This morning, no matter how tired we all were, there was an excitement that was so real amongst us all, so intense and so alive that we could actually see it take shape around us, a halo of a color so pure it cannot lie. To add to our excitement, today has been graced with a beautiful blue sky in which very few white clouds were hanging, perfectly what we needed, and a heaven gift after those 3 days of rain we’ve had in Tokyo!

We got stuck in traffic a little, so we put on some music to make the ride more interesting… Can you guess what song it was? Of course, “I Just Want You To know”, exactly what we all wanted to get us into the mood for the day! And it most definitely did!

We arrived at the skate park, where we unloaded all the gear. You need to understand that the parking in on the 1st floor, on the skate park on the 7th… Let’s say we were happy to have some carts and 2 very large elevators to help us carry all the music equipment upstairs!

We arrived on the rooftop, and suddenly, we weren’t sure anymore it was a good thing that the weather was so nice! It was so hot! There was not a spot of shadow anywhere, and the surface of the skatepark was reflecting both the heat and the sun! Only standing made us feel like we had run a marathon… It was that crazy! Make-up time for every one, with a very strict order of not moving around too much, so the makeup doesn’t run… And then we were ready to film! With the sun starting to set at 4pm, time where we started the video shoot, the temperature got a lot better very fast!

And then, the music started! The song in itself is enough to lift you up, but with the visual added to it, it just brought the song a complete different perspective, while bringing the excitement to a whole new level! The music, the band, the skateboarders, the Tokyo skyline in the background… It really was so much more than noise! The whole team completely flipped out, too! They loved the takes so much that, according to their own words, “they peed their pants”… 😉

The team received energy as the band played, and the band received energy from the team… There really was a special synergy in between each and everyone of us… As if we had known each other for a lifetime already!

And then came 8pm… After we all managed to find the energy we thought we didn’t have for such a long and intense shoot – the band said it was more demanding physically than a 2 hour live performance, and how wet their clothes were after the shoot did support what they were saying – we packed all the gear, and spent time with the crew, the skateboarders, the people who had came to see us… It really felt like a very large family gathering! We were all tired and exhausted despite the fact it was very early, but we knew nobody wanted to leave… Nobody would have been able to sleep, our adrenaline level was way too high!

We had a curfew at 10pm, as the place was closing at that time… But we knew that it wouldn’t be respected anyway – the staff of the skatepark was also hanging out with us! However it’s the rain that started falling that made us all go home! A true wink from heaven, letting us know that this day of beautiful weather wasn’t only a coincidence… Has it rained, we would have had to cancel everything. A moment none of us will ever forget… 🙂

It was loud, it was noisy, it hurt, but no one can deny it… it was as real as it gets!!!!

– Stephanie

Today is our first morning in Tokyo! The house where we stay is relatively small, but it allows us to be all together instead of in different separate hotel rooms! We shared breakfast… And Jeff had another very special one, just like he’s been blessed with since the beginning of the tour!

Then we left for the King Records rehearsal studios… On the way there, in the Bunkyo ward of Tokyo, we had an incredible discussion in the car. It started with us talking about the show in Kyoto, about all of you, about letting go, about what we felt, about our fears, about our inspirations, about our family, about you… And it was truly inspiring!  It definitely sparked our  spirits, not only for the day, but with a spark that will forever remain.

The studios were very cool, large enough for the whole band, the crew, and all the gear, and for us to still have place to move around. Today was only a drop off, so as soon as we had moved all the music equipment in our studio, we left for the HLNA skatepark in Odaiba, Tokyo.

Located on the 7th floor of a building, the HLNA skatepark really does offer an incredible view despite the rain we had that day. We also met with the team we will be working with for the production of this video clip, one of them a very dear friend of ours who previously worked on different movies, such as Babel as well as many other video clips for different artists.

We had a good look at the place, discussing the different options that were offered to us, and did some tests as well. It was a very touching moment to be a witness of this. All gathered on the rooftop of a building overlooking one of the world’s biggest city, talking about the band’s next video clip… Oh, and Jeff and YB shared a special tacos together, in which a full bottle of tabasco had been emptied 😉

After our meeting was finished, the band members all gave a try to skateboarding… Some with better results than others 😉 It was great to discover who was very good at it despite trying it for the first time, who had done some before, and who was just plain bad! We also met a young skateboarding genius, a very talented young man!!!!

After this, we went shopping a little… Well, that “short” stop turned into a one hour and half stop… We were at Fender’s custom shop, after all, so it couldn’t be any other way! The men we know turned into kids again, trying guitars, all of them unique and hand made, not crafted in a factory, giving them a very unique tone that can’t ever be reproduced in any way. A tone that is perfect in its imperfection, a sound that is human…

We all came back home, tired but overly fulfilled by the day we’ve had, knowing that every little moment is eternity unfolding itself before our very eyes, another step in that path we carve against the flow, one of the fruit of our souls and spirits invested through hard work…

– Stephanie

From a moment to eternity… I think there can be no other words to describe what happened tonight.

The guys played for 2 hours and a half. 17 songs. Half of them were acoustic. The second half was rock. People cried. People laughed. People communed. People were alive. For everything it means. We were alive. In its every details. In ways we never knew before. There was no limit. There was no shame. There was no fear. What we lived and shared cannot be comprehended, but can’t be denied, as we all know that it impacted us in permanent ways.

Here’s what the set list:

Kerosene
Firstborn
Turn The Dirt Over
Old Noisy Friend
City On Fire
I See A Darkness
Des Armes
Mightiest Of Guns
If You’re Passing By
Sketching Dreams
1-2-3
A View From Within
Where Did We Lose Each Other
Midnight’s Crashing
Empire Of Sorrows
Would You Believe
Open Your Eyes
From The City To The Ocean

The show ended in a complete crazy way, with fans coming on stage to sing From The City To The Ocean. Then Alex went in the crowd. Then Jeff joined him. Followed by all of the band members! A magic moment… The smiles and joy that could be seen was surreal, yet as real as it can get.

Here are some pictures, that will allow you to feel what the night was about better than any words I could have…

And then we served tea to everyone, and shared another unique moment, that felt exactly like family time, a big reunion of souls who have known each other forever but finally saw each other for the first time…

We left the temple at 12, direction Starbucks in front of Kyoto station! This is the place where we always do meet and greets when we go to Kyoto, so we were really looking forward to it… This place is another very special one to us! We were going to meet 2 friends over there, Tomoaki and Takane.

We talked about yesterday’s shows, remembered great memories and exchanged a lot of laughter. We spent a true family time, warm and welcoming! As we were talking, Takane proudly showed us his bruised hand… Hand he hurt during last night’s concert, as the drum was brought in the crowd. He wanted to play the drums, but unable to get a stick, he decided his hand would be good enough to hit the cymbals… Well, maybe not after all! But this moment is one that left a mark in him, way beyond that bruise he has!

Then we went to Tower Records in Kyoto, where we did another signing and photo session with the staff in the rock section of the store! Once again, a very good time! Music is something very powerful, that transcends nations and generations. It really unites us in a way like no other.

We then needed to go to a music store. Moose needed to buy a new skin for his snare, as the one he had broke already! Yes, you can consider Moose a very intense drummer! While Moose was looking for what he needed, the others went to the guitar section of the shop where they tried some new guitars and a bass. We also  met some fans of the band, and Sef taught them a few things…

We then went shopping in the area a little bit, stopping by several shops. Everyone (or almost) found something…Sef found a woolen coat – his excitement shows through the picture, don’t you think? Alex got a very colorful shirt – exactly his style! Don’t you think he was born to be a model? Miss Isabel found a pair of shoes and a pair of boots – she was hesitating, though, any suggestion for her?

Sef was also hesitating… He thinks he found new girlfriends… But both are so different, he said it was better for him to keep both, because they complete each other perfectly!

After what was supposed to be a short stop at the grocery store, we went back to the temple, where Jeff cooked his special mac’n’cheese for everyone, something that has become a tradition wherever we go!

– Stephanie

The first time Your Favorite Enemies ever played in Japan was in 2008, and it was in Osaka. To be back there is always special for each and every one of us. As Alex said, the sceneries, the perfumes and the colors all hold very distinct memories that still live deep within us. No matter how old they are, they are as vivid as the day they were born!!!

The sound check started at 2 pm for the band. So we got ready, unloaded the vans and carried the gear on trolleys. You see, the Tribe is located on a pedestrian only part of the street, making it impossible for cars to get in front of it, under no condition! We learned from experience, and remembered how long those few steps seemed to us when we had to do the same 2 years ago!

Getting inside was bringing us back in time. We remembered all the little details of the venue, and just how much we loved it the first time. We were initially supposed to only play in Tokyo, but we decided that we couldn’t skip Osaka; there were too many people that we wanted to meet! We also decided to go back to the Tribe because of the intimate feeling the venue had. And it really wasn’t a mistake!!!!

Once sound check was over, the band members headed to another Tower Records, where they met the staff, took pictures, and also gave them a few t-shirts, in order to thank them for all the support they’ve given the band since the release of the album in Japan!

We then went back to the venue, in time for the first band’s gig! Soon came time for change over, and then it was show time!

As you can see from the pictures, this live performance has been very high in emotion, intense, yet very fragile at the same time! Just before hitting the stage, Alex felt “between terrified and… terrified”, according to his own words. But seeing him on stage, you would have never guessed so! He was everywhere on stage! It sure felt like this was his own playground!!!! The band played for roughly 2 hours, yet it felt like it was way too short! They went over the curfew of the venue, too, but the staff was so caught into the moment that they thanked us for it after the show (and asked us not to say anything to their bosses!)

Then came the “encore” of the show… Our family time!!! And what a time it’s been!!!! It really felt like it was family, like sons and daughters coming home after a long time not being there. It was touching and empowering not only to witness that scene, but to be a part of it. People from all ages, from different parts of Japan (and even Thailand), from different backgrounds… all were one tonight, and it was wonderful to see something like this!

Then came time for us to go back home… It’s been hard saying goodbye, and left an hour and a half behind schedule… But when a moment is so genuine and pure, you can’t help but want to make it last longer and longer. Quick stop at a takoyaki stand, and we hit the road!

Back at the temple, Alex was still full of energy, and decided he didn’t have enough of body surfing for what he needed, so decided to use Jeff as a body board.

We all went to bed almost as soon as we arrived… It was something we all were looking forward to… until we found that bug in our blankets. It looks like a regular centipede, a bit large though… But what we didn’t know is that if that thing bites you, it’s straight to the hospital, and you can forget any sensation in the bitten area for a several days. Don’t worry, we’re all fine… 🙂

– Stephanie