THE ROYAL DEAD in Moscow

On the 17th of August, before the J-rock Convent after-party, we met with THE ROYAL DEAD. After successful shows in The Netherlands, Switzerland and tonight's in Moscow, JaME had the opportunity to ask some questions to the dark, electronic duo.


Hello, could you please introduce yourself to our readers?

Aci: Hello, I'm Aci and I'm from THE ROYAL DEAD.

Let's start our interview with discussion of your works. In May, you released a new album, LOVE EXODUS. How did the recording process go; was everything okay? Could you give us some details?

Aci: LOVE EXODUS might be our best album. The recording went well, without any difficulties.

Who is the main composer?

Aci: I am.

And who writes lyrics?

[HAR. joins us]

HAR.: Hi, my name is HAR., nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you, too!

Aci: HAR. is responsible for the lyrics.

In one of the interviews you mentioned that every album of THE ROYAL DEAD is one story, so what is the story of LOVE EXODUS?

HAR.: It's a story of two girls falling in love with one boy. It tells about betrayal and jealousy (discusses in Japanese). Sorry, it's hard to explain in English. It's a story of a love triangle from one girl's point of view.

Do you have favorite tracks on the album?

Aci: HEARTBREAKER.
HAR.: Slave of love.

And why?

HAR.: Well, because I do like this, when I sing the song on stage (shows something like strikes with a whip). Like S&M, you know? (smiles)

You've survived despite many changes, and in your line up as well. How did your music and how did you change?

Aci: I like changes. I think it's natural... to change. Everything changes constantly. So it's normal. As we've sad, our albums are made of stories. So, something will change in the next album as well.

You organize a festival in Japan, don't you?

Aci: You mean Kobe Underground Festival?

Yes, are you still doing it?

Aci: Yes. We invite a Swiss band, Mimetic, Sins Of The Flesh (from the UK), Rick Walker from the USA. So it's even an international festival.

Have you ever made any covers?

Aci: Yes, only one.

Really? And what song did you cover?

Aci: It's not a well-known song, no one really knows it, but maybe today we'll play it.

Yesterday you had a short visit to J-Rock Convent. Did you like it?

Aci: Only one word: awesome!

Do you often play live at anime conventions?

Aci: Yes. Next month we are doing a show at an anime convention in the States.

And what is your favorite anime?

Aci: I'm pretty old, so I like "Gundam Wing".

Do you like cosplay? Or do you think it's something strange?

Aci: No, I don't think so.

Would you like to do a cosplay, yourself?

HAR.: Yeah, I'd like to do Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion". The battle suit. (laughs)

Is there something special you do before every live?

HAR. No, nothing special. I ate candy, but that's for my voice.

Do you change anything in your shows when playing in different countries?

Aci: We change the language.
HAR.: Say "Hi" in local language.
Aci: And "spasibo". ("Thanks" in Russian)

So you've overcome the language barrier, you can say several phrases in various languages?

Aci: Yeah, that's right.

You've already played a live in Ukraine and gave an interview to some Russian mass media. How did everything go?

Aci: Yeah, we had an interview. People with cameras came to film us for television. We were very surprised.

And how does it feel to know that people come to your concerts outside Japan?

Aci: Few people come to our shows in Japan. There are not so many fans of this kind of music, but in the USA, for example, lots of people visit our shows.

And how do they react?

Aci: The reaction is very good. Much better than in Japan. Louder.

And in what venues do you usually play in Japan?

Aci: The clubs are small in Japan. So at first we were really surprised by the big size of live halls where we played during our international tour, and that many people came to see us.

You travel a lot, where else would you like to go?

Aci: Anywhere, at any place, at any time. What's important is that there are our fans waiting for us.

And how do you spend your free time?

HAR.: At an onsen.
Aci: Do you know what an onsen is?
Yes, hot springs.
Aci: That's right! (both smile happily)

So you like to get presents from your fans? What presents can make you happy?

Aci: Yes, they often give us something.
HAR.: We get sweets, our pictures and photos, lots of other things. For example something like this. (Shows a small key ring with some strange creature on it)

And do you know some other words in Russian?

HAR. Takes out a piece of paper.

I see, you're well prepared!

HAR.: Yeah! (reading slowly in Russian) Ya lyublyu tebya. ("I love you").

Oh, that was sweet.. (Aci laughs)

You must have found yourselves in difficult situations, could you tell us about one of them

Aci: In 2005 we were invited to Switzerland. We arrived, but there was no one to meet us at the airport, and we didn't know where the club was. I asked people around in English how I can get to the live hall, but no one understood English. They spoke only French.

You give many interviews. What was the most stupid question?

Aci: Aahhh, that was in Ukraine, yes, in Ukraine. (Translates the question to HAR.)
(HAR. starts to explain but she lack words, so Aci translates her answer.)

Aci: The question was what HAR.'s parents think of her stage costume and make up. (both laugh)
HAR.: I said, that my father is already dead, and they started to apologize at once. (She cheerfully reenacts the whole situation and laughs)

And how are your concerts outside Japan organized?

Aci: Oh, it's a very important company. We can't do everything ourselves in foreign countries, so we are often invited to give a show by the local organizers.

When you were going to Ukraine for the first time the country was a complete mystery to you, wasn't it?

Aci: Yes, we didn't have any information about Ukraine, and about Moscow as well. But we really wanted to come, and everything turned out well.

If a foreigner would like to go to Japan, what they should visit?

Aci: I think Osaka is the best place!

Are you from Osaka?

HAR.: Yes, we are. The food is tastier there, and people are more friendly.
Aci: Yes, Osaka is the best! (laughs)

And what is your favorite place in Osaka, in Japan or in the whole world?

Aci: In Osaka, it's Amerikamura (note: entertainment center near Shinsaibashi) and Shinsaibashi (city shopping center). And I really like Moscow! (laughs)

You speak English really well, where did you study the language?

HAR.: (laughs) Practice, practice and only practice.
Aci: I think it was in 2004. I went alone to the States. Everyone around spoke English, so I had to learn it, otherwise I would be unable even to get something to eat. (laughs)

Do you know any other languages?

HAR.: (laughs) No no no. Only "thank you" in various languages (starts to say thanks in Chinese, English, French, Russian and Korean)

Could you say something to our readers?

Aci: In Moscow?

Yes!

Aci: I love Moscow! (laughs) I hope you will like our live today. Please, come to see us!

You have plans to visit other cities in Russia, don't you?

Aci: Yes, that's right, next month! Come to see us, we'll be waiting for you!

Thanks a lot for the interview!

[We asked the band to leave an autograph for our readers. HAR. wrote Russian "thanks" in Japanese katakana. ]


JaME would like to thank the band and CMG Project for the interview.