Calmando Qual in the Netherlands

author: Tessa & Kay

© JaME

On March 9th, 2007, Calmando Qual started on a new European tour; their first concert of the tour would take place that evening in Utrecht, The Netherlands. It was the first time that they would appear on stage in Europe with their new image: a casual look consisting of button-down shirts and jeans, with some punk accents. The fans seemed to be rather surprised, seeing as the advertisements for the tour had been made with an older photo shoot containing the members of Calmando Qual in their gothic-like costumes. The image change was completely unexpected.  Not only had their image changed, they also changed their name to Twisted Clock; although this name is only used in Japan. In Europe, they will continue to use their old name, Calmando Qual.

In the afternoon before the concert, we met the five members in the backstage area of Tivoli and after a short while, started the interview.


Recently you’ve changed your name to Twisted Clock in Japan. Can you tell us why you decided to change the name and why you chose Twisted Clock?

Hibiki: We wanted to change our image and in order to get rid of our visual kei image, we also changed our name so it wouldn’t be connected to visual kei anymore. Do you know the painting of Dali (Hibiki is referring to "The Persistence of Memory")? The melted clocks, we were inspired by that for our band name. The meaning of Twisted Clock goes much deeper, but this is the simple explanation.

You announced that you were working on a new album. What can we expect from it, and when do you think it will be finished?

Tasc: We don’t know when it will be finished yet.

Hibiki: We want to make good songs. We want all songs on the album to be great, so we don’t want to rush it.

Do you think your European concerts have influenced your music in any way?

Tasc: Yes, it definitely has influenced our music.

Kenka: The fans in Europe are so enthusiastic and energetic, that gives us energy too.

The single ‘Twisted Clock’ which was released in December 2006 was your first ‘real’ new release after the ‘Heretical God’ album in 2005. Why did it take you so long to release some new songs?

Tasc: We have a new drummer, which was a big change for us.

Tak: And of course we had our name and image change, but it was mostly because of the new drummer that it took so long for us to create new songs.

Are you satisfied with the way the single turned out?

Hibiki: Yes, we are, we think the music turned out great.

Tak, you play in other bands such as Marmarsa-mu and Syaranosui. Isn’t it hard to play in all these bands at the same time?

Tak: It is not very hard. Of course it’s very busy, but I love to play guitar, so I don’t mind.

Do you follow the Japanese charts and what do you think of the current popular music in Japan?

Tasc: No, we don’t follow the charts.

Kenka: Some of the music is okay; we like to listen to some of the popular music, but it’s not something we ever would want to play.

The goth scene is very small and underground in Japan and it’s much bigger in Europe. Would you like the Japanese goth scene to become bigger as well, or do you prefer the way it is now?

Kenka: We often perform at the Tokyo Dark Castle event (one of the biggest events for gothic music in Japan), which is something we really like to do. Tokyo Dark Castle is slowly becoming more popular.

Hibiki & Tasc: We would like the goth scene in Japan to get bigger as well.

During this tour you will perform a few times with BAAL and DJ SiSen, also Japanese artists. What kind of experience do you expect it to be and are you looking forward to it?

Kenka: It will be lots of fun!

Hibiki: We’re looking forward to it.

(The other band members also enthusiastically mention it’s going to be fun)

You’ve been to Europe quite a few times now. What memories do you have of the previous tours?

Hibiki: The fans are so energetic. Polish fans are great.

What do you like best about Europe?

Hibiki & Kenka: Beer! Beer! We like Becks!

And is there something you don’t like, or can’t get used to in Europe?

Tak: Beer! And we can’t get used to sparkling water.

Tonight is your first concert of this European tour, what do you expect of tonight? What can the audience expect from you?

Hibiki: We don’t know exactly what to expect, since this is our first show here.

Kenka: But the fans can expect a heavy show from us.

Tasc: The concert will be more energetic because we have Shio as our drummer now.

Do you have a final message for your fans?

All: Have lots of fun!

Thank you very much for the interview!


We would like to thank Calmando Qual, Stefan of Astan Magazine and JRock NL.
Photos by Tessa.