―― I believe this no-audience, live online broadcast concert was decided because the members had a strong desire to do this. How did you come to this decision?
I: When everyone gathered for a meeting regarding the film concert, we already had the desire to do a live broadcast, so we suggested it there and then.
―― I see. So you’ve been thinking about the two sides of this and the film concert from the very beginning.
I: Yes. We solidified it from there.
―― What does Sakurai-san think about the no-audience, live online broadcast concert?
S: If there are people who tell us, “We want to see it,” then there’s no reason for us to not do it any more, is there? Even for the recording of the film concert, I thought, “I don’t know if I’d be able to muster up this much energy when there’s no audience……”. I just feel that I receive a lot of energy from the audience when we do concerts with an audience.
―― It made you notice the irony of it.
S: That’s right. The cheers and the applause and the eye contact. I was reminded that these were what inspired me to get up on stage.
―― Speaking of no-audience live concerts, you had experience in it with SATELLITE CIRCUIT in 1991, right? A groundbreaking experiment in the early days of satellite broadcasting, it was held as a centerpiece event to commemorate the inauguration of WOWOW, and was broadcast live across the country.
I: That’s right, yes.
―― Do you still remember how you felt at the time when you took on this challenge? And how you felt watching it after it ended?
I: Personally, I had fun doing it. That’s why I wonder if that feeling will resurface again this time. That said, honestly…… I did find myself wondering which [camera] is it (smiles).
―― What does Sakurai-san remember about it?
S: Uhh…… Sorry, I thought, “That’s bland.” (Smiles).
―― (Smiles). Something’s missing if you’re not standing before an audience?
S: That’s definitely it. Where to look, what to say…… I was even wondering whether an MC was even necessary. But even now I’m being told that the MC I gave back then was out of context (smiles).
I: (Smiles).
―― It was a legendary MC, wasn’t it (smiles). Do you come prepared in advance for what you were going to talk about?
S: No, even now I still don’t prepare anything when it comes to the MC.
―― Most of us decide on what to say dependnig on the atmosphere in the venue. Is Sakurai-san that type of person?
S: That’s right. That’s why I end up talking about unnecessary things too (smiles).
―― Well, then I guess we still don’t know what you’re going to say on Monday, September.
S: …… Maybe nothing (smiles)?
―― Please say something (smiles). I do want to sigh and say, “When will be able to go back to the good old style of live concerts?”, but what does BUCK-TICK envision the future format of live performances to be? I suppose you’re going to see how it goes with this attempt first.
I: That’s right. With regards to live streams, I guess the good thing about them comes through because of this present situation that we’re in. If this isn’t the case, I don’t think we’d do that.
―― BUCK-TICK is also very popular abroad, and it’s big that those fans who can’t really attend live shows usually are able to watch now, right?
I: That’s very true. Given that, I do wonder how it’d turn out since there are no capacity limits at all too. I also wonder about whether there will be more different ways to do this in future.
―― We’re in a situation where COVID-19 has not only affected live shows, but also questions the very existence of music and puts the arts and entertainment industry in jeopardy. Considering all of this, was there any part that made you re-examine your feelings towards music?
I: I feel that in this situation, the form with which we bring [our work] to our fans and music lovers is gradually changing and refreshing itself.
―― This was also a period when we keenly felt that even though we’re feeling down, music is definitely something that gives us a lot of support. In that sense, did your trust in music as a medium or personal feelings of, “That’s what we’re creating,” grow stronger?
I: I think it did grow stronger, and there were more opportunities for me to think especially about those things.
―― What about Sakurai-san? As new methods to distribute music come about, was there any part of you that reconsidered the significance of the existence of music, or renewed your feelings about it?
S: I think everyone did have those thoughts, but I only imagine that things will get better. That’s why we take measures to step up towards that end, and so on. I think the most wholesome thing for us is really to interact with the audience at concerts with our music, though. Until we can return to that, we can only bear with it because COVID-19 infections are life-threatening. I hope to someday meet everyone again on a concert tour. Also, for me, music is something that has been saving me since I was a child. So, this isn’t part of our earlier conversation, but [music] was also a place where I can escape to. And that’s why I hope that each person’s method of listening and enjoying music remains the same. I’d be happy if that’s the kind of existence [that music] can have.
―― Looking back, at the time of 9.11, you you depicted your wish for a peaceful world with Kyokutou yori Ai wo Komete, and after the Great East Japan Earthquake, you released the album Yumemiru Uchuu to be close to those who have been hurt by the disaster. Considering the state of the world now, who are the people you’re hoping to support and help the most with this album?
S: Ah, no, that’s…… We’re not being presumptuous here thinking that we can do something about things from where we are. We have something that we’ve created ourselves here, and we just think that it’d be nice if various people happen to to feel that, “This really resonates with me now.” This is something that belongs to the listeners and if we happen to cross paths, then that’s good in itself too. Like, if they encounter our music and think, “How poignant,” and things like that…… I really think that’s enough. Because we can’t actually be close to them or anything like that, right? That’s why I think that as long as there are people who enjoy our music and like it, it’s enough.
―― Does Imai-san feel this way too?
I: I do. I mean, I don’t think about it that much, though.
―― Looking back on this album again, were there any discoveries you made following its completion? Things that unintentionally turned out a certain way, and the sort.
I: Since we had to suspend activities, and had our recording progress in various ways we’ve never done before, there was a part of me that, although sure that we’d complete the album, also had no idea about what kind of album it would turn out to be. I think that conversely made it an album that I looked forward to.
―― What about Sakurai-san?
S: The stories I wrote, definitely…… Or rather, it’s most certainly not positive or forward-looking either. There isn’t even a message that says anything like, “Let’s cheer up”, though. How appropriate it would be to say, a negative multiplied by another negative makes a positive (smiles).
―― No, it’s definitely appropriate. It’s lovely.
S: My energy leans towards the negative, but when it is multiplied with those who feel a little down, we’d be like, “Oh, yeah! Let’s go!” Well, if only it’s like this (smiles). If only I could generate affirmative courage, even if just a little. Like what you said today, the way you called [the album] an omamori…… That’s a good one (smiles). It’ll make me happy if those people can listen to this album like an omamori.
―― Aside from “Make everything disappear!”, the chant “Abracadabra” appears to have a variety of different interpretations, even one that says it dispels plagues. Don’t you feel that this can be taken in many different ways?
S: That’s right. You could say that for me, I simply mean to say, “This is just a verbal spell, but this is all I can do. My apologies.” Like, if many different people cast many different spells, that should do something, right? (Smiles).
―― But words are important, aren’t they? I feel that words and music have a soul. We’re still not sure about how the annual year-end live concert will turn out, but when I hear Sakurai-san’s “Have a happy new year” and Imai-san’s guitar phrase when he leaves the stage, I feel like I’ve received a lovely gift (smiles).
S/I: (Smiles).
―― Lastly, regarding this album’s artwork, what were the keywords that the band shared with Akita-san?
I: No, well, we had a meeting with designer Akita-san, and he told us the idea with which he wanted to proceed. At the time, we had a few different ideas floating around, but among all of that, we felt that this one’s good.
―― It’s a very bright jacket, which is an oddity among your works which have been mostly dark, isn’t it?
I: That’s also something I mentioned to Akita-san in the beginning. I thought it’d be nice if we had a rainbow in there.
―― It’s beautiful and it feels fresh. How does Sakurai-san feel about this?
S: I think that it’s a good thing that it isn’t dark. For this time (smiles).
―― Why do you think so?
S: Like the lyrics that Imai-san wrote, it is “hopeful”, and it’s also related to my lyric of “like a rainbow” in Boukyaku. In this way, I can convey the things that I’m embarrassed about through Akita-san’s art work.
―― What a wonderful collaborative effort.
S: It sure is. It’s because I already trust him.
―― Well then, we’ll first look forward to the album’s release and the no-audience, live online broadcast concert on Monday, September 21. Thank you!
S/I: Thank you.