nagashiwa
Nugu
Interview with Let’s Go MAKOTOØ’S – JROCK'N'ROLL
jrocknroll.com
ーー Well, you guys started this band because “you wanted to return something to LOFT.” Please tell us some stories from the past. How has LOFT helped bands in the past?
Hideki: In my time, appearing at Shinjuku Loft had a strong meaning for a bandman’s status. At the time, when I was still a teenager, all bands were crazy about appearing at LOFT… (If you’re looking around right now, there are almost no live houses with such a “status“). Whenever you go to Shinjuku LOFT, you will always find new stimulations and also brand new encounters will be born. Back then it was a place that was probably the “source” of “Tokyo’s culture“.Such an amazing place must stay around for our young musicians who will follow our footsteps… Shinjuku LOFT is a Legacy place that reminds me of my mission; that I have to leave a “stamp” behind.
ーー So, does your activity really last for only one year? If this year will be a big success, will you consider to keep going?
Hideki: Of course, it is possible to continue… as long as “venues” need our support it’s okay, it ends when they don’t need our support anymore (laugh).
ーー Last year in August, you guys appeared at the live stream “KEEP the LOFT 2”. The show was stunning. For that day, how did you guys gather together? Who’s idea was it to play as a “one day band” for that live stream.
Hideki: LOFT offered me the opportunity to do a special session. Then I contacted the current members of MAKOTOØ’S, and that’s how it all started.
ーー The February 20th live was really cool, I really enjoyed watching it. Could you tell us some episode of this day?
Hideki: We all were sooo nervous… because it was our first time playing seriously as a band and not just as a session.
NOTE JRNR: Please keep an eye on JRNR, I’m currently translating this video & some bonus!
ーー The first LIVE, the setlist was focused on the early songs of THE BEATLES. Are you thinking of creating an original song in the future?
Hideki: Right now, we’re not thinking about creating original songs, but it might be fun to have a MAKOTOØ’S original theme song? Something like; “Hey!! Ho!! Makoto!! Hey!! Ho!! Makoto!!“(laugh)
ーー What can we expect from the future live shows? Could you reveal something?
Hideki: We have a show planned for April 30th! Please check our SNS for the latest info!
Tokyo Ichigeki NITE 2021
【LINE-UP】HIDEKI＆HARDPUNCHERS / MMS R&R ENGINEERING / Let’s Go MAKOTOØ’S（Guest vocalists: Yoshito Nakamura（横道坊主）、Yoshiaki Okada（THE MINKS）、AKIRA（from Luv-Enders））/ DJ：ASARl（tulip beer）
【DATE】2021/04/30（FRI）
【TIME】OPEN 18:30 / START 19:00
【VENUE】Loft X Koenji
【TICKET】前売￥3,000 / 当日￥3,500（別途ドリンク代￥600）
＜REMARKS＞
※Limited to 50 people. Sale will end as soon as the capacity is reached.
※The performance may be canceled depending on the request from the government. In that case, only streaming will be held.
※Ticket reservation: [email protected]
Please enter: [Schedule / Venue], [Name], and [Number of tickets you want].
＜STREAMING＞
【PRICE】 ￥2,000 / via twitcast URL
【Planning and production 】Pieces-inc.co
ーー Hideki said: 「I’d also like to cover some of the great songs that are born at LOFT.」Could you please name some songs which are born at LOFT?
Hideki: Songs I can think of now are: 1. LOFT23-ji (ARB) 2. Image Down (BOOWY)
ーー Will most of the upcoming performed lives will also be able to watch via digital live stream?
Hideki: I will do my best to make each live available to watch for everyone!!
ーー Hideki, you really wanted to play in a band with Masaki, right? What’s the thing you like so much about his music skills?
Hideki: I kind of like his lewd side.
ーー Masaki, How do you feel to be able to play in the same band as Hideki and Makoto? Why did you say 「I have to be a part」?. I guess Hideki and Makoto have some magical sparkling power?
Masaki: GEENA was such a cool band!! I really wanted to join them, I was even seriously saying to Ichikawa (the bass player at the time) “I’ll replace you!” (laugh).
ーー Makoto, you already know Hideki from the De-LAX and GEENA time. However you seem to the most famous of the trio. What’s the reason why you decided to join this band?
Makoto: Well, Hideki contacted me and I also thought, “If there’s anything I can do to help LOFT, I’ll do it“. Well, I’ll feel responsible ^_^.
ーー Let’s go back in time, how did you guys meet each other? Please tell us a story about your first encounter.
Makoto: Hideki has been my fellow since we are 19 years old.
Hideki: I saw Makoto-ojisan for the first time when I was 19 years old!
Makoto: I guess I’ve met Masaki for the first time at the Yaon event in Hibiya? When LOFT was having eviction problems.
Hideki: I guess my first encounter with Masaki was for the first time at a drinking party with Ba.Ichikawa (Ex.Streetbeats)
Masaki: Back then BOØWY was signed to the same record company as ODD-BOWZ, so Makoto greeted me over there. I met Hideki when he was in De-LAX, I was stunned by his Ducktail haircut which made us talk to each other, our talks were mostly about erotic stuff every time.
ーー LINDA GARAGE, The place where it started right? The place where Hideki asked Masaki to join him. For those readers who don’t know yet what kind of place LINDA GARAGE is, please introduce it to the readers.
Masaki: That’s exactly how it happened. Hideki came over for a drink, and we talked about it, and this is how it turned out. To know more about LINDA GARAGE, I’ve opened a website, so please check it out! https://www.lindagarage.com/
JRNR Note: I’ll introduce the bar soon as BAR SEARCH!
A guide how to walk to LINDA GARAGE
ーー LINDA GARAGE is a cool bar to see various artworks and merchandise from the manga “CROWS”. Will this be somehow also connected to “Let’s Go MAKOTOØ’S”?
Masaki: I’m planning to connect to MAKOTOØ’S in various ways.
ーー As the official band photos are photographed at LINDA GARAGE. Will you guys also decide to play a “live” at the bar? (will be a sold out live for sure).
Hideki: We’ll take the challenge! Let’s do it at the end of the year!
The official photos are made by Saicho, how did you encounter him and why did you decide to work with him?
Hideki: He also took our photos for VERTUEUX. And he had time to take our photos so…
ーー You also released LINE stamps, created by Nobita. The set really looks funny, why did you decide to release stamps created by Nobita?
Hideki: I’ve liked his work for a long time, also I’m always receiving many MAKOTOØ’S messages via LINE in the morning, so I thought I would ask him to create a LINE sticker set.
ーー You are planning to start recording this March, what will the release be? A single or an album?
Hideki: Maybe… It’s gonna be a mini-album with about 5 songs.
JRNR Note: Recording has started, they have shared some fun YouTube videos related to it!
Please check the video translation on JROCKNROLL.com
ーー Do you have any plans to release a DVD or other video work?
Hideki: We didn’t plan one yet… but I wanna create one.
ーー Your merchandise T-shirts have been very popular! Do you have any plans to make other goods such as towels and wristbands in the future?
Manager Yaginuma: Yes, of course there are plans, we are currently planning to create various things due to the influence of corona.
ーー How can overseas fans buy those merchandise too?
Manager Yaginuma: Currently we only accept webstore order via: https://bad-syncmall.shop-pro.jp/
JRNR note: to order at the webshop you need a proxy in Japan.
ーー You also said to invite a guest vocalist, could you maybe reveal one name? And to tell us why you invited this person?
Hideki: If possible, I’d like to invite the venue manager and/or the part-time workers to join and sing together.
ーー What’s the most fun thing about being on stage and playing your songs to the audience?
Hideki: I guess that’s the moment when everyone is smiling.
ーー The music inspiration of “Let’s Go MAKOTOØ’S” is ROCK’N’ROLL, please tell us why you love this music style so much and why you devoted yourself to this genre.
Hideki: I guess we all feel so… but it’s the style that fits us the best.
ーー What exact kind of content can we await to be published on the Youtube channel? Will there also be Japanese subtitles available?
Hideki: Manager Yaginuma is going to make his effort!
Please check the video translation on JROCKNROLL.com
ーー You guys all play in other bands too, Makoto is currently known from SET JET BOYS and many side projects. Hideki’s main band is VERTUEUX and is active in other (solo) projects as well. Masaki is busy with MMS R&R ENGINEERING and also active in other projects as well. How do you guys combine your time to be able to have time for Let’s Go MAKOTOØ’S as well. I can assume that you guys are super busy now.
Hideki: Well, I’ll answer on behalf of all of us here… We make our schedule while listening to what each member has to say.
ーー Makoto, I’ve noticed that some fans question themselves if there will be new activity from SET JET BOYS again. Is there a reason why this band is on a break now? Or can fans expect new activity soon, maybe something together with Let’s Go MAKOTOØ’S?
Makoto: Since the JET SET BOYS have been on hiatus, Shiina-kun has been quite busy with his own solo project and the reunion of SURFACE, so it’s been hard to get together for JET. However I’d love to do another live show if everyone’s schedule allows it. Maybe we can plan an event together with MAKOTOØ’S!? What do you think about it? would you like it!?
ーー I know that Masaki loves to ride his motorbike, what about Makoto and Hideki, do you ride motorbikes as well?
Hideki: Currently Makoto is driving a Mini Cooper! I want to challenge myself to drive a Trike Motorcycle♬
ーー When you are totally not busy with music, what do you love to do? Any other special hobbies people don’t know about yet?
Makoto: I like to play GOLF!
Masaki: When it’s sunny weather, I like to go out on a trip with my motorcycle or to go on a walk with my dog, I also like to watch Netflix.
Hideki: I love to watch movies via Amazon Prime! John Wick’s movies are my favorite!
ーー What’s your favorite town/city in Japan? And why do you love this place so much?
Makoto: Well, my hometown Fukushima is the best! ^_^
Masaki: It’s been 33 years since I moved to Tokyo, and Nishi-Ogikubo, where I live now, is my most comfortable and favorite place to live.
Hideki: Nishi-Ogikubo is the best!
ーー Which local dish(s) are you looking forward to eating when you go on a national tour with Let’s Go MAKOTOØ’S?
Makoto: My favorite city is Osaka. I’m a Hanshin Tigers fan. There are so many nice spots in every city! I really want to go on a national tour with MAKOTOØ’S.
Masaki: I like to go anywhere as long as you can eat Ramen, Udon or Champon!
Hideki: As long as I can drink beer, any place is fine!!
ーー Masaki went to the USA with MMS. What about Hideki and Makoto? Did you ever go overseas for band activities? (recording included).
Hideki: When Makoto was active with Boowy they went to Germany to record an album. With de-lax I went to London to record a music video… and we went for a live show to N.Y
Note: 1991/12/23 at The Ritz
ーー What’s the biggest change in the music world during all these years of musical activities?
Hideki: Right now, we are doing our music activity in a way that we never experienced before Corona.
ーー When this year is over, what do you hope you have archived with this band?
Hideki: I still want people to remember Makoto with good memories. Even so, I like to keep his drumming going on even in the afterlife.
ーー Please share a last word to your readers and fans.
Hideki: I can’t do anything on my own, but I hope that if we all work together, we can create something new. It’s difficult to change the current situation, but hopefully we can move something through this activity together. I won’t stop our current activity, so that our minds stay connected. Soon I hope that we can meet again at the venues so that we can smile to each other again, so let’s not lose our hope, let’s keep going on together!!
Masaki: I’m coming to you!
Please check the video translation on JROCKNROLL.com
Please check the video translation on JROCKNROLL.com
Video translation note: Some words are hard to “understand” because of “mumbling” or too loud “BG sound”. Also I translated it last minute so for that reason too the final corrections will be shared on a later moment, please wait and look forward to the NEXT “Let’s Go MAKOTOØ’S” posts on JRNR!
--- How hope this is okay to mention here.
Because this special band is started to support the LOFT venues, I’m working on an complete archive, so that this never will be forgotten. I’ll announce updates time to time! A special band profile page will be created including various of translations! I hope you will support me! Of course I keep up with this band (almost) daily. Well to keep up to date, please follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/JROCKNROLL_ Yoroshiku!
Last edited: