Active Band Man Chats - Live Attitude - Production edition -

The theme this time is "The live show mindset!"

Last time it was the Sound Check edition, so this time let’s make it the Production edition.

Immediately before the performance, we will always check the flow (song order, song connection, MC sections, etc.).

The Captains do this.

Okay. This song and this song will be connected, I will introduce the members here, everyone will bow at the end of this song, etc.

You always check this in the dressing room.

Eh, is that so rare?

Yeah, I haven't seen many bands do this... I think The Captains is a rare exception. Even if others have a meeting, I think it's about the MC section. Because this contains jingles. And… the opening blast! I thinks that’s about it?

Well, that’s pretty detailed? Compared to Michelle Gun Elephant? (Lol)

I don't want Michelle to have such a meeting (laughs)

Bow here! (Laughs)

The only thing left is to check any announcement details. What month and day will the next gig be? Oh, in my case, I always prepare a song order chart even for shows of even 30 minutes.

Oh, I do that too.

If you prepare a chart, that’ll be one less thing to think about on the stage.

Yeah, you can concentrate on playing that much more.

It's quite different, isn't it?

But in the future, you will have one more thing to think about - singing.

Wow (laughs) That is another problem.

No, not just one, many songs, more things to think about. The pitch, the rhythm, the lyrics, right? Moreover, if you sing while playing an instrument, chord progressions and phrases will also be important.

Yeah.

Ah! By the way, what does the bassist, or rather, what do you look at during a live performance?

It's the innermost part of the floor. I am conscious of it right from the get-go.

Do you look at the drums on stage?

Yes, we look at each other at the times to build tension. That is also one part of the stage show.

Yeah, that also leads to how to present it.

Also, other times would be when someone makes a mistake, I check with them "Are you okay?" "Are you having trouble?"

I try to look in the eyes of all the audience as much as possible. But instrument players don't do that, right? Your priorities are elsewhere, right?

That's right, but I'm also conscious of the back of the audience as much as possible. I also play the sound with the consciousness of reaching the outermost people. I wonder what the PA guys should do.

I see!

I wonder if there are other things… to be careful about. I do it almost subconsciously.

Yeah, if you’ve been doing it for many years… What about when you’re playing with bands other than The National?

Yeah, I try to make myself as inconspicuous as possible (laughs).

(Laughs)

You play while paying attention to the other members.

Then, what do you do when you have trouble?

We bide the time with the MC.

Aren’t there problems with the equipment or synchronized items?

Yeah.

It's hard to think "Then I'll go without synchronization!" isn’t it?

You have to start over again. From the end of the previous song.

Oh, so rewinding to that point and performing again is okay!

Well, not to change the story, but I heard a story of a person who saw The Yellow Monkey live at Nippon Budokan.

Ye-mon, nice.

…regarding a song called "Kanashiki Asian Boy". It seems that they played it twice.

What?

They made a mistake in introducing the song and called it "Sad Yellow Boy".

Oh…. Well, if you have been doing it for many years, that kind of thing may happen….

Then, after playing the whole song, they said, "No, this ain’t right!"

But, at that scale, there are special effects and stuff, right? What did they do the second time with the special effects?

It seems that they had the staff fly around instead of having special effects, and it was a playful feeling (laugh).

(Lol)

They started over from the end of the previous song “Barairo no Hibi”. But that kind of thing is also nice for the audience.

Yeah, they saw something rare! Or what, eh!?

They’re not impatient when there’s trouble, but make it interesting in this way, eh?

Oh yeah, ROLLY said the same thing in his book. With a feeling like "You guys, I was lucky to have this kind of trouble today" (laughs).

If trouble occurs, you have to enjoy it. Because it is part of the live experience.

Yeah, that's the real thrill. I don't hate the tingling sensation at the moment trouble occurs.

It’s like there’s no particular schedule you need to stick to.

I was just reminded from the Ye-mon story, you know teh song by The Captains called "Pit in Heart"?

Yes, it is a classic live song.

We played it live for the first time at a club in Aomori, but we couldn't do it very well when we played it during the main set, so we had to play it again in the encore.

That’s another interesting story….

I had a selfish feeling that "this song will be an important song for us in the future! So I want to play it properly!" But the other band members got angry... (laughs)

I wonder if doing things off schedule will bring you more enjoyment as you build up your career.

Maybe so. At that time, I had just started my career, and I couldn’t afford to have everyone enjoy the trouble.

You will be able to enjoy it gradually. Even if you are reading this, you don't have to be depressed if you have trouble… just enjoy it!

That’s what I want to say. So maybe your songs are like that too?

I mean, yes…. I don’t care if my voice turns inside out…? (Lol)

Until now, this was dangerous! Did you have any trouble like that?

In the band I was playing in before, I broke a string at the end of the first song. I had brought a spare string, so I replaced it.

Well, I don't have an image of you snapping strings so much.

At that time, my picking was strong.

Your picking has also changed.

I'm not as strong as I used to be.

However, you’re now able to produce a core sound.

Other than that… I had a crazy problem with the jack.

That’s right! You had to fix it…

I didn't have one, so I borrowed one from the band at that time. Have you ever had trouble with that?

There was a time when we had a series of live shows and I completely lost my voice.

Oh, I somehow remember that.

In my case, there are songs sung by our bassist, Ted, and at times I've increased the repertoire of songs sung by other members. The rest is… I remember having the audience sing once….

I can’t imagine you with a hoarse voice. Your throat is strong originally, isn’t it?

Yeah, I think so. But I haven't screamed since the beginning of this year. I think it's the result of my voice training with Tomotaka Imamichi. Gospel style. But the voice is different from an instrument, so it's difficult take care of it.

I hear that vocalists try not to talk too much at pre-show meetings.

In my case, people come to me saying "Please tell me my fortune with tarot cards!" (Laughs). * Editor's note ・ Kizuhiko is also a tarot fortune-teller *

No way (laughs). After that… What I hear often about caring for your voice is drinking oil?

Yeah, and honey. I hear rumors like that, too.

Because each person is different.

It depends on the person's constitution. If you're a very nervous person, you might put a humidifier on your side even during a live performance. It's certainly important to avoid dryness, but I think it's more of a normal vocalization method.

That's right.

And! As for the live attitude, I would like to ask how much "sub" you prepare.

Sub?

For example, with picks, it's easy to bring a spare. That is, a sub.

Oh ~ ~, that kind of thing!

Then, what if it was a shield? Or something like that.

Do you prepare sub shields?

No… (bitter smile).

I prepare some picks, but the shield is... I bring one in my bag. But, I do prepare some patch cables.

Oh, then you're pretty cautious, right?

But I don’t have strings. I think it's usually about picks or patch cables. Shields can sometimes be borrowed from the club.

Do you like to prepare a sub-bass for a 30-minute gig?

If I had a carriage like you, Prince, I would carry around a sub (laughs).
* Editor's note: The Captains go on tour by horse-drawn carriage *

What else… If you have trouble, you can ask for help from the band. After all, it depends on your communication skills (with the band and the club staff), right?

That's right (laughs). When I’m in trouble, I usually depend on the staff.

That's important.

For that reason, I communicate with them from the rehearsal.

Yup. Also, I like to hear from the PA when I’m introducing new equipment. I’ll ask them, “How was that?”

Okay. You want to hear from the PA team, who usually takes such good care of you.

I want to know how it sounds different and how it fits the band sound.

Depending on the PA team, there are those who walk right up to you every time... (laughs)

Yeah, there are! It’s like, I like you too, man (laughs). When you bring in a new microphone or something, Mr. PA is concerned about it.

That’s right.

Then, is it okay to summarize as "communication with staff and the band is important to deal with troubles!"

Okay!

Yes, and everything?

Is for love!