I watched two different performances and he was wearing headphones in both of them. Is there a particular reason behind it?

There's a synth backing track, and so he wears the headphones in order to ensure that he stays on the proper tempo, as drums are really fucking loud.

THE MORE YOU KNOW.

Ah, I figured as such, I also noticed he had headphones while playing tokyo Bambi which had a synth backing track as well. Thanks!

Another question I have regarding Sato is what exactly happened to his drumming? It seem's that after Living Fields, his drumming became more straightforward and less dynamic(if that makes sense) compared to his drumming on songs like Naked shuffle, Happy Slave, and Climbing the roof. Was this a conscious decision on the band's part?

He just likes to stay waaaay back in the pocket these days.

Jazz music like the earlier albums requires a lot more from drummers, intrinsically, than rock. That's not to say there aren't amazing rock drummers, of course.

Satou does less than most Japanese drummers in rock. He's a really solid drummer, but he doesn't push the boundaries much at all. I don't really have a problem with it most of the time. He goes there when he needs to. But only when he like... has to.

Pretty much agree with everyone here.

[quote="manny2287"]Ah, I figured as such, I also noticed he had headphones while playing tokyo Bambi which had a synth backing track as well. Thanks!

Another question I have regarding Sato is what exactly happened to his drumming? It seem's that after Living Fields, his drumming became more straightforward and less dynamic(if that makes sense) compared to his drumming on songs like Naked shuffle, Happy Slave, and Climbing the roof. Was this a conscious decision on the band's part?[/quote]

Those two albums (KS and LF) in particular had other percussion instruments going on -not just Satou. ( If you're not aware)
But yeah, you're right his drumming was more dynamic when he was younger and it did change gradually.

I personally think he's just gotten less energetic with age.
The pillows tend to get reckless when it comes to live shows ... you know.... they do so many of them with so much impulsiveness.
It's most likely really demanding for them physically. So, the way I see it is that he became a "conservative" drummer.

[quote="Tidusauron12"]He goes there when he needs to. But only when he like... has to.[/quote]

What he said.

[quote="Tidusauron12"]Satou does less than most Japanese drummers in rock. He's a really solid drummer, but he doesn't push the boundaries much at all. I don't really have a problem with it most of the time. He goes there when he needs to. But only when he like... has to.[/quote]

Yea I feel the same. Like I listen to some of their more recent songs and can't help but think "Sato you could do more here bro". And this only became more prominent after listening to Sawao's latest solo album and hearing the drummer on there.

[quote="Octave_Flow"]
I personally think he's just gotten less energetic with age.
The pillows tend to get reckless when it comes to live shows ... you know.... they do so many of them with so much impulsiveness.
It's most likely really demanding for them physically. So, the way I see it is that he became a "conservative" drummer.
[/quote]

Yea I agree. I guess this would have some impact on the songs they choose for their set-lists.

[quote="Tidusauron12"]Satou does less than most Japanese drummers in rock. He's a really solid drummer, but he doesn't push the boundaries much at all. I don't really have a problem with it most of the time. He goes there when he needs to. But only when he like... has to.[/quote]

Fair enough...

Ijichi from AKFG has always been an awesome drummer to me. There are a few songs where the drums come to the forefront. Very solid drummer.