X Japan’s Sensational Vocalist Toshi
After a Devastating Decade, Toshi Soars Back to Take Center Stage
TJ: Let me ask you from the beginning. How did you start X Japan with Yoshiki?TOSHI: I met him in kindergarten 45 years ago when were only three or four years old. We first played music together when we were 10. That year, Yoshiki went to a KISS concert with his mother and his younger brother and as we were in the same class and I was a big fan of KISS, I asked him about the concert. Nobody else at that age was talking about rock music and that’s when we started to become close friends. At the time, I could play acoustic guitar. I wanted to learn how to play electric guitar and Yoshiki had one as well as a drum set. So, we would go to his house and practice KISS covers with Yoshiki on the drums and me on guitar. We weren’t a band yet, but that’s how we started playing music.TJ: When did the band start?
TOSHI: We went to the same kindergarten, elementary and junior high school. When we were 12 or 13 years old, we found a couple of classmates that could play guitar and bass. Our first live performance was at a graduation party.
TJ: Did you sing from the beginning?
TOSHI: At that time, I was playing guitar and my friend was the vocalist. When we were 15, I started singing when our junior high school split into two schools. Most of the band went to the new school, but the vocalist stayed in the old one. We lost our vocalist so we auditioned our remaining band members. Both Yoshiki and I sang, but of course, I was better than Yoshiki, so I became the vocalist (laughs).
TJ: How did you learn your English? Have you lived abroad?
TOSHI: I lived in Los Angeles for three years from 1993 to 1997. I learned a little English during that time and I had a pronunciation teacher when we were recording. My teacher was Larry Moss. He taught many famous actors and actresses and he taught Yoshiki as well. He was a very good teacher.
TJ: What is the hardest part of being a professional vocalist?
TOSHI: Maintaining the condition of my voice, body and mind so that I am always at my best for every performance. It’s very important to me. I’m careful about what I eat. Every morning I eat natto [fermented soybeans] mixed with onion. I also drink fresh juice I make myself from organic apples and carrots with a slow juicer every morning. I drink it to build resistance to sickness and to keep my body in good condition. I’ve been doing this everyday for over a year. I had a very hard time both mentally and physically when I got ill. I realized I needed to change my eating style, and after I did that, I’ve been in very good shape ever since. Also, I recently started sadou [tea-ceremony]. I wanted to study Japanese history and culture and sadou is good for concentrating and learning Japanese tradition, history and manners. Although I can only do it every now and then, it really helps me mentally when I can practice sadou.
TJ: So the past year was a good one for you?
TOSHI: Yes. I also published a book about my life. The book is called Brainwashed. By exposing my past, my mind became very clear and I could draw a line between the past and present. I was able to start a new life. By telling everyone including our fans about my past through the book, everything became clear and I’ve been able to see the path to follow. So, I’m doing very well now.
TJ: How about your solo career? How’s your solo career going?
TOSHI: I just finished a three-day event a couple of days ago. Ever since I released my book, I’ve also been on various TV shows as my book became big news in Japan this year. I’ve been interviewed on various TV shows, variety programs and year-end specials. I’ve been doing a lot more things than I have in the past. I did a solo rock concert and I also did a concert at a classical venue. I’ve become more active after I released the book and I have been feeling dynamic energy building inside me. In 2015, I’m looking forward to putting this dynamic energy towards both X Japan and solo projects.
TJ: What do you like about being a member of X Japan?
TOSHI: Yoshiki and I have been in X Japan for such a long time and we’re still here now after so many experiences and difficulties. I feel like we’ve grown up together with many of our fans. They’ve always supported us with great passion no matter what happened. I’ve always been very impressed by that. It’s a miracle. I love X Japan’s great fans and the sincerity of its members.
TJ: Tell me about the difference between X Japan of the past and the X Japan of today.
TOSHI: Since we were young at the beginning, we just went for it headfirst. We were driven by the power of our youth, but it’s been 20 or 30 years now and we’ve grown up. Many years have passed, but our passion has gotten only stronger.
TJ: What is the most challenging part of being a member of X Japan?
TOSHI: Keeping my voice in good condition, so that I can sing the music that Yoshiki or other members make, and living up to their expectations.
TJ: Can you tell me a little bit about your guitarist PATA?
TOSHI: Whenever I see PATA, I feel at ease. He creates a relaxing atmosphere for X Japan. He’s the most interesting one.
TJ: OK, and how about HEATH?
TOSHI: HEATH is cool. His bass playing is very cool, and he’s like my younger brother. He’s the cute one.
TJ: What about SUGIZO?
TOSHI: SUGIZO is very serious and very passionate about music and other things. He studies a lot and he is stoic. I have a lot of things to learn from him. He also cares a lot about the younger musicians that are around him, It’s just how he is.
TJ: And finally, anything else about Yoshiki?
TOSHI: It’s hard to sum up Yoshiki in a word or a few sentences, but I respect him very much. It’s very interesting to observe his life. Not only his music career, but his life itself is one of a kind. Seeing his life, I get impressed and excited. It’s very interesting. I’m in the best position to see his life. It is full of drama and I almost feel like writing a book about him in the future. I think we’ll keep working together as partners.
TJ: We all know Yoshiki is very talented. What’s Yoshiki’s weak point?
TOSHI: Yoshiki is very talented in many ways. For example, his English is excellent. I often think it is better than his Japanese (laughs).
TJ: How about Toshi? Tell me about your personality. Can you describe yourself to me?
TOSHI: That’s a difficult one. I have experienced a lot of things and I went through some very hard times for over a decade. In fact, I was duped and things got so difficult that at one point I thought my life was over. I was at my lowest point and I wanted to die, but with the support of many people I was able to change the way I thought and acted, and I was able to move forward. I’m still learning and leading my life in the positive way and I feel very lucky to have the support of so many good people around me including Yoshiki, the band and our fans around the world. It really makes me happy.
TJ: So I guess you wrote about all of this in great detail in your new books, Brainwashed.
TOSHI: Yes, I did. In Japan, my book was adopted by the public library system as a suggested reading and will be available nationwide. It is very rare that books written by musical artists get to be on the list. The Chinese version of my book will be out soon. I’m hoping to publish an English version as well.
TJ: I’m sorry to you these sensitive questions, but I have to ask you about your band members who passed away. Can you tell me your favorite memory of HIDE?
TOSHI: There are so many of them, but there’s one from our concert, The Last Live, on December 31st, 1997 at Tokyo Dome. That year, I asked to leave the band and the band broke. During the last concert, I was on stage, but I felt really bad for the other band members and didn’t know what to say to the audience. When I went on stage, I couldn’t speak. But then, HIDE came out to me and said, ” Why don’t we go all out, Toshi.” He cheered me up with his smile and words. I was very glad. HIDE always took care of people like that, When I was depressed during a recording session because I was struggling with my singing, HIDE came to the studio and cheered me up. He joked with me and helped me relax. He was the kind of person who cared about people. He always cheered people up. At The Last Live concert, he cheered me up and brought the best performance out of me. I’ll never forget his smile from that time.
TJ: As I understand it, he was a great musician.
TOSHI: Oh, yes. It’s been more than 10 years since he passed away, but when I watch his music videos, they’re still so cool. His music is cool and he was fashionable and charismatic.
TJ: OK, there is one more member of the band who passed away I need to ask about. Please tell me about TAIJI.
TOSHI: TAIJI was the best bassist in Japan. Personally, I felt he was number one. When we were amateurs, we stayed up all night making stage costumes. He was like my naughty younger brother. We were very close, so his death was very hard on me. To me, he’ll always be the best and coolest bassist ever in Japan.
TJ: Do you think you’re going to live overseas in the future?
TOSHI: Yeah, I want to live in Los Angeles or London. I like New York and I want to visit Paris as well. I like living in foreign countries.
TJ: What hobbies do you have outside of music?
TOSHI: As I mentioned earlier, I’m learning sadou, and I’m also learning about antique jewelry. I like antique jewelry and I’ve been learning about the history and culture of it.
TJ: What are your personal goals for the future?
TOSHI: I’m not so sure yet, but for now, I’d like to share my experience and message with children. I don’t have any children myself, but I’d like to have the opportunity to share my message with many children about what I’ve learned. I hope to do this little by little throughout my life. So, for now I hope so to continue my music and I hope to spread my music all over the world while at the same time taking every opportunity I can to share my message.
TJ: OK, this is my final question. Out of everyone in the entire music industry, who do you respect the most?
TOSHI: Yoshiki. I’ve never seen anyone as amazing as him before. I respect his talent and personality very much. He’s truly amazing and that’s why I’ve been able to work with him for such a long time.
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