Interview with PENICILLIN

PENICILLIN is one of the most legendary bands in the visual scene. We caught up with the members for a short interview to ask about where they go from here and what sort of projects they are working on.


PENICILLIN is probably the oldest visual kei band, active since 1992 and with almost one album per year. How can you explain this longevity?

HAKUEI: I don’t even know why.

CHISATO: We are the oldest band? It sounds like we are fossils. (laugh) Why? I don’t know. Maybe it’s because we're tenacious. (laugh)

O-JIRO: I think the reason for our longevity is not that we've been active for a long time, so much as that we think about how to densely do what we want.

If you consider the actual visual kei scene, do you think there have been some changes in music and mentality over the years? And if so, what kind of changes?

HAKUEI: In various meanings, I feel it became more colorful.

CHISATO: I think it's come to have a little of everything. But in a word, the important thing is how the members’ personalities match with each other.

O-JIRO: While the fads have changed over time, I think the process by which the artist evolves hasn’t changed so much.

CHISATO, your way of playing the guitar sounds really heavy. Your solos on stage are amazing. Who influenced you among guitarists?

CHISATO: I’m not sure I’m influenced by them, but I like Edward Van Halen, Randy Rhoads , Slash, Dave Navarro, Frank Marino and Steve Stevens.

PENICILLIN played with bassist HIROKI (The ROMEO) on stage. What do you think about him and his performances? Where and when did you meet him? Can he become an official member of PENICILLIN or will he continue playing as a support member?

HAKUEI: HIROKI is like a master to GISHO (bassist and former PENICILLIN member). I want to continue to play with him as our support member.

CHISATO: I have known HIROKI since we started the band. He is a nice guy amd a good player, he is the best. He's GISHO's master and his character is cool, so there is no problem with him at all.

O-JIRO: We have been getting along with him for more than ten years, and he has been a powerful, aggressive artist all the time. Now I play with him without thinking of him as a member or a support player.

HAKUEI, you started a project lead by RUKA from Nightmare called LEGENDARY SIX NINE. Can you tell us more about this project, like the music and your role in it? When and where did you meet RUKA and Twigy (rap)? Why did you decide to do this project?

HAKUEI: RUKA is a good friend of mine privately, and we started this project when we were hanging out together and said we wanted to do something interesting. As for Twigy, I was introduced him by the president of Nightmare's management. I’m happy it turned out to be music that transcends various genres.

O-JIRO, recently you made your debut as a DJ. When did you start this? Do you think you could add some DJ elements to Penicillin in the future? It could be interesting.

O-JIRO: I started in the latter half of 2009, and it’s still one of my hobbies.

HAKUEI is starting the LEGENDARY SIX NINE, O-JIRO made his debut as a DJ. CHISATO, do you have other musical projects besides PENICILLIN?

CHISATO: I’m doing a project called Crack6.

CHISATO, ACID BLACK CHERRY went on hiatus, so you may have more time to focus on PENICILLIN. Since you are the band's leader, what will happen next? Are you working on new songs?

CHISATO: I have a lot of different things to do. In addition to activities with PENICILLIN, I also have Crack6 activities.

Please give your message to foreign fans.

HAKUEI: I’m sure we’ll see you soon.

CHISATO: We are a band that's broken various stereotypes, so I want you to break things too. For now, let's start with knocking over the table in front of you.

O-JIRO: I’m looking forward to seeing you when we do lives overseas some day.