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TK Today's guest is Inaba-kun from B'z.
Koshi Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
TK Very rare to see you appear on TV by
yourself, isn't it?
Koshi Yes, considering that we seldom make
TV appearances at all.
TK Inaba alone making TV appearance has
never happened before, has it? Especially only to chat.
Koshi I guess so.
TK Leader Matsumoto-san, do you think he's
worried?
Koshi No, I don't think he has any reason
to.
TK Has Mat-chan grown to dislike being on
TV very much?
Koshi Has he ever liked it? Well, how to say
this?
TK When I was doing TM together with him,
there's this happy image about him. Occasionally when we hang out, the
image is stronger, right? So, at that time I thought, 'This person must
like entertainment like TV and so on', but he actually hates it, doesn't
he?
Koshi To say that he hates TV… Now that
I'm on TV myself, to say so would be quite weird, but there's something
about TV that does not go along with us.
TK Is that right? Inaba-kun, you also feel
the same, right?
Koshi Yes, I guess partly because I come from
a small town.
TK Actually even when I host this show,
it's not because I like being on TV myself. To be honest…
Koshi Yes, I guess you're right. After the
last TMN concert, while drinking at Red Shoes, you have said that for
a while you would not make anymore TV appearances. But nowadays...
TK That was exactly one year ago, right?
19th of May.
Koshi It was on the day of Tokyo Dome Concert.
TK It was the last night of Tokyo Dome Concert,
wasn't it? I really meant to not make anymore TV appearances, but what's
happened is that I do, many times.
Koshi You don't have to explain, really.
TK Because even when I do explain, there's
nothing you can do about it, right. Anyway, there are many people who
want to hear more things from Inaba alone (or with Mat-chan as B'z). Concerning
B'z, there are many mysteries involved here, primarily because you almost
completely never show up on TV. Only when a new single is release, then
it goes straight to TV and some music magazines, right?
Koshi It's really beyond me that there's an
image that suggest we hardly appear on TV.
TK Do you think you are on TV often enough?
KI: I can't say exactly, but we are on TV regularly.
TK In my opinion, you do enough amount of
promotions.
Koshi Well, actually about TV… After
coming out all the time and then suddenly coming out once in a while,
everyone would think, 'What is this person doing now…'
TK I guess you're right. But B'z isn't like
that somehow.
Koshi For example, like last year, the whole
year we were doing live-shows all over the country, therefore we already
had the chance to meet fans in so many places.
TK Therefore you didn't have time for the
real mass-media at all. Anyway, last year's number one releases are fewer,
right?
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Koshi Yes, last year we had one
album and two singles. (*in 1994, B'z released 2 singles 'Don't Leave
Me' and 'Motel', and 1 album 'The 7th Blues')
TK I talked to Mat-chan about the album too
last time. I mean it's not about the quantity because it is an album that
includes two Cds. And I didn't feel any short-comings of the volume either,
because in term of music you guys really deliver. It's just that I think
definitely there are some lonely fans out there, since one album came out
in spring and then only one single during the whole year. Anyway, I listened
to the new single just now (*Negai). In my opinion, compared to the
last album which was more to the blues side, this one sounds more like B'z
style. And it's also closer to the image of B'z sound I had in mind when
I was in TM with Matsumoto. Compared to the blues songs, I get used to this
one more easily.
Koshi Last year the proportion of heavy numbers
is quite big, I suppose.
TK But they are all amazing songs, for sure.
Your music has gradually turned into bluer tone. I was thinking, oh so that's
the route they are taking now. The new CD also has some blues influence
too, for sure, but there's also the old B'z atmosphere in it. And I simply
love it because I have missed the old style very much.
Koshi For that purpose, last year the whole
time we were doing the shows, we would present these new songs. At that
time, we could get the most immediate reaction, right? We would do it on
every show and we could see that 'This will work', that's how we gained
this kind of confidence. Therefore, this time the new style just flowed
into place naturally. More and more different things this time, things we
never tried before. We keep the so-called essence of B'z up to now, but
then we fuse in some new styles. |
TK Last year I had the chance
to see your concert at Yoyogi. And at that time, the people around me would
say, 'I think today's show is probably not the best I've seen' That's the
kind of comment I have not heard for a long time. But your concerts are
certainly excellently performed. No need to mention Matsumoto's guitar technique
at all.
Koshi Are you saying that you're fed up with
Matsumoto's guitar?
TK No, I'd never get tired of his guitar.
What I mean is, if compared to other blues quitarists, Matsumoto's guitar
playing is no matter blues or rough style, all notes come out stronger and
very precise, from the sixth to first string, from top to bottom, every
chord is crystal clear. I suppose it's because of the profound technique
he possessed. And concerning Inaba-kun's vocal style, the phrase in my mind
is always, 'Amazing…'
Koshi Really? There are good and bad days during
the one whole year shows. |
TK That's probably true, but
even though I get to watch only one time, I definitely think you're very
skillful. I envy you because I can't sing.
Koshi Oh, can't you?
TK I don't sing now, do I? I'm only an artificial
singer.
Koshi But sometimes we can hear your voice around
the background.
TK Well, because I'm the backing vocal. Anyway,
I do envy you, Inaba-kun. Wouldn't it be great to be able to sing like you.
Koshi Actually it's not such a pressing matter.
Voice is something-
TK -that came along with you since you were
born, isn't it? What about your shout? You have always been the type that
can do great shouts.
Koshi That's because I like doing it. But there
were times that I toned it down a bit since it can be too excessive. I always
think to communicate with audience, instruments like guitar or keyboards
are less direct than using one's voice to talk or sing. But if you can express
yourself with instruments, it's amazing.
TK Yes, I guess you're right. And that's not
a pressing matter for you either, I suppose. But it definitely feels cool,
right, for rock-musicians to do the shouts. Was that 'Shout- Ippatsu' you
shout on stage?
Koshi It's more like 'Fight- Ippatsu'.
TK That's it. But sometimes the force of a
shout is overwhelming and you'll probably get the feeling that 'There's
nothing that can top this.' When I was in high-school, I used to like Glam
Rock groups such as T-Rex. Before singing, Max Bolan would head it by shouting
'Yeah!' At that time, it was so cool that I had goosebumps and I thought,
'That was it, I'm listening to this shout'. Inaba-kun's shout surely shakes
the audience to that extent too, I believe.
Koshi Yes, I am also the type who would get
blown away by these things. So if my kind of shout can affect people in
such way, I'm very happy.
TK That's definitely the plus point from the
show, don't you think?
Koshi I don't know since when we start to do
that on the show. When we first debut, there wasn't the atmosphere to do
this at all. |
TK When you first started out,
your band's image was not strong at all, was it?
Koshi No, not at all.
TK There's one time when I realized that both
of you have become stronger and healthier in terms of muscles and physique.
And you both are also darker in complexion. In this matter, I'm definitely
the sickly sort, but you guys make me look like an extremely weak person
in comparison.
Koshi Are you really?
TK Even during tour, I have fallen ill many
times.
Koshi I have heard gossips about that, yes.
TK When I was doing TMN shows, I happened
to bump to you. At that time you looked amazingly fit and healthy. I heard
that in Matsumoto's house there's a body-building machine.
Koshi He used to have one.
TK I don't know when exactly you guys became
so fit and strong.
Koshi I guess you're right. I think I'm building
up my body for the outer appearance… But it's also my intention to
build up mental strength too. For example when I'm doing shows, it was not
merely physical stamina that last me through it, there was also this mental
stamina which is also powered by the music.
TK How about foot-race? Are you fast?
Koshi Foot-race? I hate it.
TK Really? You do? But when I saw you on stage
last year, you ran from upper to lower stage, here and there very fast.
So whoever sees that would think, 'This person must be a 100 m sprinter.
Koshi Actually that's not the case. For example,
in tennis court, there are people who are very fast, right? It's the same
thing. Because stage is my territory, that's why you feel that I'm very
fast. In reality, if I have to run 100 m straight-line, I think I'll be
terribly slow.
TK Did you keep the same slow speed in high-school?
Koshi Well, because at that time athletic was
something I hated most.
TK So that's how you feel about it. Anyway,
what about Matsumoto? I could say this about him, right? He used to be quite
a weak image too. But he's different now, isn't he? |
Koshi His muscles are very hard
now.
TK In terms of body shape, he has changed,
hasn't he?
Koshi Now he seems to be tougher and stronger.
TK But when you touch his muscles, they are
very tender, right?
Koshi No, I think they are supposed to be very
hard.
TK Really? Then there's no mistake that Mat-chan
has changed entirely. And it probably alters his way of thinking too, right?
Actually when we were doing TMN together, just to joke around, I once pinched
him.
Koshi You did that?
TK Yes, I did. And I said to him that his
muscles are very tender.
Koshi He said himself that his muscles are mochi
muscles (*mochi is a sort of Japanese glutinous sweet cakes)
TK That's the feeling I'm talking about.
Koshi But now he's stronger and his muscles
very hard.
TK So you're a band that changes dramatically
from in to out. I guess the outer look just sort of follow the music naturally
, right?
Koshi I guess so. To put it simply, we are fitting
the inside with the outside.
TK I see you both doing this very naturally,
there's not even an element of striving painfully here. |
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Koshi I guess that's because we're having
fun while doing what we like best.
TK Yes. Your words just now have involved
many subjects, right? Including that matter of TV appearances. I think
it's great that you're having fun in doing what you like best while at
the same time holding a steady position in the market. That's the amazing
point of B'z. The vexing problem that every musician/artist faces these
days is that the music they like and the music they can sell are two different
matters. The gap between the two can be bridged if they have good balance.
If they keep insisting on doing what they like, there's probability that
they can't sell it. But if everyone keeps doing only marketable goods,
then…
Koshi But these people who initially based
their music on marketable point are rapidly getting better balance and
then they can do the music they favor to do, right?
TK I guess so. I myself am gradually growing
to think more to this side. 'Don't think whether I can sell this or not,'
well, if I can manage to. Concerning this matter, I think B'z has always
maintained the best balance.
Koshi I guess you're right.
TK Furthermore you guys always manage to
keep such amazing high standard for your music. That's one thing for sure,
really. Even the new single 'Negai', while it was just being released,
you can hear young guys singing it proudly in karaokes everywhere.
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Koshi Really?
TK Of course, and proudly too.
Koshi Concerning karaoke, how to say it? I heard
that recently everyone seldom sings B'z songs anymore.
TK That's because your songs are difficult.
Koshi Are they?
TK Of course they are.
Koshi But aren't TRF's songs also difficult?
TK Well, about TRF, how to say it? Does anyone
sing TRF's songs these days?
Koshi Of course people sing them.
TK They do, don't they? But you know when
I began writing TRF's songs, I did some researchs on B'z songs.
Koshi But people still don't sing B'z songs
anymore, do they?
TK In any case, there was a period when everyone
sang nothing but B'z songs. All those hits in one go. Well, I'm not sure
which hits, but anyhow, these are your songs they sing alright. So I did
some research on why everybody loves singing B'z songs. The conclution is
purely because when they sing your songs, they get these great feeling about
themselves. They'd think, 'I've come to sing Inaba's songs'. That's what
I came up with. How about the key, quite high, right?
Koshi Slightly high, yes.
TK There are some karaoke places which have
hosts, although not in karaoke boxes, anyway, these people tend to sing
your songs.
Koshi The hosts of the karaoke houses? The ones
who sing well?
TK If one can sing B'z songs well, he would
gloat with pride, 'See, I can do it, right?' that kinda feeling.
Koshi Wouldn't that make other people feel envious?
TK And the others would think, 'Wow, this
guy is good.' I think it does make people feel envious. Because surely to
be able to sing like Inaba, anyone would feel great. You always keep such
high standard for your singing style. |
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Koshi But you know what, I think other artists'
songs are getting harder to sing too. In my case, I sing it the only way
I know how. Only sometimes there's an impression of being difficult to
sing for others. Anyway, I'm not sure about how people think now about
my vocal.
TK It has become more and more difficult.
Koshi But those recent artists are very good,
aren't they?
TK They have become better, yes. I think
Inaba's vocal style has influenced them to some degree, definitely.
Koshi Nay, I don't think so.
TK Of course it has. That and the lyrics.
I think those lyrics you wrote have huge impact on people. Very well written,
aren't they? I'm also amazed by them. I know I have discussed this in
other interview, that your way of using Japanese languange is... most
amusing. But tell me, how do you write it? Do the words flow out naturally?
Has the process become easier now?
Koshi There are ups and downs inside of me,
waves like feeling. Sometimes I like using decorative words, while other
times it can be plain and simple ones. But Komuro-san now writes very
well too, right?
TK Lyrics?
Koshi Yes, your writing style has changed
a lot.
TK Have you noticed something?
Koshi I have noticed almost everything.
TK I guess you're right. But I'm not sure
about it myself.
Koshi You're not?
TK Well, I thought I have changed. But actually
it's not my writing style that changed. It's just that now I have grown
to like Japanese as a language more, that's all.
Koshi It can be interesting, can't it?
TK It has become more interesting indeed.
Even though I don't sing them on stage, when I'm composing a temporary
song, I would sing it to myself, right? So when I do this, I don't like
to put in improper words.
Koshi Are they in Japanese? These temporary
songs, I mean.
TK They were. I don't like it if these temporary
songs can't be sung smoothly, even in Japanese. Sometimes I wonder if
Inaba writes his lyrics the same way. It can't be good if you can't sing
it smoothly yourself, right?
Koshi You're right on that one. But actually
at the beginning, I would use something like English when I write a temporary
song.
TK Yes, I remember you saying that's how
you wrote.
Koshi Actually I still do now.
TK Even now?
Koshi Well, it's like I'd have to fit it Japanese
words into the melody of a temporary song, right? When I do that, of course,
sometimes the melody in the song has to be changed. And I'd have to choose
which one is priority, the lyrics or the melody. As a result, it can turn
out to be different from the temporary song.
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TK Since you are here in person,
by all means, I will say everything I have in mind. Concerning your vocal
style, I always think you sing very well. For me, whether on guitar or keyboard,
while playing notes from 'do' to 're', I would hear the 're' when I'm still
doing 'do', right? On keyboard, before playing one note, I would hear it
coming first. But Inaba's singing is very precise. The joining from one
note to another is completely beyond doubt. Furthermore, it feels like you
can join notes at the exact last moment.
Koshi Really?
TK Except when you join one pure note to a
false one on purpose. That's a different story. And there's also the way
you place your range. It's amazingly precise. But there are times when I
can't predict when you would join notes. Let me try to explain a bit. Your
singing, maybe it can be classified as digital sound. See, before singing,
you would measure exactly, like "Okay, let's put the next note right
here" and then input the data into the computer.
Koshi All those digital and analog mess... I
guess my singing is neither.
TK Exactly. That's what I wanted to say. That's
how I explain why I think you sing so well.
Koshi It's probably because I feel great when
I sing.
TK You probably do. But I think it's also
because of your talent that great vocal style comes out so naturally from
you. And I think it is this good feeling and natural talent that reverbrates
into the good feeling in the heart of listeners all over the world.
Koshi You have described it... extremely well.
TK Well, your pitch is also very precise.
However, singers need not only perfect picth to make listeners feel good,
but also something else.
Koshi Actually about pitch, I'm still not there
yet. And as the result, many times I cannot fulfill my own expectation.
TK Is that true? But I always think that Inaba-kun's
pitch is magnificent. And the way you handle your notes' range is also magnificent.
Koshi You think so?
TK For other people maybe 'do' is just a 'do'.
But actually there's a wide range in 'do', right? There's higher 'do's and
lower 'do's. It's very clear in gospel which range they sing. So you'd have
to choose which range to use. And the way you choose the proper range is
the proof of your natural talent and I think it is the key point of why
a song can turn out to be so good.
Koshi I guess you're right.
TK Anyway, I'm not making reviews on B'z on
this matter.
Koshi No, it's fine. You have told me some very
informative things.
TK Yes, I think you naturally pick the best
range. And about pitch, Matsumoto's guitar playing also possess the same
excellent chord's pitch with perfect timing and rythm. His guitar creates
a superb combination of the spontaneous and intentional. And right there
enters Inaba-kun's great vocal with its perfect range and rythm. Once harmonized,
you have the true essence of B'z, the union that makes listeners feel great
with whatever you play.
Koshi Well, we do get alot of practise from
doing live shows.
TK That's one thing that will never change,
for sure. I think it will remain as the group's best nature.
Koshi It will certainly be great it we can keep
it that way. |
TK Anyway, that was everything
I wanted to discuss. Because when we're out drinking, there's no way for
us to have conversation like this.
Koshi While drinking, what kind of conversation
do we have?
TK We have talked when we went out drinking,
haven't we? But many people were present too, so we never really talked
one by one like this.
Koshi Did you drink at all?
TK You don't remember that I did?
Koshi I remember you made me drink wine.
TK And you became so drunk before long. How
many times has this happened, right? You get drunk so easily. Have you gone
drinking recently?
Koshi Not often.
TK It's definitely because I'm older that
you always keep that respectful attitude towards me when we're together.
Koshi Do I?
TK While drinking, you tend to be quiet, don't
you?
Koshi I do? But I always enjoy drinking with
you. Well, most of the time when I was quiet, it's because when I drink
with you and your friends, I'm the youngest one. (*in 1995, Koshi was
31 years old)
TK Inaba-kun is the youngest of us all. Aren't
we an amazing flock... Well, it is probably because you being the youngest,
but in general, you are the passive one among us. Nevertheless, I happened
to see some moments when you decided to go for it, "Alright, I'm all
for it. Shoot the drinks." I can hear that kind of thoughts when you
made up your mind. Afterwards, you drank until you're a mess.
Koshi Thank you very much for taking care of
me (^_^;)
TK I think it was a very happy moment for
me.
Koshi What moment is that?
TK The moment when you decided to enjoy yourself
with us, "Everything is wonderful" and "Let's do anything".
The moment when Inaba decided from the heart to go for it.
Koshi Ah, that's because at that time, all common
senses have taken off.
TK I felt a quiet happiness then.
Koshi Did you?
TK I mean, look, "This is the lead vocal
of B'z, you know?" that kind of phrase passed through my mind. "And
this lead vocal from B'z is listening to whatever I have to say" and
"He will do whatever I want". I didn't say it then, but I sure
felt happy.
Koshi At that time you did project some aura
of happiness.
TK It was like 'I have him under my thumb
now". But when I left the place and went home, it was all over.
Koshi Well, there's no problem if those who
are under your thumb feel great.
TK You have left before I was aware of it,
right?
Koshi I don't know. Have I?
TK There must be some nights when you are
totally drunk that you don't know anything anymore and somebody has to take
you home.
Koshi In the past days, yes.
TK I'd love to go and drink to that extent
again.
Koshi So would I.
TK Can you go during the tour?
Koshi In the middle of touring, not really.
TK No drinking?
Koshi No. Well, actually it's very rare that
all of us go and drink altogether. |
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TK Last year I went drinking with Matsumoto.
It seemed to me that Mat-chan also watches "Hey! Hey! Hey!"
(*Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ). Do you watch it?
Koshi I sure do.
TK Really?
Koshi "Here he comes again". "He
doesn't seem to be entirely unwilling". We talked about you recently.
TK Is that right? What do you think of 'Down
Town'? (*Host of Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ)
Koshi I like them very much.
TK Would you hate it very much if you were
to be on the program with them?
Koshi I'd prefer watching them.
TK Being together with them is more than
you can bear?
Koshi No, how to say it... I don't mind meeting
them though.
TK Compared to Mr. Children, the two members
of B'z will definitely be much more fun to watch in that program. Sakurai-san
sometimes does wear a very sad expression on his face, doesn't he?
(*Sakurai is Mr. Children's lead vocal)
Koshi Maybe. Give or take.
TK I think it's possible that the two members
of B'z 'upstage' them.
Koshi I don't think so.
TK Yes, it's possible. Because I think those
two (*Down Town) like B'z. And I'm sure they sing your songs in
karaoke, especially Hama-chan.
Koshi You really think so?
TK Sure, definitely. By the way, let's say
something about it to your leader.
Koshi Shall we? What do you wanna say?
TK I'm not a secret agent of "Hey!
Hey! Hey!"
Koshi But for the time being you're willing
to become the connection between us?
TK My stances in some aspects of the present
situation are negotiable.
Koshi Well, maybe if you negotiate with them,
then...
TK But Mat-chan will probably run away,
right?
Koshi Yea, I think he'd say something like
"No, not me."
TK Anyway, 'Negai' really strikes my fancy.
Koshi Thank you very much.
TK I'd love to listen to others try to sing
it in karaokes.
Koshi So would I.
TK Again, how to say what I feel right now,
because I don't think we will get to meet very often.
Koshi But aren't you at Roppongi sometimes?
(*Roppongi is where "B'z Party" aka B'z Fan Club is located)
TK No, I'm not.
Koshi Are you sure?
TK What kind of reaction was that just now?
Are you being suspicious? I'm really not there.
Koshi I just have this impression of you being
there sometimes.
TK Maybe it wasn't me that you saw.
Koshi I'm not so sure about that.
TK Do you think I have time to be there?
Koshi No, you don't.
TK I want you to understand that as a musician.
Koshi But even when not in the studio, you
can work in the city, right? I have an image like that about you.
TK Maybe I was doing a survey.
Koshi Even in the middle of the streets, you
can still work in your mind, right? But wouldn't people be shocked to
see you handing out survey forms?
TK My payment by the hour is extremely expensive.
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