YOU'VE BEEN XED
http://www.bangkokpost.com/151008_Outlook/15Oct2008_out51.php
X Japan frontman Yoshiki talks to 'Outlook' about music, death and the band's upcoming Bangkok show
ONSIRI PRAVATTIYAGUL
There are many ways to judge how big an artist is. Album sales, concert attendance, the size of their cribs, the number of screaming fans waiting at the airport, model girlfriend tallies or even tabloid appearances. There's also another easy way to identify a star's power: Their press conference protocol. The rule of thumb dictates that the later a star is and the shorter the actual face/interview time they give, the bigger they
The hoopla for Yoshiki of X Japan lasted almost six hours while the press conference and fan meeting took less than an hour. The "Outlook" group interview was lucky to have been 10 minutes. The founder/band leader/drummer of X Japan, the pioneer of the Visual-kei movement that set the example of many more to come and possibly the biggest J-rock group that has ever emerged outside of Japan, was recently in Bangkok to announce the Thai leg of the X Japan reunion world tour, which is slated to take place on January 31, as well as officially launch X Japan's Thai web site, http://www.xjapan.in.th/.
Although appearing thoroughly polite, Yoshiki showed a bit of his deadpan, cheeky side, when asked why he needed to launch his band's Thai site and what would be so special about it during the press conference.
"What will be in it? Well, X Japan. Anything special? X Japan. Why Thailand? Because you guys are the sweetest," he said, with his ever present smile, as the hordes of die-hard fans screamed their delirium to be in the same room as the man of the hour.
Wearing all black, Yoshiki, known by his first name only, seems to have forgone the "Visual-kei" iconography, which includes heavy make-up, extreme hair styles and colours, shocking costumes and androgyny for good as he has done so for the past few years. At 42, Yoshiki still exudes a youthful vibrance through his clear skin and fit physique. But his eyes were completely hidden behind sunglasses, so it was hard to tell if his constant, and perhaps tad forced, smile was real or just a cover for exhaustion and annoyance possibly caused by repetitive interview questions, non-stop flashing lights or random ear-spitting screams from the even more randomly dressed fans. Yoshiki spoke only in English - which is remarkably confident, considering how timid the Japanese usually are when it comes to foreign languages - which was grammatically flawless. Some Japanese questions were given abrupt answers with Yoshiki kindly instructing the Japanese translator to also translate to Thai. Even with all his affability, Yoshiki kept his answers short, and seemed to feel no need to elaborate unnecessarily or fill the dead air silences.
Seventeen lucky fans had a chance to come on the stage and get their picture taken with Yoshiki, but he probably got more than what he bargained for when the fans hugged, kissed, pulled and poked the aloof drummer in every direction. An avid Japanese pop culture follower commented how rare it is for mere mortals such as himself to get closer to musicians of this statue. There were moments that his facial expressions couldn't contain the agitation he was feeling, and it was quite a laugh. His management team and security detail, all decked out in suits, made themselves visible with their constant neurotic surveillance of all exits and entrances leading to our private interview room. Then again, it wasn't so much of a fuss considering he took a private jet to Bangkok instead of flying first class, as other rock stars would have done.
"X Japan is huge," said SO::ON Dry Flower founder Koichi Shimizu. "I can guarantee you that everyone knows them - from the old to the young. I'm not surprised to hear he took a private jet! They didn't become famous because of the way they looked either. These people are talented musicians, and they've paved the way for many bands to follow them. I also consider Yoshiki to be a musical genius. He's a very gifted instrumentalist and composer," said the experimental artist, adding that X Japan must have sold over 20 million records throughout their career.
Even former prime minister Koizumi is an ardent X Japan fan, and has been spotted at their concerts. Who knew politicians liked speed metal too? Yoshiki has also performed for the emperor on piano.
"When I first heard that they wanted me to perform in front of him, I was shocked. My mother told me that I definitely had to do it! I'm glad that our former prime minister enjoys our music, but for me a fan is fan no matter what job he or she does. They're all equal in my eyes I appreciate them all," he said.
Originally called X, Yoshiki and vocalist Toshi formed the band in 1982 in high school. Yoshiki then started his own indie label called Extasy in order to release the band's material. Guitarists Pata and Hide and bassist Taiji joined in 1987. They released their debut album, Vanishing Vision, through Yoshiki's label in 1988. The paramount success came with Blue Blood in 1989, which spawned hit singles Kurenai and Endless Rain. Jealousy came out in 1991. After such gigantic home-turf success, they were ready to break into the international market. In 1992, they added Japan to X to distinguish themselves from an American punk band with the same name. Heath came into the group to replace Taiji during this period.
Art of Life was released in 1993, and X Japan started to slowly tone down their Visual-kei aesthetic for a more mature style. X Japan released Dahlia in 1996, and it was to be their last studio album since Toshi decided to leave the band. They officially announced their disbandment in 1997. More bad news beckoned the fans when Hide passed away the following year. Much speculation has been made over his death - rumours ranged from suicide to accident - after he was found hanging by a towel tied to a door knob in his apartment. His death spawned three copycat suicides, and 60 fans were hospitalised during his funeral. Yoshiki has been adamant that Hide's death was accidental. On the subject, he was sombre while uttering: "[Hide] still exists inside our hearts."
Yoshiki has always been able to collaborate with other artists, from Roger Taylor to George Martin. He has also produced famous Japanese artists such as Luna Sea, Glay, Dir En Grey, TRAX and Zi:Kill. He has also written soundtracks and a rock opera. Last year, Yoshiki founded the Jrock Revolution Festival in Los Angeles, and he confirmed the formation of super group called Skin. Jrock fans must have been over the moon for, besides Yoshiki, other Japanese rock icons like Gackt, Miyavi and Sugizo also participated. But asked about the development of Skin, Yoshiki was candid.
"Yeah, Skin has been launched, but now I want to concentrate on the X Japan [reunion] world tour. I take the position of leader in X Japan, so I don't want to do the same with Skin. Skin members want to take the lead role, but I'm trying to be its 'fourth' member, rather than anything else. So we'll see," he said.
Last year, X Japan made an appearance together for the first time in over a decade at an MTV shooting for their new single I.V., which was written to feature in the movie Saw IV. In March this year, X Japan sold out three shows at Tokyo Dome with a total attendance of over 650,000. Yoshiki collapsed eight songs into the first show, but the rest ran smoothly.
"After the Tokyo Dome shows, my body was completely broken. I haven't really healed, but when I'm on stage, I can feel the love from the fans, and that keeps me going, so I don't feel any pain when I play. Now I've been working out a lot. Well, all of us are ... so that we can be stronger to perform for the people," said the drummer who brands his drumming technique as "destructive".
Special guests at the Tokyo Dome shows included former Limp Bizkit guitarist and now Black Light Burns' Wes Borland and Guns N' Roses' Richard Fortus as well as Sugizo. Yoshiki hinted at the possibility of special guest appearances at the Bangkok show. But even more spine chillingly spectacular was the 3D hologram of Hide. It was spooky to see a dead man slashing out line after line.
"I've dreamed to have all of us back on the stage again. I wanted Hide to be with us too [but not just in some old live footage] ... so I looked all over the world for people that could make it happen," said Yoshiki, adding that Hide is also coming to the Bangkok leg.
The Bangkok show will utilise the same production as the Tokyo shows, but probably on a smaller scale. This tour also includes Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan with an added possibility of China, Germany and the US.
Before being ushered off to a private jet, the well guarded and carefully handled Yoshiki acknowledged the unusual life he has had, but he still take it all in his stride.
"I love music. I listen to all kind of music ... yeah, a lot of classical music. I've never felt pressure to be under the spotlight. I just think that I'm lucky that I don't feel [scrutinised]. Playing the piano is my sacred time," he said.
"But you know, I'm just trying to do my best every day."
X Japan frontman Yoshiki talks to 'Outlook' about music, death and the band's upcoming Bangkok show
ONSIRI PRAVATTIYAGUL
There are many ways to judge how big an artist is. Album sales, concert attendance, the size of their cribs, the number of screaming fans waiting at the airport, model girlfriend tallies or even tabloid appearances. There's also another easy way to identify a star's power: Their press conference protocol. The rule of thumb dictates that the later a star is and the shorter the actual face/interview time they give, the bigger they
The hoopla for Yoshiki of X Japan lasted almost six hours while the press conference and fan meeting took less than an hour. The "Outlook" group interview was lucky to have been 10 minutes. The founder/band leader/drummer of X Japan, the pioneer of the Visual-kei movement that set the example of many more to come and possibly the biggest J-rock group that has ever emerged outside of Japan, was recently in Bangkok to announce the Thai leg of the X Japan reunion world tour, which is slated to take place on January 31, as well as officially launch X Japan's Thai web site, http://www.xjapan.in.th/.
Although appearing thoroughly polite, Yoshiki showed a bit of his deadpan, cheeky side, when asked why he needed to launch his band's Thai site and what would be so special about it during the press conference.
"What will be in it? Well, X Japan. Anything special? X Japan. Why Thailand? Because you guys are the sweetest," he said, with his ever present smile, as the hordes of die-hard fans screamed their delirium to be in the same room as the man of the hour.
Wearing all black, Yoshiki, known by his first name only, seems to have forgone the "Visual-kei" iconography, which includes heavy make-up, extreme hair styles and colours, shocking costumes and androgyny for good as he has done so for the past few years. At 42, Yoshiki still exudes a youthful vibrance through his clear skin and fit physique. But his eyes were completely hidden behind sunglasses, so it was hard to tell if his constant, and perhaps tad forced, smile was real or just a cover for exhaustion and annoyance possibly caused by repetitive interview questions, non-stop flashing lights or random ear-spitting screams from the even more randomly dressed fans. Yoshiki spoke only in English - which is remarkably confident, considering how timid the Japanese usually are when it comes to foreign languages - which was grammatically flawless. Some Japanese questions were given abrupt answers with Yoshiki kindly instructing the Japanese translator to also translate to Thai. Even with all his affability, Yoshiki kept his answers short, and seemed to feel no need to elaborate unnecessarily or fill the dead air silences.
Seventeen lucky fans had a chance to come on the stage and get their picture taken with Yoshiki, but he probably got more than what he bargained for when the fans hugged, kissed, pulled and poked the aloof drummer in every direction. An avid Japanese pop culture follower commented how rare it is for mere mortals such as himself to get closer to musicians of this statue. There were moments that his facial expressions couldn't contain the agitation he was feeling, and it was quite a laugh. His management team and security detail, all decked out in suits, made themselves visible with their constant neurotic surveillance of all exits and entrances leading to our private interview room. Then again, it wasn't so much of a fuss considering he took a private jet to Bangkok instead of flying first class, as other rock stars would have done.
"X Japan is huge," said SO::ON Dry Flower founder Koichi Shimizu. "I can guarantee you that everyone knows them - from the old to the young. I'm not surprised to hear he took a private jet! They didn't become famous because of the way they looked either. These people are talented musicians, and they've paved the way for many bands to follow them. I also consider Yoshiki to be a musical genius. He's a very gifted instrumentalist and composer," said the experimental artist, adding that X Japan must have sold over 20 million records throughout their career.
Even former prime minister Koizumi is an ardent X Japan fan, and has been spotted at their concerts. Who knew politicians liked speed metal too? Yoshiki has also performed for the emperor on piano.
"When I first heard that they wanted me to perform in front of him, I was shocked. My mother told me that I definitely had to do it! I'm glad that our former prime minister enjoys our music, but for me a fan is fan no matter what job he or she does. They're all equal in my eyes I appreciate them all," he said.
Originally called X, Yoshiki and vocalist Toshi formed the band in 1982 in high school. Yoshiki then started his own indie label called Extasy in order to release the band's material. Guitarists Pata and Hide and bassist Taiji joined in 1987. They released their debut album, Vanishing Vision, through Yoshiki's label in 1988. The paramount success came with Blue Blood in 1989, which spawned hit singles Kurenai and Endless Rain. Jealousy came out in 1991. After such gigantic home-turf success, they were ready to break into the international market. In 1992, they added Japan to X to distinguish themselves from an American punk band with the same name. Heath came into the group to replace Taiji during this period.
Art of Life was released in 1993, and X Japan started to slowly tone down their Visual-kei aesthetic for a more mature style. X Japan released Dahlia in 1996, and it was to be their last studio album since Toshi decided to leave the band. They officially announced their disbandment in 1997. More bad news beckoned the fans when Hide passed away the following year. Much speculation has been made over his death - rumours ranged from suicide to accident - after he was found hanging by a towel tied to a door knob in his apartment. His death spawned three copycat suicides, and 60 fans were hospitalised during his funeral. Yoshiki has been adamant that Hide's death was accidental. On the subject, he was sombre while uttering: "[Hide] still exists inside our hearts."
Yoshiki has always been able to collaborate with other artists, from Roger Taylor to George Martin. He has also produced famous Japanese artists such as Luna Sea, Glay, Dir En Grey, TRAX and Zi:Kill. He has also written soundtracks and a rock opera. Last year, Yoshiki founded the Jrock Revolution Festival in Los Angeles, and he confirmed the formation of super group called Skin. Jrock fans must have been over the moon for, besides Yoshiki, other Japanese rock icons like Gackt, Miyavi and Sugizo also participated. But asked about the development of Skin, Yoshiki was candid.
"Yeah, Skin has been launched, but now I want to concentrate on the X Japan [reunion] world tour. I take the position of leader in X Japan, so I don't want to do the same with Skin. Skin members want to take the lead role, but I'm trying to be its 'fourth' member, rather than anything else. So we'll see," he said.
Last year, X Japan made an appearance together for the first time in over a decade at an MTV shooting for their new single I.V., which was written to feature in the movie Saw IV. In March this year, X Japan sold out three shows at Tokyo Dome with a total attendance of over 650,000. Yoshiki collapsed eight songs into the first show, but the rest ran smoothly.
"After the Tokyo Dome shows, my body was completely broken. I haven't really healed, but when I'm on stage, I can feel the love from the fans, and that keeps me going, so I don't feel any pain when I play. Now I've been working out a lot. Well, all of us are ... so that we can be stronger to perform for the people," said the drummer who brands his drumming technique as "destructive".
Special guests at the Tokyo Dome shows included former Limp Bizkit guitarist and now Black Light Burns' Wes Borland and Guns N' Roses' Richard Fortus as well as Sugizo. Yoshiki hinted at the possibility of special guest appearances at the Bangkok show. But even more spine chillingly spectacular was the 3D hologram of Hide. It was spooky to see a dead man slashing out line after line.
"I've dreamed to have all of us back on the stage again. I wanted Hide to be with us too [but not just in some old live footage] ... so I looked all over the world for people that could make it happen," said Yoshiki, adding that Hide is also coming to the Bangkok leg.
The Bangkok show will utilise the same production as the Tokyo shows, but probably on a smaller scale. This tour also includes Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan with an added possibility of China, Germany and the US.
Before being ushered off to a private jet, the well guarded and carefully handled Yoshiki acknowledged the unusual life he has had, but he still take it all in his stride.
"I love music. I listen to all kind of music ... yeah, a lot of classical music. I've never felt pressure to be under the spotlight. I just think that I'm lucky that I don't feel [scrutinised]. Playing the piano is my sacred time," he said.
"But you know, I'm just trying to do my best every day."