The Story Hasn’t Finished Yet

July 7th, 2008

Fuck.

This is probably the only word that went through my head throughout that day.

I knew this was coming, but not this soon.

As some of you may know, Maki from HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR is getting married to the bassist of Dreams Come True, Nakamura Masato. I was ecstatic about it; actually I wasn’t since Pengie from Unchained screamed out to me on wotachat that Maki also was going to leave Haikara since she is now engaged. The “Maki was going to leave Haikara” hit hard, honestly, I personally didn’t give a shit about her getting married after hearing that. What she was doing, was “breaking up” a perfectly fine band that had endless amounts of potential.

Yes, I was completely heartless in hindsight. While Pengie took the news quite solemnly, Wotachat was filled with endless outbursts of profanity, mainly from me. I was angry, but it wasn’t blind fury angry, it was more along the lines of just being disappointed. I was just vomiting out curses to express my disappointment. I have already “lost” one of my favourite bands, Do As Infinity, that hit me extremely hard since it was my first Japanese group. And now Haikara?

But after recollecting myself, I thought about it some more and actually read the article carefully. In fact, my favourite Okinawa band wasn’t going to disband; Maki was just going to drop out. So, hopefully they’ll find a replacement. And yes, I still need to congratulate Maki on her engagement, I totally, wish you the best with your marriage and I hope you’ll sing again. I knew from the bottom of my heart that Maki was going to leave one day. But honestly, I never thought it would be this soon. I knew Maki was going to get tired of singing rock songs, her voice is beautiful, no doubt about that.

The random output of ballads which Haikara were not known for doing were a sign of things to come, and I didn’t pick it up, bleh, but Rock Pit didn’t even include “Dreams” (and I’m glad they didn’t include it since it would have fitted the overall theme) so obviously no one saw it coming. But her voice is more than suitable for ballads, just take “With YOU” on Goover for example, it’s a beautiful ballad but it’s not what Haikara are known for, but damn. But I really hope Maki does come back, hopefully in a band but if she’s going solo, I totally understand why. Maybe Maki will be in a trio with Nakamura like the brilliant green, all they need to do is to find a guitarist.

Maki isn’t the core that HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR revolves around. She’s important, but if you look it from another angle, I can see her being replaced by another female vocalist, but it’s hard to imagine Haikara with another female vocalist. I don’t want to throw off Maki, because she has made the band what they are, Yuusuke and the band wouldn’t have gone anywhere without her. Anti-Nobunaga was a pretty average band to start off with, I’ll admit. But they had to adjust some of their musical direction once Maki was included and that adjustment proved to be their breakthrough. But Yuusuke and the guys can go on without her and I’ll continue to listen to their stuff because Maki didn’t write the songs, the guys did. The music and energy is what keeps me listening to them, Maki’s voice made the song BETTER than what it was already was. I mean honestly, if Yuusuke just screamed and rapped throughout the song than it would have killed it since all the songs Haikara makes are FOR Maki to sing. Maki or any other female fronted rock band balances out the torrent of testosterone vibrating through the instruments with their voice, a light but appropriate amount of femininity in the song. That’s what I LOVE about female fronted rock bands, the balance is the ecstasy for me, and this balance is just what makes them so successful.

Nonetheless, I can’t do anything about it. It’s Maki’s decision to leave the band. Like Pengie said, “It’s knowing that I watched them begin and now I’m watching her (not them, her) end.”

Cheers Maki for a wonderful two and a bit years. You have been sensational, in every release. I will miss your hot outfits, wicked hairstyles, your personality and most of all, your outstanding vocal ability. I really do wish you all the best with your marriage and I really do hope to see you in the music scene soon.

To end this optimistically, anyone up for Chapter Two?

I sure am.

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Posted in Thoughts | Comments (Comments)

  • feellikedance
    When I read that Maakii was getting married, it didn't phase me at all. When I read the "Maki will leave by the end of the year", I cried, no, bawled. She kept the love alive for bringing that touch of feminity to HaiKara. To lose that piece stung especially since most females in J-pop do pop and few are in rock. I love my Yuusuke Darlin' and all, but Maakii dancing and twirling about is total love.
    I agree completely on the female fronted band thing. I wish for her to go solo or maybe enter another band. At the least, if solo or band thing doesn't happen, the most I want is her marriage to be wonderful. Her leaving makes sense, going on tours and convections would separate her from her hubby who's touring as well. I don't want another Utada Hikaru Flavor of Life event. The lyrics were Hikaru's love life, not fiction.

    It kinda hurts that other HaiKara fans are throwing in the towel because she's not there. Reading Pengie's post helped me as well. We just have to enjoy all of the remaining 6 months of Maakii. The new single, PV, and the special graduation event. She's putting her heart into everything, 'till the end. 2009 scares me. Hopefully the new replacement is good.

    Agree with the last bit.

    Chapter Two, I am ready.
  • Second Blossoming
    Mmmmm I know what you mean, especially what you mean by fans throwing in the towel just because Maki is leaving. Guess they can't accept change i suppose. Well Haikara are auditioning for a new vocalist next year, just hope its female.


    Glad to hear your ready for it mate.
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