Q&A with VAMPS' Hyde and K.A.Z.

​VAMPS may well be the world's most unassuming supergroup. They consist of L'Arc En Ciel singer Hyde and guitarist K.A.Z, formerly of the (awesome, in my opinion) late 90s/early 2000s rockers Oblivion Dust. A superstar in Asia whose distinctive voice you'll certainly know if you're in the habit of watching anime or Japanese movies, Hyde is also an actor, having also starred in a pair of Japanese movies (as a slightly homoerotic vampire with yakuza buddies in "Moonchild" and a mysterious musician in "Kagen no tsuki" - noticing a theme here?). K.A.Z is less of a prominent personality in the Japanese entertainment industry, but there's no question the man is talented (did I mention how great Oblivion Dust were?). The band they've come together to form is both fun and deliciously campy, with the vampire theme being utilized in a way that's more comical than scary.

Hyde remains oddly elusive for someone who's been a star for years, so I was a little surprised to find him to be so open and willing to answer questions. K.A.Z was a little quieter, but charmingly appreciative of the reception that VAMPS have been getting in the US so far.

I sat down with the two of them backstage at the Regency Center on a recent Saturday afternoon, a few hours before their show, to ask them what the whole VAMPS project is about and how they feel about touring the US.

(Random side note - VAMPS should be congratulated for coming up with just about the best promotional idea ever for a fanbase full of women - VAMPS themed makeup. I've been presented with some interesting freebies over the years, but lip-gloss and a cute little tub of sparkly eyeshadow? Now that's a new one.)