the Underneath's Year-End Live 2008

The live hall was packed all the way to the back with mostly women in their 20s, many of them wearing T-shirts that were sold before the performance.

The live started off with CHAIN and MARIE from their album that came out last summer, MOON FLOWER. Stirring up the fans who were already pumping their fists in the air, vocalist TAKA called out, "TOKYO! Rock out to the end! Come with us!" And so the tension began to rise even from the opening beat.

They then performed two new songs consecutively, the energy of the fans growing hotter and hotter. During the romantic and powerfully melodious FALL, guitarists TAL and MASATO took center stage and played in dialog with each other. There was another back and forth with TAKA during the chorus of the next song, which was another new one. Following was the familiar GEKKOH, and the fans stretched out their hands to TAL during his solo. TAKA then addressed the crowd: "Thank you! TOKYO! Welcome to our live! Please let us hear your voices! We'll be doing some new songs today so come along with us!"

Following was a new song, and the fans pumped their fists in the air in response to TAKA's shouts. For ALONE TOGETHER, TAKA sang strongly but sweetly, his voice reverberating in the hearts of the fans. The next song was a new number, a ballad that opened with a guitar part played by TAL. For the succeeding DEEP, a spotlight lit TAKA as he sang. He then spoke to the crowd: "Shinjuku! Are you having a good time? I'm the one having the most fun. We're in the middle of recording now but I've been really looking forward to today. Please muster up everything, feel it in your bodies, and come back again!"

Next came a new song followed by the aggressive numbers GETTING CLOSER and FAT FATTY FUCKN' PIGS. As soon as GETTING CLOSER began the fans reached out toward the members, who moved right to the edge of the stage so they were near the crowd. During FAT FATTY FUCKN' PIGS the hall became one as TAKA did a call and response with the fans. After another new song, WOMB IS PLANET began and the fans listened closely, lost in the world of the Underneath, and with that the live had ended.

Calls for an encore followed, and in accordance the members took the stage again, singing Happy Birthday for MASATO whose birthday had been the day before. The camaraderie among the members was apparent during the surprise song. TAKA then spoke to the audience, saying, "Today is our second oneman live. Everyone has really shown us their warmth. Thank you all for today. Let's go, Tokyo! Dance!" The fans reached out toward him as a new song with a pop sound began and the stage was brightly lit all the way to the audience.

TAKA gave another MC afterwards: "We'll be having another one-man live at SHIBUYA O-WEST on March 14. Please come and hang out with us! We'll have a new song going on sale soon so stay tuned next year. Come with us! Let's go, last one!" For BITE IS BULLET each of the members came to the edge of the stage to stir up the audience. The fans were more riled up than at any time before, punching the air and head banging. As he left TAKA called out, "Thank you! Tokyo! Come hang out with us again!" MASAKI threw his drum sticks into the audience before he too left the stage.

the underneath's live was strong during each song and the band seemed very confident and secure. Because of that, even though half of the songs were new, the fans were able to have fun without feeling lost.


Set list:

1. CHAIN
2. MARIE
3. New song 1
4. New song 2
5. FALL
6. New song 3
7. GEKKOH
8. New song 4
9. ALONE TOGETHER
10. New song 5
11. DEEP
12. New song 6
13. GETTING CLOSER
14. FAT FATTY FUCKIN' PIGS
15. New song 7
16. WOMB IS PLANET

ENCORE

1. New song 8
2. BITE THE BULLET