It's all about the melody

One of the best-known drummers in Japanese hard rock is returning to Bangkok next month for a solo show that will see him give full reign to his talents both as a classical composer and musician.

X Japan’s Yoshiki Hayashi, who goes by the stage name Yoshiki, is on a world tour to promote his recent release “Yoshiki Classical”, playing 13 shows in the US, Europe and Asia.

The multi-talented 49-year-old shot in fame in the ’80s as the drummer and one of the founders of X Japan, a visual kei band that is still considered as one of the most influential rock outfits in Japan. Over the years, he’s dabbled in other arts, earning critical acclaim for writing comics and fashion design and also receiving invitations to compose and play pieces for several important events, including the celebrations to mark the 10th anniversary of Emperor Akihito’s enthronement and the theme tune for the 2012 Golden Globe Awards. 

In the meantime, he has released three classical albums, starting with 1993’s “Eternal Melody” and its follow-up “Eternal Melody II” in 2005.

His latest, “Yoshiki Classical” is co-produced by Grammy-winning Beatles’ producer George Martin and features a mix of original compositions, orchestrated X Japan songs and his themes for special events.

Relaxing back in his Los Angeles home after dates in the US and Mexico, Yoshiki took time out to chat with The Nation.

 

How did “Yoskiki Classical” start?

As you know, I was asked to compose the theme for the 2012 Golden Globe Awards and the song, a charity download, went on release in January 2013. That led to a friend asking why I didn’t release a whole album. The idea was to combine all the classical works I have done including the anniversary song for the Japanese emperor and the song for the 2005 World Expo in Japan. Then Grammy asked me if I’d like to do a showcase at the Grammy Museum and I thought it was a great idea. The showcase was a success and led to my agent asking me if I’d do a world tour. I said no several times but after a few months I finally agreed.

 

“Yoshiki Classical” is your third album. How difficult was it switching from rock to classical music?

Well, I started learning piano when I was four and playing drums when I was 10. So really classical came first. Even though I played with a rock band, I’ve actually played classical music throughout my career. It just came naturally. It wasn’t something I tried to do.

 

Rock and classical are very different genres. How do you feel when performing each one?

To me, it’s all music. With classical you learn all the basics so with classical knowledge you can go everywhere, though classical musicians don’t usually move over to rock. To me it’s all about melody so if you create a really good melody it can be rock or classical. I don’t really think they are all that different.

 

You collaborated with George Martin, who was a producer for The Beatles. How did that happen and why did you choose him?

I met him through my former manager. It was such an honour to work with him – I mean, he’s almost like a sixth member of the Beatles. I’ve learned a lot from him.

 

You have tried your hand at music, film, radio, fashion and comic books. Are there any other new ventures that might interest you in the future?

Oh yes! I’ve been working on lots of other projects and I’ll be revealing my latest project in the next few months. But my main thing is music; fashion is more of a hobby.

 

What can we expect at your Bangkok concert?

Mainly I am going to be playing piano but there are a few vocal songs too. I’ll be playing “Hero” a soundtrack I composed for the upcoming animation “Saint Seiya”. In each country, I have a surprise for the audience. For example, in Mexico, I played a Mexican song. There’ll be surprises for the Bangkok audience too.

 

How many times have you been to Bangkok and what do you think of the country and the fans?

I was there for the last time in 2011 and that I think was my 24th visit! X Japan came to Bangkok in 2011 during the floods and we were all worried about whether we should do a concert at that time.

We decided to do the show even though our tour manager wasn’t sure that fans would be able to get to the venue.

Yet 10,000 people turned out for the concert and that almost made me cry. I was so touched by how devoted our Thai fans are; it was an amazing feeling. I love Thailand and really looking forward to meeting fans again. 

 

You’ve toured in Europe, Japan and America. Do you notice any differences between the performances and the audiences?

Well, they seem to scream much louder in Mexico than anywhere else! But no, no real differences … everywhere we go, the fans are just amazing. I don’t know how to thank them for supporting me. 

X Japan is probably the only band to use a hologram in a concert. How did you come up with that idea?

In 2009, we played a reunion concert at Tokyo Dome and when we got back together, I said I didn’t want to do a concert without Hide. (The band’s former lead guitarist committed suicide in 1998.) So we talked about video and holograms and that’s how everything started. I also did a hologram of myself playing piano early this year in Texas. 

 

There are rumours that X Japan is recording another album and going on a world tour. Is this true? 

We’ve just announced a new concert on October 11 in Madison Square Garden. So that’s for sure. We may start touring from there but have yet to decide on our schedule.

 

And finally, do you have a message for your Thai fans?

When I first came to Thailand about 20 years ago, I was amazed to see so many fans at the airport. So my message to them is: “Thank you very much for being so supportive. That love and support has kept us going forward. Without you, I am nothing. So please come to my show, I will make it special for you”.

 

Orchestral manoeuvre

_ “Yoshiki Classical Live in Bangkok” is at 8.30pm on June 10 in the Royal Jubilee Ballroom at Impact Muang Thong Thani.

_ Tickets are Bt3,000 to Bt5,500. For more details, check www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.