Ongaku to Hito June 2026 edition - Interview between Kaoru [Dir en grey] and Toshi-Low [Brahman]
Kaoru and Toshi-Low first met at the party after Lunatic Fest 2018. Kaoru didn't know anyone at the party, so he kept bothering whoever did the MC, only to find out that it was Toshi-Low. Toshi-Low thought that Kaoru and him were the same age, but Kaoru corrected him because he is one year older, but Toshi-Low was so drunk that he didn't even remember that Kaoru had said that. Since then, whenever they see each other, they usually hang out and drink until the early morning. Toshi-Low takes Kaoru bar-hopping.
Toshi-Low's impression of Dir en grey is that they do "chaotic hardcore", that they had an image of being unapproachable until he got to know Kaoru, and that they are a band who confronts people with the fact that everybody will die eventually. As for Kaoru, he knew Brahman from the start, as they were often featured in Fool's Mate magazines. The editor-in-chief back then, Tojo, made sure to dedicate a page to Brahman, and he had said one day that Brahman and Dir en grey should play together and, if that ever happened, he would make sure to go see that show. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2008, so he was never able to live that dream. The latest Jinmiraisai festival made it come to life, finally, and they had some relatives of Tojo's provide pictures of him that the band members stuck around the venue, to do as if he was watching the show with them.
Apparently Dir en grey gets approached about participating in festivals once in a while, but the way it's done, it feels like the festivals are just running out of ideas and that they contacted Dir en grey as a last resort. But what made the offer to play at Jinmiraisai different is that it coincided with Brahman's 30th anniversary, so Dir en grey felt like it must mean something special to them to invite them on this special occasion, specifically.
The drummer of Brahman, Ronzi, refers to Die and Toshiya as the southern and northern alps hahah.
While rehearsing, there was a day when Brahman talked about nothing but Dir en grey. They all came to like Dir en grey very much, not just Toshi-Low. That's why, exceptionally, all the members except Kyo stayed for the after-party when Jinmiraisai ended. In the end, the only people left were the four of them, the members of Brahman, and Sugizo from Luna Sea.
In Dir en grey, their manager presents them with a proposal for the members to consider. All of them have to agree, because if even one person is hesitant, then they either put it off for reconsideration later, or they outright don't do it.
Based on experience, Kaoru has seen that if he speaks up first, as it is his personality to do, then other members in Dir en grey will hold their own opinion back. To avoid that, Kaoru has consciously withheld his opinions in favor of gathering the other four members' feedback first.
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Last night I got an info that there's a demon appearing in Shibuya, I went together with Kaoru to exterminate the demon, but it turned out to be a very friendly one so we became good friends 😊😊😊
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K: Ok, here we are with The Freedom of Expression on our Niconico channel. I'm Kaoru from Dir en grey.
J: And I'm Joe Yokomizo.
T: I'm Tasai from Tokyo Sports.
K: And next, we have a guest. Its Toshi-Low from Brahman.
TL: I'm really glad to be here.
J: Its finally your time.
K: Well, I'm glad to be called here by Kaoru, but its pretty wild to be called onto one of Joe's shows.
K, J, T: Hahaha
J: Really?
TL: Yeah, with all the political stuff you always talk about.
J: You could join sometimes.
TL: No no, I won't, I can't.
J: Aww, really? Well, anyway, I think a lot of people are looking forward to today's show.
TL: How often do you normally do this?
J: Once a month.
K: Yeah. Tosh-Low rarely appears on any niconama shows anyway, right?
J: Thats right. Toshi-Low, why is that?
TL: Well, I didn't even know this place was here! Can I say the place?
J: Sure.
TL: Its right above the Kabukiza! (*The studio is in the Kabukiza Tower in Ginza*) The security is really lax, you can just walk right in! haha.
J: There isn't even a key for the elevator is there?
TL: No, I just sailed right in. Its dangerous! Haha
J: Yeh, I worry for Dwango slightly (*The company that owns niconico*) But anyway, we are here every month doing this. So, today...
TL: Hang on, hang on. Who is he? (points to Tasai)
T: Ah, sorry, I'm Tasai.
J: Oh, don't you know him?
T: He's really scary!
K: Haha.
TL: Where is he from, a band?
K: No, from Tokyo Sports.
T: I'm a journalist from a sports newspaper.
TL: Which one? Daily?
T: No, Tokyo Sports.
TL: Tokyo Sports??!
K: Haha
J: They say everything in Tokyo Sports is fake except the date.
TL: Its the best newspaper. Even if society is in crisis, they'll have a front page like, "Funassyi retirement!!" (*Funassyi is the cute mascot for Funabashi city in Chiba*).
J: Yeh, and no matter how bad it is, there'll be a story about a real life kappa.
TL: Or, "Madonna's hemorrhoids!!"
T: Haha, yes.
K: You have a good memory.
J: Its full of news to shake soiety up a bit. But anyway, its usually us three each time, but Toshi-Low is our special guest this time. Toshi-Low, this is our first show of 2023, so its a bit of a celebratory feeling, even though its already the 24th of Jan. A bit of time had already passed since the new year began, but we have prepared some drinks for you, so lets enjoy a drink while we talk. Thats the plan. Ok Leader, can you raise a toast for us?
K: Yes, ok....Cheers! (*They all toast and drink and wish each other a Happy New Year*)
J: If you have a drink at home, please drink with us while you watch.
TL: I wish New Year lasted forever.
J: Yeah, what were you doing for New Year, Toshi-Low?
TL: Oh, I was with Kaoru!
K: Yeah, just after the turn of the year.
TL: (*To Joe*) Ask him about it!
J: You tell me. It was Uchida Yūya's festival, right?
TL: Yeah, well I finished at Makuhari, and then headed over, so it was quite late when I arrived. Dir had already finished their set. Can you believe, Kaoru waited there by himself for me to arrive!
J: He waited for you??
T: He's such a nice guy!
TL: I was so so happy. We ended up having a few drinks together, even though I still had to perform. On stage I forgot everything.
K: Haha, really?
TL: Yeah, like I gave up on the first song, I couldn't sing. I heard about how bad it was later from Hosomi Takeshi.
K: Oh, I'm sorry.
TL: Yeah!!
K: Haha
TL: But I was able to introduce Kaoru to a lot of people, so that was good.
K: Yeah
TL: A lot of them were in my kinda sphere, so I introduced him to some. Like, Hosomi Takeshi. We talked, right? About South×Southwest.
K: Yeah.
J: Eh! Who else?
TL: Oh, there were loads..Like, Urita Junshi, and....Oh, I can't say his name, but he's with that 'kumi'.
T: Haha, that gives it away.
TL: Its a secret...its that Otokogumi guy. (*He's talking about Takahashi Kazuya from 男闘呼組*)
K: We took a photo with him, right?
TL: Yeah, he is a good guy.
J: Ahh, it sounds like it was a great start to the year for both of you.
K: You were a bit nervous when you arrived there though, weren't you?
TL: Yeah, but I felt much calmer after seeing Kaoru.
J: A familiar face, right? And he waited for you!
K: The Dir staff had bought us some highballs, but they were the strong type ones. And he said to me, "Ah, why'dya get the strong type?!!"
TL: Yeh, cause I knew it would make me drunk.
K: Haha
J: Before your performance too!
TL: There's a big difference between 7% and 9%.
K: Haha.
J: Yeah, and if its that late, its bound to hit you more. Kaoru, what have you been up to since then?
K: Well, I've just chilled really. Just gradually started working. Not much really. Oh, but you've (TL) had lives, right?
J: OAU did, right?
TL: Yeah, and Brahman, these past two days.
K: We don't have any lives, so its kinda chilled at the moment.
J: I see. And, Toshi-Low, you've had some lives?
TL: Yeah, but its all normal really.
J: Well, I'm sure we'll have lots to talk about this year, but what are all your resolutions? Any from the Tokyo Sports corner?
T: No, haha.
TL: What about discovering a Tsuchinoko (*A mythical creature, a bit like a short, fat snake*).
T: Haha, ok, thats my aim this year, finding a tsuchinoko.
J: A tsuchinoko? Even though its the year of the rabbit?
TL: I bet you'll find one. With a human face or something. haha.
J: You have a great imagination Toshi-Low. Anyway, whats your resolution?
TL: Just to try my hardest....I don't know what with yet, I'll decide that later, haha.
K: You know, he is really busy today, but he came here specially.
TL: Its ok, the other members are doing some recording.
J: Are they doing it well.
TL: Yeah, I told them to take over my part for me.
J: Haha, thats not good. What about Dir en grey?
K: Did you ask his resolution?
J: Well, he just said he'll try his hardest. What about you, Leader?
K: I can only try my best.
TL: Well, you had an album out last year, so you probably have less to do this year, right? You're not releasing again?
K: Well, no, I mean, I don't know yet. We are not thinking about it right now. So yeh, its more chilled. Lots more lives coming up.
TL: So we can go for drinks again sometime then.
T: Ah, yeh.
K: What about you, Joe?
J: My resolution? To try my best.
TL: Oh, you don't need to.
K: Haha
J: Why can't I?
TL: (*pointing to Joe*) He is all over the place with his work. I always see him.
J: Yeah, I see you sometimes.
TL: There was one time where I'd really prefer if he didn't notice me.
J: Ah, yeh, that one time.
TL: It wasn't the place for it.
J: I was too hasty in calling out to you, I think.
TL: Yeah.
J: As soon as I spoke to you, you disappeared off with your eyes lowered.
K: Ah, I see.
J: I live near that place, you see.
TL: Around there?
J: Yeah, Yoyogi area.
TL: Tell the viewers your adress.
J: No, haha. I dont think I need to tell them that. But actually, the three of us have actually drank together before, and just by chance, I was cycling to work in Shibuya the next day, and I bumped into Toshi-Low again. We do meet a lot, right?
TL: Ah, the three of us, yeah, at Roccos Bar.
J: Yeah, that was before covid. Hang on, where did we all first meet again?
K: Wasn't it Lunafes?
TL: Was it? Oh yeh, I forgot I've played there, haha.
K: Haha
J: Thats right.
TL: Eh? That was where we first met?
K: Yeah, we had drinks in the venue after the show.
J: I remeber us talking there. And you two seemed to get along really well.
TL: Oh, that was the time we realised Oguro Maki really existed! (*90's pop singer*)
K: Haha, yeh, she was there that night.
TL: Yeh, she was really there. There was this rumour among our generation that she didn't really exist.
J: Well, yeh, because all we ever saw on the video countowns was that cover pic.
K: Yeah.
J: No-one ever saw the real person. That was the first time for me too. But Brahman were on stage a little bit before Yoshiki that night, right?
TL: Yeh, right before Yoshiki.
J: I think Brahman fans will know this about their lives, but you jump into the audience a bit don't you?
TL: At the time, yeh.
J: But all the Yoshiki fans were there that time..
TL: Well, what happened was I asked the Luna Sea members if I could do it, and I thought they would say no, but they were like, 'They are slaves, tred on them all you like!'
J, K, T: hahaha
TL: So when I did, it was a bit of a shock. They were made of different stuff than I was used to. And I was going, 'Is this our common destiny?!!', you know?
K: Haha, its like the opposite of that.
TL: I was thinking, oh man...haha.
J: They were of a different quality?
TL: Yeh, they were softer than what I knew, the ground was less firm.
J: I see, a subtle difference, haha.
TL: Yeh, it was a bit of a shock, I felt sorry for them.
J: Ahh, but after that was when you two met.
TL: Yeh, he is the same kind as me, I felt at ease with him.
J: Ah, so was it you who used to listen to Dir songs...or..?
K: No, I used to listen to Brahman.
J: Ah yeh, you bought their album, right? Did you know that, Toshi-Low?
TL: Yeah, I couldn't believe it!
K: Like, back when you guys were still in Fools Mate, and stuff.
TL: Oh, thats when Tojo kun was there. Can I say something about him?
J: Yes.
TL: Is it ok? Well, Fools Mate had this strong VKei image, and there was this person called Tojo who worked there, and only he did the hardcore, heavy pages. I really liked him. He passed away.
J: He did, yeh.
K: We used to see him a lot too, and he used to tell me about Brahman.
TL: He had a good gift for finding really great bands, not necessarily only bands that would sell a lot. He was a great guy.
J: He may still be with you from heaven.
TL: Maybe.
J: Ok, so we'll hear a lot more talk from you two as we go, but I'll just read out the show info. We are taking messeges and comｍents from viewers the whole time. Thoughts, questions, support, anything is ok. Twitter users can use the tag TFOE. I'm sure you all know about the niconama chat space too, so keep sending comments. Now, this show is free for anyone to watch for the first half, but only channel members can see the second half. If you join, you can watch this broadcast in the archives for one year, and you can also see videos for members only. Can you see the link at the top of the screen? Use this link, yep, Leader is pointing to it, ah, Toshi-Low too, haha, you look like a kid. So anyway, please join using this link. Ok, since its the new year, our talk this time will be omikuji talk (*lucky draw*).
*applause*
TL: Nah, nah, I'm not doing this.
J: Why?
TL: There'll be like, racy questions in there.
J: Of course there will.
K: No, no. There won't be, there won't be.
TL: Like, "Tell us the contents of your ???"(*I couldn't figure out the word he said here. I'm guessing its pants/undies or something, but I don't know*)
J: Eh? Is there something in there?
TL: Yes, an old man!! What else do you think there would be?!!
K: Hahaha
J: No, but there could be pictures on them, like a wolf, or the universe or something.
TL: Just a regular old man, thats it.
K: Hahaha
J: You know, the tabloids wil pick up this kind of thing.
TL: I didn't even say that! But I bet they will be saying I did after this.
J: Even if we get racy questions like that, keep sending in comments everyone. Someone just wrote, "A regular old man...". Ok, as for the omikuji, we have this box of drawers with a talk theme in each drawer. So whatever number we get from the omikuji, we will open that drawer, and talk about that theme. Someone's commenting, "no no no". Ok, Toshi-Low, your turn first. *TL pulls out a number* What number is it?
TL: Do I read this from this way, or this way? Its different both ways. Hm, this way, right? Its 17.
J: Ok Leader, open number 17 please.
TL: Like that Moritaka Chisato song.
T: '17才'(sai), right?
TL: Yeh, that was a song, right?
J: Yeh, a slight connection.
TL: Yeh
J: Ok, here is theme 17...Part time jobs. Well, I like talking about bandmens` part time job history.
T: Toshi-Low, did you ever do any part time jobs?
TL: Well, I took night classes at university, so during the day, I worked in a bento shop, and because i worked there for so long, I became a licensed cook.
J: Ahh, hence your book 'Oni ben'
TL: Yeah
J: I see. Did you ever do any other jobs?
TL: Oh loads. At first I was like a security staff member for concerts. That was my first job. And after I came to Tokyo, I worked as staff for the pool at Shiba Koen. There, it was the first time I saw celebrities after I came to Tokyo. I saw Ran Issei and Araki Shisho (Araki Kumiko).
J: Ohh, from the show 'Tonight 2'!
TL: Haha, yeh. I saw a thong on Arakaki Shisho for the first time, and I thought, 'Aghh, thats so filthy!' haha
J: You were just a young boy from north Kanto.
TL: Haha, yeh. I couldn't let he in like that. I had to lead her out.
J: Ahh, ok. Well Ran Issei is no longer seen after all that trouble he had, right?
TL: Yeh, he told people not to watch the commercials, right?
J: That shocked me when i was younger, like, how you could just disappear from TV just for saying that. Its kinda scary.
TL: Yeah.
J: So Araki Shisho, and Ran Issei were the first celebs you saw?
TL: Yeh.
J: We're getting onto the wrong topic here. The theme is part time work.
TL: Ah, Dir members didn't do part time jobs, surely?
K: Oh, we did loads!
TL: No way!
K: Really! Haha! Oh, I did loads when I was in Kansai.
TL: Like what?
K:...Terekura..(*Phone dating/sex chat service*)
TL: Hahaha, what were you doing at Terekura??
J: Is this ok with your managers?
K: I was on the reception desk.
TL: Oh, I thought you would be the one on the phone going...*taps desk quickly*...haha.
J: Haha, how nostalgic.
(*Kaoru then goes onto explain about how you could stop callers hanging up after one ring, by manipulating the line, and answering calls before the phone actually started ringing, using the incoming call light as a guide, but I really don't know enough about the inner workings of Terekura to clearly translate this situation*)
TL: So you did the reception job?
K: Yeh, taking payments and stuff.
TL: Did Terekura charge by the hour back then?
K: Yeh
TL: How much was it?
K: Hmm, probably about ¥1000.
TL: And how much did you earn?
K: Hmm, maybe about ¥800, even back then, or maybe less.
J: Toshi-Low, how were your pool wages?
TL: About 700 or 800 probably.
J: Didn't you ever do any risky jobs? Some are dangerous, right? Like, a medical test subject or something?
TL: Yeah, yeah. I mean, jobs in the 2-cho me sphere were highly paid, so I did sometimes consider that type of thing.
J: Kaoru, did you do anythIng other than Terekura reception?
K: Well, I've talked about it before, but I did cleaning of new buildings.
TL: What do you mean?
K: Like, if a new building has just been built, before they hand it over to the owners, the construction company have to clean it first.
TL: Isn't it already clean?
K: Well, there's dust and stuff.
TL: Oh, paint chippings and stuff.
K: Yeh, so thats what we did. Cleaned the whole place before it was handed over. And we had to scrape off anything stuck on the windows and stuff.
TL: Ah, yeh, its kind of annoying to see that kind of thing, right?
K: Once we had to do this at some huge place that could have fit multiple Tokyo Domes in it. We had to wear cleaning suits like space suits. We weren't even allowed to leave a hair behind. And on the floor tiles, there was this kind of rubber stuck between each tile. We had to pull out the rubber. There were five or six of us, and we would manage about half the size of this room in one day. But the entire area was multiple Tokyo Domes sized.
J: You'd never finish!
K: Yeh, I quit in the middle, haha.
J: Thats so Dir en grey, haha. Ok, that was part time jobs. Shall we do one more? We are free until 20:30, so lets do one more. Ok, Leader, choose a number.
TL: I hope he gets a nasty one. One thats difficult to talk about.
K: 15
J: Ok, pass me number 15. There are a tonne of themes. Ok, this time the theme is 'working out/body building'. Well, Toshi-Low, we can tell you work out.
TL: But its changed now. Like even if I keep doing how I have been, it changes, right? I'm nearly 50...Oh! That reminds me, I got a bit angry about this.
J: Oh, tell us!
K: Hahaha
TL: Aghh, I always thought me and Kaoru were both the same school year, but at the new year, he told me he is actually the school year above me!
J, K, T: Hahaha
TL: Like, 'What?!! You're in the school year above??!'
J: There's quite a difference in one school year, right?
TL: Yeah, I was like, 'Why didn't you tell me before???' and he was just like, 'Does it matter?'
K, J, T: Hahaha
TL: Like, tell me sooner!
K: But actually, when we met that time at Lunafes, Boo was there too, right?
TL: Yeh
K: I think we talked about this then, being in different school years.
TL: Really?
K: And Toshi-Low said, 'Hey, get down a level!', haha.
TL: Oh man, I'm sorry.
J: Haha, thats gonna be a famous phrase now Everyone is writing it in the comments. Can you even do that, right? But anyway, as you were saying, you are close to 50 and your body feels different?
TL: Oh yeh, like now its not about trying to be like a young guy getting stronger...what is it? Its like you start to feel your youth ending, and you just do the best for your own body. I think its impossible to aim to lift massive weights and stuff, at this age. Its like, what does my body need? I'm entering the second half of my life, I don't think its good for the young me to try to compete with that. I'm being a bit serious aren't I?
J: Well, within the music world, I think you'd be best in a fight. Well, they say Ikehata Junji is like the top primate though.
TL: Yeh, cause he is a gorilla, he is a different species. I'm human.
K: Haha
J: Haha, I see. Yeh, I wouldn't want to get into a fight with you, Toshi-Low.
TL: Nah, but there are strong people everywhere. Conversely, you could say its the masters who 'DON'T' fight, hence showing greater strength.
J: I see.
TL: I think thats how you need to be.
J: Yeh, its no good just lashing out straight away. Thats not strength.
TL: Kaoru, do you work out?
K: Well, I do keep myself active, but not to an excessive level. Just enough to maintain my strength.
TL: What kind of things do you do?
K: Huh? What do I do? Well....
TL: Oh, you don't wanna say? Keep it a mystery, haha.
J: Its a secret, right?
K: Well, its important to stay active at least.
TL: Yeah.
J: Ok well, the time is 20:26, so we will finish the first part of the show here.
TL: Another highball please! (*He crushes his empty highball can in his fist*)
J: Oh, another highball for Toshi-Low. So we'll continue this omikuji talk in the second part. There are still a lot of themes. I'm sure we'll hear some crazy stories.
TL: The second part will be fun! You've seen nothing yet!
J: Right?! This is still the free part, so we cant go too crazy yet.
TL: Yeah, there's still everything to tell.
J: It'll get exciting from here, the drink will be taking effect too.
TL: I'll be drunk, I'm a bit scared. (To Tasai) You'll have some headlines tomorrow!
J, T, K: Hahaha
J: Ok, so to find out you'll have to watch the second part everyone. I'll let you know how you can. The second part is for members only, so if you want to join us, you'll have to become a member. If you do, you can watch this broadcast in the archives for a year, and there will be a members only video posted in a few days. Ok, how to join? If you look to the top of your screen, there should be a blue link. Thank you, there it is. If you click this link, you will get a payment method screen. Choose your method and press proceed.
TL: Its about the same price as an hours work in Terekura.
K: Yeh, haha.
TL: ¥880, if you work in Terekura for an hour, you can join. You can do it!
K: Hahaha
J: Its probably more than that now though.
TL: Yeah.
T: Ah, someone commented, "Its so fun, I had to join!"
J: Anyway, click proceed, and enter your payment details, and you're done. Please join if you havn't already, and enjoy the rest of the show. Toshi-Low, do you have any announcements to make before we switch?
TL: No, nothing. Haha.
J: Well, you can check the Brahman and OAU websites for info. Ah, Kaoru, any announcements?
K: Not really, just the upcoming tour.
T: Neither have any announcements.
J: Ok, we wil do the switch here then. The screen will change for a min, and then we'll be right back, so members hang tight. Ok then, join us in the second part with special guest Toshi-Low on The Freedom of Expression!
