The Freedom of Expression Vol:12 - Again, looking back on 25 years with Gara.
K: Hi, here we are with The Freedom of Expression on our Nico Nico channel. Im Kaoru from Dir en grey.
J: And Im Joe Yokomizo, who has just been for a beer in the Chinese restaurant near the studio.
T: And Im Tasai from Tokyo Sports.
K: And we also have someone who was with us last time, and he just didn't talk enough, so he's here again this time. Its Gara from Merry.
G: Good evening, Im Gara from Merry.
J: The staff have told me you're pretty annoying.
J: Kaoru, what would you say? In your view, is he annoying?
J: Gara, I wanted to ask you, were you Dir's first roadie?
G: For the past 20 years, I always thought that I was, but after the show last time, I was in the dressing room, and I got a message from Shinya. He told me the name of the guy who was there before me. So I thought, 'Aghh, there really was someone before me!'. I wonder if that guy actually counts though?
J: Haha, Leader, what do you think? This is quite important.
G: It was only for a short time.
K: Yeah, but it still counts. As soon as I heard it, I thought, 'Oh yeh, of course!!'
G: Kaoru, that means Im the second roadie?
K: Yep, you are the second. I was right after all.
G: I must have forgotten, because I never thought there was someone like that before me.
J: Do you kinda feel like he's stealing your glory a bit now?
G: Yeah, I always thought I was the first.
J: I see, haha. So, from now, your are Dir's second roadie?
G: Yeah, Ive been exposed by Shinya. Im the second roadie.
J: Do you feel a bit like Shinya should have kept quiet about this? haha
J: Haha. Yes, well today we are joined by Dir en grey's second roadie, Gara. So, last time you were looking back at Dir en grey's history, from the Indies days, to now, right?
J: I was unable to join last time due to my work schedule.
K: This is the first time for you to be here when we have a guest, right?
K: He always disappears somewhere whenever we've had a guest before.
J: Oh no, not intentionally though. Its purely by chance!
K: It was as if guests would come because you weren't here.
J: Yeh, I've heard that. I don't know about that though. Anyway, today we are gonna be looking back at the indies era in detail. There'll be loads of great stuff to hear, so stay tuned. Please send in your comments too, questions, thoughts, messages of support, anythIng is ok. People using twitter can use the tag TFOE. The first part of this show is free for anyone to watch, but the second part is for channel members only. If you become a member, you can watch this live broadcast in the archives for a year, and you will also be able to access members only videos. Please click the blue link at the top of your screen to joIn, and enjoy this broadcast to the end. Leader was just pointing to it. Dir's second roadie was pointing too, weren't you?
G: Haha, yes...second...I'm quite sad, I tried so hard back then too.
K: Surely, trying hard has nothing to do with whether or not you were first?
J: Maybe you are just slightly envious. Ok, well, as for today, we will have another look at photos from back in the day. (*Indies photo of Kaoru appears on screen*) Here we go, since we are looking closely at the indies era today. How do you feel about this, Leader? Do you recognize this photo?
K: Well, we used this photo last time. Only you wouldn't know that.
J: Oh, I see. I do apologize. Maybe I should stick to the script more.
J: But anyway, we'll be digging deeper into the Indies era today, but first we have a quiz. Its time for the "Does Kaoru remember?" quiz!!
J: Ok, so Dir's second roadie, Gara...
K: Haha, you just want to keep saying that, don't you?
T: He is the first one in my mind!
J: You are first in your heart, but second in reality. Anyway, Gara has created a quiz for Kaoru about the indies era. So Kaoru, try your best to remember. There are quite a few questions, but we will try to do at least 5. Try to get them all right, Leader.
G: You'll be able to to tell if i really was first, and whether there really is a bond between us from this.
J: Right? We need to look out for that. Ok, Gara, I'll hand over to you.
G: I start from Question 1, right? Ok, Where was the place where I first met the members of Dir en grey? I said last time that the first live show I saw them was at Shinjuku Rock, but this time I'm asking about our first meeting, so its not a live venue.
J: Ok, so Q1 is asking for the place you first met. Leader, you have a sketchbook in front of you to write your answers. For some reason, myself and Tasai also have sketchbooks, although its not likely that we will know the answers...
T: Yeah, we will just try our best.
J: Yes we will. So, Gara, is this with no hints, right?
G: Yeah, the meeting place, this was an important moment.
J: If he doesn't remember this, it could seriously damage your trust in him.
J: Haha, but look at Leader's face! He totally looks like he can't remember. Can we get a camera close up on him? This is important! If you'd never met, we wouldn't be here now.
G: This was earlier than the live.
J: Ah, they want you to get this right in the comments. Gara, you probably spoke about your love towards Dir en grey last time, but this time its all about how far Kaoru's love extends to you. Ok, Tasai, you write something too, make it Tokyo Sportsy if you want.
G: Kaoru is writing something now.
J: Ah, a comment saying 'Kaoru looks cute when he's thinking'. And 'A forfeit if he gets it wrong!'...'Leader's love is deep!'
G: Its the first meeting, remember.
T: By the way, how did you feel when your first met?
G: Well, I'd only ever seen them in magazines before then, so I was nervous, but I still remember introducing myself.
T: Ahh, I wonder where it was...
J: Hmm, ok, Tasai, you show us your answer first.
T: So this was when you were new in Tokyo, right? Ok, here's my answer. 'A bus stop at Tokyo Tower'. Like maybe they decided to meet up here for some reason. Maybe there were just there for some reason.
J: Ahh...Ok, I don't quite understand this, so moving on...haha.
J: No no, you mean, maybe they had planned to go somewhere, so they met up there first?
J: Well, the real question is whether Leader remembers. The place he first met Gara. Leader, lets have your answer.
T: That sounds more like it.
J: Ok, Gara, tell us the answer.
G: The correct answer is, an in-store event at Like An Edison.
K: Don't remember that! Hahaha
G: It was an in-store event to coincide with the CD release, so I went and met the members for the first time. Meeting in the studio was after that.
J: Well, he must have been close with this answer, right? If you met for the second time in the studio?
G: Yeah. I have a tonne of memories from that studio too. I saw them making new songs and and stuff there. I used to always drive the equipment truck too back then, but at the time I didn't have my own parking space. They told me to be responsible for truck, even though I didn't have a parking space, so I had to park it on the street in front of my place for about a month.
J: Ahh, I bet you got a tonne of parking tickets.
J: Ahh, that sounds painful. And despite this you still might be the second roadie! Leader, why did you think the answer was Kōenji?
K: Well, he was just there a lot.
J: It seemed likely to be the place?
T: Kaoru, do you remember this in-store event?
K: No, we did a tonne of events like that back then.
J: If any of the viewers were at that event in Like An Edison, please tell us in the comments. I wonder if anyone was? Not that we can give them anything if they were, except say, 'Oh wow!'. Haha. Well, that was question 1. A comment there says, 'A shock for Gara!'
G: He was close though, because I was often in the studio at Kōenji.
K: You were following us, haha.
J: Its like, he was only a little bit wrong.
G: Ok, shall we move on? The next question is this. 'Where was the first region (outside Tokyo) that Gara travelled to as a roadie? And what was the amazingly delicious restaurant where Kaoru took Gara out to eat for the first time?'
T: Is this maybe a hint? You told us the region you are from last time, right, Gara?
J: Eh? Where are you from??
T: No no no, don't tell him! haha.
J: Eh, whhhy? Ok, whatever. But we need the region Gara first travelled to as a roadie, and the name of the delicious restaurant where Kaoru first took him out to eat.
T: Joe, you write something first.
J: Its not WHAT you ate, right? Its the name.
G: Yes. If I say what I ate, I think Kaoru will know where it was.
K: Well, I'm just not sure about the timing as for the region.
J: The restaurant name is tricky too.
G: But its something that everyone has heard of.
J: Oh, so its not lIke an independent, local place, right?
G: Yeah. But back then, it was only...oh, I'll give it away if I say that.
K: Back then it was only..?
T: Ok, lets write our answers. Some comments saying, 'Gara is causing trouble for Kaoru', 'Leader, think!', 'I think I know it'. If you know it, don't tell us!
J: Well, I really have no idea, but this is my answer. For the region, Hokkaido. And the restaurant, Dosanko Ramen. This is what I would eat after a concert, so I thought it could be this.
J: Thank you. Ok, Leader, your turn.
K: Osaka, and Kamakura (ramen).
G: Oh, that's correct!! That makes me so happy!
G: He told me about this incredible ramen, and took me to try it. So my first time trying Kamakura was with Kaoru.
J: Ah, great! You got it right.
K: No no, I just used to go there all the time back then!
T: You don't actually remember going with Gara?
K: Well, he said the words, 'Back then it was only...', which reminded me that this place became a national chain a little while later. Haha
G: Ahh, I gave it away with the hint.
J: So it wasn't your memory, it was the hint that got you there.
G: Kamakura ramen was totally different from any of the ramen I'd had before then. I didn't realise ramen could be like that.
T: Ahh, yeh, its good, isn't it?
J: Did you go there to finish a night of drinking or something?
G: No, I think Kaoru just took me there.
K: We still couldn't really afford to go out drinking much back then.
J: Ah, financially, right? Eat loads of ramen instead, right?
J: Ah, well, we got a correct answer! Shall we move on?
G: Ok, the next question is this. 'What was the first song on which Gara helped during the recording?'
J: This is quite important, right?
J: This is the first question related to the actual job. Hmm, a song from the indies era?
G: Yes. I was able to see how the recording process worked.
K: I'm trying to think what the timing would be...haha.
J: Hmm, when would it be?
K: Yeah, I mean, within our timeline.
J: Tasai, do you have any idea?
T: Well, hmm, I don't think we talked about this kind of thing last time...I might be wrong.
J: Hold on a sec..Gara, you want him to get this right, yeh?
J: You just wrote something though!
G: I saw the while process of recording the song with this one.
J: So, you were there watching the whole time?
G: Yeh, from when they started making the song in the Kōenji studio.
K: Well, in that case I think I've got it right.
T: Well, this is kinda vague, but my answer is, 'That song you recorded in an old house somewhere'.
K: Haven't you written anything?
K: Well, I thought it was likely to be this.
G: Yep, I was there during the recording.
K: For that omnibus album?
K: Yeah, he said 'which song', so that means it wasn't part of a collection of songs. And if it wasn't a single, then it would have to be this.
G: I remember I went for Tendon with Die.
J: Is food all you remember?! Haha. So you saw the whole recording process. Do remember making any new discoveries about the secret to Dir en grey's sound?
G: I didn't understand the secret to it at all!
J: But you remember the Tendon.
G: Yeah. Well, it was only one day. From the drums, bass, guitars, and even to the vocals, it was all done in one day.
J: Yeah, but with a few hints, Leader got it right.
J: Yes, two out of three correct so far. Ok, do we have time for another one?
G: Ok, next question please. 'There was once a mid-summer outdoor event back then, (which I attended as a roadie), but what did Kaoru say to me in the car on the way home, which to this day, I can never forget?' I can give you a small hint, it was a bit of a shock.
J: So it wasn't something moving, or meaningful?
J: He wasn't commending your abilities or anything?
G: Not at all. My response was more like, 'Ehh? Kaoru, did you really say that??!'
J: It was something a bit shocking?
K: Did it have some connection with the event?
G: Yeah...this mid-summer outdoor event
J: That's a hint! Mid-summer, outdoor event. Ahh, there is some interest in the comments too. 'Gara, this quiz is fun' etc.
G: Thank you. Its been 20 years, but these words of Kaoru's have stayed with me. The main hint is probably that it was shocking.
T: Well, since you've been talking about food, Gara, I think its about food, so my answer is, 'I just ate shaved ice, but I hid it from you'.
T: Like in the heat, he ate it all.
J: Ah, like Gara would resent Kaoru for it?
T: Yeah, he'd be shocked.
J: Well, since it was summer, my answer is this. 'Your sweat stinks!' It'd be shocking to be told this, right? Ok, Leader? I wonder if you remember.
K: My answer is this 'What are you doing with us??'
T: Ahh, that would be bad.
K: Well, it was an event, so there might have been some other bands playing that he liked, you know?
J: Ahh, so it wasn't like a solo event.
G: Well, one time Kaoru came over to my place, and I had posters of all sorts of other bands up everywhere, so maybe he wondered what I was doing with Dir?
T: Did any of us get it right?
G: Actually, one of you did! Shall I tell you what he said to me? He said, 'You stink of sweat!'
T: How did you get that??
J: He really said that to you?
G: Yeah, it was the middle of Summer, and I was moving all the equipment around by myself, I worked so hard. Then at the end I got in the car and sat next to Kaoru, and he said, 'Ugh, you stink of sweat!'
G: I was like...I've been working hard for you all day! I've never been able to forget it.
T: Kaoru, do you remember?
G: I was pretty young, so it was quite a shock for me.
K: But I vaguely remember him telling me about how I said that to him once.
J: Did you tell him about it?
G: Maybe when we when out drinkIng once, I might have mentioned it. But it really was the most shocking thing to hear from him. I mean, that's how a roadie should be, right?
J: It shows that you've worked hard. If you weren't sweaty, you wouldn't have been doing your job properly.
G: Right? That's how I should be.
J: Its a sign that you did a good job.
T: Someone commented, Kaoru should apologize.
J: Ahh, an apology from Leader!
G: I feel purified, haha.
J: Ohh, that's good. Ok, next question.
G: Ok, the next question is, 'Which food which Gara hates did Kaoru force him to eat, all in one?' This was a thing when I used to go for drinks with Kaoru, hated foods or stuff like that.
J: Well, you DO stuff like that when you are young, don't you?! I mean, if we don't know what foods you don't like, we are never gonna get this, but Leader probably knows. Its just a matter of choosing the right one.
G: Yeah, this particular food, I still can't even eat it.
K: Something that can be eaten in one go?
G: Er, we talked about this last time, but he also made me do 'Pistachio all in one' before too.
J: Ugh, that's like hell.
G: I wasn't allowed water, so I just had to keep crunching away until I could swallow.
J: That sounds tough, you cant really swallow it all at once either, can you?
K: Inside your mouth was shredded, wasn't it?
J: Ugh, really? Well, viewers, please write in the comments if you have any ideas about this one. Someone just wrote pizza, but its something you still can't eat, right? If its something even an adult can eat, it must be something with quite a distinct taste?
T: Ahh, I've already written something.
G: *reading comments* Century egg? Ohh, that would be tough!
T: Ok, lets reveal our answers. So, last time Gara said he doesn't like chicken much, and I thought if he's done 'pistachio all in one', maybe he might have done this too, 'Fried chicken cartilage all in one'
J: Ah I see. Well, my answer is this. 'Goya' (bitter melon). A lot of people hate this, and it tastes very distinct. Ok, Leader?
K: Haha, I don't even remember, but..'Pickles'.
J: Gara, are any of us correct?
J: Ohh, ok, tell us the answer.
G: The correct answer is, Okinawan pickled onions (島らっきょう). So 'pickles' is nearly right.
K: Goya is kinda there too, haha! (*Goya is an Okinawan vegetable*) Ahh, pickled onions, I think I kinda remember this now.
T: Like, how did that work?
G: Well, all the onions were in the bowl, and I had to put them all in my mouth at once, and swallow them without a drink.
J: Ahh, the things you got up too.
G: I can still remember the disgusting aftertaste.
K: The taste lingers, right?
J: Ahh, is that the time already? Did we do 4 questions?...5? We did 5. How many did Leader get right? 2?
T: 2.5, right? With 'pickles'
J: Ah, ok, yes. 2 correct answers, and 1 good try. Half correct. What do you think Gara?
G: Yeah, I think he remembers a lot, since he was close with that last one. If this were baseball, he would be (*baseball reference, I dunno*)
J: Ok, Leader, 5 questions about the indies era from Gara. What did you think?
K: I don't remember anything.
K: I just worked out the answers from the hints. I don't actually remember.
G: We were close though, we we working together practically every day.
K: But it was only one year out of 25, haha.
G: Maybe that's the fate of being the second roadie...haha.
J: Ok, we're going to have to finish the first part of the show, but we'll learn more about Kaoru in the second half. We'll continue talking about Kaoru and Gara's history, so please become a channel member to see that. I'll just let you know how you can do that. The second half of the show is for members only, so you need to be a channel member if you want to see it. If you join, you can watch this broadcast in the archives for a whole year, and we also have members only videos, where we challenge ourselves to all sorts of things, so you can enjoy those too. Ok, how to join. Its very simple. There is a blue link at the top of your screen. Kaoru is pointing now. Click this link, and you will get a screen asking you to choose your payment method. Choose your method and click proceed. Then you can enter your payment details, and you're done. If you haven't yet joined, please do, and enjoy the rest of the show. Ok, now, some news from Gara?
G: Yes, thanks. Uh, on Dec 25th Merry will hold our 'Very Merry Xmas' event at Shinagawa Club eX where we will show the history of Merry (*etc*).
J: Ok, thank you. Leader?
K: Hm, was there something? Ah, well, we are mid-tour now. We still have Sapporo, Sendai, Nagoya, Osaka, Osaka. And then an extra date on Dec 16th at Shinjuku Blaze. Uhh, I think there are quite a few venues with tickets still available, so people can definitely come by on the day and check it out.
J: I saw you at Zepp Haneda recently, but I'd love to see you in one of the other regions if my schedule allows it.
J: Ok, a quick break here while we change over, but channel members hang tight. Lets continue The Freedom of Expression in the second half!
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