*Translation of Toshiya's interview on Bass Magazine* part 1
THIS IS NOT MY TRANSLATION!!! ALL CREDITS GOES TO Cammie. Thank you a lot!!!
I will put this in to parts, becasue it's long interview... :)
* * *
Interview: Tomoaki Hashizume (note: I’m not sure if I got his last name correct)
Photography: Eiji Kikuchi
Layout: G-Co.
Hair and Makeup: Atsushi Yamaguchi (EKYQ)
Toshiya
Dir en grey
“Uroboros awakens-“
The World Standard Booming Roar Holds Infinite Possibilities
Uroboros - Biting its own tail, becoming a ring, the myth tells about a dragon that symbolizes “death and resurrection,” “complete being without a beginning or end,” and became a motif for the “infinity” sign. Dir en grey uses this word for the new album title, and doesn’t this show extraordinary confidence in the album’s completion? Perhaps, that confidence is real. There is an overwhelming sound and persuasion making the listeners quiet because their new sound is compressed. For this work, Toshiya, the bassist, unlike his appearance during an exciting performance, speaks in a soft manner about himself and the band’s present situation. Each of his words conveys his strong will towards music to the point where he sounds stoic.
01 Toshiya’s Voice
Let us deliver the latest interview with Toshiya.
Here, we asked for his true words about the following three topics: his roots, the album Uroboros, and the band Dir en grey.
About HIMSELF
The backbone that nurtured “Bassist Toshiya”
―First, can we hear about your roots as a bassist? What was your actual experience in music?
I wonder… I have to say kayoukyoku (note: Japanese hit songs). When I was in elementary school, they had Top 10. My mom really liked Julie (Kenji Sawada) and Anzen Chitai. She made me listen to that a lot.
―When did you begin to have your own interest in music?
Around higher grades in elementary school, everyone started talking about idols and I was influenced by them listening to them. Around junior high school, I was shocked when I first found out about X that was glitzy and extreme. But there’s always a guy around you that says, “You’re still listening to Japanese music (laugh)?” That guy handed me Gun’s (and Roses).
―You still like Gun’s today right? At a time when you just began to have your interest in music, you encountered something that influences you up to now.
Yes. But I was very late to really listen into music. I never really delved into music before. Around my third year in junior high (note: around freshmen year in American high school), I wanted to play guitar, and I asked an older brother of my friend, and he told me about Yngwie (Malmsteen), Europe (laugh). I also had Van Halen and Bon Jovi dubbed on a cassette tape, which were popular back then.
―What other people did you find that were inspiring artists?
In Japan, I guess it would be BUCK-TICK and Loudness. I really didn’t know the indie’s scene very well, and I heard about it for the first time once I entered high school. Around that time, I saw a clip of an event on television where Luna Sea was playing, and I thought, “This person is very cool,” which was J-san.
― Did you already have a guitar back then?
I couldn’t play at all and gave up. There was a difference between me and a person who started guitar together… This is boring kind of a thing (laugh). If I were to give other musical influence, the drummer in the band I was in back then really liked Pantera and Metallica, so I listened to that.
― Later on, what made you interested in bass guitar?
The guy who I was practicing guitar together was getting good, and I thought I would lose my position. At that time, there weren’t many people who did bass. Then I thought, let’s do bass instead.
―You gave J-san as a person that led you to be aware of bass, but what attracted you?
I liked the way he showed off (laugh). I really thought that he was cool. I think Luna Sea released Image at the time, but I really thought that this guy stood out. I always thought that bassist didn’t stand out, so the impact was bigger on my part. When I first told my parents that “I want bass guitar,” they told me, “that’s the one who doesn’t stand out right?” (laugh)
―(laugh)
I also thought, “Oh, yeah.” And during that time, I also liked Toshiro-san (Norio) from Ziggy. From Burney, he released his signature model. That was the bass guitar I bought for the first time.
―After you got your bass, did you have many people who became your hero?
There are too many so I don’t know (laugh). I’m the type to steal their good parts, so I think I’ve been influenced by them.
―So you dreamed to become a type of bass player that could do variety of things?
At first, I had a vision of how “I want to be like this, I want to be like that.” But as I continued to play, I thought that was impossible. For example, I can’t become the person whom I respect even if I want to because that person is who he is. Even if I say that I “like” that person and copy him, in the end, I merely become a second brew of tea (note: literal translation. It means he becomes a pallid imitation). Then, I would think to go on my own style. There are many great players (bass), so I steal what I think is cool of those people, and in the end, make them my own. I’m that type.
―For example, are there anything about yourself that was influenced by a particular person?
There’s a lot (laugh). Until now, I didn’t think that finger playing was really that cool. But when we went on tour with Deftones, my attitude changed after I saw Chi Cheng. Like Rob Trujillo, there are many cool people that play with their fingers, but I couldn’t get used to the idea that finger playing = someone who could perform highly with an instrument.
―Did you have anyone that is “For slapping, it’s this person?”
The very first person was TAIJI-san from X and IKÜZŌNE-san. On a sticky or free part, it was them. But once I tried it out, it was difficult and I gave up. I’m the type that tends to setback (laugh).
― (laugh). But you continued to try those (techniques) out every time you were influenced by someone. As a result, something remained inside of you, which constructed your current style. Then, is there someone who you consider for pick playing?
Pick playing… The one that hits me in the head would be Tsunematsu Matsu-san (laugh). You can’t imitate that, and it’s a great weapon. It would be great if I could become a player that is like down picking = Tsunematsu-san, but I don’t think I could be like that.
―Even so, there are many players that admire Dir en grey and copy you guys. Do you ever think about what these players think of you?
No. Conversely, I think it’s better not to use us as a reference (laugh).
―(laugh). But looking at Toshiya’s style from somewhere distant, I think it’s established.
I wonder…? I don’t think I would know that. But, I think I would be freer because I don’t know about it. Because of that I think it’s good. If I would be aware of how “My selling point is this,” I feel like I’m narrowing down my capacity.
―I see. Due to that, constriction forms.
Right, right. If you make your own rules, I think it creates more impediments. So I try not to think about that stuff and I want to be as I like. I also feel, “Don’t you do music because you want to break those rules?” But once you continue, surprisingly, one falls into those rules… I think there are many people like that.
―So it’s important to have flexibility in anything you do.
I think it’s important to get exposed to different things. Instead of having prejudice, you should see, hear, and challenge first. If it doesn’t suit you, then you should stop, and if there’s something that interests you, you should absorb that in. Also, I really don’t like someone saying, “I failed because I listened to this” when people told that person what to do.
―Do you mean that one should be responsible for oneself then?
Right, right. Just to listen to people’s advice, but you’re the one that will decide. When you listen to people, at times there could be things that exceed your expectation, but there are some that are below. You should listen to the information first and think about what you’ll do about it. With that in mind, you should decide you’ll do something that way or not. I think it’s important to have that approach.
PART 2
PART 3
PART 4
I will put this in to parts, becasue it's long interview... :)
* * *
Interview: Tomoaki Hashizume (note: I’m not sure if I got his last name correct)
Photography: Eiji Kikuchi
Layout: G-Co.
Hair and Makeup: Atsushi Yamaguchi (EKYQ)
Toshiya
Dir en grey
“Uroboros awakens-“
The World Standard Booming Roar Holds Infinite Possibilities
Uroboros - Biting its own tail, becoming a ring, the myth tells about a dragon that symbolizes “death and resurrection,” “complete being without a beginning or end,” and became a motif for the “infinity” sign. Dir en grey uses this word for the new album title, and doesn’t this show extraordinary confidence in the album’s completion? Perhaps, that confidence is real. There is an overwhelming sound and persuasion making the listeners quiet because their new sound is compressed. For this work, Toshiya, the bassist, unlike his appearance during an exciting performance, speaks in a soft manner about himself and the band’s present situation. Each of his words conveys his strong will towards music to the point where he sounds stoic.
01 Toshiya’s Voice
Let us deliver the latest interview with Toshiya.
Here, we asked for his true words about the following three topics: his roots, the album Uroboros, and the band Dir en grey.
About HIMSELF
The backbone that nurtured “Bassist Toshiya”
―First, can we hear about your roots as a bassist? What was your actual experience in music?
I wonder… I have to say kayoukyoku (note: Japanese hit songs). When I was in elementary school, they had Top 10. My mom really liked Julie (Kenji Sawada) and Anzen Chitai. She made me listen to that a lot.
―When did you begin to have your own interest in music?
Around higher grades in elementary school, everyone started talking about idols and I was influenced by them listening to them. Around junior high school, I was shocked when I first found out about X that was glitzy and extreme. But there’s always a guy around you that says, “You’re still listening to Japanese music (laugh)?” That guy handed me Gun’s (and Roses).
―You still like Gun’s today right? At a time when you just began to have your interest in music, you encountered something that influences you up to now.
Yes. But I was very late to really listen into music. I never really delved into music before. Around my third year in junior high (note: around freshmen year in American high school), I wanted to play guitar, and I asked an older brother of my friend, and he told me about Yngwie (Malmsteen), Europe (laugh). I also had Van Halen and Bon Jovi dubbed on a cassette tape, which were popular back then.
―What other people did you find that were inspiring artists?
In Japan, I guess it would be BUCK-TICK and Loudness. I really didn’t know the indie’s scene very well, and I heard about it for the first time once I entered high school. Around that time, I saw a clip of an event on television where Luna Sea was playing, and I thought, “This person is very cool,” which was J-san.
― Did you already have a guitar back then?
I couldn’t play at all and gave up. There was a difference between me and a person who started guitar together… This is boring kind of a thing (laugh). If I were to give other musical influence, the drummer in the band I was in back then really liked Pantera and Metallica, so I listened to that.
― Later on, what made you interested in bass guitar?
The guy who I was practicing guitar together was getting good, and I thought I would lose my position. At that time, there weren’t many people who did bass. Then I thought, let’s do bass instead.
―You gave J-san as a person that led you to be aware of bass, but what attracted you?
I liked the way he showed off (laugh). I really thought that he was cool. I think Luna Sea released Image at the time, but I really thought that this guy stood out. I always thought that bassist didn’t stand out, so the impact was bigger on my part. When I first told my parents that “I want bass guitar,” they told me, “that’s the one who doesn’t stand out right?” (laugh)
―(laugh)
I also thought, “Oh, yeah.” And during that time, I also liked Toshiro-san (Norio) from Ziggy. From Burney, he released his signature model. That was the bass guitar I bought for the first time.
―After you got your bass, did you have many people who became your hero?
There are too many so I don’t know (laugh). I’m the type to steal their good parts, so I think I’ve been influenced by them.
―So you dreamed to become a type of bass player that could do variety of things?
At first, I had a vision of how “I want to be like this, I want to be like that.” But as I continued to play, I thought that was impossible. For example, I can’t become the person whom I respect even if I want to because that person is who he is. Even if I say that I “like” that person and copy him, in the end, I merely become a second brew of tea (note: literal translation. It means he becomes a pallid imitation). Then, I would think to go on my own style. There are many great players (bass), so I steal what I think is cool of those people, and in the end, make them my own. I’m that type.
―For example, are there anything about yourself that was influenced by a particular person?
There’s a lot (laugh). Until now, I didn’t think that finger playing was really that cool. But when we went on tour with Deftones, my attitude changed after I saw Chi Cheng. Like Rob Trujillo, there are many cool people that play with their fingers, but I couldn’t get used to the idea that finger playing = someone who could perform highly with an instrument.
―Did you have anyone that is “For slapping, it’s this person?”
The very first person was TAIJI-san from X and IKÜZŌNE-san. On a sticky or free part, it was them. But once I tried it out, it was difficult and I gave up. I’m the type that tends to setback (laugh).
― (laugh). But you continued to try those (techniques) out every time you were influenced by someone. As a result, something remained inside of you, which constructed your current style. Then, is there someone who you consider for pick playing?
Pick playing… The one that hits me in the head would be Tsunematsu Matsu-san (laugh). You can’t imitate that, and it’s a great weapon. It would be great if I could become a player that is like down picking = Tsunematsu-san, but I don’t think I could be like that.
―Even so, there are many players that admire Dir en grey and copy you guys. Do you ever think about what these players think of you?
No. Conversely, I think it’s better not to use us as a reference (laugh).
―(laugh). But looking at Toshiya’s style from somewhere distant, I think it’s established.
I wonder…? I don’t think I would know that. But, I think I would be freer because I don’t know about it. Because of that I think it’s good. If I would be aware of how “My selling point is this,” I feel like I’m narrowing down my capacity.
―I see. Due to that, constriction forms.
Right, right. If you make your own rules, I think it creates more impediments. So I try not to think about that stuff and I want to be as I like. I also feel, “Don’t you do music because you want to break those rules?” But once you continue, surprisingly, one falls into those rules… I think there are many people like that.
―So it’s important to have flexibility in anything you do.
I think it’s important to get exposed to different things. Instead of having prejudice, you should see, hear, and challenge first. If it doesn’t suit you, then you should stop, and if there’s something that interests you, you should absorb that in. Also, I really don’t like someone saying, “I failed because I listened to this” when people told that person what to do.
―Do you mean that one should be responsible for oneself then?
Right, right. Just to listen to people’s advice, but you’re the one that will decide. When you listen to people, at times there could be things that exceed your expectation, but there are some that are below. You should listen to the information first and think about what you’ll do about it. With that in mind, you should decide you’ll do something that way or not. I think it’s important to have that approach.
PART 2
PART 3
PART 4