Interview on Sazanami CD/ 20th aniversary.
Spitz's interview in the weekly Young Sunday's (a manga magazine) "Soul Sound" corner dated 09/10/2007.
-How do you guys feel when you look back into the history of the band's formation until it's 20th anniversary?
Kusano: I can't help but to look at old things, such as old interviews. But I also feel like I want to purposely cut off the flow. Now that I am in my 40s, I don't really feel like there's any unpleasant feelings or things like that anymore. I wonder if that's normal? When I was in my 30s, I wondered "Is it alright for me to be singing this kind of songs at my age?". I kept thinking about it. But really, that sort of thing isn't a problem to me now.
Miwa: I'm really aware of it though. From about the age of 35, I began to hesitate when i'm buying new clothes. 30s and 40s may be the most delicate ages. Trying to dress like a young person will only make you painful to look at.
Tamura: Though if you try to dress like a young person when you're 60, people would suddenly think that you look unexpectedly charming! (laughs) Worrying if you'd end up looking like you're trying to be young is a really dangerous thing to think about.
-Your major debut was in 1991, wasn't it?
Miwa: By that time, the band was already formed for four years.
Sakiyama: It took us a long time. I think the time prior to our debut felt so much longer (than the time after the debut).
Kusano: At that time, the 'band boom' had just ended. Other bands that debuted at the same time as we did had many people that had strong personalities.
Tamura: Our first album as an indies band wasn't very impressive. So, when we were going to release our first official album for our major debut, we spent a lot of time working hard on the CD. But, the amount of time we spent on that album is laughable now! I would spend hours and hours just to get the tuning of my instruments absolutely right. What a waste of time.
Kusano: The creation of the first album was purely by trial and error. We didn't know what was the correct thing to do, or what was the wrong thing to do.
-Did the recording company pressure you to "make this things" or "don't make things like this"?
Kusano: There was no such thing at all. Since there was no rules or regulations for us to follow, I was wondering if we were given too much freedom.
-I heard a rumor that by the time of the third album "Hoshi no Kakera" (Fragments of the Planet), the band had reached a crisis...
Kusano: You mean the crisis of us disbanding? Actually, we didn't even think about it then. When we had created the third album, we felt like we had done everything that we could've possibly done with it. But still, it didn't sell very well. We were a rock and roll band, I was worried that we couldn't fare very well without changing... Rock and roll wasn't popular anymore at that time. We looked around at the staff and felt like we've let them down. I thought that it would sell well, but it didn't, so I apologized to them.
-Did you feel any jealousy for the other bands that were selling well at the time?
Tamura: Not at all. (laughs) Rather, what I thought was how embarrassing it is that i'm not selling well.
Kusano: After producing our fourth album "Crispy!", Sasaji Masanori-san and his team whom had worked with us from the beginning, decided to leave us... we thought it was best to let him do what he wanted to do as well.
-Then the single 'Robinson' which was released in 1995 became the band's big break.
Kusano: I found that the audience had changed. Up to that point, there weren't many people who read the music magazines. All of a sudden, there was an increase in the number of people who reads music magazines. It was surprising to me, after a live performance at Nagoya, when I went to go back to the dressing room, there was a large group of girls waiting to see me. I asked them, "Eh? Me?"
-During that time, you guys could no longer walk freely in public?
Kusano: That's not entirely true, but when our songs gets played when we're having dinner at a restaurant, it becomes uncomfortable for us to stay there.
Tamura: It's much easier to eat in Ramen stalls though. At that time, we had no choice but to eat at Ramen stalls that weren't over-wired with radios and TVs. (laughs)
-You finally earned what you deserved and were selling well. But, this is a common thing people wondered about, what did you guys spend your money on?
Kusano: I bought adult CDs. (laughs) I was happy that I was finally able to do whatever I wanted to do.
Tamura: I splurged on musical instruments. I would buy them even when I have no money. (laughs) I'm still buying a hell lot of them now.
-Now that you guys are in your 40s, are there any special luxuries that comes with such an age?
All: (Looks at each other) No, there isn't.
-Is that so. (laughs) But, I think it's amazing that the band can continue on after 20 years of activities. If you compare the albums "Sazanami CD" to first album "Spitz" I think Masamune-san's voice has become stronger as well.
Kusano: I think my voice has undergone changes naturally. With this album, I think the band's 'simple sound' has returned. The basis for the melodies is "a song that's easy to get a hang of".
-There is a sense of a deep echo in the band's sublime sound, which I think is like British rock, where there's a 'pure' feel to it. Do you often take a long time in the recording studio?
Tamura: Even our co-producer, Seiji Kameda, is always too busy doing shit. For all of us to find the time to sit down and record together is very difficult. Because of that, the recording and production process is done intermittently.
-There is a unique sound that is created after Spitz's 20 years of being together. Is there a secret to the band to be able to continue for such a long time? What do you think?
Tamura: For Spitz, I think it's the way we balance out each other. The four of us have a very good relationship (with each other). Sometimes, we would get overwhelmed and everything would feel like it's spinning out of control, but we would always keep each other grounded.
Sakiyama: We simply do not do stupid, pointless things. Even our tour launches are getting more and more modest and subdued (laughs) Though it wasn't really that flashy to begin with, our original style was flashy enough for us. Also, everyone is always doing their best during live performances. The teamwork is very important.
Miwa: I never have to worry about anything at all when it comes to the four of us. The good first impression I had of everyone has not changed. Even if we're separated because everyone is moving away or even when we have to spend all of our time with each other, everything will be totally fine. We can even sit down and simply enjoy silence together. If any of us are going to some party or even someone's wedding, we would always go with each other, as if the four of us are glued together. (laughs)
-The formation happened when everyone were in their 20s. You guys have spent half your lives as members of Spitz.
Kusano: That's right. There had been troubled times when we weren't selling well, there had been good times when our songs came out as hits, there were also times when I didn't know what to sing about anymore. Even so, we are able to continue on making music. I think this is because we are forgetful, but in a good way. Even when we're doing a rehash of something we've already tried before, it would still feel like a very fresh experience for us.... I think that's a good advantage that we have. I've never thought about it before, but I wonder if we're no longer just a rock band?
-What a powerful thing to say! Masamune-san also has an image of being an 'eternal boy'.
Kusano: Ahhh, that's so gross. (laughs) However, no matter how people see me, I had always protected whatever it is that is inside me so that I can keep myself in order. I love rock music, which is the reason I formed the band, and one day, I will arrive a point where it'll become something hugely positive for even a person as strange as myself.
-How do you guys feel when you look back into the history of the band's formation until it's 20th anniversary?
Kusano: I can't help but to look at old things, such as old interviews. But I also feel like I want to purposely cut off the flow. Now that I am in my 40s, I don't really feel like there's any unpleasant feelings or things like that anymore. I wonder if that's normal? When I was in my 30s, I wondered "Is it alright for me to be singing this kind of songs at my age?". I kept thinking about it. But really, that sort of thing isn't a problem to me now.
Miwa: I'm really aware of it though. From about the age of 35, I began to hesitate when i'm buying new clothes. 30s and 40s may be the most delicate ages. Trying to dress like a young person will only make you painful to look at.
Tamura: Though if you try to dress like a young person when you're 60, people would suddenly think that you look unexpectedly charming! (laughs) Worrying if you'd end up looking like you're trying to be young is a really dangerous thing to think about.
-Your major debut was in 1991, wasn't it?
Miwa: By that time, the band was already formed for four years.
Sakiyama: It took us a long time. I think the time prior to our debut felt so much longer (than the time after the debut).
Kusano: At that time, the 'band boom' had just ended. Other bands that debuted at the same time as we did had many people that had strong personalities.
Tamura: Our first album as an indies band wasn't very impressive. So, when we were going to release our first official album for our major debut, we spent a lot of time working hard on the CD. But, the amount of time we spent on that album is laughable now! I would spend hours and hours just to get the tuning of my instruments absolutely right. What a waste of time.
Kusano: The creation of the first album was purely by trial and error. We didn't know what was the correct thing to do, or what was the wrong thing to do.
-Did the recording company pressure you to "make this things" or "don't make things like this"?
Kusano: There was no such thing at all. Since there was no rules or regulations for us to follow, I was wondering if we were given too much freedom.
-I heard a rumor that by the time of the third album "Hoshi no Kakera" (Fragments of the Planet), the band had reached a crisis...
Kusano: You mean the crisis of us disbanding? Actually, we didn't even think about it then. When we had created the third album, we felt like we had done everything that we could've possibly done with it. But still, it didn't sell very well. We were a rock and roll band, I was worried that we couldn't fare very well without changing... Rock and roll wasn't popular anymore at that time. We looked around at the staff and felt like we've let them down. I thought that it would sell well, but it didn't, so I apologized to them.
-Did you feel any jealousy for the other bands that were selling well at the time?
Tamura: Not at all. (laughs) Rather, what I thought was how embarrassing it is that i'm not selling well.
Kusano: After producing our fourth album "Crispy!", Sasaji Masanori-san and his team whom had worked with us from the beginning, decided to leave us... we thought it was best to let him do what he wanted to do as well.
-Then the single 'Robinson' which was released in 1995 became the band's big break.
Kusano: I found that the audience had changed. Up to that point, there weren't many people who read the music magazines. All of a sudden, there was an increase in the number of people who reads music magazines. It was surprising to me, after a live performance at Nagoya, when I went to go back to the dressing room, there was a large group of girls waiting to see me. I asked them, "Eh? Me?"
-During that time, you guys could no longer walk freely in public?
Kusano: That's not entirely true, but when our songs gets played when we're having dinner at a restaurant, it becomes uncomfortable for us to stay there.
Tamura: It's much easier to eat in Ramen stalls though. At that time, we had no choice but to eat at Ramen stalls that weren't over-wired with radios and TVs. (laughs)
-You finally earned what you deserved and were selling well. But, this is a common thing people wondered about, what did you guys spend your money on?
Kusano: I bought adult CDs. (laughs) I was happy that I was finally able to do whatever I wanted to do.
Tamura: I splurged on musical instruments. I would buy them even when I have no money. (laughs) I'm still buying a hell lot of them now.
-Now that you guys are in your 40s, are there any special luxuries that comes with such an age?
All: (Looks at each other) No, there isn't.
-Is that so. (laughs) But, I think it's amazing that the band can continue on after 20 years of activities. If you compare the albums "Sazanami CD" to first album "Spitz" I think Masamune-san's voice has become stronger as well.
Kusano: I think my voice has undergone changes naturally. With this album, I think the band's 'simple sound' has returned. The basis for the melodies is "a song that's easy to get a hang of".
-There is a sense of a deep echo in the band's sublime sound, which I think is like British rock, where there's a 'pure' feel to it. Do you often take a long time in the recording studio?
Tamura: Even our co-producer, Seiji Kameda, is always too busy doing shit. For all of us to find the time to sit down and record together is very difficult. Because of that, the recording and production process is done intermittently.
-There is a unique sound that is created after Spitz's 20 years of being together. Is there a secret to the band to be able to continue for such a long time? What do you think?
Tamura: For Spitz, I think it's the way we balance out each other. The four of us have a very good relationship (with each other). Sometimes, we would get overwhelmed and everything would feel like it's spinning out of control, but we would always keep each other grounded.
Sakiyama: We simply do not do stupid, pointless things. Even our tour launches are getting more and more modest and subdued (laughs) Though it wasn't really that flashy to begin with, our original style was flashy enough for us. Also, everyone is always doing their best during live performances. The teamwork is very important.
Miwa: I never have to worry about anything at all when it comes to the four of us. The good first impression I had of everyone has not changed. Even if we're separated because everyone is moving away or even when we have to spend all of our time with each other, everything will be totally fine. We can even sit down and simply enjoy silence together. If any of us are going to some party or even someone's wedding, we would always go with each other, as if the four of us are glued together. (laughs)
-The formation happened when everyone were in their 20s. You guys have spent half your lives as members of Spitz.
Kusano: That's right. There had been troubled times when we weren't selling well, there had been good times when our songs came out as hits, there were also times when I didn't know what to sing about anymore. Even so, we are able to continue on making music. I think this is because we are forgetful, but in a good way. Even when we're doing a rehash of something we've already tried before, it would still feel like a very fresh experience for us.... I think that's a good advantage that we have. I've never thought about it before, but I wonder if we're no longer just a rock band?
-What a powerful thing to say! Masamune-san also has an image of being an 'eternal boy'.
Kusano: Ahhh, that's so gross. (laughs) However, no matter how people see me, I had always protected whatever it is that is inside me so that I can keep myself in order. I love rock music, which is the reason I formed the band, and one day, I will arrive a point where it'll become something hugely positive for even a person as strange as myself.