Yoshiki's Long Interview
2000.XX.XX

Y: Full of them...

S: When did they start?

Y: About Violet UK... it begun 6 years ago. At that time, the members of X had each solo works. So I though I have enough time to do my own project... but you know, I paid very more attention to X's works... after X's disbanding... I've released more X albums at that time I had to do so many things to avoid the problem about the contacts, then I tended to continue my solo works... In fact, I have about 60 songs in stock. Yesterday I also listened along the CM was taking. But, at that time that I tended to continue my solo, hide died. My all plans were paused undoubtedly.

S: It paused the release day?

Y: No, it stopped everything, it means that time I stooped all my works about music.

S: Stopped all works about music?

Y: Because I didn't know what to do, I was all blinded, so that time I didn't want to have interviewed, didn't want to play music for whoever. The only thing I could do is... to produce, that time I couldn't even write my own songs, the only one song I could do is... the song for hide... ar... do you want to listen a bit?

S: Sure I do.

Y: Ok, we'll go back to the studio.

By that words... we had to go back to the studio again, Yoshiki sat down in front of PA and set DAT and saying "The name of this song is Without you" Then the beautiful ballad melodies were poured out from the large megaphone. This song is for hide's death, every notes and words were passed on his whole feeling. As if each note pray for hide to heaven. This song is really different of Violet UK... his new solo unit but strange in similar to X Japan's, if the vocal not be Toshi anymore... everyone will believed that this is new song of X. After we had listened for 6 minutes the vocal in last words was vanished while a light sound from Yoshiki, "In fact I want Toshi to sing this song...", although that studio was covered of dark but... I could saw clearly that around Yoshiki's eye have some tears...

S: When did you wrote this song?

Y: Not far from after hide's dead... While I was writing this song... my tears were pouring down nonstop also.

S: When you write a song... normally you use at least 1 week to finish it, what about this song?

Y: So quick... after I came back to LA I thought to write a song for him... and also for me, myself. During writing this song, I fell down, didn't want to do anything, only to produce I could do. I didn't know why, though I want to play music.

S: Did you have included that Violet UK's 60 songs?

Y: Broke it, really, I was so worried to stage up for paid respect to the emperor in his 10th anniversary... because I wasn't used to this sort of events, moreover I had been away from stage for about 1 an half year!... no no about 2 years, furthermore, when I thought of myself, I also thought of hide overtime. Thus, I tended not to think.

S: What about the songs that have already finished?

Y: Leave it as it is...

S: Really, you determined to stop everything?

Y: For me, I can do whenever, but that time I couldn't do. If I could change something , it'll be better but... couldn't.

S: And why you let me listen to your song for hide?

Y: Umm... I also don't know that when I want the other to listen to this song...

S: I'm sure that your fans really want to listen also...

Y: I listen to it myself, tears were pour down... and what about the others... I think my song was too blue... even myself don't dare to listen.

S: I never heard that Yoshiki has wrote song for hide...

Y: Nobody knows, cause I didn't tell whom. I though it's very funny to call me an actor only that I have to shown myself face to the people. But the dead of hide is... the difference world of me, It wasn't just dead of friend. At the moment that I heard for his dead, really, I saw the completely difference from myself and Yoshiki of X Japan. Because I and him always shared a common fate.

S: In the past, we didn't know about your personal life...

Y: Yes because I didn't reveal... somebody saw me sometimes I was very quiet... I want to tell that, I couldn't do anything that time except produce songs for others...

S: Two and a half years passed after X Japan disbanding. And during that time Yoshiki yourself didn't had any works on public's eyes... the reason is only hide's death, isn't it?

Y: Because of Toshi's decision to quit the band in April, more, during April to September before we declare, we had so many plan to release. These were very difficult. You think, though Toshi had quitted but I had to listen to his voice everyday. That made me feel as if X Japan still existed... by listening to his voice... day by day, I thought I couldn't stand it anymore! so I discuss with each other... we have only way... is to disband, thus, we arrange the official declaration of X Japan's disband in September. Though I couldn't say anything that time. I was surprised with myself when I have told everyone about disbanding of X Japan... What did I do?. Moreover, There were many things which made me sad over expectation... such as... Toshi said he would not go to the official declaration of X Japan's disband... That make people doubt "In fact... What's going on?" That I don't want. That moment, even really I said I didn't want to have anymore lives... but I though of our fans supporting all the time... so the last live "SAIGO NO YORU" at Tokyo Dome was take place... when I though myself was as strong, again, I decided to continue my solo works... Because there were too large number of songs... suddenly hide died!, as if something break onto my head... I became the disable one!...

S: You produce music for Shoko Kitano chan and Dir en Grey, right? So I want to know when did you feel you yourself want to produce music for the other bands?

Y: I've decided for long time... maybe when I went out of mourning for hide.

S: How about you while mourning?

Y: Ummm... same as usual, merely I couldn't do any works. When I begin it again, it wasn't the produce of each song as past. But it was produce of the whole album. Consequently, I decided not to thing about myself anymore...

S: That time you still could not think of your music?

Y: I couldn't imagined my image in an artist.

S: If that is so, when did you start to do your music?

Y: In past... I go back and forth between Japan and LA, once I met my fans, said that "Even though it took whatever long time, we still looking forward to your album". Furthermore , meanwhile my fans sent so many letters to me not only fans from Japan but also from Aus, Fre and Asia... My feeling was a bit trembled , but still couldn't do anything because of my busy produce works, but I didn't bored 'cause I love recording sound. Meanwhile I got honorably to be on stage for paid respect to our emperor in 10th Anniversary last November and on the public eyes. Although I met his majesty the emperor before, I was still abashed and exciting because It was long time I haven't heard for fans's greet, scream. Then I felt I could continue my step..

S: What on earth took you into that ceremony?

Y: It seems someone nominate my name, due to I am the musician who play both rock and classic. At that moment I knew, I was alarming so I have to take counsel with my mom.

S: Even we have not much time, but I want to have more details...

Y: I've been invited to join about one and a half month in advance, consequently I write new song for 2 weeks and the left is for piano practicing.. And rehearse with Orchestra for 3 days...

S: What about your feeling in the ceremony?

Y: All pressure and stress were appear on my face, after that ceremony, I feel as if I were out of a hard bark which covered myself.

S: Fans screaming is one of reason make Yoshiki be out of that hard bark?

Y: Yes, maybe if there were not fans screaming... I might couldn't be out of that hard bark also.

S: What was the first thing you wanted to do when you feel like that?

Y: ... Umm for me, the most important is to make my bands which I produced for... to be success, anyhow, even I worked for them... but my feeling didn't change at all. So, my solo was gradually formed and began, by go back and research some of my old works, or plan to use some new technology (point his hand to the DATs all around the wall)... except that machine... every DATs have stored each unreleased songs... all of songs of Violet UK have been produced from all of these, also. Because one can stored so many songs, thus I've stored such many songs. When I started to listen to it... I also have to change something, and I've got advises from many people. The theme song of CM Seven-Eleven is one of songs which has been stored in DATs. In the past, I'd never produce song for CM... but don't know why, last year... I was invited to produce song for CMs... a lot!

S: Did you?

Y: Umm... In the case of artist, to produce song for CM is something can't give out from oneself. But I have to go and see the true thing. For me, I don't like to go out. But this time I've been told straight from The president SUZUKI himself "Leave it to me", so, a bit surprise. Because that time lately I just tended to work for my solo, thus I though "If I use my own song to make a story like a renovation of Seven-Eleven and myself..."

S: From the past, Yoshiki have done many things but did this be the first time for writing a play?

Y: Yes, if in case of the whole movie but I've written a play for promotion VDO of X in past... to write a song is like to write a story because It need an imagine, that make me get used to think of everything all the time... Ah!? Today have to take photo?

S: Not enough time (haha)

Y: I forgot about it... (haha)

S: What about your feeling when you stand in front of the camera which you've been away for a long time?

Y: About 3 weeks ago I've been in some TV program... such an excited feeling a bit shy... can't explain...

S: You have been invited to act in CM movie so many times... but to leave it all to you is the first time for you right?

Y: Ummm... yes, but I refused "I'm not good at memorize the script so I think I can't do this project". Both Drama and movie have planned to persuade me to act i as a hero one.

S: Hey! In USA here?

Y: Yes... but nothing in progress... because of the script, I didn't satisfy by one... It didn't really attract me to play in. Even so many draft had sent to me but I didn't choose one at all.

S: What are mostly of them about?

Y: Something like... finally, hero must die. The story is about three dance style singer and I'll be a producer of them named "Yoshiki" who always encourage them when they failed or feel disapointed... at last, this character is who bring them to be successful that completely difference from the title. At first discussion, I agree to work on theme song... so, I have to know all of the story but time were passed... The director ask me to create all soundtrack music... and, again, I was crazy for being producer that time... when I started feeling that it's interesting the director persuade me to join the drama... because it was just for little words... then I Ok but... you know? the script were increase and increase 'til... I just realized "Hey, this is a script for a hero one!" (haha)... despite I didn't make any request but both script and queue were many more increased. So, I have to act as a hero in this drama... (How it come?) and I have to refuse this work... But anyhow, I've finished all soundtracks for this drama.

S: Eh?

Y: Until now, there're 4 songs, more, it has to find for 3 women who suitable to the role... in fact, I myself have to give them an audition and casting also, because of the look real-being movie so, they must be able to dance and sing, not only beautiful (haha).

S: How does this project look like?

Y: How it look like?... umm I also have no idea, but I'm continuing on this project for sure... cause I have finished all of the soundtracks and all characters were found... how it will be... I'll leave it as it is going to be... I don't know either... and the only thing I'll say is to work by forced or by your obligation is completely bad. But this time... honesty I can stand that I'm happy to do it. These because I've seen many people today work by their force and obligatory not much work on their pleasure.

When Yoshiki give an interview... he will be a very talkative and speak very much faster than usual a hundred times. Because "he have so many story inside his heart, therefore, he wants to express it even if very little "and when we interpret from the tape... we always found it's longer than the other artist's about three times. But Yoshiki today, a bit changed... numerous times that his words stopped... he had been the enthusiastic one who was very talkative when we asked about his project he was doing... but, he, now, slowly speaking... It seems in the past 2 years... The words are very difficult to let out from his mouth.. But that doesn't mean he doesn't want to say...

S: Violet UK project begin from last 6 years, right? thus I want to know that at first what is Yoshiki's plan?

Y: I want it to appear not as a band... 5herefore sound recording and stage performing have to changed... for the base of something called "music"... it is just writing a lyric and just a rhythm... this may include everything I do... but for the one who will be singer or actor... I can't decide at all... from the past even if I released any works... I always though that I would work mostly with my favorite artists, because I've thrown all of myself to X... thus, when I worked on my solo, I want to find something new to activate myself. For conclusion, it is my work concept.

S: As you have told that... now there're about 60 songs stocked, Is each song has its own image?

Y: Some part are same same, because I written all of them myself, basically, whatever I do is always about the combination of Rock and Classical, it seems this is a important symbol to Yoshiki...

S: From the past, when I imagined the image of a guy name "Yoshiki", also, I would always think about surprised songs.

Y: Many people who listen to my song for first time, might feel that, because I haven't released any of my works. However, after X's album "Jealousy" I have written my songs as usual, accordingly, I feel that there're many people think like that, though I have been doing like this for long time... even if there is new song or none.

S: Could I ask about the CM Seven-Eleven?

Y: Yes, in fact, it has just taking so little, for me it'll be better if it could have been longer... about 5 min. I want it to longer than normally CM which has just 30 second long.

S: In position that Yoshiki is the person who spend most of time creating song, moreover, after disbanding of X. You have more works, do you have time?

Y: As a matter of fact, I'm very busy man. It's just normal for me these days. It is 8 years, if you count the past time after released 'Jealousy'. When X released album Jealousy, many songs from which have been the CM music. Because, Jealousy's concept is the music w/o any computer techniques. The reason is I want fans listening to the natural real-like music. But after that I use computer helping in music thoroughly.

S: Although you use it, every concerts of X is really cool!

Y: Ummm... all this is I have used computing on the music at the back stage also, because I want everything perfect (haha).

S: I'd like you to say something about Violet UK, please.

Y: Umm a lot, I use many vocalists and about the decision that to put someone to sing some song is up to my emotion that moment.

S: There're both women and men on vocal?

Y: Nieen... there're only woman on vocal, most of songs are by woman sung.

S: Why?

Y: Due to using Toshi as a vocalist steadily, It seems... something resist in my mind not to use man as a vocalist again... add, Extasy doesn't has only man... but this isn't means that I hate man vocalist. I just though that woman's voice is more charm.

S: Most of the bands are woman in vocal position?

Y: None, most are half half, but anyhow, Violet UK has been born for my desire to present something new...

S: So that Violet UK will perform concert like the last 7 years in NY?

Y: Umm... how to say, (haha) in fact, I want to do, too, because of many works to clear, therefore everything hasn't settle down yet, but I'm looking forward to do in the future, for sure. And Violet UK, I haven't made up my mind about the things, mostly are just imagine, so me myself intend to someday I'll make all of those imagines to be true. Because I want to do something looks luxury... and attractive people, like everybody think "What the hell Yoshiki is doing, again?"(haha).

S: Then, when everyone can listen to your music?

Y: It has to follow up! (haha).

S: Is it necessary to keep secret? By the time this interview published, you shall have been in the official statement on 20 June.

Y: On 20 June the first thing and the most important that I'll say is about releasing 3-4 USA bands and 5 Japanese bands. Moreover, is to open my homepage, you can count down from this moment. I have been planned for this project for a year because this is one of the plan "going into worldwide business" and the other is about the establish of Extasy-Japan.

S: I'd like to know more about your company. I recognized that the first company that Yoshiki has founded is Extasy record..

Y: After establishing Extasy record, I also founded "Platinum record" Glay's production, during that time I had also founded a label in USA... too, I have done a contact with Warner Brother for selling our products.

S: What is that company look like?

Y: The name is "Extasy Records International", and my purpose for this company is I tend to use this firm as where sell the product from Extasy Japan, my hopes label which I determined to make it be one of the main major label in Japan. And about Extasy Records will continued producing Indie's works..

S: When does this worldwide business plan begin?

Y: It 's according to the methods and time (haha), because personally, you'll know that I love to found a label, I do... such as: Extasy Records... ah! yes... this year is the 15th anniversary of Extasy Records... I must release a memorial album... in fact I really want to finished it in 21 June, but till now, I can't choose whole songs... (haha)... at first, I founded the Extasy Records just for release X's produce, but after Vanising Vision... it has been unbelievable soldout!... that moment I myself was a bit surprised... say, it's something kind of interesting and entertaining... but too exhausted, because just 2-3 people did it! moreover, if there were a really hot hit album... About over 10,000 sold... 2-3 people is impossible and too weird. That time I decided to give up and sign contract with SONY, but George asked me to release album for Ladies Room, yet it sold out! so there're Luna Sea and Zi:Kill album following, till it grown to be a label with many staffs because we were so busy, at present it is a label that different from my early idea so much. When I founded this Extasy Records, there were a lot of music production asked me about sell my products but that wasn't my early intention then, I refused... due to Platinum Record was born and the very first band that I choose to be first experiment is Glay... though, Glay is a very successful band. Their songs has been the most sold out of the company. While I'm in USA, something about Toshi again make me feel I couldn't stand anymore. Every time I do the Internet, I found that a lot of people still care me and wait for my coming back. Thus, when I finished mourning, I tended to do something... at the right moment I wanted to produce and I see many good bands. Therefore I started new works... so I say that it's according to the methods and time, although I have never had any project or plan (haha).

S: I would like to know what the standard of music band in your mind is?

Y: Umm... what that... hard to answer, by conclusion, I just want to make a perfect work rather than think about business.

S: Back to that song... I think it was a really nice melody one.

Y: In case of music band, the vocalist is the most important second is the atmosphere together in the band, therefore, I love to work in a group.

S: As you have said, now there're more than 10 bands that you work for, right?... and if you compare in percent with relate to or not , how it will different?

Y: Simple answer is every artists that I worked for, I give them 100% each, so much that about the time is not enough. For example the girl artist named "Eajia" I worked for her almost 100%, even compose, drum, piano. But the one who I just give suggestion or select songs, I think that I give them just 50%.

S: And while you work, do you have to separate the feeling that you're an artist that case or a producer that case?

Y: It has to go along together. Couldn't separate, for me, whatever work I do, I always think that it is one of my work. Accordingly, I give much honor to every member. Once in a while, I will interrupt that "I think we should do this or that", and overtime that I think so, I will say. Not to ask "What we should do". This because, to arrange or so on... Is the additional thing for upgrade the quality of each song. Therefore, although I have that no time, I couldn't stand not to help them.

S: See, you might be an aggressive person, so you take it your duty to take care of so many people's works.

Y: Yes, lack of consciousness... everybody who find this word, think of a man name "Yoshiki" (haha).

S: That might be too strong.

Y: It's enough and suitable.

S: If that is so, it means... no matter about the time in work for you?

Y: For me, it's no problem. But the others will be in trouble. Such as today I 'm so sorry to make you guys wait so long, I myself don't understand either why I have to do such many things like these. But everything I do, I put all my effort into it and have fun with them. Yes, maybe because I never plan any project.... it has been like this all the time. Because in the past when I say I'll do something, I always can't do that... so I led it according to time and methods, see... I really live on my tuition.

S: If you say time do it, and led it according to time and methods, thus each time, you feel that "It comes"?

Y: Umm... it's marvelous, each projects are good in progress. I don't want to say that it is just because my opportunity, I think it must be something more added together. Not only that I have been on stage again or letters from fans, it has been so many things... I think it was so so.. Marvelous! really, seriously.

S: Lately, I've been to your new office.

Y: Eh! really? have you seen the audition room?

S: Yes I have, but it still during installation of TV phone.

Y: It done now, so next time I can have a long-distance conference from LA and Tokyo, Is it cool? I designed it myself!

S: Eh... Really?

Y: Design in my meaning... Is just give suggestion to everybody that should do this in this spot, do that in that spot... something like this, and this office building, I designed it myself too!

S: In case of Yoshiki, If you don't do everything by yourself, it may be sad (haha).

Y: Yes yes, it may be sad..

S: If so, why don't you use yourself point the way for yourself?

Y: I do!, because it is the way that I have to walking down alone, so it's all my responsibility to do the best in it, and will feel so sad if I didn't build it, even though the way will whatever that long.

S: Such as, that you decided to founded Extasy... This is really wonderful, though you still walking to worldwide market.

Yoshiki look straight into my eyes and say clearly... "I'm not the person who likes to turn his head to look backward"... the time for interview now is no longer much. So I think we should point to the climax spot, instantly after I said that, yet he look to long long away no matter was... with full of breath and say..."In the past 2 years, I have been really happy" but this didn't mean that while he walk forward, Yoshiki could forget the tragic past. In this interview, we found he always said platitudinous things, those are... happy and sadly... this make me feel he is a man who have both gentle and energetic in suitable rate. Here are his next words... after his full of breath.

Y: Sometimes, I'm in a studio and I feel like to drum, I drum... but when I drum, I always recognized that memorial pictures in the past... especially the precious memory during X times... it might because I have nothing, really even Fan Club, so I couldn't contact my fans... just one way that I could know about my fans is only the coming letters sometimes... this because I didn't stay in Japan a long time... more, I didn't appear on any mass medium... so sometimes I think I'm a person in past already.

S: Nowadays, each artists have their own homepage, and so many people ask that "What is Yoshiki doing now"... and I myself couldn't find the answer... thus I have to fly here in LA immediately, because this is the only way to bring the answer to everyone.

Y: Really? I'm so glad!... I've been far from Japan so long time... So sometimes I think unreasonable that "Umm... now everybody might forget about my story because X is no longer exists..." (haha).

S: Have you thought like this?

Y: Some... because in the past I play music just for help myself from sadness... So when I don't play... I don't know what I'll be, more, after finished that song that I've let you guys listen... it has been worse, because I have to play in memorial concert of hide, so I think everything is soooooo mean... (for memorial concert) I decided to make it really for hide himself, even though there were so many things in contrast in my mind, but I tried to gather it again... yet unsuccessful... that's why concert at Kawasaki have to stop.

S: I remember that time there were more than 200 music bands from all over Japan and what about almost 1000 staffs and relate activity people, Yoshiki that time speak and cry in the same time.

Y: Ummm... it was really sad, because I intend to show in a big place all over Japan... so I have to rely on supporting from live houses, that time Extasy's staffs and relate person told that... if Yoshiki-san wanted to do that... we 'll help you. So before the concert, there were a lot of people asked to join the concert. I want to say thank you so much to everybody now, here, to support my idea... I think if everybody didn't do it with your innocent intention, it must not have been this success, because that time was so tough... everything seemed to be worse.

S: For Yoshiki, the bad time always longer than the others?

Y: Um... so that time I didn't want to have much interviews.

S: You mean that time there're a lot of people ask for interview you?

Y: Yes... pretty much, I myself am not such a that strong person , I still have some weak point... on this earth I think there's no one that is real strong, people when we have some hard time over and over again, all the weakness that we were hiding it will all appeared just then, so do I, meeting a lot of tough things even the disbanding of X, Death of hide or even about Toshi...

S: But now you look much more cheerful!

Y: Finally I made it!

S: That's good.

Y: Ummm good, For the past 2 years, I had no chance to say something, so I though I've been forgotten already... But when I've been on stage again, I felt that everyone still come to see me, to scream for me, that was impressed me a lot and made me realized "everybody is still waiting for my return" so I have to do something, and that should be a big surprised, this caused all the ideas came out in my head.

S: Your projects are pretty much until we gonna surprise "Yoshiki isn't human anymore" (haha)

Y: Oh !Really? If that is true, what should I do then... but anyhow, I think that everything I have done, it was each dot that connected to everybody to close to each other, thus I'm not so interest in giving much interviews..

S: Have you have any chance to drum lately?

Y: Not really, but when I have to drum, I have to training so hard... once we have to drum over and over about 20-30 minutes to make a sampling but I haven't been drumming about 3 hours as in the past... I'm not really sure when I have a concert I could drum anymore or not... because to drum 2-3 hours nonstop... it is really tired as well as running in marathon... So now I don't know what's going to be...

S: From now on, what will happen to Yoshiki's drumming?

Y: If I have a chance, I'll do... I'm not sure now if there're any drum spot available in any band?

S: You're gonna join them?

Y: Poor thing, the band that have me as a member (haha).

S: If so, when will Yoshiki's going to appear as an artist?

Y: I'd like to release my own music in the end of this year... because I want to get up and decide to try again.

S: How about the interview with Matsuda Seiko on TV?

Y: It's a coincidence... Seiko-San then arrived to LA and asked if I have an interview at my own house, she'll be really glad... So I have an openhouse interview.

S: An Openhouse interview and talk about your personal... make me feel that "Finally uour mind's condition is better".

Y: Well, I'm not pretty sure about that because the death of hide is really shocked me... for example, when I was doing my produce thing... it has been so often that I though about the hide style verses... and that make me feel real down in the heart... but "It has been something I can no longer help".

S: Ummm...

Y: That time I was really shocked! really.. I buried myself in the sorrow and sadness for such a long time, when my dad was passed away, I was sad and isolated myself about 2-3 first weeks, but this, I have to isolate myself for about 2 years, This because I feel that... from now on, there's no best friend and closest friend of mine anymore... but we still have to live anyway...

S: Your life in the past, there were a lot of times that you have to recover your mind (haha).

Y: Umm... time is a good helper... each day that passing by, make my feeling eventually better because in my case... I'm not such a person that will stop, don't do anything!

S: So that make you have no more freetime again...

Y: Yep!

S: Do you have any personal time?

Y: I don't have much now... but I myself don't ask or request specially for them!... because I nowadays am happy with my life no matter to play instruments, produce or think about the company.

S: The last one, do you have anything to tell Japanese fans who have wait for your return forever?

Y: I'm really glad to know that everyone is still looking forward to my return. Thank you very much although all the time, I have been doing the things that make everybody cry, sad badly... so I'd like to payback to you guys, that I won't isolate myself bury myself in the sadness anymore.. I'll reveal all the sadness and my sorrow to everybody, this because I want to step forward... thank you everybody so much!...

Note by Midori: Thank you: Shoxx Magazine for Interview, Idol Magazine for Thai translation, P@T and Miya for some English helping and You to read my awful English till this point.

ThanX: Midori