AM² Convention 2011 [Page 38 of 39]
Mercurius wrote:SCANDAL Panel
7/3/2011 10:00AM PST
Seating order: Haruna (H), Rina (R), Tomomi (T), Mami (M)
Introduction: Each member noted that it has been 3.5 years since their first time in the US.
Moderator Questions
Q: Since AM2 is an anime convention, what are the band members' favorite anime?
H: Hetalia, Kuroshitsuji
R: Ribbon (likely Hime-chan no Ribbon), Sailor Moon
T: One Piece, Sailor Moon
M: Bleach, Naruto, K-ON! (audience cheers). I watch a lot of anime and love pretty much everything I see.
Q: What is your favorite American band?
H: Jonas Brothers (crowd chuckles)
R: Taylor Swift
T: Red Hot Chili Peppers (crowd oohs impressed)
M: Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Strokes
Q: What would you like to do in America?
H: Shopping and eating (laughter)
R: Swimming in the pool (according to twitter, they did this)
T: IHOP Strawberry pancake, since I couldn't eat it before
M: A lot of things I want to do, but just would like to take a walk around LA
Guest Questions (paraphrased)
Q: If you were not in a band, what would you be doing?
H: Never really thought about it, but because I'm a music lover, it would have to be something music-related.
R: Baker
T: Care-taker / day-care worker (some confusion since Tomo said "hobo-san" not knowing it sounded like the English word for homeless, so it sounded like a joke until translator clarified)
M: Designer
Q: Any plans to release live performances / PVs from indie days?
H: No plans to.
Q: Can you describe your writing process for your songs and how it works?
R: I usually start by playing on the piano. Then I gather the other band members to figure out lyrics and complete the song. Then we work on the musical arrangement in the studio. Lastly, we record in the studio.
Q: Since you are playing in LA, are there any plans to do another US tour?
T: Not for now, but we really love LA.
Q: Tomomi, in Namida no Regret PV, you are the only one crying over a girl. Why is that, and is that how you feel about the other band members?
T: My character in the PV was crying over a close friend. I am close friends with the other three members, but definitely not romantically. I am interested in boys. (lots of awkward laughter over this)
Q: What was it like recording the cover to ZONE's Secret Base?
M: We all love the song, and all grew up listening to it. We wanted to record a cover and chose it. It was fun to record, but we were a little worried about negative reaction to it since it was such a well known song.
Q: I'm from the East Coast and wonder what you thought of the East Coast, New York in particular.
M: I love New York, it has a real glimmer / glitter look to it.
Q: Who is the better dancer, Haruna or Tomomi?
T: I have to say Haruna.
Q: Do you ever play each other's instruments?
H: During rehearsals we often play around and play each other's instruments. But since it's hard, we usually can't finish a song.
Q: Your songs are often about relationships. Are they based on any specific relationships or experiences you've had?
T: *nods* Yes
M: I often "fantasize" or think about what such a relationship would be like.
Q: In the Shoujo S PV, what is the Janitor laughing about?
R: The Janitor is a famous comedian. He's laughing because the band is playing around without paying attention to him, even though they got caught. So it's like they're just laughing it off.
Q: Have you ever considered doing a collaboration concert with Morning Musume
M: I'm a big fan of them, and in a magazine interview we mentioned it'd be nice to play at each others' concerts. We also text each other regularly.
Q: Mami, what guitar strings do you use?
M: Ernie Ball 10-gauge in a yellow package.
Q: What is your favorite song to play, and the song you want fans to enjoy?
H: Play - Space Ranger. Enjoy - Scandal Baby
R: Play - Shunkan Sentimental. Enjoy - Everybody Say Yeah
T: Um... (*thinks) Play - Shoujo S. Enjoy - Shoujo M.
M: Play - Hi Hi Hi. Enjoy - Um... (Rina interjects) Hi Hi Hi
Q: Rina, why did you choose to play drums?
R: Why, I wonder? (laughter) When forming the band, it was a girl's band, and drums seemed to be a cool and suited instrument for me to play. Also, a good female drummer is pretty rare, so it was a unique position.
Q: Do you like any K-Pop groups?
H: Kara, SNSD
R: *describes appeal of K-Pop groups
T: (while Rina was describing, has a funny moment by dropping her straw completely in her water bottle. Mami and audience tries to hold back laughter while Tomo comedically tries to pull the straw out.)
Q: Are you still influenced by classic bands such as the Stones e.g. I Can't Get No Satisfaction and the song Satisfaction?
R: We enjoy doing covers, and that song is a good song. We also love the Stones and classic rock bands. However, I'm not sure about direct influences, as we still like to write the songs we want to write.
Q: Tomomi, why did you pick bass over guitar, when you could see the other two guitarists?
T: I tried learning the guitar, but since it has six strings, it was difficult so I gave up. Since the bass has just 4 strings, I thought it would be easier.
Q: Before forming the band, did you think that you would ever be in a band?
H: None of us were thinking we would.
Message to attendees before the live:
H: Please enjoy the live and be loud and dance. It's been 3.5 years since our last show in America, so we want to make this live fun. Please don't be shy.
T: *makes several unbelievably cute faces*
Overall, the questions were pretty clear and the band seem to appreciate them. I will say it was difficult to write notes while getting trapped in the band members' gazes from the front row. .wow. I'll add the Meet & Greet Q&A later once I get the other SH members' recollections and my notes straightened out.
.clap. 
Thinking Demon wrote:@propglenn Excellent share there. It's a shame HARU giving the surprised look was not captured in the video (or was it? Saw HARU cupping her mouth with her hand but it looks like she's yawning or something of sorts)...they're great notheless. Ooh YEAH!
Can't thank you guys enough.
Yes this photo captures the moment! thanks NoodlesNoodles wrote:
Last edited by bigOeyez on Wed Jul 06, 2011 6:05 am; edited 2 times in total
Mercurius wrote:
Q: Tomomi, in Namida no Regret PV, you are the only one crying over a girl. Why is that, and is that how you feel about the other band members?
T: My character in the PV was crying over a close friend. I am close friends with the other three members, but definitely not romantically. I am interested in boys. (lots of awkward laughter over this)
hahahaha (sorry for that comment but I had to say it xD) 
May someone post their arrival vids for downloading? I saw them on Youtube. yupyupyup wrote:I'm jealous that you guys could go and greet them at LAX airport. I thought they would arrive at John Wayne. I did have a hunch that they would eat at the IHOP next to where I lodged. kanonxkanon concert was great, so it was not too great of a loss for me
WHOAA!!! Epic story dude!!!bigOeyez wrote:Funny thing about all this is that... I DIDN'T GET STARSTRUCK TIL TODAY! or didn't fully realize it at least... HA HA! I was sitting around at work and REALLY thought about it and it struck me... I was goofing around with SCANDAL this past weekend... CHYEAH!!!
Well since I was split up from the group at most of the greetings, I was pretty much front and center when I came up to the band... SERIOUS!!!
"Heh, this post turned out to be longer than I expected... I think I got caught up in the moment? HA HA! It's a lot of reading, but damn, I had to share my experience to you guys here since I can't express anything upfront..."
- Spoiler:
For the panel/autograph session, my sister and I were a bit late so we ended up near last for the autograph session... I'm talking about 5th person from being last... HA HA! Works out in my favor since time wasn't rushed greatly when it was my turn...
- Mami was first up and I approached the table with my fingers pointing to my hair, barking out "Hey Mami! Do you remember this at the airport?" (Dynamic orbiting gestures to my hair)... She looks up in awe and looks at Tomomi and says "AhHh! Manga... something... Manga!" and they trade comments as Mami finishes signing the card and hands it to Tomomi...
- Tomomi continues the convo and says "Tall!" and I reply back "Yeah, but it's just just the hair that makes it seem that way..."... Tomomi responds "10cm?" and I fire back "Yeah just about 3 inches... (I put 3 fingers up to my hairline for comparison)... Actually yeah, it's up to this length."... Tomomi then says something quickly in Japanese and I don't catch a word she says and we end up staring at each other... blankly... all the while my fingers are still raised... I look at Tomo, Tomo looks at me, I look at Rina, Rina looks back, I look at Tomo again and all I could wimper out was "Eh?" (BWAH HA HA!)... Tomo gives me that "out of body" look and hands the card to Rina...
- Rina says "Hello!" and I say "Hey Rina!"... In the midst of her signing the card, we had a lil conversation like this:
"Oh hey Rina, are you pretty good with the double bass?"
"Eh, dabou baesu?"
"Yeah double bass, the double bass pedals?"
"Dabou baesu..." (She looks over to the tall guy in the grey shirt who was standing on the left (ah, who was he again? HA HA!) and he walks over...)
"Oh hey, I was just asking Rina if she knew how to play the double bass."
"Ah, dabou baesu?"
"Double bass, umm, double kick bass." *BHANG BHANG BHANG BHANG!* (I gesture my hands like I'm pounding on the double pedals...)
"OH! DOUBLE BASS! Oh no... Difficult, very difficult..."
I throw my hands into the air and give out a heavy "AhHhHh!" and we're all laughing at each other...
- Haruna... *SWOON*... Haruna says "Hi!" and I say "Hello Haruna!"... (Everyone should know about my Haruna right ear fetish, so guess what I aimed for?)
"Hey Haruna, are you wearing your earrings?"
"Eh?"
"Hai, earrings." (I turn my head and go down the line of my piercings)
"Oh! No, not today..." (She pulls her hair back and shows me both her ears... WOO!)
"nothing... WHAT?! NO!"
Even though I shouted, I was jolly as hell at that moment... Rina was still laughing with the both of us because I had broken that silent barrier that the lil crowd brought, but it was enough to start the weekend right...
The autograph session was good, but the 1st meet and greet was absolutely epic!
I forgot who sat next to me, but I got the front and center seat with the huge table gap... Both Tomomi and Rina had a clear view of me and vice versa... So what did I do? Walked in, looked at the band and gave a small "woo!" w/ "rock on!" fist pump, sat down, then Tomomi made a face at me and gave me a "rock on!" fist pump, I return fire with a small "yeah!" w/ "rock on!" fist pump... I turn over to Rina, "BHANG BHANG BHANG BHANG!" (paddle my handles), she giggles and gestures to Mami...
So everytime either Rina or Tomomi met eyes with me, I'd nod my head and I'm pretty sure they knew what hand gestures I was throwing up in my mind because they'd shake their heads and smile... HA HA!
So here's the question I asked:
"I like listening to heavy metal music and I just wanted to know if the band has put any thought into making a heavy metal track?"
Tomomi answers the question and it was something like this:
"As a band in the beginning, there was no intention of doing heavy metal tracks, but when the band was asked to make a track for Fullmetal Alchemist, we experimented on many styles and produced that specific track. Initially Shunkan Sentimental, was entitled "Shunkan Senti-metal", so that was the closest as metal that we've come. Currently there are no plans to make a heavy metal track, but all things are being considered so you can look forward to a possibility."
WOO! I throw a "rock on!" fist pump for the band and do another double bass "BHANG!" to Rina... She laughs... HA HA!
Throughout the whole time, all I did was make eye contact and mess around with Tomomi and Rina because it couldn't be helped! WOO HA!... All the way to the end when we're all leaving, I did one more RO fist pump & blurt out "OSU!" and the girls are liking it or just having a ball at it because Mami says back "CHEEZU!"...
Of course that's not the end of it... Right before we pick up our bags from the wall, I walk into the guy in the grey shirt again... Here's what I said:
"Hmm?! Wow! You are tall!" (Dude, I didn't realize he was about the same height as me, minus the hair...)
"Oh no, no. You are tall!"
"No way, it's just the hair! You're naturally tall!"
"*HA HA!* What's that, about 10cm?"
"HA! Yeah, just about, it's 3 fingers height."
(HA! He pats me on the shoulder and we laugh back at each other, all the while Rina and Mami are looking our way...)
I pick up my stuff, bow and thank the gentleman, look over to Rina and hold out my drumsticks: "Rina, I'm gunna try to get your autograph on these, but we'll see..."... I RO fist pump my way out the door...
The concert is self explanatory... Priceless! The only other tidbit that was memorable to me personally was when the girls were walking out after the concert... I yelled out "RINA! DOUBLE BASS!" and she looked dead at me... fuggin epic... (marked at the 13th second of Nuclear's video... PWAH HA HA! my loud mouth...)...
And the finale, the final meet and greet... I didn't try or want to be as loud as the previous day because it was a chill day for them, but whatever it was, I noticed they were looking at me right before I sat down, so I just gave a small "woo!" RO fist pump and double bass'd the air at Rina... (HA HA! RO fist pumps...) They were all chuckling and for sure Tomo said something about me to Rina because she looked up again at me and laughed under her breath... Even when I sat down, Tomo looked in my direction and I RO fist pumped her, she smiled... Mami looked my way and I waved at her, she smiled... Lastly Haruna looked at me, I waved and she smiled... *melts*
I couldn't think of anything to ask in the end because that was it, I was fully satisfied and the band had just blown me away with all the love they had shown me... CHYEAH!!! EPIC!!!
The end? No way...
The handshakes? No way, I didn't shake their hands... I GAVE THEM HIGH 5s!!! HA HA!
Haruna... "Hi!", "Haruna! oh, HIGH FIVE!"
I kinda caught Haruna off guard because she reached out to shake my hand and I raised mine up, so when the she raised up and our hands came into contact, I put in too much "OOMPH!" and knocked her off balance a bit... HA HA!
Rina... RINA!!! Right before I got up to her, she was like "Oh! Ah you! Metal Boy!", "Metal Boy?", "Metal Boy!", (high five), "HA HA! DOUBLE BASS! (hand pedals)... we chuckle!... Pricless: Rina gave me a knickname... *tears*
Tomomi... "TOMOMI!", (RO fist pump w/"OSU!"), "YEAH!", (high five)
Mami... "Mami! Hey you like the Strokes?!... Now I got no response from Mami because I didn't realize how high my "high five" had gone up from it's original height, so she ended up staring at my hand... HA HA!
So throughout the whole event, I've been trying to get Rina's signature on my set of drumsticks, but no luck, no signature... BOO! So I ended up handed my sticks over to Rina as a gift... "If I couldn't have her siggy on my sticks, then the next best thing to do was to give her the set of sticks that I've been showing to her all this time... HA HA! Stupidly it didn't occur to me that I should have signed them instead so that it'd have been a momento from me, but ah, I'll save that for next time...
Epic... Totally epic...
Much love to everyone at SH that could attend and support the band!
Much love to AM2 for making it happen!
Especially much love to SCANDAL... nuff said...
Ah Haruna noticed!!! Glad to know this XDDNoodles wrote:Thinking Demon wrote:@propglenn Excellent share there. It's a shame HARU giving the surprised look was not captured in the video (or was it? Saw HARU cupping her mouth with her hand but it looks like she's yawning or something of sorts)...they're great notheless. Ooh YEAH!
Can't thank you guys enough.
At first I thought Haruna ignored us cuz she looked pretty tired but then I saw this picture on my album:
She's looking at the banner and smiling n_n
Then I'm sure most of you have seen this one already, cannot get any more explicit than this, they loved it:
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