1. Please tell us something about yourself.

I like v-rock starting from LUNA SEA & X JAPAN as I was attracted by the magazine covers at the first beginning.  Then, as I listened to more & more v-rock bands I fell for Dir en grey finally.

2. How did you find out about Dir en grey?

When I heard about Yoshiki-san be a producer of a debut band which named Dir en grey in year end of 1998, I wondered who they were.  How come they can invite Yoshiki-san be their producer? Then, I tried to find some pictures & information about them from magazines, such as Fool’s Mate & Vicious.

3. What was your first impression of Dir en grey?

“um… they are pretty cool. But, how about their music? Is there anything special about their music?”  A consequent of questions came out my mind at the beginning.

Then, I read that they’re influenced by the bands that I like too! Just thought, “maybe they are not bad”. After I heard “ZAN” & “Akuro no Oka”, I was impressed by Kyo’s voice and the bass solo in “Akuro no Oka” caught my attention too.  In the meantime, I felt compelled to know who were the composers of the songs.

4. Has your view of each of the members changed over the years? What questions do you still have that are still unanswered about the members?

They have made many changes such as their images or music style throughout these years.  But I think their core still remains unchanged.  From their words or music, I still can find their passion towards the music.

For the members themselves, they are still the one that I know from the very beginning. Sometimes when I read their interviews, I may think, how come they are still as baka even as years passed. Hahah….

About the questions, um… I hope Shinya will open himself a little bit more.  Shinya, I’m waiting for your answer until you’re 40.

"I think a “LIVE” is very important for a band.  Not only can they show their strength in the music, they also show us the whole concept of an album or a song."

5. What was the very first Dir en grey album or single that you bought?

“ZAN” & “Akuro no Oka” were the very first single that I bought.  I didn’t know that I could pre-order them from Shinseido.  When the singles were out in Japan, I kept coming to Shinseido everyday to check whether they were ready in Hong Kong or not. I still remembered how happy I was when I found them, especially since the prices were not expensive.  

6. Please rank Dir en grey's albums from your most favorite to least favorite. What are your favorite songs out of the bunch?

It’s really really…. very hard to rank….. ^^||

Actually, my ranking will be changed quite often depending on my feeling.

So, here’s the ranking that I've been listening to the most to least these last few months,

1.             MARROW OF A BONE

2.             MACABRE

3.             UROBOROS

4.             VULGAR

5.             GAUZE

6.             WITHERING TO DEATH

7.             KISOU

8.             MISSA


I also like “SIX UGLY” although it’s not a full album~

And, there are so many songs that I like, especially the songs that I have fun in the lives.

"Hearing all the fans sing the chorus of "GARDEN" while waiting for the encore was an unforgettable moment. I fully understand why Toshiya cried when he heard the fans sing "GARDEN"."

7. I heard that you attended their Macabre Budoukan live. How was the live? Can you share some great moments from it? What other lives have you seen over the years?

I’ve watched 18 lives over the years both in Japan & Hong Kong.  I hope the number will keep on increasing.  I think a“LIVE” is very important for a band.  Not only can they show their strength in the music, they also show us the whole concept of an album or a song.  The more lives I attended, the more & more of their power I can experience.  That’s the reason I like go to the lives.

★ MACABRE FINAL @ Budoukan

It was my first time to experience their live.
As I got no experience, I didn’t know how you could buy the tickets.  So, I just tried to find it outside Budoukan by using my poor Japanese + a paper & a pen.  All of you can guess I had to be able to afford a high price. (cried) Anyway, it was worth it for them. I was very excited while waiting for the opening.  And, quite worried I couldn’t integrate with local fans.  When the music of “MACABRE -sanagi no yume wa ageha no hane-“started, I was so impressed. It’s like a dream as I saw them standing on the stage finally.  During the live, I remembered that I focused on Kaoru & Toshiya mostly. Haha…

Besides, it was very interesting when following Kyo wave his hand during [KR] cube.

Also, all the fans singing the chorus of “GARDEN” while waiting for the encore was an unforgettable moment too.  It was really really very touching!!  Afterwards, I fully understood why Toshiya cried when he heard the fans singing “GARDEN”.

★ BLITZ 5 Days @ Akasaka BLITZ

These 5 days lives were fantastic nights.  Since 5 Days was themed on an album, it was just like a short summary of their different stages.  “Diving” was still un-banned during that period of time. It was exciting but also very dangerous… On Day 4, I was standing in the 1st row, and was so worried that I would faint during the live when people climbed over my head… It was really very terrible.

One more thing that I want to share that didn't happen in the live.  When waiting outside the venue on Day 5, we saw Die & Toshiya (with 1 or 2 staff also) playing basketball near the car park.  We waved hands at them at once.  They were so nice to wave back to us too!   Although they just played for just a few minutes, they’re really nice & funny guys~

Everytime when I listen to their new songs or albums, surprises can be found.  They will not just follow their previous style, but will try their best to have a breakthrough on their music.

8. Did you watch Dir en grey in Hong Kong? How was the experience of first seeing them perform overseas? How were the other fans in general?

Of course I won’t miss any of their live in HK.  BTW, I have watched them twice in HK.  Many of you may know that Dir en grey had the Asia tour in 2002.  But before head, a knot had organized a HK travel package for FC members in Aug 2001.  The FC members had a lunch together with all the band members. And, there was a small gig for them too.  During that time, a knot had released a few tickets to HK fans.  Luckily, I got 2 tickets by calling a radio program (It was my first time to phone in a program too!).  Since the venue is quite small, we were quite close to the stage.  All of us enjoyed the live so much, especially since it was the first time we watched them in HK!!

I was excited when they had a stop at HK during the Asia Tour.  Many fans tried their best to cosplay as well.  However, I was slightly disappointed after the live.  I guessed nearly one of third of the audience was not their fans.  They just came to the live just because of their curiosity with v-rock.  So, I was quite angry with them! >_<  Anyway,  I like the 1st small gig more.

9. Any songs that you wish to see live? Why?

Um… there’re many song that I wanna see.

Mostly, they are the old songs, such as “GARDEN”, “ZAN”, “ain’t afraid to die (with snow falling down)”, “The Domestic Fucker Family”, “CHILD PREY”, “UMBRELLA”, “THE III D EMPIRE”, “OBSCURE”…  I really like the songs that I can enjoy & shout during the live.

10. What is it about Dir en grey that has kept you a fan all these years?

Everytime when I listen to their new songs or albums, surprises can be found.  They will not just follow their previous style, but will try their best to have a breakthrough on their music.  From “GAUZE” to “UROBOROS”, I’m glad that they can find & well-develop their own style. And, I’m so lucky that I can go with them throughout these years.

“How can they go further on the next album?” – it’s a question that I always ask.  So far, they have never let me down.  Also, I can experience something out of my expectation from every album. It’s the main reason that keeps me be a “Toriko”[slave] for years.

11. Being a longtime fan from Hong Kong, can we ask about if there are significant differences between the English speaking fandom and the Chinese speaking fandom? How do the Chinese fans perceive Dir en grey? Is there still a strong following for Dir en grey among the Chinese speaking fans?

I think the passion towards Dir en grey is same among the fans all over the world.

Since I haven’t attended lives out of Asia, it’s kinda hard for me to make a comparison between English & Chinese speaking fandom.

V-rock was quite popular in Asia years before.  Also, the distance between South-east Asia & Japan is not so far.  Therefore, we can get the stuff in our countries easily.  But, the prices are quite expensive….

About the fans in HK, there’s still some fans in here have followed them from debut til now. Unfortunately, the number of those longtime fans is not so much now.   I observed that the fans in HK have changed their perception while “WITHERING TO DEATH” released.  A numbers of fans quit during that period of time.  I guess maybe some fans were not willing to accept the change of their music style.  On the other hand, some new fans fell for them since “WITHERING TO DEATH” as their music style tended to more metal.  I don’t know if this situation just can be found in HK or in other countries also…

"I am grateful that I have met many fans who come from different countries because they all touched me through Dir en grey!"

12. How did you find out about Orchestrated-Chaos.com? What would you like
to see more in Orchestrated-Chaos.com?

I like searching anything about Dir en grey on net.  And, found out OC.com accidentally.

The wide range of translation is very attractive.  Also, Risu is so nice to help me a lot.  All of these bring me visit OC.com often.

Besides the translation, I like to see the sharing between fans.  So, I like theMbear’s Closet corner too.  It'll be more interesting if more special stuff can be shared.

13. Do you have any plans for the future?

To improve my Japanese language is my goal.  But, I’m kinda lazy…. Orz…

Besides, I hope I can attend a live which can celebrate members’ birthday.

14. Do you believe that Dir en grey has touched or greatly changed your life? If so, in what way has Dir en grey touched or changed your life?

Over the years, their music gives me the power during my ups and downs.  When I am having a tough period, their music gives me energy to cope with the difficulties.  Moreover, they let me know music has no boundaries.

Also, I am grateful that I have met many fans who come from different countries.  These all touched me because of Dir en grey!

15. A message to other Dir en grey fans.

I am so happy that Dir en grey brings us together.  I hope that all of us can enjoy them together more & more.  And, let’s see how Dir en grey goes further in the coming future!!

Lastly, thanks for the invitation from OC.com.  Many wonderful memories have flashed back while filling in the questionnaire. ^^

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