Interview with B'z

One year after touring the US, legendary rock duo B'z returns again to the States for what is their fourth US tour. JaME finds out what the duo thinks about the tour, their upcoming 25th anniversary and their recently released debut self-titled English album.

Since it’s your first interview with JaME, could you please introduce yourselves to our readers and tell us how you met?

Tak: Hi, I'm Tak Matsumoto, guitar player of B'z. A producer introduced me to Koshi when I was looking for a singer for my own band. We met 24 years ago in Tokyo.
Koshi: Hi, we are B’z. Tak writes music and plays guitar, I write lyrics and sing. Tak, who had already been working with many Japanese artists, wanted to start his own band. His management had him listen to my demo tape in 1988. That’s how it all started.

This fall you will tour the US. Last year you toured across the US as well. Can you share some memories from that tour with us?

Tak: Performing in the US is always so much fun! The clam chowder I had in San Francisco was amazing!
Koshi: It was great to know people came to our show from far away. Also it was fun watching Americans singing our songs in Japanese.

What are your expectations of this tour? What are the parts you are looking forward to most?

Tak: This tour is going to be the fourth tour in the US for B'z, but we have never gone to the East Coast. It’s been a while since I visited New York, so I’m really looking forward to going back there and also visiting new cities on this tour.
Koshi: We had so much fun on the last North American tour in 2011. It’s pure pleasure for me to put on a show and have people come to see it. I always enjoy the feeling of excitement and meeting the local people.

In what ways does touring the United States differ from touring in Japan?

Tak: We play smaller venues in the US, but I really like it because there isn't a big production involved. I can focus on playing music with just a guitar and an amplifier.
Koshi: The audience is very close so I can hear their voices and see their facial expressions. It makes me feel very excited.

B’z was the first Asian artists invited to have their handprints and signatures added to the Hollywood Rockwalk and put on display - a definite achievement and honor. Can you tell us about that experience and what it meant to B'z?

Tak: That was one of those unforgettable moments for me. I'm very proud of having been honored on the Hollywood Rockwalk as a Japanese rock band.
Koshi: Mr. Steve Vai recommended us to be inducted. We were very lucky and honored to be there.

Do you have any traditions or rituals before you go on stage?

Tak: We all shout "Namaiccho - Yorokonde!" right before going on stage. It means something like "we'll show you the best B'z live with pleasure!"
Koshi: The band huddles up in a circle and we shout together.

What guitars are you using for this tour in the U.S.?

Tak: Of course I use my own model Gibson DC.

Could you describe the process of creating an English album? How did you choose which songs would be reproduced and included?

Tak: I thought it was time to release English songs by B'z. We started recording last February with Shane Gaalaas who's a support drummer for B'z. He's a great drummer and a very talented musician. I've never let anyone else produce B’z, but I trusted him to do great work with the tracks in English. He knows B'z's music well.
Koshi: We picked songs from our catalog, added English lyrics and new arrangements and re-recorded them. Our drummer Shane helped me a lot. We discussed which songs would work best with English lyrics.

Next year you are celebrating your 25th anniversary as B’z. What are your plans for the anniversary?

Tak: I believe we're touring all over Japan next year for our 25th anniversary.
Koshi: We’ll have a 25th anniversary tour in Japan.

What are your plans for the future?

Tak: We don’t know specifically yet, but we’ll always keep trying to create good music as B'z.
Koshi: Not limited to North America, I would like to keep the stance of being able to perform anywhere in the world.

Finally, please give a message to your overseas fans.

Tak: Thank you so much for reading about us. Please check out our new EP and see you at the show!
Koshi: Thanks for your support! If you are interested in B’z, please come to our show! Hope to see you there!



Many thanks for the interview!