Interview ~ The Underneath: February 22, 2008
Rockstar Taste of Chaos
The Underneath, as Transtic Nerve, has played in America before. Now they will be doing a full US tour as part of the Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour. Taka took the time to answer a few of our questions about the new band, as well as their upcoming tour.
For those of our readers who may not be familiar with you yet, please introduce yourselves and the part you play.
The Underneath has just formed this year; but Taka (vocals), Masato (guitar), Tal (guitar), Ryo (bass), and Masaki (drums) have previously been in a band called TRANSTIC NERVE for about eleven years beforehand. Two bands employed at a live music club were dismissed at the same time, and five people from those bands met, and formed this band.
You were formerly known as Transtic Nerve. Why did you decide to change the name to The Underneath?
At that time, TRANSTIC NERVE had just seen its 10th anniversary and we were talking of expanding into foreign countries. And so we made a new concept from this one feeling and want.
Is Transtic Nerve finished, or do you think you will go back to being Transtic Nerve again?
I do not think that it is finished, but I do not feel the need to return either.
I will concentrate all my power on The Underneath now.
What is the significance of the name The Underneath?
At first, when I thought about what was most important in a band name, I was inspired by the sound of the word "Underneath", and the meaning, like the non-visible inside or the bottom of the heart. I thought that these words represented a sound and a view of the world that I wanted to express.
What sort of differences are there between Transtic Nerve and The Underneath?
I think that the base of the music does not change, but that the music of The Underneath sets this existing stage to emphasize Japan’s sorrowful melodies and wabi sabi. (Ed.- wabi sabi is an aesthetic of traditional Japanese beauty, and that such beauty is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.)
If you could choose one song to best represent Transtic Nerve, what would it be?
[Getting Closer]. Because this music can be added to and played even as The Underneath, I think that you can look forward to it.
As Transtic Nerve, you have performed in America before. Can you tell us a little about that?
It was stressful but always exciting. It’s great to play rock at the home of rock. However, only a feeling I merely take my ease and stand, and to say is still left. It was a good experience, and it affected our later activity, the way of thinking for our music.
One thing that Japanese bands often say when they’ve played in America is that there’s a big difference between Japanese audiences and American audiences. What’s your take on this?
I thought that I was very different. But I thought that the way fans experienced concerts was the most different. I could see the different ways of enjoying ｒｏｃｋ.
Besides the audience’s reaction to the live show itself, there are many cultural differences between Americans and Japanese in general. For example, Japanese give gifts to band members more often than Americans. But there are still American fans that bring gifts. What’s the strangest gift you’ve ever gotten?
The strangest thing we have gotten is probably a public lottery ticket or a small bicycle!
Is there anything in particular you’d like to receive as a gift from your American fans?
There isn’t anything. I just want to present Japanese rock to American fans.
Turning the tables a bit, if you could give any gift to your fans OTHER than your music, what would it be?
I want to give them my home-made sukiyaki.
Or maybe socks....
Your debut album is titled MOON FLOWER. What is the significance of this title?
The title of the album illustrates some themes that I had felt throughout the recording process for this music. Much of our music featured the theme of human darkness inside the mind or life and I thought of that and of words to express this organic thing of mystery and life, and words with sex appeal are good as well, so I said and did it with the words "MOON FLOWER", meaning a flower which blooms in the darkness to moonlight.
Do you have any goals for this year, either personal goals or goals as a band?
To succeed in the TASTE OF CHAOS tour first, and then do a live in our home country, Japan, and following that expand our activities into the world through Europe and Asia. I'd like to establish a common presence as The Underneath in this world.
I think there are no real long-term goals, but it's my goal as an individual to put on a performance using the expressive power as the vocalist to charm the audience.
More and more, the internet is becoming a tool for bands to gain fans. Especially for bands that have an international following, the internet is crucial. Do you think that you are using the internet to its full potential? Please explain.
I don't know whether it can be utilized fully right now, but an official website and myspace have been started with all of our information. I think of the internet as a tool to bridge distances as information and messages can be sent in real time anywhere. And I'd like to use that tool as much as possible. And I also think the state of music software and copyrights are being changed already by the spread of the internet, but however I am interested also in whether the state of the music software shifts.
What hopes or expectations do you have for the Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour?
We are participating in such big tour, we can’t wish for anything more. We will have experiences we can’t even imagine.
How do you feel about having the chance to do a tour like this?
I am honored. I am heartily thankful. I want to challenge myself to the limit of my power for this live event.
How do you feel about playing with American bands?
I think this central rock is a valuable experience which can be felt imminently. It's interesting how our music affects the audience and other bands.
Are you looking forward to doing anything in particular on this tour? Are you excited about any particular stop on the tour?
Because it is our first time to participate in such a big tour abroad, everything is exciting. I'd like to see every city and every culture as much as possible. We are also doing a Meet & Greet event in the tour, so I am also looking forward to meeting our American audience.
Finally, do you have a message for your fans?
Because I want to share all our feelings on the stage, I will go past the language and cultural barrier so that I can spend our time together for the best. Let's do this together!
interview by Melony; thanks to Kara for editing; photo courtesy of TOC
Thank you to Taka for taking the time to answer our questions, and thank you to Rockstar Taste of Chaos for arranging the interview.
links
The Underneath Official Website
The Underneath Official MySpace
Rockstar Taste of Chaos
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