Since the last time we've interviewed Megamasso, the rock band has been very active and put out various releases. Last year, they released the single white, white and kindly granted us permission to add the promotional video to the JaME Channel and show it to our readers.
Megamasso also granted us another opportunity to ask them some questions, which we of course gladly took.
It's been a while since we have interviewed you. Can you tell us what's been happening since then?
INZARGI: I think the solidarity of our band has been getting stronger on a daily basis. Ryouhei: The band's solidarity and expanding the quality of our music - on those two fronts we've gotten even stronger. Gou: The main thing is that the strength of our musical performance as a band has changed. Other than that we're spending our days just as we always have.
You released your single white, white last year; can you tell us more about this release?
INZARGI: Definitely, if you listen to it even just once, you'll feel the song and lyrics resound with things like pain and passion. Ryouhei: It's a melodious composition in a speedy 4/4 time signature, and of all Megamasso's songs up to now, its lyrics are the easiest to understand. Gou: I think, typical of a single, it's a song that will reach everyone directly.
When did you write white, white? How was the recording process? Was there some kind of special inspiration for this song?
Ryouhei: We wrote it around the same time as Beautiful Girl. At the very least I think we were able to make people who thought they were rabid fans of our songs think, "Megamasso has this kind of song too?!" During the recording, we are generally very conscious of the directing process, so we have been trying to raise the tension as much as possible. Even we are surprised at our fans' unexpected reactions, how they accepted it without objection.
Most bands don't like being labeled visual kei. You, on the other hand, wish to stay within the borders of visual kei. Why is that? And why do you think others find it so objectionable to be called visual kei?
Ryouhei: For me, it's more than performing in make-up. The cover band I played in during high school had nothing to do with visual kei, but during that time I saw in a magazine that some of the people who were being called "visual kei" were saying, "We want to be evaluated more on our music." At the time I thought, if that's how they felt, then what was the point of wearing makeup in the first place? When I actually tried playing in a visual kei band, I came to understand extremely well what those artists were saying, but even so I also realized the typical listener's emotions are far removed from that sort of thing. So for now Megamasso is performing in makeup with a look that shows that we just do what we want to do, and from here on out we'll continue to do so.
Gou, in our last interview you told us that you sometimes write songs for Megamasso, but that these songs don't fit your band yet. Some months have passed since our last interview, did anything change? When can we enjoy your songs?
Gou: Song writing is not really my forte, so please wait a little longer.
What inspired you to write Beautiful Girl, which is so different from your other songs?
Ryouhei: We wanted to make a pop rhythm and increase the melody refrain for the parts that became dull. We thought about where to do that to make it more like Megamasso. Finally, it's a performance that has a sense of completion once it was played live with my band mates. Rather than getting big headed when making it, I think it's a good example of having made a mature live performance. So we would absolutely love for you to listen to Beautiful Girl live.
Please tell us some things you are into right now. For example music, movies or books.
INZARGI: Lately I've been watching a lot of movies and listening to a wide range of music too. Ryouhei: I've been listening to 80's idol pop music. Gou: I've been going to see a lot of movies. I've been watching a lot of Japanese films lately.
What can we expect from Megamasso in the future?
Ryouhei: A new music release at the beginning of next year, and in the spring we plan to go on tour.
Will we see some international shows or even international releases soon?
INZARGI: The idea of our music reaching the world is very exciting, so I'd definitely like to try doing it! Ryouhei: As long as there's an opportunity I definitely want to do it. Gou: Personally, I'd go in a heartbeat.
Please give our readers one last message!
INZARGI: I think it's such a wonderful thing and it truly makes me happy having people support us even from overseas. Ryouhei: Megamasso is still only three years in the making, but since those early days we've brushed up. From this point on as well, we want to thank you in advance for your support. And to all those who really dig our music and our image, we give you our deepest gratitude. Gou: Ye-es! We're on the verge of making Megamasso much bigger!
JaME would like to thank Megamasso and HearJapan for this interview.
