VAMPS takes its digital sounds out of Japan

To mark the occasion, vocalist HYDE and guitarist K.A.Z spoke to the Yomiuri Shimbun about their music, their own style and the reason why they are pushing forward with a vigorous overseas campaign.

“Get Away” was composed by K.A.Z, with HYDE adding the lyrics. The dominant feel that runs through the track is an outburst of emotions. But it also has an elaborately designed structure with an opening phrase that never returns.

“I tried to express different landscapes by bringing in little changes in places,” K.A.Z said about his structural intent.

HYDE sings the song wildly and painfully, in a breathy voice. 

The music reminds him of the film “The Graduate”, in which the protagonist steals a bride at her wedding and runs away with her, which gave him inspiration for the lyrics.

A line from its lyrics – “Steal just like a treasure” – is linked to the single’s other track, “The Jolly Roger”, although HYDE, who wrote both music and lyrics for “Roger”, says it was a coincidence. This song evokes the image of people gathering under the Jolly Roger flag, and conveys the pleasant ambience of sailing fast with the wind. HYDE drives it forward, singing vigorously.

In 2008, VAMPS was formed by HYDE of L’Arc-en-Ciel and K.A.Z of Oblivion Dust. They make it a rule to write lyrics in English and have given a good number of performances overseas. Last year, they released their first album.

HYDE thinks it’s a shame there are not many talented Japanese musicians who seriously endeavour to venture overseas by improving their command of English and making other efforts.

K.A.Z said: “I have listened to Western music for a long time, and I want more people to listen to our work simply as music. I have no intention of restricting myself to Japan.”

They have found audiences in other countries enjoy concerts more freely in their own ways, with a lot of differences from place to place. In Germany, a leading country in the field of electronic music, people are shy, but the two were left with the impression that fans there were listening to the music intently. 

At their concert in Chile, armoured vehicles were brought in to prevent riots by fans who could not wait for them to come on stage, they said.

“I used to say people should behave as they like at live concerts,” HYDE said. “But now I’m starting to think it’s interesting that the Japanese people like to do the same thing as their peers.”

Another charm of VAMPS is their fun-loving spirit. A case in point is their “Rojo (Holing up in a Castle) Tour” – a series of vampire-themed concerts at the same venue. During these concerts, HYDE yells “Hara hetta” [I’m hungry] and pretends to thirst for blood from fans. Their Halloween live show has become a regular event as well.

“Before I started VAMPS, I didn’t play around so much. It’s more difficult to do with a band, but with a small unit like ours, my footwork becomes lighter and I can do many things and come up with many new ideas,” HYDE said.

So which of them is usually first to offer up unique ideas?

“Well, it’s probably me,” HYDE said. “I’m the publicity boss, and he’s the boss in production,” he added, pointing to K.A.Z