Interview: Yohei
But the sound I value the most right now is the one I'm making with Saimon and the others.
This time, you're featured alongside Suiseki Iori from Akan Yatsura. Our understanding is that you've known each other for a long time, so can you please share with us your impression of Suiseki-san?
He may look harmless and cheerful when you look at him, but under the surface, he's more calculating than anyone else. And "people" are always at the top of his calculations. He's a seriously annoying bastard. He hasn't changed a bit since back in the day. ... well, I'll admit that even though we used to fight each other all the time, it wasn't actually that bad to be running alongside him. That's just how he is.
In the team competition, "Battle of Unity", you were in a different team from Suiseki-san, and competed in the tournament as opponents. What's your impression of Suiseki-san and the rest of Akan Yatsura as rappers and opponents?
We're rivals, yeah, but we never actually went up against each other in this one. But you can tell even from the audience. He's the kind of guy who's not raising hell just for his own sake but for all the people he's got relying on him. He's always been that way. Akan Yatsura are probably the spitting image of what Iori calls "family".
You collaborated with Suiseki-san for the first time on the song "Double Trouble", but as it's been some time since then, is there anything else that you feel like you would like to try to take on or challenge yourselves together with him?
"Double Trouble", huh? Brings back memories... I think it might be fun to do something like that again. But the sound I value the most right now is the one I'm making with Saimon and the others. I ain't gonna compromise on that. So if we were gonna do something, I don't think it'd have to be music. I'd probably just have a drink with him and talk about the dumb shit we used to get up to. I figure that's about right for us right now.
Regarding the other members of The Cat's Whiskers (Naoakira Saimon-san, Natsume Ryu-san, and Ando Shiki-san), what are some charm points and things that you like about them that you'd like all of the heads to know about?
Saimon's surprisingly tenacious. Once he's made up his mind, he ain't gonna change it for anyone. I've got no clue what Ryu's thinking most of the time, but I think he's got the strongest backbone out of all of us. Shiki's the kind who doesn't give up until the very last; you'd get it if you listened to his voice. I ain't just playing favorites when I say we're a hell of a team.
Please share some recent happenings that have been going on for The Cat's Whiskers.
I mean, every day's pretty much the same... but I guess there was one day when Ryu absolutely insisted on putting a new cocktail he'd concocted on the menu. Saimon didn't tell him no, so Shiki and I got stuck being his taste testers. It was like hell in a drink, swear to god. ... well, I guess it ain't the worst you can do, to be arguing over silly shit like that.
What does Kanbayashi Yohei mean to The Cat's Whiskers (or to you, personally)?
Saimon Naoakira
Because Yohei is there, I have someone I can place my absolute trust in. He is my irreplacable partner.
Natsume Ryu
Master is SUUPER scary when he's mad, but he's actually the warmest! Ryu-kun's blanket!
Ando Shiki
He really sees me for who I am. He's a very precious person to me.
Interview: Iori
I think it'd be great to have a chance to go out for drinks, just the two of us, even if it were a night of being dumbasses, like we used to do back in the day.
This time, you're featured alongside Kanbayashi Yohei from The Cat's Whiskers. Our understanding is that you've known each other for a long time, so can you please share with us your impression of Kanbayashi-san?
The guy's a serious pain in the ass! He's stubborn as a mule and always puts on his brave face, and the more important something is to him, the less he's likely to ever say so. And yet, the second one of his comrades is in the picture, all his sense of restraint flies right out the window-- there's just no dealin' with him. That's the one thing that hasn't changed a bit since way back in the day. Well, I know firsthand that the ones that are a bit clumsy about that stuff are the ones who're strongest in the end. Wouldn't change a thing, danna.
In the team competition, "Battle of Unity", you were in a different team from Kanbayashi-san, and competed in the tournament as opponents. What's your impression of Kanbayashi-san and the rest of The Cat's Whiskers as rappers and opponents?
I got the chance to see danna and his lot perform on stage. He's refined his craft to a mirror sheen, and yet he's completely ruthless, so if you fuck around for even a second you're sure as hell gonna find out! Well, they're still keeping on climbing higher, so we can't let ourselves fall behind, either!
You collaborated with Kanbayashi-san for the first time on the song "Double Trouble", but as it's been some time since then, is there anything else that you feel like you would like to try to take on or challenge yourselves together with him?
Ooo, you really know how to ask 'em, don't'cha! I figure if we had another chance, it'd certainly be fun. But just speaking for myself right now, I've got some responsibilities and things to protect that aren't just about music. I figure danna probably feels the same way. So it doesn't have to be a song. I think it'd be great to have a chance to go out for drinks, just the two of us, even if it were a night of being dumbasses, like we used to do back in the day.
Regarding the other members of Akan Yatsura (Gaho Zen-san, Masaki Hokusai-san, Ito Satsuki-san, and Maruyama Reo-san), what are some charm points and things that you like about them that you'd like all of the heads to know about?
Zen's my right-hand man! Just havin' him by my side makes me feel a lot safer and more protected. Hokusai's the kind of guy who's better at observing people than anyone else. Satsuki's unbelievably straightforward, and that passion's what fuels the fire for all of us. And nobody's more sensitive to peoples' emotions than Reo. Well, well, ain't that a family you can be proud of!
Please share some recent happenings that have been going on for Akan Yatsura.
It's always lively around our place! The other day, Satsuki and Reo were squabbling over something stupid, Zen stepped into mediate, and Hokusai was just in the background feeding the cats. It was just the typical kinda scene. Then we've also been helping out with the matsuri in the shopping street; I just can't say no to it when old folks ask for a bit of help... well, those kinds of days're what put me in the best spirits!
What does Suiseki Iori mean to Akan Yatsura (or to you, personally)?
Gaho Zen
He's the person for whom I've decided to put my life on the line. Whatever path Waka walks is the path that I will walk.
Masaki Hokusai
He's like the sun. Whenever he's around, it just naturally brings a smile to everyone's faces.
Ito Satsuki
Aniki's my role model! I'm not gonna give up until I catch up to him!
Maruyama Reo
I always want to brag about Aniki! He's cool, kind, and just the best ever, y'know?