Before the trip... 

Asian conference : 
 
right after grand cross tour, since so many reporters came from  
different countries, laruku decided to have a conference.  
At the beginning hyde told the reporters that they are very direct and  
honest (straight to the point..like..doesn't like to say things that they don't mean)  and the reporters think that laruku i so nice and funny that the whole conference was filled with laughter. 
 
Some questions asked 

1) Is there any other new things that u guys want to try? 
Yukkie:  Vocal! 
then the othe members started laughing (which shows how bad yukkie's singing is) ^^; 

2) Are there any other artists that influenced u guys? 
hyde + tetsu : ah..we don't listen to music much (what the hell?) 

3)Except in Japan, do you know any other artists in asia? 
hyde: Bruce Lee! (what the ? Bruce Lee is not a singer ne..haido) 

4) There are lots of variety in the way that u play guitar, what's gonna be next challenge? 
ken: eh..i dunno? ( haha...what..!!) 

5)From the start of Laruku till now, what changes were there? 
for this question, all the reporters expected an answer about music or 
their style. however, ken answered : fatter now. (hahah...) 
and every one was like " eh...huh?" (totally off topic) ^_^ 

___________________________________________________________

First attack: Thailand (sept 9 - 12) 
( click images to enlarge) 
 
*oh finally found out who this pic originated from..hehe thanks for bangkok moon.  

Special thanks to Sari for the following pics!! ^0^ 
   
   

Thanks to Prim for these pics ^_^ 
  

**** I LOVE TE-CHAN'S BLONDE HAIR!! KAKKOIIII 

As u all know, only haido and tetsu was on this asia trip... 
there many fans in the airport and it was really messy and Te-chan injured his shoulder because he was running ( and tripped i think..) but well i don't think it's anyone's fault, i mean fans are just really excited, if i was there i'll probably chase after them too, so please don't blame the fans there.......it was just an accident that no one wanted to happen! 

Tetsu&Hyde special long interview on Channel V   
thanks to bangkok moon san  

Host : Yes and now we're with 2 member of L'Arc-en-Ciel  
# Tetsu & Hyde made a L sign to the camera  
Host : Hajimemashite , Tangaew sesu  
# Tetsu & Hyde nodded politely  
Hyde : Haido desu  
Tetsu : Tetsu dasu  
Host : I've heard that you 're arrived Thailand since yesterday , How do you feel 
about Thailand ?  
Hyde : I'm very surprised that there 're so many fans at the air port  
Host : The new albums was sold across many countries in Asia …. 7 countries such as 
Japan , Philippines , Thailand  
So Have you ever go to those countries yet ?  
Tetsu & Hyde : Not yet , Thailand is our first visiting  
Host : Oh! I'm glad to hear that …and are there many fans greeting you everywhere 
you went  during your concert tour ?  
# The camera show about 200 fans outside the building  
Tetsu : Yes  
Hyde : it's depend on where we go , but I think Luruku fans in Thailand really like 
us ne  
Host : Since this's a live interview so I received tons of faxes from the audiences  
today …very much more that my usual though… about the albums and concert tour…This 
seem to be the great things for the ends of this century too  
Tetsu : soudesune , we think we won't release any album for this year too  
Host : Well ,why the albums titled Ark and Ray ?  
# Hyde struck his tongue out to the camera  
Tetsu : First we named Ark and then Ray later ,all of us help each other for finding 
out the album's titles  
Host : Oh .. did you like writing a novel or some things ? since you can write very 
wonderful song and I saw many artist love writing too  
# Tetsu & Hyde moving his hand in denial and laugh  
Hyde : No no not at all  
Host : There're many song included in the  albums so how you design or choose which 
songs 'll be on which albums ?  
Tetsu & Hyde : Nothing special …We sure that our albums 'll have great success 
though … ne  
# Tetsu look at Hyde for an agreement  
Host : Yes it's really true  
# Hyde again make a L sign to the camera  
Host : I 've seen your concert tour was held on a very huge site like that so how 
can you play or communicate to those audiences who 're very much far from the stage? 
Hyde : For me I think all fans of mine 're the same important wherever near or far 
they 're on the same concert ne  
Host : The recent one is out door concert is it? What 's the different between 
indoor and outdoor site ?  
Tetsu : Outdoor concert give us a feeling of freedom , we can see the changes of the 
sky …the moon and the stars 're rising above us while we play our music…  
Host : Wow it's really romantic  
# The host gave them a Pepsi can and take a short break  
# Hyde then look at a short note on his hand and say " Kob Kun Krab " ( it's mean " 
Thank you  very much " in Thai )  
and smile …Tetsu also said too but without looking at a note  
# The vdo show MV Pieces  
Host : I love this song very much ….by the way there're many fans waiting outside 
now ,do you want to see themm?  
Tetsu & Hyde : Yes!  
# The camera show about 200 fans waving their hands and showing Laruku poster and 
mangzines  
Tetsu : Did they saw us ?  
Host : Yes They 're watching now and you can say Hi to them too  
# Tetsu & Hyde waving their hands to the camera and smile  
Tetsu & Hyde : Yeahhh…!!  
# Hyde give a L sign to the camera  
Host : Can you say in Thai again please  
Hyde : Oh! Thai words ?  
# Hyde immedaitely look at the note on his hand again then both Tetsu and Hyde 
clasped hands said " Kob Kun Krabb …took took kun " ( Thank you very much everyone ) 

Host : Your  spelling is very good who teach you those Thai words ?  
Hyde : I ask from many staffs  
Host : Did you know that L'arc-en-ciel 's very famous in Thai…there 're so many Thai 
fans of yours now  
Hyde : Really ?  
Host : Me too …( #Laugh ) and how about your personalities? Did both of you share 
the same interest or somethings?  
Hyde : I 'm both good looking and nice personalities  
# Hyde struck his tongue out at the camera as everyone laugh out loud  
Host : OK let's talk about your friendship…How you feel to eachother ? I mean Hyde 
talking about Tetsu and Tetsu talking about Hyde  
# Hyde drink a pepsi can again and run his hand trough Tetsu hair  
Hyde : Now his hair 's really blonde  
Tetsu : I'm fashion lover ( #smile )  
Host : but I remember you have many hair style and colors  
Tetsu : Yes now I 'm getting bored with this style and finding new nice color too  
Host : Oh that soon ? ( # flip through some magazines ) you have many styles during 
following years  
Tetsu : Yes and I 'm still keep on changing myself again and again  
Host : Did you ever do any freaky  or funny things …since you both look very calm 
and shy  
Hyde : Ummmm… This  
# post as if he's hard thinking and then like playing a computer game  
Host : What game is it ?  
Hyde : A fish feeding game called Sea Man….. it's not a fishing game ne  
Host : OK please Hyde talking about Tetsu  
Hyde : (#point at Tetsu hands ) he can't use his hands now  
# both of them show their wrist watch which very much alike  
Host : Eh? Why they look very familiar ?  
# Tetsu took off his watch to the host and the camera did zoom in closed show the 
watch have his name scratched inside  
Host : Oh it's special made to order ….did Hyde has the same too ?  
Hyde : yes  
Host : Wow I wish I have one too  
Host : Yes everybody have a dream and now I think you're reach the great point of 
success then what's your next step of your dream ?  
Hyde : A dream ? ( # look at the ceiling above )…. A dwelling house…. in Thai  
Host : Oh it's quite cheap too  
Hyde : really ? can you buy one for me ?  
# Laugh  
Host : Let's talk about movie … You did participated by composting the song in 
Godzilla movie  how about it?  
Hyde : When the ending title appeared ..it'll have our name in staffs list too …that 
make me very happy and silently impressed  
Host : How many times did you see this movie ?  
Tetsu& Hyde : Only one ( # Laugh )  
# 2 nd break and the TV show Driver's High MV  
Host : Wow ! the ending is cool!  
Hyde : Yeahhh!!  
# everyone make a L sign to the camera  
Host : Is this for the fans outside?  
Tetsu & Hyde : Yeahhhhh !!!  
# a L sign to camera again  
Host : Wah! Lat's do somethings different from posting L sign please  
# Hyde then post a funny waving hands along the time and struck his tongue out  
Host : Oh yes one of the fans ask me to thank you for wearing a shirt she give you 
..is that this one ?  
Hyde : Yes! Arigatou ! Kob Kun Krabb !  
Host : Oh Oh  what 's in your hand ? let me see please  
# Hyde hold both his hands to his heart in denial and smile  
Host : now we 're reaching the last part of this interview so let's relax ….did you 
have any place in Thai you want to go to?  
Hyde : Place we want to go ? ( # post as a Sleeping Buddha statue  and drink a pepsi 
can again )  
Host : Sleep and eat ? Oh No ! I see …temple ! there're many beautiful temple in 
Thai have that Buddha statue too  
Did you go to Great Temple yet ?  
Hyde : No we didn't go to any place yet  
Host : Oh so did you have any plan tomorrow? Laugh  
Hyde : Date? ( # point at himself and the host )  
Host : Ha ha no no It's ok I just told you to go if you have a free time cause it's 
beautiful and there 're many interesting goods with very low price too  
Hyde : Let's go togather  
# everyone laugh  
Host : Did you know any Thai foods ?  
Tetsu & Hyde : Oh we really love Thai foods!!  
Host : Great ! What kind of Thai foods you like ?  
Tetsu : xxxxxxx ( something like fired rice with fired egg on the top )  
Host : Well it's seem to be a normal recipy one in Thai …Does it  spicy too ?  
Tetsu& Hyde : No not really spicy ne  
Host : I guess may be it's Kaw Pad Krapao ( Spicy fired pork ) It's world famous too 
. but I prefer Yakisoba ha ha ha  
Host : we noticed that many girls in Thai like you so what kind of girls you like ?  
Hyde : Girl like you ( # make a hand to the host and make L sign to the camera )  
Host : Wahhh ha ha ha!!! ( # pretend to be very shy )  
Host : and how about you Tetsu san ?  
Tetsu : You too  
Host : Really ?  
Tetsu : Maybe Me and Haido must fight for you ne  
# Hyde smile and gasped Tetsu collar pretend to fight  
Host : But I'm not really sweet type of girl you know?  
Hyde : Oh I like a shinning girls too  
Host : Arigatou …oh it's the time so please say somethings to the fans  
Tetsu& Hyde : This time is just A Little Say Hi visiting ,but next time we hope we 
can hold a concert in Thai soon  
So please wait to see us ne  
Host : Yes we'll ….and this's L'arc-en-ciel Member Tetsu & Hyde now Agigatou 
gosaimasu  
# Tetsu&Hyde clasped hand and said "Kob Kun Krab" and waving their hands  

L'Arc~en~Ciel Special Interview in Thailand 
** thanks to sari chan~~ ^0^ 

Place: Grand Hyatt Erawan, Bangkok 

Date: September 10, 1999 

Artist: L'Arc~en~Ciel/ hyde & tetsu 

Press (magazines) 
        AS      =       allstars 
        ME      =       Music Express 
        IS      =       I-Spy 
        Boy     =       The Boy 
        Prw     =       Preaw 
 

        At first, the interview supposed to be divided into 2 groups, but later since 
we were running out of time, all the magazines had to do the interview together 
within 45-50 mins. If asking me, that was a long time, but still, I would have 
to say, too many interviewers wasn't make it efficient enough as it should be. 
But there was one thing I have to tell you, hyde and tetsu were pretty friendly 
and that created such great atmosphere during the whole time of the interview. 
        All the press in the room was pretty tensed while waiting since we all know 
that L'Arc has been very famous in Japan, but when hyde and tetsu entered the 
room, everyone were stunned! Hyde was so sweet and gorgeous. He was like a 
prince and smiled a lot. While tetsu was rather quite and wasn't that talkative. 
Both seemed very nice and that helped make us work relaxingly with smile and 
laugh except they their voice was so soft (as the way they are as you can notice 
from TV programs). Then we start all the conversation. By the way I have to tell 
you that all the Qs may be so various and not in a very good order since there 
were so many mags interviewing on that day. I'm putting just every single thing 
and every single word down here and try not to miss any bit, so enjoy!!! 

ME: Today everyone must be really tired from a long trip and you may feel a bit 
excited too, so as for the conversation today, we'd better make it as relaxing 
as possible then. 
hyde: yes...(smiles) 
AS: Then first of all, I would like to start with what had just happened last 
night at the airport, there were fans calling us to say how sorry they were and 
apologize to haidosan and tetsusan too. 
hyde & tetsu: Ah..is that so..(laugh softly with no sign of anger) 
AS: Everyone was just so excited that they forgot all about everything and they 
really didn't mean to hurt you. This morning there was even a girl calling and 
crying to me. 
hyde & tetsu: Aaa...(laugh in such a good mood with a 'really?' expression) 
IS: How did you feel about what happened last night? 
hyde & tetsu: (almost the same time)...we were shocked! 
hyde: When I saw all the fans, I just want to say hello to them, but I couldn't 
make it, so that was a pity. 
Boy: Is this your very first time visiting Thailand? 
tetsu: Yes, this is our first time. 
Boy: How did you feel when you knew you would have come to Thailand? 
hyde: In Japan, Thai food is really famous, so when we have a chance to come 
here, we would like to try Thai food in real for once. 
AS: I'm telling you, it's hot. (laugh) 
hyde: Last night, I did try Tom Yam Koong (Thai Spicy Prawn Soup)- (AS: how was 
it?) It was very hot! My mouth got burnt too! (lifting his hand to touch his 
lips showing how spicy it was - I was told by Sony Music staff in Thailand 
though he said it was hot, he did finish the dish ^_^) 
ME: Usually, if it's not for Thai people, they wouldn't make it too hot though. 
hyde: Really? That was not really hot? (Everyone laughs) 
Boy: Did you have any plan to hold a concert in Thailand at all? 
tetsu: (thinks for some time)...if we can, we would love to. 
AS: Then I'll ask you a bit about music stuff. At the present, haidosan has been 
playing guitar in live much more often than you used to, is there any particular 
reason on that? 
hyde: Umm...it is so... 
AS: Yes...long time ago, you don't play it as often as you do now. 
ME: Yes, yes...why is that? 
AS: Like in the past, you would use guitar only when singing "I'm so happy" (c/w 
track of kaze ni kienaide), last year, it was only "HONEY" that you played, but 
this year apart from "HONEY" there are also the songs like "HEAVEN"S DRIVE" and 
"IBARA NO NAMIDA". 
hyde: Why is that so...(thinks to himself) Recently,I just have a feeling that I 
want to play guitar, so I just go ahead playing it more often than I used to. 
AS: But you do look very cool indeed. 
hyde: Thank you. (smiles shyly) 
ME: Has each member been thinking about doing their own solo work at all? 
tetsu: (turns to stare at hyde and makes a sign that hyde should answer this) 
hyde: We have been 4 together like this since the very beginning. We don't know 
what's gonna happen, but right now, we are still going to keep on as 
L'Arc~en~Ciel with all 4 members together. 
IS: ark & ray are focusing mainly on the year 2000 with the concept of the end 
of the world, I would like to know why you have been so into this belief so 
strongly? 
hyde: I'm not so certain if there are only Japanese people who have such strong 
belief on this subject. As for myself, when I was very young, I did have a very 
special feeling towards the year 1999 and it just stuck in my head. At the same 
time, I was kind of scares and excited too. So with these all feelings probably 
that's why it has reflected on the two albums. 
IS: At 12:00 PM of the very last day of the year 1999, have you planed to do 
anything special at all? 
hyde & tetsu: Ummmm...(they spend too long time thinking that made everyone 
laugh) 
hyde: What will we do...?(turns to ask tetsu) We would love to do something 
actually... 
tetsu: That's a secret! 
IS: Would it be a concert? 
hyde: I would love to do so...If possible, I would love to celebrate the new 
year with everyone too. 
Boy: In the year 2000, would L'Arc~en~Ciel do anything as a present for the 
fans? 
hyde: (long silence)...yeah...what will we do? (asks tetsu) But since very long 
time ago, our goal is to make good music for everyone, so until the year 2000, 
this is going to be what we are going to archive. That's always be our concept 
of working. 
Prw: Since the two albums were released, do you know the unit sales of each 
album? Which one has the better unit sales? 
tetsu: Based on CDs, ark has a higher sale. 
Prw: Why is that so? 
tetsu: ...ummm...it's probably because there are more new songs in ark I 
guess...I would have think so... (smiles) 
AS: So I would also like to ask tetsusan that usually when you compose the song, 
it would have a kind of pop and lively sound. Recently, you even add string and 
orchestra sound in your music too. But "SHI NO HAI" in ray is different. You are 
the one who composed this song, right? 
tetsu: Yes, I am. 
AS: Why the sound in this song is far different from those previous songs that 
you've composed? 
tetsu: Umm...I got the new guitar, Fender one. And when I tried playing it, it 
did give a really hard sound, so that was how this song was made. Blame 
everything on the guitar then! (Everyone laughs) 
Prw: Talk about the covers of your albums. Since the very first album until 
these two albums there are not any image of the members appeared on the cover at 
all except for "HEART" (the previous album before ark & ray). Why does that 
album have the image of the entire members on the cover then? 
hyde: Oh...that album. At first, we didn't think about it at all. But it was 
because our designer who always helps designing the covers for us happened to 
like that picture. Then he came to us and showed us that particular picture 
telling he wanted to use it. And we just agreed. 
Prw: Usually, would you use only one designer or keep changing all the time? 
hyde: We change all the time. 
ME: I am having a band and we play Laruku songs. The bassist of the band always 
complains about how difficult of tetsusan's bass line is. 
AS: Yes, the bassist of my band too. 
ME: She also has a band. 
hyde: Ah...(laughs softly with a surprised expression) 
ME: There are many bands like this at the moment. 
AS: And everyone keeps telling how difficult and how complex the bass line of 
tetsusan is. 
tetsu: (with a very surprised expression) Ahhhh...is that really difficult...I 
don't even practice... 
AS: By the way, long time ago, there was once that tetsusan sang live on stage. 
I remember you sang "Love You Only" of TOKIO, right? 
hyde & tetsu: Ah...right (smile) 
AS: Have you thought of doing something like that again? 
tetsu: I really want to sing myself, but they just wouldn't let me. (Everyone 
cracks on laughing) 
IS: After released these double albums, all the feedback has been pretty good as 
far as I can see, then what about you two talk about your own albums, how you 
think of it personally? 
hyde & tetsu: (laugh softly) 
tetsu: I think we did a really cool job (smiles). For I myself, I think the 
albums are pretty good. If there is only another one more person who listens to 
it and likes it, that would make me even more happy. 
AS: Does each member have one's own concept in composing the songs since there 
are so many variations in Laruku's music? 
hyde:...ummm... 
tetsu: We just want to make it as cool as we can. Usually we would write a song 
when there is something clicking or banging on our feelings at that time. If we 
think what we have done is cool and turn out to be really good, we are going to 
use it with no doubt. (smiles) 
Prw: What about when working on soundtrack? How does it different from working 
on the normal albums? 
tetsu: Soundtrack? (he didn't seem to get the question) 
ME: Like when you have to make a song for some specific movies or dramas, how 
much you have to prepare compare to the usual album? 
AS: Like in TV dramas, TV programs or animations, things like that? 
tetsu: Mostly, for dramas or animations, the songs would be what we have already 
done and put in the album. Those producers or those who are interested in our 
songs would ask to borrow later. But in case of Gozilla, it was more special 
because the song was meant to make especially for this movie, so that's why 
Shinshoku was made. 
Boy: May I ask about something apart from music? Before coming to Thailand, have 
you heard about some other places like Chiangmai or Phuket? 
tetsu: We have heard a bit about the places. 
Boy: And how do feel about Thailand as a whole? 
tetsu: There are a lot more modern buildings than I thought. 
AS: Would it be okay if haidosan would talk about tetsusan as the bassist and 
the leader of the band and tetsusan talk about haidosan as a vocalist of the 
band in turn? 
hyde: Oh...(nods and both look at each other and smile) 
AS: Take your time... 
hyde: tetsu is a great bassist. He is the one who is so in love with music and 
I'm very proud of him (laughs). 
Interpreter: What about tetsusan? 
hyde: Oh...and as the leader of the band! (everyone laughs). As the leader, I 
have to say that as we've been coming this far because we have the leader like 
tetsu. From now on, I hope we all would keep L'Arc~en~Ciel moving on like this 
as far as we can. 
tetse: hyde has an inborn-gift. He's a genius. 
hyde: (shuts his eyes tightly to listen to what tetsu would say and laughs) 
Inborn-gift? Really? (Everyone laughs) 
AS: That's great, isn't it? 
hyde: (turns to tetsu) we are praising each other, aren't we? (Everyone cracks 
on laughing again) 
IS: Oh, one more thing, as far as you can see, what do you think about the feed 
back from Thai fans? 
tetsu: It is a shocked, really. Yesterday, when I saw all the fans waiting for 
us there at the airport, I still didn't believe it! 
hyde: There were actually...a lot of people telling me that we have lots of fans 
in Thailand. At that point, I still did not believe it. I even say, "oh...come 
on...it shouldn't be..." But what we saw yesterday was like...we were shocked! 
AS: I'll tell you what, it's true that there are a lot of Laruku fans in 
Thailand. 
hyde & tetsu: (smile with a really happy expression) 
IS: One thing I can tell you is that all your fans here would love L'Arc~en~Ciel 
to hold a concert here in Thailand so badly. 
tetsu: We would try to make it as much as we can. 
ME/AS: Please do. 
Everyone: Thank you for your time for us today. 
hyde & tetsu: Yes...and "Khob Khun Krub" (it means "Thank you" in Thai which was 
written in their hands and they made a really cute expression too) 
AS: I hope you have fun during your stay in Thailand. 
hyde & tetsu: Thank you (they said it in Thai again and shook hands with 
everyone - tell you what!!! hyde's hand was really tiny and soft. tetsu's was 
also very soft unlike the bassist at all, it was so soft and very long ^_^) 

        It seemed that the time went on so fast during the interview. I was so 
impressed by hyde's reaction when there was someone talking to him, he would 
look directly in his/her eyes and they both would answer all the questions with 
no egos at all. They had been so nice with us. 
        I have also scanned some pictures which taken after the interview and I do hope 
you guys would love then. You see hyde's long-sleeved top (or shirt or whatever 
you called it!). That was the present he was given by a fan here in Thailand). 
Wasn't he sweet ^_^... 

translated by sari/Thailand 

___________________________________________________________

 
 
te-chan and haido arriving in HK airport  

As many people have told me, Te-chan didn't look very genki or happy ne.  (probably because he was injured...) T_T In my postcard i even wrote to them " please take care, and be careful ne!" ( but of course the postcard haven't even bent sent out to them....) and now Te-chan's already injured.... T_T nooo. 
On the other hand, Haido is very genki and happy ^_^ he smiled a lot as reported.  There were many fans in airports~~!   

Hyde and Tetsu is staying in a hotel in Kowloon  
and they had been awarded a " Gold Album" ( that's a kind of thingin Hk..like when your album sells to a certain number they award you with plantium..gold album etc.)  And Haido and Tetsu kept saying" Thank you " " Hello" in Cantonese~~ kawaii!!!! i wish i was there.  

Also..ehm...Driver's High PV is like Laruku are robbers, but in Driver's High CM, they will be police~~ ( i want to see!!!) 
Haido joked in a HK newspaper : " If i'm not playing in a band, i think being a police is not bad ne.  At least chasing people is better than being chased "  
then Tetsu said : " Well i'd rather be the bad guy! being the head of gangsters is cool too ~" 

Laruku's schedule in Hong Kong is super tight ne! 
there's 11 magazine interviews/photo sessions, 5 radio, 2 TV, and other conferences etc!!! in only 3 days!!! Te-chan and Haido must be VERY tired ne!!! i wish they have time to rest soon ne T_T 

What i heard is, in that 3 days, there's 1 day that Haido and Tetsu have total free time ( like they're not gonna do activity)  Tetsu went to this foot massage thing, (^_^ i wonder what he felt like ne~ coz it really really hurts supposingly) and Haido went to see the beautiful night view of Hong Kong~~ 

According to my friend Aurora, she said that fans had sang " Pieces" together in the airport when Haido and Tetsu came~~ and they were very happy ( how sweet!! Who came up with this idea? i think it's great, too bad i wasn't part of it ne)  and when Haido and Tetsu was leaving, that day many people had to go to school and work, so only about 20 fans came.  However Haido and Tetsu looked very happy, and the fans were all screaming (although not many people but already attracked lots of attention) 
Haido and Tetsu was walking very fast and the fans had to run behind them.  Since they're running they couldn't sing Pieces ( they wanted to) 
How nice ne ^_^ Sigh~!!! I feel so sad now, i wish i was there!!! Canada sux....i think laruku will never come to Canada ne ? But at the same time i also felt very happy for fans in HK, coz Haido and Tetsu said they'll spend more time with fans later.  

Interview in Hong Kong with all the medias: 

I think the interview was done in their president suite in the hotel ^0^  
Anyway, the conference was 2:30 PM, haido and tetsu was really really polite and 
said " Nei Ho Ma? " in cantonese to everyone, and hong kong reporters said " konnichiwa" 
to them, and then everyone starts laughing becoz it's kinda funny ( how they switched languages) 
then haido and tetsu said " konnichiwa " too.  Because the place is not very big, camera men 
were allowed in first and they took pictures for about 10 min (after that no pics were allowed, see 
picture above..that's the pic in this conference.) 
Also no autographing or pictures together were allowed.  Then the reporters were allowed in. 

R= reporter, T= Te-chan, H= haido 

R: Will L'Arc~en~Ciel produce songs for other artists ? Have you guys produced songs for other artists before? 

T: Right now we still wanna leave the good songs to ourselves ^_^ We're quite interested in new artists. 

R: Do you guys know that other than Japan, there are many fans around the world? 

T: We have received fan letters from overseas before too, but now we really know that there are so many people that like Laruku ne, we're very happy. ( not only in asia te-chan~~~ hyde so so too~~ in canada..... T_T) 

R: The PV of Driver's High is very interesting , which member thought of that idea ? 

T: The details..i can't remember if it was us or the director, but there are many ideas that the staff came up with when we were discussing, but we(all 4 members) came up with the general story line. 

R: Why is the band named L'Arc~en~Ciel? How does the meaning "rainbow" relate to your work and attitude in music? (how many times do they have to ask this question? ^^;) 

T: At first it's because it sounds good ^^; but then we notice that our work start to relate to the name too ( yes~~ just like the rainbow, so colorful, so beautiful!! ^_^ ) 

R: When you write songs, what habits do you have? 

H: I must have a guitar, a recorder, and a sofa. ( how about megumi? ^^) 

T: I also need a recorder, i usually write in my room ( i want to see tetsu's room!!!) 
When i have some ideas then i'll go out and drive around to think about more. (careful ne.. 
don't think too much when you drive te-chan....-_-") 

R: Did u like to sing since you were young? Are there any singers that you like? 

H: I hate music lessons in school, i love to listen to music.  My favorite is Heavy Metal. 

T: I hate music lessons in school too! But i like to sing a lot, since young i like to sing along whatever i do. ( yes i love your singing too Te-chan! ) 

H: Well you're (tetsu) still like that (sings along whatever he does) *laughs ^0^ 

R: Outdoor live and live houses, which one do you like better, why? 

H: Right now i like outdoor live, and then i like live house.  Previously we had outdoor live ( GCT) 
and the mood was really good, really comfortable. 

R: After this Live Tour, what will you busy be busy at ? 

T: After this asia trip promotion, we'll continue to record new single ( Love files!!) and then when it's 1999 - 2000..this important moment, we'll give everyone a huge surprise ( I want to know so bad what they're gonna do for the millenium!!! and after tetsu said that he'll give us a huge surprise i'm more anxious!! can't wait!!!!!) 

R: Pieces is kinda a special song in L'Arc~en~Ciel's work, did you buys expected it to sell so well when you guys were producing this song? 

T: When i finish writing the song, we were confident ne! I am very satisfied with the song, i really like it. 

R: There were a hundred thousand people at Grand Cross Tour (finale) ,how do you feel ? 

H: It's like a horizon made with people, very powerful! 

R: We all know that Tetsu likes anime, do you collect any of those products ne?  Do you like Gundam or Evangelion better? 

T: I like both.  If there's no Gundam there's no Eva...although Gundam was from 20 years ago, it is still very touching , it's a very good animation.  I collect anything Evangelion or Gundam related. 

R: Who thought of the name L'Arc~en~Ciel? What interestings were there when thinking of the name? 

T: My first impression is it sounds good, and the logo is also kakkoi ( hahahah) , although it's kinda 
hard to read, but i really like it. 

R: Hyde also likes animation and comics etc, what do you like most these days ?  

H: I play a game that you grow fishes in a TV these days.  Everyday, i see it grow, i feel very happy. ( Kawaiiiiii~~~) 

R: Can you have a few words for fans in Hong Kong? 

T: I wish we'll come to hong kong for a concert soon, see you then! 

H: I wish that i'll have a good performance for HK fans and also i want to try more food in Hong Kong. 

R: Can you tell us about new single? 

T: Before we came to Hong Kong we already wrote the basic melody.  Usually we will write the simple melody first, and then when we bring the song to the studio, it becomes better and better.  Right now we dont' know yet, but after it comes out from the studio, it must be a very good song ^_^ 

R: Tetsu had been to Hong Kong before, What is your impression of Hong Kong?  This time will you have time to go shopping? where will you go? 

T: I want to go shopping so much ne ( yeah we all know that ^_^) this time the difference of HK is the airport.  *When Tetsu said he want to go shopping he looked out the window to see the Victoria bay view, and try to find a place he want to go seriously, then he said : Hmm...don't have a purpose ne...dunno where to go..just window shopping and see what there is. 

R: Hyde draws we know, will you publish your works ne? 

H: Right now in R&R Newsmaker i have my own section ( Self Potrait!) Maybe in the future we'll put all the stuff together and release a book ( Yes please haido!!! i would buy it for sure) 

After the 30 min interview, the reporters shook hands with Haido and Tetsu, and noticed that haido's hand sorta have some notes on it..hahahhahah KAWAIIIIII~~ ( Probably how to pronounce Hello in Cantonese??)  and then they said " Thank you " (Dor Jeh) in cantonese many times.  Hong Kong media had very very good impression on Laruku because they are very very polite and nice.  

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Hong Kong CR2 Radio Station (903) interview:  
** 10 million thanks to Aurora for this~ 

Listen to this interview!  
Step 1) open real player. 
Step 2) File > Open Location 
Step 3) type in " http://www.laruku.com/files/hk.rm" 
* I received the tape of this interview from Aurora ~~ and i made it into RA file at once~~  
so that those who couldn't listen to HK radio station ( like me..) can also hear what haido and tetsu said in HK! 
(since this interview was in hong kong..the host talked in cantonese etc..but of course haido and tetsu spoke japanese..and there was a translator....here are the translation of the questions asked in the interview so maybe you won't understand what the host asked ..u can still know what's going on...^_^) 

In the start, the host talks about little background information on laruku..and that they're not called visual rock anymore... 
etc etc..and then the questions starts : 

1)is there any forgetable things in the GCT ...? 
tetsu : due to the place of GCT is outdoor..i can c the star when i 
play the bass in the show...i feel thats very good 

hyde : "li ho ma"(Hello in cantonese!!!!kawaii ne!!his  cantonese 
pronuncation is very accurate...very well!!)i feel that it's  
very high and happy to no there is more about 1 billion 
ppl were watching our concert during the show.. 

2)what do u think about hk..waht feeling about HK b4 u arrived HK? 
hyde :  i know that HK night view is very beautiful b4..(and he saw the 
view at the day b4 (13th)) and i think thats really very beautiful 
and kawaii. 
tetsu : i have seen the hk view in the animation "ghost in the           
shell" and i like hk very much b4...this is not the 1st time i have been to hk...i 
like hk very much..it really very beautiful.. 

3)have u joined the design fo the GCT gds? 
tetsu & hyde:  we have make a lot idea and often take the meeting                
for the gds..and each of us have designed our own t shirt 

4)what do u want to do in hk this time? 
tetsu : i want to try the foot message..but i have done that in the 
hotel yesterday..and its really very comfortable after the 
message... 
hyde : i want to go to the peak...to go to c the night view. (they 
really go to the peak for dinner after the interview ne!!) 

5)the topic of GCT is about the end of the world...what will u do if u no that 
tomolo is the end of the world this time? 
tetsu : um........um........um........soudesu ne.....i will take  the 
concert as soon as possible on that day...and wait that moment with 
everyone together! 
hyde : i will take a party with my friends...to chat..to eat and        
drink..and waiting that moment with the best friends  together 
happily.. ( T_T hyde u don't want us??) 

Tetsu and Haido leaving HK airport pictures !!! 
*** Another million million thanks to Aurora for the interview and these pictures that she took 
in the airport!!!!!  

As you can see, although not many people went, it was chaotic in the airport~~ 
Click the image to enlarge it!!  

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Sorry i don't have many things about what Laruku did in Taiwan..don't even have a picture..gomen ne  

Taiwan Channel V interview( is it channle V? i think? ) 
thanks to neco for this interview ^_^ 
she sent it to me in chinese..so i translated it to eng 
sorry if i lost some originalty coz it's kinda hard to translate some expressions in english. 

M: host 
H: hyde 
T: tetsu 

1st part 
m: what's the difference between these two albums ne? (flips through lyric book of ark and ray) 
h: Hmm...(tilts head to the side..thinking^^) 
m: does this one have a "brighter" feeling? ( holds up ark) like the cover, the other one(ray) looks darker.. 
h: kurai...yeah....yes (<--hyde's exact words...means yeah....it's darker) 
m: the lyrics too. 
h: haha...kurai 
m: why are ur lyrics always so dark haido?  
h: (tilts head to the side again) hmm because my personality(or nature) is dark na? 
m: really? 
h: sou ne.. (nods) 
M: It's the end... 
h: yeah.... 
m: sell my soul.... 
h: (nods) yeah... 
m: Oh there's french ( shows lyrics to hyde) 
h: (tilts head again to look at the lyrics) This is yukihiro's song. 
m: this asian trip only you 2 guys? 
h: sou desu.. 
m: how about the other 2 members? 
t: they are probably mixing the other songs now..the remix for the next single (looks 
towards  haido for approval) 
h: un (nods) 
m: hmm..how's the next single like? 
t: hmm...himitsu (secret) ^^ 
h: great song. 
m: these 2 are great too (ark and ray) 
h: even better than that! (answers with confidence) 
m: but for that french song...there's no translation for it in taiwan... 
h: imi ga? ( the meaning of the lyrics?) 
m: how come..? hehe can't find translator? 
h+t : hahaha 
m: hmm...probably...so what does the song means anyways? 
h: (peeked at the lyric a bit and answers right away) it's mostly like : so boring..so boring.... 
what should we do..etc etc. 
m: you learnt french before? 
h: No  
t: (shakes head ) 
m: you guys seem to be pretty interested in language though...like..chiense  
h: Je t'aime ( i love you in french ) *hyde so so screams~~!!!! 
m: you know how to say that in chinese? 
h: Wo Ai Ni *hyde so so screams even more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
m: wo ai ni ah... 

2nd part: 
m: what is the difference between the music of all 4 diff members ne? 
t: hmmm hard to say ne. 
m: then whose work do you like most? 
t: (seem to be shocked by the question...thinks for a bit and smiles) 
but for our music..no matter who's song it is...at the end it's still worked out by 
all four of us..so i like all of them ^_^ 
m: where does your ideas come from ne? 
t: hmm...from many places ne....such as..when i'm driving...in my room...everywhere. 
m: will you bring a keyboard with you? 
t: ano...i always have a small recorder with me (makes the shape of a recorder with his hands, put near mouth, hum a bit ...kinda 
showing us that he use recorder to record his own voice ^_^) 
m: ^_^ that's pretty cool 
t: sou desu ne. 
m: how about hyde? 
h: ah..inspiration? actually almost the same as tetsu...when i'm alone in my room doing nothing... 
sometimes i'll have some ideas, then i'll pick up my guitar and play and sing along and then i'll 
start writing a song. 
m: but i don't see u playing guitar very often in concerts ne? 
h: that's because i suck at it...but when i write music i still use it..(hey haido 
i thought u were once guitarist ne....*_* how come u say u suck at it..) 
m: oh then ken is still better ne? 
h: Ken's very good!!! I can't even compare with him T_T *laughs* 
m: oh i see..do you like concerts 
h: sou 
m: there are many different things that a singer does ..like.interviews, recording, 
tv, concerts, etc etc, which type of work do you like best? 
h: (thinks..) 
t: Hmm...(thinks...) 
m: there are different kinds of work na...well lets say..the one u hate most then? 
t: the one i hate most ....hmm 
m: eh..don't tell me it's interview~!? 
h+t: *laughs* 
h: hmm...taking pictures. 
m: really!? 
h: ah..it's very tiring. 
m: ah...really..!? 
h: yeah..it's very very tiring... 
m: how about favorite? 
h: basically i like all....no matter which kind of work. ( looks towards tetsu for 
approval, tetsu nods too) 
m: ah..many people have problem pronouncing L'Arc~en~Ciel's CIEL ne...so actually 
how should it be read? 
h: ciel (said quickly, nods, like this) 
t: that's japanese pronounciation though, french is probably a little different. 
m: then do you know how to prounce it in french properly? 
h: ( looks at tetsu) L'Arc~en~Ciel ..like this? 
(i really like how hyde always looks at tetsu 
when he answer question...as if he is so shy and insecure he needs tetsu to support him.. 
so cute!!!)  
m: why was this name chosen ne? Chai Hong (<-- rainbow in chinese) 
t: because it sounds good  
m: you know that it's pronounced as Chai hong in chinese right? 
h: yeap i know. 
m: hmm...looking at the pictures, it doesn't look like you hate picture taking ne (flips through magazine) 
h: nono.... 
m: really? 
h: actually inside my heart i'm very unwilling (hahahha) 
m: ne..tetsu u look like an idol na! so kawaii. 
t: hehe yeah i'm just purposely trying to be cute  
m: he...(don't understand what tetsu said) 
t: hmm dunno how to say "purposely trying to be cute " in chinese.... 
m: oh...i get it now. so...which kind of cltohes do you like to wear? like in the picture? 
or like what u're wearing now? 
t: oh...hmm...in normal days.. 
m: u seem to wear suits a lot? 
t: yeah i change to suits when i get home and i wear jeans and t-shirt and sunglasses and hat when i go out 
(huh? u wear suit at home!?!) (hyde looks seriously at tetsu) 
m: then how is ur room like ? is it like an office? 
t: umm..it's like the boss's room  
m: u want to be boss? 
t: I AM the boss ( hahaha) 
m: how about hyde? 
h: what? 
m: what you wear normally. 
h: Oh..i just wear what i wear on the magazine.  just the face is a bit different. 
m: ah..kinda pretty na? 
h: um..a bit "plain" (sorry i dunno how to describe..like..just look more normal.. 
no make up ...that kind) 
m: what do you do in ur free time..other than making music? 
t: hmm...go watch movies...drive...just normal things... 
m: how about hyde? 
h: i like to play video games. 
m: oh does that inspire you in writing songs? 
h: nope..*laughs* 
m: really? 
h: not at all (he holds out two hands as if he's playing video game and breath heavily.. 
looks like he's very concentrated) 
m: wow....when you play you're that concentrated ne.... 
h: sou sou! 
m: what kind of music do you guys like? other than the music you produce, do you listen to other 
music? 
t: i like bands from england 
m: oh for example? 
t: hmm..........(thinks for a long time...then he said something..?!?) 
i listen to that these days...kinda funny? 
m: then how about hyde? 
h: i like hardcore and slash kind of music 
m: does this affect your music too? 
h: hmmmm......all the music that i listen to..no matter if i like it or not... 
at least there will be some effects i believe. 
m: how about tetsu? 
t: Hmm..yeah...i agree. 
m: do you guys go to other band's concerts? 
t: when we travel overseas, when we went to new york, we went to see Depeche mode's concert. 
h: i seldom go..but last time when we went to Las Vegas for Driver's High PV, Cranberries 
were there for a concert, so i went too. 
m: oh but cranberrie's music style is kinda diff from Laruku ne. 
I really like the PV of Pieces, where did this idea originated from? from laruku members? 
h: um...usually we discuss together..like which director we should have..what kind of feeling do 
we want..etc...and slowly we'll come up with some ideas. 
m: you guys do this for all the PVs? 
t: depends on the song..becoz for some songs...there's already an image vivid, 
but for others it's very abstract 
m: so for Pieces, there's an image from the start? 
t: yeah i feel that there is. 
m: it feels like a movie...a complete story line in there.  also do you guys like violence or something? 
there are some violence in there..... 
t: yeah there's some...but then it is more interesting that way. 
m: but the music of Pieces doesn't give any feeling of violence at all. 
h: sou sou, but if the PV is always matching the song exactly, it may be boring, 
if Pieces PV is some calm and soothing images, then it's not as cool as when 
violence is incoperated with soft music. 
m: where is Pieces filmed? 
t: new york ( looks at tetsu again) 
m: only in new york?? i thought the start is italy? 
t: hahahahah oh~ 
h: oh Yes....Italy! (as if he just remembered~) 
m: eh? isn't it? (turns to ask staff)* Laughs * 
m: there's chigago too?  
h: Ah!! yes. 
t: yes chicago (haha of course NOT..everything's done in NY..even the Hong Kong parts.. 
that SO is not hong kong..probably china town of NY or something...coz the license plate of the 
car is not HK -_-") 
m: but all of ur parts are filmed in NY right? 
t: yeap, all members only went to new york. 
m: in Pieces, what is each member's character? doesn't seem to be friends...? 
t: depends on how u see it... 
m: hmm...hyde hates tetsu? 
h: hahahaha well can't say it's hate ....just because of the dagger..the dagger's 
cursed. 
t: (continues) whoever gets the dagger will kill people. many ppl died in the start 
of the video becoz of that dagger.  100 years later, hyde got the dagger, 
so he killed too. 
m: where's that dagger now then? 
t: Oh~~ hehe this we don't know, Scary eh? 
m: i have a question that i wanted to ask before you guys came. what is the  
purpose of this asian trip ..? 
t: hmm...for promotion i guess 
m: really? but u guys didn't even have any press conference. 
t: we dunno why either.. 
m: oh...so the purpose's just promotion? 
t: yeap. 
m: hmm...promotion of what ne? album? concert? will you guys plan on  
having concert in asia ? 
t: We want to...but it's very difficult....first we dunno if there will be audience, 
that's why we came here to see what situation it is like...hope that we can promote 
and come in the future for concert...but so far the situation now...it's impossible 
even if we really have concert, i'm afraid we wont have audiences ( NNNEE!!!???WHYY!! 
common te-chan..what are we..we're the audiences~?! we're all waiting for you here!!!) 
m: hmm...promotion isn't really necessary na....u guys are already very famous in asia ( true true!) 
t: ah...i don't think so na....( T_T why so negative) 
m: before you came to taiwan, where did you go? 
t: Hong kong, and Thailand. 
m: there were many fans at the airport, right? 
t: but that's not enough for concert.... 
m: really? everyone would really wanna go to a concert ne. 
t: ah... 
m: ah..then when do you guys plan to have a concert? 
t: hopefully next year...but we want to have same quality as the concerts in japan, 
we need lots and lots of audiences ( so ambitious..it's very hard to gather 
so many ppl oversea as in japan...common TxT) 
m: lets talk about the millenium then.....riding on ark?(haha)...heading to...? 
h: hmm.. members all join a party and we'll have lots of fun...(laugh) 
m: wow that's great, how about tetsu? 
t: 21st century ..? 
m: hmm 
t: ah..... 
m: protect the earth?  
t: ah...we hope that the earth will not be polluted anymore 
m: will you guys make any music according to that? 
t: what kind of music? 
m: like surrounding the topic of protecting the earth..etc 
t: oh we always do that when we write out music.  
m: did you guys try any food here? 
h: oh yeah~~ 
m: what did u eat? 
h: very spicy chinese fod 
m: how about tetsu? 
t: i ate hot pot.. 
m: oh spicy hot pot? 
t: yeah it's a bit spicy ne. 
m: u don't like spicy? 
t; no, i like it a lot 
m: then what do you like to eat the most? 
t: favorite food? hmm...in the whole world? 
m: yeap in the whole world 
t: Ah....... 
h: "fuk kin chow fan " ( it's some kind of fried rice (cha han..), i like it a lot too....) 
t: ramen. 
m: then, thank you for your time interviewing with us. 
h: thank you 
t: thank you 

TVBS-G Entertainment News (Taiwan) 16/9/99  
** thanks to Hui Ting for this interview 

Hyde and tetsu finally arrive at 9:30 pm 
Plane was delayed due to typhoon 
Fans have been waiting since 10 am and they were screaming out hyde and tetsu's name 
Hyde said that it's his first time in Taiwan and he wants to experience it totally 
Tetsu was wearing overalls(very cute) and hyde wearing tight red shirt n leather pants 

TVBS-G Entertainment News 17/9/99  

Very sad! Many taiwanese newspapers criticised them bcos they not appearing in any programs…….n say their company too protective of them 
There was a short interview played(recorded by their company then distributed to TVBS-G for playing) 

Y did u choose the name L'Arc~en~Ciel? 
T: bcos the name sounds appealing(?!) when u say it no special reasom 

What animal would u choose to describe yourself? 
H: monkey lot of ppl say I look like a monkey  (hyde so so: my mom said that too...) 

And hyde said that he's very happy to see so many fans at the airport waiting for them….very touched bcos he's never been to taiwan (he look very happy when he say it) 

Tetsu said that he hope to be able to come taiwan to hold a concert soon 
  
Very short interview n they look very bored esp. tetsu hyde looks more happy  
Don't know what's wrong wif tetsu 

Interview of Laruku on MTV  

thanks to  princess hyde  
I:wat do u think of mtvs' connection wif music?  
T:since young i alwiz watch mtv n i feel that its very impt to music so i alwiz wanted to film a great piece of work  

I:wat is ur fave music video?  
T:(thinks for very long b4 answering)rolling stones......can't remember the name..it was filmed in new york  
H:i like all marilyn manson videos...  
  
I:wat kind of music have the greatest influence on u??  
T:.......hmm.......early 80s british music....new wave(i dunno if it's a band or a genre of music)  
H:(answers enthusiastically n immediately..^_^)heavy metal!....metallica!!  
  
I:what's ur current fave music/artiste?  
H:heavy music.....thriller! 

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I can just say one thing....Haido and Tetsu's so lucky!!  
Right after they left, Hong Kong had typhoon (#10)!!!!!!! If the typhoon came before they left they'd be stuck in HK and their schedule would be all screwed up! Thank god~ YOKATTA! ^_^ 
Also, right after they left, there was earthquake in Taiwan ( it was big issue..u guys all know what happened...) ..and i mean really..RIGHT after they left!!! What if they stayed there 1 more day? then they'll be in the earthquake and stuff!!! They also feel very bad for the earthquake issue too..and they faxed to Taiwan to ask that everyone's doing well etc. ( so nice T_T )  

oh yeah and tetsu's injury is ok now  (according to sony staff ) yokatta ne. (well he said he felt better after the foot massage in Hong Kong ^_^) 
Also there's a very cute thing~~ some fan in HK gave Haido and Tetsu mooncakes, and when my friend Aurora is at the airport, the sony staff guy told them that haido and tetsu really ate the mooncakes~~! and the fan who gave them the mooncakes started crying! ( I WOULD TOO!) 
Wow i think that's so cute ne~ so sweet~ ( honey so sweet~~shinjite hoshii~) Haido and Te-chan's so nice ne~~~  

After this visit, i'm sure the number of fans in Hong Kong, Thailand and Taiwan increased ( i know in HK it increased by a lot!! like last year i went back to HK no one knows laruku! now many people knows ne!) 
Hehe..so..their attack was quite successful!! we're all the casualties! 
If i get anything new on this trip or any new pictures i'll update it ok? so that's it for now~ 
Anyway, let's hope for Laruku's return with Ken and yukkie next time they go to Asia ne~~ ^0^