Active Band Man Chats - The Secret to a Long-Lasting Band

What should we talk about this time?

Hmm... what should we do... We’ve been doing this column for quite a while now, so we’re running out of topics...

Right?

This is actually our 110th installment.

Oh, wow. Speaking of longevity!

What?

How many years has your band been active, Horry?

My band? The longest-running one I’m in is The National, and this year marks our 15th year.

Whoa!

Nah, you’re my senior, Kizuhiko.

Well, The Captains have been together for 20 years now!

Whoa! It marks coming of age!

Yeah, it is.

Hey, why don’t we talk about that?

Huh? About coming of age?

No! Writing a column about ‘Coming of Age’ would be... a stretch. No, I mean, like, the secret to keeping a band together for so long.

Hmm, I’ve never really thought about it.

Me neither, to be honest...

For me, being in a band is just a given. Whether it’s a ‘secret’ or not, I’ve never once thought, “I wanna quit.”

Well... To be honest, I’ve had moments where I wondered if it was time to call it quits... And yeah, there have been times when I kinda wanted to quit. But I’ve never wanted to stop playing music entirely.

Honestly, I think the people who can quit are amazing.

?

Like, how can they just walk away from something this fun?! It’s shocking to me.

Yeah, I totally get that. I really admire people who can just call it quits so cleanly. Not in a sarcastic way or anything—everyone has their own reasons, of course, but...

I’ve had my share of challenges, too!

Like what?

Plenty!

Well, you did go through some serious health issues.

Yeah. I went through two brain tumor surgeries! And yet, here I am, still playing! Because I don’t want to quit! Being in a band is the best!

That’s really admirable!

Thanks! And you’ve helped me out a lot too, Horry.

But don’t you ever get bored doing the same thing for so long?

Bored...? I don’t really feel that way. I actually enjoy a bit of routine.

I see.

And besides, I think I end up writing new songs before I get the chance to feel bored.

I see.

Or I start a new project.

I see.

Or get a new instrument.

I see—wait, isn’t that just being unfaithful?

Call it ‘new challenges’! I, Kizuhiko, am forever The Prince of Freshness!

That sounds more like ‘The Prince of Fresh Eggs’ when you write it out in Japanese! But honestly, The Captains are more like seasoned veterans at this point.

You don’t write songs, Horry, but as a musician, don’t you ever get tired of playing in the same band for so long?

Hmm... But there’s always new ways to interact with other members and arrange songs. It’s endlessly fun.

I see. And band members change over time, too.

Actually, my band has never had a lineup change. And even in my other bands... I haven’t really experienced many lineup changes.

Whoa!

Maybe it’s my charm! Even if the lineup stays the same, everyone’s playing style evolves, and I’m in multiple bands anyway...

Ah, so that keeps things fresh.

Yeah. Even within a band, we experiment with different arrangements. And getting outside inspiration is another way to stay fresh.

From outside?

Like from other bands? Seeing new bands at live houses is super inspiring, don’t you think?

Definitely!

For us, The Captains were a huge inspiration. We were really influenced by you guys. I doubt it actually shows in our music, though.

Our bands aren’t exactly easy to imitate.

Right? And then there’s getting new guitars...

New effects pedals...

Yeah! Like new toys—or, well, new gear.

I totally get that!

Of course, there are musicians who aren’t into gear at all.

Thankfully, that’s not us.

Thankfully...? I dunno about that.

But one thing’s for sure—if you love gear, being in a band or being a musician in general stays fun and exciting for longer!

That’s true. Getting new gear makes you excited to try it out in the studio.

Yeah! Even if it ends up not fitting the band as well as you hoped...

Oh yeah, that happens!

But then you start thinking, “How can I make this work?”

That’s the fun, yet frustrating part.

And then you end up buying more gear...

Yeah, it’s a slippery slope.

A never-ending cycle.

That sounds a bit extreme...

But when all that experimenting results in an upgraded band sound, it’s totally worth it.

And sometimes, it even brings back old songs we haven’t played in a while.

Totally!

So, to sum it up...

Secret to a long-lasting band #1 is to love your gear!

Of course, some musicians make do with what they have. But keeping up with new gear is never a bad idea.

For sure!

Alright, what’s #2?

Hmm... Let’s go with this: Right people in the right roles!

Right roles?

Yeah! Like having the right gear in the right place!

So... don’t buy unnecessary gear? That’s not quite the same.

No, I mean in terms of band management! Running a band takes a lot of different skills and roles, right?

True, like behind-the-scenes work.

Booking gigs, managing the website, driving and maintaining the band van, handling relationships with other bands...

And finances! Some bands even have a designated gear maintenance person.

Yeah. If you don’t have a manager or a label handling everything, the members have to divide the work.

Right.

And if people get stuck doing things they’re not good at, things start falling apart.

So...?

Each person should play a role that suits them!

Well, obviously.

Easier said than done, though. Usually, people naturally fall into their roles.

Yeah, role distribution is crucial. But what if everyone in the band sucks at logistics? By the way, what’s your role in the band, Kizuhiko?

I’m... The Glam!

The what?

A radiant bloom!

Sure, sure... You’re in full bloom as always.

Always at peak bloom! I handle the band’s concept and songwriting, so naturally, I’m the one doing most of the promo work too!

Ah, so you’re the face of the band. Any other secrets to longevity?

Diversity!

That was sudden.

Daaaii-versity!

You don’t have to say it in a fancy way!

Basically, “Everyone’s different, and that’s great!!

That’s important. Respecting each other—it’s probably the most important thing for keeping a band together.

It’s really just an essential part of being a decent human.

True.

Even though I’m the leader and main songwriter...

And?

Songs never turn out exactly the way I imagined.

Wait, what!?

But that’s a good thing!

I see.

It’s that mix of everyone’s personalities—the way things don’t go as planned—that makes a band special! That’s the whole point!

Well, some bands strive for precision. It depends on whether you prioritize the song or the members. Every band needs to find its own way.

Exactly! Because everything is?

For love!