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.)
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