SCANDAL Interviewhttp://www.j-popworld.com/Interviews/SCANDAL.php (http://www.j-popworld.com/Interviews/SCANDAL.php)
"While we were recording last year, we were asked if we wanted to try out for the opening theme for "Bleach." Mami was especially a huge fan of "Bleach," so we immediately started to work on it. There were apparently many other candidate artists, so we felt very honored and happy when our song was chosen." - SCANDAL When you think of the word "scandal" the first thing that pops into your mind probably isn't an all girl band from Japan, unless you are a huge fan of the anime series "Bleach" that is. Coming from a music industry somewhat notorious for manufacturing groups, our first look at this high school uniform wearing band made us wonder... until we listened to their music.
With full throttle songs like Shojo S, Tokyo and Space Ranger these four musicians from Osaka have managed to create a beautifully sexy moe inducing appearance with all its obvious commercial appeal while keeping their identity as a rock band to be taken seriously. Their first full length album "Best Scandal" will be released in Japan on October 21. On September 1, 2009 the members of SCANDAL were kind enough to give an interview to Andrew from J-Pop World. All photos courtesy of 2009 EPIC Records Japan Inc.
Let's start with the news of your upcoming single. Can you give us a peak at the title and what songs will be included?
We will be releasing our new single "Yumemiru Tsubasa" on October 14th. It's been almost a year since our debut, and this song is about our feeling towards our dream. This became a very important song for us. The single also includes "BEAUTeen!!" which was recently released digitally, and also "Day Dream," a cover song of Judy and Mary.
Will any of the music be featured on an anime series or somewhere else?
Not at the moment.
Have you already shot a music video to go with the single? Can you tell us about it?
Yes, we've already shot the video. The shooting started very early in the morning and it was really hot during the day, but it was very fun!
Can fans hope to see SCANDAL's first full length album in the near future?
We're currently working on it. We hope to release it this year.
You released your previous single, "Shojo S," back in June. Shojo S really is a great song. Can you tell us more about it?
The "S" stands for "s" as in plural in English. (Shojo means girl: Shojo S = girls.) This song is about the screaming voices of the girls. The composer of this song is Yuichi Tajika.
The video for the song features the four of you performing in the rain, highlighted by a great visual transition to a sunny day. What was it like shooting it?
Shooting in the rain for 3 hours was very tough... But we really like how it came out.
Who is the guy in the video and what exactly is he doing and saying?
He's a famous comedian called Junichi Koumoto (from the duo Jicho Kacho), and he's playing the janitor role, telling us to go home.
Shojo S was of course featured in the anime series "Bleach." Can you tell us the story of how that happened?
While we were recording last year, we were asked if we wanted to try out for the opening theme for "Bleach." Mami was especially a huge fan of "Bleach," so we immediately started to work on it. There were apparently many other candidate artists, so we felt very honored and happy when our song was chosen.
Btw, do any of you have a favorite anime or manga series?
We all like "Bleach," "One Peace," and "K-On!"
Your website features anime shorts about the group. Can you tell us about doing the voice-overs for them?
Some of those lines are actually ad-libs, and we had lots of fun doing it.
Have you done voice acting for any other anime shows, or have a desire to in the future?
Not yet, but we would be interested in doing it in the future. Especially Mami!
The level of energy in your stage shows is impressive. We have to ask... which one of you can jump the highest with your guitar?
It's not about the competition. It's about what kind of spirit you have, and how cool you can jump!
Good answer! Your song Koi Moyo was featured in the movie "Corazon de Melon." What did you think about making a song for a movie staring Takanori Nishikawa aka TM Revolution?! (Did you get to meet him btw?)
Actually, the song existed before the movie. And yes, we were able to meet Nishikawa-san during the stage greetings. We were all very excited to meet him!
In March of last year you were part of the "Japan Nite 2008" US Tour. How was it?
It was actually our first time to even go on a tour, so there were many things that we didn't know, but it was such a great experience to perform every day in different cities.
Did you have any major worries or concerns about coming to the US before the tour started?
It was our first time to travel outside of Japan, so we were worried about the different language and the food culture.
What were your lasting memories of the trip?
We didn't think that there would be any audience in the U.S., but we were very happy that many fans gave us a very warm welcome. We feel very thankful.
Any plans on another North American tour?
Not yet, but we are always talking about how we would love to go back. Please invite us!
Let's learn more about the origin of the band. Can you tell us the story of how you all meet and started SCANDAL?
We met at a dance/vocal school in Osaka. The teacher there recommended us to play an instrument, and that's how we got started.
How did you find the time to be in a band while still attending high school?
We practiced after school was over. We sometimes even went on a practice camp during vacation since some of us lived far away and it was difficult for all of us to meet up.
Tell us about your first performances at Shibuya Club Asia and its importance to your career.
We were all too nervous, and don't remember anything... But that was a very important show because all the people from the record company and the management were at that show, which eventually led to our debut.
Btw do you know the members of Oreskaband?
Yes, we're good friends with them. We'd go see their show, and they'd come see ours!
Do you write most of your music and lyrics yourself, or do you use other songwriters?
The music is written by other songwriters, but we all write the lyrics together.
Do you have nicknames for each other? What do you usually call each other?
We would call each other in shortened names. Like we would call Haruna as "Haru" and Tomomi as "Tomo."
Which of you would you say is the most outgoing? The shyest?
We're all shy (smiles).
Outside of music, what do you all like to do for fun?
Food, clothes and watching movies. Talking about comedians is also a common topic for all of us.
Do you have a final message to all your fans?
How are you America!? We will be releasing our new single in October, and we are also currently working on our album too. We'd love to come back to the U.S. again, and we really appreciate all your support!
Rolling Stone Japan interview:
http://xbrand.yahoo.co.jp/category/entertainment/4019/1.html (http://xbrand.yahoo.co.jp/category/entertainment/4019/1.html)
(http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/5267/scandalblt0812.th.jpg) (http://img59.imageshack.us/i/scandalblt0812.jpg/)
BLT Magazine, December 2008.
Oooh so far this is the only subbed interview I know of that's online ;'OThanks! I have never seen that interview before :)
Boy do I got a lot of these. :nervousI have barely seen any Scandal magazine scans so mad props for sharing those! :thumbsup
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t131/higirl410/th_Magazine_CDData_001.jpg) (http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t131/higirl410/?action=view¤t=Magazine_CDData_001.jpg)Haruna's hairstyle :thumbup
Oooh so far this is the only subbed interview I know of that's online ;'O
Oooh so far this is the only subbed interview I know of that's online ;'OYep, that's from their MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/scandal4). :)
1. it WAS Nirvana which influenced the guitar smashing :angry:
If you wanna see the set, I can PM it to you~ I just don't want to post it cuz it's not my work, don't want any confusion. But it's awesome. :inlove:Yeah sure, hook me up! :yep:
asagi132 also subbed the MUSIC JAPAN talk from 2008.11.06 on his/her blog: http://asagi132.wordpress.com/downloads/my-fansubbing-works/ (http://asagi132.wordpress.com/downloads/my-fansubbing-works/)Thanks! :thumbup
^ I know, right? It must be so scandalous. :lol: Sorry, but the pun does fit, ne? :Pit was asagi132 who give me this picture. :lol:
And uwah, such a hi-res picture! *faints* Where'd you find it?! >_<
1. it WAS Nirvana which influenced the guitar smashing :angry:
I think you mean Pete Townshend. ;)
You're welcome guys and yuup like lambchopsuey said it's on their myspace as well :w00t:
oho~ I wanted to find more interviews and helllooo~ I bumped into their interview they had in France :'D
It's subbed in french though o.o
http://www.asia-tik.com/interview-scandal.php (http://www.asia-tik.com/interview-scandal.php)
Scanned by risa319 at SS:
Myojo July 09:
(http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3170/myojo200907.th.jpg) (http://img194.imageshack.us/i/myojo200907.jpg/)
Myojo Dec 09:
(http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/2646/myojo2009121.th.jpg) (http://img194.imageshack.us/i/myojo2009121.jpg/) (http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3707/myojo2009122.th.jpg) (http://img194.imageshack.us/i/myojo2009122.jpg/)
i hope someone with a good heart would subbed their interviews :)
(http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/3624/o0800112.th.jpg) (http://img535.imageshack.us/i/o0800112.jpg/)
TV interview (no subs - sorry) which is worth looking at as Sadako seems to have replaced Rina on drums and Mami is wearing heels! :shockedI betcha a whole bunch of fanboys jumpping up and down after seeing Haruna's ear. :D For Rina, I'm glad that she's going black again. Furthermore, her long hair give her a few options. Check out the curvy get-up she had in this vid. She may take me away from Tomomi :nervous
I betcha a whole bunch of fanboys jumpping up and down after seeing Haruna's ear.
I betcha a whole bunch of fanboys jumpping up and down after seeing Haruna's ear.
Er...why? :?
I kind of remember reading somewhere that people find Haruna's ear an attractive feature, said by Haruna.