girugämesh rocked the theathre during the Saturday concert of the Jrock Revolution Festival. Fans in the loge and upper levels could feel the balcony shaking from the fans jumping up and down! JRR had the chance to sit down with girugämesh before the concert, and interview them about their band and their trip to America.
JRR: How did you become involved with J-rock Revolution? How were you approached about performing at the festival?
girugämesh: Our management told us about the offer but we also wanted to
come to America as well. So we are happy to be part of the show.
JRR: girugämesh is a relatively new band. Are you self-conscious about your newness? Does being part of this festival seem a bit sudden or more natural to you?
girugämesh: Since we are the “youngest”, we have nothing to fear. We will show everything we have!
JRR: Do you think J-rock Revolution will differ from or be similar to your past musical experiences?
girugämesh: We will do perform the same concert as we would do in Japan. We respect both Japanese and American audiences, but we prepared a little surprise for JRR.
JRR: Please describe the indie music scene in Japan right now.
girugämesh: I think we have enough music to exist in both markets. girugämesh came into this scene to rock!
JRR: Are you looking forward to seeing any of the other artists perform? If so, which ones?
girugämesh: We would like to see ourselves from the audience.
JRR: Do you have any other plans for your visit to America? Besides the festival, is there anything in particular you are look forward to doing or seeing?
girugämesh: We are going to Melrose to shop. We already went to Subway and were able to order subs with our broken English. We want to try hamburgers too.
JRR: If you could describe your music in three words, what would they be?
girugämesh: Manly (Gentleman like), Excitement, “passionate performance”
JRR: What are some of girugämesh’s fondest or most memorable moments to date?
girugämesh: Our first live with our four members was memorable. We had a fight during the middle of the tour. Moments like this made us stronger.
JRR: Would you like to become a part of a major label group some day? Why or why not? What are some of your hopes and fears for girugämesh’s career?
girugämesh: We don’t care that much whether we’re indie or major. We listen to foreign music even though we don’t understand the language, and it gives us emotions. We want to create music like that and introduce it to the world.
JRR: Please describe your experience making 13’s Reborn.
girugämesh: Three of us – everyone but vocals – recorded as if we were performing a live. All three of us were in individual booths playing at the same time which gave us a feeling of an actual concert. It was our producer Mr. Sakura’s idea. It turned out very good.
JRR: Is there any meaning to this title?
girugämesh: We already have 12 records released but we were reborn on the 13th one.
JRR: What is your ultimate goal as musicians/artists?
girugämesh: We want to become like Limp Bizkit, Slipknot, Korn, System of a down, and Evanescence.
JRR: What are some of your plans for the future?
Satoshi: I want to be a great vocalist so that if you hear my voice, you can feel my emotions.
Nii: I would like to be in a large American music rock fest!
Shuu: I would like to play music even when I become a grandma!
Яyo: I want girugämesh to become a band that can perform internationally.
JRR: Would you ever consider living and working outside of Japan? Why or why not? If so, what place would be your first choice?
Satoshi: I want to live in Japan because I can’t live without rice, miso soup, natto, and fish.
Nii: I don’t think I could live overseas. Language is very hard.
Shuu: I want to live in LA! I like LA’s fashion. I don’t understand English that well, so I want to be prepared for next time!
Яyo: NY or LA – I want to study music.
JRR: What are some of your current influences or favorite artists? (They don’t all need to be musicians.)
Яyo: Yoshiki-san – He is so talented: writing music & playing drums and piano! I want to be like him!
Shuu: Many people give me inspiration!
Nii: Me too! Many people!
Satoshi: I can’t think of anybody…
JRR: Message to American fans:
girugämesh: We are confident that we can give you something better than your imagination can! We will keep coming back!!