Although there are many different “sounds,” they were all put together in a single genre called GREMLINS on their 1st Album [MAD THEATER]. This is carried over to GREMLINS’s first one-man tour [MAD SHOW] which has reached the tour final at the Shinjuku ReNY performance on March 5. Since this day is also the birthday of vocalist Hits, excitement swelled and the venue was wrapped in more enthusiasm than usual.
March 5, the tour final of GREMLINS’s first one-man tour [MAD SHOW] as well as being a commemorative for Hits’s birthday. I thought it would be a fun playground with such intensity, it became a LIVE that left a deep vivid impression.
Each and every song was dramatic indeed, in a manner of speaking the current tour carries the [MAD THEATER] album like a (book)collection of short stories. Suddenly the hall went dark and the volume came up, background music made as the intro for the album’s first song [Film], also enhanced the feeling of anticipation. A large cheer greeted the members as they appeared one after another, as soon as they entered they played [Film] with KNZ’s powerful drumming… was it not a tremendous overwhelming feeling!? It was truly amazing. Not getting buried in the thunderous roar, Hits’s voice also projected well.
During [The Carnival] Mizuki and Chiyu stood at the edge of the stage, which rapidly increased enthusiasm. Hits and KNZ together had said, “We definitely wanted to tour (around) with 4 people, which included Mizuki and Chiyu.” There’s a magnificent power balance that has grown during the tour. That can also be said for the MC, the merciless bantering from the Kansai people (Mizuki and Chiyu) on the left and the right whenever Hits said something, and watching affectionately!? was KNZ. The exchange was very funny.
Approaching the drums, Mizuki and Chiyu synchronized breathing with KNZ [Yue]. Hits exchanged glances with KNZ [Trigger]. In the intro Hits, Mizuki, and Chiyu had gathered at KNZ’s drum set [Mourou Suspense]. Each song’s ingenious view of the world really made the live shine; of course the members’ performances excited us and things like raising a fist, yelling in a loud voice, “full-body” headbanging, even the rather serious way the floor shook, made it even better.
While playing, Mizuki and Chiyu consulted and also (stirred things up) by sandwiching Hits on the left and right [INSANE]. The expressiveness of a woman’s perspective that Hits performed made us feel “doki” [Cinderella]. Then, while mezmerised by the variety of colorful music, something unexpected happened. Hits announced “A song that has not been done yet in the current tour …” and as he tried to lead into [50%&50%], the three other guys began playing Nightmare’s [The World]. This, to celebrate Hits’s birthday!? they had cleverly planned a surprise. Hits gave a blank look, not understanding what was going on. The rehearsal of the surprise was a huge success, much to the delight of the other three. KNZ’s amusement?? when watching over the son’s majestic figure, it was his way of saying “just because NicoNico is allowed to broadcast an exclusive live, that’s no reason for pranksters to behave.”
On top of that, Chiyu’s slap (bass) and Hits’s guitar solo also got us excited [Fellow Traveler]. Piercing into catchy pop doing GREMLINS to the extreme, the floor was a mixed up mess [Bacchus]. Then doing a complete 180, they concluded the main part in melancholy color [LOVE YOU]. The power of Hits’s vocals didn’t wane until the end, I remembered the passion/emotion.
It was “With sake!” instead of “Encore!” that voices called out to the 4 guys who had appeared once again; the members and the audience sang the Birthday Song to Hits and… Hits reacted to the message engraved on the cake (on the plate) that had been carried out. In addition, a sash with the words “I am ARU chuu(an alcoholic)” was draped (across Hits) by the staff; on the spur of the moment, pictures of members on Hits’ beloved IPAD (were shared); as well as various members “playing” with toy snakes and cockroaches, and getting “schooled” about carrots; the marks for standing position (on the stage) had been graffitied… but members and staff did not stop the mischievous encounters of chaos there. In the momentum, [DOD] was longer than usual and the alcohol was 35 proof! The 4 guys gulped Jagermeister. Precisely the idea behind DRINK OR DIE. Soon after this concert, there was a SuG autographing event for Chiyu to attend; he rocks (as in “he’s so cool” I think).
It didn’t stop at all. In response to the call “Bring sake!”… a double icon call. The song was [Bacchus] which is indeed perfectly suited (for the call). There in that place, everyone could unleash their smiles. “I want to play while watching the dream” the words (from Bacchus) had became reality. GREMLINS, their thoroughly free playfulness was the wonder drug that repainted a mundane everyday existence.