Luck Life is a rock band from Osaka Japan, composed by 4 high school classmates. PON (guitar and vocals), ikoma (guitar and chorus), Taku (bass) and LOVE Ooishi (drums). They officially started as Luck Life in 2008 receiving lots of attention from the young audience in Osaka and later all over Japan. They released their first mini album on november 2009 and since then, they have 4 full length albums and an upcoming new single titled “Refrain” which has been released today! (August 23rd 2017).
Honey-chan and Bee-kun, had a conversation with Luck Life's guitarist and vocalist, PON. They asked him questions about the band beginnings, their music and song composition, future plans, and of course, about anime.
About the Band
The band started on 2005, can you tell us the story of how did you meet and started playing together?
We were all high school classmates. The group was formed with the four of us who were good friends at that time, with the dream of wanting to become famous. The impetus for this was when we went to a live show for one of our senpai’s bands.
What are your favorite musicians/bands, the ones that inspired you the most?
Personally, The first band that made us think “We want to become singers” was KinKi Kids. After hearing bands like Mr. Children and BUMP OF CHICKEN, we started to think “we want to sound like this!”.
Can you tell us about the process of writing new songs?
It really depends on which song we are talking about, but the most common process starts with humming. From the humming, we add a guitar track, and the members start to make it into music. Things we do not want to forget, things we want to say, and delusions are not put into the music. We focus on things that we have actually felt and experienced in life, and that is what we put into our music
What is your favorite part of performing live?
Our favorite part is being able to share what happens in that one moment with our audience. It’s the part where you make eye contact, you laugh, you cry, and you realize that you are not alone.
About Anime
Your new single, “Refrain”, is the ED theme for the anime series Saiyuki RELOAD BLAST, What are the ideas behind the song and how does it relate with the anime?
The idea behind the song "Refrain" is that the characters of Saiyuki are manly, strong, and do not bend to the will of others. With these characters, not only are we making music for them, but also we also made a song that we identify with. No matter what anyone says, there is still something that we want to say with song. The song is one of resolution to protect that thought as if it were our conviction, and to continue to keep protecting it
Many of your songs have been featured in anime series, most memorable ones are the third ending of Junjou Romantica “Kawaranai Sora”, and more recently “Namae wo Yobu yo” and “Kaze ga Fuku Machi” for Bungo Stray Dogs. How does it feel to have your songs in popular anime series that are watched all over the world?
To think that there are fans all over the world listening to our music is honestly something that hasn’t hit us yet, but we are extremely happy to hear this. When we accept tie-up songs, we use it as a chance to take a fresh look back on our lives as human beings. That way, we are able to do it with a fresh feeling every time.
Luck Life "Namae wo Yobu yo" - Music Video Full Size
Do you watch anime or read manga? What are your favorite manga or anime series?
We tend to read manga mostly. Our favorite manga is Slam Dunk. When we were in elementary school, we read Slam Dunk and then the days where we began to be absorbed into basketball began. Even now, it is our favorite series to read over and over again.
If you could be a manga or anime character, which one would you like to be?
We really look up to characters that have great intellect like Ranpo from Bungou Stray Dogs, Shikamaru from NARUTO, and Kurapika from Hunter x Hunter. To be honest though, I really want to read a manga where PON is used as the main character, LOL.
About Overseas Activities
Many fans overseas are exposed to your music through anime, and later they get caught up in all your songs becoming fans of Luck Life’s music, Where in the world would you like to perform? Here is your opportunity to send a message to all your fans overseas.
If there is someone there who will listen, we want to sing to them no matter where they are in the world. So, please support Luck Life with a voice louder than usual.
What’s next for Luck Life, new album? Tour? More singles and music videos?
We will release “Refrain” in August 23rd, and then we are going on a national tour called Luck Life 2017-2018 ~Change The World TOUR~. We are working very hard towards being able to go and meet our fans who live abroad so please wait for us.
Luck Life “Refrain” - Music Video (Full Size)
I knew PON was very talented but I didn’t know he was so down-to-earth and lighthearted!
It’s amazing how they have been making music together all those years. They deserve more attention from the media, I don’t see them enough.
We should go check one of their shows of the upcoming ~Change The World TOUR~
Definitely! Meanwhile, I will be listening to “Refrain” non-stop.
Find out more about Luck Life here!
Get Your Copy Here!
Refrain by Luck Life / ED of Saiyuki RELOAD BLAST
Kaze ga Fuku Machi by Luck Life / ED of Bungo Stray Dogs S2
Namae wo Yobu yo by Luck Life / ED of Bungo Stray Dogs S1