Interview with NoGoD

You’ve recently released Shikisai, a remake mini-album. Why did you make this choice?

Dancho: It is an album with no particular concept. We’ve chosen the songs at random.

During the "Mujack" TV show, Dancho introduced himself as a "kenkyui" (fan) of idol band BiS, which will split up in the next few days. Could you tell us about that?

Dancho: In my opinion, I think it is the best time for this breakup because they are currently at the peak of their career. When I get back to Japan, I think I will attend their last show at Yokohama Arena!

You’ve taken part in the V-ANIME collaboration -homme- and V-ANIME collaboration -femme- compilations. How did you become involved with these projects?

Dancho: The creators of these compilations approached us because they thought our music could fit them. Eventually, we ended up making two songs: Sousei no aquarion from the anime of the same name for V-ANIME collaboration -homme-, and Bara wa utsukushiku from "The Rose of Versailles" series for V-ANIME collaboration -femme-.

In your opinion, what makes your music unique?

Dancho: We listen to a lot of international bands, and this is probably the reason why we are different from other visual kei bands.

How did you first get into music, and when did you decide you wanted to become professional musicians?

Shinno: It wasn’t my goal when I was a student, but I eventually decided to carry on because I enjoyed it so much.
Karin: No special reason…
K: I started to learn drums at twelve years old, and about turning professional, I don’t have any thoughts about that at the moment.
Kyrie: I started to play guitar at fourteen, and when I was at university, I realized that it was what I really wanted to do.
Dancho: As for me, I think it was my fate to be a heavy metal singer!

The lyrics of Sakura and Saikou are very meaningful. You wrote them when you were very young and you’ve recently said you won’t be able to write such songs now. Why is that? Has experience restrained your sensitivity, or has becoming famous made you more reserved?

Dancho: I’m actually quite ashamed of those songs now. When I read them, I have the feeling of reading an old private diary. I think it is ingenuity that made me write those lyrics at this time. As I am now thirty years old, I think I have gained maturity and I can write more mature songs.

If you had to choose only one song to introduce someone new to NoGoD’s music, which one would it be?

Shinno: Kakusei.
Karin: Kamikaze.
K: Kakusei.
Kyrie: Kakusei.
Dancho: Kamikaze.

How do you compose your songs?

Kyrie: We prepare the songs individually before proposing them to the other members of the band.

What are your visual and music inspirations?

Dancho: We don’t have a precise role model because our aim is to be unique.
Kyrie: Concerning our music inspiration, it varies depending on the albums and songs. For inspiration, we listen to tunes that fit the concept we’ve chosen.

Is there a moment in your career that is particularly memorable? And what are your future plans?

Dancho: A recent one is the show we held yesterday at the Live House. The French public was very hot! And I think my feeling will change after our next live. I have the strong feeling that our music has crossed Japan’s boundaries. Our dream is to do a European tour because we really appreciate western music. And then, benefiting from this experience, we would like to go back to Japan to become a bit more popular.

What do you think about the Japanese new music generation?

Dancho: The Japanese music market is still strong despite the drop in CD sales. The craze for shows is still very much alive!

Did you expect your band and your music to be so successful here in France?

Dancho: We haven’t released a lot of CDs at the moment, but during yesterday’s live, the room filled up little by little and by the end, everyone had a fist raised. It was really great.

In March 2015, you will celebrate your tenth anniversary. What are your thoughts about your career?

Dancho: It seems brief to me. We don’t want to stop now, of course, and I think that the experience we’ve gained in the past ten years will allow us to continue our activities for ten, twenty, or even thirty years more.

Are you fond of manga, anime or video games? If so, which one do you like?

Kyrie: Battlefield 4.
K: Vocaloid.
Shinno: Smartphone games.
Karin: I like yaoi anime! Just kidding! (everyone laughs)
Dancho: As for me, I like the “Gundam” series and am waiting impatiently for the new series.

Do you have a message for your French fans?

Dancho: Continue to listen to our music whatever the format, because we really want to come back to France.


JaME would like to thank NoGoD’s staff, Cool Japan and King Records for having made this interview possible.