Movie: Fishmans
In Tokyo in the 1990s, there were a group of young men who simply and purely pursued music. Their name was Fishmans. Their works, including the Setagaya Trilogy and the live album "Dec. 28, 1998: Otoko-tachi no Farewell," which were produced in their private studio, are still highly acclaimed in Japan and abroad. However, the road to success was not smooth. Poor sales. Record company transfers. In 1999, vocalist Shinji Sato suddenly died. ...... Kinichi Mogi, who was left alone, chose to continue playing Sato's music instead of breaking up the band. His friends echoed his thoughts, and the band resumed its activities. In 2019, the spring of the 20th anniversary of Sato's passing, the Fishmans will take to the stage with a special resolve. The film traces the trajectory of Fishmans on the 30th anniversary of their debut, connecting past and present live footage, words left by Sato, and testimonies from the band members and others involved.
PROFILE
. born in 1967. A musician and drummer from Tokyo, Japan, he made his major debut in 1991 with the band Fishmans, which he formed while a student at Meiji Gakuin University. . He is currently also active in Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra and So many tears. His nickname is Kin-chan.
PROFILE
. Born in 1996. Model and actress from Shiga Prefecture. While working as an exclusive model for the women's fashion magazine "ViVi," she also has a deep knowledge of music and culture, and is active in various media and advertisements for both men and women. She is an unrivaled ramen lover.
Instagram:@_miugram_
PROFILE
Formed in 1987 by Shinji Sato, Kensuke Kojima, and Kinichi Mogi, all members of Meiji Gakuin University's Songwrites club, this rock band made its major label debut in 1991 with the single "Hikouki" on Pony Canyon. After releasing several singles and albums, the band stopped performing in 1999 due to the sudden death of vocalist Shinji Sato , and in 2005 they played their first live concert in seven years with a guest vocalist, and have been performing irregularly with guest vocalists since then. This year marks the 30th anniversary of their debut, and the documentary film "Film: Fishmans," which was funded by crowdfunding, is scheduled to be released on July 9 (Fri.).
Today, I want to shout "Sato-chan! I want to shout "Sato-chan! That's how happy I am!
. Since it's warm, let's take a walk and talk. First of all, congratulations on the 30th anniversary of Fishmans debut! . I just wanted to say thank you to Fishmans, so I came here today to see Mr. Mogi with my friend Miu, who is also a fan of Fishmans.
Mogi:How would children of MIU's generation feel when they listen to the music? How would they encounter the music of Fishmans? I'm looking forward to it.
How old are you now, miu? . What kind of music do you like to listen to?
MIU:I am 25 years old. I listen to a wide range of genres, but even within rock music, I like sampling music that has its roots in blues, reggae, or other genres that can be traced back to other sources. . I also like to dig and listen to old music.
When did you first meet Fishmans?
MIU:I came to Tokyo when I was 18 years old. . Until then, I only listened to the same music that my father had taught me. After coming to Tokyo, I started meeting older people and other people who knew a lot about music, and I became interested in learning more about the music of my youth that they were listening to. . That is when I learned the joy of digging into music. I asked a lot of people, "Tell me about cool music!" and then I started researching what I was told, and that's how I came across Fishmans.
Mogi:. I guess I'm still more likely to ask someone older than myself to teach me.
I have the image of Fishmans as music that is passed down from generation to generation. It is not music that will be forgotten.
Mogi:. I am a member of the band, and I have been performing with this in mind. I don't think it is music to be consumed, and I am sure that no matter what time of year you encounter it, you will listen to it with a fresh feeling. Now that I've heard you talk about MIU, I'm glad to hear that this kind of music has transcended the times.
I feel like my impression of Fishmans changes from time to time, but do you have a favorite song, miu?
MIU:There are many. For example, when I go to karaoke, I sing "Chance" and "Everyday Every Night. I can't show it to you, but I have a video of me falling asleep while singing "Everyday Every Night" (laughs). I'm so drunk that I'm falling asleep (laughs).
Mogi:Eh, I'd love to hear it!
MIU:I'm very tone deaf (laughs). . there are times when the words come into my ears, and other times when they seem to come in like the sounds of nature, like the wind or the birds. I get the sense that the lyrics are fed by my daily life and finally enter my ears. This is especially strong with Fishmans, and each word has depth and is very nostalgic.
I was just talking with the staff about how Fishmans is music that can save you. It's the kind of music that will bring you closer to the world.
Mogi:It's not about cheering or anything. . I think Sato was also concerned about that kind of songwriting. He said at the time, "I don't want to say 'ganbare' to people at all. He said, "I don't want to force my feelings on people. I just felt like I was there for her. There are times when I listen to a song without worrying about the words, just like you do, miu.
MIU:It really comes in as a natural sound, and I feel like it sounds like a different genre of music.
Mogi:. I like that kind of music, too. There are times when I listen to Bill Evans and others like the wind or birds in the distance, and there are times when I face them one-on-one, mindful of their touch on the keyboard, both of which are correct. . But if there is one thing, I want the sound to be absolutely pleasant.
. You can listen to "LONG SEASON" and dance to the beat in the back, or you can listen to it as if you are fully immersed in the world, and it's great.
Mogi:I think that's the right answer. It's fun to talk about Fishmans logically, but I really like the way you take it really freely like that!
We can't talk about music theory, so we just came here today to tell you how much we like your music (laughs). Personally, I like to listen to Fishmans at 26:00 am because it's comfortable! I'm still half in a dream (laughs).
MIU:But mornings are good too , right? （. (Laughs). I sleep with the music on, but when I wake up in the morning and the Fishmans is playing on shuffle, I feel refreshed and say, "Let's go for another day! (laughs). (Laughs). I am always saved by the music that has a deep nostalgia.
I understand! Fishmans has saved my life many times in the past too. ......
Mogi:We have just started, but today, I already want to shout "Sato-chan! I want to shout "Sato-chan! That's how happy I am! I like the way you don't say anything, you just lean in.
MIU:. I think there is a kind of human nature in the lyrics. I like the lyrics of "Just Thing," such as "Let's quietly disappear before we die," because they are from a bird's eye view and don't wish too much. Sometimes I have trouble at work, but I solve it by saying that we are all just human beings (laughs). (Laughs.) At those times, the lyrics really come through.
Just Thing" is one of the most important songs of Fishmans, which was mentioned in the movie as well.
Mogi:That song is definitely a turning point for Fishmans. When you make your major label debut, you are asked to write a song like this. However, there was of course a struggle over whether or not the song was unique to us. I think "Just Thing" was the one that led us to the point where we decided to make the kind of music we really wanted to listen to.
Just Thing" is always sung by at least one of the members of the editorial staff when we go out for karaoke (laughs). (Laughs.) Or "Ikkareta Baby" or "Melody," for that matter.
MIU:It looks amazingly comfortable (laughs).
Mogi:I want to go see that! . I didn't think I'd ever hear you talk about the Fishmans at karaoke! (Laughs)
And it's a lot of fun!
MIU:It's a lot of fun, isn't it?
Mogi:What, it's not exciting! I thought Fishmans wouldn't get people excited at karaoke.
All:(Laughter)
. Then, when I got carried away and sang "Walking in the Rhythm" or "Fluctuation in the Air," I couldn't do it. I can't even sing. ......
MIU:Yes, yes (laughs).
Mogi:What? Is "Fluctuation in the Air" in Karaoke? Isn't it long? （. (LOL). I'd like to see MIU's "Every Day Every Night" that you mentioned earlier (laughs).
MIU:No, I can't! I really can't show you (laughs).
Mogi:We even made the video into an official music video for Fishmans (laughs).
