KOALA SCRIBE
Jan. 10th, 2008 09:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mokonaI'm like super awesome and nice right? Of course I am!
Since I'm totally awesome and nice I helped this old lady across the street. Then I helped a little kid get their cat out of the tree.I also helped an old man find his glasses so that he could see properly. Then there was a pregnant lady about to give birth ...
Haha! I got you! Hell would freeze over before I ever help a little kid get their damn flea bag disease ridden cat out of a tree.
All the other stuff is trufax though.
GOT YOU AGAIN! You know that saying, "Trick me once, shame on you. Trick me twice shame on me." SHAME ON YOU! SHAAAAMEEEEE!
Okay, getting to what this post is really about ...
I transcribed the Inugami Circus-dan interview for Kago.
The interview is from PopJNeo's June, 2007 issue. WHEN THE FOKER USED TO BE FREEEEEE! >O
Everything is copyright PopJNeo, including all teh grammah mistakes you will see. IT ALL BELONGS TO POPJNEO!
I really wish I had a scanner so that I was able to scan the pictures as well ... oh woe is me ...
Since I'm totally awesome and nice I helped this old lady across the street. Then I helped a little kid get their cat out of the tree.I also helped an old man find his glasses so that he could see properly. Then there was a pregnant lady about to give birth ...
Haha! I got you! Hell would freeze over before I ever help a little kid get their damn flea bag disease ridden cat out of a tree.
All the other stuff is trufax though.
GOT YOU AGAIN! You know that saying, "Trick me once, shame on you. Trick me twice shame on me." SHAME ON YOU! SHAAAAMEEEEE!
Okay, getting to what this post is really about ...
I transcribed the Inugami Circus-dan interview for Kago.
The interview is from PopJNeo's June, 2007 issue. WHEN THE FOKER USED TO BE FREEEEEE! >O
Everything is copyright PopJNeo, including all teh grammah mistakes you will see. IT ALL BELONGS TO POPJNEO!
Welcome to the house of Inugami...
Sorrow, hatred, madness...Inugami Circus-dan continues to express emotions we all wish to avoid by means of beautiful Japanese melodies and performances which painfully pierce both the senses of sound and sight. This issue we present you with a photo shoot and an in-depth interview capturing all the allure of what Inugami is.
Sorrow, hatred, madness...Inugami Circus-dan continues to express emotions we all wish to avoid by means of beautiful Japanese melodies and performances which painfully pierce both the senses of sound and sight. This issue we present you with a photo shoot and an in-depth interview capturing all the allure of what Inugami is.
First of all, we would like to inquire about the origin of the house of Inugami.
Akira Inugami: One hundred years ago, we were a circus troupe in a place called Kouchi prefecture. When we say circus, we don't mean anything on a grandiose leve, but more of a small sideshow. We were able to make a small living, but the house of Inugami is a blooline long discriminated against. We were eventually persecuted by the villagers who buried us alive.
Kyoko Inugami: It was so painful...
That was an age where human sacrifice was still widespread wasn't it?
Jouji Inugami #2: Yes, it was quite common.
Akira: It's a common Japanese custom. We were buried alice, but 100 years late, in 1994, an alchemist known as Nishida resurrected us and we were brought back to life. However, we felt maybe this modern era wasn't the place for our old sideshow act. Back in those days, such shows were quite popular. Now their popularity has greatly declined. We figured being in a rock band was one way we could exert the same amount of influence as before. We couldn't forget our 100-year grudge though so when we write songs, we can't help but have this hatred come to the forefront.
Are you referring to your animosity toward the villagers?
Akira: And towards Japan. I believe these feelings help us connect with everyone else.
In addition to the usual band activities, you have collaborated with numerous artists, released a poetry anthology, an done crossovers in many different entertainment mediums.
Akira: By including theatrical elements and the use of make-up, I felt we could expand the range of music. And so we've tried doing many different things. It gives the audience the feeling that "this isn't just music." I believe in raising music to a higher place as an art form is one of the fundamentals of show business.
What lead you to participate in these collaborative events, like the Shuji Terayama memorial event?
Akira: I really love Shuji Terayama. Our band name even comes from one of his works. One day when I went to see a performance by Seigo Showa, a member of Tarayama's theater troupe, I gave him one of our CDs. Soon after, he sent me a script, inviting us with "why don't we do a play together?" (laughs wryly)
That's very unusual! Even when actors make efforts to pitch themselves, it's very rare they are called upon.
Akira: I would like to think he saw us as brethren. That was how we came to be in the play. I was very nervous as it was a work of the esteemed Terayama, and because the people who came to watch were all Terayama fans.
Zin Inugami: We couldn't very well screw it up! (laughs)
Jouji: To say that Mr. Terayama is the most important personality in the Japanese underground scene would not be an exaggeration at all.
Akira: In a way, Mr. Terayama was creating a sideshow revival through his plays, and we can identify with that.
Jouji: Terayama's legacy, or carrying on the underground spirit, was at the basis of our forming a rock band.
Last August you also held a collaborative concert with Screaming Mad George. What kind of special make-up effects did each of you have done?
Akira: I had horns like a devil...well, I still do. (laughs)
Jouji: Half of me became a skeleton.
Zin: I was half robot, like Kikaider.
Kyoko: I had 2 masks made for me. One like a rock, and one where my entire face was a mouth with the tongue sticking out.
How did this project come to materialize?
Akira: Well, first we were asked to perform in Mad George's musical, but that didn't pan out. We stayed in touch and before our one-man concert I asked if he could help out. He lent us some stage props and even thought of stage direction for us. He also likes Japanese ghost stories so he got really excited and was like "Oh, you should do it like this!" (laughs)
Jouji: The first one in contact with him was actually Kyoko.
Kyoko: When Mad George released his book, I heard he was going to appear at a toy event called Superfestival and I went to go see him. At that time I gave him our CD Akeneko and my contact information.
Akira: I heard he always listened to Inugami Circus-dan while working.
He was a fan, wasn't he? Now I would like to ask a question about your music. Do you have any particular themes when composing?
Akira: Typically-used words are soon forgotten, so we begin by searching for words that stay with you and pull you in to their world when you hear them. For example, "I love you" is just as meaningless as "Good morning."
Because these words are so common in the world...
Akira: The lyrics become a symbol, so we look for words that leave an impression. also, we're interested in what certain people are thinking. What is going on in the souls of the torments? We want to express the feelings of discord and disgrace inside of these people. Behind these intriguing lyrics, we then add a catchy melody. That, I suppose, is my theme.
When recording do you get requests from members like "I want you to it like this"?
Akira: This question is going to take some time! I play the songs on a Casio Tone keyboard and bring them to the studio. But when everyone hears them, they break out laughing. (laughs)
Jouji: Nowadays, it's pretty easy to make a demo tape. But when he brings them, they're full of mistakes, with the chords and rhythm patterns out of whack. After listening, he then tells us about the image he has in his mind. For big brought Akira, he might have the song 100% completed in his mind, but what he shows is closer to 0% so we end up making the songs together.
Zin: I think there are times when the songs come out totally different from what he was imagining.
Akira: As a composer, it's actually more interesting when that happens. It's really great when a song comes out even better than I imagined. The songs are always sung in a way that exceeds my expectations.
Jouji: Kyoko really takes in the words presented to her and captures their essence.
Kyoko: There's usually a main character and I think "What is it that made this person this ways?" when I sing. No matter how extreme the content, I don't see them as out of the ordinary.
Akira: Sometimes she cries and can't sing.
Kyoko: That happens at concerts. And during rehearsals I also get choked up sometimes. When I think, "I too was like this..."
Akira: The audience cries too. When I see that, I also cry. (laughs wryly)
Jouji: We laugh when we see that. (laughs)
Zin: We laugh, "Oh he's crying again."
Jouji: We're really close to the audience, so their facial expressions can be a distraction during our performance. But of course we do want to receive the large flow of emotions.
Zin: It's good to have those kinds of unexpected incidents happen during shows, but without the planned parts it won't properly come together as entertainment. You have to retain the composed side as well.
Jouji: It's always something we are happy about. When Kyoko, the audience, and big brother Akira are all crying, it means we are putting on a good show.
Akira: The act of crying is kind of catharsis, so I feel I want to take that emotion to its ultimate limit. It would be great if everyone in the audience cried.
Do you have any ambitions to play shows in America?
Jouji: Of course!
Zin: If we were invited.
Akira: I know due to the language barrier the subtle nuances of our lyrics might not be understood 100%, but I would like it if people could enjoy that side of our music as well.
Jouji: I'm interested as to how people in the home country of rock and roll would view rock interpreted and expressed in a Japanese way.
Lastly, please share any message you have for our readers.
Akira: We want all of you with darkness in your hearts to listen to our music.
Jouji: Please give us a try if you get the chance.
Zin: Listen to us if you're interested in Japanese music!
Kyoko: I love Inugami and can say I am proud of what we are doing. Come see us play and I promise you'll have fun.
Akira Inugami: One hundred years ago, we were a circus troupe in a place called Kouchi prefecture. When we say circus, we don't mean anything on a grandiose leve, but more of a small sideshow. We were able to make a small living, but the house of Inugami is a blooline long discriminated against. We were eventually persecuted by the villagers who buried us alive.
Kyoko Inugami: It was so painful...
That was an age where human sacrifice was still widespread wasn't it?
Jouji Inugami #2: Yes, it was quite common.
Akira: It's a common Japanese custom. We were buried alice, but 100 years late, in 1994, an alchemist known as Nishida resurrected us and we were brought back to life. However, we felt maybe this modern era wasn't the place for our old sideshow act. Back in those days, such shows were quite popular. Now their popularity has greatly declined. We figured being in a rock band was one way we could exert the same amount of influence as before. We couldn't forget our 100-year grudge though so when we write songs, we can't help but have this hatred come to the forefront.
Are you referring to your animosity toward the villagers?
Akira: And towards Japan. I believe these feelings help us connect with everyone else.
In addition to the usual band activities, you have collaborated with numerous artists, released a poetry anthology, an done crossovers in many different entertainment mediums.
Akira: By including theatrical elements and the use of make-up, I felt we could expand the range of music. And so we've tried doing many different things. It gives the audience the feeling that "this isn't just music." I believe in raising music to a higher place as an art form is one of the fundamentals of show business.
What lead you to participate in these collaborative events, like the Shuji Terayama memorial event?
Akira: I really love Shuji Terayama. Our band name even comes from one of his works. One day when I went to see a performance by Seigo Showa, a member of Tarayama's theater troupe, I gave him one of our CDs. Soon after, he sent me a script, inviting us with "why don't we do a play together?" (laughs wryly)
That's very unusual! Even when actors make efforts to pitch themselves, it's very rare they are called upon.
Akira: I would like to think he saw us as brethren. That was how we came to be in the play. I was very nervous as it was a work of the esteemed Terayama, and because the people who came to watch were all Terayama fans.
Zin Inugami: We couldn't very well screw it up! (laughs)
Jouji: To say that Mr. Terayama is the most important personality in the Japanese underground scene would not be an exaggeration at all.
Akira: In a way, Mr. Terayama was creating a sideshow revival through his plays, and we can identify with that.
Jouji: Terayama's legacy, or carrying on the underground spirit, was at the basis of our forming a rock band.
Last August you also held a collaborative concert with Screaming Mad George. What kind of special make-up effects did each of you have done?
Akira: I had horns like a devil...well, I still do. (laughs)
Jouji: Half of me became a skeleton.
Zin: I was half robot, like Kikaider.
Kyoko: I had 2 masks made for me. One like a rock, and one where my entire face was a mouth with the tongue sticking out.
How did this project come to materialize?
Akira: Well, first we were asked to perform in Mad George's musical, but that didn't pan out. We stayed in touch and before our one-man concert I asked if he could help out. He lent us some stage props and even thought of stage direction for us. He also likes Japanese ghost stories so he got really excited and was like "Oh, you should do it like this!" (laughs)
Jouji: The first one in contact with him was actually Kyoko.
Kyoko: When Mad George released his book, I heard he was going to appear at a toy event called Superfestival and I went to go see him. At that time I gave him our CD Akeneko and my contact information.
Akira: I heard he always listened to Inugami Circus-dan while working.
He was a fan, wasn't he? Now I would like to ask a question about your music. Do you have any particular themes when composing?
Akira: Typically-used words are soon forgotten, so we begin by searching for words that stay with you and pull you in to their world when you hear them. For example, "I love you" is just as meaningless as "Good morning."
Because these words are so common in the world...
Akira: The lyrics become a symbol, so we look for words that leave an impression. also, we're interested in what certain people are thinking. What is going on in the souls of the torments? We want to express the feelings of discord and disgrace inside of these people. Behind these intriguing lyrics, we then add a catchy melody. That, I suppose, is my theme.
When recording do you get requests from members like "I want you to it like this"?
Akira: This question is going to take some time! I play the songs on a Casio Tone keyboard and bring them to the studio. But when everyone hears them, they break out laughing. (laughs)
Jouji: Nowadays, it's pretty easy to make a demo tape. But when he brings them, they're full of mistakes, with the chords and rhythm patterns out of whack. After listening, he then tells us about the image he has in his mind. For big brought Akira, he might have the song 100% completed in his mind, but what he shows is closer to 0% so we end up making the songs together.
Zin: I think there are times when the songs come out totally different from what he was imagining.
Akira: As a composer, it's actually more interesting when that happens. It's really great when a song comes out even better than I imagined. The songs are always sung in a way that exceeds my expectations.
Jouji: Kyoko really takes in the words presented to her and captures their essence.
Kyoko: There's usually a main character and I think "What is it that made this person this ways?" when I sing. No matter how extreme the content, I don't see them as out of the ordinary.
Akira: Sometimes she cries and can't sing.
Kyoko: That happens at concerts. And during rehearsals I also get choked up sometimes. When I think, "I too was like this..."
Akira: The audience cries too. When I see that, I also cry. (laughs wryly)
Jouji: We laugh when we see that. (laughs)
Zin: We laugh, "Oh he's crying again."
Jouji: We're really close to the audience, so their facial expressions can be a distraction during our performance. But of course we do want to receive the large flow of emotions.
Zin: It's good to have those kinds of unexpected incidents happen during shows, but without the planned parts it won't properly come together as entertainment. You have to retain the composed side as well.
Jouji: It's always something we are happy about. When Kyoko, the audience, and big brother Akira are all crying, it means we are putting on a good show.
Akira: The act of crying is kind of catharsis, so I feel I want to take that emotion to its ultimate limit. It would be great if everyone in the audience cried.
Do you have any ambitions to play shows in America?
Jouji: Of course!
Zin: If we were invited.
Akira: I know due to the language barrier the subtle nuances of our lyrics might not be understood 100%, but I would like it if people could enjoy that side of our music as well.
Jouji: I'm interested as to how people in the home country of rock and roll would view rock interpreted and expressed in a Japanese way.
Lastly, please share any message you have for our readers.
Akira: We want all of you with darkness in your hearts to listen to our music.
Jouji: Please give us a try if you get the chance.
Zin: Listen to us if you're interested in Japanese music!
Kyoko: I love Inugami and can say I am proud of what we are doing. Come see us play and I promise you'll have fun.
I really wish I had a scanner so that I was able to scan the pictures as well ... oh woe is me ...