Interview and Q&A Session with Yoshiki

On Sunday, July 8th, YOSHIKI, legend of Japanese rock music, received JaME before his press conference at the Japan Expo. We were welcomed in a white room with white sofas and chairs. Some minutes after our arrival YOSHIKI entered the room smiling, shook hands with us and settled down on the sofa before us and thus the interview began.

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Let us get to the heart of the matter with your new project, S.K.I.N., whose musicians are from various generations. On what criteria did you choose them?
YOSHIKI: There was no choice with regard to the generation; it is not something that I took into account. I chose musicians who had a strong personality and true originality.

Considering the diversity of each band member, was it was easy to combine each individual's vision of music?
YOSHIKI: In reality, they are not really combined (laughs).

Is it difficult for the four of you to work together?
YOSHIKI: We all have very strong personalities, but strong in a good way; there isn’t any clashing while we work together. There have been times when we had different opinions, but it was constructive.

So the atmosphere was good in the studio and during your rehearsals?
YOSHIKI: Yes, definitely.

What was your first impression after your first concert in the United States?
YOSHIKI: Ah! Speaking for the group, the welcome we received was really warm and I was very satisfied with the outcome. I felt that the public truly supported us.

Do you intend to have other concerts?
YOSHIKI: We’re thinking about it, but nothing is concrete at the moment.

Do you intend to release a single soon?
YOSHIKI: It will be more than a single, we’ll release an album.

A DVD perhaps?
YOSHIKI: Certainly.

Some years ago, you shot the PV for Rose of Pain in Paris; what memories do you keep of that shooting?
YOSHIKI: I’m impressed with your knowledge (laughs). At the time of X, before X-Japan, all the members wanted to go to the United States except me who wanted to come to Paris, so then I came here. I like anything that has a link with old castles.

What Parisian monuments did you visit?
YOSHIKI: I stayed in Paris for almost a month and so I had the time to sight-see. I often took the subway by myself, and visited places such as the Louvre. Sometimes during my stay, I went to visit places by myself.

And how about your visit this time around?
YOSHIKI: I arrived yesterday and I leave the day after tomorrow, if I have time I will try to do some sight-seeing tomorrow.

Will you try to visit the Eiffel Tower?
YOSHIKI: I’ve already seen it.

The castle of Versailles?
YOSHIKI: Already been there too! (everyone laughs)

Vaux le Vicomte (a French Baroque château)?
YOSHIKI: If I have time for it, then yes.

You are a perfectionist, if you had the chance to re-record songs by X-Japan, which would they be?
YOSHIKI: All of our work together was done thanks to each member of the group, notably hide, and since he is no longer with us, it is less likely that I'll change any of our previous works without the other members of the band there.

To finish, do you have a message for all the French fans who came to see you today?
YOSHIKI: For a while now, I’ve liked France and Europe in general very much, so I would like to come more often. I thank you for your support.

Thank you very much.
YOSHIKI: Thank you.

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The Q&A session started with the broadcast of a video reminding the audience of YOSHIKI's exceptional career. Most notably featured in the video was George Martin, the legendary Beatles producer, working with the leader of X JAPAN. This became a sentimental moment for various fans in the audience, seeing how much progress has been made for Visual Kei throughout Europe.

YOSHIKI arrived on stage, wearing jeans and a black jacket, smiling as usual and sat down in the middle seat, where he began the session by addressing the audience in French.

YOSHIKI: Hello, nice to meet you. I am YOSHIKI.

The audience was already on cloud nine hearing YOSHIKI make an effort to address them in their own language. The questions were pre-selected among those sent to JaME.

What are some of your impressions looking back at your career?
YOSHIKI: I don’t feel as though I have finished anything, it’s not something that can be completed, but I have plans for many things I want to do, and I count on your support.

Do you become worn down by all the projects you have going simultaneously?
YOSHIKI: I am not tired to have all these projects going at the same time, on the contrary I am very satisfied to be able to work on all these things and possibly more. Please continue to support me.

Do you still practice karate?
YOSHIKI: How do you know I practice karate? [Someone shouts "We spy on you", which makes YOSHIKI laugh] I think that it is rare that a pianist would practice karate at the same time, and yes I still do it.

Do you read and answer the letters from your fans?
YOSHIKI: I definitely read them, especially on myspace since it is easier, but I lack the time to be able to answer them all. I’ll answer maybe one out of every thousand emails.

In your long career, you have played various types of music, what is your favorite style?
YOSHIKI: Rock!

What is the thing you want most?
YOSHIKI: Well! I just want to rock!

What does music mean to you?
YOSHIKI: Music is simply my life. It always has been and always will be.

How do you stay so young; what’s your secret?
YOSHIKI: First, I like chocolate a lot and one of my methods is to avoid eating it. I also do a lot of sports.

Do you plan to write a biography?
YOSHIKI: It is planned to be done relatively soon.

What do you think when you realize that just by being here you make many people happy?
YOSHIKI: Without you I would not be here, I would not exist. I should thank you for all the strength you have given me and it is even better if I can make you happy.

do you have any future plans to open a fan club for S.K.I.N. and X JAPAN to your foreign fans?
YOSHIKI: If you wish for it, why not?

Some questions about X JAPAN; how did you feel when you met Toshi again after all these years?
YOSHIKI: It was very strange. Toshi is someone with whom I grew up, and after I saw him again after all these years... I didn’t know what to think about it. It was strange.

There is a rumor of X JAPAN reuniting; is it a true come back with a tour or only for recording?
YOSHIKI: Indeed, we have talked about the reformation of X JAPAN for a while now, especially this last year. If we do make it, there is one thing you have to understand, this is just to make an end to X JAPAN. After Toshi left the band, hide and I thought about reforming in 2000, but unfortunately he left us before then. Since that time, I have wandered in the pain of not knowing what I would do. I have the feeling that X JAPAN is not finished and if we could reform it, then it will be to put a real end to the X JAPAN era.

If such project eventually happens, will you come to Europe, for example?
YOSHIKI: Why not?

About Violet UK, are there any plans to come to Europe?
YOSHIKI: As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t know which project will be the first to come to Europe, but naturally, the tours will eventually come to Europe.

Now a few questions about S.K.I.N., how did you choose this band name and what is it’s meaning?
YOSHIKI: It’s a secret! I have to check with the other band members if I can reveal it to you, so unfortunately, it is not possible today.

Going back to tours, do you think S.K.I.N. will tour Europe?
YOSHIKI: Why Not? I like Europe.

How did you like your first concert with Gackt, SUGIZO and miyavi?
YOSHIKI: The members of the band are artists with strong personalities, it is a true pleasure to work with them and we are going to continue to play together.

Will there be a bass player for S.K.I.N.?
YOSHIKI: I am going to answer you very honestly; I have not chosen one yet. For the concert of June 29th we were supported by Ju-ken, but we still do not know who is going to take that position.

Will there be JRock Revolution concerts in New York and in Europe?
YOSHIKI: Europe! I received many messages regarding JRock Revolution, especially on myspace, concerning the Japanese artists. I realized that there were many requests for Japanese bands outside of Japan. The young bands [at JRock Revolution in the USA] are great bands, they make good music, and if I can help them leak out of Japan, then it is my pleasure. That's why I am going to try to bring JRock Revolution to Europe.

Here is the last question. Next year will be the 10th anniversary of hide’s death; is a tribute festival going to be planned?
YOSHIKI: Just after hide passed away, I had planned to make something like that, but regrettably, I was not emotionally fit to make it happen. For next year, I am supported by many artists and I shall make something in his memory. I did not believe I could meet so many fans in France and I am really, really touched, very, very satisfied and I count on your continuous support because I will not stop here and will continue many projects.

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JaME thanks YOSHIKI's management, Yuta for the translation, Akira for the presentation, Japan Expo, and naturally YOSHIKI.

We want to reiterate that YOSHIKI’s management selected the questions answered during the Q&A session. Thank you for your understanding.