“alicenine”
SHOXX 2004.08 vol 138
Original text: ERI MIZUTANI
English Translation: Jea
A ‘Customer Is King’ Mentality
With these guys being mentioned in “SHOKKUN’s quick gossip” corner in last month’s issue of SHOXX, you didn’t let them go unnoticed. Good eyes!!
That being said, despite the fact that they only just formed in April 2004, alicenine is a band we anticipate having a flood of questions for, and this is their first appearance in our magazine.
Just like the band’s name, the members’ individual personalities carry a lot of impact.
And this summer they’ll release that longed-for 1st CD.
alicenine is a band you won’t be able to look away from.
Nao-san, you were central to the formation of the band, weren’t you?
Nao: Saga-kun and I spoke about forming a band together because we shared the same attitude and viewpoint. When we were searching for other band members afterwards, we met Show-kun and Tora-kun. Then Nao, the elder old man, went to the mountain to gather firewood, and when he did, Hiroto emerged from within a shining stalk of bamboo. Like a blessing from heaven. ¹
That last part is a questionable development, but… (laugh) Even so, the naming of your band had a lot of impact.
Saga: The impact it had just at a glance was good.
Show: I thought a band name that would connect with all five senses would be good, and so we became ‘alicenine’.
Nao: The other four actually decided on the band name when I wasn’t there. And what’s more, they told me, “if you want to know our band name, please look it up online”. (everyone laughs)
What is alicenine’s concept?
Nao: If I were to put it in one word, it would be “beat”.
Everyone else: This is the first time we’re hearing this, but… (laugh)
Saga: The concept is, “whatever we do is right”. Let’s give that a shot!!
Tora: That’s good with me!
Nao: Everyone takes pride in their position within the band, so I think we can manage that.
What sort of sound do you want to have?
Nao: I think our music will be able to do even more extensive things from here on out. In any case, we’ll do what we think is cool, and if that becomes alicenine’s originality, I have faith that the sound will be good.
And your first release is out on July 5th.
Nao: It goes on sale on Show-kun’s birthday.
Show: We haven’t decided on the title yet, but why don’t we make it “Nao yells in the centre of the world (temporary)” for now? ²
Everyone: …….. (awkward laugh)
Please carefully refine your idea from here on out. What sort of single did the compositions turn into?
Show: It’s a single with two songs on it, but in these songs you can understand and easily get to know alicenine. I think it turned into a single that’s like a substitute business card for us.³ The rhythm section recording was quick.
Nao: Because we finished it in 3 takes!
Saga: That’s only because it wasn’t hard work!
Nao: No, it’s becaaause we worked so hard (everyone laughs)
Each of you, please tell us the selling points of the songs.
Show: For TIME MACHINE, the completed arrangement really had a floating, drifting feel to it. Right away the image of a time machine came to mind, so the lyrics turned out that way.
Tora: I created this song with the image of Japanese pop and the American rock that I like getting combined. I want you to listen to the acoustic guitar solo. I was told, “nice acoustic guitar!” and given 150 yen (laugh). ⁴
Show: The moment I heard Hana Ichi Monme I really wanted to add the “Kagome Kagome” children’s song to it.
Saga: I was thinking that I wanted those sorts of lyrics for the song, so it’s really great that you did it. I played the bass while really thinking about elevating the singing, so I want you to listen to the singing first and foremost.
Show: The expression of the singing is different in both songs, so I’d like you to listen paying close attention to that.
Saga: The bass changes expression in both songs as well, so I’d like you to feel the sound with your body.
Hiroto: These are songs that have a ton of passion, and youth and vitality are contained inside them. Yep.
Nao: I played diligent rhythms in the songs using Anti-Feedback equipment for the drums.
Show: So, this is about lives, but in our band, our stage-left guitarist is in the bassist’s spot. ⁵
Tora: I’m in the back, supporting them completely with my playing.
Nao: Tora and I are putting on a solid performance, and the 3 people in the front are goofing off.
You’ve performed some lives so far, but what has the response been like?
Saga: From here on, we’re going to improve how our staging is spread out. People have been nice enough to overlook it for about two months… My feelings aren’t watering down at all, and from now on, I personally want to do the impossible.
Nao: I want Saga-kun and I to become the best rhythm team in the Visual Kei scene. Also… (countless minutes pass while he gives a tireless, passionate speech – everyone else seems bored) …so, well, the 5 of shouldn’t shrink away from doing our best!
Hiroto: I want to—bam!—put out a flavour of music that only we can. Yeah. I want to become an exciting band in the Visual Kei scene and just keep passionately working our hardest. Yep.
Tora: As a ‘the customer comes first’ band, alicenine will be devoted every day to doing our best this summer, so please support us.
Show: I think these members are going to be able to step up their game, so from now on, please watch us closely.