Interview with MASK

After disbanding in 2006, visual kei band MASK reunited for a live last year, then held another reunion live in September this year. Three members of the band answer some questions about their reunion lives, best-of album and more.

Hi MASK, as this is our first interview with you, please introduce the person next to you and tell us what his charm point is.

SANA to Michiru: He’s someone who always tries to entertain in ways others really don’t. His charm point is that he is the sweetest of all the members.
Kazutake to MINAMI: The kindest out of all the members, maybe? Also, the drummer that I’ve known the longest. By the way, he’s so tall that I have to look up at him (laughs).
MINAMI to Jin: It’s the fact that he’s s-m-o-l.

You reunited for a show at ZEPP Tokyo last year, 10 years after you disbanded in 2006. How did the reunion come about? Who initiated the reunion? Why did you decide to reunite?

SANA: Since even before disbanding, we'd been talking about being able to do music together for ten or twenty years. The live at Zepp Tokyo on May 1st, 2016 was the same place and time as our disbandment ten years ago, so we decided to get together once more.
Kazutake: I think it was because the members of MASK are bound by fate.
MINAMI: It felt right!

After being apart for a decade, how did you feel when you reunited to perform last year? Were there any difficulties getting back into the groove with your fellow band members?

SANA: Each member had grown, so combining our sounds for the first time in a while was exciting. Since everyone had grown, nothing was especially difficult and we were able to go through songs with much more power than before.
Kazutake: Once again, I felt how cool and awesome the members are. It was just like going into the studio together for the first time.
MINAMI: No problems.

During the 10 years you were apart, some of you played in other bands and some of you pursued solo careers. How have your experiences outside of MASK helped you grow as a musician and person?

SANA: I felt once again that music has no relation to borders or race. I learned that sound becomes a voice, rhythm becomes words, and they become something that connects people.
Kazutake: I don’t really know, myself. But I was living as someone trying to increase my skill with instruments and performing, my “human resources”.
MINAMI: I’ve learned more about the bonds between people.

You held a live titled Masquerade Ball -2017- at Shibuya's TSUTAYA O-EAST on September 9th. Why did you choose a masquerade ball as its concept?

SANA: A long time ago we held an event with the same title, so we were able to revive it for this one.

You performed with your pre-2004 lineup and post-2004 lineup for the live. For the members who have been with the band since the beginning, what were the differences when you played with the pre-2004 line-up and post-2004 line-up?

SANA: In our later period, the distortion wasn't as heavy? Basically It's the melodies that are different (laughs).
Kazutake: For the bass sound, the distortion is a little different. During a live, it’s important to have fun making the audience happy with all you’ve got. That’s one thing that didn’t change either before or after 2004.

Which song were you most excited to play at the live?

SANA: Boys be ambitious.
Kazutake: All!
MINAMI: Aitakute.

Do you intend to start performing regularly again?

SANA: If there's an event that seems interesting.
Kazutake: I want to be part of an overseas event!
MINAMI: That seems fun.

We heard that you're interested in performing overseas. Is there any particular country you wish to perform in?

SANA: I think it'd be nice If MASK could go to America, which is filled with more music than anywhere on Earth.
Kazutake: I’ve never done a live overseas, so I feel strongly that I want to go and do it.
MINAMI: America.

You re-released your 2006 best-of album titled MASKING Super Best last year. The title of the 13th track (Jibun no Nozomu Mono ga Ai to Kizukiai ni Uragirare Ai ni Naki Soredemo AI wo Nozomitsuzuketa Kekka Hontou no Ai no Imi wo Miushinatta Baka na Onna) on disc two caught our attention as it's really long. Can you tell us more about this song? How did the title end up being so lengthy?

SANA: Jin was young and wanted to do something no one had done before, I guess (laughs).
Kazutake: At the time, we wanted to do something other musicians hadn’t really done! I’m happy you’ve taken an interest in our long title! As for the melody, we were careful to make it unlike anything we’d made before at the time.

Which song from MASKING Super Best would you recommend to people who are new to MASK?

SANA: Boys be ambitious.
Kazutake: I can't rank them. I'll be happy if you listen to it from beginning to end.
MINAMI: I can't recommend any. I want listeners to go in unbiased and decide on their own.

To conclude our interview, please leave a message for our readers.

SANA: I never thought we'd be able to do an interview with MASK, so I'm very happy. I'm looking forward to the day when you can meet us as MASK.
Kazutake: I said this before, but I want to perform overseas. And I want to make great memories with a lot of people. Thank you very much!
MINAMI: To all of you we've never met, we'll be waiting!

JaME would like to thank MASK and Chaotic Harmony for this interview opportunity.