Tag: BUCK-TICK

BUCK-TICK | [22 Sep 2023] Ongaku to Hito: BUCK-TICK leads into the future at their concert in hometown, Gunma — Concert Report

Posted on by Yoshiyuki

BUCK-TICK leads into the future
at their concert in hometown, Gunma

Ongaku to Hito
22 September 2023

text by Ishii Eriko
photos by Yamauchi Hiroe, Aoki Sayaka

 

【LIVE REPORT】
〈BUCK-TICK TOUR 2023 異空-IZORA- FINALO〉
2023.09.17 at Gunma Music Center

 

 

 

The closing of their 35th anniversary year. Held in a retro two thousand people-capacity hall at the Gunma Music Center in Takasaki with a relatively small stage and sound system that one could hardly call the best. This is also a venue that BUCK-TICK hasn’t utilised in a  while.

I recall the gathering of twelve thousand people in Yokohama Arena one year ago where state-of-the-art LED screens were used. That marked the start of their momentous 35th anniversary of the band’s debut. In terms of the scale of the fireworks launched, it was by far the most spectacular and flamboyant stage. The weight of what they carry was also another factor which added to it. In the year since then, I’ve constantly felt like something was weighing me down

Frankly speaking, it’s the pandemic and the war. We have entered a time where things which we’ve always had without question, like good health and peace and children’s laughter are increasingly under threat. No in-person concerts could be held for their previous album, ABRACADABRA and the subsequent tours which came about afterwards had shows that they had no choice but to forgo due to members of the band getting injured or catching COVID-19.

Perhaps they could’ve made the choice to use this opportunity to take a break, but with the thought of their remaining time counting down in the back of their heads, none of the members of the band bring themselves to do so. There is no time to waste. Anniversary campaigns came one after another, a new album which they originally wanted to release as two CDs, a tour schedule that had already been set……

The words we hear right at the start of 異空 -IZORA-, “Can’t run away　There’s nowhere for me anymore”, sounded as if they could’ve been Sakurai Atsushi’s true feelings just before the celebration of their 35th anniversary year; beyond grateful that they can celebrate with everyone. But at the time, the audience weren’t allowed to make even a sound. We couldn’t follow their lead to celebrate at all. Watching their performance of Aikawarazu no Are~ on that stage left such an impression on me that it felt like a horror movie I could never forget, and the one and only new song they performed, Sayonara Shelter, brought the reality of Ukraine in front of our eyes. The celebratory mood was nowhere to be found.

The number of war-related songs only increased in their new album. Like Campanella  Hanataba wo Kimi ni (花束を君に / A Bouquet for You) and Taiyou to Icarus (太陽とイカロス / The Sun and Icarus). Furthermore, the despair of no escape evolved through concrete characters in Warukyuure no Kikou (ワルキューレの騎行 / Ride of the Valkyries) and Hizumi (ヒズミ). What I saw during TOUR 2023 異空-IZORA- which ran from April to July was Sakurai’s incredible performance with the way he wholeheartedly engulfs himself in the narratives. The band, pressed by an imminent reality, is applying this to the stage, showing us how they turn it into entertainment through radical performances. I believe that it is in this foundation where the anxiety of “Can’t run away　There’s nowhere for me anymore” exists as a constant.

The final chapter and, at the same time, the end of their 35th anniversary year. A concert which marks two ends is a little different than the usual. The selection of songs did take into consideration the flow of the tour, but with the inclusion of songs like ICONOCLASM and Ningyo -mermaid-, which were not in the original lineup added to the momentum and added a festive joy back into the show. Even more striking was the removal of Jonathan Jet-Coaster, a song thematically similar to Taiyou to Icarus from the setlist. In short, the sense of confrontation against war had been eased just a little bit.

They’re not telling us to forget all the bad things. They’re also not a band who’s all-smiles, always saying that things are alright. But with the weight of reality carved into a number of songs which they perform in earnest on a near daily basis, perhaps the stage is where they can find a break from reality. The band continues even after the anniversary year concludes. In that case, what will the five of them start going forward? Unlike Takasaki City Theatre, unlike Takasaki Arena, it is the cosy Gunma Music Center that is the closest possible stage to the band’s starting point.

The first time BUCK-TICK took the stage here was in 1988 for their SEVENTH HEAVEN tour. The very next year, they suspended activities due to Imai’s scandal and it was on this very stage that they made their come-back. For all their tours up until 1993, they held the final two days of concerts at this venue so there’s no doubt that this is a closing location filled with precious memories. Digressing, during the encore, Imai took a 360-degree video of the audience floor and the stage with his smartphone. That video also includes a heartwarming scene of Yuta dashing in to try and get in the shot. Whether it was during their performance, in their expressions, or for the MC, the five members of the band seemed comfortable and relaxed.

The encore. Sakurai begins his self-introduction as the transgender lady, Hizumi-chan. Beginning with the words, “Father, mother, I love you, good bye……”, the way we all got sucked deep into the bog of Hizumi is the greatest masterpiece, the nightmarish highlight that grew out of TOUR 2023 異空-IZORA-. Singing the words, “The traffic lights turn red” “If it’s going to be this way”, what she has her eyes stuck on is a reality where it’s all too late. Merciless is the pen of lyric composer Sakurai where “rampaging” takes the place of “approaching” in the final line of the song; alluding that the future which should’ve continued as planned is about to get a sudden shake up and lose all equilibrium. I would even say that it is too cruel, too disturbing to write something like this.

But Hizumi-chan has grown through the tour and now, she refuses to sing that aloud. After singing “The next train is…”, Sakurai goes silent and at the end of the chorus sings, “Ah〜”. But it is intentional enough as it is. Just like that, the curtains close with Na mo Naki Watashi (名も無きわたし / I, Nameless) and the show ends with QUANTUM II. Thus far, everything goes on as per normal, but on this day, the band heads backstage. And then, the second encore starts again.

Sakurai sounded happy delivering his MC. With a “Thank You!”, New World’s sparkly melody which made it feel like we could just about see the little droplets of sound began. This radiance was a true lifesaver. That something which had hung on since their Yokohama Arena show. That rainy gloom which never seemed to clear. Of course, neither COVID-19 nor the war has gone away. Even so, BUCK-TICK heads into a new world. The memories of one year ago which felt like an unforgettable horror dissipated in the white light. “Cut through this infinite darkness”. After a long time, we could finally catch a glimpse of BUCK-TICK inviting us into the future.

 

【SETLIST】

SE. QUANTUM I
1. SCARECROW
2. Warukyuure no Kikou (Ride of the Valkyries)
3. ICONOCLASM
4. Zangai (残骸)
5. Ai no Harem (Harem of Love)
6. Sayonara Shelter destroy and regenerate-Mix
7. Campanella  Hanataba wo Kimi ni (A Bouquet For You)
8. THE SEASIDE STORY
9. 人魚 -mermaid-
10. Mugen LOOP -LEAP-
11. Boogie Woogie
12. Noraneko Blue (Stray Cat Blue)
13. THE FALLING DOWN
14. Tenshi wa Dare da (天使は誰だ)
15. Taiyou to Icarus (The Sun and Icarus)
16. die

ENCORE 01

17. CLIMAX TOGETHER
18. Cuba Libre
19. Coyote
20. Hizumi (ヒズミ)
21. Na mo Naki Watashi (名も無きわたし)

ENCORE 02

22. New World
SE. QUANTUM II

 

【Concert archive information】

BUCK-TICK TOUR 2023 異空-IZORA- FINALO
18 September 2023 (Mon/Holiday), Gunma Music Center

For more details on the performance or archived streaming, please visit
https://buck-tick.com/feature/specialsite_2023tour_finalo

_____________________________________________________________________________

LIVE Blu-ray & DVD
『TOUR THE BEST 35th anniv. FINALO in Budokan』
2023.12.13 RELEASE

■Limited Edition Blu-ray（BD+2SHM-CD+PHOTOBOOK）
■Limited Edition DVD（DVD+2SHM-CD+PHOTOBOOK）
■Standard Edition Blu-ray（BD）
■Standard Edition DVD（DVD）

＜Tracklist＞
SE. THEME OF B-T
01. Go-Go B-T TRAIN
02. Alice in Wonder Underground
03. GUSTAVE
04. FUTURE SONG -未来が通る-
05. Moon Sayonara wo Oshiete
06. Melancholia -ELECTRIA–
07. Villain
08. Maimu Mime
09. MOONLIGHT ESCAPE
10. Dance Tengoku
11. Eureka
12. Sayonara Shelter
13. RAIN
14. ROMANCE
15. Muma -The Nightmare
16. JUST ONE MORE KISS Ver.2021
17. JUPITER
18. Memento mori
19. Dokudanjo Beauty -R.I.P.-
20. LOVE PARADE
21. Yume Miru Uchuu (夢見る宇宙)
22. Kodou (2022MIX)

[Limited Edition bonus (applicable to both Blu-ray and DVD versions)]
・LIVE CD [x2 ] included
・64-page photobook included
・Comes in special packaging

Order from Amazon Japan

Order from TOWER RECORDS

Order from HMV

_____________________________________________________________________________

〈THE DAY IN QUESTION 2023〉

Friday, 29 December 2023 at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
Doors open 17:30, show starts 18:30
Designated seating; ￥11,000 (w/ tax)

Special Website

BUCK-TICK Official Website

 

 

 

Translation: Yoshiyuki
Source: Ongaku to Hito

 

BUCK-TICK | [24 Oct 2023] ORICON NEWS: “Farewell Sakurai Atsushi” ― Ichikawa Testsushi

Posted on by Yoshiyuki

 “Farewell Sakurai Atsushi”
― Ichikawa Testsushi

ORICON NEWS
24 October 2023

 

 

Today, it was announced that Sakurai Atsushi, the vocalist of the rock band BUCK-TICK has passed away on 19 October from brain stem haemorrhage. Music critic Ichikawa Tetsushi, who “spent a lot of enriching times with him through my work for Rockin’on Japan and Ongaku to Hito” during the 1980s and 90s, mourns his death.

 

 

Despite the fact that BUCK-TICK has consistently been playing peculiar rock music for the past 36 years as Japan’s most avant-garde band who are dark and experimental and not the most appealing to the masses, they are still Japan’s biggest pop-sounding rock band. And their frontman, Sakurai Atsushi was the embodiment of their extraordinary presence and worldview; the rare “pessimistic entertainer”.

The Sakurai Atsushi I know was a person who seemed to have been born to sing in a rock band. He was the “handsome” older brother both inside and out. The young man who stood before a conveyor belt in a factory back before he was formally associated with the band, wondering, “Why am I doing this stuff?” came into contact with music, particularly dark heavy rock music and found what would awaken him to his style of expression; a form which looked both fragile yet promising.

In the last century, I conducted countless interviews with him and I can’t even begin to fathom how many hundreds of hours I spent drinking with him. Despite the smile on his face, on the inside, he was always self-deprecating, asking himself over and over, “What am I?” Even so, he continued to toss and turn in agony as he attempted to express himself as the boy from the blind alley. But because he’s the person he was, he created the unheard-of genre of “stylish pessimistic rock”.

Needless to say, a worldview so unique to him is what gathered sympathisers from far and wide, regardless of nationality or age. Also, when we listen to BUCK-TICK’s music from this past decade or so, we get the message that Sakurai himself revelled greatly in his innate “tiresomely sensitive” disposition.

It is truly a shame [that this has happened] because I was glad to see a Japanese musician ageing as well as Sakurai Atsushi, still going strong 35 years since the erstwhile band boom. This obituary which comes only two and a half months after the passing of DER ZIBET’s ISSAY who he admired so greatly, the other half the duo I call the “Decadent Mentor-Mentee Duo”, is simply heartbreaking.

My sincere condolences to one and all. Ahh.

 

Ichikawa Tetsushi
Music critic. Author of numerous liner notes and books like BT8992―Buck-Tick’s metamorphosis1989-1992, a collection of BUCK-TICK interviews published by Rockin’On.

 

 

 

Translation: Yoshiyuki
Source: “Farewell Sakurai Atsushi” ― Ichikawa Testsushi

BUCK-TICK | [22 Sep 2023] SPICE: BUCK-TICK TOUR 2023 異空-IZORA- FINALO at Gunma Music Center — Concert Report

Posted on by Yoshiyuki

BUCK-TICK concludes 35th debut anniversary in hometown Gunma
Gunma Music Center’s Official Concert Report

SPICE
22 September 2023

Text＝Yuka Okubo
Photos＝Yamauchi Hiroe, Aoki Sayaka

 

Kicking off the celebration of the 35th anniversary of their major debut in September 2022, BUCK-TICK embarked on a national tour named BUCK-TICK TOUR 2023 異空-IZORA- following the release of their latest album, 異空 -IZORA- in April. For their final stop of the tour, they returned under the skies of their hometown, Gunma on 17 and 18 September, additional shows named BUCK-TICK TOUR 2023 異空-IZORA- FINALO, which were intended to conclude this celebratory anniversary year. The news of these shows meant something special to their fans when it popped up at the end of their concert held in July at Tokyo Garden Theatre.

Alighting at the JR Takasaki Station on 17 September, you will be greeted by posters created for this two-day event. As you breathe in the air of their hometown, you walk down the path leading from the station to Gunma Music Center. The skies over Takasaki are clear on this day. Once you arrive at the front of the venue, you find five life-size standees, one for each member of the band on display. Your excitement can only grow with this second greeting.

Ever since their SEVENTH HEAVEN TOUR in 1988, the band has played numerous times at Gunma Music Center which was established in 1961, a year before the band’s drummer, Yagami Toll was born. That modern structure seemed to suit the world of 異空 -IZORA-.

The story encased in their album 異空 -IZORA- reflects the unsettling state of the world, the strain behind a diverse society, and  the actions and emotions of the people living in these settings. The narrative only grows in depth with each BUCK-TICK TOUR 2023 異空-IZORA- show they perform, and it was thought that it had come to a close following the overpowering performance they staged on the last day of their Tokyo Garden Theatre dates.

In BUCK-TICK TOUR 2023 異空-IZORA- FINALO, the songs kept their album placements while older songs were changed or added into the set list, leaving the audience with different feel and impression than before.

As the instrumental track, QUANTUM Ⅰ played, a rousing applause accompanied by cheers rose up as from the left side of the stage entered Imai Hisashi (guitarist) first, followed by Yagami, Higuchi Yutaka (bassist), and Hoshino Hidehiko (guitarist). The moment the four of them took their positions with their instruments in hand, the audience were unable to contain their high spirits and the applause turned to rhythmic clapping. When the music came to its climax, Sakurai Atsushi (vocalist) appeared in the centre of the stage with a black hat and black feather boa while dressed in a black outfit which left his thighs uncovered.

The first song, SCARECROW sounded synchronised with the silhouette of a scarecrow which was projected in the background and even featured the crow which attacks the scarecrow in the lyrics. The four members who played instruments were all dressed in white, making them look especially uniform. The increasing panic and distress at the reality of having nowhere to run grows from the chorus as they up the tempo and push it to the very edge.

That tension carries into the industrial track, Warukyuure no Kikou (Ride of the Valkyries / ワルキューレの騎行) and after it fades away, the band leads into ICONOCLASM as Imai  scratches the strings of his guitar in tandem with the familiar “klang klang kla-klang”. Cheers erupted for this song which was not part of this tour’s original setlist. The excitement in the hall heated up even more when in the middle, Sakurai changed the lyrics of the line “Five for Japanese Babies” to “Five for Takasaki Babies”.

The next song, Zangai was also another track which was making its first appearance in the setlist of this tour. It felt as if this rock tune about a powerful lifeforce blazing aflame while living alongside death had something in common with the worldview of 異空 -IZORA-.

Flames of torches danced and the atmosphere changed to the sound of exotic percussion music as Ai no Harem (Harem of Love / 愛のハレム) played. With tingsha bells swaying in his right hand, Sakurai’s melancholic voice sang full of emotion in the sweet luscious music.

Sakurai’s performance of conflicted, gun-wielding soldier sending his child to a safe house in Sayonara Shelter destroy and regenerate-Mix has always had the audience rapt, but on this day, the most impactful moment was seeing him gently place the mic stand, which he always held like a gun, on the floor. During the tour, I’ve seen his performance of throwing it away numerous times, but seeing him convey his emotions of this moment with such a performance on this day was intriguing.

“Father, Mother, here’s a bouquet of flowers for you,” said Sakurai before jumping into the catchy melody of Campanella  Hanataba wo Kimi ni (A Bouquet For You / 花束を君に) where he sings about the graphic nature of war from the perspective of a child. Following two mermaid songs, THE SEASIDE STORY and Ningyo -mermaid-, a samba rhythm took over the beachy atmosphere as Mugen LOOP -LEAP- brought about a fantastical soundscape. After that, a short MC.

Perhaps the audience’s expectations of something special happening because this is a concert in their hometown had been impressed upon Sakurai. Say, for example, like how he once introduced the members in reference to Jomo Karuta in a previous show. But instead, Sakurai dodged their expectations with, “People tend to speculate that there’s always something (special) happening in Takasaki (shows)…… There isn’t.” Then, he added, “The members of our band managed to meet each other in our hometown. I suppose that’s about it.”

Moving on, he said, “That girl’s been waiting for us. That’s why we got on stage.” And they continued the show with Boogie Woogie, a song filled with lyrics referencing the band’s early days, and the bluesy Noraneko Blue (Stray Cat Blue / 野良猫ブルー). The shuffle beat song, THE FALLING DOWN was followed by Tenshi wa Dare da (天使は誰だ), both of which reference the Book of Genesis. After that, we finally arrive at the climax of the main show. 

First, Taiyou to Icarus (The Sun and Icarus / 太陽とイカロス), a lighthearted melody that accompanies the heavy theme of war. When Sakurai sang, “Kanashiku wa nai　Kore de jiyuu da”, he spread his arms out, moving them like flapping wings with a bright red sun in the background. The sight could only be described as beautiful, yet sad. Then came die, a song that led us into the spiritual which comes after. Huge spider lilies came on screen to the immersive sounds. Under a light that seems to envelop the whole space, I felt a certain kind of ecstasy.

The encore started with Yagami Toll’s drum solo and turned the heat up with the high tempo CLIMAX TOGETHER where Sakurai sang the line, “WE LOVE ALL   dakishimetai” with all his hopes from this 35th anniversary. They then continued with Spanish-inspired songs, Cuba Libre and Coyote, followed by Hizumi.

Centrestage was a candle lit aflame and a chair. When Sakurai sat down and started his monologue, both Sakurai’s expressions and the atmosphere of the room changed. Next to Sakurai who sang with piercing eyes and a forlorn expression was Imai who hopped and skipped around dancing Jenkka. The imbalance of the performance only added to the melancholy of it all.

During Na mo Naki Watashi (名も無きわたし) which sings of life coming into bloom, the sight of petals dancing in the air seemed to expand from the stage to include the whole hall where paper petals float down. While the clear ensemble and powerful vocals brought about a sense of euphoria, they also led towards catharsis.

There was no double encore during the tour so New World was not originally performed during the tour. On this day, the band closed off their 35th anniversary year shining brightly at their future with this track which was filled with a light befitting of BUCK-TICK as they sped into a new chapter. At the same time, it begs a question; will the protagonist from Taiyou to Icarus who pointed at the sun while riding in an aircraft really call our “present” world that has been entrusted to us beautiful? Would our future become something we can be proud of?

Along with the lingering memories of the concert, that question remains in my mind even a few days after the event. The things that connect from past to present and to future. The things we want to protect. I think the message that 異空 -IZORA- carries has been thoroughly conveyed into my heart through this tour.

After the performance, a pleasant surprise was waiting outside for the exiting audience. Using projection mapping, messages from the band members and “thank you” in languages from all over the world were projected onto the exterior of the venue. What great hospitality! Voices of appreciation for this thoughtful display were all around.

The live-streamed performance on the next day, the 18th was a special one that was closed to external parties so that the band got to share a fulfilling time with their fans. I hope that you’ll enjoy this show in the archived stream that will remain available until 23:59 on Tuesday, 26 September (or 23:59 on Monday, 25 September for certain streaming platforms).

In a printed extra that was distributed after this performance, the future of BUCK-TICK was written; they announced that they will be holding THE DAY IN QUESTION 2023 on Friday, 29 December at Nippon Budokan, along with the production of a movie commemorating their 35th debut anniversary year. We eagerly await the completion of this film to see how it will portray the band who ran through the anniversary year without a break.

 

 

SETLIST
BUCK-TICK TOUR 2023 異空-IZORA- FINALO
2023.9.17-18　Gunma Music Center

SE. QUANTUM I
1. SCARECROW
2. Warukyuure no Kikou (Ride of the Valkyries)
3. ICONOCLASM
4. Zangai (残骸)
5. Ai no Harem (Harem of Love)
6. Sayonara Shelter destroy and regenerate-Mix
7. Campanella  Hanataba wo Kimi ni (A Bouquet For You)
8. THE SEASIDE STORY
9. 人魚 -mermaid-
10. Mugen LOOP -LEAP-
11. Boogie Woogie
12. Noraneko Blue (Stray Cat Blue)
13. THE FALLING DOWN
14. Tenshi wa Dare da (天使は誰だ)
15. Taiyou to Icarus (The Sun and Icarus)
16. die

＜ENCORE1＞

17. CLIMAX TOGETHER
18. Cuba Libre
19. Coyote
20. Hizumi (ヒズミ)
21. Na mo Naki Watashi (名も無きわたし)

＜ENCORE2＞

22. New World
SE. QUANTUM II

 

 

Upcoming Releases
LIVE Blu-ray&DVD
『TOUR THE BEST 35th anniv. FINALO in Budokan』

Limited Edition Blu-ray（BD+2SHM-CD+PHOTOBOOK） VIZL-2252 / ￥12,100 (w/ tax)
Limited Edition DVD（DVD+2SHM-CD+PHOTOBOOK） VIZL-2253 / ￥11,000 (w/ tax)
Standard Edition Blu-ray（BD） VIXL-426 / ￥7,700 (w/ tax)
Standard Edition DVD（DVD） VIBL-1110 / ￥6,600 (w/ tax)

＜Tracklist＞
SE. THEME OF B-T
01. Go-Go B-T TRAIN
02. Alice in Wonder Underground
03. GUSTAVE
04. FUTURE SONG -未来が通る-
05. Moon Sayonara wo Oshiete
06. Melancholia -ELECTRIA–
07. Villain
08. Maimu Mime
09. MOONLIGHT ESCAPE
10. Dance Tengoku
11. Eureka
12. Sayonara Shelter
13. RAIN
14. ROMANCE
15. Muma -The Nightmare
16. JUST ONE MORE KISS Ver.2021
17. JUPITER
18. Memento mori
19. Dokudanjo Beauty -R.I.P.-
20. LOVE PARADE
21. Yume Miru Uchuu (夢見る宇宙)
22. Kodou (2022MIX)

[Limited Edition bonus (applicable to both Blu-ray and DVD versions)]
・LIVE CD [x2 ] included
・64-page photobook included
・Comes in special packaging

Pre-order here:
Limited Edition Blu-ray (BD+2SHM-CD+PHOTOBOOK)
https://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Linkall/VIZL-2252.html
Limited Edition DVD (DVD+2SHM-CD+PHOTOBOOK)
https://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Linkall/VIZL-2253.html
Regular Edition Blu-ray (BD)
https://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Linkall/VIXL-426.html
Regular Edition DVD (DVD)
https://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Linkall/VIBL-1110.html

 

Upcoming Concerts

BUCK-TICK TOUR 2023 異空-IZORA- ALTERNATIVE SUN

Friday, 20 October 2023 — Kanagawa: KT Zepp Yokohama
Thursday, 26 October 2023 — Aichi: Zepp Nagoya
Saturday, 28 October 2023 — Fukuoka: Zepp Fukuoka
Saturday, 14 November 2023 — Osaka: Zepp Osaka Bayside
Sunday, 12 November 2023 — Hokkaido: Zepp Sapporo
Sunday, 19 November 2023 — Tokyo: Toyosu PIT
Saturday, 2 December 2023 — Miyagi: Sendai GIGS
Saturday, 9 December 2023 — Tokyo: Zepp Haneda

Tickets on sale now

_____________________________________________________________________________

THE DAY IN QUESTION 2023
Friday, 29 December 2023 @ Nippon Budokan, Tokyo

Doors open 17:30, show starts 18:30
All seats designated, ￥11,000 (w/tax)
(Inquiries) SOGO TOKYO 03-3405-9999
General ticket sales starts: Saturday, 25 November 2023

 

Streaming information
【Concert archive information】

Event day: 18 September 2023 (Mon/Holiday)
Event name: BUCK-TICK TOUR 2023 異空-IZORA- FINALO
Venue: Gunma Music Center
For more details on archived streaming, please visit the
Official Website: https://buck-tick.com/feature/specialsite_2023tour_finalo

 

Upcoming Screenings

Release date: TBC
Title: TBC

[BUCK-TICK Movie Official Website]
https://bt-movie.love

 

 

*Duplicate images have different sizes

 

Translation: Yoshiyuki
Images: SPICE , Victor Music tweets (1, 2)

 

BUCK-TICK Lyrics | 名も無きわたし (Namonaki Watashi)

Posted on by Yoshiyuki

2023.04.12 | Victor Entertainment
異空-IZORA

2023.03.22 | Victor Entertainment
無限 LOOP

I, Nameless

Words by Sakurai Atsushi

Music By Imai Hisashi

Japanese

 

一雫　雨を
一雫　ください
一雫　愛を
一雫　ください

名も　無 い　　わたし　は
あなた　と　　出会いました
名も　無 い　　わたし　にも
蝶や　風 や　　夢　が．．

狂い咲く　　花たちよ
今は　咲 き 乱 れ よ
狂い咲く　　命　共
乱れ　乱れ　乱れ

あ り が と う　愛を
陽だまりも　日々を
一輪　　　の　花を
髪飾り　　　君に

名も　無 い　　わたし　は
あなた　と　　お別れ　来た
名も　無 い　　わたし　にも
赤や　黄 の 夢　が．．

狂い咲く　　花たちよ
今は　咲 き 乱 れ よ
狂い咲く　　命　共
乱れ　乱れ　乱れ
狂い咲く　　花たちよ
今は　咲 き 乱 れ よ
狂い咲く　　命　共
乱れ　乱れ　乱れ

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Hitoshizuku　ame wo
Hitoshizuku　kudasai
Hitoshizuku　ai wo
Hitoshizuku　kudasai

Na mo　na-i　　watashi　wa
Anata　to　　deaimashita
Na mo　na-i　　watashi　ni mo
Chou ya　Kaze ya　Yume　ga..

Kurui saku　　hana tachi yo
Ima wa 　sa-ki mi-da-re yo
Kurui saku　　inochi　domo
Midare　Midare　Midare

A-ri-ga-to-u　ai wo
hidamari mo　hibi wo
Ichi rin　　no　hana wo
kami kazari　　kimi ni

Na mo　na-i　　watashi　wa
Anata　to　　o wakare　kita
Na mo　na-i　　watashi　ni mo
Aka ya　ki no 　　yume　ga..

Kurui saku　　hana tachi yo
Ima wa 　sa-ki mi-da-re yo
Kurui saku　　inochi　domo
Midare　Midare　Midare
Kurui saku　　hana tachi yo
Ima wa 　sa-ki mi-da-re yo
Kurui saku　　inochi　domo
Midare　Midare　Midare

English

By: Yoshiyuki

A drop　of rain
A drop　please
A drop　of love
A drop　please

Although nameless, I
got to meet you
Even nameless, I
met butterflies, felt the wind, had dreams..

All the flowers blooming in frenzy
Now bloom in exuberance
Together with lives blooming in frenzy
Flourish　In riot　Ablaze

Thank you　for the love
and the sunshine　and each day
A single stalk　of flower
to decorate　your hair

Although nameless, I
have come to bid you farewell
Even nameless, I
dream of red, of yellow..¹

All the flowers blooming in frenzy
Now bloom in exuberance
Together with lives blooming in frenzy
Flourish　In riot　Ablaze
All the flowers blooming in frenzy
Now bloom in exuberance
Together with lives blooming in frenzy
Flourish　In riot　Ablaze

 

Notes:

¹ There’s some sort of dream interpretation based on the colours you dream of and the interpretation in Japanese culture (pop culture?) is different from Western interpretations so I’ll be using the Japanese one for this song. To start, dreaming in bright shades is generally positive while darker shades imply negativity.

For red, brighter shades imply things like “passion”, “heightened vitality”, “triumph” and tell of good things to come in a person’s love life. Darker shades imply “anger”, “misfortune”, “conflict”, or generally poor mental or physical health.

For yellow, brighter shades imply “intuition”, “abundance”, “liveliness”. It refers to general luck coming your way. Darker shades imply “dissatisfaction”, “indecision”, “stagnation”, “instability”; a sign that you’re mentally troubled by something.

 

From Sakurai’s interview in FT107, from his point of view, the arpeggio in the intro immediately brought to mind a single flower stalk swaying in the wind. He then goes on to talk about personifying it from that image, thinking of himself as that flower blooming on its own, critters coming to it, being blown by the wind and equally rained upon despite having no name. He describes the song as a story of life with encounters and the eventual farewells. 

From Imai’s interview in FT107, the remixed version for the single was done according to the band’s specifications. Imai in particular asked YOW-ROW to bring the single version to “an even more major scale”, and DM-ed him the chord progression to use. YOW-ROW then added his own vibe and flavour to it, giving it a more complex feel which Imai really liked.

From Imai and Yokoyamal’s interview in FT107, the interviewer was talking about the “emotional switch” in the song and mentioned that they were trying to explain what they felt to Hide (the very first person who was interviewed for this issue) but they couldn’t quite get it across. Imai commented that Hide probably wouldn’t get it anyway and would be confused. The interviewer then shared that in the end, Hide said, “I don’t really get it either, so I’m sure it’s not particularly important to Imai.”; a statement which Imai profusely refuted. 

 

BUCK-TICK Lyrics | ヒズミ (Hizumi)

Posted on by Yoshiyuki
Album cover of 異空 -IZORA-, BUCK-TICK

2023.04.12 | Victor Entertainment
異空-IZORA

Words by Sakurai Atsushi

Music By Imai Hisashi

Japanese

 

何の為　生きる?
上手くいかない お化粧
酷　い　週末　ね

お母さんの夢を?
夢を犯しました
胸　掻きむし　る

 　ララバイ　血が止まら．．ない
 　傷口を　舐 め て
 　　街が　僕が
 　　君が　歪む
 　　夕暮れブランコ　　ゆ　ら
 　　誰も　歪
 　　不思議に生きている
 　　窓に灯り　ほ　ら

お父さんの夢を?
夢も殺しました
日曜　雨　模様

 　ララバイ　グッドバイ　サヨナ．．ラ
 　切り刻んで　しま．．え
 　　街が　僕が
 　　君が　歪む
 　　信号　赤に　変わ　る

 　　お爺さん　　お婆さん
 　　手を繋ぎましょう

 　　　構うな!
 　　　　放っといて　頂戴．．

 　お父さん　お母さん
 　忘れないでね
 　とっても　愛してい　　　る
 　こんな　　はずじゃ．．
 　優しくなりたい
 　次の電車が　　狂．．　　う

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Nan no tame　ikiru?
Umaku ikanai  O keshou
Hido　i　shuumatsu　ne

Okaasan no yume wo?
Yume wo okashimashita
Mune　kakimushi　ru

 　Rarabai　Chi ga tomara.. nai
 　Kizuguchi wo　na-me-te
 　　Machi ga　Boku ga
 　　Kimi ga　Hizumu
 　　Yuugure buranko　　yu　ra
 　　Dare mo　ibitsu
 　　Fushigi ni ikiteiru
 　　Mado ni akari　ho　ra

Otousan no yume wo?
Yume mo koroshimashita
Nichiyou　ame　moyou

 　Rarabai　Guddobai　Sayona.. ra
 　Kiri kizande　shima.. e
 　　Machi ga　Boku ga
 　　Kimi ga　Hizumu
 　　Shingou　aka ni　kawa　ru

 　　Ojiisan　Obaasan
 　　Te wo tsunagimashou

 　　　Kamau na!
 　　　　Hottoite　choudai..

 　Otousan　Okaasan
 　Wasure nai de ne
 　Tottemo　aishitei 　　ru
 　Konna　hazuja..
 　Yasashiku naritai
 　Tsugi no densha ga　　kuru..　　u

English

By: Yoshiyuki

Why am I alive?
It’s not going well, this makeup
What a horrible weekend

Mother’s dreams?
I violated them
Clawing at my heart

 　Lullaby　The blood won’t.. stop
 　I lick my open wounds
 　　The city and I and you
 　　Distort
 　　Swing set in the sunset　Swing
 　　Everyone is distorted
 　　Living strangely
 　　There’s a light in the window　Look

Father’s dreams?
I killed them too
Sunday　Skies threatening rain

 　Lullaby　Goodbye　Fare..well
 　Chop me up in.. to pieces
 　　The city and I and you
 　　Distort
 　　The traffic lights turn red

 　　Hey, mister　Hey, madam
 　　Let’s hold hands

 　　　Don’t bother!
 　　　　Leave me be　Please..

 　Father　Mother
 　Don’t forget me
 　I love you so so　　much
 　If it’s going to be this way..
 　I want to become kinder
 　The next train is　　rampag..ing

 

Notes:

From Imai and Yokoyamal’s interview in FT107, Imai shared that the working title for this song was originally “SPOOKY” because he was thinking of ghosts and spectres (like Gegege no Kitaro) with the music’s vibe so Sakurai’s bleak lyrics were quite a surprise to him. The vibe he originally had in his head was the kind of inevitable feeling you’d get as a kid when you see the sun setting on a Sunday evening.

 

BUCK-TICK Lyrics | 野良猫ブルー (Noraneko Buruu)

Posted on by Yoshiyuki
Album cover of 異空 -IZORA-, BUCK-TICK

2023.04.12 | Victor Entertainment
異空-IZORA

Stray Cat Blue

Words by Sakurai Atsushi

Music By Imai Hisashi

Japanese

 

ブルー　どこにいる? ブルー
今夜もさまよう?
ブルー　眠れるかい? So ブルー
誰に抱かれている？

まいった　ぜ
鼠色の雨に打たれた ニャア!
You kidding⁉
薔薇色の人生だって？

 　笑う　ぜ　　全部　デタラメ
 　ねえ　ブルー　　こっちへ　おいで
 　待っているぜ

 　ねえ　ブルー

ブルー　イラつくぜ
So ブルー　生きている事さえ

まいった　ぜ
愛していると言っておくれ ニャア!
You kidding⁉
朝が来ればもうお別れかい？

 　笑う　ぜ　　全部　デタラメ
 　ねえ　ブルー　　こっちへ　おいで
 　笑う　ぜ　　全部　キタナイ
 　ねえ　ブルー　　永遠 さあ おいで
 　待っているぜ

 　息を　殺して
 　待っているぜ
 　たとえ野垂れ死んでも

 　　気高きブルー
 　　哀しき Soブルー
 　　鳴き声　聴かせ　て　よ
 　　甘く切な　　く

 　　ねえ　ブルー

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Buruu　Doko ni iru? Buruu
Konya mo samayou?
Buruu　Nemureru kai? So Buruu
Dare ni dakarete iru?

Maitta　ze
Nezumi iro no ame ni utareta Nyaa!
You kidding⁉
Bara iro no jinsei datte?

 　Warau　ze　　Zenbu　detarame
 　Nee　Buruu　　Kocchi e　oide
 　Matteru ze

　Nee　Buruu

Buruu　Iratsuku ze
So Buruu　Ikiteiru koto sae

Maitta　ze
Aishiteru to itte okure Nyaa!
You kidding⁉
Asa ga kureba mou o wakare kai?

 　Warau　ze　　Zenbu　detarame
 　Nee　Buruu　　Kocchi e　oide
 　Warau　ze　　Zenbu　kitanai
 　Nee　Buruu　　Eien Saa Oide
 　Matteru ze

 　Iki wo　koroshite
 　Matteru ze
 　Tatoe notare shinde mo

 　　Kedakaki Buruu
 　　Kanashiki So Buruu
 　　Nakigoe　kikase　te　yo
 　　Amaku setsuna　ku

 　　Nee　Buruu

English

By: Yoshiyuki

Blue　Where are you? Blue
Wandering around again tonight?
Blue　Can you sleep? So Blue
Who’s cuddling you?

Oh, shit
I got drenched in the slate-grey rain, meow!
You kidding⁉
Did you think it’s a rose-tinted life?

 　What a laugh　It’s all bullshit
 　Hey, Blue　Come here
 　I’m waiting

 　Hey, Blue

Blue　How annoying
So Blue　Just having to live

Oh, shit
Tell me that you love me, meow!
You kidding⁉
Even though we say goodbye once morning comes?

 　What a laugh　It’s all bullshit
 　Hey, Blue　Come here
 　What a laugh　It’s all dirty
 　Hey, Blue　It’s forever, come here
 　I’m waiting

 　With bated breath
 　I’m waiting
 　Even if you die in a ditch

 　　Noble and dignified Blue
 　　Pitiful, So Blue
 　　Let me hear your cries
 　　So sweet, so heartrending

 　　Hey, Blue

 

 

 

BUCK-TICK Lyrics | 無限 LOOP (Mugen LOOP)

Posted on by Yoshiyuki

2023.04.12 | Victor Entertainment
異空-IZORA

2023.03.22 | Victor Entertainment
無限 LOOP

Infinity LOOP

Words by Sakurai Atsushi

Music By Imai Hisashi

Japanese

 

南風　が　　君を　誘　う
甘い　香り　　君が　笑　う
踊 り ま し ょ う　　波打ち　際
時を　止めて　　みたいけど..

わた し　の　　夢は　途中で
途切れ　途切れ　　君の　夢見た

鼻の先　が　　ツンでなるんだ　ああ
忘れてゆ　く　　何もか　も

.. けれ　ど　も　　夢の　途中で
千切れ　千切れ　　君の　夢見た

無限の　LOOP　　波がきらめく
今宵　月　も　　 濡れてい　る
幽玄 SO BEAUTY　　愛とは　歓　び
今宵　君　も　 　濡れてい　る

無限の LOOP..

あな　た　の 　　夢で　眠　る
途切れ　途切れ　　君の　夢見た

無限の　LOOP　　波がきらめく
今宵　月　も　　濡れてい　る
幽玄 SO BEAUTY　　愛とは哀しみ
今宵　君　も　　 濡れてい　る

無限の LOOP..

無限の LOOP..

無限　I LOVE YOU

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Minami kaze　　ga kimi wo　saso-u
Amai　　kaori　Kimi ga　wara-u
O-do-ri-ma-sho-u　Namiuchi-giwa
Toki wo　tomete mitai kedo..

Wata-shi　　no yume wa  tochuu de
Togire　togire　　Kimi no　yume mita

Hana no saki　ga　　tsun de narunda　aa
Wasurete yu-ku　 Nani mo ka-mo

.. kere-do-mo　 　yume no　tochuu de
Chigire　chigire　　Kimi no　yume mita

An endless　LOOP　　Nami ga kirameku
Koyoi　tsuki　　mo nuretei-ru
Yuugen SO BEAUTY　　Ai to wa　yoroko-bi
Koyoi　kimi　　mo nuretei-ru

Mugen no LOOP..

Ana-ta　no　　 yume de　nemu-ru
Togire　togire　　Kimi no　yume mita

Mugen no　LOOP　　Nami ga kirameku
Koyoi　tsuki　mo 　　nuretei-ru
Yuugen SO BEAUTY　Ai to wa kanashimi
Koyoi　kimi　mo　　nuretei-ru

Mugen no LOOP..

Mugen no LOOP..

Mugen　I LOVE YOU

English

By: Yoshiyuki

The southerly wind　calls to you
A sweet fragrance　You laugh
Let-us-dance　by the water’s edge
Though I’d like to try stopping time..

Halfway through,　my dream
Pauses　and breaks　　And I see your dream

The tip of my nose　　It stings¹　Ah
I’m forgetting　　Everything

.. But　　halfway through, my dream
Shreds into tatters　　And I see your dream

An endless LOOP　The waves are shimmering
Tonight, the moon　is also drenched
Mythic, SO BEAUTY　Love is joy
Tonight, you　are also drenched

An endless LOOP..

Sleeping　in your dream
Pause　and break　　I see your dream

An endless LOOP　The waves are shimmering
Tonight, the moon　is also drenched
Mythic, SO BEAUTY　Love is sorrow
Tonight, you　are also drenched

An endless LOOP..

An endless LOOP..

To infinity　I LOVE YOU

 

Notes:

¹ The phrase “ツンでなる (tsun de naru)” used in relation to one’s nose tends to imply a particular irritation to the nose. Most commonly, the way your nose burns if you eat too much wasabi in one go.

 

From Toll’s interview in FT107, the filming of this MV was done during the hotel’s operating hours. The elevator scene was particularly funny to him because that was done during the checkout time period and they didn’t book out the place for their exclusive use; everyone was working anyway. So they kept going up and down while standing in there and whenever the elevator went down, the doors would open to a surprised cleaning staff member and they kept having to apologise for the inconvenience over and over again.

From Sakurai’s interview in FT107, the storyline he has in mind for this song was described as something akin to being in a comatose state, in the type of dream where you’re unable to tell whether or not you have woken up.
On the day they filmed the MV, he was asked to arrive first and make-up prep started at 7am. Filming started with the scene with him in the bed first but lying on it but he felt like he was really going to fall asleep on it. The interviewer said the MV was pretty interesting, to which Sakurai said, “But for an uninteresting song (lol).”

From Imai’s interview in FT107, the “remix” version of it (Mugen LOOP -Leap-) was less a remix and more of an enhancement of the song to make it even more up-tempo.
[Yokoyama actually described this request as something between a remix and an arrangement.]
On the topic of comments that this song sounds like city pop, he was only half-joking when he composed the melody and said it sounded like that, but even he didn’t expect that city pop was indeed what we got in the end.
For the filming of the MV, he was in charge of opening and closing the elevator doors. The director told him, “Please close the doors just as Sakurai-san is about to enter.” He failed at the first try. They kept re-taking the scene but he kept failing to get the timing right because he would press the button right as they cue that the cameras are rolling, but the door takes a while to respond after he presses the button so it would close too late. He kept a straight face for the camera but his right hand, which was pressing the button, was pretty tense.

 

BUCK-TICK Lyrics | Boogie Woogie

Posted on by Yoshiyuki
Album cover of 異空 -IZORA-, BUCK-TICK

2023.04.12 | Victor Entertainment
異空 -IZORA-

Words by Sakurai Atsushi

Music By Imai Hisashi

Japanese

 

雨ニ撃タレテ行コウ Boogie
夢なんて追いかけて行こう Woogie
風ニ吹カレテ行コウ Boogie
見知らぬ街から街へBaby!

オンボロ車はガス欠
女神が笑う　ケ・セラ・セラ
夜明けが来るまで Boo Who Woo
兵どもが夢の跡
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!

あの娘が　待っている
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!
ステージへ繰り出そう
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!　Hey Boogie!

ダクトのJerry & Deadly Tom
蛍光灯に群がるButterfly
逆毛　おっ立てたStray Cat’s
ギラついた眼つきのDiamond Dog’s

横浜たそがれメリーさん
伊勢佐木あたりじゃBLUES
赤い服脱いだあの娘
異人さんに連れられて行った
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!

あの娘が　待っている
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!
ステージへ繰り出そう
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!
おまえと踊っていたい
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!
今夜だけ　飛びっきり
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!　Hey Boogie!

雨ニ撃タレテ行コウ Boogie
夢なんて追いかけて行こう Woogie
風ニ吹カレテ行コウ Boogie
見知らぬ街から街へBaby!
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!

あの娘が　待っている
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!
ステージへ繰り出そう
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!

おまえと踊っていたい
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!
今夜だけ　飛びっきり
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!
おまえと踊っていたい
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!
今夜だけ　飛びっきり
ブギウギ!　シュビドゥバ!　Hey Boogie!

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Ame ni utarete ikou Boogie
Yume nante oikakete ikou Woogie
Kaze ni fukarete ikou Boogie
Mishiranu machi kara machi e Baby!

Onborosha wa gasu ketsu
Megami ga warau　Ke Sera Sera
Yoake ga kuru made　Boo Who Woo
Tsuwamono domo ga yume no ato
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!

Ano ko¹ ga　matteiru
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!
Suteeji e kuri dasou
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!　Hey Boogie!

Dakuto no Jerry & Deadly Tom
Keikoutou ni muragaru Butterfly
Sakage　ottateta Stray Cat’s
Gira tsuita metsuki no Diamond Dog’s

Yokohama tasogare merii san
Isezaki atari ja BLUES
Akai fuku nuida ano ko¹
Ijin san ni tsurerarete itta
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!

Ano ko¹ ga　matteiru
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!
Suteeji e kuri dasou
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!
Omae to odotte itai
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!
Konya dake　tobikkiri
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!　Hey Boogie!

Ame ni utarete ikou Boogie
Yume nante oikakete ikou Woogie
Kaze ni fukarete ikou Boogie
Mishiranu machi kara machi e Baby!
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!

Ano ko¹ ga　matteiru
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!
Suteeji e kuri dasou
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!

Omae to odotte itai
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!
Konya dake　tobikkiri
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!
Omae to odotte itai
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!
Konya dake　tobikkiri
Bugiwugi!　Shubiduba!　Hey Boogie!

 

English

By: Yoshiyuki

Let’s go get caught in the rain Boogie
Let’s go chase our dreams Woogie
Let’s get blown away by the wind Boogie
From one unfamiliar city to another Baby!

The junk-heap of a van is out of gas
The Goddess laughs　Que Sera Sera
Until daybreak comes　Boo Who Woo
All that remains of warriors’ dreams²
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!

That girl is　waiting
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!
Let’s paint the stage red³
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!　Hey Boogie!

Jerry in the ducts & Deadly Tom
Butterflies flocking to the fluorescent lights
Stray Cat’s fur puffed up
Diamond Dog’s glaring with piercing eyes

Yokohama’s Mary-san⁴ at twilight
Speak of Isezaki and it’s all about BLUES⁵
That girl who removed her red dress
has been brought away by a foreigner
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!

That girl is　waiting
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!
Let’s paint the stage red³
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!
I want to dance with you
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!
Just tonight is out of this world
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!　Hey Boogie!

Let’s go get caught in the rain Boogie
Let’s go chase our dreams Woogie
Let’s get blown away by the wind Boogie
From one unfamiliar city to another Baby!
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!

That girl is　waiting
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!
Let’s paint the stage red³
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!

I want to dance with you
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!
Just tonight is out of this world
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!
I want to dance with you
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!
Just tonight is out of this world
Boogie woogie!　Shoo-be-doo-ba!　Hey Boogie!

 

Notes:

¹ While the kanji itself would usually read musume, Sakurai has sung it as ko instead.

² Part of a famous haiku by Bashou Matsuo, the most famous poet of the Edo period in Japan. This haiku comes from a collection of his literary writings known as Oku no Hosho Michi (奥の細道).
The full haiku goes:
夏草や　兵どもが　夢の跡
Natsukusa ya　tsuwamono ga　yume no ato
Summer grasses、All that remains、Of warriors’ dreams

³ In reference to the saying, “to paint the town red”

⁴ Often known as “Yokohama’s Mary-san (横浜のメリーさん)”, she was a prostitute who was active in Yokohama City until the 1990s. She is well known as an old woman in white paint makeup wearing a white dress in her later years.

⁵ Most likely a reference to a song from1968 called 伊勢佐木町ブルース (Isezakichō Blues). There is a real shopping district called Isezakichō in Yokohama. For some reason, the 1968 song title has also been translated as “Bourbon Street Blues”, and there is an area in Tokyo also named “Bourbon Road” but I’m inclined to believe they’re unrelated.

 

From Sakurai’s interview in FT107, the song includes a lot of throwbacks to the band’s early days. From the time they pushed their vehicle together when it was low on fuel (オンボロ車はガス欠), and メリーさん and 赤い服 in the second verse which reference his favourite stories.

From Imai and Yokoyamal’s interview in FT107, Imai said that this song started from a single guitar riff. He also specified to YOW-ROW (who worked on it) that he wanted this song to have “a single-note guitar riff like Uta”. Yokoyama added that Imai spent quite a significant amount of time recording the theremin part of this song, bringing up a whole toy box of equipment.

BUCK-TICK Lyrics | 太陽とイカロス (Taiyou to Icarus)

Posted on by Yoshiyuki

2023.04.12 | Victor Entertainment
異空-IZORA

2023.03.08 | Victor Entertainment
太陽とイカロス

The Sun and Icarus

Words by Sakurai Atsushi

Music By Hoshino Hidehiko

Japanese

 

ああ　燃えている　水平線
ああ　燃えている　ワタシハ飛ビ立ツ
暁　咲イタ　愛ト言フ¹機体³
翼　震ワセ
アナタニ会イニ行クヨ
天翔ケヨウ
太陽だ　イカロス！
ギラギラ　突き刺さる
永遠だ　舞い上がれよ
ララララン²

青イ空ヲ　何処マデモ行コウ
鳥ニナッテ　風トナッテ
サア逝コウ
悲シクハ無イ　コレデ自由ダ
涙ガ　ボロボロ　ボロ
零レ　タ

ああ　燃えている　沈む夕陽
ああ　燃えている　ワタシハ旅立ツ
紅　染マレ　傷付イタ機体³
魂　震ワセ
アナタニ会イニ行クヨ
天翔ケヨウ
太陽だ　イカロス！
ギラギラ　突き抜けろ
祝祭だ　舞い踊れよ
ララララン

青イ空ヲ　何処マデモ行コウ
鳥ニナッテ　風トナッテ
サア逝コウ
悲シクハ無イ　コレデ自由ダ
涙ガ　ボロボロ　ボロ
零レ　タ
悲シイケド　コレデ自由ダ
涙ガ　ボロボロ　ボロ
零レ　タ

青イ空ヲ　何処マデモ行コウ
鳥ニナッテ　風トナッテ
サア逝コウ
悲シクハ無イ　コレデ自由ダ
涙ガ　ボロボロ　ボロ
溢レ　タ..

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Aa　moeteiru　suiheisen
Aa　moeteiru　watashi wa tobitatsu
Akatsuki　saita　　Ai to ifu¹ karada³
Tsubasa　furuwase
Anata ni ai ni iku yo
Amakake you
Taiyou da　Ikarosu!
Giragira　Tsuki sasaru
Eien da　Mai agare yo
Rarararan²

Aoi sora wo　Doko made mo yukou
Tori ni natte　Kaze to natte
Saa yukou
Kanashiku wa nai　Kore de jiyuu da
Namida ga　boro boro　boro
kobore-ta

Aa　moeteiru　shizumu yuuhi
Aa　moeteiru　watashi wa tabitatsu
Kurenai　somare　Kizutsuita karada³
Tamashii　furuwase
Anata ni ai ni iku yo
Amakake you
Taiyou da　Ikarosu!
Giragira　Tsuki nukero
Shukusai da　Mai odore yo
Rarararan

Aoi sora wo　Doko made mo yukou
Tori ni natte　Kaze to natte
Saa yukou
Kanashiku wa nai　Kore de jiyuu da
Namida ga　boro boro　boro
kobore-ta
Kanashii kedo　Kore de jiyuu da
Namida ga　boro boro　boro
kobore-ta

Aoi sora wo　Doko made mo yukou
Tori ni natte　Kaze ni natte
Saa yukou
Kanashiku wa nai　Kore de jiyuu da
Namida ga　boro boro　boro
afure-ta..

 

English

By: Yoshiyuki

Ah, the horizon is burning
Ah, it’s burning　I take flight
Dawn is blooming　This body³ named love
Wings　Trembling
I’m coming to see you
Let’s soar
That’s the sun, Icarus!
Glaring　Piercing through
It’s eternity　Soar up and away
La-la-la-lan²

The blue sky stretches into infinity
Become a bird, become one with the wind
Come, let’s go
There’s no need to be sad　Now you’re free
Tears are　tumbling　rolling down
falling

Ah, the setting sun is burning
Ah, it’s burning　I set off
Drenched crimson　This wounded body³
This soul　Trembling
I’m coming to see you
Let’s soar
That’s the sun, Icarus!
Glaring　Break through
It’s a celebration　Dance away
La-la-la-lan²

The blue sky stretches into infinity
Become a bird, become one with the wind
Come, let’s go
There’s no need to be sad　Now you’re free
Tears are　tumbling　rolling down
falling
It’s sad but　Now you’re free
Tears are　tumbling　rolling down
falling

The blue sky stretches into infinity
Become a bird, become one with the wind
Come, let’s go
There’s no need to be sad　Now you’re free
Tears are　tumbling　rolling down
over..flowing

 

Notes:

¹ 言ふ (ifu) is an archaic way of saying 言う (iu). 

² This part is also a wordplay involving the word 爛々 (ranran) which is an adverb used to describe something as “flaming/fiery/blazing”.

³ 機体 is typically read kitai instead of karada which Sakurai has chosen here. 機体 is defined as “airframe” or the body of an aircraft, while karada is usually written with the singular kanji 体, meaning “body”, i.e. a person’s body. The wordplay here essentially equates the flight equipment to Icarus’ body.

 

From Toll’s interview in FT107, his cymbal stand broke during the filming of their MV because he stacks two cymbals together to reduce the noise he makes during filming but that means that the cymbals wouldn’t move as much as they usually should, so he has to hit them harder so that movement would captured for the MV. With the added weight and increased pressure from hitting, the stand eventually broke mid-shoot.

 

BUCK-TICK Lyrics | THE FALLING DOWN

Posted on by Yoshiyuki
Album cover of 異空 -IZORA-, BUCK-TICK

2023.04.12 | Victor Entertainment
異空 -IZORA-

Words by Sakurai Atsushi

Music By Imai Hisashi

Japanese

 

真っ逆さま　上昇した
堕天の飛翔体
罪人は誰?　這い上がれ
落下のキマイラ

反逆のモチーフ　逆回転してる
堕落のエンジェル
エデンへ行こう　自由は進行
ニ人に合うんだ

さあ　呑み干せ　喰らえ　謳え　夜だ
さあ　falling down　さあ　falling down
さあ　falling down　さあ　falling down

オレハ逆撫　怠惰サカシマ
堕天の飛翔体
オレハ逆撫　怠惰サカシマ
堕落のエンジェル

さあ　呑み干せ　喰らえ　謳え　夜だ
さあ　falling down　さあ　falling down
さあ　falling down　さあ　falling down

さあ　混沌と夜だ
さあ　呑み干せ　喰らえ　謳え　夜だ
さあ　falling down　さあ　falling down
さあ　falling down　さあ　falling down

yeah!　falling down　yeah!　falling down
yeah!　falling down　yeah!　falling down

Romaji

By: Yoshiyuki

Massakasama　Joushou shita
Daten no hishoutai
Zainin wa dare?　Hai agare
Rakka no kimaira

Hangyaku no mochiifu　Gyaku kaiten shiteru
Daraku no enjeru
Eden e ikou　Jiyuu wa shinkou
Futari ni aunda

Saa　Nomi hose　Kurae　Utae　Yoru da
Saa　falling down　Saa　falling down
Saa　falling down　Saa　falling down

Ore wa sakanade　Taida sakashima
Daten no hishoutai
Ore wa sakanade　Taida sakashima
Daraku no enjeru

Saa　Nomi hose　Kurae　Utae　Yoru da
Saa　falling down　Saa　falling down
Saa　falling down　Saa　falling down

Saa　Konton to yoru da
Saa　Nomi hose　Kurae　Utae　Yoru da
Saa　falling down　Saa　falling down
Saa　falling down　Saa　falling down

yeah!　falling down　yeah!　falling down
yeah!　falling down　yeah!　falling down

English

By: Yoshiyuki

Head over heels　Ascended
Projectile falling from Heaven
Who’s the sinner?　Crawl back up
Fallen chimera

Symbol of rebellion　Spinning in reverse
Angel of depravity
Let’s go to Eden　Freedom is progress
Befitting of you two

Come　Drink up　Devour　Extol　It’s night
Come　falling down　Come　falling down
The　falling down　The　falling down

I’m an annoyance　An idler against the grain
A projectile falling from Heaven
I’m an annoyance　An idler against the grain
An angel of depravity

Come　Drink up　Devour　Extol　It’s night
Come　falling down　Come　falling down
The　falling down　The　falling down

C’mon　It’s chaos and night
Come　Drink up　Devour　Extol　It’s night
Come　falling down　Come　falling down
The　falling down　The　falling down

yeah!　falling down　yeah!　falling down
yeah!　falling down　yeah!　falling down

 

Notes:

From Imai and Yokoyamal’s interview in FT107, Imai said that he thought it would be better to add “THE” to the title because the song is in specific reference of Satan and Lucifer’s casting out.