Interview ~ Kuro (VelBet): July 4, 2008
Anime Expo 2008
Kuro, the drummer for the band VelBet, took some time out of his busy schedule during AX to sit down and answer a few of our questions about his band, VelBet, and his first time at an anime convention in the United States.
What do you think of this event, Anime Expo, so far?
Kuro: Yes, well it's my first time here and my first time participating in an event like this. I didn't know what to expect really. But now that I'm here and I'm seeing everyone enjoying the atmosphere so much, it's kind of caught on and right now I can say I'm enjoying it very much!
How do American fans compare to fans in Japan?
Kuro: They're kind of the same, but here fans embrace everything even when they're not familiar with it.
Yesterday there was an event at the CURE shop in Little Tokyo. What did you think of that event?
Kuro: On the whole it was a pretty fun event and I met lots of very sweet people! There were actually people who knew who VelBet was! (English) So surprised!!
Did you think they wouldn't know who VelBet was?
Kuro: Well, more like... even though we have a myspace and lots of friends, I totally didn't expect that many people to come!
Ah but they came! Are you happy?
Kuro: (English) Many, many happy!
So will VelBet be performing here someday?
Kuro: Oh we're hoping to, or actually, we plan to. But we don't know when. We may have a one man live in the future. But VelBet is going through changes right now. Like, we're changing up our members and we're in the process of recording new material so we can put forth an album. So, we have to wait and see what the reaction is from fans in America first.
Why the name VelBet?
Kuro: Velvet, the word and meaning fit nicely with what we're trying to accomplish musically, but it's kind of boring and regular on its own. So we changed it to VelBet.
What was VelBet's first live like?
Kuro: Our first live? Nerve-wracking. It was in kind of a big house. (Laughs) It was a gamble at the time.
And where do you get the inspiration for VelBet's big, fancy costumes?
Kuro: I think of what I want them to look like, and then I draw them and I start adding more things as I draw. Actually, there's a fantastic seamstress, Chikako Miyako? Yeah. My first costume was handmade. But the second and third costumes were company-made. We had many meetings. Many meetings before the costumes were finalized!
Wait a minute. You sewed your first costume?!
Kuro: Yes. It was easy! I used the pattern from the Gothic Lolita Bible! Just (demonstrates) Snip, snip, snip.
Ohhhh. So you like Lolita?
Kuro: Umm I like lolita, but I prefer the darker lolita clothing, like gothic lolita.
Ah I see! What visual bands do you like?
Kuro: As an influence, X Japan came first. And then second was LUNA SEA. A lot of visual fans learn from their older brother or sisters. In my case it was my older sister and my mom. I learned about a lot of visual bands through them. Like my sister would be listening on her headphones and say "Oh this is good" and then I would want to listen.
Do you have a favorite?
Kuro: BUCK-TICK, and I like short anime songs... and techno. Add this in there-- EL OH EL. (Laughs)
Did you always want to be visual?
Kuro: Not always. I mean, I liked that style at first but I think gradually my style changed to more of a men's style. Aristocrat, like Versailles.
Ahh, how is VelBet's music different from other visual kei bands?
Kuro: We have a very, very heavy sounding guitarist so we play heavily. But our vocalist loves pop music. The opposing sides kind of bring us together, brings the sound together. The pop melody is very emphatic. The vocalist, he tries to sound dark but he likes pop. The pop melody is what sticks out. OK, it's kind of like when you use the bathroom! The smell that kind of sticks? Think of that as our pop melody! It sticks but in a good way! (Laughs)
(Laughing very hard) I see, I see, I see. Ok then, what is your impression so far of the USA?
Kuro: Tokyo is smaaaallll. America is biiiiggg. I noticed in McDonald's, the cheese on the hamburgers is very heavy.
Eh? So cheese in Japan is...
Kuro: It's not as heavy. The flavor is much thinner!
Ahh, what has been your favorite place so far that you visited?
Kuro: I love Rolling Hills. It's beautiful there. The view was so amazing! I could see for miles. Also, here in California the entertainment is... (Laughs) Like Hollywood entertainers? Yeah. (English) Six pack surprise!!
(Laughs) Yes, we have many of those. Most people say they want to visit Disneyland though.
Kuro: I want to go to Disneyland! I need Disneyland! I want to go to dream world! (English) Dream land! I don't even know why I haven't gone!
Yes, you really need to go! What do you like to do in your downtime?
Kuro: I like surfing the next, sleeping, drumming, graphic design, PC games... Especially NES, like old nintendo games?
Oh? What game would you reccomend?
Kuro: Monster Hunter on PSP! Recently all the Jrockers have been really into it...
Ahh that one's a bit addicting. Well, Kuro from VelBet, would you like to say something to all the current and future fans of VelBet?
Kuro: Until now we've had five, and starting August 10 we'll be on a break. We don't know who will stay yet or what's going to change. It's secret. Right now the line-up is Riuki on vocals, Takashi on guitar, Chisato on bass, Kaine on guitar and myself on drums. Please wait for announcements on whats going to happen. Please look forward to it! Watch! Speaking for myself I like LA a lot! And I want to come back!
Interview by Sarah; photos by Kei
Thank you to Kuro for taking time to answer our questions; thank you to CURE for making this possible.
links
VelBet Official Website
VelBet Official MySpace
CURE Official Website
CURE Official Myspace
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