√eight is a fairly new rock band from Hokkaido in the North of Japan. In September last year the band released their first full album illational, which showcased their unique style full of heavy rhythms and aggresive sounds. Though the music may seem harsh, it is at the same time melodious, with a vocalist adding heart-wrenching vocals. In short: the band has a great sound that may appeal to people who are unfamiliar with any sort of Japanese music.
In order to get to know the band a little better, JaME had an interview with the members of √eight.
First of all, we would like to ask you to introduce yourselves.
√eight: Were √eight, we formed on August 15th, 2004. In December of 2005 Nachi founded the indies label relative+heart MUSIC (also know as relation), on which we release our CDs now.
The band consists of Kyoutaro on vocals (former Volark), Nachi on guitar (former WERKMARE), Mukku on bass (also former WERKMARE), Mitsuru on drums (former ArcAdiA) and Ryo who was the last to join the band earlier this year, who plays guitar as well.
How would you describe your musical style?
√eight: Our main concept is violent, roaring sound and our colour themes are red and black. We see ourselves as a live band. We create violent music with Nachis screaming guitar and Kyoutaros despairing and emotional vocals. We have an original worldview which we express with our music: its not Japanese music, nor is it Western music, its a violent composition! We also create painful ballads. The five of us each bring our individual colours to the band and were ready to blast the world! All five of us come from different genres and now we came together to say with our raw power Everything is possible!.
How did you get to know each other and why did you decide to start a band together?
√eight: At first, when Nachis previous band WERKMARE broke up, Kyoutaro said I want to make music with Nachi and when Nachi heard that, he became enthusiastic. The result was that he created a band with Kyoutaro. Mukku had played bass in WERKMARE and because we believed that he and Nachi were the best combination, he joined the band. Mitsuru has a very important technique when it comes to creating √eights music, so he was accepted as a member as well.
Next to being the band name, does the word eight also have another, special meaning to you? (For example Nachis tattoos)
√eight: Its a mark that binds us. The tattoos are proof that until death we are √eight.
Your appearance used to be more visual in the beginning and some of you had previously been playing in visual kei bands, but now your image has toned down and is much more casual. Why did you choose the more casual look?
√eight: To rock, there are no rules, and because that was what we wanted to do, we decided on this appearance. Even now there are times when we use make-up but there are also times when we use no make-up at all! It proves that everything goes.
Do you think that the fact that youre from Hokkaido made it harder for you to get recognized than for example, bands in Tokyo?
√eight: Because we think that great music will be recognized by anyone in the world, we dont think it was any harder for us to be recognized.
Are you inspired or influenced by any artists?
√eight: From Japan its X Japan. From Western music its KORN and Linkin Park. And the Lost Prophets have also influenced us.
Kyoutaro, you write the lyrics for √eight's songs. Because many people dont understand Japanese, can you tell us what they are about? And where does the inspiration for your lyrics come from?
Kyoutaro: The theme of the lyrics are that everyone has secrets, anger, sadness, despair, hopes etc. on the inside, feelings that you dont show to other people. Thats what I sing about. The subjects are often true stories.
In September 2006 your first album illational was released. Can we expect a new release soon?
√eight: Thats right. We hope to release a new album in September of this year.
Kenzi of the dead pop stars/Anti Feminism is listed as the creative producer of the album. How did that go?
√eight: Kenzi is our senior who we really respect a lot. If Kenzi hadnt been there, this CD probably wouldnt have been created. He gave us a lot of important advice.
Nachi, you were the guitarist of Anti Feminism during their European tour. Can you tell us something about your impressions and experiences?
Nachi: In Europe there are a lot of great, fantastic fans. There are a lot of people that love music and came enjoy it. It was a great experience.
Do you want to come to Europe?
√eight: Of course! We definitely want to come! We want to show everyone the strongest rock band from Japan!!
What are your plans for the future?
√eight: √eight want to enjoy music with people from around the world, not just from Japan, but also people from Europe and America. In May we had a short tour called Demonstration and in June well start our national tour in Japan, ANTI JAP MONSTERS. The final of that tour will take place in the Shinjuku Holiday in July. In August we will celebrate our three year anniversary with three concerts in the Holiday venues, across Japan.
Please leave a message for your overseas fans.
√eight: To our overseas fans, thank you for the warm messages you always send us. We definitely want to come meet everyone, so also for the support youll continue to give us, thank you.
JaME would like to thank √eight and relative+heart MUSIC for making this interview possible.
