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(SHOXX July 2002) [ code : {IS} ISSHI, {AK} AKIYA, {SH} SHIN, {NA} NAO, {IZ} IZUMI ] This event was held in Roppongi Velfarre and involved some of the hottest indie bands in Japan. Tickets were sold out one month before the event and it soon became one of the greatest gatherings of a few most famous bands in the scene. The bands that took part were Waive, baroque, Kagrra, Kagerou, Due'le quartz and Psycho le Cemu. Here is a translation of what Kagrra had to say after SHOCK JAM 2002. So how was SHOCK JAM in Velfarre? IS : It was awesome, wasn't it? NA : People were in a frenzy from the morning of that day. AK : The little problem we had was a bit disappointing though. The interruption in between the set was unavoidable. SH : But still it was a great Live. But surely at such a big event like this you must have felt frustrated about the abrupt halt of your set due to some technical fault. IS : Not really, we were at least able to realize that we are indeed appreciated by the fans. AK : But we were worried about the fans and their safety. SH : We didn't want any of them hurt. Obviously we wanted to carry on with our show without any casualties. Before this event, Kagrra have performed in Velfarre before, am I right? AK : Yes we have but that was totally different. It was for a different event so the feel was different. IS : The crowd this time was more agrresive and we felt like we needed cover from them. But it was really fun. It felt like there was a mirror ball hanging down from the ceiling. In fact I thought that Kagrra was the most out of place band there *laugh* Really? I personally thought that Velfarre suits Kagrra...*laugh* SH : Whoa, a new perspective! IS : Maybe that was where Neo Japanesque came to birth *laugh* AK : And 'Mr Dizzy'* was a great man wasn't he? *laugh* NA : Oh yes he was pretty good. IS : After that event we received a lot of fan letters. The fans were saying that they originally came to watch other bands perform but after seeing our set they almost immediately became Kagrra fans. That really made us feel a sense of attainment. It's definitely a good thing for Kagrra. IZ : I really want to play in an event like this again. AK : To be included in a SHOXX organized event was an honor and we really worked hard to make it a success. IS : That was true, we started to work for this event from the beginning and wish to put in the same effort for our One Man Tour. *[`kane : I am assuming that Mr Dizzy (tachikurami-san) was the emcee of SHOCK JAM 2002] Speaking of which, since the start of 2002 Kagrra have not been having many Live events to date. IS : Yup, since January and it's now March, we've only had a total of two Live acts. AK : Anyway, just the other day we were thinking of making some of our stage prop(instead of buying) just for old time's sake. In fact, the lanterns that were used at the event were made by us! Oh yes, those were hand made by Kagrra weren't they. AK : Yup. How should I say this, those lanterns sort of reflected our individuality. We assigned tasks to each member. NA : Yeah sure, useless individuality was let out alright. *laugh* AK : Come on, don't say that! *laugh* IS : Anyway, we also gave points to our finish lanterns, and Akiya naturally got the highest points. He scored 100 points!! Next was me at 70 points, Shin was around the same too. Izumi was pretty bad so we gave him a 20. But Nao...he was way below the minus zero margin. *group laugh* Before we even got to use it, it broke into pieces. *laugh* SH : I mean a normal lantern should look firm and connected at all corners but his was all loose and out of shape. *laugh* AK : That was why we feared that it would be dangerous to use his lantern and we on the production team worked feverously repairing it. SH : We even had to resort to using disposable chopsticks. *laugh* AK : And that was how we reminisced of old times and worked hard for our show. I see. So you guys used to make your own stage prop for your shows last time? NA : Yes we did. IS : Yup. AK : We used to even make the arch we have on stage on our own. SH : And the arch was really huge. *group laugh* IS : Yeah I still remember we would be building it before our Lives and I'll be screaming 'All right boy's turn it over!!... Yes, that's right' *laugh* SH : Or 'Hurry, haul the block up!!' *laugh* It sounds like you guys are now pro-construction workers. *laugh* AK : That's why we should never forget about how we started, all the hardship is something we should forever treasure. IS : I do regret one thing about the event though, our stage time was too short for the fans to actually connect with our messages and songs. I always think that the only way for one to really understand what Kagrra strives for is to experience our One Man shows. I call out to everyone who is interested in Kagrra to please come and join us in our upcoming One Man Tour. |