The Royal Dead in Poland

On July 20th The Royal Dead (formerly known as PhantasMagoria) held a one man show in Warsaw's No Mercy club. Despite the small amount of spectators, the show was very succesful, the band was literally forced back on stage to play two encores. After the live, we talked to Aci and HAR, the two members of The Royal Dead.


Could you please introduce yourselves?

Aci: My name is Aci and I'm a violinist
HAR: I'm HAR, vocalist.

How and when did this band begin?

Aci: We began five years ago. But last year, we changed the name...

You used to be known as PhantasMagoria, why did you change your name?

Aci: Japan has another band called Phantasmagoria. It was hard, we had a big problem because of this name and after we changed it several of the members left the band. Because we changed it.

Why did you chose the name The Royal Dead?

Aci: (looks at Har) Why did we?
HAR: Well... uhm... uh...
Aci: We had an inspiration! (everyone laughs)

How would you describe your own sound?

Aci: Ah, our music style... I like future pop, like VNV Nation, And One... So I think it's future pop.

What are your inspirations? What are other bands you listen to?

Aci: When I write songs, when I compose, I use my imagination. It's all images in my head (Aci points to his head to make his point clear which prompts HAR to start stroking his hair) I compose very slowly, very very slowly, every year it's like one or two songs.

So your inspiration doesn't come from other bands or books or anything like that?

Aci: No, it's my world. And HAR writes the lyrics.

How do you write your lyrics, HAR?

HAR: I create them as stories...

Is each song a separate story?

HAR: No, they're not separate.
Aci: For example, this CD we sold today, Lycanthrope... each album is a whole story, one theme.

Aci, your website says you organized your own festival...

Aci: Yea, Kobe Underground Festival.

What was the idea behind it, why did you organize it?

Aci: (laughs) It's a very difficult question. Actually, it's not MY event. This is Genet from AUTO-MOD's event... do you know AUTO-MOD?

Yes.

Aci: So that's our boss, he's our boss (laughs).

You played in Ukraine last year, how was it?

Aci: Oh, we enjoyed it! (HAR nods enthusiastically in agreement). It was our first time playing such a big event, it was great.

Next week you're perfoming at Castle Party, how did this opportunity occur?

Aci: When I was in Kiev, I met Leszek Rakowski, Kris' brother (Kris is the organiser of CP). After Chorna Rada (the event in Ukraine) I talked to Leszek and we became friends. When I came back to Japan I called Kris, we became friends as well and he invited us.

Do you like any other bands who will perform there with you?

Aci: Of course, Front Line Assembly...
HAR: Angelspit.
Aci: Yeah, and... ahh, I forgot the name, it's a very famous band...

Suicide Commando?

Aci: Suicide Commando! Yes!

So you're happy to perform with them...

Aci: (very enthusiatically) Yes yes yes! Of course.

What about the gothic scene in Japan, is it big or small?

Aci: Oh, it's veeery small.

Do you like it the way it is or would you like to be bigger?

Aci: No, I think the Japanese gothic scene must get bigger. It should expand.

Do you have any new releases planned?

Aci: We just released a new album on Twilight Records in Argentina in May.
(Aci and HAR discuss something)
Aci: Of course, if the label has interest in us, we will make a new album.

Aci, you play the violin. How long have you been playing it?

Aci: 25... wait... yes, 25 years.

Oh, so you obviously begun playing it as a child. Was it your idea or your parents'?

Aci: Oh, it was MY idea.

It's unusual to have a violin in this type of band, why did you decide to include it?

Aci: Oh (laughs) It's difficult to explain in English. (thinks for a while) When we became a band, we wanted to create something like a... like a musical. And five years ago, when the band started, the songs were composed by someone else, I only played the violin.
HAR: At first it was just me and another person, and the idea was to be like a musical. After Aci joined on violin we became... I guess then we became a "band". (they both laugh) I don't know why it happened.

Since you play the violin, do you like classical music?

Aci: No. I played classical music for 12 years. I don't listen to it at home, I've had enough! (laughs)

Last question: how did you like the live today?

Aci: Oh, it was great,
HAR: Yes, great!
Aci: GREAT, I love Poland.

Thank you very much!





JaME would like to thank The Royal Dead and Ukiyo-e for this opportunity, and Lee for the pictures.