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Fender Cover Artist | SCANDAL
Posted Tue Feb 01, 2022 11:33 am

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Fender Cover Artist | SCANDAL, Part 1
Fender Cover Artist | SCANDAL Cover-2022-SCANDAL-a





"Fender produces a standard tone. That's why it's versatile."



SCANDAL, who released their 10th album MIRROR on 1/26, makes their appearance on FenderNews's Cover Artist feature. In part 1 of their interview, the ladies, who celebrated their milestone 15th anniversary last August, look back on SCANDAL's journey so far, including the reason why they started playing instruments. It seems that they have become more familiar with their signature guitars and bass made four years ago, along with a change in musicality.






"Perhaps the secret to keeping things going for 15 years is to think that we can keep going further"



──It's well known that you started playing instruments at the recommendation of teachers at the dance and vocal training schol that you attended before the band formed, but what did you think when you were first recommended to play instruments?

TOMOMI: We didn't really put up a fight. Since whatever the teachers said was absolute, you had to answer yes when asked if you wanted to try something out (laughs). We were attending the school because we liked music to begin with, so we didn't think that playing instruments was so out of the question.



──I see. You weren't unsure.

HARUNA: Rather, we were really excited that they sensed potential in us.

RINA: I had only been part of the school for about a week. So when they asked me if I'd like to try out the drums, I was like, "What!?" But because my dream was to become someone who performs on stage, I was super greedy and was like, "If given a chance, I'll do whatever it is!" Although I didn't know anything about the drums, I did become able to play them.



──Were you guys familiar back then with music played by bands?

MAMI: We listened more to dance music than bands because we studied dance.

TOMOMI: We were taking lessons where we'd use so-called divas like Beyonce and Christina Aguilera as examples. However, we were high school students at the time when bands like BUMP OF CHICKEN and RADWIMPS were popular, and those in the light music club were copying songs from bands like them. So, it's not like it was completely foreign to us; it was something that we had heard before. We just thought it was cool music instead of thinking about it in terms of sound.

MAMI: I started listening to it in a "This is what bands sound like" way after starting our own band.



──Did you play relatively well from the beginning?

All: No, not at all (laughs).

TOMOMI: This was a dance and vocal training school after all, so we didn't have a teacher to teach us about instruments.



──What!?

TOMOMI: That's why we had no choice but to learn on our own. And what's more, because none of us knew anything about bands, first we rented live DVDs and watched them while starting to practice for performances (laughs). It felt like we started from the "outside," like jumping with an instrument or doing a certain kind of pose during a live performance. There was a sort of school recital scheduled one week after the band formed, and they told us, "You can be the opening act if you learn how to play one song." That's why we practiced Sadistic Mika Band's "Time Machine ni Onegai" as hard as we could.



──I'm sure there are many people who started playing an instrument but then felt frustrated. Why do you think you guys were able to keep going?

TOMOMI: I think we just thought too little about it.



──Thought too little about it?

TOMOMI: Since we were only surrounded by people who danced, at first we didn't think that we couldn't do it (laughs). We didn't get frustrated because we thought about how we were "put together." Maybe we would have felt down if there had been skilled people our age around us [who played instruments]. But when we think about it now, we just feel that we had fun because we all had incredibly strong hearts.

HARUNA: I think it was good that we always had a small goal to work towards. That was also the case when being told that we could perform on stage one week after forming if we were able to learn one song. That kind of goal has always been in front of us, and I think it's because we've accumulated the ability to accomplish the task at hand somehow.



──You've cleared your goals one by one, then.

HARUNA: Yes, it really has been one by one. Also, I think it's a big thing that the four of us started off together.



──One might have given up if they were doing this on their own, but because the other three members are doing their best, you need to do your best as well.

MAMI: In that sense, our environment may have been one where you wouldn't be able to be frustrated. As long as you answered "Yes" to the question of "Why don't you try it?", you had to follow it through. We're all responsible types.



──I'm sure you all worked hard enough to bleed. I mean, when you first play an instrument, doesn't blood seep out of your fingers when you press down on the strings (laughs)?

MAMI: Did anyone bleed (laughs)?

TOMOMI: I did back then (laughs).

HARUNA: We laughed at the fact that our fingertips hardened and the skin turned white. We were like, "It's like rice" (laughs).

TOMOMI: We did say that (laughs).

HARUNA: We were very optimistic and had guts. I think that we learned at that school was the importance of continuing to do something and having the guts to accomplish that. I think the fact that we formed at a school like that is one of the reasons why we've lasted so long.



──SCANDAL has stayed active with the same original members for the past 15-and-a-half years since then, but have you made efforts to keep going?

HARUNA: We've had a lot of fun, we've had a lot of troubles—I think we've lived turbulent lives.

TOMOMI: We haven't done anything special in order to keep going. I think the teachers who chose the four of us are amazing (laughs). People often say we have a "miraculous balance," and that's something we think as well.

MAMI: I think a big reason for that is that we didn't start from being high school classmates, childhood friends, or even just friends. From the beginning I think we unknowingly cared for each other. We don't think things like we need to care; it's such a natural thing that we've kept effortlessly going these past 15 years. From the beginning it's like we've been considerate, or can read the situation, or perhaps have good intuition. We're like a collection of people with high capabilities.

HARUNA: Each of us can simply enjoy the opinions and ideas of the others. We of course have our own opinions, but even when someone comes out with a completely different opinion, we just go, "I see." Maybe adopting that as a part of yourself has been the secret for us to keeping things going.

RINA: We celebrated our milestone 15th anniversary last year, and lately we've been talking about right now is the best time for us—we can do what we want do, the band is how the four of us want it to be. We like ourselves like this. But every time that happens, I think, "We can keep going." We feel that things are going to get even better from here on out. We've never thought that we can't go further. Perhaps the secret to keeping things going for 15 years is to think that we can keep going further while always sensing the potential in ourselves.



"I had a longing for my first guitar to be a Fender"



──During those 15-and-a-half years you also came across Fender.

MAMI: We did. When I started playing the guitar, what I pictured a guitar to be was in the shape of a Stratocaster. So, when I was told to try out the guitar and went to an instrument store, I looked for a guitar that was shaped like a Stratocaster. The first thing I bought was a so-called beginner's set, not a Fender guitar. After that, when I decided to buy a proper guitar and went to an instrument store, I told them I wanted a guitar in the shape of a Strat. Fender was recommended to me.

HARUNA: The first guitar I bought was also not a Fender, but after we started our activities as an indie band, the teacher who recommended me to try an instrument lent me a Fender Stratocaster. What I pictured a guitar to be was also a Strat, so I used that Strat for a while. It was around the time of our major debut that I thought about buying a proper guitar. I saw a Telecaster then and thought, "Oh, that's shaped differently" (laughs). Strats make me think of lead guitarists, and because I thought of how I'm both a guitarist and a vocalist, I decided to go with a different model from a Strat, which was a Tele. After that, I've been using nothing but Teles.

TOMOMI: The first thing I bought was also a beginner's set. I used it even after starting our street performances. It was then that one of the teachers told me I could borrow a Fender Jazz Bass. I went to return it when we were moving to Tokyo, and they told me, "That's yours already." That's how I got my first Fender.



──RINA, you previously purchased a white Telecaster. Why did you choose that one?

RINA: I had a longing for my first guitar to be a Fender. I got to pick one out here (the Fender showroom). Among the several that had been prepared, the design that I liked was the white Telecaster with a little bit of wood grain visible. It was love at first sight.



──Since then you've been using Fender guitars/basses most of the time. What makes Fender so appealing to you?

MAMI: Fender produces a standard tone. That's why it's versatile—or rather, I of course like their original sounds, but because we have a lot of unique songs with which we use effects, Fender guitars can handle anything during such times. They can handle any song, they're great for playing live, and they're always on the list of guitars I want to use when recording.

HARUNA: That's right. I think they're very versatile. They can handle any song. We've had changes in sound over the last 15 years, but we've continued to use Fender all this time. That's because they've responded well to those changes, and it's really easy to make sounds. It's so great that it's able to produce any tone. Also, they're easy to match with our stage outfits.

TOMOMI: In that sense, there's a sense of security. It's the main pillar of SCANDAL's sound. We've been walking alongside Fender all this time.



──It seems that the signature models of HARUNA, MAMI, and TOMOMI that were released in December 2017 were made with the idea that they could be used for a long time. How has it been using them for the past four years?

MAMI: My signature model (MAMI STRATOCASTER) has basically been my main guitar these days, and I used it quite often when we were recording our album MIRROR. I'll probably use it on our upcoming tour the most. That's how it's become my standard now. Our musicality has changed little by little over these past four years, but about 4-5 years ago I didn't have many opportunities to use the so-called Stratocaster single-coil sound. However, as I got older and became more fussy about tempo and timbre, the number of songs where I play single notes, including arpeggios, has grown, and I started to play a more active role at that time. Now, I'm basically the lead [when it comes to writing music]. I say I'm more "mature" (laughs), but as a woman in her thirties, the songs and timbres have changed and fit just right.



──TOMOMI, did you make any new discoveries while continuing to use your signature instrument?

TOMOMI: I think it can be used for a lifetime, but it perfectly fits my mood right now. I used it a lot during the recording of MIRROR. I feel that the number of songs on which I use signature bass will grow in the future, and I feel that I've gotten closer to my instrument (laughs).



──HARUNA, your HARUNA TELECASTER always sounds so powerful live.

HARUNA: That's right. I really like how it's powerful and properly produces a rich sound. I can go without changing out guitars at all. Our songs are very varied, but I think this truly is a guitar that I can use for a lifetime because it can produce all sorts of sounds by using effects pedals. Reasons why I switch out guitars might be because it'll look better visually, or because we're playing an old song and I want to remember what I felt when we had made it. However, in terms in timbre, even if we have a setlist that's 20 songs long, I'll go almost the entire set without changing out my guitar.





Fender Cover Artist | SCANDAL 39iLxaW

2011.7.3 AM2 2012.3.28 SCANDAL vs BUDOKAN 11.3+4 QAT Tour @名古屋 11.10 Happy MUSIC Live 2012 2013.3.3 SCANDAL OSAKA-JO HALL 2013 2014.6.1 HNL Ekiden & Music 2014 6.2 Fan Meeting 2015 HELLO WORLD @ Paris - London - Essen - Chicago - MEX - LA - Anaheim 2016.1.12+13 PERFECT WORLD 5.21 Welcome Fan Meeting 5.22 HNL Ekiden & Music 2016 5.23 Farewell Fan Meeting 8.21 SCAFes 2017.7.14 47 Prefecture Tour @茨城 7.15 水戸 7.17 東京 2018 Special Thanks @NY - SF - Anaheim - MTY - MEX - Dallas 2022 MIRROR @Toronto - NY - Boston - Atlanta 2023 UU @ Fukuoka - Tokyo 2023.08.21 Sekai Ichi
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Re: Fender Cover Artist | SCANDAL
Posted Thu Feb 10, 2022 11:00 am

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Fender Cover Artist | SCANDAL, Part 2
Fender Cover Artist | SCANDAL Cover-2022-SCANDAL-c





"It turned out to be such an important work for us that we wouldn't have been able to move forward without it."



SCANDAL, who released their 10th album MIRROR on 1/26, makes their appearance in FenderNews's Cover Artist feature. In part 2 of their interview, we asked about SCANDAL's future. MIRROR, packed with different kinds of challenges, seems to have been the beginning of further evolution while leaving great results.






"We want to make music that fits us well so that we can continue to play music for as long as possible"



──When I listened to your latest album MIRROR, I got the impression that you broke out of your shell even further by having all of these varied songs and new sounds. What kind of work do you feel you've made?

HARUNA: I think this album gave us an opportunity to reflect on ourselves, likely because we celebrated our 15th anniversary during the pandemic. The enjoyment we have of being a band that formed 15 years ago at a dance and vocal training school is expressed once more, and it's a solid work in which you can feel our current ages in. When it was completed, the first thing I thought was how interesting we are.



──During "BEST★Xmas 2021" last year, RINA said, "There might be people who want us to play more intense songs, but we wanted to make a work that could accept listeners of all kinds." Was accepting listeners of all kinds a big theme for you when making MIRROR?

RINA: First, we wanted to make music that fits us well so that we can continue to play music for as long as possible. So, for this album we thought a lot about what kind of songs are right for our current ages. As a result, there are quite a few changes tempo and sound-wise. We of course also know that there's a demand for songs where we can go all out and that have distorted guitar sounds, but this time we were more egotistical about it and wanted to be allowed to challenge ourselves to go in a different direction for the time being.



──That led to a variety of songs that could be accepted by listeners of all kinds.

RINA: This is a work we're confident in that conveys a new kind of fun by listening to it. We felt that it was a very important time to make something true to ourselves and go through with it, so we tried it out. It turned out to be such an important work for us that we wouldn't have been able to move forward without it. That's why we're convinced, and now we're telling you guys that this work is a fun one.



──I'm sure each of you had new challenges to tackle; how was it?

MAMI: For composing, I tried to keep the tempo down really low. Also, I used to make 100% complete demos, give them to everyone, and then decide how to record it. This time, we made the songs together: I would send them voice memos of me singing to my own accompaniment, and then we'd all discuss how to arrange them. I'm sure plenty of bands make songs that way, but that was something I couldn't do until now. That's why it was very challenging for me—or rather, it was a new way of doing things.



──RINA, you also tried something for the first time, right?

RINA: Yes. Each member has a song that they did lyrics, music for, and lead vocals for. For me, I did the lyrics, music, and lead vocals for "Kanojo wa Wave," and I used computer music for the first time to arrange it.



──It's an 80's-like new wave funk song.

RINA: I really like the funky guitar cutting (laughs). Including that, I chose all of the components in GarageBand, sent the demo assembled as a song to the members, and had them play in their own nuanced ways.



──Is it likely that more songs will be arranged in this way from now on?

RINA: If I come up with something, I would like to give it shape.



──TOMOMI, what was a new challenge for you?

TOMOMI: We worked with producer Satori Shiraishi for "eternal" and "Ai no Shoutai" and went one by one to record at Satori's home studio. That was a new thing. Since we went one at a time, you were able take your time if you wanted to, or you could record right away. We did things pretty liberally, so it was fun to be able to do whatever you wanted (laughs).



──You did lyrics, music, and lead vocals for "Ai no Shoutai." I was a little surprised by the gospel choir that joins in midway through, but I thought it was really nice.

TOMOMI: Gospel is part of our roots since we all studied it at our school. I've always liked that kind of music, so when making this song I told Satori, "I wish we could include a choir in this part," he said, "I have some acquaintances." When I said, "I want a horn section here," he said, "I'll introduce you." This song was made in that way, with Satori's connections.



──Since Satori likes that kind of sound, he was probably really into it.

TOMOMI: Satori also had fun. Because the choir consisted of Americans, we asked them to record it in the US and send the files to us. Due to the time difference, Satori was directing them remotely in the middle of the night.



──HARUNA, as a vocalist I'm sure you were challenged in terms of singing unprecedented songs.

HARUNA: Up until now, I found it fun to sing each song as if I were singing it as a character rather than myself. Since this work is a reflection of ourselves, I tried to keep myself in the song instead of trying to change my voice, though that wasn't my intention from the get-go. I think we're really great as we are right now, so I wanted to finish recording all of the songs exactly the way I am.



──Even so, the expressions are different for each song because you've added to your expressiveness as a vocalist.

HARUNA: That might be true. If so, that's something that's automatically done.



"I think that it being fun to all play in sync motivated me to continue playing my instrument"



──You'll be going on world tour, which runs from March to June and will be held at halls all over Japan, and then in July in North America and September in Europe. Please tell us how much you're excited for this tour.

TOMOMI: We think that MIRROR is an album that suits halls. We want to create that world view using the atmosphere found in halls. At any rate, we're looking forward to it.



──Do you have feel that you want to take revenge for not being able to hold your original world tour due to the pandemic?

TOMOMI: The tour 〈SCANDAL WORLD TOUR 2020 “Kiss from the darkness”〉 in support of our previous album Kiss from the darkness wasn't able to happen. We only played one livestreamed concert for it, and we're hoping to be able to play some songs from it [on this new tour]. However, since cases are rising again, we're particularly worried about our overseas dates. I hope we're able to go on tour.

HARUNA: We'd love to see our overseas fans soon. They've been waiting a long time. The passion from the overseas fans is insane right now, judging from social media posts and YouTube comments. Of course you'd want to see someone when their fever's at its peak.



──Are overseas fans different from Japanese fans?

RINA: Since there are different lifestyles and cultures of each country, of course, there are many differences, but their mindsets are similar. They're all good people (laughs). Maybe there's something about our music that brings together people that share common interests. Our audiences are really great.

TOMOMI: You can't deny that. We've been around for 15 years and are playing music so different that it's enough to call us a different band. So, it's not's a normal thing for people to continue to like our music despite not being like the songs that got them to learn about us. We're grateful.



──I think that's due to the fact that even if your musicality changes, each of your four personalities are reflected in your songs and live performances. By the way, I happened to hear that you've been using new Fender models recently.

TOMOMI: I'm using that prototype in the "one more time" MV. It's a Jazz Bass. I started out with a Jazz Bass, so I wondered if there were many people who associate me with the Jazz Bass. When I was asked to make a signature model (TOMOMI PRECISION BASS), I went with a Precision Bass because it suited my mood and our music at the time, but I really do like Jazz Basses as well.



──MAMI, you're using a Stratocaster?

MAMI: Yes, a white Stratocaster. The red Strat I'm using right now (MAMI STRATOCASTER) has a standard single coil pickup, so this new one is a little more powerful so as to match SCANDAL's current songs.

HARUNA: I steathily used my new Telecaster at our 15th anniversary concert (laughs). It still has the merits of my current Tele (HARUNA TELECASTER) while being a little more powerful, and can also handle our early songs.



──This time we asked you to take a look at Fender's new Player Plus line released last fall. Can you tell us your impressions of the instruments' appearances?

MAMI: This has a color gradient I've never seen before, so I thought it was really novel. It'd be cute if more color gradients are done in the future. It's something cute to have on display, and it's also unisex—or rather, it'd look nice on anyone.

TOMOMI: At first glance, I thought it was American West Coast-like. It seems like it would go with the look of American mid-century interior design. The horizonal gradient was fresh since I had never seen something like that before.

HARUNA: If you use it in public, it'll really stand out. I think it's easy to show individuality. Whoever uses this first wins (laughs).

RINA: It's amazing that they thought up of such new models. Guitar players must get excited when new, unique guitars are released.



──Thank you very much. Lastly, please give some advice to beginners on musical instruments!

MAMI: I want you to have fun playing. I think loving music and musical instruments is a really good way to start. However, it's a waste if you find practice to be difficult and you get frustrated. Therefore, I think it's best to first keep thinking about having fun so that you don't lose your feelings of love.

TOMOMI: Thinking about myself, if I had started out alone, I might not have known what to do midway through. However, I think that it being fun to have friends starting together with me and all playing in sync motivated me to continue playing my instrument. So, find some friends and start a band. You don't have to form one, but having friends with whom you can work together is a big factor in continuing to play.

RINA: My younger sister is in her third year of middle school and is now practicing different songs on the guitar, and there are all sorts of sites where you can view easy-to-understand chord charts. Starting to play an instrument has become more casual like that, and since singer-songwriters are popular, I think there are many fun songs to play and sing along to. I want you to find music and an instrument that you like while being excited about it, and also enjoy it.



──Lastly, HARUNA, if you would.

HARUNA: Let's see. It'd be nice if you checked out the "Start Your Journey!" series on Fender's YouTube channel (laughs).



──These videos feature the members of SCANDAL explaining to beginners the appeal of the guitar and bass + how to play them.

HARUNA: There are a lot of easy-to-understand explanations that even beginners can understand, if I do say so myself (laughs). I hope you can learn various chords while watching them. They're really great videos (laughs).

RINA: We got a message on our radio program from someone who said they became a SCANDAL fan after watching those.

HARUNA: That made me think that there really are many different ways you can discover something.

Fender Cover Artist | SCANDAL Cover-2022-SCANDAL-d

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Fender Cover Artist | SCANDAL 39iLxaW

2011.7.3 AM2 2012.3.28 SCANDAL vs BUDOKAN 11.3+4 QAT Tour @名古屋 11.10 Happy MUSIC Live 2012 2013.3.3 SCANDAL OSAKA-JO HALL 2013 2014.6.1 HNL Ekiden & Music 2014 6.2 Fan Meeting 2015 HELLO WORLD @ Paris - London - Essen - Chicago - MEX - LA - Anaheim 2016.1.12+13 PERFECT WORLD 5.21 Welcome Fan Meeting 5.22 HNL Ekiden & Music 2016 5.23 Farewell Fan Meeting 8.21 SCAFes 2017.7.14 47 Prefecture Tour @茨城 7.15 水戸 7.17 東京 2018 Special Thanks @NY - SF - Anaheim - MTY - MEX - Dallas 2022 MIRROR @Toronto - NY - Boston - Atlanta 2023 UU @ Fukuoka - Tokyo 2023.08.21 Sekai Ichi
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Re: Fender Cover Artist | SCANDAL
Posted Thu Feb 10, 2022 4:03 pm

hogradish

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Wow, that black and white gradient really matches the "Mirror" theme.



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