Translated to English by Bizarka for the Russian street team ==> http://www.myspace.com/russian_team_support
Part 1.
Сrazy and Beautiful.
Сinema Bizarre already were on the pages of our magazine, but we have more serious reason to meet them once again – upcoming new album full of intrigue which is named “ToyZ”. To ignore this fact would be very impolite we couldn’t forgive ourselves so why not to talk to the boys, to know more about their likes, preferences. They are coming soon to Moscow so why not to be fully loaded before seeing them?
Since awhile the culture of hard music again let it to look back for the roots, meaning to glam images which are strongly influenced by modern designers; to more “light” sound among hard and scream types of generation. It is useful, you know, to take off your mind from the darkness, or…to play toys. Like it is said – why not? Or how the d'Artagnan told – pourquoi pas?
Taking in consideration that almost all members of the band live together in one flat, and they are: Strify (vocal), Yu (guitar) and Romeo (keyboard) (note: it was forgotten, that Kiro also lives with them), our interview looked like a conference - everyone from them wanted to answer to our questions. And that was a plus, thus we’ll know who is who.
Let us talk from the beginning, as usual, about new album “ToyZ”. I won’t ask questions, it’s already boring. Would you tell by yourself what you are going to present through the album?
Strify: I think, the album happened to be polysemantic and equivocal. I would say that the name says it all – not only kids want to play. Everybody do that, no matter what age they are. And each song on the album is like a toy we are having fun with. For the album cover we used minimalistic artwork, that could show something playful – we played a little bit with pop-art elements, but for the moment the work isn’t done yet, so be patient. Aaand, …a lot of people wanted us to disappear as a band after the first album. So this is specially for them: we would sing loudly, stronger and brighter! We tasted blood and we don’t want to give up! This album is our mission: yes, we are toys. All of us….
Yu: “ToyZ” is a next big step forward, we are continuing to go further and further. Like debut album “Final Attraction” it is something like Russian rollercoaster, you are up and down. You can find something mainly for you in every song, and catch up yourself that you like it more and more!
I’m starting to think that you are very crazy guys, at least you are talking the same way as being on stage and in video clips.
Strify: Yes, that’s exactly how we are! And we will keep on going crazy. This time we decide to make even more greater music video and even more destructive single, which is going to be not like all are expecting.
Really? And how it would be?
Strify: It would be a ballad named “My Obsession”. The video is filmed in USA, and this is absolutely awesome!
Yu: You are going to be blowed away, this is a very strong feeling!
Romeo: We’ll show you a little piece of our world to share some special moments and emotions we are living by ourselves – it’s like a deep breath, a kiss…
And the costumes for the video would be as always wild and unpredictable? By the way who is behind your image? You have your own rich fantasy and tastes or you have a personal stylist?
Strify: My style is mostly intuitive. I like shopping, I like fashion. I would like to go to Paris or New York Fashion Weeks, I like beautiful clothes. And I like second-hand. When we plan something like music video or photoshooting, then it’s time to work with designers and stylists. For example, all clothes for “final Attraction” were made by professional designer.
Yu: And my style depends on my mood, and how I feel myself today. But every time it’s rock-n-roll. I like to feel comfortable, to be free in moves, I want to jump on stage, but to be glamorous and stylish at the same time. That’s why I prefer glaring, unusual things like h.naoto, but damn, it’s soo hard to find them in Germany, especially my size.
Romeo: Time to time I find something unbelievable while surfing Internet, but it happens very rare…
I think you know how many girls consider you their idols, how many of them are crying for you, and every time your fans are told that all your sexual behavior – looks, moves, kisses – it’s just a role.
Strify: But is this bad to be sexy? Being on stage gives you the same energy as sex. It’s naturally. And this energy makes you look attractive everywhere and always. I never wore a mask. Never was a person I’m actually not. I’m the same on stage as I am in life, maybe a little bit free. But this is life, and I’m not playing. Although… we are all toys, remember?
Yu: To be in love – it’s so hard and so easy! On stage – it’s an image people see. Something pretty and attractive. It’s so close from you, but at the same time you can’t touch it!
Romeo: And I would say that I would like to fall in love and to be with a girl who would understand that I’m an artist, and not her personal puppet. Who would love me like this, as I am, without make-up and exaggerations and who wouldn’t cause problems because of my touring and not being home. You never know where your heart beats. So I don’t know where and when I’m going to meet my love. Let her just come and take me.
Part 2.
Are you single at the moment?
Yu: I need a princess.
Romeo: And I’m looking for that only girl, and if she be a princess I’ll make her queen.
And how your princesses look? Blondes? Brunettes? With green hair?
Yu: With green hair – that’s interesting! But, looking back on my ex-girls, I would say, that I prefer dark-haired.
Romeo: I want to be surprised; my girlfriend should be able to look different.
Talking about colors. As I remember Japanese artistic culture colors have their own symbols. And if you can read them, the color can tell you a lot of things…
Strify: I don’t what are the symbols, but I assume that each of us feels something while seeing a color. For example, there are different colors on stage, and each of them has its own atmosphere.
Yu: I don’t really know the meanings also, I just like red color. It is impulsive and erotic; orange makes you happy, but it depends on the person. I like red because I’m passionate. Green because I remember those days of childhood, and sky-blue represents peace and calm.
Sky-blue represents gays, at least we consider it so. By the way, will you let ask an imprudent question? How is going on with your orientation? There are always doubts around a young man if he wear make-up.
Romeo: I’ve changed my life many times, but now I’m looking for a girl I can call my wife. I had a lot of girls, but my true love is still somewhere. I need a lot of time to understand what I want in this life. For the moment music what makes my heart beat.
Strify: I can name my orientation as androgynous. I always was attracted to this stream, and always wanted to look like this, I feel comfortable. My idols are David Bowie, Grace Jones, Adam Ant. I don’t need labels, I’m very opened person, and that’s how I live. What should I do more?
Sounds like Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy is not for you…
Strify: I didn’t deeply thought on that. He is a warrior, and so am I. I passed through a lot while being a kid, and was always looking for my way.
Yu: But I know Final Fantasy 7 very good, and “way” of Cloud is very different from Strify’s but on one picture they look so much familiar. That’s why I called him Strify. He is a mix of several characters; I would say he is too unique to look like somebody. I played all Final Fantasy games, and I like Cloud’s character, because it’s close to me.
Did you take parts in Cosplays?
Yu: Cosplay is definitely cool, if you saw something like Yoko Gurren Lagann or “Girls of Ikkitousen”. I love beautiful girls, but for me cosplays are quite expensive.
Romeo: The best place for cosplays is a bad together with your dear girlfriend. And there I would cosplayed…
Hey, would you cut it out? Almost every answer ends up with a bed. Maybe we’ll change the topic? Let’s talk, for example, about Tilo Wolf, who suddenly became your manager. Now how that happened?
Strify: Nothing supernatural. He just saw me over Internet, we meet, I told him about a band formed with my friends. He came to our performance, was interested, and so it happened…
You look like young Tilo, by the way, with the same charisma and mystery.
Strify: I was never told this, thank you very much. Tilo is a great man for us, and we are happy to work with him. He does what he loves. A lot of people find attractive him, as a person, and his work. It means a lot to me also. To be famous is not necessary to stay on the top, it means to be a person, to be an energy. Tilo – is one of the best examples of that.
Many people couldn’t believe that the King of German gothic suddenly became a producer of teen pop-rock band. We have enough discussions like is there place for “light” music on pages of our magazine which is dedicated to hard music.
Strify: Music is just music. It doesn’t need a lot of names and terms. It is just what you love. We have a lot of influences, and a lot of magazines talk to us, thinking that our music is relevant to the readers. Hard music or light it’s very relative.
Exactly. For someone Dimmu Borgir is a pop music.
Yu: Music is what goes into you, fills your mind and gives you powers to live.
And what do you think that you are always compared with Tokio Hotel?
Strify: When people compare us to Tokio Hotel it’s because of Bill most of the time. He is extraordinary, and does care about his hair. And people are not used to someone who cares about the look and image more than usual. Probably it is more closer to time of 80s, and not now. And if we talk about our music, it is very different. But people don’t understand the difference between our genres. Two famous bands from Germany with unusual look – what do you need more?
There was a time when it was said that you live together in Berlin. Meaning, in one city or in one flat?
Strify: yes, in one flat in Berlin. This is my favorite city, trashy and glamour, just as I am.
Yu: and Romeo also lives with us. And all in one room. You know, sometimes it’s hard to find a possibility to be alone because of that. From the other hand, its good when we are all together, talking, having fun. But I suppose we should solve this question – still Shin is lost, and, well, we have to find more room for our big company.
There is an order in cooking or who can the one who cooks?
Yu: But is this hard – to cook? You have a recipe – so you can.
Romeo: And I loooove to cook! From pancakes till exotic dinner – everything! The last time I cooked for a lady, and it was green noddles with coco and lemon sauce, fruits with honey and cinnamon.
Only Strify keeps silence…
Strify: I think there is a thing like private life. Some parts of it I prefer not to reveal. And only my friends are allowed to know my little secrets…
That you can’t cook. Ok, fine, it’s not so important for a musician anyway. The main thing for him is if he can sing or to play instruments. By the way what about your musical experience and work?
Yu: I learned to play by myself. The most part of experience came with the practice. But I took some lessons for a few years to develop my skills, besides, my teacher was great.
Romeo: I was a lead vocal in some emo, pank, screamo, hardcore and progressive band. Played the main part in musical “Fame”. Before I joined Cinema Bizarre I performed in Germany, France, Ireland and Great Britain.
Strify, stop keeping silence, our readers waited for you!
Strify: and what should I say?
What you are going to do when you become 40 years old.
Strify: To perform on stage!
Yu: And I would buy a house, that looks like a castle, somewhere around the beach and mountains, like in Japan, and I would have my own open stage where I would play for a millions of people.
Romeo: I’ll kick some asses, buy a house in LA and have a lot of time with my family.
And the last one is: what was the most memorable moment in your life, for example, your best show ever?
Strify: We had a big performance in Paris, I would name it as the best and I want to have such shows more. Moscow and Milan gigs were massive also. Amasing! I can’t say what are the best and the dearest though. Anyway, I would love to come to Russia, it’s a crazy and beautiful country!
Interview by Anjeli K.