Hi, I was revisiting manga I've read in the past years, Acid Town being one of them. Glad that I clicked on the link to it and found that it had updates. Thank you so much for your work. Also, would you know where to buy it in Europe?
Thanks for reading, and thanks for your interest in purchasing! :) There’s not a licensed English version that I know of... I’ve heard that it’s been licensed in French, though, that might be the cheapest option in Europe. If you don’t mind the Japanese versions, you could try someplace like Amazon.co.jp and importing it. Some of the volumes might be out of print, though (for instance, volumes 1-3 are only listed through third party sellers on Amazon.co.jp), which complicates things a bit. You’d need a website like fromjapan.co.jp to try auction sites and things like that... a fairly expensive option, but one I’ve done before to get out of print magazines. Good luck!
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“The spirit of destroying what we’ve already accomplished and trying new things. That’s the true spirit of rock.”
-I have a simple question first. Do you often read through other members’ interviews?
S: I read them occasionally. While thinking “Oh right, they’re appearing in this month’s issue,” I’ll go to the bookstore and get the issue.
-Speaking of which, what did you think of Shou’s recent interview?
S: Actually I haven’t read it yet. However, I heard he spoke his true feelings. During band interviews I think to myself, “It’s ok if I don’t say anything here,” so I won’t say much. I’ll also have thoughts such as, “This part definitely won’t appear in the article,” so as expected I’ll only say those things here. [laugh] If I consolidate my thoughts here, they’ll be better transmitted to everyone. Of course we always speak with true intentions in mind, but when there’s 5 of us together, we try to speak from the band’s point of view to respect that unified spirit. It’s a bit different from individual interviews.
-After transferring companies, you’ve released a single for 3 consecutive months. This current time is crucial to you guys.
S: Right. But in fact, I think we’re in a really good state right now. Things such as our band unity as well. At one point I think we were all over the place. Surprisingly, it was really something when we made GEMINI. Compared to that time, we revived our unity like a band should. We were able to recover the things that we originally possessed. It’s similar to the atmosphere when we made VANDALIZE. Thoughts such as “Let’s do something different from before” and “We can’t just stay like this,” we experienced a crisis of sorts. With those thoughts in mind, we solidified our existence as a band.
-You mean if you can’t advance as one unit you can’t overcome barriers?
-Even if there’s no particular reason, there will be times when you feel subtle distances within the members, even if the band continues for years.
S: I think that’s natural. Approaching our 10 years, each one of us is coming to grow as an artist. Naturally as a band our responsibilities are divided into 5 parts, but individual members will stand out on their own. So…it’s not like we want to do solo activities separately, but rather our individual egos shine out strongly, and each one of us produces our own thoughts and sounds. I think that compared to each individual section, there are specific areas that shine out clearly.
-So you mean during the process of making music, there’s a temporary feeling of being disjointed?
S: Putting it simply, within the band our separate motivations all tie together in the end. Speaking for myself though, after creating GEMINI I’ve crashed a bit.
-Because it’s something you’ve put your all in and exhausted yourself?
S: I think that’s half of it. The disconnected feeling when making that album, wasn’t it a bit discouraging…it was that sort of time. Because of that, making “9” was a type of rehab for me.
-Rehab?
S: Yeah, actually we didn’t have thoughts like, “what kind of work do we want to make” at that time. We had to continue pushing the limits of how our band exists, “whatever it is we must make something.” It didn’t feel strongly like doing work (like a job), but more of a “if we don’t try our hand in it we should just stop!” With that in mind we made “9”.
-So you mean “9” was created to recover your health?
S: Exactly. GEMINI was really tiring in many ways [laugh]. I wonder why?
—For the Alice Nine of that time, it was certainly an album that pushed to guys to your limits.
S: Yes. But I don’t think that’s the only reason. Examining the album, I realized there are many songs that I created. For instance, even with Hiroto’s songs I had a hand in it. Honestly, I don’t particularly like that. It’s rather boring. At that time, we couldn’t produce many songs, but with such results we were satisfied.
-Within yourself, even for things that don’t have definite proof, pointing out the sweet spots from an objective point of view and giving criticisms without reservations…you want people who can give you those things right?
S: Exactly. To that extent, recently Shou-kun’s been really fussy about the melody and Hiroto’s not believing in my slump, telling me “I want you to do it like this and that.” Somehow everyone’s been saying these annoying things! [laugh] Buut anyway, it’s fun, doing stuff like this is a good thing. It’s definitely better than people not saying anything.
-Somehow I don’t know if you’re talking about things that make you glad or angry [laugh].
S: Ahaha! But these are words that can be said after having various experiences together. I think it’s better that they say these annoying things. [laugh]
-You like paying attention to these details, I wonder why.
S: Yes. I think it’s bad if we’re not being fussy over how we function as a band. If our band separates and I have to do it by myself…it may not be as troublesome [laugh], and I would be able to create music just as I planned. However, without everyone’s bothersome opinions, things wouldn’t make sense within myself in regards to the band.
-It’s boring to create things only as planned. At the same time, saying things like, “I’ll leave it up to you” also gives you a bad feeling.
S: Aah, there’s that as well. In actuality those things are also said. That’s probably what I wish for myself, but it’s not good in regards to the final results. Even though we have all kinds of expectations when making songs… people will say to members, “Alice Nine makes rock music like the good old days, right?”
-There are all kinds of interpretations.
S: Well, these words are complimenting us, but I think we’re more of a band that makes you think, “Aah, so they can create that kind of atmosphere?” Even though we’re perceived as a band that always make that kind of music, it’s not really what we want. Taking that tiny chance, “I want to something different”…actually we only say those things. To the extent that K-pop artists use their advertising power, “Aa if we use all 4 of us we would become more popular.” [laugh] When we think about things that are “frustrating, but cool,” there are lots in this generation. If you think about it in that manner, you encounter lots of chances everyday. Changing the topic, recently, the desire to create rock music after listening to rock has declined. Instead, I want to try making rock after experiencing all kinds of other things. Music is like this- after being stimulated by words, movies, etc. you’ll feel motivated to start. You won’t feel tied down to all the things within yourself.
--If you make rock while listening to rock, perhaps you’ll translate something that you felt was cool with your own words.
S: Right. But for me, even though I love Gundam, as the director said, “Making robot anime after watching robot anime isn’t very interesting.” I don’t remember the exact quote since it’s fairly old. But anyway it’s something like that. It’s hard for me to explain properly, but according to the director, Gundam wasn’t created with the idea of making a robot anime. He used the good qualities of stories unrelated to robots, live-action movies, etc…
-And so after coalescing all those ideas, Gundam was born?
S: Yes. The meaning is along the lines of that. And right now I completely understand his stance.
-I see. In the end, you were influenced and stimulated by all kinds of things, and as a method of reducing your music to its origins, it’s probably something that will endure for many years.
S: That might be true. Before we definitely created rock music after only listening to rock. We used reasons like, “We need music like this for lives” to make songs. But after thinking about it, we’ve started creating completely different music…as expected we weren’t sure if fans would accept such songs.
S: Ahh, perhaps. [laugh] For instance, we’ve gotten conflicting responses to Daybreak’s coupling song, Himitsu. Although there were people who thought it was a great song, we also heard, “Is it really necessary for Alice Nine to make such songs?” But still, even with SHADOWPLAY people thought, “Isn’t this metal? Does Alice Nine really need double bass drums?” Even for songs that aren’t particularly out of the ordinary, people will say all kinds of things. If we do songs that are generally “like Alice Nine”…In any case it doesn’t matter what kind of music we make. It’s not like we’re trying to deceive fans, but I think it was implied. If we always say “it sounds like…”, will it really turn out like that in the end? Actually we’ve probably always done things like that.
-It’s not necessary to tie yourself up by thinking self-consciously “it sounds like…”
S: That’s why I don’t think that deep into it. Even if you don’t give it much thought, it’ll turn out fine. Although other members might still be giving it a lot of thought.
-In actuality, you probably didn’t want people to think the song “sounds like” anything, but it still shows, even if you try to hide it temporarily.
S: Right. We don’t lightly consider things like the directionality. Of course we think about the entire picture.
-Referring to the previously mentioned Himitsu, the conflicting opinions you received was also fun wasn’t it?
S: That’s right.
-You guys probably predicted such opinions to arise.
S: We definitely did. Every time, we look forward to those comments appearing somewhere. Of course we’re glad to hear praises and someone saying, “It was a great song!” but it’s also boring. Personally, I think our band likes those conflicting opinions. We’re a band that’s constantly evolving. But as we change, aren’t we a band that’s always trying to make listeners understand us? I think artists like that are great. U2 and Radiohead, even Japanese bands. Anyone can just continue changing, but those who leave behind a perfect product and survive, those people are highly respected. But those who continue to change are also really brave. For instance, destroying what you’ve succeeded in and making something new. I think leaving behind what you’ve already created is amazing; that’s what rock music is all about.
>>>> Read Part 2 here
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Notes: Requested by amaranthdream. I just broke this up because it's so long... Philosopher Saga is so interesting but sometimes hard to understand/vague. ._. I hope I did ok. (I love how he stuck in that part about Gundam and how it relates to making rock music. Weird, but genius.)
Time stamped version of Alice Nine on Music Dragon for amaranthdream (and any else who wants to sub in another language)!
[00:38] Debuted* in 2004, this is the Visual Kei band Alice Nine! [00:42] Handsome looks, brilliant performances! [00:45] They’re able to attract many fans, [00:47] and their 2011 concert at Budokan was a huge success. [00:55] This year marks their 10th since formation, and we anticipate their upcoming activities. [01:02] Alice Nine’s strength aka Dragon’s Eye [01:07] their genre [01:15] Their wide range of music can’t be categorized into any one genre. [01:17] Their music has actually been used in various fields of the entertainment industry. [01:24] For example, [01:31] anime opening themes (Cross Game), [01:40] CM for a jewelry brand (Daybreak), [01:50] and pachinko theme songs (Senkou). [01:54] How are they able to make such a variety of songs? [2:01] The reason is…
Sh: [02:04] There are four members who compose songs. [02:07] Even though we each like different genres, [02:11] it’s like, “since you say it’s good, it’s good.” [02:14] There’s mutual trust in each other’s judgments, [02:16] so we can have a deep range of styles.
-[02:23] That’s right, since there are 4 members who compose songs, [02:27] they can make various styles of music that reaches a wide audience. [02:35] What does Alice Nine aim for in their music?
Sh: [02:39] We don’t obsess over what genre our music falls under.
S: [02:41] No matter what kind of music, if it utilizes guitar, bass, drums and vocals, we’ll do it. [02:51] But of course, lives are the core of our music. [02:55] We create songs with the goal of performing them onstage.
-[03:10] Their new album includes the song “Seven” which will be played next.
S: [03:16] Thinking about our fans, [03:17] we want our next source of sound to give you lots of spirit. [03:19] Although there’s no guarantee in these things, [03:21] we made this song with the feeling of trying new things with our band.
Sh: [03:27] Seven incorporates rock and electronic styles, [03:29] but it’s also surprisingly stylish. [03:33] The lyric gives a feeling of having your emotions played with like a phantom thief stealing your heart.
look-to-the-starry-sky replied to your post “YOU GUYS”
Congratulations! I'm really happy for you :D
amaranthdream replied to your post “YOU GUYS”
Congratulations on getting the new job!
puppetmasters-broken-dreams replied to your post “YOU GUYS”
Congrats on the job! <3 You'll do great!
Thank you thank you thank you!
I'm a little nervous to suddenly be working again, but it's only from 8pm to 1am, so it should be okay! I hope all the girls are friendly too. (*_*)
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I just discovered your site. And for a beginner in Nihongo, the lessons you post are very helpful. Some of them are even more advanced than our current Basic II course. Thank you so much!
Thank you for following and sending such a nice message~ I’m glad I can help ^^
If you have any questions/a request please feel free to ask!
Then I shall stalk your blog daily and leave creeper comments here and there, lol. Yep, I did! :D I bought some stuffs that I wanted to give your but they're too bulky. >.< So I'm looking for something else. Done this semester? :O Yahoo! Goodbye school soon!
I shall creepily await your creeper comments haha
ugh it's so hard to mail things u.u We have the technology! why can't mail be cheaper!? >A<
