Interview for † Parasite Scene †

First, could you present yourself to our readers who don't know you yet?

BL:We're BLACK LINE! This name means two things : the black road, and the black line. It's something unique for us! And we'd like to be as unique as our name on the current musical scene.

How did you decide to play music?

BL: It firstly was The Beatles, and particulary John Lenon who gave us the desire to play music. And for the V-Rock side, it was Marilyn Manson who gave us our passion for this world.

Tell us more about how you met and the band's creation. What's its concept?

BL: The one who reigns supreme over extreme North's iced territory is Mikaru. The glorious and thriving country of the East's Prince is Syu. The bullet from a bandit's gun, coming from the West's dangerous wild region is Jun. The millionaire from a huge city of the South, lost between the desert and the sea, Yudai. Four unusual persons gathered by the Fate.

What are your musical influences? What does inspire you when you write songs?

BL: No matter the genres and the musical styles, what we like is romantic, exotic and dramatic music. We find our inspiration in our everyday life.

You first CD, "LEGNA", was released almost one year after your beginning. Why did you take so long? Could you explain us what you did during this time?

BL: It's quite as a newborn baby who starts to walk by himself. It takes time, and as you can understand, it represents one year of work.

Mikaru and Syu, you've previously been musicians in the band called Dio. Do you think Dio's fans could also enjoy BLACK LINE's music? And why?

BL: Of course we think they'll enjoy BLACK LINE's music! Why? It's obvious! Mikaru sings well and Syu still plays drums by his side!

It's the first european tour for BLACK LINE. Are you looking forward to playing in front of your foreing fans, or, on the contrary, do you feel a little bit stressed?

BL: We don't feel stressed at all! But if we have to find a bad side, it's that we won't have lots of days-off and that we won't be able to drink as we want (laughs). In any case, we're all excited! And we're waiting eagerly to plunge on the audience!

How do you explain your quick european success, while you released so few albums in Japan?

BL: We think it's thanks to our fans who accept us, who like us and are waiting eagerly for us. And we are really thankfull about that! We wanna hug you one by one!

How could you convince europeans to come to your concerts?

BL: If you don't come to our concerts... We'll take revenge during your sleep! (laughs)

Mikaru and Syu, you've already played in Europe as Dio's members, do you think the european audience is different from the japanese's one? What did surprise you the most?

BL: The audience is very different in Europe and in Japan. European audience really motivates us by its shouts and its crazy passion! With european concerts, there always are lots of unexpected discoveries and we love it.

On the other hand, Yudai and Jun, what do you specially expect from this "new" audience that you're going to meet?

BL: We experience this feeling... with our hearts beating loudly. We're in the same state of mind as when we met the other BLACK LINE's members. It's exactly this feeling we experience when we think that we're going to meet the europeans BLACKERS! If there weren't the four other members, the band wouldn't exist. It's the same thing for this european tour, if there weren't BLACKERS, there would be no possible success for this tour. Let's do together this HELLO WORLD BLACKERS Tour as the best rock tour the world ever known!

Are there other countries where you'd like to play soon? And are there some countries you'd like to visit?

BL: Italy, Spain, England, Belgium, Switzerland, ... Well, there are lots of countries where we'd like to play, and that we'd like to visit! And, at the same time, discover delicious local specialities! About this tour, we don't know if we'd have time enough to visit... But if it is possible, we'd like to have a look around.

If you have to describe France in one word, what would it be?

BL: Beauty.

Your next single, "BEAUTY & THE DEVIL" will be released on 19th December. What can you tell us about it?

BL: Evrything's on the title. There's beauty inside, despite of the devilish appearance. More than LEGNA (our first single), there are lots of things said in that single. You're going to see!

What are your projects for the future?

BL: We'd like to do another european tour for all our fans! And to find pretty women. (laughs) From now, we're going to become wider in our activities, as much in Japan as in the rest of the world!

Thank you for having given us a part of your time answering to our interview! A little message for your french fans?

BL: We're very happy to meet you and we'll be happier if you'd come to our concerts! Let's do together these concerts as the best party ever, with us, BLACK LINE!! No need to dress-up, no need to wear a dress. (laughs) Let's spend a crazy night! And live the madness with BLACK LINE!

English translation by DEEP ★ STARS

Credits: † Parasite Scene †