It was possible for AVO to interview BACK-ON during their visit at the biggest Dutch convention Anime 2015! We talked about cosplay, gaming and of course music!
AVO Blog: Can you introduce yourself and tell us something about yourself what the fans don’t know yet?
Gori: Today we’ve been outside a lot, but I’d rather stay inside all day.
Teeda: To me personally I think, lately my cooking skills have been affected negatively.
Kenji03: I think I’ve been a Dutch person in my past life… maybe! *laughs*
Shu: I also think I’ve been a Dutch person in my past life *laughs as well*
AVO Blog: BACK-ON exists since 2002 and that is a long time. How do you stay motivated to keep on making music together?
Teeda: After such a long time, there are some small fights between the members now and then. But that doesn’t stop us from staying motivated. Together we can do what we love to do and make it perfect in detail. That’s what keeps us going. What is also a big motivation point for us is that we are able to travel abroad and meet new people, like now, in The Netherlands!
AVO Blog: What is the most important thing you have learned in those years?
Teeda: We saw bands from our own age and generation disbanding all around us. So what we’ve learnt is that we should never give up on what you love to do, keep on going is very important.
AVO Blog: What can we expect when BACK-ON exists 15 years? Are you already planning something?
All: We would love to do a world tour by that time.
AVO Blog: In your music, what do you find more important: the melody in the song, the lyrics or something else?
Teeda: We can’t really say that specifically. Because for example, Gori and Kenji write the music pieces. I write the lyrics and it goes like that back and forth. Everyone is very busy with his own part of a new song and tries to get the best effect out of it.
Gori: Everyone has his own important process.
AVO Blog: What is, according to you the best part of playing in a band; making new music, performing on stage or something else?
Gori: Performing on stage is the best thing, it directly satisfies you and it is very satisfying as a band as well.
AVO Blog: You have been working together with several artists, for example BAReeeeeeeeeeN and Lil’Fang from FAKY (for the song wimp). Are there any artists you would like to collaborate with? If yes, who?
Gori: It would be great to be able to collaborate with Linkin Park since they are a big influence to us and they have realy inspired us as a band. So working together with Linkin Park would be great.
Teeda: Beastie Boys.
AVO Blog: You have been invited a couple of times to perform at conventions outside Japan. Are there other events or places where you would like to perform?
All: Italia!
Teeda: I think the Italian ladies must be beautiful, and even though I don’t really like pasta, I would like to try real Italian pasta in Italia itself!
Kenji03: I want to visit the Vatican.
AVO Blog: What are your experiences from playing at events/conventions?
Teeda: Every country is different. Where one country can be more modest, the other country will react more heavy and louder. It’s nice to see the differences between these countries and it gives us a nice experience.
AVO Blog: How do you prepare before a liveshow?
Gori: So what really became our tradition throughout the years is that we sit together half an hour before the show starts and we go through the setlist of that show. We are also motivating each other and make ourselves ready.
AVO Blog: What anime is your favorite? And are you following any anime series at the moment?
Teeda: Youkai Watch
Kenji03: also Youkai Watch
Gori: Gundam
Shu: Ghost Stories
AVO Blog: You have been making music for games, right? What is your favorite game?
Teeda: I like to play Monster Hunter.
Kenji: Clash of Clan mobile game.
Shu: Dragon Quest.
Gori: Final Fantasy
Teeda: I like to play Monster Hunter.
AVO Blog: This is your first time in The Netherlands. What is your first impression of the Netherlands?
Teeda: Beautiful city which is nice and clean.
Kenji03: The people here are very tall! And it stays longer light during the day compared to Japan.
AVO Blog: On this convention you will see a lot of cosplayers (there are also a lot of cosplay competitions); how do you think about cosplay? Have you been cosplaying a character before? If not, who do you want to cosplay?
Teeda: I did a Cosplay of Jibannyan from Yokai Watch in the past. Cosplay is a party, like a halloween party! It looks very festive like and it’s a lot of fun to do.
Gori: I would like to cosplay as Darth Vader!
Kenji03: or…spider woman.
AVO Blog: In October 2014 you released the full length album Reload and in December 2014 the single Cerulean / Silent Trigger. Do you have any plans for a new release? Can you tell us something about it?
Teeda: Currently our newest single called Resurrection is out. This song is also used for the movie Initial D.
AVO Blog: We are at the end of the interview, do you want to leave a message for the readers from the Netherlands and Belgium?
Teeda: We are very honoured to be able to perform in The Netherlands and we love to be here! Thanks so much! We will play a lot anime related songs and we hope many people will visit the concert. Thank you again.
I want to thank BACK-ON for their time for this interview, Masami from Anime for the translation on the spot. Also I want to thank the organization of Animecon to make this all possible and I want to thank the crew of AVO for their support! Keep an eye on BACK-ON, follow the guys via the official website, Facebook and Twitter!
