BUCK-TICK Interview
“Feels like we’re a new band”
From that day till now, and continuing into the future with their latest release and tour

Pia
03 December 2024

Text: Kawamura Amiri

BUCK-TICK announced a new chapter during BUCK-TICK Genshou -2023- (バクチク現象-2023-), their 29 December 2023 performance at the NIppon Budokan. Earlier that same year, their overwhelmingly charismatic frontman Sakurai Atsushi passed away on 19 October. On that date, they who have been active at the frontlines of the Japanese rock scene without any change in line-up ever since this group of schoolmates formed the band in 1985 and made their debut in 1987, promised to rise again from the abyss of this great sorrow. Everyone who was shrouded in darkness found light in them, watching over BUCK-TICK’s new choices as they paraded on the road of transformation.

With a four-man outfit made up of Imai Hisahshi (vocals/guitar), Hoshino Hidehiko (vocals/guitar), Higuchi Yutaka (bass), and Yagami Toll (drums), BUCK-TICK released their latest single, Raijin Fuujin – Resonance (Thunder God, Wind God – Resonance / 雷神風神 – レゾナンス) on 20 November, and their latest album スブロサ SUBROSA on 4 December. In addition, they have a very aggressive schedule lined up; going on a fanclub-exclusive tour in December 2024, performing their annual show at Nippon Budokan called Naisho no Bara no Shita (Under the Secret Rose / ナイショの薔薇の下) on 29 December, and then embarking on a nation-wide live house tour, BUCK-TICK TOUR 2025 スブロサ SUBROSA which starts April 2025, among other activities.

What does this second era of BUCK-TICK foresee in their future?

【Part 1】
Here, the members of the band share their own thoughts and feelings about the new songs, and about the continuance of the band after having gone from five members to four.

【Part 2】
Next, the members of the band talk about the important milestones of last year end’s Nippon Budokan show BUCK-TICK Genshou, doing this year’s version of that show and going on tour with the new formation, and their new album.

【Part 1】

――The new works are complete. The new BUCK-TICK has started. What kind of emotional journey did you experience last year when Sakurai-san passed on and you made the decision to continue the band as the four of you?

Imai (I): Acchan (Sakurai) passed away and two, three days later, I thought, “I have to have a band.” Then, I gave it some thought and concluded, “So let the four of us be it.” At that point, I haven’t yet spoken to the other members, but I figured that the only way [forward] was for us to do it. But there’s no point in forcing ourselves to do this if we can’t enjoy it, and I thought, the other members probably have their own thoughts about this, so we came together to discuss and conceptualise. It also felt like we’re starting a new band.

Hoshino (H): After Sakurai-san’s funeral, we all gathered and when we asked, “What’s going to happen with BUCK-TICK?”, the conclusion we came to was, “We continue.” We also talked about what form this will take, and after that, we proceeded to compose. Except, at the time, I still felt like I was in a daze. It only really hit me that it’s the four of us doing this after we started writing music and recording. I think my feelings evolved with each stage we passed.

Yuta (Y): I first thought it would be better that the band continued. Because we’ve received support of many people for more than 30 years. Our fans have grown up and aged together with us and having gone through so many different experiences together, we’ve had a lot of great times. As a person, I don’t think it’s right to just tell these people who have supported us all this time that it’s the end without even a performance. I don’t feel like I can call it quits on my own. If we can continue, we can give back to those who supported us, and the four of us are brothers in arms after all, so to me, I think this was the best decision of all.

Toll (T): When I received the news about Sakurai’s passing, I honestly thought that was the end. The other members of the band have been friends since high school and one of their juniors had been working for us throughout all this time as our roadie but the first thing I did was tell him something like, “This is the end.” But, just like what Hoshino said, when we got together to eat after the funeral, we concluded that we’ll continue. And since we decided to do so, Imai and Hoshino made preparations to start composing music. We had no idea what things would be like, but as a result of us four deciding to keep going, we made new music.

――Considering that Yagami-san already thought that things had come to an end, were you not uneasy about continuing?

T: Even now I’m nothing but uneasy. Now that we’re four, there’s only live performances left up ahead so you really have to wonder what kind of reaction our fans will have. Videos of Sakurai were put up at last year end’s Nippon Budokan show but there won’t be anything like that from now on. That’s why I’m wondering how we’re supposed to get people to come see this four of us. We’re still in pre-rehearsals for the shows. Whether or not the two of them will be able to make it as vocalists, well, this is going to be their first time, isn’t it? Performing as lead vocalists.

――Did the decision to have Imai-san and Hoshino-san take on the roles of vocalists come out of a discussion among the four of you?

I: Nope, there was no discussion. It’s more like there was no other option.

H: For me, I’ve been singing on the demo tapes all this time. So I felt that moving on to perform vocals was a natural progression.

――So now that the two of you are both vocalists-cum-guitarists, have you uncovered difficulties or discovered anything new in terms of singing the songs you’ve written yourselves?

H: I definitely tried to make sure that it’s easy for me to sing. We had Sakurai-san until now so I was composing according to his key. From this [album] on, that’s one area I had to think differently about when I composed.

I: Similarly, I started to think about how easy it would be to sing it. Later on, the both of us have to record vocals, so there are now more songs that focus on rhythm rather than melody.

――Thus far, we’ve heard songs from BUCK-TICK where Imai-san’s voice comes across as a sharp, edgy tone. But as a vocalist of the new BUCK-TICK, we’ll be seeing a new side from you unlike in the band Lucy, where you also performed as a vocalist and a guitar, right?

I: Yes. At least, I hope.

――When you decided to sing as frontman, what did you mentally prepare for?

I: Uh, to sing with energy (lol).

――I see (lol)! Did you consider the possibility of AI or bringing in a new member in the beginning, when you found yourselves without a vocalist?

I: Bringing in a new band member or a guest vocalist, it’s not very realistic, or rather, just not a very intriguing idea. I felt that it’d be easier to continue as a band if it was just us four. With regards to AI, we did a bit of testing but it was nothing like what we thought it would be. Not convenient in any way, so.

――Did Hoshino-san venture there again after being put in charge of singing?

H: I went for a bit of vocal training, things like that. For the purpose of getting comfortable with my singing voice since it’s a completely different thing than what we use for speaking like this.

――Yuta-san, Yagami-san. How did you feel after hearing their singing?

Y: Hide (Hoshino) said it earlier; he sings on the demo tapes, so we’re actually quite used to hearing him sing. Imai-kun always sang on the unconventional songs, but this time, there’s a variety of melodies so I think both of them actually made it work pretty well.

T: It’ll be Hoshino’s first time on lead vocals, but we all have always heard [his voice]. For Imai, he’s always been on the higher pitch but it’s a first for him to do a ballad like the one in our new album so I couldn’t quite wrap my head around what it would be like but…… immediately I thought, “Imai’s ballad is pretty good!” (Lol) I hope that our fans will come to get used to hearing Imai and Hoshino’s singing.

――Imai-san’s expressive vocals have their own surprising elements which gets listeners excited, and Hoshino-san’s voice sounds fresh and full of tenderness. By the way, Imai-san’s got a lot of moves and actions when you’re on stage, so do you think your performance will be affected by the fact that you need to sing too?

I: Definitely in terms of how we’re presented on stage. I have a guitar, a keyboard, a mic too. If I’m going to do the same things that I’ve always done so far I wouldn’t be able to move from that spot, though. I think I’ll be mulling that over as we go.

――Last year, at your Nippon Budokan show, Imai-san said, “Next year, BUCK-TICK will write new songs, and make an album.” Just like he said, your new work is complete and Raijin Fuujin – Resonance was chosen to be the album’s lead single. It leaves the impression of everything brightening up all at once and the contrast of both your voices in the duet is enjoyable too but is there a reason why this song was selected for the single?

I: Because it’s definitely got this feeling of things opening up and for this duet, I start first, followed by Hide, so I thought it felt neat. It’s also easy to understand [from the song] that this is the new BUCK-TICK.

――The B-side is a remix of the same song by DTM (desktop music/synth-pop) duo Pasocom Music Club but what I want to ask is, why them?

I: Because I thought it’d be interesting to ask the younger generation. At first, we had quite a few candidates in mind, but when we actually got around to listening, we liked their remix so we chose them. There’s a kind of freedom? Or something like that which influences them. Although they’re young, there’s a part of them that feels like there’s nothing they can’t do, and that’s a good thing.

――The music video has also been released. How did it feel filming with just the four of you?

Y:The four of us got into it without really having decided on anything so we were having discussions with the director during the shoot. We haven’t yet shot the music videos for the other songs so this is the only song we’ve done so far, but going forward, I believe we’re going to have to think about things like our positions, where we stand, and all that.

【Part 2】

――Your latest album, スブロサ SUBROSA, a product of this new formation, is a voluminous release with a total of 17 tracks. I could feel each member’s honest emotions from last year until now, and your feelings towards Sakurai-san and all your fans captured in the album’s music and lyrics. And although this is something the four of you created, I could really sense how it had always been five people in BUCK-TICK. Regarding the number of tracks, didn’t you actually want to have more?

I: In the end, this was all of it.

Y: Huh? Didn’t we initially say we’d have more?

I: Hahaha. Well, we were also coming up with [new] music here and there but. We also talked about wanting to do a 2-CD release, see. In the end, we gathered 17 songs.

――The fact that there are three instrumental tracks by Imai-san is also something that has never happened before, right?

I: I did want to make instrumental tracks too. Given that we have this number of songs, I felt that it would be easier listening in terms of flow if we included instrumental tracks, and since our frontman and vocalist Sakurai isn’t here anymore, it actually means that we can do instrumental tracks, I think. I’d think that they’re also intriguing in their own ways.

――I suppose it’s in part thinking outside the box. The 4th track, From Now On, which Hoshino-san composed lyrics for initially sounded like it would be an instrumental track until Hoshino-san’s voice came in.

H: Half of it was composed with the intention of making it an instrumental.

――Oh, I see! The very first track, Hyakuman Nayuta no Chiri SCUM started with the line “We are not alone (俺たちは独りじゃない / Ore tachi wa hitori janai)” which is followed by song structures and a wide variety of sounds that we haven’t really heard before,until the last thrilling track, Tasogare no Howling. I think this will be new for all those who have been listening to your music throughout all this time, and also, there would likely be more people who decide to try and listen to BUCK-TICK because this second era sounds interesting. If you were to pick one song to recommend to these people, which would it be?

I: The second track, スブロサ SUBROSA. It’s also the album title, and a song that doesn’t have any guitars at all.

H: I’d like to recommend all of the songs but…… maybe the 12th track which I wrote myself, Zetsubou to Iu Na no Kimi e.

――Is the song where Hoshino-san composed the melody, and Imai-san, the lyrics, right? That’s another combination that has never happened before.

H: That’s right. I picked this song because it’s melodious so it’ll probably be easy to listen to.

Y: Me, I’d pick the 3rd track, Muyuubyo SLEEP WALK. It’s a song that doesn’t feel like anything we’ve done as BUCK-TICK before, so I think it’ll probably bring a new feel to even those who have always listened to our music. This album, on the whole, has a lot of parts that will leave deep impressions on you.

T: Personally, I would choose the 8th track, Meiousei de Shi ne. This song has an afrobeat and it’s been a while since I had to do that so it was super tiring (dry laugh). But I’ve gotten quite used to it recently, so I got my groove back. It requires the use of timbales (a [percussion instrument typically used in Latin music) and it’s a song that shares a similar drum pattern with HURRY UP MODE so I had to put my back into it for the first time in a while.

――After the release of your new works, the live shows continue but it’s after all been a year since the turning point that was last year end’s Nippon Budokan show, so I believe that this year’s Nippon Budokan performance will be the one that will really showcase BUCK-TICK’s evolution. Looking back, how did you feel standing on stage last year? And what will you have in mind when you go on stage this year?

I: I think last year’s show was one that we absolutely had to do, so it’s good that we made it happen, right? Videos of Sakurai and his voice were being played as the four of us stood on stage, but it sank in that “This is how it’s going to be”. As to how it’ll look in this year’s shows with the “new four-man BUCK-TICK”, I want to enjoy the process of figuring that out while experimenting.

H: Last year, we also discussed whether or not we should hold the performance, but ultimately, we decided to do it. Then, we spoke about how we’re going to do this going forward but we went ahead with the show amidst all the anxiety that we, the band members, our staff and even the audience who attended it were feeling. Those were the circumstances we had to work with but because we did that show, I guess you could say that everyone’s feelings changed. It was a good thing that we did it. I think whether we went through this experience or not would really affect how we would all feel going forward. This year, we have a new formation, and while we’re definitely going to perform our new songs, I want things to turn out well so from here on out, it’s practice.

Y: I don’t remember anything, not even how I felt performing last year. But I definitely wanted to convey my feelings to the people who kept supporting us. If we were to, let’s say, write it out in text and publish it like a report, it feels a little too lacking, like, I think I should speak my feelings in person so it was good that we did the show. We’re here now because of that performance. Just like how it took decades for our five-man formation to get to where we were, if going forward we can experiment our way through doing things in a four-man group the way the did when the band was first formed, I think we’ll definitely be able to make something great, so I want to put my best into this.

T: It’s almost a year since our Nippon Budokan show last year and now that I think about it, that show was really as good as the last performance of “the first era of BUCK-TICK”. From here on, we’re starting out as “the second era of BUCK-TICK” and with us four, we’re starting off with “スブロサ SUBROSA”. That’s what I’m feeling. Well, it’s another band, isn’t it? So next, we’ll just have to win everyone’s approval. I guess you could say it feels like I’m a newbie again. Excited yet anxious, but I’m filled with motivation to drum as a part of the new BUCK-TICK from this year end on.

――And finally, I’d like to once again ask everyone: What is “BUCK-TICK” to you?

I: For me, ever since I was in school, I’ve always wanted to form a rock band and make it my career. I just wanted my life to revolve around being in a band, without having to do part-time jobs and whatnot. Since then, all kinds of things started happening, I got to meet people, and here we are now. So BUCK-TICK is something that I want to do from now until forever.

H: Tough question, but I suppose, it’s a part of my life? Something that naturally exists without question.

Y: It’s really been a long time since we started the band, hasn’t it? Not just the members, but even our staff, our fans, everyone is part of BUCK-TICK to me. Our staff have always given their all in the work they do for us, and there are also those who have been supporting us for a long time. So maybe that’s why I’ve come to feel that “everyone is BUCK-TICK”. And since I feel that we’re such a band, this is all very precious [to me].

T: Yuta said it, but even our PA has been working with us ever since we debuted. And there are also three other roadies who were juniors in Fujioka High School that have been with us ever since we performed at Shinjuku JAM during our indies era. Our staff have really stuck with us for a seriously long time. Among them are newbies who have steadily joined us, but we want to help them keep going for as long as we can and that’s the kind of band we are. That’s why we even have [staff] like our stage director or manager who had been with us from the very beginning since we debuted who already passed on. Which is why it really feels like that, “Team BUCK-TICK”. Every time we go on tour, there would be staff afterparties once in ten times. And during those events, what I always say to the staff who join us is, “I may be a part of BUCK-TICK, but see, you are also a part of BUCK-TICK.” The ones who get up on stage are the band members, but the ones who build the world of BUCK-TICK there and then are our staff and lighting of course. It’s a composite art on the whole. That’s why, I’ve been doing this with the thought of “Team BUCK-TICK”. I think BUCK-TICK will probably continue to exist until our members have truly come down to zero.

――At last year’s Nippon Budokan show, Imai-san said during his MC that [the band] will continue even if the number of band members drops to three, and two. Then, he also said, “I guess I’ll probably be the last one standing.”

T: Well, we definitely see such cases overseas. Like in my favourite band Sweet, the guitarist is the only original band member left. All the other parts have changed. But the band Sweet has always existed. There’s also this other band called Slade where only only two members are left. They bring in new band members for their activities. So don’t you think it’d be interesting if BUCK-TICK moves into that sort of a situation? BUCK-TICK is probably going to be a band that doesn’t break up. Although I can’t say for sure that there won’t be an end. Even if Imai is the only one left, he could just bring in a drummer or something and keep the trade name or something.

Y: That just goes to show that Imai-kun will be the sole survivor! (Lol)

I: (Dry laugh)

――I’ll continue to observe and watch BUCK-TICK evolve and find success. Lastly, please share a few words people who will be listening to your new album, スブロサ SUBROSA.

I: Look forward to it. It’s unlike anything we’ve done before, so it’ll probably be interesting.

H: We built this up from a “state of nothingness” so even we had no idea what would come of it until it was complete. There are probably fans out there with all sorts of opinions and feelings but this is an album “brought to you by the four of us”. We enjoyed the process of putting it together, so I hope that you will enjoy listening to it too.

Y: This is a really wonderful album that was born out of experimentation so I hope that everyone will give it a listen. It’s always been like this even when we were five, but I think that producing an album and going on tour like this is how we’ve always been searching for what we’ll be moving on to next. So, this time too, we made an album, we’ll be going on tour, and meeting all kinds of people who will come and see us. I have hope that we can take another step forward and keep going.

T: I really hope that you’ll giev the album a listen. Also, we’re doing something new as a group of four, and I’m feeling like a newbie at age 62, so I promise to do my best! (Lol)

＜Release information＞

New Single
Thunder God, Wind God – Resonance [雷神風神 – レゾナンス / Raijin Fuujin – Resonance]

Now on sale

*BUCK-TICK Thunder God, Wind God – Resonance [雷神風神 – レゾナンス / Raijin Fuujin – Resonance] cover*

【Tracklist】

1. Thunder God, Wind God – Resonance
[雷神風神 – レゾナンス / Raijin Fuujin – Resonance]

2. Thunder God, Wind God – Resonance (Pasocom Music Club Remix)
[雷神風神 – レゾナンス (パソコン音楽クラブ Remix) / Raijin Fuujin – Resonance (Pasokon Ongaku Kurabu Remix)]

BUCK-TICK「雷神風神 -レゾナンス」MV

New Album
『スブロサ SUBROSA』

Releasing Wednesday, 4 December 2024
※Vinyl LP will be released on Wednesday, 29 January 2025

BUCK-TICK『スブロサ SUBROSA』CD / Vinyl LP Cover

BUCK-TICK『スブロサ SUBROSA』Cassette Tape Cover

Limited Edition A (SHM-CD + Blu-ray): 6,050 yen (w/tax)
Limited Edition B (SHM-CD + DVD): 5,500 yen (w/tax)
Regular Edition (SHM-CD): 3,300 yen (w/tax)
Limited Edition Cassette Tape (Double cassette tape): 4,400 yen (w/tax)
Limited Edition Vinyl (3LP): 12,100 yen (w/tax)

【VICTOR ONLINE STORE Exclusive Limited Made-to-Order Set】

Limited Edition A + Original T-shirt: 9,900 yen (w/tax)
Limited Edition B + Original T-shirt: 9,350 yen (w/tax)
Regular Edition + Original T-shirt: 7,150 yen (w/tax)

※Limited made-to-order quantity sold at the VICTOR ONLINE STORE.
※The original t-shirt comes with the CDs (limited edition A/B and regular edition).

※An exclusive special show will be held in Tokyo on 23 March 2025. Attendees will be drawn from those who purchased both the single (Raijin Fuujin – Resonance) and the album (スブロサ SUBROSA).

『Exclusive Special Show』
Sunday, 23 March 2025
Somewhere in Tokyo

Doors open/Performance starts: TBA

【Included songs】

百万那由多ノ塵SCUM (Hyakuman Nayuta no Chiri SCUM)
スブロサ SUBROSA
夢遊猫 SLEEP WALK (Muyuubyou SLEEP WALK)
From Now On
Rezisto
神経質な階段 (Shikeishitsu na Kaidan / Neurotistic Stairway)
雷神風神 – レゾナンス #rising (Raijin Fuujin – Resonance / Thunder God, Wind God – Resonance)
冥王星で死ね (Meiousei de Shi ne / Die on Pluto)
遊星通信 (Yuusei Tsuushin / Planetary Communications)
paradeno mori
ストレリチア (Sutorerichia / Strelitzia)
絶望という名の君へ (Zetsubou to Iu Na no Kimi e / To You Who’s Named Despair)
TIKI TIKI BOOM
プシュケー – PSYCHE –
ガブリエルのラッパ (Gaburieru no Rappa / Gabriel’s Horn)
海月 (Kurage / Jellyfish)
黄昏のハウリング (Tasogare no Hauringu / Twilight’s Howling)

Dedicated website:
https://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/linguasounda/subrosa/

＜Live Information＞

Fanclub member-exclusive live
『FISH TANKer’s ONLY 2024』

December 6 (Fri)　Aichi・Diamond Hall
December 7 (Sat)　Osaka・BIGCAT
December 14 (Sat)　Gunma・Takasaki City Theatre, Studio Theatre
December 15 (Sun)　Toyko・Toyosu PIT

※Tickets are sold out for all dates

Dedicated website:
https://buck-tick.com/feature/specialsite_fto2024

＜Tour Information＞

『BUCK-TICK TOUR 2025 スブロサ SUBROSA』

April 12 (Sat)　Miyagi・Sendai GIGS
Doors open at 17:00 / Performance starts at 18:00
1F standing・2F rear standing: 9,900 yen (w/tax)／2F Seated: 11,000 yen (w/tax)
※Drinks not included

April 13 (Sun)　Niigata・Niigata LOTS
Doors open at 17:00 / Performance starts at 18:00
Standing only: 9,900 yen (w/tax)
※Drinks not included

April 19 (Sat)　Osaka・Zepp Osaka Bayside
Doors open at 17:00 / Performance starts at 18:00
1F standing・2F rear standing: 9,900 yen (w/tax)／2F Seated: 11,000 yen (w/tax)
※Drinks not included

April 20 (Sun)　Aichi・Zepp Nagoya
Doors open at 17:00 / Performance starts at 18:00
1F standing・2F rear standing: 9,900 yen (w/tax)／2F Seated: 11,000 yen (w/tax)
※Drinks not included

April 26 (Sat)　Hiroshima・Hiroshima CLUB QUATTRO
Doors open at 17:00 / Performance starts at 18:00
Standing only: 9,900 yen (w/tax)
※Drinks not included

April 27 (Sun)　Fukuoka・Zepp Fukuoka
Doors open at 17:00 / Performance starts at 18:00
1F standing・2F rear standing: 9,900 yen (w/tax)／2F Seated: 11,000 yen (w/tax)
※Drinks not included

April 29 (Tue･Holiday)　Kagawa・Takamatsu festhalle
Doors open at 17:00 / Performance starts at 18:00
Standing only: 9,900 yen (w/tax)
※Drinks not included

May 11 (Sun)　Hokkaido・Zepp Sapporo
Doors open at 17:00 / Performance starts at 18:00
1F standing・2F rear standing: 9,900 yen (w/tax)／2F Seated: 11,000 yen (w/tax)
※Drinks not included

May 16 (Fri)　Tokyo・Zepp Haneda(TOKYO）
Doors open at 18:00 / Performance starts at 19:00
1F standing・2F rear standing: 9,900 yen (w/tax)／2F Seated: 11,000 yen (w/tax)
※Drinks not included

May 17 (Sat)　Tokyo・Zepp Haneda(TOKYO）
Doors open at 17:00 / Performance starts at 18:00
1F standing・2F rear standing: 9,900 yen (w/tax)／2F Seated: 11,000 yen (w/tax)
※Drinks not included

May 24 (Sat)　Tokyo・Toyosu PIT
Doors open at 17:00 / Performance starts at 18:00
Standing only: 9,900 yen (w/tax)
※Drinks not included

May 25 (Sun)　Tokyo・Toyosu PIT
Doors open at 17:00 / Performance starts at 18:00
Standing only: 9,900 yen (w/tax)
※Drinks not included

Dedicated website:
https://buck-tick.com/feature/specialsite_subrosa

Official website:
https://buck-tick.com/