From humble beginnings, high schoolers HARUNA, MAMI, TOMOMI, and RINA managed to take Japan by storm with their 2009 chart topping album ‘Best Scandal’. Now, six years on, SCANDAL are preparing to make their London debut and first European appearance since 2008 as part of their ‘HELLO WORLD’ world tour. We caught up with the girls to talk past, present and future ahead of their break into the western limelight.
It’s been a pretty busy couple of years for SCANDAL, and you’ve grown very quickly in popularity! What is it like, having each album score highly in the charts, having your songs featured in popular anime, and becoming the nation’s new rock sweethearts?
MAMI: Myself, I really love anime and manga – and that Japanese culture can go overseas and people abroad come to love it too, I think that’s pretty amazing. Nothing makes me happier than people coming to love our band and listen to our music, no matter what kind of form it’s in. We’re going to keep doing our best to make this girl band more amazing.
And the band’s origin was very exciting too- rock star girl bands this powerful are rare! Were there any special moments from SCANDAL’s beginnings that have remained with you in particular?
RINA: Well, we debuted while we were still in high school, so we always used to be at venues straight after class and doing video shoots overnight until morning. Doing school and the band was intense. I used to write lyrics in the corner of my notebooks and do my homework in the studio. Our school friends really helped us out, and actually the background music of our graduation ceremony was SCANDAL!
And as for your music itself- do you have a favourite song or album so far? Which are the best for performing live, and why?
HARUNA: Our newest album, HELLO WORLD. I always love whatever newest form we take the most! This album has the most natural lyrical feel to it! As for performing, the most fun song is love in action; it just bursts out full of courage and it’s really energetic.
Your latest release, HELLO WORLD, is a very upbeat and powerful album which is set to take you around the world on tour. What would you say has changed most for SCANDAL from your first album, BEST★SCANDAL, up to now?
TOMOMI: Our lyric writing and composing have changed, and I think we’re much better at expressing ourselves naturally now.
How are you feeling, ahead of the world tour? Are you looking forward to the wider range of audiences?
HARUNA: I love how energetic audiences abroad are!
And after the tour, can you give any hints as to what might be next for SCANDAL?
MAMI: Our world tour is going to be very us, so after that’s over I think our motivation in the band won’t be any less. We’re going to get a chance at a lot of new influences, so I want to put those into our future work.
Finally, do you have any comments for the fans as you get ready to set off on the HELLO WORLD tour?
RINA: Thank you always for supporting us! We’re bringing our killer form to these shows for all the fans who have been waiting for us, so look forward to it!
