Interview with Taiji and Shu of CLOUD NINE on JRR

Sander · **on:** March 21, 2008, 02:02:03 PM

Quote from: "JRR"

CLOUD NINE members Taiji and Shu sat down with us to talk extensively about Jrock overseas, the return of classic bands to the scene, and their own activities, reaching out to fans outside Japan with this special interview. With X JAPAN reuniting, Taiji also offered wishes for his bandmates from X.

Read it here

Matthias · **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2008, 03:10:52 PM

Thanks for the link, was a nice read.

Hollywood · **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2008, 06:42:37 PM

Yeah, thanks for the link Hypno! (Finally, JRR interviews someone cool, rather than the usual VK kids with hair bows and nose covers and whatever.

)

Anyway... HOLY SHIT, THAT ROCKS!! Cloud Nine wants to come to LA!! FUCK YEAH!! I am seriously more excited about this than I am about the potential of X Japan coming here. Oh man, PLEASE let Cloud Nine decide to come to LA for real. Just reading that they WANT to has totally made my week. And how about DTR? Hey Taiji! Bring DTR here too!

And after reading this interview I really admire Taiji even more than before. I especially like what he said about X:

Quote

JRR: If you don't mind, would you tell us how you feel about X and the X JAPAN reunion?

Taiji: For me, on guitar, that's HIDE, that's PATA, I myself am not X JAPAN, I'm X-

JRR: Well, X and X JAPAN is different for people like me, too.

Taiji: About that, how can I say this, inside myself, in my heart X is alive, so I guess that's the reason I don't really feel like thinking very much about the past. I want to make the most out of the present, live now, so, if X JAPAN is going to reunite, I really want them to give it their best.

JRR: I'm very grateful to hear you say this.

Taiji: ... Go for it, X JAPAN.

It's so damn cool to see him say that, since all of that is exactly how I feel about X and X Japan too. And I'm so relieved that he's chosen to go his own way and remain part of X, but not part of X Japan. You rock, Taiji.

I love what they both said about visual kei vs. Loudness, too. And of course, great to hear that Taiji's in good health again.

CLOUD NINE!! COME TO LA!!

Arucard · **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2008, 11:19:25 PM

Now that's a cool interview right there! Thanks for the link Hypno!

I agree with Hollywood... It was nice to read Taiji's opinions about X and Loudness, ecause what he said there is pretty much the same thing I'd say about those topics...

Quote

Taiji: So the one band where I can just enjoy playing, that's CLOUD NINE.

This was the best line out of the whole interview... It's nice to see that Taiji really enjoys Cloud Nine... I really hope that this means there are big chances of Taiji staying with them...

And I f*ckin' want their new song!!! :evil:

Hollywood · **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2008, 11:35:33 PM

Quote from: "Arucard"

It's nice to see that Taiji really enjoys Cloud Nine... I really hope that this means there are big chances of Taiji staying with them...

Same here. Shame that he apparently considers DTR stressful though, especially since he founded that band too. DTR does seem to have had its share of drama and turmoil-- but then, from the sounds of that interview, so has Cloud Nine I guess.

Anyway, just glad to see him happy in one of his bands (and I still hope to see more DTR material someday too).

Quote from: "Arucard"

And I f*ckin' want their new song!!! :evil:

Agreed on this too... I wonder, is there anywhere online to order a single issue of a Japanese magazine like that?

Leo Van Newhouse · **Reply #5 on:** March 25, 2008, 07:17:07 PM

What new song???

Hollywood · **Reply #6 on:** March 25, 2008, 08:18:18 PM

A new Cloud Nine song called Hell's Rage. It's included on a CD that comes with a recent issue of We Rock magazine.

Leo Van Newhouse · **Reply #7 on:** March 25, 2008, 08:23:32 PM

Quote from: "Hollywood"

A new Cloud Nine song called Hell's Rage. It's included on a CD that comes with a recent issue of We Rock magazine.

I see. Is there a link to that issue where you can order it online???

Hollywood · **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2008, 08:39:34 PM

That I don't know, sorry... in fact, that's something I'd like to know myself! When I get the time, I'm going to try to find somewhere to order it (and for sure I'll post a link if I find anything).

I know of places online where you can order a subscription, but I'd like to find somewhere to buy single issues like that...

Leo Van Newhouse · **Reply #9 on:** March 25, 2008, 08:41:21 PM

Oke, cool. Thanks.

Leo Van Newhouse · **Reply #10 on:** March 26, 2008, 06:10:35 PM

Does this magazine have an official site to begin with???

VioletCamicat · **Reply #11 on:** March 26, 2008, 11:08:00 PM

Here you are!

It's the former Rockin'f magazine btw. So This page maybe is also helpful..?

Leo Van Newhouse · **Reply #12 on:** March 26, 2008, 11:25:10 PM

Thank you.

himurakenshin · **Reply #13 on:** March 27, 2008, 02:00:07 AM

taiji looks so old~

Hollywood · **Reply #14 on:** March 27, 2008, 04:53:05 AM

Quote from: "himurakenshin"

taiji looks so old~

I think he looks awesome in that photo at the top of the JRR interview. Now THAT... is 100% rock'n'roll. One of my favorite recent photos of him, in fact.

friday · **Reply #15 on:** March 27, 2008, 06:57:15 AM

Yeah, i agree with Hollywood. Its one of the best pictures i've seen of him recently. His expression and his hair gives him the complete "Seasoned Rocker" look.

Matthias · **Reply #16 on:** March 27, 2008, 07:41:12 AM

He looks like an asian verison of Duff McKagan on the picture.

friday · **Reply #17 on:** March 27, 2008, 07:47:42 AM

Hahahah!!! So true!!

VioletCamicat · **Reply #18 on:** March 27, 2008, 10:57:23 AM

LOL Yeah! That's what I also always thought! Also in the past! The last year with X - he's so similar with Duff there, hahaha!
Man, that's cool! So many guys think so.

And I agree - Taiji looks old there. But he's got the fuckin' right to look old! He didn't live calm and decorous like a nun! His whole live is pure rock'n'roll with all its highs and depths. So yeah - that leaves some results in the look, haha!

I like the ol' chieftain!

He looks a little bit too old for his age - but look at Yoshiki. He looks a little bit too young for his age. So what?

Hollywood · **Reply #19 on:** March 27, 2008, 06:39:04 PM

Haha, he does look like Duff...

But yeah, totally agree with Camicat. He looks older than the other X members (despite being the youngest), but he's also done more living in that amount of time, so no surprise-- he's more than earned his badass weathered rocker look.

"Old chieftain" rocks!

And personally I find it so fucking funny to see that Taiji & Shu pic in the JRR "recent photos" list alongside all the pics of those frou-frou oshare kids... Taiji looks like he could chew those guys up and spit them back out without even breaking a sweat (careful not to chip a tooth on all the piercings or choke on a noseband). :twisted:

Arucard · **Reply #20 on:** March 28, 2008, 10:39:16 PM

Quote from: "VioletCamicat"

And I agree - Taiji looks old there. But he's got the fuckin' right to look old! He didn't live calm and decorous like a nun! His whole live is pure rock'n'roll with all its highs and depths. So yeah - that leaves some results in the look, haha!
I like the ol' chieftain! He looks a little bit too old for his age - but look at Yoshiki. He looks a little bit too young for his age. So what?

Quote from: "Hollywood"

And personally I find it so fucking funny to see that Taiji & Shu pic in the JRR "recent photos" list alongside all the pics of those frou-frou oshare kids... Taiji looks like he could chew those guys up and spit them back out without even breaking a sweat (careful not to chip a tooth on all the piercings or choke on a noseband).

You guys just said all I wanted to say...

But honestly, Duff nowadays is looking older than Taiji... But just as cool... Two of my greatest idols...