Interview with the GazettE

Your previous tour was incredible. The popularity of Japanese music has somewhat waned in the West but it's ground-breaking how many people came to your concerts just for the reason that your music is so important to them. How does it make you feel to inspire Western people to get back to the world of Japanese music?

RUKI: I'm just really happy. I would like Japanese music to make a comeback to Western countries.
Uruha: I would like people to love the GazettE's music regardless of whether it's Japanese or not.
Aoi: I don't think we are some kind of ambassadors for Japaneseness. I just want all kinds of people to enjoy our music.
REITA: We are very grateful that we got this chance to hold a world tour again.
Kai: It makes me happy.

Your latest releases DOGMA and UGLY were significantly heavier than usual, even though many of your previous albums were much more diverse in this respect. How did you end up with such an aggressive sound?

RUKI: Our initial intention wasn't to sound aggressive – we just expressed our feelings.
Uruha: During the Standing Live Tour in 2014, we observed our fans and ourselves and asked, what would be important to do now? This piece of work is the result of those findings.
Aoi: These singles are undoubtly distorted. The final result has been achieved in the way: we tried to figure out what kind of music can best express the kind of band we are at the moment.
REITA: We didn't really search for an aggressive atmosphere.
Kai: We wanted to show what the GazettE really is.

Your UNDYING single will be released the same day you perform in Canada. What kind of feelings do you have?

RUKI: I would like to give a toast.
Uruha: We are performing as best as we can until the single will be published, and I'm happy if with it we can make people excited about the new release.
Aoi: Since there are as many as five of us, it is certainly natural that there will come up a variety of topics in our music.
REITA: I will take in the tour with a peaceful mind.
Kai: We have the same feelings as our fans have.

Which of your songs do you enjoy performing the most? How about the songs you don't enjoy playing?

Uruha: The most fun I have when playing UGLY and DERANGEMENT.
Aoi: All of them are our songs so I don't really think about whether I like them or not...
REITA: Filth in the beauty.
Kai: When all five of us play together, it does not matter! We don't have any bad songs.

Some say that your music makes them feel alive. Before you became as famous as you are now, did you ever think you would touch so many people's hearts?

Uruha: Before we became this famous, we never really thought we would want to move people. We just wanted to create a band whose music we would enjoy ourselves.
Aoi: I never expected that we would one day be at this point but I'm happy that our ideas and expressions have so much support.
REITA: I would have never guessed. It makes me happy.
Kai: We had nothing but our self-confidence.

You visited Finland in 2007 and 2013. Do you have any special memories or stories from those stays?

Uruha: I got the impression that Finns are friendly people. Fans seemed to behave in the same way the Japanese fans do and the whole country was very cozy. I would like to visit Finland in my own free time.
Aoi: I remember the night was very short. I went jogging and it was nice.
REITA : We ate good food there.
Kai: Strong liquor warmed us.

Your previous gigs in Finland were held in autumn, so unfortunately you didn't get to experience Finland's famous snow. Are there any winter sports you like, such as downhill skiing or ice skating?

RUKI: Sometimes in the past I really enjoyed ice skating! I would like to visit Finland in winter.
Uruha: I used to be crazy about snowboarding.
Aoi: I would only hurt myself and alarm other people among winter sports so I have specialized mainly in watching it. In Japan, ice skating is very popular.
REITA: I have never tried.
Kai: I don't really like winter sports.

Finally, what would you like to say to your Finnish fans?

RUKI: Let's have fun together in the concerts!
Uruha: It would be amazing to get back to Finland again. Our concerts there are so rare but let's eagerly await those precious moments together!
Aoi: We all are looking forward to meeting you again! Let's make the next concert a happy event from the beginning till the very end!
REITA: I love Finland. I'm really looking forward to meeting you again!
Kai: I hope you're looking forward to our third visit to Finland.

JaME would like to thank the GazettE and JrockSuomi from this interview opportunity.