As they round in on the conclusion of their GHOUL tour, DIR EN GREY continues to excite their older fans with their classics as well as their newer fans with their impressive performances! Visual Kei Heaven has the honor of talking to drummer Shinya to reflect on the tour thus far as well as the band's future plans.
Shinya: I feel that the tour production is very different; we have visuals, and a little something from Japan, so I feel that the responses (from the fans) are really great. They were always really good from before, but I feel that this is something that the kids are really enjoying - the entire production.
VKH: Why is it that you are using set lists from your previous tour in Japan for your GHOUL tour in North America?
Shinya: Before the GHOUL tour, in Japan we had two totally different concerts. For every two shows we had two totally different set lists, but for the American tour, since we only have this one, we combined the two set lists into one. The reason for this is that we are trying to bring the same GHOUL tour to America.
VKH: Your mini-album "The Unraveling" was very different from your two previous albums "UROBOROS" and "DUM SPIRO SPERO". What brought about this change in sound?
Shinya: As you may know, when we were working on "The Unraveling", Kyo was actually suffering from a throat condition, so we were thinking of something to do for him. That's why we took a couple of older songs and reworked them. The reason behind why it's so different is because, of course, it was partly trying to make sure Kyo was included in production of the mini-album. It was also the only thing we could really do at that time.
VKH: Considering that you haven't done a mini-album since "Six Ugly", why did you choose to make another one now?
Shinya: The only reason why it was a mini-album was because it's not really a full, original album. At that time, it was something we wanted to release because we were not really in activity. There isn't really a particular reason for why there are so few new songs on the mini-album and why it is a mini-album. And most of the mini-albums are theme-based instead of tour-original albums. It was more about the inclusion of Kyo in the production of this album as opposed to time-frame.
VKH: What made you want to put emphasis on your look moreso this year than in comparison to your last tour?
Shinya: Well, we've been touring for a while and you know, this time, what we wanted to portray on stage kind of called for a little more from the band and that's why we decided to change, not only with the make up, but our costumes on stage as well as our set lists and production in comparison to before when the presentation was a little bit different.
VKH: Aside from the makeup, what connects the name GHOUL to the tour and why did you name it as such?
Shinya: Honestly, the original idea for the name came from Kyo.
VKH: With only three shows left in the tour (in Seattle, WA, Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA) what would you say were some of the most memorable moments?
Shinya: Personally, what was most memorable for me was being able to visit Niagara falls from the Canadian side. Before I saw it from the American side. I was in Chicago at the Sears Towers too, one of the tallest buildings in the US. That was really fun for me.
VKH: What can the fans there expect to see at your final show (or "tour final") in Los Angeles?
Shinya: Obviously by then it would have been 13 shows that had been performed, so by then everything we have learned and everything we have accomplished will be kind of presented there. Hopefully it is something everyone can look forward to seeing and should make for a good memory of DIR EN GREY.
VKH: Which show so far has been the craziest or most energetic?
Shinya: I think, for one, the Toronto fans were really really excited to see us and I think it was one of the best shows for me, personally.
VKH: You have a meet and greet scheduled for November 24th at Soundcheck Hollywood in California, which will be open to only the first 120 fans who have purchased "The Unraveling". A relatively open meet and greet such as this is a bit unusual for us to see. What brought about this idea?
Shinya: It was actually something that was planned by the management. It's not the first time we've done this because we also did this for the last one (AGE QUOD AGIS), except only Kaoru and Toshiya appeared for the signing session two years ago.
VKH: Are there any future plans set when you return to Japan?
Shinya: After we return to Japan, we're going to start working on the new album that will be released in 2014. And in March it has been announced that we will be playing at NIPPON BUDOKAN, kind of like a two day tour-final.
VKH: Lastly, would you please send a message to our readers as well as your fans!
Shinya: The tour is coming to an end, but we definitely plan to come back again once the new album is out. I hope you can continue to support us and wait for our return!
Visual Kei Heaven would like to give a special thanks to Shinya for taking the time to answer our questions and SKH Music for making this interview possible!
Related Links:
DIR EN GREY:
OHP
Twitter: @DIRENGREY_web
Official Facebook
SKH Music:
OHP
Twitter: @skhmusic
Official Facebook Page
YAY TORONTO!!!!!!
ReplyDelete