Tag Archives: Interview

Feature Article, Idols, Interviews

A Reason to Never Oshihen: An Interview with GARUDA, HALUKA and Satanic Punish at Ikigai Vol. 2

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Kelly, Amanda
Translators: Justin, Baz

Hosted by The Chocolate Brothers and the Dutch Idol Community and held between September 20th in Arnhem, The Netherlands, and September 21st in Koln, Germany, Ikigai Vol. 2 saw the return of GARUDA and Satanic Punish on European soil, as well as marking the debut of DIABLEVOIX’s Haluka in her first overseas tour.

For these two evenings, fans of these three acts had the chance to experience a show filled with incredible vocals, relentless energy, and the possibility of a strained neck the following morning, thanks to all the headbanging that went on.

For some fans, however, the weekend did not end at the Blue Shell with a final song, as those who had purchased off-kai tickets had the absolute pleasure of joining GARUDA, Satanic Punish and DIABLEVOIX’s HALUKA for an off-kai event the following Sunday.

It is also that, on this day, Beyond Senpai’s Kelly and Amanda were fortunate enough to attend as well and, for the first time since this site’s inception, both Amanda and Kelly were given the opportunity to deliver their first in-person interview to these three legendary performers.

So, it was with a great amount of nerves and some shoddy Japanese pronunciation that our interview began. With the help of Justin and Baz, who aided in translating the performers answers for us, Beyond Senpai joined Yuffie, Haluka, Manamu and LinLin at the front of the event hall to deliver the Ikigai Vol. 2 Interview, right in front of the fans…

Continue reading A Reason to Never Oshihen: An Interview with GARUDA, HALUKA and Satanic Punish at Ikigai Vol. 2 →
Interviews

GARUDA is Ready To Fly High In Her UK and EU Resurrection: Exclusive Interview with Yuffie Sakimura, aka GARUDA

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Edited by Panda and Kelly-Mae Matt

It’s time to bring on the Darkness and bow down to GARUDA’s brilliance once more!

Hot off the new release of her mini-album, Phoenix of Resurrection, Industrial Idol Yuffie Sakimura has been touring relentlessly alongside her group not only as a member of Melon Batake a GoGo, but also as her solo counterpart, GARUDA.

The joining of GARUDA with Gollipop Records has given us not one, but two incredible MVs and, much to the delight of fans, ‘REINCARNATION and ‘FLY HIGH AGAIN’ feature members of both the Melons and label mates, The Grateful A Mogaaz!

With a hectic timetable, Yuffie-san is also set to embark on her up-coming international tour with popular idol Yurapico, as part of the Zuukyun June tour! To say fans are sure to be delighted to enjoy the new music of GARUDA in a live setting once again would be an understatement!

With her sights set on bringing darkness to the UK and Europe, Yuffie-san joins Beyond Senpai once again to tell us all about her new EP and the up-coming tour.

Continue reading GARUDA is Ready To Fly High In Her UK and EU Resurrection: Exclusive Interview with Yuffie Sakimura, aka GARUDA →
Interviews

Satanic Punish Mana Manomu Interview Exclusive: ‘It is a record of my life… the final destination where I can be me.’

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Edited by Kelly-Mae Matt

With the dawn of a new member on the horizon, it only feels right that Mana Manomu has taken a step forward as the newly appointed leader of Satanic Punish.

With the new era of Satanic Punish set to begin on May 25th this month, Mana Manomu, who has been the sole driving force behind Satanic Punish for a year now, will finally be joined by newest member Shikiin ‘RinRin’ / ‘Cathy’ Catherine. Now, it’s Manomu’s time to shine as the groups official leader.

With a year’s worth of experience working alone, as well as the milestones she has hit along the way, Beyond Senpai wanted to catch up with Manomu and talk about not only her time in Satanic Punish, but the groups latest song, ‘metaverse’, as well as her thoughts on the groups newest member.

Continue reading Satanic Punish Mana Manomu Interview Exclusive: ‘It is a record of my life… the final destination where I can be me.’ →
Interviews

Satanic Punish New Member Interview Exclusive: ‘I want to touch your heart with my singing’

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Edited by Panda and Kelly-Mae Matt

A new dawn begins for Satanic Punish as, at last, a new member was revealed on May 5th, 2024.

Cathy – new member official photo

Shikiin Catherine – though she prefers the nicknames Cathy or Rinrin, she has stated on social media – has been welcomed as the newest member of the extreme idol unit.

Joining leader Mana Manomu, Cathy has expressed her feelings since the reveal about becoming the newest member ahead of her debut on May 25th. Prior to Cathy’s reveal, the dates for Satanic Punishes up-coming Autumn EU tour were announced, and will take place on September 20th in Arnhem, The Netherlands, and September 21st in Cologne, Germany.

In an exclusive interview, taken before the announcement and name reveal was made, Cathy tells Beyond Senpai how she feels about becoming the newest member of Satanic Punish and gives the fans an insight into who she is.

Continue reading Satanic Punish New Member Interview Exclusive: ‘I want to touch your heart with my singing’ →
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‘We want to bring out colours that only we can create as Idols!’ – A New Chapter Begins for LONDON BLUE

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After going into hiatus in March of 2023, LONDON BLUE will be making their return to their idol scene in what will be one of their most legendary performances yet, as the group prepares to debut its newest generation on the 10th Anniversary Live.

With new members ANNA, SHIORI and MAYUNA preparing for their stage debut, these three girls will take on LONDON BLUE’s history and prepare for the future during this milestone event.

Beyond Senpai have had the pleasure of talking to LONDON BLUE’s new members, their goals for the future, and their feelings on making their stage debut together after already working with one another as Radio Ambassadors!

Continue reading ‘We want to bring out colours that only we can create as Idols!’ – A New Chapter Begins for LONDON BLUE →
Interviews

ISILIEL: ‘Your words, you holding my hand, that is the light of my life’

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This summer, Himari Tsukishiro (NECRONOMIDOL) will embark on her first world tour under her solo dance and vocal project ISILIEL.

After announcing her solo project just 1 year ago, fans of Himari have been enjoying the journey of ISILIEL. With the release of her solo debut album, ‘Moonbow Genesis‘, this spring. And with spring comes the renewal of old and all that is fresh and new.

The MOONBOW RISING World Tour will see Himari perform across the globe, with shows in Asia, Europe and North America. Her dedicated fanbase have been waiting patiently for the details on the upcoming performances.

Continue reading ISILIEL: ‘Your words, you holding my hand, that is the light of my life’ →
Interviews

Meriken Chiwawa: ‘It’s time for girl punk bands now!’

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A new punk band has arrived, so girls, let’s do it flashy!

Fans of the ‘fancy animal’ punk band Knuckle Chiwawa can look forward to a new all girl punk outfit headed by long time punker and legendary front woman Shibakuzo Rei-chan.

Now, Meriken Chiwawa has become a separate unit with Rei-chan on vocals, Yamada Oi on guitar, and Hitsuji on bass. And these girls are ready to bring some fresh and flashy punk rock onto the scene.

Rei-chan has been active in the underground alternative scene in Japan for over a decade, most recently with Knuckle Chiwawa, releasing music and touring extensively with them since 2019. However, she tells us ‘It’s time for girl punk bands now!’

Gritty, fast and in your face, we can expect Meriken Chiwawa to tear up the stage with their explosive live performance. Releasing first single “Shibakuzo no Theme” back in April 2023, Yamada and Hitsuji officially joined the ranks a month later making Meriken Chiwawa a 3-piece.

Rei-chan, Yamada and Hitsuji joined Beyond Senpai to chat about the debut of the new unit. Lets do it flashy!

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Feature Article, Interviews

‘Even if it’s different, I won’t let Satanic Punish deteriorate’ – An Interview with Bokuga Sakura

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Come April 29th, the stages of Japan will darken with the promise of a new era for Satanic Punish, who will go through a major lineup change with the graduation of Legendary Members, Webshiki and Himeno Usagi. After making their debut in March of 2020, both Webshiki and Usagi created an image and sound for Satanic Punish that is undeniably theirs, but after three years with the group, both are ready to pass the baton and allow Satanic Punish to flourish under a new system.

Now, new member and soloist Bokuga Sakura will be joining the front lines of Satanic Punish alongside fellow member Mana Manomu – who joined the group at the tail-end of October 2022 – and crafting her own image within and for the group upon her official join date, which begins on April 29th, 2023.

Continue reading ‘Even if it’s different, I won’t let Satanic Punish deteriorate’ – An Interview with Bokuga Sakura →
Interviews

TsuShiMaMiRe: ready to rock

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Tokyo punk rock legends TsuShiMaMiRe are set to send their British fans wild with their first ever live show on UK soil.

With a history spanning more than two decades, Mari, Yayoi and Maiko are ready to bring their eclectic punk rock style to the Lexington, London, on June 14th. After 20 full length releases and multiple live performances worldwide including an incredible 15 US tours, the group has made a name for themselves on the live punk circuit.

Formed back in 1999, the trio have not only toured and recorded extensively, but also went on to establish their own record label, MOJOR RECORDS, in 2010, where bassist Yayoi’s solo project FERRET NOISE can be found.

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Interviews

Carnage Society: The artwork that makes the music. An interview with Yu-ki Iwata.

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The creativeness of music takes many forms, from the audible to the visual. And the artwork presented to us on our favourite record sleeves tell just as much of the musical story as the songs themselves.

SERPENT

Illustrator Yu-ki Iwata, known as Carnage Society, is one of the creative souls who works alongside bands and musicians to bring to life those album artworks.

Working as a freelance illustrator since high school, Yu-ki has worked on artworks for many prominent metal and visual kei artists. And more recently, with influences from death metal and grind core, Yu-ki has developed their style further, fusing kawaii and gore to create the original character GORE-GIRL.

Yu-ki joined Beyond Senpai to tell us more about the creativity involved in being an illustrator.

Continue reading Carnage Society: The artwork that makes the music. An interview with Yu-ki Iwata. →