...the reverse side of beauty..//..Mantified

A Jrock commentary journal (at least most of it is).

Sunday, June 21, 2009

GazettE Meme

The fucking Great Firewall has fucking blocked Blogspot! Nevertheless...I'll still post here, even if it means being a little lazier and typing everything up on MSWord first.

Anyway! A GazettE meme! In 82 questions (oh gosh, it did take a pretty long time).

1. Name
Amantis

2. Birthplace
Toronto, Canada

3. How long have you been a Gazette fan?
2-3 months

4. How did you first come across Gazette?
They were on the Neo Genesis magazine cover for March, featuring them in Distress and Coma outfits. At the time, I was looking for cool Japanese male fashion inspiration in magazines and they truly caught my eye.

5. Who's your favourite member?
The womanly man, Uruha! And Ruki after (he was initially my favourite). Then Reita.

6. What do you like about your favourite member:
For Uruha, I think it’s the fact that he can be so beautiful as a man. But he’s at the same time, very inspiring in terms of the way he poses in photos, the style he uses in fashion, the make up…he makes women ashamed with his seksiness. LOL.

In Ruki’s case, it’s the way he sings. I love his deep and seksi voice – and he certainly knows how to hypnotize you with it, along with his actions that go with his songs.

And for Reita, it’s the fact that he has a nose band and cool looking manly spiky hair on top of his already hunky image.

7. Something you don't know, but would like to know about that member:
Do they actually reply to their fan mail and how often do they read them? And I want to raid their wardrobes both in and out of GazettE mode, see where their styles come from.

8. Which of the members have you written letters or fanmail to?
Uruha, twice. I’ve written to Reita for his birthday though.

9. Something about you that changed when you became a fan of Gazette:
I started paying attention to the Visual Kei scene. And I started to use VK elements in my designs, adding some punk/goth/rock into my own style, both as design concepts and in the way I dress. I’ve also started appreciating more J-rock too, and became a fan of the likes of Miyavi and Versailles.

10. Your favourite Gazette song and why:
Oh hell, how am I going to answer this? LOL. Definitely Distress and Coma as it’s the first song I heard. A couple of reasons really – mainly because of Ruki’s act of hypnosis with his singing (ahahahahaha!) And I absolutely loved the melody. Yet, another reason is the music video – the colours, the camera angles, the dirty ballerina, the fire circling around the tree, the grunge look, Ruki’s contacts close up, his lace gloves, the way the band immerse themselves…it’s a bit like watching GazettE pr0n.

11. The song you'd like to hear most at lives:
Filth in the Beauty. And Distress and Coma. And Calm Envy. Though I think Leech would be pretty interesting too.

12. The song you listen to when you feel down or sad:
Calm Envy, which is actually one of my favourite ballads. Though I don’t understand much Japanese, you could literally feel the lyrics and Ruki’s voice stabbing into you through the slow and calm melody, while you allow yourself to sink into a wave of bittersweet emotions with the desire to let the song consume you.

13. When you are ill, the song that makes you feel better:
Filth in the Beauty. LOL. Especially when you hear the entire band screaming “WHOA!” in the chorus, and the head bang after hollering “Sexual disgrace!”. (Methinks it’s the testosterone thing.) It’s all about the head bangs!

14. The song you listen to when you are happy:
Zetsu. Bara bara bara! I love the way Aoi and Uruha work their guitars for the siren effect between the left and right speakers. And Uruha’s posing between the cargo blocks is one of the ultimate visual eye candies, especially the ones where he’s got his leg up on the other end. *nose bleed* And Silly God Disco. It’s such a fun song with all that funkiness going on, Ruki playing with a feather boa (it’s not everyday you see a man with one!). And indeed, it’s the first time I actually noticed Uruha’s thighs and now he just pops into my mind whenever his solo comes on.

15. The song which influenced you the most:
Distress and Coma – in terms of overall style and mesmerizing.

16. The first Gazette song you ever heard:
Refer to question 10.

17. Is there a song you can sing perfectly without having to look at the lyrics?
Only bits of Filth in the Beauty, Silly God Disco, and probably most of Distress and Coma by now. Must…learn…Japanese!

18. A Gazette song you'd like to sing at Karaoke:
Silly God Disco, Filth in the Beauty, Calm Envy, Distress and Coma, Zetsu, Cassis

19. Have you seen Gazette live?
Nope. I’d very much love to though.

20. If you have, what were your thoughts? If you haven't, are you planning on attending a live and how?
If they go to Singapore next year. Or maybe if I go to Japan afterwards for a year!

21. At violent Gazette lives, where do you always stand? Or if you haven't been, where would you like to stand?
Oooh…ick…violent lives?! O___O Most probably as far away from the problem as possible. But of course, I would love to be up in or near the front of the stage.

22. What style do you (or would you like to) attend Gazette lives in? (Clothes, make-up, etc)
I’d probably make up a bit like a normal night out, except with more smoky eyes. But I would definitely wear something comfy, especially as I’d probably be head banging with the rest of the fans.

23. Name a few necesseties for attending a Gazette live:
Camera. And loads of hidden cash. And a marker/pen in case I run into them and could get them to autograph stuff. XD

24. Do you (or would you) always fill out the after-live questionnaire?
I probably would.

25. Something you've started collecting because of Gazette:
GazettE songs and videos. I already collect perfume samples so that doesn’t count, despite being more aware of different scents.

26. Which Gazette costume series do you like most?
Distress and Coma, Filth in the Beauty (Ruki’s dreadlocks!), Silly God Disco (Uruha’s thighs! And Ruki’s feathers =))

27. One item you like in Gazette's goods range: (Or if you don't own any, one thing you'd like to have)
Probably a ring or two that the band members have designed.

28. Your cellphone's ringtone:
Currently? Koda Kumi’s Black Cherry. Will probably change it to a GazettE tune later when I have time. (Undecided.)

29. Your cellphone's wallpaper:
A very womanly Uruha in black and white in his Distress and Coma outfit.

30. Cellphone strap:
None, I’m not a big fan of straps and things hanging off my phone. It makes my small and sleek phone look too girly!

31. PC wallpaper:
Double image of Uruha, one of which he poses with his guitar. He looks more womanly in one image and more manly in the other. =) I think it’s the Leech outfit.

32. Does your email address have something to do with Gazette?
Nah…I like to be original. =)

33. A place you go to frequently:
Online? Facebook. LOL. Offline…I currently don’t really have a frequent place to go to that I can call favourite since I’m boarded up with work recently.

34. Your favourite shop:
The ones on Granville Road, Argyle Centre and Allied Plaza in Hong Kong.

35. Your favourite CD shop:
Ever since iPod revolutionalized music, I don’t really have any.

36. A magazine you read frequently:
Glamour and Cosmopolitan, British Edition. But I should read more Neo Genesis, Shoxx, Arena 37C, ViVi (Japanese version) and other J-stuff, even if I don’t understand Japanese, I should at least browse and study the magazines’ subjects.

37. Recommended CD:
Queen of Pirates (KAT-TUN), Stacked Rubbish (the GazettE), Trick (Koda Kumi)

38: Do you have pets?
I used to own dogs, but I just don’t have space for pets anymore.

39. Do you visit the Gazette OHP frequently? Which page within do you visit the most?
I don’t get OHP, but if it’s the official website, I use the English MySpace.

40. An artist other than Gazette who you think is noteworthy:
Miyavi. Because he is so awesome with his eccentricity and guitar playing (along with his songs). Plus, he’s hawt. In hawt pink! And I like Versailles for their band concept, even though the songs aren’t as hot. KAT-TUN and Koda Kumi are also fantastic for the more mainstream stuff, especially their concerts. The dance moves, the costumes, the stage settings…I feel really entertained just watching them.

41. An artist you like out of those signed to PS Company:
Miyavi. He is truly the perfect specimen for a one-man entertainer.

42. A member whose words you were surprised by: (in a magazine article, MC, radio show etc)
Probably Ruki’s bitchiness in an interview about him and love. LOL. “I’m a B blood type, I only go out with O types! Others are out of the question!” Man, how can a man be this picky over women? Oh, the depth of his voice when he speaks normally; it’s much much deeper than I initially assumed.

43. If you could become one of the members for a day, who would you become and why?
Kai. To see what it’s like to be bullied everyday by the other members. Hahahaha.

44. If the world ceased to exist tomorrow, which member would you like to spend your last day with?
Ideally, all of them! But if I have to pick one, guess Uruha would be my first choice.

45. Which member would you like to go to karaoke with?
I would be totally scared to go with Ruki – he’ll pwn me with his singing skills! I think going with Kai and Uruha would be fun though.

46. Which member would you like to go drinking with?
Uruha. LOL. He’s the alcoholic and it would be funny to see him drunk.

47. Which member would you like to go to an oshare bar with?
Ruki. He’s fashionable enough and would probably want to go there himself as well.

48. Which member would you like to cook for?
Definitely not for Ruki and Reita. They look like they’re way too picky on food.

49. Please arrange the members according to who you think would change the most when drunk (least changed to most changed):
Uruha, Kai, Ruki, Aoi, Reita

50. Please arrange the members according to who you think would make the longest telephone calls from shortest to longest:
Reita, Aoi, Uruha, Ruki, Kai

51. If you had to substitute in a Gazette live, which part would you choose to play?
Bass. I get to be mysterious with a nose band! And I would go up to each member and give fan service. ;)

52. One thing you like about Gazette (physical):
Their intensive gazes and funky hairstyles. And their posing. *drool* And of course, Uruha’s thighs. LOLLERCOASTER

¦RUKI SERIES¦

53. Your first impression about Ruki:
He’s absolutely hawt. Must…find…out…more…about this guy…

54. What name do you call him by?
Oi Ruki… Roooookeeeeeeeeeeee!

55. Are you good at drawing?
Totally. I strive to be the best in drawing when it comes to designing things.

56. Have you fallen off of a jungle gym?
Probably. That was ages ago.

57. If Ruki were really your brother, friend, lover etc, how would you feel?
Note: I would ask all of the GazettE boys to model for me, but I’ll talk about the modeling styles separately.

Brother: I would tease him a lot, pick fights with him and if we get in trouble when causing mischief, I would put all the blame on him! LOL. But I know he’ll be a loving bro. =) And of course, I would borrow his stuff all the time, as well as exchange make up tips.
Friend: We would go shopping all the time! And exchange items! And we’d play pranks on others all the time.
Lover: Again…shopping all the time! And watch a lot of movies together. I think he’ll be quite honest with many opinions. But I doubt I can handle his bossiness.
Model: His delinquent look gives a lot of youth and energy to clothing in my opinion, and him modeling things like hats and accessories would look really funky. Actually, come to think of it, Ruki could easily make the shittiest items look hawt.

¦URUHA SERIES¦
58.Your first impression about Uruha:
Is this a beautiful man, or a handsome woman??? Oh god…those hawt thighs! (But that was later when I found that he’s into wearing hot pants.)

59. What name do you call him by?
Uruha...ooo…rooo…haaaaaaaaaa!!!!!

60. Did you know at first that his name was pronounced "Uruha"?
Yup yup.

61. Do you gargle every day?
Some days.

62. If Uruha were really your brother, friend, lover etc, how would you feel?
Brother: I would make sure that he would make his sister (i.e. me) come first, AHAHAHAHAHA. I guess I would be able to talk to him about most things openly and honestly. And play loads of video games and billiards together. And spend loads of time playing with his hair. LOL.
Friend: We’d hang out all the time playing video games and billiards, but also keep an eye out for each other. But no soccer unless if I were a guy.
Lover: That would be a total dream! He wouldn’t be perfect, but I’m certain he’ll try his best. =)

Model: Since he’s pretty tall with long legs, I would get him to model clothes that show a lot of leg. Think (OMFG) Zetsu poses. And wispy hair styling with the feminine masculine look (since he’s the girly one of the entire group).

¦AOI SERIES¦
63. Your first impression about Aoi:
He is so Marilyn Manson!

64. What name do you call him by?
Aoi. Ne~~~~

65. Do you have a lip/navel piercing?
Noes. I’m thinking of getting a few ear piercings though.

66. Were you born in the city?
Yeshies.

67. If Aoi were really your brother, friend, lover etc, how would you feel?
Brother: I would know when he would get in a rage and tell him to shut it. But at the same time, I would think of him as a funny dorky attention whore. Hahaha. Though on the plus side, he’ll probably do anything for me if I ask nicely. And I’ll learn to be a perfectionist.
Friend: We’ll compose loads of music together and play lots of guitar!
I think if I were close to him in that sense, I would know that deep beneath his serious exterior, he’s a funny dorky attention whore. On the plus side, I think he will do anything for you if you ask nicely.

Model: Lanky clothes! He’ll look fantastic with things like really skinny jeans. And I would love to see him pose with a lot of goth inspired looks. Strips of colour in his long-ish black hair, a bit of Manson feel…yummy…



¦REITA SERIES¦
68. Your first impression about Reita:
OMFG, NOSEBAND! COOOOOOOOL! (And he’s pretty hawt.)

69. What name do you call him by?
Reita, Reitaaaaaaaaaaah

70. What do you call the thing he wears on his nose?
Nose band. But if I want to spank him verbally, I’d call it a nose towel. LOL.

71. Out of the Shinkansen, which do you think is the fastest?
What’s a Shinkansen???

72. If Reita were really your brother, friend, lover etc, how would you feel?
Brother: Man, he’ll be one hawt looking brother with those funky side spikes. I’ll teach him how to be more confident with girls (LOL) and force feed him the food he hates.

Friend: Watch videos, play a couple of games. And admire his friendship with Uruha. We’d talk about the Sex Pistols all day long.

Lover: Would I be happy to have a seksi hunk of a man to be my lover? Of course I would! And tell him that there are other charm points besides the butt!

Model: Considering those wide legged poses, he’ll model the more masculine stuff, such as army or combat inspired items. And I’ll get him to do slightly more “violent” posing.


¦KAI SERIES¦
73. Your first impression about Kai:
He looks mean. And tough. Hahaha.

74. What name do you call him by?
Kai. Sweetie. (No kawaii voice.)

75. Are you good at cooking?
I can survive and still make a decent meal for a table of 6. =)

76. Where do you think the state of New Jersey is?
Huh? Other than the fact that it’s somewhere in the US, I don’t know!

77. If Kai were really your brother, friend, lover etc, how would you feel?
Brother: I would eat all his meals. Hahaha. And bully him everyday. I’d also be a big baby with an occasional streak of telling him off for forgetting things. And I will get him to cook and make my bento for me everyday. And I will cry whenever I get bullied by others. I’d also ask him to teach me how to play drums

Friend: Other than bullying him all the time? We’d cook together and exchange recipes. Hahahaha. Guess I will also learn how to be kind to others.

Lover: I’d be so spoiled by him! Enough said!

Model: He can do a pretty mean look, but I’d also have some dimple thing going on for some close ups.


78. Represent each member with just one or two kanji (if you don't know kanji, describe each member with just one word):
1. Ruki - delinquent
2. Aoi - goth
3. Uruha - beautiful
4. Kai - tenderness
5. Reita - manly

79. Compare each member to an animal:
1. Ruki – Chihuahua – small but vicious!
2. Aoi – Black cat
3. Uruha – Black swan
4. Kai – Cuddly bear
5. Reita – Parquet. LAWLZ

80. Compare each member to a colour:
Ruki – gold and red
Aoi – silver and black
Uruha – purple
Kai – blue
Reita – black and white

81. According to you, Gazette is:
Passion, motivation, friendship, experimental, alternative, inspiring, stylish and firm

82. Your expectations from now on for Gazette:
More awesome music, more visually inspiring PVs, more seksi posing, and more outstanding costumes.