November 2nd, 2008, Moi-même-Moitié held their 9th Anniversary Secret Meeting at Christon Cafe in Shinjuku~ Mana escorts to the secret world ～
Crazy Monsters Interview [MSTR (Chisato) x Mana x Dancho]
--This year, "Crazy Monsters Halloween Party 2024" will be held again, but looking back, last year's Crazy Monsters was the first official event since the COVID-19 pandemic. As the organizer, MSTR, how have you been planning and progressing with the event so far, thinking about how to make Crazy Monsters, which has been safely restored, even more special this year?
MSTR: As the basic theme, we have in mind a Halloween event unique to visual kei… but we always let each person express themselves freely. One funny episode from last year was when KAMIJO-kun went out of his way to wear the Spongebob costume or headgear that Dancho wore on the first day during the encore session (LOL). I think that kind of thing is unique to Crazy Monsters, and it was an interesting moment where we saw a side of KAMIJO-kun that we don't usually see.
Dancho: It's exactly what they call a game of the gods (lol)
MSTR: (lol) Well, I thought that if you trace KAMIJO's lineage (roots), you would naturally find Mana-san there. So this year, I wanted the original Mana-san to appear, so I made an offer.
--Also, speaking of your connection with Mana-sama, you were wearing clothes from Moi-même-Moitié, the brand that Mana-sama presides over, when you performed at Crack6 at Crazy Monsters DAY-1 last year, right?
MSTR: That's right, last year I thought I might try a vampire-like outfit, so I wore Moi-même-Moitié clothing. It all started last year, I think? I had a conversation with Mana-san, and then I asked the staff at Moi-même-Moitiê for advice. And then this year I asked Mana-san to be at Crazy Monters. I want to act with courage, whether it's love or work, and nothing leads to success (lol), so when I asked him if he'd like to appear, I was glad that he readily accepted.
ーーBut it seems quite rare for Moi dix Mois, the band Mana-sama leads, to perform at an event live.
Mana: It's true that Moi dix Mois hasn't performed at many joint events up until now. But we've had a lot of contact with MSTR recently, and last year I went to see PENICILLIN perform at Shibuya Kokaido (LINE CUBE SHIBUYA), and I also went to eat yakiniku at a restaurant in Koenji (Shishimaru, run by MSTR's older brother). So, when they invited me, I said "yes."
ーーJust to be sure, did you hear anything from MSTR about the purpose of this event, Crazy Monsters?
Mana: I've heard that it's a Halloween event.
Dancho: Ah. If that's the case, that might be a serious lack of explanation (lol). The event, Crazy Monsters, is about how to get to the top.
MSTR: Every year, the event is called the Crazy Monsters Awards, and the MVP of the costume contest is decided by a vote of the audience.
Dancho: There are other awards, like the ** award, as well as the MVP.
Mana: Oh, so that's what it is. I see.
MSTR: I'm really interested to see what happens when Moi dix Mois is included in this Crazy Monsters event, and I think there will be some audience members who are seeing Moi dix Mois for the first time, so I think this Crazy Monsters will have a stronger impact than ever before. Oh, one thing to note… even if Ricky from DASEIN dresses up in some crazy outfit on the day, I hope Mana-san doesn't get too surprised (lol). He'll probably be there to win the MVP (lol).
--First of all, have you ever participated in a Halloween event?
Mana: I've never initiated one myself. Aside from Halloween, I have done a lot of different costumes for magazine shoots. For a personality interview, I wore a stuffed rabbit headdress that only showed my face (lol). I even went to a kindergarten and dressed up like the kindergarteners to take photos with the kids. I think that was Vicious.
MSTR: I feel like I've seen that kindergarten before (lol).
ーーApart from what direction you will take with the upcoming Crazy Monsters, this episode shows that Mana-sama has a lot of potential in terms of costumes. On the other hand, when you think about performing at an event live as Moi dix Mois, are you thinking of any strategies that are different from a solo performance?
Mana: I haven't thought about it that deeply or in detail yet, but as Moi dix Mois, we will be performing at an event that we have never performed before, so I hope we can do something interesting.
ーーAs MSTR, who is both the host and the one who will be welcoming us, what aspects of Crack6 do you plan to bring out with the upcoming Crazy Monsters?
MSTR: Not at all (lol). It's about time to think about it, and every year, I end up doing it at the last minute and the staff gets angry at me (bitter smile). But this year, I'm having Mana-san perform on the first day, so I think the atmosphere will be quite orthodox on that day. Ah, maybe it's better to say everyone except DASEIN (lol)
--DAY-1 has a great lineup of Crack6, Moi dix Mois, DASEIN, CASCADE, and XA-VAT.
Dancho: To be more precise, everyone except Ricky-san is orthodox (lol)
MSTR: XA-VAT is Hidehito-kun, formerly of SAKRUN's Cali=gari, and Közi-kun is there too.
Mana: Hidehito was a roadie for MALICE before SAKRUN.
MSTR: Oh yeah?! I had no idea there was such a connection.
--Have Moi dix Mois and XA-VAT ever been tied together before?
Mana: No. I think it's quite fresh and good.
Leader: This is pretty hot!!
MSTR: The MALICE family will be gathering on the first day, that's interesting. Mana-san, what about CASCADE?
Mana: I've known them since Youka. We did a tie-up in the early days of MALICE MIZER.
MSTR: Naruhado (lol)
Mana: I knew the early days of CASCADE, or rather, their predecessor band D.D.T. The vocalist there was not Tamamizu's later TAMA-kun, but the vocalist of Kneuklid Romance.
MSTR: What, I didn't know that.
Mana: Yukino and the keyboardist were the bassists of a band called Beyond the Rein Sight that Közi was in. That D.D.T transformed into CASCADE.
Leader: Wow, that's the first time I've heard that. I'm learning something new!
--By contrast, DAY-2 will feature Crack6, THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S, Metronome, CLOSE, Little Vampire, Neu:NOIZ, and VAMPIRE ROSE, the band of Vampire Rose, who is also the owner of the restaurant where we're interviewing. not able to read the kanji after this
MSTR: The lineup on day 2 is pretty chaotic (lol). THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S are the usual group so I look forward to them every year, Metronome has Fukusuke, and before they became Neu:NOIZ, NOIZ even won the grand prize with some weird costume of "everyone dressed as Chisato" (lol). It's been a while since we've seen CLOSE. My JIRO also had a great reaction to Little Vampire, who was making a limited comeback on this day, and they were also quite nostalgic. Mana-san, do you know Little Vampire?
Mana: I knew them in the past. I remember them often performing at Ichikawa Club GIO and Omiya Freaks.
Dancho: Anyway, the lineup for both days is amazing, and it's a combination that you definitely won't find anywhere else. This casting, which is impossible for Shindo, is a must-see!!
MSTR: I think Ricky will probably stand out on the first day (lol)
Dancho: It's okay, I'm the one who stands out (lol)
--However, Dancho-san has also performed MALICE MIZER's "Gekka no Yasōkyoku" in a lively radio orchestra performance at "Do you know V-kei? Powered by MARVERIC DC GROUP" in 2022, to thunderous applause. I'm sure he'll once again show off his talents as a vocalist, not just as a host, at the upcoming Crazy Monster.
Dancho: By the way, the first time I ever performed at the Budokan was to sing karaoke, but the title of the event was "Do you know V-kei?", so I had to sing a famous Visual Kei song! I had a strong sense of mission, so I sang the first song, "Gekka no Yasōkyoku", very seriously and without any jokes. Even so, some people laughed a little, and I was like, "Why??" (bitter laugh)
MSTER: That just shows how excited the crowd was.
Dancho: The "Kyaa!" cheers when the intro started were especially amazing. I really felt the power of the song. In the end, from our perspective, MSTR and Mana-sama are such great beings that we would say, "If it weren't for our brothers, we wouldn't be in a band now," so I'm very grateful and really happy to be in a position to watch "Gods' Play" up close this year.
--As the facilitator, you will likely be talking with each band member on stage, but how will you communicate with Mana-sama, who doesn't speak in public?
Mana: I think there will be an interpreter on the day.
Dancho: Through the interpreter, I will of course ask Mana-sama about the key points of his costume, and I think it will be my important role to dig deep and bring out sides of him that we don't normally see. Leave it to me!
--I'd also like to see an encore session for Crazy Monsters.
Mana: Seriously? There's something like that?! I hadn't heard about that (lol)
Dancho: MSTR, you really didn't explain a lot of things (lol)
MSTR: That's right, there is. There's a session at the end.
--As Mana-sama, would you be okay with a lively session? ?
Mana: Ah, this time the event itself is conceptual. I think that's okay in itself.
MSTR: It's fine if Mana-san is just there as a symbol. Dancho and I will take care of the rest (lol)
October 31st, 1992, MALICE MIZER had their first live show at Meguro Rock May Kan. They gave out their first demo tape "SANS LOGIQUE" which featured "Temptation of widow" and "終幕への扉". Band members were Mana, Közi, Tetsu, Yu~ki and GAZ
October 30th, 2001, MALICE MIZER released the single Mayonaka ni Kawashita Yakusoku (真夜中に交わした約束), Promise Made at Midnight. It included three instrumental tracks, of the title song, Seinaru Toki Eien no Inori, and Chikasuimyaku no Meiro, plus a dvd promo video
October 27th, 2007, Moi dix Mois finished their DIXANADU ~ Fated "raison d'être "~ Europe Tour at Elysee Montmartre in Paris, France.
October 26th, 1996, MALICE MIZER held a commemorative autograph session for their latest release "ma chérie ~ 愛 し い 君 へ ~". It was at Super Record in Sendai.
October 26th, 2023, was the second day of Mana and Seth appearing on KAMIJO's YouTube channel.
October 25th, 2004, Moi-même-Moitié presented the release of the photo book "Magnifique". Mana was photographed in France visiting many beautiful historical sites while wearing Moitié elegant gothic outfits.
October 23rd, 1994 MALICE MIZER held their second anniversary with a performance at Meguro Rock'n'Sound.
In 2016, Moi dix Mois performed in Hong Kong at the Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre.
October 22nd, 2007, Moi dix Mois performed at Alcatraz in Milan, Italy, as part of their DIXANADU ~ Fated "raison d'être "~ Europe Tour.
October 20th, 2007, Mana with Moi dix Mois performed at New backstage in Munich, Germany, while on their DIXANADU ~ Fated "raisond ' être "~ EuropeTour.
October 18th, 2007, Moi dix Mois played at Kulturfabrik in Krefeld, Germany as part of their DIXANADU ~ Fated "raisond ' être "~ Europe Tour. Songs played included Metaphysical, exclude, Night Breed, and Vain.
October 13th, 2001, MALICE MIZER held a "Bridal Salon of Rose" at Moi-même-Moitié Aoyama store. Fans attended this greeting and handshake event to commemorate the release of the movie 『薔薇の婚礼～真夜中に交わした約束～』Bara no Konrei ~Mayonaka ni Kawashita Yakusoku~
October 12th, 1993, MALICE MIZER held their 1st Anniversary with a live at Meguro Rock-May-Kan. They distributed their first demo tape. Tracks are "SADNESS~I know the reason for her sadness~" and "Lafflesia" recorded live at Club Gio September 13th, 1993.
One Day at Meguro ROCK MAY KAN - A Memory with a Scary Senior
Meguro ROCK MAY KAN, even before MALICE MIZER was formed, I was a roadie for a certain band and it's a live house full of memories that I've been to countless times.
I've played a lot of live shows there. I've seen a lot of live shows there. I've been inspired and moved a lot.
When I think of an incident at ROCK MAY KAN that immediately comes to mind, there were many occasions when I was with scary seniors, but I was sitting on a bench by the basement stairs where the dressing rooms were located so as not to get in the way. Then, from the dressing room in the back, a scary senior came walking up to me.
What? What? Did I do something? The main theme of PSYCHO (1960) was playing in my head.
Chan-chan-cha-chan-chan... He stopped in front of me.
Scary Senpai: "Could you please step back for a bit?"
When I stood up, Scary Senpai picked up his jacket from his chair and went back to the dressing room in silence.
I was sitting on Scary Senpai's jacket!!
And so, I have so many memories of all those times. Thank you very much.
May Meguro ROCK MAY KAN live forever!
October 1st, 2021, Mana introduced the conversation with Visual Kei artist YURA-sama of Psycho le Cému. This was one of many conversations Mana has had as part of Mana's Blue Rose House Salon. Besides the talk, both showed off Moi-même-Moitié fashion.
September 30th, 1998, MALICE MIZER released the single "Le ciel 〜空白の彼方へ〜". Included was an instrumental track of the song. There was also a limited wide jacket single sold at that time.
The band order for this live was Moi dix Mois first. VERSAILLES followed, then Matenrou Opera. D was the final act and was followed by members of all four bands performing "Kyōsōkyoku ~ Tanbinaru Kettō", "Concerto ~ Aesthetic Bloodline". Four special CDs of the song were sold at each venue each with the lead singer of each band singing the complete song. Moi dix Mois' version with Seth singing the song also had the special edition of Mana's death vocal.
September 23rd, 1994, MALICE MIZER had their TOUR FIN AL ending their "Cher de memoire Tour 1994". The one man show at Meguro Rockmaykan was sold out. Songs included Shi no Butou, Lafflesia and Sphere of God.
September 22nd, 1995, MALICE MIZER returned with their "Fifth night Tragedy Dinner Vol. 5" at Shinjuku LOFT. This was their first performance after vocalist Tetsu left the band.
September 19th, 2007, Moi dix Mois performed at OSAKA MUSE, continuing their DIXANADU ~ Fated "raisond'être" ~ Tour.
September 15th, 2014, ◆ K Memorial Concert, the Dark Ritual festival ~ Scarlet Sabbath ~ was held at Shibuya CLUB QUATTRO. The Moi dix Mois concert was in memory of band member K. Songs included Beast side, Deflower, Diabolus et angeli and Je l'aime
