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This is part of the interview that can be found on www.skin-online.net. Note that this is before the debut of skin... I think they are getting allong pretty well sweatdrop

Quote

Gackt about S.K.I.N.
Translated by Paul
Edited by Miki

Excerpt from GACKT'S "The meaning of my life, and my mission" interview in Fool's Mate I.S. No. 001, July 2007.
(The part of the interview that does not relate to S.K.I.N. matter may be posted later)

- I see. Actually, the day after tomorrow (April 24th), I'm going to Los Angeles to meet Yoshiki.

Gackt: "Oh, you are? Right. Say hi to him for me."

- Of course. Well, I'd like to ask you about S.K.I.N, this super group we've been hearing rumors about. Basically, what state is it in at the moment?

"...When does this magazine go out?"

- It should be July.

"It's definitely happening. I seriously feel like just getting out there and shocking the entire world with this thing."

- Does that mean there'll be some kind of official announcement by the time this issue goes on sale?

"We'll have played live by then."

- Huh!? Live..?

"In America, June 29th. It's at an event, but we'll only be doing three or four songs. A kind of debut feel."

- So, does that mean there are already some S.K.I.N. songs ready?

"Uh-huh (laughs)."

- What kind of songs are they?

"I’ve been thinking that I want to put the things that are really on my mind right now into the band a little. A taste of all the things I'm chasing after... that kind of feel. I'm thinking about getting some so-called 'Japanism' in there. That would make the band easier for people to grasp. Only, I haven’t actually said that to the others in those kind of songwriting terms. But from what they've been saying, we seem to be on the same page. It's just Miyavi who doesn't really seem to be getting it (laughs). He's been trying to get these weird, simplified Kabuki pattern things in there, so I'm all 'Uh, that's not really what I meant...' (laughs). It would be good if we could actually get that kind of nuance in there and make it work, though."

- I see. Are the four of you hitting it off?

"We don't get on too badly. In fact, I think we get on very well. Yoshiki and myself are very close friends, and Sugizo and me too... I think? (laughs) Well, I think we are, anyway. (SUGIZO and I) have had some issues in the past, but now I’m very glad that I had a chance to meet him like this. It's interesting... they're all such weirdoes (laughs). It's like, 'be more normal, dammit!' (laughs)

- (Thunderous laughter)

"No, I'm telling you. They're so weird (laughs). They're so strange I get tired just being around them! (laughs) Yoshiki and Sugizo are both freaks, and Miyavi is actually insane. When we're working in the studio, I just can't take it any more and I leave. I say ‘That's it, I’m going home!’ (laughs).”

- It looks like you're painting yourself as the respectable one (laughs).

"My thoughts exactly. They're messed up, those three (laughs)! I mean, their conversations just don't make any sense at all! (laughs). Out of the four of us, I'm a type A, Miyavi is a AB, Yoshiki is a B, and Sugizo is O; even our blood types are totally different. Our communications and timings are completely off, too. I always thought I was messed up a bit, but when I'm with those three I can honestly feel like I'm the most sensible one there (laughs)."

- (Thunderous laughter)

"Seriously, they're all total clowns. I mean, I'm always having to butt in, correcting them. 'No, not like that! That's not right either!' (Laughs) Just... get serious, will you!? Well, that's what I’m thinking, but there's not much point telling them now... (laughs)."

- So, about these songs you're going to debut on the 29th of June. Did everyone help write them?

"Everyone contributed something, so they're a joint effort. All of us are fine with songwriting, and singing was no problem since everyone except for Yoshiki can sing."

- Can I come and watch the show in America?

"Why not?"

- So I guess this means that S.K.I.N. is finally going active, doesn't it?

"That's right. I really want to just do it and see what kind of reaction we get. Then, if things don't work out, I guess I'll quit (laughs)."

- (Thunderous laughter) Gackt, you're the greatest (laughs).

"No, I just mean I don't do things by halves. If you're going to do something, you should give it your all."

- All or nothing?

"Yeah, that's it. It’s a case of ‘If it only gets a lukewarm response, let's call it a day.' All four of us have a lot of things going on, and we’re busy, after all. 'If it means something, let's go for it.' If there's no point to it, then just give it up. That’s what I think."

- That's a good mindset, I think.

"There's no point doing it half-heartedly, and I'm definitely not thinking 'hey, I'm free at the moment, so I might as well give it a go.' Yoshiki's the same, and besides, we’ve all been saying we want to actually take over the world with this band."

- I see.

"I think we'll be the first Japanese artists to go worldwide, and make it to number one. The others think that’s within reach, too. If we can get across a kind of Japanese-style music that doesn't sound forced or crowbared in, I think that'll be great. Because there's absolutely no point if we're just imitating British, American or European bands."

- Well, I'm looking forward to it. We're all hoping you succeed.

"It would be good, wouldn't it? Though I think we will. Because if we can't do it, probably no one can. Well, in any case, it'll be fine if we can just convey something interesting. ...The songs are good."

- Ah, now that's what I wanted to hear.

"Yeah, the songs are really good. Now, it's just a question of taste and arrangement, and trying to imbue the whole thing with that Japanism feel. That's the key point for me. Even if all the members have their own different image and interpretation of our music, that might actually end up working out - the whole thing might work really well if we can bring it all together. Of all the members, I think that's what I'm best at (Japanism), because I've tried it in a lot of my own songs. Between us, there's no shortage of visual appeal, and because we can each express our own styled aesthetic madness, I'd like to get that kind of Japanese-flavored harmonized madness and chaotic taste in there."

Well, I don't think he actually meant to be mean...
And he's right, they are all weirdos. But he's just as weird. =)

I'm not a huge fan or a hater of the band.. since Gackt is there. but honestly to me, i love Gackt solo. all of them i think were meant to express their ideas individually not meshed together in a super Jrock band. it's just too much for me to handle honestly. so yea... i support Gackt but not really the band. but dont think i hate it or anything!


I love the interview btw. wow i just love it when Gackt laughs! and he's being more open (: .

I'll have to find exactly what was said, in my guild, but obviously I am being completely misunderstood.

here is what I'm referring to:

{Does anyone have that interview he did before S.K.I.N. performed and he said he wasn't sure it was going to work and he said this about Sugizo, this about Yoshiki and thought Miy was mental?}

It's possible what Gackt said was misconstrued by the poster of this.

I think Gackt's actually more weird than the rest of them, and considering Miyavi, that's really saying something.

lol yeah biggrin

haha yea.. they're really weird but i do agree Gackt seems the most sensible. awwww i'd really like to see a video of them working together. that'd be hilarious.

I think it's funny that Gackt calls the other members crazy xp

the (bunch of different things put together) sownd, is what I think makes tham so cool biggrin