Interview with girugamesh

Following the announcement that they will end their career of 12 years and disband after their final show at Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo on July 10th, rock band girugamesh answer JaME's questions for the last time.

How come you decided to disband so spontaneously?

Яyo: Of course there is one more or less an official reason, and we have revealed it to the public. But still, all of us have some personal reasons that we wouldn't like to reveal. As a band, we dared to ponder about our future. Everyone asked himself what he wanted to do in the future and, unfortunately, there was no place for girugamesh anymore.

Your last tour takes place in Europe. Is Europe that important for you?

Яyo: We knew early on that there were very many fans in Europe. Our first concerts abroad took place in Europe and it would have been a bit weird if we had just disappeared from their local scene. We wanted to hold the last tour there in order to say goodbye to our fans. We picked Europe because of the vast fanbase we have here.

Can you still remember your first concert? How have your feelings changed since then?

(Everyone laughs loudly)

Яyo: Sure, we remember our first show! God, we were so scared that day. We were not older than 17 back then, and still went to school. You can say the band was a part of our getting older. Together we made a lot of experiences and learnt new things. We grew up together with the band.

Are you looking forward to playing in Europe for the last time?

Яyo: We are extremely looking forward to playing for you. We highly anticipate meeting our fans again.

What can we expect from your last European tour?

Яyo: First of all, you can count on hearing the songs from our new EP chimera. We tried to make the set list as varied as possible and included both old and new songs. We hope that the mixed set list will attract both old and new fans and that they will enjoy the show.

As for your very last show in July, what can fans expect?

Яyo: We don´t know exactly, but we want to release some new material. We don´t know if it is going to be a DVD or a CD, but some surprise is awaiting you anyway.

What are the most cherished moments of your long career?

Satoshi: It is certainly 2007, the first time we played at Nippon Budokan.

ShuU: Our first US and European tours. By a coincidence, our first European show was here, in Germany. I can still remember it well.

Nii: I share ShuU´s feelings. My big dream came true then.

Яyo: All the same, Europe and the USA.

Where do you like to play?

Satoshi: I like Berlin very much. I remember the photoshoot for our second album. It took place in front of the Berlin Wall. We had so much fun.

ShuU: Germany is the second place after Japan in my personal rating. I can´t pick a city, but simply the feeling of being in Germany is quite exciting.

Nii: Paris! I remember how during one of the concerts there a fan crowdsurfed to the stage and pressed a CD of his own band into Satoshi´s hand, wanting us to check out his band. Then he just jumped back into the crowd.

Яyo: I like it everywhere in Germany!

What do you especially like about touring?

Яyo: We like getting in touch with other cultures. Everything is just so... you know, different when you are abroad. I remember how we slurped our ramen in a restaurant in Germany and other guests were staring at us, disgusted. In Japan is it absolutely okay to eat a bit louder. You can experience this kind of difference only abroad. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

What are your favourite girugamesh songs?

Яyo: Every song is my favorite one. I worked hard at every single song and they all really mean a lot to me. But if I am forced to pick a single one, then Break Down.

Nii: evolution.

ShuU: My favorite one is evolution.

Satoshi: Kowareteiku sekai.

What are your plans for the future?

Яyo: I have a YouTube channel where I regularly upload covers of other songs. It´s called Ryo TrackMaker. I´d like to create and upload stuff there to entertain viewers.

ShuU: All the same with me. I want to continue making music.

Satoshi: I don´t have any definite plans, but when I start something new I´ll certainly let you know!

Please say a few final words for your fans.

Яyo: Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart thank you for all the great years we could spend with you!

ShuU: (in German) Super dankeschön!

All: Thank you!

JaME would like to thank girugamesh and Gan-Shin for this interview.