MUCC 15th Anniversary at Makuhari Messe

MUCC planned a very special event for their 15th anniversary on June 9th, 2012. Splitting the show into three sections, they compiled the sets based on their different eras of music.

Part One: 2002 – 2007 Shisei

The show began with the “Shisei” era and Kagayaku sekai opened as thin streams of green light flashed over the members with the first chords. The thin music and hazy melody allowed vocalist TATSURO to instantly dominate the venue, voice resounding through the massive space. The screens were put to interesting use, displaying a futuristic steam punk setting of floating, rotor propelled landmasses. As TATSURO flung his arms wide, angel wings spread across the backdrop.

The opening riff of Ranchuu had them shouting and clapping as live images on the screens finally allowed those further back to appreciate the zombie-like make-up and white-smattered black costumes the band sported. YUKKE and MIYA burst into movement, skipping across the stage while TATSURO released his growl.

Clapping along to the bass, the whole venue got into Bouzenjishitu as one, creating a huge sound as TATSURO took the time to wander down the wings. The fun song and various vocal techniques had the venue in a fever which turned to cold ice down the spine as TATSURO vocalized over the music, ringing out melancholy wails that the crowd responded to with a ghostly imitation. Waga, arubeki basho was performed powerfully with an overhead metropolitan cityscape in the rain to give the title meaning.

“We don’t have so many head banging songs anymore, so I’m going to get wrecked,” TATSURO admitted, casually seating himself. “We’re putting life and death into this live. This is the first part, Shisei.”

Kami no hoshi and Monster both featured impressive bass solos and driving bass lines, YUKKE stealing the show though MIYA’s vocal debut in the latter half of the verses in Kami no hoshi were unique and made an impact. In complete contrast, Namonaki yume was a raucously fun number full of dancing and moshing. It came to a pause, and MIYA practically threatened the crowd not to hold back for the sake of the later sets. When it struck up again, the band handed it over to the crowd who sang a capella in one synchronized voice.

A dramatic end to the first section, Daikirai 2006 took the honors. TATSURO stalked under the red lights, muttering the extent of his hatred until the mutters broke into a yell and the band powered in. The crowd yelled along and MIYA’s harmony enhanced the unstable atmosphere of the song. To finish, SATOCHI smashed out a drum solo that ended on a bass crash as the stage plunged into darkness.

Set List

01. Kagayaku sekai
02. Ranchuu
03. Bouzenjishitu
04. Waga, arubeki basho
05. Shougyou shisoukyoujidai koushikyoku
06. Saishuu ressha
07. Hairibote no otona
08. Kami no hoshi
09. Monster
10. Namonaki yume
11. Daikirai 2006

Part Two: 1997 – 2002 Misshitsu

The characters for “Misshitsu” split across the two screens, informing the crowd of the next theme which began with Aka. Orange light filtered in with the slow guitar intro while numerous golden cogs spun on the walls. MIYA ripped in, neon blue tainting the black of the venue as Zetsubou dragged the crowd into the dark, squeamish world of MUCC’s Misshitsu era. TATSURO’s drastic costume hit the screens, revealing a man split in half, half bald and bandaged, half whole with pristinely shining long hair.

MIYA continued to make his mark but it was SATOCHI and TATSURO who stole the show for Itai tegami. Drums swung in the retentive tune as the lyrics repeated over and over. Eventually, the words “Shiawase dayo” filled the screens in smaller and smaller print, striving towards an infinite wall of text.

The ballads were broken up by the cheerful Uso de yugamu shinzou as a white-outlined cat strutted in place, followed by an outlined girl with a parasol. The song lightened the atmosphere just enough for the coming antics.

“Did you hear a lot of songs for the first time?” TATSURO asked, expressing shock as the crowd hushed in denial. “Well, here’s something else we used to do a lot when the MC went cold…” Taking the word “Okashii” which means “strange” in Japanese, the band offered up words tailored to each of the characters.

Order returned after a fashion and TATSURO reflected some more on the Misshitsu era. “We didn’t use to have a lot of songs so we did a lot of covers back then. Let’s do one for the first time in a while.” MUCC’s cover of BUCK-TICK’s JUPITER came across well with TATSURO’s strong voice and unique inflections while MIYA’s guitar solo travelled from a deep rendition of the melody to the octave above, his own original spin on the melody-based solo bringing the song to life.

During Mae he, TATSURO amused the crowd by hopping one-legged across the stage with the other leg kicking in the air, perhaps demonstrating how he earned all those bandages in the first place and inciting a vigorous round of moshing. The harmonica made its appearance, and when TATSURO raised his hands to his ears, the crowd picked up, singing over acoustic style guitar. Black and white images of hands, the world, and various skies etc. flashed rapidly, heavy bass gripping the intro of the lyrically driven Suimin. MIYA and YUKKE shared the center for a cool guitar solo underpinned every step by supporting bass.

“Someday, I’ll kill you! Someday I’ll kill you,” TATSURO threatened darkly. “Last.” Zuta zuta began with deep, plucked guitar, slow-burning plumes of fire enveloping the screens. The guitarists’ bodies contracted with the beat while TATSURO remained deathly still, his full-voiced vocals back up by wordless wails from MIYA between verses and falling in counter melody over the chorus. Applause finally resounded as TATSURO’s microphone crashed unseen to the stage floor, indicating the band’s abrupt, invisible exit.

Set List

01. Aka
02. Zetsubou
03. Shoufu
04. Itai tegami
05. Yoru
06. Uso de yugamu shinzou
07. JUPITER
08. Kokonoka
09. Mae he
10. Suimin
11. Zuta zuta

Part Three: 2007 – 2012 Kodou

The constant stream of video comments separating the sets faded into classical music as the crowd watched the Twitter-feed occupying the screens. Once more, the characters signifying the theme split across the stage, “Kodou.”

The heartbeat sped up, a techno beat tagging on as “ARE YOU READY?” took over the screens. “ARE YOU READY TO DANCE?” Party lighting flashed through the venue, turning the huge hangar into a club and reflecting off a disco ball in the center. Letter by letter, the title FALLING DOWN appeared on the screen and TATSURO returned triumphantly with permed hair and an earth-toned outfit at odds with the contemporary beats of the final set.

MIYA’s guitar rocked the opening of Oz and the party continued on, TATSURO rolling his arms in emulation of the crowd. Fukuro no yurikago featured wide melodies and trippy raps. MIYA’s vocal harmonies were effective and the echo technique put to good use but it was Gokusai that brought the rock sound back to the set, bringing MUCC home with raucous drums that had the crowd shouting. “Let’s play. Let’s play, Makuhari! Let your voices out! Let’s party as if the world is ending tomorrow! We’ll tear it down together!” Bals brought a tambourine to TATSURO’s hands, fun and slightly wild with a bit of 70’s spin.

Arcadia featuring DAISHI DANCE came in with some kick bass from SATOCHI before MIYA appeared behind a small drum set, the two beating together to make a special rhythm section. Sparkling piano notes matched the light blue chips of light off the mirror ball which then broke out in rainbow colors as the crowd jumped wildly to the techno tune. FUZZ needed no such gimmicky introductions, MIYA’s opening riff earning cheers and the crowd clapping along until TATSURO’s harmonica made its come-back. Partway through, the song stopped and TATSURO sincerely thanked the crowd, gathering the reserves of their support for the few remaining numbers of the night before launching into the bridge. SATOCHI murdered the drums, YUKKE and MIYA’s once prominent sounds slowly falling prey to the combined crashing and the strong voices of the crowd winging the “woah” line.

Streamers burst overhead with the opening of Flight, a bright tune that ended in TATSURO running around free and happy, arms outstretched like a child dreaming of airplanes. The aerial theme soared into the heavens with the final treat of Ryuusei. A spray of rainbow laser fanned out high above, magically illuminating the sweet, enchanting number yet remaining in touch with the electric atmosphere of the third and final set, bringing the show to a fulfilling close.

Yet, fifteen years deserves more than simple closure and the band were back before long for that little bit extra. “I’m really glad this many people came,” said YUKKE. “I saw the venue yesterday and it was twice as big as I thought. I wondered if it would be okay. I’m thrilled that this many MUCCers could be born.” MIYA was in agreement. “How long have I waited for this moment? A month ago we began deciding on the set list. Before Yasashii uta in the MC-”

“Why did you just mention the next song’s title just now!?” TATSURO cut in, consequently drawing the crowd’s attention to the mistake and putting the whole venue on red alert. “It just feels like we could get away with anything,” MIYA responded.

Wasting no time once the song began, TATSURO started off Yasahii uta but it was no more than a cue, MIYA gently backing up the singing crowd. The singing continued on and off, TATSURO taking turns with the crowd or stopping and asking for everyone to raise anything generating light and show him that gorgeous scenery. “Thanks to you all we were able to see in 15 years,” he said over the singing of the crowd. “Those who have been with us for 15 years, those who are here for the first time today, let’s all grow old together!” SATOCHI yelled a heartfelt “Makuhari, THANK YOU!” before TATSURO sang one last round, full voice, for prosperity.

An endless cycle of announcements including a new full album and the impending release of three live DVDs of the three sets resulted in one last exciting return as the band popped back out to use the gathered crowd as the backdrop for the DVD jacket covers. However, the night was not completely over as some zealous fans headed over to the special fan after party where they danced all night, celebrating 15 years of MUCC’s success and contemplating what plans might be in store in another five years’ time.

Set List

01. FALLING DOWN
02. Oz
03. Fukuro no yurikago
04. Gokusai
05. Bals
06. Nirvana
07. Arcadia featuring DAISHI DANCE
08. FUZZ
09. Howling
10. Utagoe
11. Flight
12. Ryusei

Encore:
01. Yasashii uta