How did you all find one another and form Dead Children?
Ray: Both me and our guitarist, MAST, were previously members of the band Aliene Ma'riage. We both understood each other's style, but more than anything, I understood everything about him, since we've been together for as long as I can remember. He was the one who invited me to form the band, and that's what brought Dead Children to life. For me, I thought of Dead Children as the last band I would be part of, and accepted MAST's invitation as it was something I really wanted to do with him. It was something we both wanted, and when he said "This is the kind of band I want to form!", we decided to do it.
As for our vocalist, Minami, I knew of him - that he is a fantastic vocalist - and so I became interested in him. Coincidentally, when I was thinking that I wanted to meet and talk with him, I had an acquaintance who knew him. I immediately asked him to introduce us! (laughs) As it happened, Minami also had the same kind of style, and before long, I received a reply saying that he was onboard with the band. Our other guitarist, Cain, was originally a roadie for MAST. He was a friend, but I had always felt charmed by him. There’s no other good way to put it : he was a fairly strange character that I had my eye on. (laughs)
How did you decide on your band name?
Ray: We decided on it together. Although we are adults, we let out our blunt childish emotions in our songs. That is the kind of theme we had in mind. We attached "Dead" to the fact that we are adults and decided on Dead Children.
Do you do your own make-up?
Ray: My hair and make-up artist does it for me. They are able to faithfully produce a variety of styles for me, so that makes me very happy.
What is your favourite thing to do when not working on your music?
Ray: Maybe drinking sake? (laughs) Drinking together with the band is fun. Everyone likes to drink so we drink a lot.
What inspires the music of Dead Children?
Ray: There isn't anything in particular. It's something that just comes to us. We have written songs about the startling emotions felt after having woken up from a shocking dream. Perhaps it is the spontaneous things that happen in everyday life at any moment that inspire our music.
You released your debut single CLOSET in March – what can you tell us about it?
Ray: We made the song to be used in place of the band's business card. It is a hard and emotional track. The concept for the song can be heard throughout the entire track. I was surprised by the amazing reaction from everyone. I’m happy that we have received so many enquiries about it.
Dead Children recently completed its first tour. Can you share some of your best memories from the tour?
Ray: Since this was our first tour as a band, we were very excited. It was undoubtedly fun, but I also feel the bond between each member of the band has deepened. I think we have been able to grow. I'm really glad we were able to do it. We also drank a lot of sake. (laughs)
What's next for Dead Children?
Ray: We will release our first mini-album titled Haunted Vox on August 19th. The songs on it have a horror sound and it is full of Dead Children's current outlook. Our vocalist Minami has said this too, but I think the scariest thing about horror is the emotions and hatred of humans. Our horror sound is evidently that kind of horror. I want it to be heard as a strong coming together of such a sound.
Also, two days after the release of the mini-album, we will be playing a two-man live alongside Synk:yet titled Akai kodomotachi no oyuugikai. I am really looking forward to the concert because when it comes to touring with them, Synk:yet are good rivals every time, so they provide good motivation. This two-man live will definitely be something exciting, so by all means I would like those who come to the show to go all out.
Do you have a message for JaME readers?
Ray: Thank you very much for reading until the end. We will be moving forward at full-speed from now too, so please expect a lot from us. I would like to meet everyone at the shows, so please go crazy then and enjoy the world of Dead Children!
JaME would like to thank Dead Children for this interview opportunity.
Below you can watch the music video for the band's debut single CLOSET:
