Painting and French food, learning English thru Nintendo, and would someone tell Hyde how popular he is outside of Japan, please

Based on news reports translated by fans, here are summaries of what Hyde talked about during, I believe, this recent radio interview:

Hyde entered the studio with the original painting of the album jacket. He talked happily about how he convinced the leader of the artist world, Kaneko Kuniyoshi, to do the portrait for the Faith cover. "At the meeting,” Hyde said, “I put him in a good humour while eating French food." The only other portrait made by Kaneko sensei was done 2 years ago for Mishima Yukio.

Because in the U.S. there's a big interest in Japanese anime, fashion and music, the tickets for his San Francisco and Anaheim concerts sold out in 20 minutes. In a few days additional dates should be announced that might realize an America first tour even for L’Arc.

Hyde said he wondered whether the tickets would sell, but since they did he's studying English on Nintendo.

In addition to the album title, the jacket design, which makes him think of the Passion, will certainly cause a shock in America where Christians are many.

(thanks to the ARK)

Too many pictures is not enough!

Since that last post was a little heavy and meditative I thought I'd just share some random pics that I love.




Focusing on the "Sweet Singing Jesus, he's smexy!" category, otherwise known as "I love a man in eyeliner".

To know another language is to have a second soul--Charlemagne, Hyde's Lyrics

Well, Faith is out, and I've read the lyrics. Read Faith Lyrics Here Reading the lyrics was almost as important to me as hearing the music. About two years ago now I worked with a Hispanic gentleman and he and I and the third member of our team would go to lunch once a week in his car. He would play us Latin music and tell us what they were saying and we would discuss how much more interesting Gloria Estefan or Christina Aguilera were in Spanish. The other woman said, "I've realized I like music to have words but it doesn't matter to me what the words are or what language they're in." I was flabbergasted. The lyrics are the most important part to me! Maybe because I write but I don't play an instrument. I'll forgive bands a lot if the lyrics are good and I've stopped listening to bands because the words were boring or trite. Part of the joy of the 80's to me was the cleverness of the lyrics (of certain bands--certainly there was a lot of drivil then as now).

So flash forward a year and I find Hyde--who sings in Japanese... and English, and occasionally Engrish. Hyde sings in my key too--so I hum the songs or chime in on the English chorus while riding in my car. Sometimes to my shame I will realize that Hyde is singing in English and I don't even know it. I listened to "Forbidden Lover," a long time before I realized that Fo BiDen Lo Fer was not Japanese. After I had collected downloads of all of L'Arc's songs I printed out copies of various translations as well as Romanji and to my relief found that all of Hyde's passion and emotion really were pouring into very interesting, poetic and thought provoking lyrics such as:

"If you committed the sin I'd take the punishment...Deeper than sorrow, stronger than this whole life, my love for you"--Taste of Love (trans. Sunrise)

"You fly over the earth, can't you see I am tied to the ground."--(in English) In the Air

"On a holiday, invited by the beautiful sky, I opened the window a bit. The wind touched my cheek as it reaches. Who might be the next one it visits?"--Kaze no Yukue

"In these eyes of mine colored by red, there are birds and sky and you."--Hitomi ni Utsuru Mono

"If I can be as strong as this bird, then will you love me forever?"--Farewell

"Flowers bloom in sunlight and I live close to you."--Flower

And many more--those are just a few I've grabbed. Whoever he's singing to on Roentgen is one lucky person.

When I've studied languages it makes me turn and examine English for the origins and puzzles it contains.

Goethe says, "He who is ignorant of foreign languages knows not his own."

I love the song "Blame", though "Please don't blame it TO me," makes me flinch. However, when you think about linguistics, why is it blame it ON me, why not TO me? Is what we mean by blame something we lay on someone while the Japanese bring it to them instead? I do know that use of prepositions are different in Japanese, but what do we mean by the words we say? James Baldwin says that words are translations of translations anyway, even in the same language. What I mean by blue, or blame, or I, can be completely different from what you mean by those words, let alone azul, culpa or watashi.

But back to Hyde's lyrics.

Even my husband who wishes that he had never read the word "Moonchild" at Netflix admitted that the lyrics of Masquerade were interesting. Faith is full of very wide ranging and profound thoughts (Yeah, Hyde) including the cloned sheep Dolly questioning her own soul (as I said to Musing, very Kate Bush).

But still--without a carefully written out Romanji sheet I can't sing along and I can't gage meaning while I'm reading the Romanji. It's frustrating to me--why do I still enjoy this when I've turned away from French bands in the past (and I know more French)? It's doubly frustrating when I realize had I just stuck with Japanese in college I could understand this--ah, the stupid things we do. My mother used to sing opera and she would learn the songs phonetically then work with a translator to try and convey emotion on the appropriate words--is this what I have to do to fully enjoy L'Arc~en~Ciel?

Part of the answer to why I love this despite the language barrier is that L'Arc~en~Ciel writes very good tunes whether it's Ken, Hyde or Tetsu (or Yukihiro and Sakura), catchy and danceable. Ken is to my mind a guitar GOD and having to focus on the melody has made me more aware of the bass line and drums. I probably know the melodies of L'Arc songs better than many English songs because it's all I have to hang onto. Who can not dance a little to "Neo Universe"? I'm finding it harder to enjoy sad songs (posted at my blog), bands like The Editors or Interpol so maybe it's better than I can't hear how sad Hyde's lyrics are at times when the melody is so upbeat. Or maybe it's simply that Hyde IS magic--that the raw emotion comes through the language barrier loud and clear. I do know that if I'm edgy during the day I realize that I NEED to listen to his voice for awhile. As his new song "Mission" describes:

Where music will guide us,guitars instead of guns
We'll play in harmony,it should be so easy

Ongaku, baby. Play on.

Is there such a thing as too many pictures?

I think not.


(thanks to the ARK)

MOON CHILD photobook Gackt/HYDE interview: Part 2

Used with permission

Gekka-no-neko made a very readable translation of the Gackt/HYDE Moon Child interview. It's in three parts. Here’s the first bit of Part Two:

MOON CHILD Interview: Part 2

Interviewer: Q
Gackt: G
HYDE: H

Q: All of the filming took place in Taiwan; were there any really difficult occurrences or events during the filming?

H: Balancing in mid-air for the wire action was really difficult. But it was fun, being hung up on the wires. I had never done that before, so I thought I'd be scared at first, but when I had to do it, it was surprisingly fun.

G: I think good reflexes are essential for that. My reflexes are at zero, so I felt like, “please don't make me do that”.

H: As far as difficult scenes...... Well, from the first day, it was really hot and the heat was unbearable. I honestly thought, "Is it going to continue like this? Can I bear it?" So I ended up calling Gacchan on the first day and said, "Hurry up and get over here!" (laughs). Because, the sweat was dripping down when I was just sitting there, and my heart was pounding. I was startled.

Read the rest of Part Two here.

MOON CHILD photobook Gackt/HYDE interview: Part 1

Used with permission

Gekka-no-neko made a very readable translation of the Gackt/HYDE Moon Child interview. It's in three parts. Here’s the first bit of Part One:

MOON CHILD Interview: Part 1

Interviewer: Q
Gackt: G
HYDE: H

Q: When did you first come up with the concept for MOON CHILD?

G: Last year......around September. I started with a vague image of the whole story, which was put into sound on the album MOON. Because of that, I was able to reimagine it as images. Then, I talked with HYDE about the movie around last April.

Q: So it started to take shape soon after you thought of the concept.

G: Yeah. Before talking to HYDE, I had discussed with most of the staff, "Let's do it this way, let's make it like this." From the beginning, I wanted to perform in the movie itself......Kei's role. I did include others when thinking about who would be good in the role, but when it came to the story and the need to have a strong on-screen presence, it became apparent that HYDE might be good. But, the film studio people said "HYDE has received many requests to do movies, but he's brushed them all off." That has nothing to do with it--is what I thought (laughs).

Q: Was it because you didn't want to do films up until then, or was it more that nothing really appealed to you?

H: Yeah, nothing really appealed to me, but also, I didn't know of any good examples among musicians who have appeared in movies. Musicians who act are often looked at coldly, and I couldn't imagine putting myself in that position. And......because I didn't have the confidence to get past those hurdles, I thought, "I can't possibly appear in a movie."

Read the rest of Part One here.

Hyde hearts food II

Since I've left all the hard work of posting pictures to Musing
and I love to see Hyde eat:

It's not only what you say, it's how you say it

Just saw Hyde’s comment for, I believe, the Yahoo Live Talk.

Nihongo (Japanese) is such a beautiful language and the way Hyde speaks it makes it even more so.




(thanks to the ARK)

Faith Tour Pics

(thanks to the ARK)

Yahoo Live Talk April 2006

UPDATE: Here's the link to the LIVE TALK CLIP.

(The sound and image are off a bit; if a better one is uploaded I'll post it)

Enjoy!



Also, thanks to liv and the fans on the ARK here's a summary of the Q & A part (not sure, though, if everything's in the right order):

Q1.How will you spend Golden Week?

HYDE: I have no time off!

Q2. What was the best food you've had so far on this tour?

HYDE: Yamagata’s was so delicious! 　

Q3. Do you have any episode during the recoding in L.A.?

HYDE: I heard one Thai restaurant's waitresses were all beautiful, so we went to the restaurant. (lol) They're more looked like Asian, but yes, they were beautiful!

Q4. What do you do during waiting times? What things were popular among your friends?

HYDE: I was too busy…but near the end of the recording we managed to go out together. Kaz wanted to go skateboarding but I wanted to go rollerblading. Kaz enjoyed it a lot once he got used to it. We skated at Santa Monica beach. The place was very nice.

Q5. What was in your mind while creating the song “Jesus Christ”?

HYDE: I had some idea of the guitar riff from the beginning, and I wanted to play this song to start the live. I was moved so much while making it, too.

Q6. Which you do prefer, cats or dogs?

HYDE: I am allergic to cats. (lol) Cats are independent, while dogs return rewards to you. Their attitudes are like, “I cannot live without you.” They are so cute.

Q7. What do you want to eat now?

HYDE: I want to eat (some sort of hot stew with potatoes?).

Q8. Are you drinking alcohol during this tour?

HYDE: Yes, I drink a lot.

Q9. Tell me the temporary titles of the songs in the album FAITH.

HYDE: Mmm, there was not…mmm. COUNTDOWN was STEALTH, because it was the song for the movie…

Q10. What is the most memorable thing in this live house tour?

HYDE: Recently, I spat. (lol)

(Reporter: On the audience?)

HYDE: (lol) As I was singing, I had some bubbles in my month…(lol) so I had to spit that out.

Q11. Which planet would you like to visit most?

HYDE: I want to go to the center of the universe, or the center of the Milky Way or...the earth is located at the edge of the universe, you know…the core is bright. I’m more interested in seeing the core part of the universe.

Q12. What is your secret of keeping up healthy to complete this tour?

HYDE: Put the humidifier on and sleep well.

Q13. Do you read fan letters?

HYDE: I didn’t read them at one time, but I found there are more warm-hearted fans who give me letters during this tour. (lol)

Q14. When there is a trouble, do you get panicked easily or rather stay calm?

HYDE: I try to be calm.

Q15. What do you think about performing overseas?

HYDE: There are many Asian fans living in the U.S. I’m playing for them.

EDITED: About Q15--Ikuni heard him say something to the effect that when he came to America for Otakan there were a lot of Asians in the audience and he enjoyed playing for them.

Hyde hearts food

If you've been a Hyde fan for any length of time then you know that the man is in love with food. And it appears he'll eat anything...and I mean anything. Itadakimasu!

Concert news

Tofu announced yesterday that Hyde is working to secure more US concert dates! Stay tuned.

"My natural thoughts tend to run to things like: 'Uh, what am I going to eat today?'" ~Hyde

A fan interpreted the gist of a recent interview in the May issue of Newsmaker.

It seems that among other things Hyde talked about the song, "Jesus Christ," his interest in religious architecture and art, the reason he recorded the album in L.A. and, of course, food.

Song debut

If I’m understanding one of the posts on the ARK correctly, Hyde and his band publicly played a new (?) song for the first time at the Yamagata concert. It’s referred to as FIRST SONG, but that could be just because they played it at the beginning. The following is said to be from Hyde’s manager’s online diary:

It was something I heard a bit of a few days ago, from the recording in L.A. It was the first song Hyde composed. It's great! A super rare sound, and it was debuted today at the live. In rehearsal, everybody kept changing the arrangement and told the staff, "We are practicing." So, it wasn't included in the setlist. But! As a secret surprise for all the staff, and without any warning, they played it as the first song. I was the only one who knew. The staff went around saying, "They did it!" It felt great. It's instrumental, and it will grow with the tour. We will be able to hear it again…

Recent T.V. spots

Here's a Faith promotion clip you'll enjoy.

And here's another one that looks like it was filmed the same day, either a lot earlier, before he had his caffeine, or a lot later, when said caffeine had worn off completely.

Hydeist entry 2006/04/22(Sat)

Fukuoka.

I don't usually check my schedule. The schedule just flows. Often I don't know what I’m supposed to do until the last moment.

On the tour bus after the live at Kumagaya, I was checking the looooong video of L'Arc (and fans are saying this is for the AsiaLive DVD), which had to be done by today. I asked my manager what my schedule was for tomorrow and he replied “Hataka, at 8.30.”

“Impossible.”

Even though I said that, I went to Hakata.

My main task was to record a message about my new album for a radio program, which will be aired in the Fukuoka area, before or after the album release.

Having finished checking the L'Arc video in my spare time, I went out and ate 2 ramens, 2 agemaki shells, and had a little bit of sake.

People in Fukuoka are plump.

It's no wonder.

If people like me come to Fukuoka often, they naturally put on weight.

Thank you...

(thanks to the ARK)

Music mix

So far Ikuni and I have five L’Arc CD’s (Ray, Ark, Real, Smile, Awake) and one Hyde (666). About a month ago, I decided to burn a rock mix from the L’Arc albums and I love it. Here’s the track list:

1. TRICK
2. IBARA NO NAMIDA
3. SHI NO HAI
4. SHINSHOKU ~LOSE CONTROL~
5. LARVA
6. BUTTERFLYS SLEEP
7. GET OUT FROM THE SHELL
8. THE NEPENTHES
9. REVELATION
10. EXISTENCE
11. AS ONE

Anyone else do this? If so, what song combinations have you put together?

Recent photo shoots and interviews

Wish I could read Kana! Can anyone translate?


Weekly Pia April 2006

What’s In May 2006

Hydeist entry 2006/04/19(Wed)

I had a lot of fun, Yamanashi.

Let's meet again.

But!

Tomorrow is Saitama!

Hirokist unite.

By the way, it's also Jinchan's hometown.

Tomorrow's encore is Hiroki! Jin! Hiroki! Jin! Please.
And, if it's possible, say Omedetou! (congrats)

I'm going to sleep a lot today. Good night.

(thanks to the ARK)

Hyde obsessions part deux

I was planning to write about this soon anyway, but Musing beat me to it.

I bought a barbed wire necklace on Saturday and removed two links to make it fit closer to the base of my neck. SEE

I've priced Beyblades and considered buying them.

I now eat Pocky.

I bought red devil horns that clip into the hair at Halloween.

I don't really want to Cos Play, but is imitation the truest form of flattery?

When I was 13 I owned a pink leather tie, jazz shoes, suede ankle boots, and a fedora.

Hyde borrows from the stars that inspire him.

Live journal communities

Fans have started community pages for both concerts. These are especially helpful for anyone looking to buy or trade tickets (and where you might find a better deal than on ebay!). Here are the links:

Anaheim
San Francisco

You know you’re obsessed with Hyde when you…

• Instantly identify the year of a music video just by seeing his hairstyle.
• Watch every bit of a 41-minute radio interview even though you can only understand about 3% percent of what he’s saying and half the time he’s not even saying anything because they’re playing music for the radio program so he’s just sitting there looking gorgeous.
• Think human bowling should be made an Olympic sport.
• Create a Hyde photo section in your favorite places that’s a mile long and includes titles such as Harry Potter Hyde, Godzilla Hyde and He’ll sleep anywhere Hyde.
• Discover your new career goal: be a microphone.
• Listen to the song, Hideaway, and replay the line, “Dig in and get your hands dirty,” over and over and over and over.
• Realize fuzzy hats are a legitimate fashion statement.
• Know what Gakuhai, Haitsu and Sakuhai mean and you make up your own pairing using letters from your name (mine: Hydette).
• Feel stressed or anxious you say to yourself, “Think about Hyde.”
• Have no idea what beyblades are but believe they're the greatest invention on the planet.

Wasn't going to post again today but when one finds photos like these one has to share

I believe these are all from Hyde's FAITH tour book, which I very much hope they sell at the San Francisco concert! (thanks to Pieces)

* * * * *

Preorder the Faith Tour Book at J-XYZ.com

I’m So Happy times three

I love to compare things. For instance, once I watched three film versions of Shakespeare’s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and had a ball comparing how each interpreted the play. I know, I’m strange.

And it seems I’m no different when it comes to Hyde. I found three performances of the song he wrote and composed, I’m So Happy. The first two were recorded when Sakura was still the drummer (about ten years ago). The last one was during Hyde's solo 666 tour (in 2004, I think).

I’d love to hear your thoughts on them--differences, similarities? Is one your favorite?



Live acoustic ballad w/L’Arc





Live rock version w/L’Arc





Live rock version solo



Also, here are the translated lyrics (trans. by Brian Stewart and Takako Sakuma):

I’m So Happy

No matter how the me that you see right now
may appear to suffer greatly
please don't go and kill me,
until after I've closed my eyes for real

It seems the time has come to pay up
You can do what you want with my things
No matter how insane I appear, or how much I'm laughed at,
Ah... I don't want you to be saddened by it

Flowers, water, light washed away
Stop talking and sleep

The sun, the moon, the pain, more than anything,
Ah... I want to see you

No matter if something has just fallen off of me again,
and its hard to even walk, don't kill me, because I love you

If I could be reborn someday, I'd come back closer to you than
anyone

I want to touch your hair, your skin, right now
Eyes wet by tears
I think of only you, your voice, your fingers, your smile

I love you I love you I love you
I love you I love you I love you
I love you I love you I love you

I'm so happy with love

No matter how the me that you see right now
may appear to suffer greatly
please don't go and kill me,
until after I've closed my eyes for real

Hyde Fanbook Project (San Francisco)

A member of Tofu is making a community fanbook to give to Hyde at the San Francisco concert. If you're interested in participating, here's more info.

The music/the man or how I found Hyde

Do we all ask ourselves this question? If he didn't look like that would the music still move us?

I first saw Hyde on July 4th of last year when I watched Moonchild with my husband. He reminded me of a friend I had in high school--same way of moving, same half smile, same low voice. I kept repeating it all through the film, "He reminds me of Kevin, he reminds me of Kevin." I also made the random comment that if the two leads weren't gay one or both of them had experience wearing dresses. God, help me, I really did. So after the film I did what I always do after films, I went to IMDB. And found out they were popstars. Quick Google search and I saw they really did wear dresses though not perhaps in the way I imagined! Went to some sharing download sites, grabbed some music and videos. Gackt--well my husband thought him the most beautiful, but I kept coming back to Hyde. Much of what I found was L'Arc stuff--pop or mild rock--amusing but not life changing. Then I found some Roentgen and was fascinated. THEN I saw Kasou and Forbidden Lover. And there it was--I had to hear everything, see everything with the strange, exotic, angelic voiced creature. Something about the combination of the voice--the resonance, the range--with the passion he poors into it and the theatrics as well. To this day, I can't decide which it is, the look or the music. The whole package? I do know that I am indifferent to some L'Arc songs until I see them live, and even songs I like are made better by watching him sing (unless he loses the notes--vocal coach, Hyde).

The updated updated Anaheim concert ticket update

Okay, the latest word--according to Tofu it appears that ticketmaster.com was selling tickets today to the general public by mistake. Sales have now stopped and won't resume until tomorrow.

Tofu did say that all tickets sold today will be honored.

FINAL UPDATE (4/15): the Anaheim concert is now SOLD OUT.

Oh, Hyde, Hyde, Hyde

Gotta love him. At the Shibuya AX concert fans reported that at one point he explained Easter to them:

Hyde: Sunday is Easter. Saturday is the day Christ was buried. Friday the day He was crucified. Then Thursday is the Last Supper. At the time of the Last Supper, I don’t think Christ had any doubts. I think he was a good man. I don’t think his dying wish was for his sacrifice to be used for wars.

Then later he said:

Hyde: My virginity has been taken.

Fans: Congrats!

Hyde (laughing): It hurted a bit.

(thanks to the ARK)

EDITED: Okay, come to find out about the above virginity quote, it seems at the concert Hyde had a drop of sweat hit his eye and it burned. He said that had never happened to him before while performing, which prompted the double en tondre.

Comments at Utsunomiya

I believe the following are comments by Hyde at the recent Utsunomiya concert, reported by a Japanese fan and then translated by the ARK members. So, take it with a grain of MSG. It’s third-hand at best.

If Hyde did say this, though, it gives us some insight into his current views about spiritual things.

Hyde:The next song (FAITH) is about the moment of Christ’s death. What might have happened.

I did a lot of research. Historical. To have as few mistakes as possible. Both on and under the surface. I researched both sides seriously. I think I might have gotten the nearest to the truth.

But after all, it's something we talk about, now, 2000 years later? A tale handed down. For example, if He were here now on stage what would He say?

Fans: Is it a word game?

Hyde: Jesus…I can't think of anything. Being something that happened 2000 years ago. You can’t know anymore what's really true. But, when Christ was being crucified, even when he was being beaten, He didn't fight back. Is this His teaching? The love concept. But of the teachings He left us, humans living after him can only make wars, right? At the moment of His death, though, I think he could foresee such a thing. So, this song was written about Him.

Set list

If I’m understanding the ARK correctly, a Japanese blogger posted the set list for Hyde’s recent Utsunomiya concert.

For those going to see him in San Francisco and Anaheim, maybe this gives us an idea of what we can look forward to?

1. SWEET VANILLA
2. THE OTHER SIDE
3. WORDS OF LOVE
4. DOLLY
5. EVERGREEN
6. I CAN FEEL
7. FAITH
8. MADE IN HEAVEN
9. IT'S SAD
10. PERFECT MOMENT
11. SEASON'S CALL
12. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
13. HELLO
14. HIDEAWAY
15. UNEXPECTED
16. COUNTDOWN
17. MASQUERADE
18. MIDNIGHT CELEBRATION

Breaking news

Tofu confirmed today that there will be a second Hyde US concert July 2nd at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA. Tickets go on sale at ticketmaster.com Sat 4/15 10AM, PST.

Photo shoot in PATi-PATi Magazine’s Spring 2006 Issue

See the complete photo shoot here.

(Also if you follow the link above and click on the individual pics they are almost too big too see; click on "Slideshow" at the top then they are larger but still viewable)

Hydeist entry 2006/04/13(Thu)

1st message:

Naruhodo.

Spring's new life.

I like this.

So fresh.

It would be nice if we could enjoy something important, too.

Today I searched for Uchida Yuki's autograph in the dressing room but couldn't find it. I think it's suppose to be there. I searched with Hiroki. Then I realized I had been staring for a long time.

The stickers might be under some new ones that were put up over them. There were many other autographs, though (of famous people).

Yudetamago.

You know, the creators of Kinniku-man. It was real.

Hamasaki Ayumi. She wouldn't come here.

And a bunch of foreign artists. But artists like Jimi Hendrix are dead (meaning the autographs couldn’t be authentic).

I wondered if I had written one before, so I searched but didn't find anything.

Kinko-sensei's sticker was there, but I didn't think it was real.

After I figure out the order of the songs tomorrow, I'm going to bed.

Have fun.

Good night.

2nd message:

Otukare.

Ah, I've burned out.

Into a pure white ash.

Even though the tour has just started.

Am I going to be okay?

But it's totally kakkoii already. (kakkoii - cool)

Last night I ate some Yakisoba from a Yakisoba stand.

It was good.

Thank you, Tochinoki.

So tomorrow is Tokyo's only Shibuya AX. I think it's my first time there.

Tomorrow I promise to burst out with all of my energy.

Amen.

(thanks to the ARK)

"and now, a word from the webby"

If you've been following the fracas over at Tofu about Hyde's upcoming San Francisco concert, here's the latest official word:

it's amazing that this much can go on when i can rarely get onto the forum these days. (blame our database, which only allows a limited number of connections.)

anyways, in response to the original posting, we sincerely apologize to anyone who was upset that they could not get tickets. in the event that any further details become available, tofurecords.com will be the first place it will be posted.

second, regarding the decision to hold a show at such a small venue, most of these decisions are made by HYDE himself, along with his management. Tofu gives input and recommendations, but in the end, when and where he performs is up to him. for this appearance, it was my understanding that he wanted to do a smaller venue to give a more up close and personal performance for the fans; a stark contrast to the large stadium tours he is normally obliged to do, which will hopefully give fans an opportunity to see him in a new way.

third, regarding the limited number of shows (ie. one), this is due to the level of planning required for HYDE to do a show. Unlike a lot of small venue artists, he cannot just ride around in a van, unpack his equipment and play on the spot. to make this the most amazing experience for his fans, every detail must be meticulously planned ahead of time. also, there is a limited window of time that he can be in the US before he must return to Japan to continue a busy promotional schedule. thus, the number of shows is alas few and finite.

hope this answers any questions, and again, all apologies.

For those like my daughter who have vowed not to listen to clips of Hyde’s new CD and are resolutely waiting to hear the whole album in its entirety…

...this post is not for you.

But for the weak-willed among us, Sony Music has samples of the songs here: FAITH

A side note: Hyde’s album has already stirred up controversy in the fandom, and it’s not even released yet (April 26th in Asia, June 27th in the US). He’s professed to be an atheist for years but has also been interested in spiritual themes. It appears FAITH will give us his most recent reflections and just what that might mean is being debated all over the place.

There is a price ticket on everything that puts a whizz into life. ~Leslie Charteris

Saturday, April 1st. I was making my j-rock Internet rounds, which usually includes a stop at Batsu.org's Dir en grey forum.

My daughter (who I’ll call Ikuni here) and I missed seeing Diru when they were in New York last month, because we didn't find the presale code in time (the concert sold out in 12 hours!). Determined not to miss another, I now often check key websites for news.

Before leaving the forums that afternoon, I decided to lurk in the Hyde section. I rarely go in there on Batsu, because it’s not that active. But I did that day.

Then I clicked on a thread I’d usually never be interested in. The title said something about Hyde fans in Seattle. I don’t live anywhere near Seattle, so why I clicked on it I’ll never know. But, I did, and started looking over the post.

I next had one of those you’re-reading-but-not-really-comprehending moments. Phrases like “see Hyde in concert,” “San Francisco,” “Tix go on sale April 2” floated vaguely in my head. wwhhHAATTT!!??!! I read the post again…very slowly…then hit reply and started typing very quickly. Here’s the actual post:

OMG!!!! Where did you find out about this??? And where do we buy tickets? And is there a presale code? And will he be performing any place else?

Must. Have. More. Info. !!!!!!!! (insert little, white bubble guy pacing back and forth)

(Ikuni congratulated me later and said I posted like a true fangirl instead of a forty-three-year-old mother of four)

I didn’t wait for an answer. I headed straight to Tofu.com. Tofu’s forum members, though occasionally a bit cranky, share great info sometimes.

Once there, I saw that Tofu had signed Hyde! Then I saw news about the upcoming CD and…and…a CONCERT…in the States! Yes! Yes! Yes!

Oh, wait a minute. I remembered--we have no money. And we live hundreds of miles away from the venue. Deflation.

That evening, my parents came to visit. I told my mom about the concert. I told her that I was going to try and get tickets for Ikuni and myself, even though I had no idea how we might get to San Francisco. She smiled and said that July 5th was close to my birthday. Hope rose in my heart. We started to brainstorm. Ways to find money. When she left, I felt that we just might be able to go.

IF we got tickets. I knew, even with only one day's notice, that it would be a fight to the death. The venue was small, holding about 500 people. There’d probably be ten times that many battling online the next day.

After emailing Novel about the concert, I started preparing. I pre-registered at Tickets.com and set up a username and password at Virtuous. Tickets.com was not showing the concert yet, so I was afraid we’d have to go with Virtuous.

So, in case I’d have to type in my info at the time of sale I practiced, yes, practiced typing my credit card number. And, I must say, working in an accounting department does have its advantages. By morning I could type that baby in less than five seconds (heard on one of the forums later that someone had simply copied and pasted her card number--smart girl).

Okay, so to make a long story even longer, the next day I had to drive my son thirty minutes to his work then thirty minutes back home, arriving about a half hour before the sale. The problem--a thunderstorm. Blinding rain. Cars on the expressway slowed to a crawl. Agghhhh!

Thankfully, though, the rain let up and I made it home with a few minutes to spare. Ikuni and I sat at the computer, talking and laughing nervously, waiting for the clock to move toward 1:00 PM our time.

Five minutes till I started refreshing the Virtuous page. Refreshed, refreshed, refreshed…BAM…the page changed and I saw where you put in how many tickets you wanted. It had begun.

Fingers flew across the keyboard. Fingers got knotted on the keyboard. Damn! Brain stopped working. They wanted my phone number. My phone number? What the hell was my phone number??? Ikuni rescued me and called it out.

I typed. I panted. I clicked.

Congratulations it said. Success!! My arms shot straight up and Ikuni squealed and clapped.

I still can hardly believe we're going.

Hydeist entry 2006/04/11(Tue)

Otsukaresan. (something you say to someone after they have finished their work, or in this case, a live performance)

Today was another good night.

Thank you.

I got really excited and threw myself. (into the crowd)

Sorry to the people who ended up becoming my mat.

I was worried because I couldn't quite get up.

Please forgive me.

The daruma bento was delicious.

And I received a mitarashi dango from a place across the street.

Next, I'm going to Tochinoki. Uchida Yuki's autograph is supposed to be in the bathroom of the dressing room (but it's impossible that it's real).

Gyouza. Itadakimasu. (Gyouza - pot stickers; Itadakimasu - something you say before eating a meal, like "I will receive this…”)

(thanks to the ARK)

Haido-san here we come

Hyde is making his solo US debut with the release of his latest album “FAITH” on June 27, followed by a concert at Slim’s in San Francisco, CA, on July 5.

Buying tickets for Hyde

Novel here. First thanks to Musing for this brilliant site. She asked me to post about buying my tickets today. I missed them last week because I didn't register and log on first and was trying to be all cool about how it was ok, but it wasn't, but I didn't want to tell my husband who is pretty cool about my Hydeholism, all things considered, but still, there is a limit. So in the back of my head all week is, "Oh, God, please let me get Hyde tickets, even though there are more important things to pray about, please let me get Hyde tickets."

Today I had preregistered at tickets.com and was online, signed in at 15 'til. Refreshing, refreshing, remembering to breathe, refreshing... Uh, oh, computer acting slow while loading--not now, not now!--don't refresh so much. I was practically shaking. I was 13 again, trying to dial to win tickets to Duran Duran. And refresh--ticket options, no, not dinner, click two for me and friend B, hit continue and?!!! Confirm email? What email, where? I'm pre-registered? Oh, there it is. By now I'm shaking, fill in email, hit continue and VICTORY! Print page, call B, email Musing. Hooray! Start looking for plane tickets.

Afterwards, realize I've been holding tension all week both about this and buying new car. Picked up new car yesterday, bought tickets today. Thank God for both and collapse. Literally--just fell into bed and slept for two hours.

I love Hyde's words. Don't think about the whole thing--think about it one song at a time.

Hydeist entry 2006/04/09(Sun)

1st message:

Today, Yokohama!

Moment by moment my fingernails are becoming al dente (according to the dictionary “al dente” means: "Cooked enough to be firm but not soft"). But it's getting hot so it can't be helped.

Today I totally forgot to MC (address the audience).

Please check out the updated diary.

The live was nice today but people were pushing.

When I'm saying back off, it's not like I'm trying to be nice.

I'm saying it so we can heat up the live.

If you're pushed from the back you can't get riled up, right? And it's dangerous.

From now on let's make it a more fun place!

So next is Gunma. The next target has been discovered!

Wash your neck and wait, tanbe.

2nd message:

Train. Ah, it's been updated. That's my impression.

It's been about ten years, maybe?

I did have the chance before.

(At the live) there were more people than I thought but it was pretty normal.

There was a father with his kid, though, who secretly took pictures.

Hey. Taking pictures in front of your kid is...

What about the way you're educating him?

Was what I thought.

(thanks to the ARK)

Hydeist entry 2006/04/08(Sat)

Thanks to members of the ARK message board who are Hydeist members and can translate Japanese into English, we can get an idea of what Hyde writes to his fans on his website.

Here’s the entry for April 8, 2006 (and I've combined translations). It seems like some of the first part is missing. Most of it, though, he’s talking about a recent Faith concert. Also, remember this is translated by fans, so I can’t vouch for its accuracy.

In the end, I ate yakitori without eating nattou. Too bad.

Today, I pushed myself to the limit.

The live is like a short marathon.

Don't think about the next song, enjoy one song then the other and follow me.

I'm not going to do a long marathon.

The live is our se.x and not a place to watch mastur.bation.

Let's boost each other up, tomorrow, too.

I will lead you through the world that is more than 100%.

It's nothing to be shy about.

Let's return to the wild!

Eat Sleep LIVE!!!