Shmilly

I can understand how representation in the film industry (and many others besides) is a major issue, but on the other hand... surely the whole point of being an actor is that you can assume various roles and perform them convincingly? That's the definition of the job right?

I can understand how representation in the film industry (and many others besides) is a major issue, but on the other hand... surely the whole point of being an actor is that you can assume various roles and perform them convincingly? That's the definition of the job right?

I can understand how representation in the film industry (and many others besides) is a major issue, but on the other hand... surely the whole point of being an actor is that you can assume various roles and perform them convincingly? That's the definition of the job right?

/thread

Personally speaking, I think an artist's personal life should be completely separate from their professional career, at least until the point that their misconduct becomes public knowledge. If an artist is doing something terrible in their free time, that has no bearing on their ability to produce music. If it emerges that an artist has been involved in some kind of scandal, it does become much more difficult to support their future endeavours, but that shouldn't come at the expense of writing off their past achievements. It's possible to be both a great musician and a shitty human being; whether that affects your enjoyment of their past career comes down to how well you can divorce their actions from their profession. And condemning all the other members and staff of a band - assuming that they aren't complicit - based on a single person's actions is just childish and unreasonable.
 
As for the whole 'using it as an argument' issue, as far as I'm concerned there is no argument to be had. Artists are just human like the rest of us and should be held to the same standards by society. That's why my apparently controversial post in Johnny's thread got so much attention - I think he was a terrible person, but I respect his achievements and influence on the whole industry as a professional. If you can't keep those things separate, you're just writing off a whole legacy based on one person's actions.
 
TLDR
Being a successful artist doesn't make you immune to the same laws and moral principles as the rest of society. It's no excuse.
BUT
Being a shitty person doesn't make you any less of a talented musician either.

Personally speaking, I think an artist's personal life should be completely separate from their professional career, at least until the point that their misconduct becomes public knowledge. If an artist is doing something terrible in their free time, that has no bearing on their ability to produce music. If it emerges that an artist has been involved in some kind of scandal, it does become much more difficult to support their future endeavours, but that shouldn't come at the expense of writing off their past achievements. It's possible to be both a great musician and a shitty human being; whether that affects your enjoyment of their past career comes down to how well you can divorce their actions from their profession. And condemning all the other members and staff of a band - assuming that they aren't complicit - based on a single person's actions is just childish and unreasonable.
 
As for the whole 'using it as an argument' issue, as far as I'm concerned there is no argument to be had. Artists are just human like the rest of us and should be held to the same standards by society. That's why my apparently controversial post in Johnny's thread got so much attention - I think he was a terrible person, but I respect his achievements and influence on the whole industry as a professional. If you can't keep those things separate, you're just writing off a whole legacy based on one person's actions.
 
TLDR
Being a successful artist doesn't make you immune to the same laws and moral principles as the rest of society. It's no excuse.
BUT
Being a shitty person doesn't make you any less of a talented musician either.

Apparently the same people who are quick to shame a man who has just died are the same people who are quick to judge someone they have never met over a single comment on the internet.
 
In no way do I condone pedophilia or any form of harrassment. I think it's a hateful crime and show of disrespect another human being. In fact, my own (ex-)girlfriend was molested in Japan and despite going to the police about it it was just one person's word against another so nothing came of it. That was one of the most trying times in my life so far, feeling so powerless to do anything about the situation.
 
The nature of my comment was just to say, let's respect that regardless of who a person was there must be numerous people, be it family, friends or coworkers, who are saddened by that news. As far as I'm concerned, it's a shame when anyone dies because that loss ripples through so many others' lives.
 
And I also think it's possible to respect someone's professional success while divorcing that respect from your disgust towards anything that happened in their private lives. If a popular actor is embroiled in a rape or adultery scandal, that doesn't make them any less of a great actor, it just makes them a shitty human being.

Apparently the same people who are quick to shame a man who has just died are the same people who are quick to judge someone they have never met over a single comment on the internet.
 
In no way do I condone pedophilia or any form of harrassment. I think it's a hateful crime and show of disrespect another human being. In fact, my own (ex-)girlfriend was molested in Japan and despite going to the police about it it was just one person's word against another so nothing came of it. That was one of the most trying times in my life so far, feeling so powerless to do anything about the situation.
 
The nature of my comment was just to say, let's respect that regardless of who a person was there must be numerous people, be it family, friends or coworkers, who are saddened by that news. As far as I'm concerned, it's a shame when anyone dies because that loss ripples through so many others' lives.
 
And I also think it's possible to respect someone's professional success while divorcing that respect from your disgust towards anything that happened in their private lives. If a popular actor is embroiled in a rape or adultery scandal, that doesn't make them any less of a great actor, it just makes them a shitty human being.

A lot of disrespect on this thread. Regardless of what he may or may not have been guilty of, this is a man who has just died, and someone widely respected who helped shape not only the careers of some of Japan's most popular artists but the whole industry(ies) they work in at that.

Apparently the same people who are quick to shame a man who has just died are the same people who are quick to judge someone they have never met over a single comment on the internet.
 
In no way do I condone pedophilia or any form of harrassment. I think it's a hateful crime and show of disrespect another human being. In fact, my own (ex-)girlfriend was molested in Japan and despite going to the police about it it was just one person's word against another so nothing came of it. That was one of the most trying times in my life so far, feeling so powerless to do anything about the situation.
 
The nature of my comment was just to say, let's respect that regardless of who a person was there must be numerous people, be it family, friends or coworkers, who are saddened by that news. As far as I'm concerned, it's a shame when anyone dies because that loss ripples through so many others' lives.
 
And I also think it's possible to respect someone's professional success while divorcing that respect from your disgust towards anything that happened in their private lives. If a popular actor is embroiled in a rape or adultery scandal, that doesn't make them any less of a great actor, it just makes them a shitty human being.

Apparently the same people who are quick to shame a man who has just died are the same people who are quick to judge someone they have never met over a single comment on the internet.
 
In no way do I condone pedophilia or any form of harrassment. I think it's a hateful crime and show of disrespect another human being. In fact, my own (ex-)girlfriend was molested in Japan and despite going to the police about it it was just one person's word against another so nothing came of it. That was one of the most trying times in my life so far, feeling so powerless to do anything about the situation.
 
The nature of my comment was just to say, let's respect that regardless of who a person was there must be numerous people, be it family, friends or coworkers, who are saddened by that news. As far as I'm concerned, it's a shame when anyone dies because that loss ripples through so many others' lives.
 
And I also think it's possible to respect someone's professional success while divorcing that respect from your disgust towards anything that happened in their private lives. If a popular actor is embroiled in a rape or adultery scandal, that doesn't make them any less of a great actor, it just makes them a shitty human being.

Apparently the same people who are quick to shame a man who has just died are the same people who are quick to judge someone they have never met over a single comment on the internet.
 
In no way do I condone pedophilia or any form of harrassment. I think it's a hateful crime and show of disrespect another human being. In fact, my own (ex-)girlfriend was molested in Japan and despite going to the police about it it was just one person's word against another so nothing came of it. That was one of the most trying times in my life so far, feeling so powerless to do anything about the situation.
 
The nature of my comment was just to say, let's respect that regardless of who a person was there must be numerous people, be it family, friends or coworkers, who are saddened by that news. As far as I'm concerned, it's a shame when anyone dies because that loss ripples through so many others' lives.
 
And I also think it's possible to respect someone's professional success while divorcing that respect from your disgust towards anything that happened in their private lives. If a popular actor is embroiled in a rape or adultery scandal, that doesn't make them any less of a great actor, it just makes them a shitty human being.

Apparently the same people who are quick to shame a man who has just died are the same people who are quick to judge someone they have never met over a single comment on the internet.
 
In no way do I condone pedophilia or any form of harrassment. I think it's a hateful crime and show of disrespect another human being. In fact, my own (ex-)girlfriend was molested in Japan and despite going to the police about it it was just one person's word against another so nothing came of it. That was one of the most trying times in my life so far, feeling so powerless to do anything about the situation.
 
The nature of my comment was just to say, let's respect that regardless of who a person was there must be numerous people, be it family, friends or coworkers, who are saddened by that news. As far as I'm concerned, it's a shame when anyone dies because that loss ripples through so many others' lives.
 
And I also think it's possible to respect someone's professional success while divorcing that respect from your disgust towards anything that happened in their private lives. If a popular actor is embroiled in a rape or adultery scandal, that doesn't make them any less of a great actor, it just makes them a shitty human being.

A lot of disrespect on this thread. Regardless of what he may or may not have been guilty of, this is a man who has just died, and someone widely respected who helped shape not only the careers of some of Japan's most popular artists but the whole industry(ies) they work in at that.

Setlist at 2019/06/16 at Takadanobaba AREA :
 
SE「成れの果て」
『駁-baku-』
『a Vain you』
『Believing』
SE「茨の海」
『軽蔑された愛情と、』
『neglect』
『寡黙と眠り翻弄』
『メアリ』
『災禍論』
SE「遺言」
『幸福論』
『anotherDAY』
『JUDAS』
『Beyond the lost happiness』
SE「麗酷」
『unknown』
『Blink』
『Sense of distrust』
『Break it down』
『Adolfism.』
-ENCORE-
『IDEAL』
『無慈悲な蒼空』
『They Don’t Know About Us』
『受難』
『色失』
『SAD[ist.]』
SE「終わりの未来」

Tenten is going to announce his new band My CHEMICAL HEAT IsLAND RE:PICTURES KuRt はなむけ my way.co.isthebomb.com

How about GACKT? Old solo stuff and MM work sounds much more raw and emotional than a lot of his recent stuff, where it seems like he's sacrificing some of that in an effort to producing clean recordings. I also suspect his voice has changed along with the facial surgery we all know he had done, and possibly just a result of aging too.

How about GACKT? Old solo stuff and MM work sounds much more raw and emotional than a lot of his recent stuff, where it seems like he's sacrificing some of that in an effort to producing clean recordings. I also suspect his voice has changed along with the facial surgery we all know he had done, and possibly just a result of aging too.

Yeah, I'm good friends with the manager there. I used to visit him and chat about VK whenever I had free time in Shibuya. He even played my recommendations over the store speakers... :') I think the only mens shop left is the one in Shinjuku (the same location as the CD one) but they're still doing business online.

Signal - Crossing fate. Missed out on that live by two days and have regretted it ever since. Never seen a single copy in second-hand stores or auctions, and I've been living in Japan for years.

that are some pretty great lyrics and it is really nice to be finally able to understand the meaning of the song - so big thanks to you for the translation!

Yeah, I'm good friends with the manager there. I used to visit him and chat about VK whenever I had free time in Shibuya. He even played my recommendations over the store speakers... :') I think the only mens shop left is the one in Shinjuku (the same location as the CD one) but they're still doing business online.

Thanks to the awesome @VkBrutaliaN I was finally able to see the lyrics for this super rare track.
Signal was one of my favourite bands so this is quite an emotional song for me. I'm still looking to buy a copy if anyone has one to sell. I'll pay big for this one.
 
Anyway, the song is about rebirth and meeting in another life, forgetting the sorrows of past lives and finding a reason to live.
Based on the lyrical content and some old comments from Yuri and Shinya on Twitter, this seems to be a culmination of the band's work and a message of thanks to the fans.
 
Original Japanese, Romaji and English translations are below.
 
 
 
Crossing fate
 
闇に抱かれ闇の中彷徨う 終わり無き道
生きてる意味 死に向かう理由を誰か教えて
出会いを知り 別れを繰り返す 輪廻の中で
胸の傷に傷を描いた過去からただ逃げてた
 
Deep sorrow
After you cry
Get over sadness
無口な君と愛し合えるの？
 
笑顔ひとつを 心に咲かせよう
幾千もの眩しい過去よ 君の未来を輝かせて
 
此処で叫ぶ理由を君が教えてくれたね
俺の生きる意味を一緒に見つけてくれた
Be living…
 
月日重ね繰り返す重みと矛盾の果てに
終わりの声 聞こえていた 心は砕かれて…
 
Deep sorrow
After you cry
Get over sadness
無口な君をそっと抱きしめ
 
涙ひとつを 心に降らせた
幾千もの悲しい過去よ 君の未来を奪わないで
 
だけど君はもう俺が側に居なくても
生きていけるから
そっと目を閉じて…
Open up your future
 
此処で叫ぶ理由は君に出会う為だから
泣き顔は似合わないよ
 
Will we ever meet again?
I'll never say goodbye…
 
===========================================
 
yami ni dakare yami no naka samayou owarinaki michi
ikiteru imi shi ni mukau riyuu wo dareka oshiete
deai wo shiri wakare wo kurikaesu rinne no naka de
mune no kizu ni kizu wo egaita kako kara tada nigeteta
 
Deep sorrow
After you cry
Get over sadness
mukuchi na kimi to aishiaeru no?
 
egao hitotsu wo kokoro ni sakaseyou
ikusen mono mabushii kako yo kimi no mirai wo kagayakasete
 
koko de sakebu riyuu wo kimi ga oshietekureta ne
ore no ikiru imi wo issho ni mitsuketekureta
Be living...
 
tsukihi kasane kurikaesu omomi to mujun no hate ni
owari no koe kikoeteita kokoro wa kudakarete
 
Deep sorrow
After you cry
Get over sadness
mukuchi na kimi wo sotto dakishime
 
namida hitotsu wo kokoro ni furaseta
ikusen mono kanashii kako yo kimi no mirai wo ubawanaide
 
dakedo kimi wa mou ore ga soba ni inakutemo
ikiteyukeru kara
sotto me wo tojite...
Open up your future
 
koko de sakebu riyuu wa kimi ni deau tame dakara
nakigao wa niawanai yo
 
Will we ever meet again?
I'll never say goodbye...
 
===========================================
 
Wandering in darkness along an endless road
Someone tell me the meaning of life and death
In endless cycles of encounters and farewells
I'm just fleeing from the past that left scars across my chest
 
Deep sorrow
After you cry
Get over sadness
Can we really love one another even though you are silent?
 
Let a single smile bloom in your heart
Let your thousands of radiant pasts illuminate your future
 
You taught me the reason why I'm shouting here
You helped me find meaning in my life
Be living...
 
At the end of countless burdens and contradiction
I heard a voice calling an ending
My heart is broken...
 
Deep sorrow
After you cry
Get over sadness
I tenderly embrace your silent form
 
A single tear fell in my heart
Don't let your thousands of sorrowful pasts take away your future
 
Now you can go on living without me by your side
Softly close your eyes...
Open up your future
 
The reason why I'm shouting here is to meet you again
That tear-stained face doesn't suit you
 
Will we ever meet again?
I'll never say goodbye...
 

Thanks to the awesome @VkBrutaliaN I was finally able to see the lyrics for this super rare track.
Signal was one of my favourite bands so this is quite an emotional song for me. I'm still looking to buy a copy if anyone has one to sell. I'll pay big for this one.
 
Anyway, the song is about rebirth and meeting in another life, forgetting the sorrows of past lives and finding a reason to live.
Based on the lyrical content and some old comments from Yuri and Shinya on Twitter, this seems to be a culmination of the band's work and a message of thanks to the fans.
 
Original Japanese, Romaji and English translations are below.
 
 
 
Crossing fate
 
闇に抱かれ闇の中彷徨う 終わり無き道
生きてる意味 死に向かう理由を誰か教えて
出会いを知り 別れを繰り返す 輪廻の中で
胸の傷に傷を描いた過去からただ逃げてた
 
Deep sorrow
After you cry
Get over sadness
無口な君と愛し合えるの？
 
笑顔ひとつを 心に咲かせよう
幾千もの眩しい過去よ 君の未来を輝かせて
 
此処で叫ぶ理由を君が教えてくれたね
俺の生きる意味を一緒に見つけてくれた
Be living…
 
月日重ね繰り返す重みと矛盾の果てに
終わりの声 聞こえていた 心は砕かれて…
 
Deep sorrow
After you cry
Get over sadness
無口な君をそっと抱きしめ
 
涙ひとつを 心に降らせた
幾千もの悲しい過去よ 君の未来を奪わないで
 
だけど君はもう俺が側に居なくても
生きていけるから
そっと目を閉じて…
Open up your future
 
此処で叫ぶ理由は君に出会う為だから
泣き顔は似合わないよ
 
Will we ever meet again?
I'll never say goodbye…
 
===========================================
 
yami ni dakare yami no naka samayou owarinaki michi
ikiteru imi shi ni mukau riyuu wo dareka oshiete
deai wo shiri wakare wo kurikaesu rinne no naka de
mune no kizu ni kizu wo egaita kako kara tada nigeteta
 
Deep sorrow
After you cry
Get over sadness
mukuchi na kimi to aishiaeru no?
 
egao hitotsu wo kokoro ni sakaseyou
ikusen mono mabushii kako yo kimi no mirai wo kagayakasete
 
koko de sakebu riyuu wo kimi ga oshietekureta ne
ore no ikiru imi wo issho ni mitsuketekureta
Be living...
 
tsukihi kasane kurikaesu omomi to mujun no hate ni
owari no koe kikoeteita kokoro wa kudakarete
 
Deep sorrow
After you cry
Get over sadness
mukuchi na kimi wo sotto dakishime
 
namida hitotsu wo kokoro ni furaseta
ikusen mono kanashii kako yo kimi no mirai wo ubawanaide
 
dakedo kimi wa mou ore ga soba ni inakutemo
ikiteyukeru kara
sotto me wo tojite...
Open up your future
 
koko de sakebu riyuu wa kimi ni deau tame dakara
nakigao wa niawanai yo
 
Will we ever meet again?
I'll never say goodbye...
 
===========================================
 
Wandering in darkness along an endless road
Someone tell me the meaning of life and death
In endless cycles of encounters and farewells
I'm just fleeing from the past that left scars across my chest
 
Deep sorrow
After you cry
Get over sadness
Can we really love one another even though you are silent?
 
Let a single smile bloom in your heart
Let your thousands of radiant pasts illuminate your future
 
You taught me the reason why I'm shouting here
You helped me find meaning in my life
Be living...
 
At the end of countless burdens and contradiction
I heard a voice calling an ending
My heart is broken...
 
Deep sorrow
After you cry
Get over sadness
I tenderly embrace your silent form
 
A single tear fell in my heart
Don't let your thousands of sorrowful pasts take away your future
 
Now you can go on living without me by your side
Softly close your eyes...
Open up your future
 
The reason why I'm shouting here is to meet you again
That tear-stained face doesn't suit you
 
Will we ever meet again?
I'll never say goodbye...