ROFL

Edit: I love you guys x82

If he doesn't smoke, then age really did a number on him.

ok i'm being serious,

after the solo to the live version of scarecrow, I think sawao was almost crying or something... Really emotional maybe about the song not coming together right, his voice giving out, how hard his band's been working/he's been working, how most of the audience was there for the other band, how he's always been depressed about his life since 10 years ago etc etc, it all freakn could be heard in that song (among others). sad.

Manabe's using the Jagmaster in here. Hmmm.

Is the Hybrid Rainbow footage from the DVD up there, too?

Lol, I like how gekigengar says something total serious and Joyeuse is like, "Ooo, GITAA~"

But actually, geki, that's a very good post and it's given me food for thought.

Guys, how much would it suck if you were in Sawao's shoes and you realize that you're getting older, but mentally, you don't really feel you are? You want to be able to crank out that awesome shit, but you just can't seem to do it anymore? It really makes me sad thinking that these are really big issues for Sawao to get over, and he might not. Then again, something tells me that he will, or it will inspire him/set him in a new direction.

I don't know why you guys bash the more recent stuff so much. Have the pillows really changed? I don't think so, I think they're just progressing into something different and some of you aren't very comfortable with it. The Scarecrow single is fine and I think some of you shouldn't be so critical. I mean, it's out there and it's out there for people's enjoyment, not to wow critics or anything. If you want to critique shit, fine, I guess but just remember: "Let's get lost is our secret slogan."

[quote="gekigangar3"]ok i'm being serious,

after the solo to the live version of scarecrow, I think sawao was almost crying or something... Really emotional maybe about the song not coming together right, his voice giving out, how hard his band's been working/he's been working, how most of the audience was there for the other band, how he's always been depressed about his life since 10 years ago etc etc, it all freakn could be heard in that song (among others). sad.[/quote]

That may be taking it a bit far, but yeah, I just watched the performance again. Through watching it I thought: "Well, it IS a very emotional/sad-sounding song. If Sawao sounds really sad, then he's doing his job making the song come alive". But then when they launched into the chorus for the last time near the end, things did seem to change a little bit

At: "kureyuku sora karakau kaze /
futari no te wa tsumetai kedo /
hanasanai de aruiteitai"

There does seem to be some REAL emotion in it. I mean, singers do "act" to an extent. They're not necessarily sad when they sing a sad song. But...hm. This did seem a little too real, geki, huh?

One part that really did suck was when they finished. Just some mediocre applause. No cheers, no "whooo!"s...just some clapping. Yeah, the headliner was Mr. Children, but seriously. That blew.

This is interesting.

edit: [quote="Blank"]I don't know why you guys bash the more recent stuff so much. Have the pillows really changed? I don't think so, I think they're just progressing into something different and some of you aren't very comfortable with it.[/quote]

This performance along with the Moon_Margaret's translated article about the pillows have sort of changed my mind about the b-sides. I mean, they suddenly haven't gotten "better", but...it puts it in a different light. When you're able to see even just a glimpse of the artist behind the music (even if you don't completely enjoy the music), then it can really make you appreciate their efforts even more. It's not just what you see on the outside. Not just "weak vocals" or "great performance" or "good/bad bass". Reading that bit about Strange Chameleon and how Sawao wrote it during a hard time in his life...I dunno...it's just...I guess I see the newer work from a slightly different perspective now. Anyone else?

[quote="gekigangar3"]ok i'm being serious,

after the solo to the live version of scarecrow, I think sawao was almost crying or something... Really emotional maybe about the song not coming together right, his voice giving out, how hard his band's been working/he's been working, how most of the audience was there for the other band, how he's always been depressed about his life since 10 years ago etc etc, it all freakn could be heard in that song (among others). sad.[/quote]

I got that feeling too.
I felt really bad for Sawao, because he seemed genuinely upset.
[quote="GoldenRhino"] Anyone else?[/quote]

You can never have a stronger connection with something than that of which you are familiar.
It's odd, listening and reading so much of Sawao's writing and music, it really makes you feel like you know him.

[quote="GoldenRhino"][quote="gekigangar3"]ok i'm being serious,

after the solo to the live version of scarecrow, I think sawao was almost crying or something... Really emotional maybe about the song not coming together right, his voice giving out, how hard his band's been working/he's been working, how most of the audience was there for the other band, how he's always been depressed about his life since 10 years ago etc etc, it all freakn could be heard in that song (among others). sad.[/quote]

That may be taking it a bit far, but yeah, I just watched the performance again. Through watching it I thought: "Well, it IS a very emotional/sad-sounding song. If Sawao sounds really sad, then he's doing his job making the song come alive". But then when they launched into the chorus for the last time near the end, things did seem to change a little bit

At: "kureyuku sora karakau kaze /
futari no te wa tsumetai kedo /
hanasanai de aruiteitai"

There does seem to be some REAL emotion in it. I mean, singers do "act" to an extent. They're not necessarily sad when they sing a sad song. But...hm. This did seem a little too real, geki, huh?

One part that really did suck was when they finished. Just some mediocre applause. No cheers, no "whooo!"s...just some clapping. Yeah, the headliner was Mr. Children, but seriously. That blew.

This is interesting.

edit: [quote="Blank"]I don't know why you guys bash the more recent stuff so much. Have the pillows really changed? I don't think so, I think they're just progressing into something different and some of you aren't very comfortable with it.[/quote]

This performance along with the Moon_Margaret's translated article about the pillows have sort of changed my mind about the b-sides. I mean, they suddenly haven't gotten "better", but...it puts it in a different light. When you're able to see even just a glimpse of the artist behind the music (even if you don't completely enjoy the music), then it can really make you appreciate their efforts even more. It's not just what you see on the outside. Not just "weak vocals" or "great performance" or "good/bad bass". Reading that bit about Strange Chameleon and how Sawao wrote it during a hard time in his life...I dunno...it's just...I guess I see the newer work from a slightly different perspective now. Anyone else?[/quote]

I also think Geki's statement was a bit over the top, but he does kinda bring up a point. I mean, it does have to be disappointing that he's not getting any younger and practically all the people on that tour weren't even there to see them. I mean really, this was more like the pillows being the opening band for Mr. Children more than anything, which is quite sad. You know Tearbridge/Avex was thinking fo ways to get the pillows more exposure so they thought, "Hey let's get them to tour with a really popular band." In theory that should work, and maybe they won over some new fans. But I get the feeling that too much of the audience there, they were like one of the opening bands at last summer's tour.

I think it was really shitty that all they got after Scarecrow was just complimentary clapping. They deserve better than that. At least at Hybrid Rainbow though, the crowd was getting more into it. I saw some fist pumping, people cheering some more. Maybe because that song is a classic, i dunno.

And I wouldn't say I see the pillows in a newer perspective after reading that translated article. I mean, I always knew that a lot of emotion went into writing their songs. The hard time Sawao might have been going through was that his band was really losing ground back in 1997. I mean, they were by no means very popular, I even heard that PML was to be their last album. Then Strange Chameleon came out and changed everything. Hell, it's even listed on their Myspace as being one of their most importnat songs to date, so I understood how importnat that song was to him and the band itself. So I see still see their work in the same perspective, that their work means a lot to Sawao and the others and that all they really want to do is make music that they love and can be enjoyable for others.

Werent the pillows with King Record back then and not avex?

No, I don't think so. If it was then why wouldn't King Records release the footage themselves? Plus the credits on the DVD don't say anything about King Records, just Avex. I know it says on the homepage here 12/1 was when the switch was made, but they obviously made the switch of labels before then

[quote="Son Goshin"]No, I don't think so. If it was then why wouldn't King Records release the footage themselves? Plus the credits on the DVD don't say anything about King Records, just Avex. I know it says on the homepage here 12/1 was when the switch was made, but they obviously made the switch of labels before then[/quote]

Well, when they came to the US King Record was in charge, and they're the ones who recorded the footage. Even then Avex/Tearbridge released the DVD.

Hm, you got a point there, I hadn't realized that. Well then I guess I'm not sure. I would still assume it was Avex that helped coordinate the Big Bang Tour, becuase I don't recall or know of the pillows ever going on an actual tour with a big-name band like Mr. Children when they were with King Records.

That's true. But I think I've heard that Sawao and Sakurai from Mr. Children get along

I think that live video is actually better than the PV itself. That's just my opinion.
I felt his emotion and suddenly have a new respect for this song now.
Thank you

[quote="GoldenRhino"][quote="Moon_Margaret"]stuff[/quote]
[quote="Penalty Life"]Marguerite[/quote][/quote]

[quote="Penalty Life (Japan release)"]ムーンマルガレット[/quote]

Or at least I think that's what it was. So Margaret makes more sense.