On Sept. 29th, MAX release their first best album 'MAXIMUM COLLECTION'. They looked back for us on the 4 years since their debut. And what came up were numerous deep episodes!
We remember every single thing that happened to us since our debut.
MAX finally releases their best album. Almost of of their works have been big hits, the seats at their concerts and arena class lives are always more than filled...With such talent as they possess, you would think that such an outcome would be obvious, but the four of them shake their heads, and say 'It still doesn't feel real...'Now that's modesty.
Even so, no, because of that, they say of the episodes from the busy days since their debut, 'We remember every single thing.'(NANA), and look back fondly on what has come before.
It all began with the forming of MAX...
REINA: In the beginning, the plan was just to release one single.But we ended up producing a second single, and then a third.
LINA: But during the recording of that third single, 'TORA TORA TORA', we thought 'What will we do if this doesn't become a hit?' (laugh)
REINA: The staff felt that way too, and since we were still children then, we got very serious about it all. I remember we were in a very tense state of mind.
But 'TORA TORA TORA' which was also the theme song to MAX's starring movie 'Ladies MAX' became a hit, and with the hit of this song, the members activities for '96 started off on the right note.
REINA: I think that '96 was the year that people finally started to know about MAX.
MINA: At the end of the year, releasing our album was a big thing too.And then it became #1 on the charts, and sold over 100 thousand copies... Not only were we really suprised,but the was staff as well. Unintentionally, we all yelled 'Hooray!' together. (laugh)
In early '97, that was blessed with something that cemented MAX's existance even furthur than their first album, 'MAXIMUM', the release of 'Give me a Shake', which was not a cover, but their first original song.
NANA: We were so happy. It was a song that was like the style that we ourselves had envision MAX to be, and listening to it, we were so moved.
REINA: And our outfits too. When we did Euro-beat covers, we wore little dresss, but from this song on, the we all got together and brainstormed,and we decided on slim suits. These were really well recieved, and there were even girls that copied us. That made us so happy, we said, they're even noticing our fashion!
In Aug. of that same year, they had their first national tour.
NANA: I really feel that this tour really deepened the bond the four of us have. Isn't a concert somewhere where everything's up to you? So we talked alot more together about what we were aiming for, and on stage, we really looked out for each other.
And, what concluded MAX's '97 was the extraordinary news of the decision that they would be granted a spot in that years 'Koukahu Utagassen'.
LINA:It was a huge event! Cause my mother came all the way to NHK hall in Tokyo to see me! (laugh) But you know, at the beginning, the staff hid it from us.
REINA:On the day that the press release was made, the staff didn't tell us the truth. They told us to come to the office becuase we had something we had to cover, and then as we were all getting our makeup on, the office staff came in and said 'It's been decided that you'll take part in Kouhaku!'We were so , we couldn't suprised to grasp the situation.It was such a shock, almost like a joke.(laugh)
And '98. Experiencing many big jobs like starring in their first drama, in Oct. they made
their triumphant return for a concert in the Convention Center of their hometown of
Okinawa .
Mina: In terms of '98, I think that our concert at the Okinawa Convention Center left the
biggest impression. Including the tension and atmosphere, I think it became a concert
that could only have happened in Okinawa.
Lina: Yeah. I can't forget about that concert. It was a wondrous sensation. So many of my
friends came to see us, and acquaintances too...looking carefully in at the audience, I'd
make a lot of discoveries like.. 'I swear I've seen that person before....Oh, it's my old
teacher Mr. So and so!' (Laugh)
Regarding their singles '98 was a year of 'challenges'.
Mina: In '97, we released a lot of R&B like songs, but in '98, we released Latin and
medium tempo songs, and had a lot of challenges.
And now, this year, '99. MAX's last year of the 90's started with the release of 'Love
impact'.
Nana: To tell you the truth, 'Love impact' was a song with a lot of hardships. (laugh) In
the beginning, we were going to release a different song. We'd all talked together about
wanting to film a PV outside, and this song was perfect for that. So it was decided that
we'd film the PV in Los Angeles. But then the song was switched to 'Love impact'....of
course we love 'Love impact' too, but it didn't really have the right type of image for the
PV to be filmed outside. (laugh) And then we had to re-do the dance over and over, and
stuff...it's a song with a lot of memories. (laugh)
Three days after releasing 'Love impact' MAX began their national tour of the biggest
scale ever.
Lina: Since this year began, I feel like all we've been thinking about is concerts for a long
time... Last year, we talked about wanting to go to more places. Since we were able to
make the a reality promptly, it feels like all of a sudden this year became fulfilling.
Mina: On this tour, there were a lot of places we went to for the first time. It really made
me think 'Every places way of going wild is different.' When we'd finished all 53 places,
rather than 'It's finally over' I had a stronger feeling of 'It's over already?'.
Now, the last half of '99. The members dispatched their feelings about MAX from here
now on.
Mina: First, I want to continue to do concerts. Second, I want to improve both
individually and as MAX. Then I think I can do more interesting things than now. I want
to try many new kinds of challenges.
Reina: I want us to be the coolest women's group in Japan. Now, aren't there a lot of new
women's groups? I want to be a group where no matter who it is, they think 'There's
cool.'
Lina: Yeah. If someone were to ask foreigners, 'What's the coolest singing and dancing
group in Japan?' I want MAX to be the first name they think of. I want MAX to be that
kind of group. Of course, to do that, I'll have to polish myself up too, but...'
Nana: It will be better if, as the years go by, our individual atmospheres and coolness
comes out more. And after that, It'd be nice to pursue what we're doing now, and
become the coolest group in Japan and stuff. And of course, I always want to continue
having concerts. For us, a live is the place that's more fun than anything else. Lives are
where we members can all be ourselves most. So, my ideal is to be a cool group while
continuing to do that.
'The coolest group in Japan.' All four chose slightly different words, but their emotion is
the same.
Reina: For the four of us to be together has become natural. Because of that, everyday is
more fun than we can help.
Mina: We're so close that other people treat us weird. (laugh)
Even as they laugh together, they provide each other continued stimulus. From here now on, MAX, who overflow with such aspirations will surely show various styles of progress.