Kroi and Vans take a new step forward.

Based on tradition , we continue to try new things.

From left, Reo Uchida (guitar and vocals), Daiki Chiba (keyboards), Masanori Seki (bass), Yusei Hasebe (guitar), and Hidetomo Masuda (drums).

Thank you very much for your time today. I could feel how close everyone was during the photo shoot!

Seki:Thank you too. It was a pleasure! I spend time with the members every day , so it's always like this.

Mr. Masuda, as a mood-maker, you have been a great help to us at the site.

Masuda:I can't show my strength in an interview, so that's all for today (laughs). I will leave the rest to everyone else.

Chiba:You've done your part (laughs).

Now, you are wearing the new "Vans" model "Evident Ultimate Waffle," but do you usually wear "Vans" shoes?

Hasebe:I wear "Old Skool Pro (now Skate Old Skool)," "Half Cab," and also the "Uravan's" collaborated with "BEAMS.

Uchida:I've always been "old school". Once I decide to wear them, I want to keep wearing them for a while. It's easier that way. I like shoes that are easy to match with any clothes.

Seki:I'm "old school" too.

Chiba:I'm a high cut guy, so I'm a "skate high" guy. I have a bright blue one and a bright red one, and I buy them new, and sometimes I buy them at thrift stores.

Masuda:When I skateboard, I wear "slip-ons" . They are easy to get used to my feet, and even if I wear them out, I can buy them again quickly because they are standard. . Besides, they are inexpensive.

It seems that everyone prefers the classic model, but the "Evident Ultimate Waffle" is the latest product that incorporates the technology VANS has cultivated through the production of skateboarding shoes. How did you feel wearing them?

Seki:I was amazed at how crazy easy they were to wear . The fit and cushioning are great, and they feel like they stay on my feet. . We were all talking about it earlier, saying, "I wish I could wear them at gigs. The fit of the shoes and the thickness of the sole are very important when playing, and if you focus on fashion just because you are playing live, you will fail to operate the effectors. But I think these shoes are easy to operate, and it will be easy to move around during the show.

Uchida:. yes, the switch of the effector gets caught in the groove of the sole, and so on. . . that's why I don't change my shoes very often. If I wear the same shoes, I don't have such happenings.

Masuda:Also, the grip is good. It doesn't slip at all even on a smooth floor.

Uchida:I put them on my head earlier and they didn't fall off at all . I don't think I could have put it on my head for that long if it were any other shoe. You'll understand if you put them on your head (laughs).

Q: The translucent outsole and other features give the shoes a futuristic look that has never been seen before in the Vans lineup.

Seki:The horizontal line ( and the side stripe ) are typical of "Vans," but I feel that the sole expresses this innovation. You can tell they are cutting-edge by the way they look, but you can also feel that you are wearing "Vans" shoes.

Uchida:It helps that they are designed to be worn every day and have good cushioning. You never know when you will be walking a lot. I once missed the last train and walked home in leather shoes for four hours (laughs). . So I'm happy that they can be worn everyday, can be used on stage, and are still easy to walk in.

Chiba:Yes, it is. . the use of leather on the toe gives it a luxurious and sophisticated look.

Hasebe:VANS collaborates with various artists, doesn't it? Including this aspect, I have the image that "VANS" is always creating something new.

Vans' concept is "OFF THE WALL" (unconventional), and I think Kroi can relate to that kind of challenging attitude.

Seki:. I know it's still a bit forward of me to say that we're in this together, but . We want to make music that absorbs all genres, delving into the 60's and expressing it in our own way in the modern age. So, the mindset of the "Vans" to challenge new things based on traditional music is something I would like to emulate in my activities.

A few days ago, you made your major label debut.

Uchida:We have been talking about a major label debut since the very beginning of the band, so there is no particular part of the band that we have changed in terms of direction.

I see. You have been preparing for this to some extent. What is the meaning behind the title of your first major album, "LENS," which was recently released?

Seki:As this is our major debut, we would like to collect our past activities into an album like a convex lens, and like a concave lens, we would like to spread it around the world and broaden the range of people involved. Such is the meaning of this album.

Uchida:. In terms of the music, I want more people to listen to the songs, so I have thought carefully about gimmicks and approaches in composition. But that does not mean simply adopting musical trends, but using new techniques to attract people's attention. There was a time when I used to feel that it was cool to compose music without thinking, but I have started to think carefully, which is probably the part that has changed since my major label debut.

What kind of band do you want to be?

Hasebe:We want to be a band that listeners can accept to try new things .

Uchida:If a band is well-loved, I think fans will follow them no matter what kind of music they release. Each member has his own interesting ideas, and I believe that if we express them well, we can build the environment we are aiming for.

Chiba:If people only love the music, even if the musicality has evolved, they will say that it has changed. it is nice to be told that they like Kroi's music, but I want to be told that they also like it because of the music that Kroi is doing.

Seki:. Also, we would like to dig into various cultures. It's not so much a concept, but we have in mind the phrase "Dig The Deep. We want to spread this concept to as many people as possible.

What do you mean by "various cultures"?

Seki:All members love clothes, so our goal is to create something new by crossover with people who express themselves in various fields such as fashion, photography, and graphics. . That is why I look forward to every session like today's shoot.

I am glad to hear you say so! Now, a few closing words to Mr. Masuda.

Masuda:Well, today . We are all very grateful for this very valuable opportunity , and we are all very touched by it. We look forward to your continued support of Kroi!

All:LOL!