RR116: F Chopper Koga interview

F Chopper KOGA

Gacharic Spin

profile & information

Born December 22nd. Blood type O. She is the bassist and leader of Gacharic Spin, which was formed in 2009. The other members are Hana, TOMO-ZO, Oreo Reona, yuri, and Angelina 1/3.The 15th anniversary album "Feast" will be released in October 2024. Starting on Sunday, December 8, 2024, they will hold a two-man Zepp tour with DOLL$BOXX, "Gacharic Spin × DOLLSBOXX Zepp TOUR 2024-2025 "GACHA BOXX". They plan to hold their 16th anniversary live show in October 2025, and a festival live show called "Liver Banquet Festival" at the end of 2025.

https://www.gacharicspin.com

A promise to meet again

October 8, 2024. Gacharic Spin, who just celebrated their 15th anniversary, suddenly released a statement saying, "From 2025, we plan to slow down the pace of our activities as a band."

However, the statement continued with this:

"But... we are already preparing for the 2025 live show (laughs)."

For the past 14 years, Gachapin has been working at a furious pace with both releases and live shows, but what does it mean for Gachapin to slow down the pace of their activities?

We spoke to leader F Chopper KOGA about how they came to this conclusion.

Interview and text by Tanaka Dai

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Ultimately, what I want to do is Gacharic Spin, and if I do it, I want to do it with the current members.

- It's been a while since "Feast" was released. How do you feel about it now?

I have the impression that a lot of people have picked it up.

We had an online signing the other day, and at first we were told that the numbers were not growing much. I thought that was to be expected, since we're doing a lot of other things, but then people from overseas started buying it, and it was really exciting.

- How was the performance at Shibuya Stream Hall on October 14th where you performed all the songs included in "Feast"?

It ended pretty quickly. I thought it might feel longer, but it was more like, "Huh? It's over already?"

- The "ROCKET SPIRITS" tour, which began in 2019 and has visited 47 prefectures, is still ongoing.

Yes. The intention of this tour was to visit each place and help Angie (Angelina 1/3) grow, but it was canceled due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. So we're continuing to tour little by little. We even had Levin play drums for us while yuri was on hiatus, so I think we're able to deliver a completely different Gachapin (Gacharic Spin) every time. This tour also shows Angie's growth. I feel like she has truly become a frontman. When she joined, she was just a high school student and didn't know what to do on the stage.

- Gachapin has been very active this year as well, but it seems you will be changing the way you work from next year. The announcement was made on October 8th at the 15th anniversary live at Nagoya ELL, but when did you start talking about this?

I don't mean this in a negative sense, but the 15th anniversary is a turning point, so we've been discussing for the past 2-3 years how we should proceed beyond that. We all have our own lives, and there's also the age difference. Even though we've been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, we've been performing live as usual recently, and we're back to the pace we had a few years ago, writing songs, recording, and performing live. I was wondering if we could continue this beyond our 15th anniversary. Of course, there are people among us who want to do Gachapin, so we kept talking about how we could make it happen.

- It's natural to do other activities while doing Gachapin.

That's right. There are things that we want to do as Gachapin, but there are also different things that we want to do alone. Some people want to do solo one-man live shows, while others want a little more time for themselves. As for Angie, she has been doing more solo work in the past few years. We had been talking about these things for a long time, but in my case, my father had passed away and my mother had become ill. I moved to Tokyo when I was 14, and was thankful to have been able to do what I wanted for as long as I wanted. My parents were happy about that, but the fact that I wasn't with my parents always bothered me. It was also a time when I started thinking, "I want to be close."

- Your hometown is Nagoya, right?

Yes. For the past year or two, I've been going back and forth between my home and my band life in Tokyo. Before my father passed away, I was living my life doing as many things as I could, but realistically, I felt I needed to think a little more about my life as an individual. I shared those personal details with the other members, and they were all very understanding.

- Did you talk about wanting to change the way you operate?

Yes. We talked about wanting to slow down a bit after our 15th anniversary, but that wasn't just my wish. We each have our own issues and we thought it would be wrong to continue at the same pace, so we decided to make the announcement. But we didn't want to make our fans anxious. So I thought, "If we decide to do a live show, everyone will feel more at ease."

- It has already been announced that you will be holding a live concert for your 16th anniversary and at the end of next year.

Yes. When I told the staff, "I want to reserve a venue because I want to do a live show next year for our 16th anniversary and at the end of the year," at first they were like, "Huh?" (laughs). When humans have a promise, they feel reassured knowing that they will see each other again. It also shows that we are not going on hiatus or disbanding. Gachapin is a band that has a bit of a fantasy element to it, so I thought it was a good opportunity to show that each of us is a real human being. Well, some people say we are aliens (laughs). 

- TOMO-ZO is a Nicolin alien, after all (laughs). I see it as a choice that will enable Gachapin to continue in a positive way.

That's what I think. After all, we can't be the same now as we were 15 years ago. Even if we continue at the same pace, I think we'll try our best, but I think at some point it would become too much for us. I want to be around my mother more, so if I push myself too hard now I'll end up regretting it, and it might even make me hate the band. I don't want that to happen. I think it is important for each one of us to take a proper look at our own time and life in order to continue Gachapin in a way that is good for all the members.

- I think it was a good idea to announce that the live shows next year were already decided. It was such a relief.

I said that we should definitely announce it. The plans are quite far off, so why not just tell them about it now? There were some staff members who said something like. Solo shows for the members have already been scheduled and the venues have been booked.

- The pace of your activities will slow down, but I think it's "slower" because Gachapin has always moved at a high pace up until now. There are plenty of bands that only do one or two solo shows a year and release an album every few years, so this may just be a more natural pace.

That's right. However, when people who were moving at that pace don't announce any live show schedules at all, it starts to lead to strange speculation and rumors, and I didn't want that to happen. Since we have nothing to hide, we decided to communicate our feelings properly. Like you say, if you think about it, it's normal.

- Seeing all of this, I can once again see that you are a band that really cares about the feelings of your fans.

The reason we have survived to this day is because of our fans. There were so many difficult times, but I was able to persevere because I had fans who supported me and people who were right in front of me. That's why we thought a lot about how everyone felt. "What will they think if I say this?" "How would they feel if I told them this?" I wondered. A single word can change the way a message is conveyed, or the tension, or who among the members says it. I am very happy to be with members with whom I can discuss such things.

- Many bands communicate through a manager, but Gachapin members communicate directly with each other, right?

Yes. I contact them and say, “Are you free at this time on this day? I want to talk about that. That also applies to organizing the setlist and schedule. I don't like LINE, so when I want to properly convey something, I call.

- A band is an organization of sorts, and Gachapin may be doing the ideal thing in that respect as well. I think that's a big part of why you've been able to overcome various challenges and have the new members integrate so well.

Thank you. I've learned a lot over the past 15 years and have arrived at this conclusion. When something happens, even if I'm thinking to myself, "This is a problem," I've decided not to start with a negative thought. "This is how it is, but I think it might work if we do it like this. I have about three ideas in mind, what do you think?", something like that. I don't want to give them time to feel anxious. Time spent worrying is a waste. Once we present a number of ideas, the question arises: "What would I think?" or "I agree with this, but maybe not with this?" Then we can start to overcome our anxieties and move on to asking, "What should we do?" It just came naturally.

- I think that's the ideal form of leadership. If a leader panics or gets hysterical when something goes wrong, it has a major negative impact on the entire organization.

I probably had my share of hysterical and frustrated moments over the past 15 years. But there were members who supported me and said, "I'll do it," and let me take a breather. I feel like I've arrived at my current way of thinking with the support of everyone.

- The decision to announce that you would be slowing down the pace of your activities, even though you have live shows scheduled for a year from now, is a decision that was likely made possible only because of the wide range of experiences you have had.

I was wondering if I should mention that we have two shows lined up. I don't want to be vague and have people say "But you said there were some" and get dissatisfied. I think people will be happy with the extra shows, so I said "Currently, there are only two shows. "We will be doing a two-man Zepp tour with DOLL $BOXX starting in December, and we plan to start selling tickets for our anniversary live show in advance. I wanted it to be something like a "ticket that promises we'll meet again."

- Until now, Gacharic Spin has been a gathering of six people, but I think that audiences will increasingly be able to experience the different ways of life of each of the six of us. In fact, recently we've had many opportunities to see Angie working in areas other than music, such as as a radio personality and as a talent.

That's right. I'm also curious about what kind of solo shows they'll do, and excited about each member's activities. Some people may get to know Gachapin through their activities. Even if something changes as we do various activities, we can just discuss it again. As we carry out our activities, including in our private time, if there is something we want to do or if our feelings change, I think it is fine to talk about it each time and accept each thing as it comes up and carry out our activities. I hope that in the future we will be able to make good choices each time.

- Were there any members who wanted to keep moving at the same pace as Gachapin?

Angie was probably the one who felt the strongest about it. We had a one-on-one discussion about this." If I'm being honest, I want to keep going at this pace, but I understand that each of the older sisters has their own circumstances after the 15th anniversary. So I'd like to talk about it a little bit." We had been talking about this for a while now, so Angie was very understanding. I was also looking at each family's situation. So when we talked one-on-one, she didn't say "Why!" Angie has her own activities as Angie, and she gained confidence as the frontman of Gachapin, so she said, "I want to think about what kind of activities would suit me next year."

I don't mean this in a negative sense, but the 15th anniversary is a turning point, so we've been discussing for the past 2-3 years how we should proceed beyond that.

- So sometimes members talk one-on-one, right?

Yes. While there are some things that are best discussed together, there are also some things that are difficult to say because you are worried about what others might think. So, there are different ways of doing it depending on the situation.

- It may seem strange to say this now, but the six members of Gachapin get along well, don't they? I really felt that when I watched the music video for "Hare no Hi," which you filmed together at the beach and staying overnight.

In that music video, the director said, "Just have fun. If you're sleepy, you can sleep." It was fun, and it felt very natural.

- The music video also features an acoustic arrangement of "Hare no Hi" performed by everyone together.

We hadn't planned on adding sound to that scene. But the director thought it was good, so she said, "Let's add it." Everyone was like, "Are you sure the sound is okay?" (laughs).

- It's not just bands, but it's common for factions to form within groups, but what about Gachapin in that regard?

There are teams that talk a lot and teams that just listen and nod, but in the end they all just coalesce into one.

- Speaking of a familiar band that has been working ideally with the same members for many years, it's SHOW-YA. Have you ever received any helpful advice from them?

I once asked Terada Keiko and sun'go☆ (Igarashi Miki), and they said, "We broke up once, so our relationship isn't lasting" (laughs). I get the feeling that everyone in SHOW-YA has been through a lot, and I think it's amazing that they're able to do what they do now. Maybe it's because they were apart once that they're able to have fun now.

- When I think about SHOW-YA and other senior bands, the fact is that even though it is your 15th anniversary, Gachapin's band life is far from over, and you can still evolve musically in various ways.

That's right. Up until now, I've been thinking about songwriting and performance within the band Gachapin, but I think there are still many other ways to think about it. For example, it's possible that different ideas will come out of our solo activities. I've always thought that Gacharic Spin was my only place to be, but each person has their own life and music they want to make. Gachapin is a band where all the members write songs and lyrics, so I think there are actually a lot more worldviews for everyone. I've always said that it would be good to give people more freedom. However, with the way we've been operating up until now, it may have been difficult for each of us to do what we wanted to do. So, from here on, I think each of us will express what we want to do. That's exactly what Angie was like. There were no live shows due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the meantime, we started getting work on radio and TV. I think it would be good if we could continue to move forward in this way, with more and more positive results.

- Hana is a multi-instrumentalist and I'm sure she still has a lot of musical potential.

Yes. Hana-san, she worked as a support drummer and support guitarist recently, so there may be more opportunities like that in the future. Of course, if Hana wants to do it, she could perform in front of a wider audience, which I think would help her become more well-known and make people wonder, "What is this Gacharic Spin that Hana is doing?"

- After you announced your plans for next year and beyond, did you hear any worried comments from fans?

Surprisingly, that didn't happen. The 15th anniversary live concert was streamed live but also had an audience, so we sent everyone off with high-fives after it was over. I thought some people might be depressed or crying, but everyone was smiling and saying things like "Thank you!", "That was fun!", and "See you soon!" After finishing Oreo said, "Aren't they all a bit too casual about it?" (laughs).

- (laughs). It seems like it's being accepted naturally on social media as well.

That's right. Of course there were some concerns about how things would go since there were only two shows, but people have been pretty positive about it.

- It may have also been a good thing that the "Feast" release live was held right after the 15th anniversary live where the announcement was made.

The 15th anniversary show was streamed so that those who cannot make it to the show would be able to hear the words of the members, but for the Shibuya Stream Hall show after that, I tried not to mention too much about changing the way we do our activities. I said it properly at the anniversary live on October 8th, so let's enjoy the release celebration event. The album release live is a "congratulations" kind of event, so if I said it there, people would be like "Huh?" Anniversary live shows are like a milestone for the band, like a birthday, so although it's not a resolution, I thought it would be nice to say, "This is what we're going to do next year."

- I also think it's ideal that DOLL$BOXX and Gacharic Spin are performing together at this time.

Fuki and us often do things together at various milestones. I've been thinking a lot lately that we're destined to be together. Fuki also really loves singing and being on stage, so I feel like she's like a comrade fighting alongside us. I hope we can continue to have a good relationship and work together as friends.

- DOLL$BOXX has become a band that continues to work at a natural pace.

That's right. We released our first album in 2012, and six years passed without saying anything, we suddenly said, "Let's do it!" (laughs). There are bands like that, and no one sees it in a negative light.

When humans have a promise, they feel reassured knowing that they will see each other again. It also shows that we are not going on hiatus or disbanding.

- You have a lot of live shows coming up until the new year, so your high-paced activities will continue for a while yet.

That's right. We're planning to work pretty full-time until the Zepp tour. After that, we'll probably start doing different things from around February of next year. Oreo's solo show is scheduled for February, and other members have expressed interest in doing various things as well. yuri said, "I want to play drums when all the members do a live show," and TOMO-ZO said she wants to make a solo song.

- TOMO-ZO has written many solo songs during her activities with Gachapin, so I think she will continue to expand her world even further in the future.

TOMO-ZO once said, "I'm really, really out of ideas for songs" (laughs). Some of the songs we've written have never been recorded, so we've created an incredible number of songs up to now. That's why I've been saying for a while that I want to absorb new ideas. I think the activities from next year will be a good time in that sense.

- Regarding Koga-san's activities, what do you think they will be like next year?

I have no intention of doing music activities outside of Gacharic Spin. After the announcement, I was contacted by some people asking me to work with them. Ultimately, what I want to do is Gacharic Spin, I love Gacharic Spin, and if I do it, I want to do it with the current members. If I were to do it with the limited time, I would only want to do it with Gacharic Spin, not with someone else. I would like to go see the band members' live shows, but I also want to cherish time with my family and my own time. I've been running at full speed for a long time, so I want to take it easy and discover a new side of myself. I want to see what I find fun and what makes me happy outside of Gachapin.

- After talking with you today, I feel that Gachapin is undergoing positive changes.

Yes. I understand that slowing down our activities might be perceived as a negative thing. Of course people are free to interpret it however they want, but I want to convey that we, the ones who are spreading the message, are taking a positive approach.

- After February of next year, it'll be a while until the next Gacharic Spin live show, but considering the preparations for the 16th anniversary live show, it won't be that far off before all the members get together again and start doing things together.

That's right. I guess starting around summer, we'll probably start discussing setlists and making merchandise with the other members. I think it will go by surprisingly quickly. Although it will go by in a flash, it's a pretty big period of time in our lives.

- Fans may also feel like it's going by so quickly.

We've been doing this for 15 years now and have produced a lot of different works, so I'd like to take the time to really review them (laughs). If we keep up with the activities of each member, we won't have time to rest. There may be new people who discover Gachapin for some reason, so in that sense, Gachapin's existence itself will not stop.

- I think it can still get more interesting.

It seems like it gets more interesting as you get older. You can now say things that you wouldn't have been able to say in your 20s. As we get older, we may be able to do anything. You can talk about all sorts of things. I think you'll be really strong if you reach that level.

- There is still room for expansion of your activities overseas.

That's right. When we were working on "Feast," we were asked to do an interview from overseas. I'm glad that people overseas are checking out our work as well. I've been saying for a long time that I need to study English.

I understand that slowing down our activities might be perceived as a negative thing, but I want to convey that we, the ones who are spreading the message, are taking a positive approach.

- Can Angie speak Spanish?

Apparently she can't speak Spanish, but she can pick a fight in Filipino (laughs).

- (laughs). Isn't it good that "Feast" was a satisfying album, as it helped Gachapin to get into a new pace of activity?

I agree. "Feast" really gives the feeling that we've made a proper album for our 15th anniversary, and the limited edition includes two live videos. I'm glad that we were able to capture who we are now. The two live videos were quite a challenge. Not only was I present during the recording of the music, but I was also present during the editing of the live footage. Hana managed the sound for the videos, and I was there to put the sound into the videos.

- At this point, what do you envision for Gachapin's activities in 10, 20 years, or even beyond?

To be honest, I don't know. For example, three years ago, I didn't really imagine myself feeling the way I do now. I guess you can't really understand until things actually happen in real life. Since the environment and other factors differ from time to time, I think it is best to find the best answer at that time. It's not something to do that makes you feel uncomfortable, and I want to do it while wanting to play Gachapin. I want to create something that we can be proud of and say "This is the answer" for us at that time.

- You never know what will happen until it happens, and that's exactly what Koga's path in the entertainment industry is like.

That's right. You never know what's going to happen in life. The reason I came to Tokyo was to work as a gravure model, and I hadn't even started playing bass yet, so I never imagined I'd end up forming a band and becoming a leader. It's the same with bands. There's no such thing as "it has to be this way." Of course I understand that it's not good to think of men and women as separate, but after 15 years I've come to realize that it's not easy for an all-female band to continue. However, even in these circumstances, I would like to continue living life in a way that is true to Gachapin.

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Source - ROCK AND READ 116 [Release Date 2024/12/04]: https://www.shinko-music.co.jp/item/pid0772431/