On October 22, Japanese rock band BAND-MAID released their latest EP, SCOOOOOP, offering fans a fresh, energetic collection of tracks. In a candid interview with Billboard Japan, the band discussed their creative process behind the new EP, shared insights from their recent performances, and hinted at what’s to come in 2026. The conversation began with a look back at their first OKYU-JI performance in Bangkok, Thailand, held in August 2023.
Reflections on the Bangkok Show:
AKANE (drums): “I was so thrilled to finally perform an OKYU-JI in Bangkok. We had special effects like flames on stage, which was a rare treat at a festival. I had an amazing time!”
SAIKI (vocals): “The warmth of the Thai audience was incredible. From the stage, you could feel that they truly love rock music. It was such a fulfilling experience to be in Thailand.”
KANAMI (guitar): “For many in the crowd, it was their first time seeing an OKYU-JI live. That made me nervous, but what’s unique about a BAND-MAID show is that we genuinely love performing, so I was excited! Misa and I had a bit of a bass-guitar battle on stage, which was really fun.”
MISA (bass): “Yeah, it was a new experience for us. We really enjoyed the energy from the crowd.”
MIKU KOBATO (guitar/vocals): “There were a lot of people who hadn’t seen us before, so I was unsure how it would go. But as we played, more and more people started getting into it. I was so happy to see the Masters and Princesses (BAND-MAID’s fanbase) cheering and dancing. I can’t wait to go back to Thailand and perform a solo OKYU-JI there!”
The Creative Process Behind ‘SCOOOOOP’:
When asked about the new EP, the band explained how it came together alongside last year’s album. SAIKI shared the inspiration behind the uplifting track “SUPER SUNSHINE.”
SAIKI: “I wanted to create a song that would make people feel welcome, especially those who might have stopped attending our shows. I thought about something that never goes away—like the Sun. I hope BAND-MAID can be like that for our fans, shining for them whenever they need us. I wanted the song to feel like a superhero anthem, full of positivity and energy.”
MISA: “The song’s intro has this swelling feeling, which was a lot of fun to work on. I wanted the bass solo to feel live and energetic, like the kind of show we put on. I included slap bass and harmonies, trying to make it as rich as possible. It took some time, but it was worth it.”
AKANE: “I feel the same way. I love playing live, and I want to give that same energy back to our fans. They’re the reason we’re able to perform with so much passion.”
The band also reflected on their collaboration for “Dilly-Dally,” a song co-written by SAIKI and KOBATO.
SAIKI: “We wanted to send a message to younger people who spend too much time on their phones, and also remind everyone not to let the negativity in the world get them down. The title ‘Dilly-Dally’ was inspired by this idea of wasting time on social media, and we wanted to create a catchy, fun tune with that message.”
KOBATO: “We had already used ‘dilly-dally’ in our song ‘Moratorium,’ so I thought it would be nice to revisit that theme. We both wrote lyrics separately, then combined the best parts.”
The Meaning of ‘SCOOOOOP’ and the EP’s Title:
When discussing the title SCOOOOOP, the band explained that it represents not only their close bond but also their hopes for the future.
SAIKI: “We chose the title ‘SCOOOOOP’ because we wanted to share something special with both new listeners and long-time fans. The word ‘scoop’ also represents how we want to convey the tight-knit relationships within BAND-MAID—the five of us are what make this band. The five ‘O’s represent the unity of our band.”
The final track of the EP, an instrumental called ‘Lock and Load,’ was designed to showcase the band’s signature sound, while preparing fans for future releases.
KOBATO: “It’s like we’re ‘ready to go’—’all weapons loaded.’ Many people are discovering us for the first time through this EP, so we wanted Lock and Load to feel like a powerful introduction to BAND-MAID. We hope it gives a sense of what’s to come.”
Looking to the Future:
Following the release of SCOOOOOP, the band is already thinking about their plans for 2026.
SAIKI: “We definitely want to perform overseas next year. There are so many fans around the world who’ve been asking us to visit their countries, and we really want to make that happen.”
KOBATO: “We’ve had a lot of OKYU-JI events in Japan this year, but we’re eager to take the show abroad in 2026. We don’t have the details yet, but we’re working hard to make it happen, and we hope everyone is looking forward to it!”
As BAND-MAID continues to grow their global presence, SCOOOOOP marks another milestone in their musical journey—one that reflects both their dedication to their fans and their unwavering passion for rock music.
— This interview was originally conducted by Takayuki Okamoto and appeared on Billboard Japan.