August 17, 2001
This is the day to remember, the day that NEW SODMY had their first live. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend, lucky me. ^^ (I'm forever grateful to my wonderful friend Juillet-san. Thank you so much for everything you've done and everything you will do for me. I don't know how I can ever repay it all.) Anyhow, I will do my best to write up a live report on it (hey, this live is burned into memory for the most part ^^), including attempted translations of Kamijo-sama's MCs. Also, I was able to take some pictures at this live. ^o^
The live
The live was held at On Air West in Shibuya (Tokyo). It consisted of 5 bands (listed in the order they're in on the ticket)--WEREWOLF (NEW SODMY), Black Berry, RED, No?Yes!!, JZEIL. The opening time was 6:00 p.m. and the start time was 6:30 p.m. I walked in with Juillet-san around 6:15 and noticed that NEW SODMY didn't have a booth for selling stuff...awww. Also, the pamphlet/booklet we received only had a small ad for them and no ankeeto (questionnaire)...also awww. It also occurred to me that they hadn't checked our bags upon our entrance, which I thought was a bit odd.
Anyway, no one had any idea when NEW SODMY would be on, so we settled in the back to wait. First, No?Yes!! played. I actually rather liked them...not too heavy/loud, still pretty melodic. It was during this that I noticed a girl near me taking pictures, and with flash too, so it was pretty obvious (there were staff people standing at the back, manning the booths). Next was RED, which was similar to No?Yes!! in genre of rock, though not in style. I thought they were pretty good too. Then, JZEIL, who Juillet-san had thought might be last since they were quite popular. Apparently not. Thankfully, their set was short, as they were very loud and heavy (I wanted to save my ears for NEW SODMY ^^). Throughout this, I noticed more and more people taking pictures...how strange. I wanted to take pictures of NEW SODMY, but I wasn't sure how dangerous that might be, even though all these other people were doing it. I decided to turn off my flash so as not to disturb the band and try it when they came on. At this point, there were two bands left and it was about 8:30 already. Satsuki-chan, a friend of Juillet-san's, said she had to work the next day and if NEW SODMY wasn't the next band, she would have to leave. Another girl in our group (sorry, I can't remember her name and I don't seem to have her meishi! ^^;) had been waiting outside (coming in between sets to check on who was next) came in and told us that she'd heard that NEW SODMY would indeed be last. Satsuki-chan stayed anyway at the beginning of Black Berry's set and then went outside to make a phone call. A short while later, she came back and said she'd been okayed. I was glad, since she'd taken so much trouble going to Tokyo (I think she was from Nagoya) and waiting too. Meanwhile, Black Berry was so-so...didn't like them as much as the first two bands. At last their set was over and now it's time for the real live report. ^^
I was actually quite happy that NEW SODMY was last. Maybe that shows how popular they already are even though this was their first live? I'm not sure if that's how it works in Japan... Anyhow, lots of people left after Black Berry, so I was able to move closer to the stage by quite a bit. Note that even though I say that people left, earlier, it seemed to me that most people were like me: waiting. Many of the people in the earlier audience were obviously not interested in the band that was playing. I ended up in about the fourth or fifth row from the front, which wasn't terrible. Also, I was right in the middle, so presumably I would be closest to Kamijo-sama. ^^ As the time for the band to come onstage drew nearer, I discovered that my heart was *really* pounding...doki doki shite ita! Must've been extraordinarily excited. ^^
Now, to give a breakdown of the setlist. I did my best to translate the MCs, but KAMIJO-sama's hard to hear (and besides that, translation's not one of the easier tasks). Even my Japanese coworkers couldn't figure out some words, so there are a few gaps, but much much thanks to Seo-san who really helped fill in some of the things I couldn't get. (You can generally tell what I had trouble with... ^^;) If I ever figure out the other things, I'll modify my report. For the translations, what was going on onstage is between asterisks * *, the audience's reaction is in brackets [ ], and my personal notes are in braces { }. There's also one short explanation in parentheses ( ).
1. Prelude
I have no idea what the title of this really is, or if it even has one. (NOTE: The beginning and end of it were used in "Confess to...") Anyway, before the band entered, they played this. It's a slow, orchestral piece...very graceful and typical of LAREINE. Twice, the music built up, paused, and then restarted. We were so expectant with each pause (keep in mind we'd been waiting for about two and a half hours for this) that it was funny when the music picked up again. KAMIJO-sama must have an evil sense of humor. =P But after the third section, the music changed and the members entered, followed by lots of screaming from the audience.
2. actor
A brief pause in the music as the band was making its entrance, and then there was a beautiful melody on the piano. KAMIJO-sama's introduction to the song was, "Please listen to us. 'actor'!" KAMIJO-sama apparently forgot some of the lyrics for half a line, but I didn't notice this till muuuuuuch later. ^^ Also during this song, KAMIJO-sama took a red rose from someone at the front at some point. He sang with it for a little while and then at the instrumental part, he walked over to MAYU-kun, brushed the rose's stem against MAYU-kun's lips (a picture that I missed taking!), and tossed the rose into the audience. He then proceeded to hold MAYU-kun around the shoulders for a few bars. ^^
3. MC 1
Nice to meet you (there's no good English translation for "hajimemashite"). I'm not sure how we ended up playing last today. WEREWO-O-O-O-... (KAMIJO-sama was having trouble saying "werewolf.") [The audience laughs.] My breath caught in my throat, so give me a break! Sorry, bleah. Since the responsibility of playing last is so heavy, everyone, lend me your strength. All right?! Everyone in both the front and the back are strong, huh, with your fist raised. [The audience laughs.] As if you're going to punch me, as if you're going to punch me, throw your fist into the air. Hore~~! *KAMIJO-sama puts his fist in the air* [The audience follows KAMIJO-sama with a yell.] *KAMIJO-sama "punches" himself in the jaw, throwing his head to the side* Owwww... [The audience laughs.] Anyway, here's the next song. *KAMIJO-sama looks at AYA-kun* AYA-kun, okay? "ADVENT."
4. ADVENT
The song opened with a cool AYA-kun solo. In this song, Kamijo-sama bent to touch some of the oustretched hands of the people in the front row. Lucky them! (Another picture I missed...)
5. MC 2
I said this before, but for us as WEREWOLF, today is our first live. That's why we sound so bad, sorry. {Nono, they sounded great! ^^} Well, since it's our first time, I'll do the introductions. [Cheers from the audience.] YOU on bass. *YOU-kun plays a couple notes* [The audience cheers some.] MAYU on guitar. *MAYU-kun plays some notes* [The audience cheers some.] *Pause as KAMIJO-sama looks at AYA-kun, who has had his back turned to the audience this whole time* [The audience laughs.] The back that looks like a guy's, AYA on guitar. [Lots of loud cheers.] {I was surprised...didn't realize that AYA-kun had that many fans.} *Another pause as KAMIJO-sama looks at the drummer* [The audience laughs and cheers.] The drummer didn't come on earlier. [Cheers.] I've introduced him from my heart. And myself, I am KAMIJO on vocals. [More loud cheers.] Familiar people are here, and so are people who don't know. Our band is called NEW SODMY. And, here on 11/4, until our one-band, until our first live...ah, I announced it. [The audience laughs.] On 11/4 of this year here at ON AIR WEST, NEW SODMY will have their first one-band live. [Clapping and cheering.] From now until then, that may change, but since we'd like to do it how we want to, with WEREWOLF as our written name, please remember that until we have more live activity. And one more thing. On 9/26, NEW SODMY's first maxi single will go on sale. The title is "WHITE LIE." The meaning is a sinless lie. {I guess Japanese don't necessarily know what a white lie is...} The CD will go on sale. I really feel like a PR person. [The audience chuckles.] I'm not very good at this. So for now, please listen to this song. Today, we'll make this the last song. [Immediately, the audience in unison went "he~~~~~e?!"] {Including me, without thinking. Ack! I'm turing Japanese! =P} So starting now, "farewell."
6. farewell
What a beautiful, tender song. Just the feel of it was touching. Right after the last guitar faded out, KAMIJO-sama made a tiny wave, saying, "Byebye" (the third picture I wished I could've taken but didn't), and then all the members walked off the stage without further ado.
After the live, I went out with Juillet-san, Helene-san, and Eriko-chan to grab something to eat. They'd heard that the band was supposed to leave the livehouse at 11 (we got out around 9:45 and chatted till about 10:15). We were walking back down the street after eating with a few minutes to spare and we saw people in vans...looked like they were moving the stuff from the livehouse. We stopped one of the girls who was walking down the street toward us and asked if NEW SODMY had left yet. She said they had left about half an hour ago. Ack! We should've just hung around the livehouse afterwards. Oh well.
Anyway, the live was well worth the trip to Tokyo and the wait. Even though NEW SODMY's set was so short (about 22 minutes), I was very moved. I think most people went into the live as fans of the members. I know I did. But when I came out, I was most definitely a fan of the band. I can't wait to get their singles and hear their first album. Otanoshimi ni! ^^
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