【posted by Masayuki Nakano Dec.31, 2014】 There are only a few hours left in 2014. We finally finished our album and are working hard on the Man with a Mission remix. We are doing everything we can to be sure that the MWAM members and our fans thoroughly enjoy this remix. Next, we have an announcement. Michiyuki Kawashima has overcome brain tumors three times. His first tumor removal surgery was in 1997, our debut year. The third surgery was in 2013, so this bands career can literally be called a series of hardships. In March 2014, right after our tour, the fourth recurrence of his brain tumor was confirmed. He was told he had about two years to live, and confronted with the overwhelming fact that he had between six months to a year left of music making. Driven by a strong sense of purpose that he had to finish the album that was in progress, and eager to leave concerts in the memories of as many people as possible, he performed at festivals and events, such as Viva La Rock and Arabaki, even with no hope for survival. Then, after various tumor treatments, Kawashimas tumor reached stage four, and therapy became extremely difficult. Disappointed time and again as he met with excellent doctors, he refused to give up and kept going with his treatments. Ultimately, he ended up trying BNCT, which is in its clinical trial stage, a special radiation treatment. In late July, he participated as the ninth subject in the trials, and after several months of observation, he found that it had succeeded in preventing the spread of the tumor!! Right after treatment, although he had lost all his hair and did not feel well at all, Michiyuki Kawashima played in a lot of concerts. I thought, this guy is amazing - I could never do such a thing. What I want to say is, I want you to give a big hand for Michiyuki Kawashima, who never stopped running, never stopped making the album, and never canceled a concert even through the recurrence of his tumor and treatment. I can barely believe that I am standing next to someone who has the mental strength to pull off something like that. There is really nothing I can say but that he is amazing. Kawashima is returning to his original pace little by little. To all his fans, please rest assured. In the 2011 earthquake, we were reminded of the fragility and preciousness of life, and I was astonished all over again by the fragility of the person actually next to me. At the same time, it led me to ask the basic question of why this person sings. What is he trying to say? Kawashima has decided to devote the life he was given to recordings and concerts. And we finished the fantastic album, SHINE LIKE A BILLION SUNS. Even as we were fighting against the fear of death, we were able to feel the simple joy of life as we worked on creating this album. Without being overly sentimental, we were able to concentrate on the music itself. And we were able to succeed in finishing an album of fierce, beautiful, tender music that resonates in your heart. We have an unusually strong sense that life has an end. We make music knowing the beauty and preciousness of life. I think we have created music that a lot of people can relate to. I really hope you will listen to this album. Please, open your ears and your hearts and listen. It plays a life story that is sometimes loud, and sometimes delicate. I think it is not too much to say that this work is the ultimate in musical expression! We are going to charge into 2015 full steam ahead, so please support Michiyuki Kawashima and Boom Boom Satellites! We will keep running until we crumble to dust. Finally, we wish you all a Happy New Year! May you all be happy in 2015.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:43:18 +0000
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