Press Conference with girugamesh in Mexico

Just a few hours after their arrival on Mexican soil after a long flight from Japan, girugamesh gave a press conference in Mexico City, where they talked about cultural differences, their early impressions of Mexico, and discussed underwear amid much laughter.

The members of the media applauded as one by one, the band members entered the room. Together, they said “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu”, then drummer Яyo said “We are girugamesh” in perfect English. After this brief introduction, the press conference got underway.

Welcome! What does performing in Mexico mean to you?

ShuU: It’s our first time performing in Latin America, so it’s a very happy event for us. Knowing that the fans were waiting for us means everything to us.

What are you going to show us this Friday at your concert? Will we hear something new?

Яyo: This time will be a well-balanced combination because it’s our first show here, and we want to show the old and the new.

If you had to choose one song to show to someone who's never heard the band before, which one would it be?

Яyo: Judging by the number of times it has been played on YouTube, I would say that Break Down would be the most representative, but lately INCOMPLETE is also becoming popular.

What was your first impression of Mexico compared to what you had in mind about the country?

ShuU: There are a lot of handsome people, and I think that because of that it could be a very good show. (laughs)

Do you have any expectations about your Mexican fans?

Яyo: We expect there to be cultural differences between our Japanese and Mexican fans. We also expect that they'll have a lot of fun and that the show will be very energetic.

In Mexico, there are many fans of manga, anime, J-rock and Japanese culture, and many fans have learnt Japanese thanks to bands like girugamesh. What do you think about this?

Яyo: I’m so proud. I respect them very much for taking this step to learn a language in order to understand us better.

Many fans love your songs not only for its rhythm, but also for its lyrics. They've been inspired or have overcome problems thanks to your lyrics. What do you think about it?

Satoshi: We’re very glad to know that our music helps support our fans, also considering that we give a lot of thought to the message of our lyrics to give more power to the music.

You were at Wacken Open Air in Germany. Do you think that it’s the ultimate metal festival? What's different about this festival that makes people all around the world attend? What sets it apart from what you get at festivals in Japan and Latin America?

Яyo: (He apologizes for not being able to explain it very well). Overall, except for Japan, fans are more aggressive, more energetic. Japanese fans tend to be more timid, and more “well-behaved”.

Next January, you will release new material. Do you already have some lyrics? Are you going to include something from your experience in Mexico? When will you announce more details?

ShuU: Right now we’re recording. One of the reasons why we want to do an excellent show on Friday is to return to Mexico with that new material.

Яyo: We will announce more details about the release in the near future.

Do you have any funny stories about things that have happened to you that you can share with us?

Яyo: Internationally or in Japan?

In general…

Яyo: Many. (Laughs)

ShuU: Any particular story? In shows? With fans?

In shows.

Satoshi: In our first one-man live as a band the pants that I wore ripped open in the part of my ass. (laughs)

Just like Lenny Kravitz. (laughs)

girugamesh: (laughs)

ShuU: At a live in Germany, one fan threw us a bra. It was like, “What a good show!” (acts as if he throws something) No matter whether you're male or female, if you think it’s a good gig, throw us underwear. (laughs)

What would you say is the best part about being in girugamesh?

Яyo: The best part of being a member of girugamesh is being able to play along with these guys.

On the subject of underwear, it's likely that could happen here. (laughs) How might you react to it? Would you like it?

(The band start acting as if they're putting clothes on their heads, making everyone in the room laugh)

ShuU: We would probably wear it.

What international musicians or artists do you admire? Do you have a band that you admire individually or as a group?

ShuU: As a group we like nu metal bands like Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson… Individually we have other bands that we like.

Яyo: There are many. (laughs) Recently I liked a band called Periphery, a metalcore band who've recently emerged in the United States.

What did you think before coming to Mexico? What did you know about the country?

ShuU: I like wrestling, so I thought there would be people wearing masks on the streets, with large hats and ponchos, but since I arrived I haven’t seen anyone like that. (laughs)

Satoshi: When thinking about Mexico, the first thing that came to my mind was the food, like tacos and nachos. Just before we had the opportunity to eat tacos of all kinds and I am very happy to see that it was true. (laughs)

Яyo: The first thing that came to my mind were cactuses.₁

Nii: I have seen the graffiti on the walls before, but when we arrived and I saw them for the first time, I said, “This is too violent for me.” (laughs)

_{1 Referring to nopal.}

How do you compose your songs? What's the feeling behind it?

Яyo: I’m the main composer of the band. The feeling that comes to my mind while composing a song is, “Would this sound good in a show?” If nothing comes to my mind about how it could be interpreted and what it could recall to our fans, I reject the song that very moment. Everything that I've written so far is what you know and there’s nothing more.

Have you had any contact with Latin America before? Not exactly with Mexico, but with Latin America in general.

Яyo: With Latin American music: Ill Niño, and with a show of loud music.

(The interpreter informs him that the show is actually from Spain, and Яyo laughs in embarrassment)

ShuU: Mandolin. (laughs) We don’t know anything more related to Latin American culture.

Recently we have seen artists such as MIYAVI and DIR EN GREY in Mexico. However, the first band that came and had a sold-out show was X JAPAN. Did this band influence you? Do you think that they've blazed a trail for other bands to venture outside Japan?

Яyo: It isn’t related only to Mexico. X JAPAN is also a legendary group in Japan and a group that inspires many rock bands. They were the ones that generated the visual rock genre. I’m not sure if they opened the door internationally, but I know that they are pioneers in Japan.

What is your favorite song to perform live?

ShuU: driving time. It’s a song in which you can hear the bass a lot, so I personally like playing this song.
Satoshi: For me is evolution. No matter which country we play it in, it’s the song that excites all the fans and us as well.
Яyo: All, because I wrote each song. (laughs)
Nii: For me, it's Break Down. It’s a song that I consider perfect. It has a good melody, good lyrics and good music.

At what point of your career do you think you're right now? Do you think you can grow even more?

ShuU: I think we haven’t reached the highest point of our career. When we think we have, that'll be the end - it would be the end and nothing more. So far though, we haven’t arrived at the point where we think "it's all downhill from here”. We still want to go further.

A few years ago you covered Mika Nakashima’s Glamorous Sky. Which other songs would you like to cover?

Яyo: Glamorous Sky? (He begins to hum the melody before laughing) From Mika Nakashima?

In general.

ShuU: What would you like us to do?

Something in Spanish. (laughs)

ShuU: From which band?

Everyone in the room start thinking about Mexican rock bands or artists. Some suggested bands like Panteón Rococó or Café Tacvba, who have performed in Japan before. However, the band didn’t know them, so the interpreter said that she will show the members these bands later.

Recently there have been many groups from Korea and Japan from different genres in Mexico, such as X JAPAN and BABYMETAL, and this music which is different and is not in English has a lot of appeal. What do you think is this attraction that Mexican fans have to oriental music in general?

ShuU: Why do you think it happens?

Because it’s different, it’s original, and it’s like a challenge for the Mexican fan. People are happy because bands that go to the United States, but don't often come here, perform in our country. But when a live like the one from girugamesh comes, people receive it with a lot of excitement and are eager to attend.

ShuU: I think that maybe it’s because Mexico is hungry for new culture.

What words in Spanish have you learned?

Яyo: ¡Hola! [Hello!]
Satoshi: Tacos (Laughs). Salud [Cheers]. Tequila.
ShuU: Do you know that in Japan you drink tequila as a punishment?

No, why?

ShuU: Because it’s a very strong drink.

Have you ever tried it?

Яyo: Yes, and we like it.

ShuU: Returning to Spanish, “obrigado.”

(The interpreter tells him that “obrigado” is Portuguese.)

ShuU: Salud [cheers], gracias [thank you]… Teach me. (laughs)

Satoshi: What do you think would excite the fans if we said it on the show?

Some media members began to suggest words like “mamacita”₂ or “chido”₃ while the interpreter explained the words and taught them how to pronounce them. ShuU said that if we had any suggestions, we could tweet them to Satoshi. But suddenly they asked if it was okay to seduce with the word “mamacita”, but the opinion of the media press was divided. One woman said it wasn’t a good idea.

_{2 Slang for “sexy lady” that might have sexual connotations.
3 Mexican slang for something that is good or nice.}

ShuU: Have they called you that a lot?

Some women might like it, but others don’t. Although if you say it, it might be okay.

girugamesh: (laughs)

After taking off your uniform of rock stars, what do you do on a normal day?

Яyo: I drink alcohol every day. (laughs)
ShuU: I cook.

Delicious!

ShuU: Of course!
Satoshi: I watch anime.

Which is your favorite anime?

Satoshi: “Ano hana.”
Nii: I drink while watching YouTube videos.
Яyo: I like to drink while studying English.

It’s the best! (laughs)

Яyo: Yeah! (laughs)
Satoshi: He arrives completely drunk to each rehearsal.
Яyo: With a hangover. (laughs)

What do you cook, Shuu? What is your speciality?

ShuU: Hamburgers, spaghetti, Japanese food.

What kind of Japanese food?

ShuU: Nimono. Did you know it? (Everyone says no) If you go to Japan, I will gladly prepare it for you and show you around the city.

We choose the weirdest question sent to us by your fans: If you were a woman, which member would you like to date?

ShuU: We've been asked about that in all the countries we've visited. (laughs)

Satoshi: It would probably be by elimination. We wouldn't know with whom. (laughs)

Яyo: We’re like family, like brothers, so thinking about that makes us sick. (laughs)

Unfortunately, here in Mexico people resort to piracy to access Asian culture, either by watching anime or illegally downloading music. Do you plan on bringing your official merchandise to Mexico?

Яyo: Not really.

ShuU: There aren’t the same stores here than there are in Japan, so there’s no way to make a commercial relationship. However, we would like to find a company that would like to sell our CDs. If any of you have a suggestion, we are listening.

In Mixup₄, they sold materials by MIYAVI and DIR EN GREY. Maybe you can try with them.

ShuU: If you have any suggestions of how to contact them, please tell the promoter.

_{4 Mexican music store.}

girugamesh: Thank you so much!

This question ended the press conference with girugamesh, whom despite the fatigue, were very excited to finally be in Mexico.


JaME would like to thank to girugamesh, LoveJapan Entertainment and the interpreter for making this press conference possible.