care about them doesn’t mean that that association is always going to go well. So while the Japanese fans are important, we are continuing to go after the Americans. And in the end I believe the result will be that the Japanese fans keep coming back.”
Of course, by giving you feedback.
“Yes, yes.”
I see. Well with that, lastly, is there any message you’d like to give the VAMPS fans with regard to what’s happened up to now and what will follow after this?
“Hmm, yeah. I would say something like ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder [Literally: “In the time when we can’t see each other, our love will be nurtured”].’ That’s a pretty common saying. But I think that’s what I want to convey. I want you all to nurture it. Probably everyone has been poisoned with us by now and I think they’ll all be going through withdrawal. But the explosion that will occur when we can see each other again will be amazing. It doesn’t mean we’re not going to be doing anything, as you nurture this essential thing, I want you to keep looking to the next thing. So until then, ‘Wash your neck and wait!’”*
Of course, the last line you would say would be something like that!
“Yes! (smile)”
* “Wash your neck and wait”: A saying that comes from the days of the samurai. They believed one’s neck should be kept clean in the event it met a sword in battle. This translates more abstractly to address those who should look forward to an exciting event. “Be ready for something big” is the general feeling.
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