Translation of Oricon Style Web Interview, 01-2006
Translation of Oricon Style Web Interview.
Enjoy~!!
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"That's what it means to do it by putting your life on the line!"
Q: First of all, regarding the live at Tokyo Dome in December and all of the tinkering[1] you did so freely with the Dome; Gackt's live really was the first and the last!
A: Really? Well, that's the way to use and present Tokyo Dome. Isn't that what it means to do it by putting your life on the line?
Q: Even a group of a thousand "lazy[2] rock" bands, as you've often described them, wouldn't win against that live.
A: Those who get up on the stage without putting their lives on the line are no match for someone like me, who does put my life on the line! Because I have confidence that I will never lose. (I'm on) a different level. How do I say it... For example, when there's a fight, the staff would immediately go in front of that person to protect him... I'm not the type of person to be protected like that. If I were to get into a fight like that, I'd take the lead and be the first one to go out front.
Q: Just as I thought (laughs). Well, in the rock world, there are all kinds of artists that are "the strongest", whether in speech or in conduct, in strength of heart or in physical strength. But as I watched the Dome live, I realized that there's actually a thing called "the Gackt strongest."
A: I won't lose, ever. On top of that, I don't get heated up. During fights, I stay extremely cool. I'm really cold, you know~ I'm a guy with a warm heart, but my manner is cool (laughs). Because in fights, the one who gets their opponent heated up is the winner.
Q: The other thing that I felt while watching the Dome live was that, while it was "entertainment" to a great degree, it was really genuine[3] rock. There aren't many artists who can use all their energy to show both the rock and the entertainment.
A: Because for me, (rock) is not a style, it's (in my) soul/spirit. They're completely different things you know! For others, music is... rock is seen as a genre, but for me, it's how I live... rock is my way of life. Also, I was really concerned about the sound in Tokyo Dome. I don't think there is any artist that can get a good, high-quality sound out of Tokyo Dome. I think a lot of the people who went to my Tokyo Dome live have also been to other artists' lives at Tokyo Dome. But, I have no doubt that my Tokyo Dome live was the best in quality so far.
"Because creativity is borne from those powers of concentration"
Q: The first single released in 2006 follows in the wake of the Tokyo Dome live... It seems (you're) going for a "heavy-loud" style more and more.
A: Yeah, that's right... (I) won't stop (laughs).
Q: And the b-side[4] is also heavy! From looking at the title, I thought it'd be a ballad, but I was deceived (laughs)!
A: (It) throws you off, doesn't it. It's like, "Is this song really going to be put out with the single?!" (laughs).
Q: Is this a continuation of the "loud mode" you've loved since last year?
A: I didn't really make it that way consciously. It's just that the single was made during the recording of DIABOLOS, so it naturally came to be that way. I also think it went in the direction of being "loud" because I played the drums. That's why (I) was also very concerned about the foundation created by the drums and bass. If you have a good foundation, it's enough to create a song even if you don't have much to begin with.
Q: This single is also tied-in with a game. Are you the type to play games?
A: Of course, I play! I like games too much and I get hooked on them too much....
Q: So are you the type to stay up all night (playing)?
A: It's not only that I stay up all night, you know. I don't even go to the bathroom. When I start playing, it's REALLY bad! To begin with, I hate losing, right? The worst was... I was confined in my room for three days! And of course I didn't sleep for those three days.
Q: It's like being a little bit high... It's like some (chemical) is being produced inside your head (laughs).
A: Right. A part of me has a "game-high". I have this confidence that I won't lose to anyone when it comes to the powers of concentration. When I increase my concentration, everything appears to move extremely slow. My ability to concentrate is so strong that (it reaches the point where) I can't hear any sounds. That's why it feels good. Like when I'm sparring, when my concentration reaches its peak, my opponent's punches start to appear in slow motion. Then my own movements appear in slow motion and my opponent's face seems to warp... I can really tell when their face is being smashed. That also appears slow, so I really love sparring.
Q: Have you had this extraordinary power of concentration since you were young?
A: I think so. Now it's become habit. Because no matter what game I play, no matter what I do for fun, I do it with concentration. I never do one thing while idly[2] doing some other things.
Q: I completely understand how those powers of concentration act as the heart[5] of the Gackt world.
A: Because creativity is borne from those powers of concentration.
Notes:
[1] "ijirimawari": mess around with; tinker; fidget with.
[2] "dara dara": lazy; dull; to loaf; idle.
[3] "jyunsui": pure; genuine; real.
[4] Longing, the c/w on the REDEMPTION single.
[5] "chuusuu": centre; mainstay; pillar.
***
Comments by your translator:
Yeah he really does put everything on the line when he puts on concerts... And the interviewer's right, no one could top Gackt's live, right? Though I thought his example of a thousand lazy rock bands was funny. ^^
Ooh I love hearing him talk about how rock is not just a style but a way of life. Seems like people often question whether he's "pop" or "rock", but it's obvious that he's always considered himself rock. Others can categorize him however they want, and to me the question seems kind of pointless.
I haven't heard Longing yet. ;__; *waits impatiently for single* I also thought it may be a ballad because of that title. ^^;
He played a videogame for 3 days?! Now that's not healthy. XD Though for some reason hearing him talk about being obsessed with video games does make my geeky side really happy. XD; Aaah, I think it'd be really fun to play a video game against him. Wouldn't it?? I wonder what game he played though. Any ideas? ^^
Extraordinary powers of concentration~ I don't have that. XD Hmmm, maybe that's why I'm not creative. -__-;