The JaME team currently includes over 100 people, all with different backgrounds, cultures and interests. Seeing as we are represented in almost 30 countries, you can imagine that it’s a colorful bunch with a lot of interesting personalities. We wanted to give our readers a glimpse of the team members, so we thought of holding an interview with them. But there was a problem: what to ask? We fixed this problem by recycling interview questions, i.e. taking questions from old JaME interviews, ripping them out of context and having a clueless JaME member answer them!
Here are the answers, as well as a reference from which interview it was taken:
Does it mean that music can’t be without ‘pain’ for you? (from: Pay Money to my Pain interview)
Chenka [JaME Netherlands]: Well although admittedly concerts can be very painful, standing in the crowd, you can also decide to stand a little more to the back. So music can perfectly be without pain.
Is there anything that you would’ve liked to see or experience in Germany? (from: the GazettE in Germany)
Cynthia [JaME US & Mexico]: Why, yes, actually there is! I would like to experience the savory taste of sauerkraut and bratwurst while drinking beer… in a pub. Can you get that in a pub in Germany? (laughs)
So the theme was ‘monster’ and you chose to be stark naked? (from: interview with Billy)
d [JaME Greece]: But of course my dears; I mean, hello! Pamela has done it, Paris has done it… It was a ‘do it, or be left out of the party’ kinda deal.
And of course, it was painful and mean, having people point at naked you, calling you a monster…but, darling, it was delivered in such an extremely artistic manner! Especially the mud wrestling, Godzilla crossover scenes featuring dozens of visual kei remixes, were simply fantabulous! For the love of J-music dammit! It is just a shame that it sold out so fast…
How does a lesson with your students go, what is the message that you want to give them? (from: interview with Emiko Minakuchi)
Direnwe [KoME Finland]: Lessons usually tend to go smoothly, but every once in a while someone decides to show up butt naked o.O I still don’t know the reason why my students do this.
It really shocks me so my message to them is to keep their private parts private.
Bands like BALZAC or Guitar Wolf perform in Europe quite regularly, but why, do you think Europe likes those big Visual Kei bands like Dir en grey more? (from: interview with Marble Sheep)
Dizzy Cage XIII [JaME UK]: I think it has more to do with the image than the music these days, although I’ve had that feeling for a while now anyway. All these bands that are known for their eccentric behaviour, flamboyant costumes and antics on stage draw more attention to themselves through their image than their music. I think that’s why some bands who were known (and popularised) during their Visual-Kei days, are now gaining “anti-fans” due to their departure from those years.
Personally I find that sad, why do bands have to be Visual-Kei to gain popularity when they usually abandon it anyway? I think that’s mainly for material reasons, but if they are that truly uncomfortable with that image, then they just shouldn’t start it in the first place. I mean, look at the examples given in the question.
BALZAC have been around for years now and have always been distinguished by their horror-punk image and relationship with The Misfits. Sadly though, they remain fairly unknown in the West. Is this due to their image? I think so for the most part, they didn’t start off wearing dresses and make-up. They’ve always been “male”, raw and heavily influenced by the West, I sometimes think fans are prejudiced against bands who take influence from Western culture and music.
So, really I think I’ve waffled enough. I just get the feeling that fans are happier to receive Visual-Kei artists over here because of their image or characteristics rather than their music.
Certain rumors said that you would be taking part in a film. Is this true? There has not been an official announcement. (from: Kana in France)
flikflak [JaME France]: Well you know, as my management didn’t make any announcement, I should not speak about it. Anyway, I’ll just say that it was a big chance to work with such well-known people, and it will be, I am sure, a very enriching experience.
In fact it is not the first time I have got an offer for a film, but as music is the most important thing for me, I preferred to concentrate first on my music. But don’t worry, I won’t let my fans down, and I will continue to do music, and I will keep my own original style, that is the most important thing.
Would you like it to be bigger or would you change it in any way? (from: interview with Abigail)
FoXjapan [JaME France]: Hmmm. Would you see if I would like it to be bigger? If you are not satisfied you could ever change any way… OH it’s not the question? Okay!
Be bigger? I’m not anorexic, and always know that in the JaME team, I’m the most beautiful of course. Even if I will eat fast food every day, I am one of the sexier guys in the team, but it’s normal, the difference between you and me… It’s simply me. I would not change anyway!
But if I would change, I’m seeing in a dragon’s reviewer, who would spit fire sanctity review about Japanese music in France! Or metamorphose in emo, for sleeping with lots of girls, because having class is good, but to ’sleep’ in a bed in good company is better! (SEEEEEEEXXXXXXX!!!! send me e-mails girls!)
Is it a game to joke about Hibiki all the time? (from: the Studs in France)
Hope_to_faith [KoME Germany]: You know it started as a game and just occasionally I came up with jokes about Hibiki, but now it’s something so normal. I wake up thinking about a joke, while I eat I think about a joke…it’s a necessity now. And hell I’m happy with that because those jokes fulfill my life.
Have you ever gotten into any trouble playing naked? (from: Electric Eel Shock in the UK)
Jess [JaME US]: Well, my mom did get pretty mad at me. She chased me around our yard for a half hour, yelling at me to come back inside so she could get the watermelon seeds out of my hair, but hey, I was young and the breeze felt nice!
You are inspired by mysterious voices while sleeping? (from: interview with CATSUOMATICDEATH)
Kiri [JaME UK]: Oh yes that… ha ha… my best ideas come the morning after a really good sleep and I can hear people in my dreams. To be honest though, I am not sure whether it is ‘mysterious voices’ or the TV that comes on early. Maybe that is why every song I write these days is about scandalous idols.
In the song Music like a prayer you sing “Watashi no kami wa ongaku [...].” Could you describe a little more about how you were able to find God? (from: KOKIA in France)
Matron [JaME Finland]: My family has always been kind of religious but I don’t know if I myself believe in Christian God or something else. I’ve just always had a feeling that there must be “something bigger behind this world we’re living in”. I got more views for the life as I went to confirmation camp when I was 15 (in Finland nearly every kid takes a part in confirmation camp). I believe I won’t just disappear as I die but I’ll become part of nature, go to “heaven” or something beautiful like that. The thought makes me feel content and relieved.
Also, I don’t pray but several times I’ve thanked “someone up there” in my mind when something wonderful has happened. Some people might think now “wow what a scary religious person” but I hardly ever talk about these things aloud because I find my religious views very personal.
What’s your opinion about idol-groups nowadays? (from: OLIVIA in France)
NirVanKa [JaME Russia]: For me, idol-groups are X JAPAN, LUNA SEA and also Dir en grey. What I think of them? Well, the more I get into Japanese rock the more I understand that their music is the best I’ve ever heard. Lyrics, music itself and also the style of the band suit them perfectly! I am very happy that X JAPAN returned, I am also happy that Dir en grey doesn’t stop - they create awesome music, make awesome performances!
I want people to understand the difference between such groups and new ones. It doesn’t mean that I don’t like indies or new bands. But for me they are really idol.
Is it hard to draw on your cheek by yourself? (from: Metronome interview)
Paparoachster [JaME Netherlands]: Which cheek? 
even though I think it will either way be hard to draw, and it depends on what I would want to draw.
Do you have any special desires? (from: Plastic Tree interview)
Polina [JaME Russia]: My desire is to become rich and famous as a vocalist, be all over variety TV shows and have fanboys running after me screaming my name and ripping off my clothes. After that my biggest desire is to sing a duet with Ryo of 9GOATS BLACK OUT.
Word associations: Please give us the first word that comes to your mind about each of these things: Sex. (from: interview with The Candy Spooky Theater)
Reyep [JaME France & Webmaster]: When and where?
So if you got your own fan club, what would you like to do? (from: Dio interview)
Ruka [JaME USA]: I’d have it be available for both Japanese and non-Japanese! And I’d try to do lives in the 5 countries where I had the most fans.
For those who do not know, can you explain what happens during these evenings? (from: Tokyo Decadance press conference)
Sanaka [JaME Norway]: You mean after we’ve played Spin the bottle? Then we play Seven minutes in heaven and somehow I’m always the one who ends up in the closet, but it’s good though since my band mates are all so good-looking. After that we try on each others’ clothes. I’ve learned so much from these evenings, like how pink and orange don’t go together.
Are you planning anymore secret missions? Or is it a secret? (from: miyavi interview)
Sianface [KoME UK]: I’m terrible at keeping things like that secret, so doubtless I’d tell everyone eventually. I have to try though or my secret partner for my secret missions, Cage, will beat me.
Should Japanese and European fans learn something from each other? (from: the Gazette in Finland)
sofi2311 [JaME France]: Sure! Japanese fans have to learn to move during a live. And European fans to stop moving so much, and scream like a dying pig during the live.
Many girls thought that you’re more beautiful in person than in photographs. What did you think of European girls? (from: interview with Merry)
Yoosh [JaME Germany]: Yeah I actually hear that a lot of times but my managers pest/force me to do all these photoshoots. I can’t help it (laugh).
European girls? I think it varies in every country but my impression is that all of them are very passionate, maybe a tiny bit TOO passionate? But I enjoy it every time I see them around, especially in summer. But that doesn’t only go for European but also North-American or Australian girls.
Every super hero has a secret identity. We know they’re supposed to be kept secret but would you mind sharing some information about yours? (from: press conference with Uchusentai Noiz)
yura [JaME France]: If I tell you something, I couldn’t save the world anymore! And to be honest, I don’t know my own secret myself, so I’m sure to keep it secure!
1. Tell us about the first time you performed in front of an audience.
