HYDE: A Modern Pirate
2021 marks 30th anniversary of the popular Japanese band L’Arc~en~Ciel (translated from French as «rainbow»). Band’s face throughout history is HYDE, who unites the roles of singer, guitarist, songwriter, music producer and actor. This year HYDE also celebrates another anniversary — the 20th anniversary of his solo career, which he always managed to work on in parallel with his activities in L’Arc~en~Ciel and his other band Vamps.
Until now, the musician remained inaccessible to Russian media and fans, and his agreement to give us an interview, by all means was a pleasant surprise. HYDE’s Vamprose Global management team took over the communication concerns, warning that the master usually answers no more than 12 questions. But an exception was made for us and 13 responses were received!
Looking at his adolescent graceful figure, it’s difficult to imagine that behind there is an extraordinary personality with a rare artistry and a powerful voice, who has access to both light melodic tunes and hard rock songs. The signature style of HYDE’s singing is characterized by sharp change in registers — dizzying transitions from the very bottom to falsetto and vice versa, not to devoid of sexual aspiration that conquers girls’ hearts. HYDE writes lyrics for almost all the songs in both bands, and in his solo work his own music is added to the poetry. His lyrics are created with response to the best traditions of Japanese poetry: deep, dramatic on the verge of tragedy, interestingly echoing with music.
We would love to tell a little about the artist’s life and work path.
HYDE was born in the small Japanese city of Wakayama under the real name Hideto Takarai. From an early age, he immersed himself in drawing, and, until a certain point, thought that he would become a mangaka – the artist who draws manga. However, the desire for music overpowered: in the third grade of high school, HYDE became seriously interested in playing guitar and began to dream of his own band. However, the artist education that he eventually received did not go to waste: HYDE himself creates the design of the attributes of his bands and the scenography for their performances.
After graduating from high school, HYDE moved to Osaka and began to live an independent life. There he met the first members of L’Arc~en~Ciel, led by bassist Tetsuya. Two years later, their first album, «Dune», reached number one in the national indie bands’ charts. In 1994 L’Arc signed a contract with Sony Music, since then many albums and singles were released. Thus, album «True» (1996) sold a million copies, and in 1999, when albums «Ark» and «Ray» were released simultaneously, more than six million copies were sold in seven countries of Asia. 12 concerts of the «Grand Cross» tour, which took place in summer of the same year, were attended by more than 650 thousand spectators. From that moment, the group made a name for itself with large-scale performances not only in Asia, but also in Europe and America. In addition to Tetsuya and HYDE, the current members also include lead guitarist Ken Kitamura and drummer Yukihiro Awaji. The band is preparing to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a series of live performances.
In early 2001, Hyde began recording first solo album titled «Roentgen». In 2002, he began to think about expanding his career to foreign market, started to compose in English, and that album was re-issued as an English version. The musician said that if your songs get the airplay in America, you can take over the whole world. Soon he decided that he needed to assemble a new band to play live in small venues, so that he could create more rock drive (Looking ahead, let’s say those hopes for a club stage did not come true, their live shows almost immediately began to take place on larger stages). In 2003, HYDE began working on his second solo album «666» and recorded number of singles with quite famous composer, arranger and producer Kazuhito Iwaike (K.A.Z). Since 2005, K.A.Z has been involved in HYDE’s solo activities as a lead guitarist, and in 2008 they announced a new band – Vamps. According to them, it reflects the «dark erotic side of Mr. HYDE». The band played successfully for nine years, but the heat was too great, burnout set in, and in 2017 Vamps disbanded.
Hyde did not immediately accept this break up and resumed his solo work only in 2018. He now goes into music style that could be called heavy grunge or post-post-punk.
Now Hyde looks like a character of American deep end– sitting on pushed tires near burning fire he tells about existential problems. Sometimes his voice sounds pure and raised up again reminding about his better days, but apocalyptic spirit gets the upper hand. Maybe his new appearance speaks about re-thinking of the childhood, but it also could be reaction to ever-changing and not encouraging “brave new world”.
Another field of HYDE’s work is acting in movies. He co-starred in «Moonchild» with acclaimed singer GACKT. Another movie «Last Quarter» featured song «The Cape of Storms» from HYDE’s first album as the main theme song. He also wrote music for anime, a mission that is very honorable for any Japanese author – HYDE created many soundtracks.
The collaboration between HYDE and Yoshiki, the leader of the legendary band X Japan, which took place in 2018, caused a great euphoria among fans of both musicians. The two artists heard a lot about each other, Hyde performed solo with Yoshiki at «Visual Japan Summit», and after a short period of time appeared the «opening» (a song or melody that sounds at the beginning of anime – ed.) for the third season of the anime «Attack of the Titans». That song «Red Swan» was written by Yoshiki and performed by HYDE. Another «joint musical adventure» was «Zipang» – song from HYDE’s «Anti» album.
In support of this album, Hyde is currently performing concerts in Japan under the slogan «Live 2020-2021 Anti Wire». In the rare breaks between performances, he answered our questions.
2020 was a difficult year around the world, so I am sure you had to cancel or postpone many activities. How did you spend your time during the pandemic?
I’ve been living a slower paced life to sort of reset myself. Since I couldn’t go on tour, I’ve spent more time on writing songs, but it’s difficult to time the releases because I can’t do live shows the way I want.
As an artist that’s been popular for almost 30 years, you’ve seemed to reinvent yourself and your style many times. How do you manage to remain true to yourself, while seeming to always be in a state of change?
I’ve recently come to think that it’s my voice. I think vocalists are vocalists from birth. Of course you can improve your skills with practice, but there are plenty of people who can’t sing no matter how much they practice. And this isn’t about whether you sing well or not at a karaoke bar, I’m talking about “as a vocalist”. Because fans love the voice and natural talent that a vocalist is born with, the vocalist is able to stay relevant even though their song style changes over time.
When you first started your solo career, what things were easier because you were working as a solo artist, and what things were perhaps harder without the support of band members?
This can be both good and bad, but in a band, you have to incorporate each member’s opinions. For example, when decorating the living room (common space) in a house where all the residents have equal say, everyone’s opinions are considered when selecting the furniture, appliances, decorations, etc. That can result in an awesome combination that I never would’ve even imagined on my own, but it also means that I cannot create a room that fits my individual taste.
In the same example, you end up living in a house with a colorful living room even though you prefer an all-black gothic décor. No matter how cool the living room looks, wouldn’t it make you want to have even just a tiny room that you can decorate in any way that you want? That is what going solo is.
This isn’t necessarily a hardship, but when you’re on your own, there are very few surprises. Because, as you might expect, I already have a blueprint in my head that I can then make into an ideal song. When I’m with a band, there are more surprises because the finished product is uncertain.
Your earlier solo work includes many slower or melodic songs, but these days you seem to enjoy making heavier rock songs. Do you think you will return to making slower songs again someday, or would you prefer to make songs in a different style if you’re not making more rock music?
I do want to make something in an acoustic style like my first album someday. I wonder how it would turn out if I made one right now.
You give such much of yourself when you’re singing on stage. What routines or care do you have to take to make sure your voice and body are ready for the challenge each performance?
I don’t really do anything special, but I do try to lead a stress-free life. Ohhh! Now that I think about it, performing on stage might be my way of relieving stress.
What would you say was the best or most lasting life lesson you learned from working in L’Arc~en~Ciel, from working in VAMPS, and from working as a solo artist?
No work gets done if there isn’t one clear boss. Haha.
The footage from your Wakayama shows was very moving. Especially your performance of «Memories», which is impossible to listen to without tears. What would you say is the best thing about your childhood, and if you could change anything about your childhood, what would that be?
I was very fortunate that I made good friends and enjoyed carefree days. I can honestly say I wouldn’t change a thing.
Your fashion style is very modern and youthful. How would you describe your fashion or style to someone who has never seen your photos?
A modern pirate in a lot of black.
Listening to your new singles, the stage design and the musicians’ masks remind me of Slipknot. How do you feel about being compared to other well-known musicians in terms of musical style or looks?
I like Slipknot, but I don’t think we look like them. If it’s the fact that we’re wearing masks, then a lot of other bands do that as well. It certainly is difficult to be completely unique. But I think making our masks light up is pretty unique, no?
Russia was very enthusiastic about your collaboration with artists like Yoshiki and Miyavi, who are also very popular here. What was it like working with them?
The two of them are certainly exceptional and powerful, so working with them was very stimulating and I felt honored. I want to continue to be the kind of artist they would want to work with again.
When writing lyrics, what topics are you most interested in now? What inspires you?
I used to be interested in working with themes revolving around death. But now, I suppose it has shifted to doubts, questions and contradictions I see in modern society. Now that I’ve lived in the US, it’s easier to see and use the differences with Japan.
You have a large loving audience in Russia. Do you have any plans to perform in Russia someday? What conditions would you need to be really inspired to come to Russia to perform?
I don’t have any specific plans right now, but there are a lot of cute girls in Russia, so I definitely want to go. It’ll be a lot easier to make it happen if I gain more strength as an artist, which will help me increase my fan base enough to be invited to play there. So I will do my best.
Can we have a message from you to your Russian fans?
Thank you for always supporting me. Even though I don’t get enough opportunities to visit, you all have a special place in my heart. I hope I can go to Russia soon.
Ella MOLOCHKOVETSKAYA,
Translation of the article into English — Anna Marukova.
We would like to thank VAMPROSE GLOBAL for arranging the interview and the photos provided.
You can read the Russian version of the interview here.
