B'z Live-Gym 2003
"BANZAI IN NORTH AMERICA"
The Showbox, Seattle, October 21, 2003

Report by Dave - from B'z Fanatics

Hmmmm....even as I write those words...it does not quite sink in, that the wait and climax of seven years of listening, absorbing, and enjoying this music has come to me and my life. I doesn't seem possible at all. I cannot express what I have seen an heard in mere words, which can distort and muddy the memory, but with a little divine help and some nice CD's in the background to keep me going, I will try my level best to convey to you all what this fan saw, heard, and felt at this AMAZING show.

The elation of seeing the show, the passion of the performance, the skill in which it was produced, the energy of a crowd packed way too tight into a confined space that normally would make this man VERY uncomfortable (I am extremely claustrophobic), and the heartache of leaving new grounded friendships, and the lessons learned during this time.

To give you an idea...that the Big Guy was on my side and of my little group...B2, Touko, OroOroKen, Angel1, ahleung, and Gouki all got advanced passes. This was all due to the business owners complaining because there was a line up on the sidewalk. Also due to some rowdy SOB's from previous concerts bashing out windows and putting stickers and other stuff all over the place. My situation was a little more complicated due to my friend being in Olympia with my ticket. Let's just say an angel from Canada came through for me at the last minute. (You know who you are...) Aside from the people in the bar(Angel1 and Gouki included), B2, Touko, OroOroKen, and I were THE first to get into the venue. With the crush to get in...we managed the 5th row. In case you are wondering, I am 25...I could go into the bar...but I was not going to leave the Three Musketeers behind...that would not be fair to them,(All for one, and one for ALL!) and I wanted to be able to make sure we all got there safely.

As people started to fill the hall...it was pretty bloody uncomfortable. I had my group however, and I was fine...I let B2 know about my fears before hand...and he made sure I was OK...the guy is a class act. Poor Touko, she is such a little thing, and I was SO worried about her, but B2 was there to protect her, so I knew she'd be alright. O.O.Ken made sure to keep watch...as he had his sister with him as well, who is also a little thing. Before the concert I met up with a Japanese transplant student(Shintaro-san) living in Seattle, who was amazed that I knew so much...I made sure to tell him that we have a following here in the States and around the world he would not believe. During the concert, I knew more of the lyrics to sing than he did.

We had to wait 65 minutes for the concert to officially start, with Elvis music in the background...that was really bizarre. I got to know Shintaro pretty well, at least on a nice aquaintence level, so I had a "buddy" to rave to a bit. Then the moment came...and at first I saw nothing...then Takanobu-san walked to the keyboard...then Shane walked to his kit...then...Tak...arms raised...and the crowd went berserk...then Kohshi...and it was ON.

As simple "Hello" and then Arakure...heavy and so bloody loud I almost fell over. I think it finally sunk in when I made eye-contact with Kohshi...and that this guy was less than 10 feet from me...and to see Tak, again...less than 10 feet...to hear the unabashed riffage...to hear Kohshi's crystal clear voice(it was amazing guys!)...I am just bloody speechless.

After that...it's kind of a blur...so I will try to remember a few choice moments. This will be at random as they come to me.

Kohshi's English was clear, precise, and excellent. His emcee was really good...he kept everyone going between the breaks...and what is great...he pronounced Seattle CORRECTLY! I was afraid after last year's "Lazanjelehz" that he would flub it...but he didn't.

Love is Dead was AMAZING...especially when the solo started..."Dear God"...that's all I could say...over and over...out loud...so everyone could hear...his technique was fluid...although I couldn't see the fingerboard...I didn't need to...I felt EVERY note.

Before Taiyou no Komachi Angel, Kohshi's emcee was pretty funny. I said something like..."can you all clap?" Then he said, "...it's real easy..." The audience was off...he gives this look like *oh, come on* but just quickly...then we got the beat. Then it was almost like BUZZ...but of course ALL electric. Kohshi sang to Tak's solo...clear...succinct...and note for bloddy note. Again saying out loud, "Dear God"...I had a lot of those moments...

This was really great though...before Easy Come, Easy Go, Kohshi says something like "...we're going to teach you Americans a new song...it's really easy..." Then B2 yells out..."EASY COME..." then everyone "EASY GO!" Kohshi grinned...then the customary "na na-na na na na-tu ru tu tu tu-ah ah ah ah ah" filled the place.

Then..Brotherhood...and all of you know my love for this song...then it hit me...Tak is playing this for me...and everyone here...in this packed auditorium...at this time...and this place...and all the world was right. During the song, I was able to FINALLY sing the bridge in it's entirety...I had the master not less than 10 feet in front of me. Then Kohshi held the "we'll beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..." He arched his back...I held it there until he then BENT OVER forward and continued the note...then I lost it...he held that note for at LEAST 30 seconds...

Funny moments like this...Kohshi had to TRY to say he was happy to be at the Showbox...now for those who have never been...the only reason to play the Showbox is the bar...the stage is small...the lighting is pretty poor. B'z had to bring in their own spotlights, because, you guessed it...the Showbox doesn't have any!

I was spit on by the Koshmeister twice...not an enjoyable experience, but one I can let go of this time...next time...I'll just bumrush the stage and tackle the guy...yeah right...^_~

I am skipping over a whole lot, but I have so much to remember...it is Synethsesia(a complete overwhelming of the senses) en total. I remember so much, but cannot express it to you...

Tak must have visited Jimi's grave...because before MOTEL he did an intro and omage to Little Wing. I was so surprised by the improvisation and the fact that he took it and made it his own. I honestly thought and blurted out "...OH...my God...is Kohshi gonna sing Little Wing????" But alas, it wasn't meant to be...MOTEL started...but that was just as good...Tak dinkered(yes, a new Dave-ism...) with the solo in that one too, and it was AMAZING.

The solo in Giri Giri Chop went on FOREVER...I was just awestruck...my jaw dropped, and stayed there...as the only clear view I had was that guitar, those hands, and the notes that filled the air.

During the concert...it was a very strange thing. There was a point where it seemed that people cleared around me...and I was swimming in the mood...in the feeling of absolute joy...in the ambiance of having the sound of music I enjoy so dearly live in front of my ears. It was like I was floating on the joy that filled the place. I knew that all would be protected...that all were safe, and the fear of claustrophobia that has gripped me for nearly 20 years seemed to drip away from me with the all prevasive sweat and heat that filled the place. It was clearer to me that God was very much in this place, protecting all of us, and enjoying the fact that I was so happy. For someone who believes that His grace covers all...even those who do not know Him...it was such an amazing experience, and a profound lesson to learn in such an odd place.

Then the end of the concert...Kohshi made sure to let everyone one know they would be back. Then he got the audience to do the Banzai once to get it down then...

"Se no...BANZAI..BANZAI..BANZAI!"

For the record...and I was there...the setlist was EXACTLY the same as the previous shows, but with the added Tak riffage of the Little Wing omage.

I know this is not as complete as my normal reviews...but I have nothing to compare it to...I can't even say that this concert was more real to me than anything I have seen from them...even though those concerts on DVD are just as real to me...I hold those memories with me as well.

The friendships that I have formed and bonded this week and this concert are stronger in the space of 3 days than many that I have had for years, and I pray that they last, and do not disappear, and get washed away in the sands of time. The melacholy feeling, not of "Post Live-Gym Syndrome", but of the fact that the two of my new friends that I connected with the most are now gone and back home...leaves a gap in my soul that I cannot describe. I pray that they will return, and that next year is even better.

As for Tak and Kohshi...they are welcome anytime to this humble hamlet. I hope they will promote more, and get the Paramount theater next time around...or at least the Moore...with some seats...my feet were killing me. I'll even treat them to a Tully's Coffee or even a nice dinner at Ivar's Salmon House...on me guys!!! See you all next year!!!