defspiral instore @ Like an Edison and live @ Heartland
It's been so long since I went to a live. Almost 5 months, since the last time was Love Parade back in June. In a way I think that last Love Parade live was too much of a shock and I didn't want to see anyone play live lest I feel bitter again. Also a lot of things no longer mattered after D'espa's break up. I think it hasn't changed even now half a year later, but this time I wanted to return a favor. 恩返し. TAKA was there for D'espa when they needed help, so I thought now it was my turn to do something for him. Plus I really liked his voice. I don't remember him being that great of a vocalist, when I saw them back in 2008 when they were still the Underneath, but he certainly made an impression on me in June.
All that being said, when defspiral released a new album and came to Nagoya for an instore event and a live, I decided that I would like to go and support them.
The instore was on November 3, Thursday, which was a national holiday, but due to my company rules we don't get holidays on such days and I had to run to make it in time for the instore. My friend was already there and kept a space next to her opened so I could sit really close to the band despite being so late. Oh, all those shy glances Masato gave me~ ≧(´▽｀)≦ Actually he and Ryo kept looking in our direction, must have been my golden locks and beautiful blue eyes ;P Anyway it was the most fun instore in a long time. I don't remember when was the last time I laughed so much at a band's antics during an event like that. D'espa does not count, I never cared if they just sat there doing nothing, I'd still be happy just seeing them and all starry-eyed and lovestruck about the whole things. Ah~, here is the hard truth lol Also this time there were no bitter feelings about a break-up or anything of the sort, so I could just relax and have fun. Masaki was very calm and didn't talk much and the others were joking a lot. Ryo was so hyper it made me wonder if he was always like that or he was just so very excited about being there talking to the fans. We also got pictures taken with the band and we even could choose who we got to sit next to, the other two would sit behind. I chose TAKA and Masato by the way ;) There is some diversity to my photo collection now!
The next day, Friday, they played a live at Heartland. They played a lot of songs from their new album, some of which I like (Nightmare, Salvage and Dive Into The Mirror) and some of which I can't even remember. They also played quite a few songs I didn't recognize at all plus hide's DOUBT they recorded for a tribute album. To be honest DOUBT only made more clear something I thought before: defspiral songs do no justice to TAKA's voice. After a week of listening to PROGRESS on my way to work and back home I have an overall impression that they are neither "catchy" nor "crazy" enough. In both good and bad sense of those words. Something is just missing, at least for me. To be fair that is still a lot better than what I can say about Babel.
Anyway I think next time they come to Nagoya we will definitely go see them again, they were really nice and a lot of fun.
A little bonus was Asanao, lynch's drummer, standing behind me during the live. Too bad it took me so long to try and remember his name that by the time I actually figured it out he disappeared. What is it with me not remembering j-rockers' names lately?!