Alright so I'm guessing its my turn to say what had happened .wow.
DAY 2So I went to meet up with the SH members this day and it wasn't hard to spot them,they had the banner ready to go...I went up to them, I felt awkward since it was my first time meeting all of them but I just tagged along with the crowed .sweat. Well then I went by myself to pick up my passport and came back,they were taking pictures with the banner by then so I rushed there will they were calling me xD ... Oke so after that Lale,Kelly and I went to Starbucks to get something to eat and drink,Lale was upset because starbucks didn't heat up his food,They told him that they did not have a microwave???? I was like what Starbucks does not have a freaking microwave lol ... alright so we head back to see whats going on in exhibit hall and there wasn't much,the cure booth only had SCANDAL's 2 albums a mag. and a shirt... We walked around for a bit and the 9 SH members were taking pictures in one of those purikura picture booths,then headed to the Food trucks to grab some grub,killed some time and waited in line for Kanon Wakeshima & Kanon x Kanon Concert ... after it was done We headed straight to LAX Airport and Oh boy how Awsome was this! so we went to terminal 3 and waited about 1hr and a half by then we found out there was another flight coming in and we sent someone [insert here]
I forgot who... sorry .shy. about 30min later Wat gets a call and we all start rushing towards terminal 5 were they landed , saw the Am2 guy there who was going to pick them up, waited some more by then we all just like this --> .toj. and when they finally came out .dies. All us,full of excitement I manage to snap some shots of them これ:
Haruna & Tomomi
Tomomi
Rina
Mami
When they went outside the Am2 guy told us we can cheer them on outside an so we did,then all of a sudden Rina started taking pictures of us and also their staff took one...Wat & Zimbobbio were dancing in the Canta & Doraemon cosplay's, they made the girls laugh and smile it was so cute .love. ,pretty much after this we went to dinner at King's Hawaiian, talked about what happened and planned out the next day...Since it was SCANDAL's day....
Day 3The Big DAY! has arrived so much was happening,I got there late and was pretty bummed out about that since they wouldnt let anymore people join in line with SH mem. for the PANEL .whiteflag. I was almost at the end of the line but went to meet up with them and sign the banner...We entered waited a bit while the announcer was doing an intro... Everyone from SH got a good view of the girl's since they sat right in front of them I was so jelly , I was sitting on the left side and They entered from the right side...so beautiful in their new outfit Love Survive ... this was were Jade manage to take pictures since she was press
The Q & A by Mercurius- Spoiler:
SCANDAL Panel
7/3/2011 10:00AM PST
Seating order: Haruna (H), Rina (R), Tomomi (T), Mami (M)
Introduction: Each member noted that it has been 3.5 years since their first time in the US.
Moderator Questions
Q: Since AM2 is an anime convention, what are the band members' favorite anime?
H: Hetalia, Kuroshitsuji
R: Ribbon (likely Hime-chan no Ribbon), Sailor Moon
T: One Piece, Sailor Moon
M: Bleach, Naruto, K-ON! (audience cheers). I watch a lot of anime and love pretty much everything I see.
Q: What is your favorite American band?
H: Jonas Brothers (crowd chuckles)
R: Taylor Swift
T: Red Hot Chili Peppers (crowd oohs impressed)
M: Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Strokes
Q: What would you like to do in America?
H: Shopping and eating (laughter)
R: Swimming in the pool (according to twitter, they did this)
T: IHOP Strawberry pancake, since I couldn't eat it before
M: A lot of things I want to do, but just would like to take a walk around LA
Guest Questions (paraphrased)
Q: If you were not in a band, what would you be doing?
H: Never really thought about it, but because I'm a music lover, it would have to be something music-related.
R: Baker
T: Care-taker / day-care worker (some confusion since Tomo said "hobo-san" not knowing it sounded like the English word for homeless, so it sounded like a joke until translator clarified)
M: Designer
Q: Any plans to release live performances / PVs from indie days?
H: No plans to.
Q: Can you describe your writing process for your songs and how it works?
R: I usually start by playing on the piano. Then I gather the other band members to figure out lyrics and complete the song. Then we work on the musical arrangement in the studio. Lastly, we record in the studio.
Q: Since you are playing in LA, are there any plans to do another US tour?
T: Not for now, but we really love LA.
Q: Tomomi, in Namida no Regret PV, you are the only one crying over a girl. Why is that, and is that how you feel about the other band members?
T: My character in the PV was crying over a close friend. I am close friends with the other three members, but definitely not romantically. I am interested in boys. (lots of awkward laughter over this)
Q: What was it like recording the cover to ZONE's Secret Base?
M: We all love the song, and all grew up listening to it. We wanted to record a cover and chose it. It was fun to record, but we were a little worried about negative reaction to it since it was such a well known song.
Q: I'm from the East Coast and wonder what you thought of the East Coast, New York in particular.
M: I love New York, it has a real glimmer / glitter look to it.
Q: Who is the better dancer, Haruna or Tomomi?
T: I have to say Haruna.
Q: Do you ever play each other's instruments?
H: During rehearsals we often play around and play each other's instruments. But since it's hard, we usually can't finish a song.
Q: Your songs are often about relationships. Are they based on any specific relationships or experiences you've had?
T: *nods* Yes
M: I often "fantasize" or think about what such a relationship would be like.
Q: In the Shoujo S PV, what is the Janitor laughing about?
R: The Janitor is a famous comedian. He's laughing because the band is playing around without paying attention to him, even though they got caught. So it's like they're just laughing it off.
Q: Have you ever considered doing a collaboration concert with Morning Musume
M: I'm a big fan of them, and in a magazine interview we mentioned it'd be nice to play at each others' concerts. We also text each other regularly.
Q: Mami, what guitar strings do you use?
M: Ernie Ball 10-gauge in a clear package.
Q: What is your favorite song to play, and the song you want fans to enjoy?
H: Play - Space Ranger. Enjoy - Scandal Baby
R: Play - Shunkan Sentimental. Enjoy - Everybody Say Yeah
T: Um... (*thinks) Play - Shoujo S. Enjoy - Shoujo M.
M: Play - Hi Hi Hi. Enjoy - Um... (Rina interjects) Hi Hi Hi
Q: Rina, why did you choose to play drums?
R: Why, I wonder? (laughter) When forming the band, it was a girl's band, and drums seemed to be a cool and suited instrument for me to play. Also, a good female drummer is pretty rare, so it was a unique position.
Q: Do you like any K-Pop groups?
H: Kara, SNSD
R: *describes appeal of K-Pop groups
T: (while Rina was describing, has a funny moment by dropping her straw completely in her water bottle. Mami and audience tries to hold back laughter while Tomo comedically tries to pull the straw out.)
Q: Are you still influenced by classic bands such as the Stones e.g. I Can't Get No Satisfaction and the song Satisfaction?
R: We enjoy doing covers, and that song is a good song. We also love the Stones and classic rock bands. However, I'm not sure about direct influences, as we still like to write the songs we want to write.
Q: Tomomi, why did you pick bass over guitar, when you could see the other two guitarists?
T: I tried learning the guitar, but since it has six strings, it was difficult so I gave up. Since the bass has just 4 strings, I thought it would be easier.
Q: Before forming the band, did you think that you would ever be in a band?
H: None of us were thinking we would.
Message to attendees before the live:
H: Please enjoy the live and be loud and dance. It's been 3.5 years since our last show in America, so we want to make this live fun. Please don't be shy.
T: *makes several unbelievably cute faces*
Overall, the questions were pretty clear and the band seem to appreciate them. I will say it was difficult to write notes while getting trapped in the band members' gazes from the front row. I'll add the Meet & Greet Q&A later once I get the other SH members' recollections and my notes straightened out.
After this they went out for a bit and
Last Minute they announced that we couldnt get an autograph unless purchasing a shirt,it came with a white cardboard paper to get signed,but alot of people were pretty upset about this since we all brought something to get signed...and it was unfair , it wasn't Am2 fault at all but Cure overwrote the agreement they had...so we had no choice but to spend $30 on the shirt and sign... SCANDAL came back in, everyone was cheering again and they let us go by row's ... when it was my turn I couldn't think straight they were just a few cm away from me and Mami was 1st to write "SCANDAL" and here sig. I said 'HI' and smiled back :D then it was tomomi awe my gawd she was lovely in person don't get me wrong they were all beautiful but tomomi threw this cute smile at me
and then Rina,signed it first then looked at me .nosebleed. ... then Haruna signed it and said "Thank you" I bowed back and said thank you as well... I didn't talk much because I didn't know what to say but Im happy to hear that bigOeyez interacted with them alot more than me,I'm sure to be right next to him if ever they come back to visit again haha,I met with everyone outside waiting in line for the
Meet and Greet This was just to surprising...we all got hit with bricks and stones when we entered the room,and the first group to go...they were sitting right in front of us
SERIOUSLY! no joke and smiling at us... this was surely SCANDAL HEAVEN at this point...we Had 7min to talk to them ask more Q's and give them gifts ...Zimbobbio made a really awesome first impression besides cosplaying as
Doraemon He gave the girl's an autographed
Sum 41 Cd, quoted: “This a gift from someone who inspired you given to us whom you expire” everyone was so shocked about this and I give Props to him for doing this .clap. after this the 2nd group had went in while we headed straight to wait in line for the concert...13 people were already waiting in line and we were surprised how fast they got there,reason is they didnt go to the event's so that how they were there first,anyway waited about 4-5hours talked with some of the guys the last 1hour or so I started hearing them practice,since I was next to the door started bumping my head,it was so EPIC even though they were practicing... I heard Shoujo S,Haruka,Scandal Baby,and Shunkan Sentimental... before we went in The Enforcer was such a nice guy,he took my glow sticks and told me "sorry I'll have to take these away" haha he was just joking about that and gave them back to me,we went in and I went straight towards tomomi's side 1st row I'm forgetting one person but he was next to me were phillip,matt,ross,then jade and that was us SH first row Left side we were in Command of the banner...
SCANDAL Setlist1. SCANDAL no Theme
2. Hi-Hi-Hi
3. EVERYBODY SAY YEAH
4. Shoujo S
5. Hoshi no Furu Yoru ni
6. DOLL
7. LOVE SURVIVE
8. Hikare
9. Haruka
10. Shunkan Sentimental
11. Kagerou
12. Space Ranger
13. SCANDAL BABY
Encore:
14. Pride
When they Started Scandal no Theme ... we had a cue to break the Glow sticks, right when Rina Count's "1!2!3!4!!!! we hit the glow sticks on 4 and started Rocking out .punches. ... EVERYBODY SAY YAH ---> everyone was so into the music going YAH!
Haruna "MAMI!!!" she starts playing a solo and it was too amazing
Haruna "EVERYBODY ARE YOU READY" the whole crowed YAHHH!!! ,
Haruna " hello eveyone! we are SCANDAL...How are you Am2? yah yah yah...Lets sing and dance tonight! " ... After DOLL they had a little intro
In ENGLISH? Haruna " Arigatou, Ok let me introduce the members,mazu(first) Drummer! RINA! " Rina " I'm Rina,you having fun? <3 Guys,Guys,Guys?? Yah...EVERYBODY SAY...YAH x2 YAY<3 GREAT THANK YOU , I LOVE YOU!!!<3 " Haruna " next Guitar MAMI! " Mami " Yesterday I was surprised,alot of fans waiting at the airport, I'm so HAPPY<3 very Happy, Thank You! " ---> this was when we Held up the BANNER and TOMOMI Pointed at us .love.
Haruna " next Bass TOMOMI " Tomomi "Hello!,I'm Tomomi ,ehh Last night,we went to 711,Red Bull...Japanese Red bull :with her hands she shows us how small it was: so cute...
American Red Bull :hands spread apart:
Big! everyone was laughing ^ ^
very surprised 
WOW! .lol.
Thank you <3 " Haruna " Vocal's...Thank you Thank you <3, I'm so happy, we Have a NEW song tonght,New Song is Very Very Fast...But! Very Very Exciting, OK? OK? ok... LOVE SURVIVE! " Very Powerful Song I loved it ...
Haruna " Thanks to all everything, Japan is still going STRONG!,so lets go to Haruka " Haruna " Thanks, Arigatou, We are really Glad to be here,Very Very Happy,We would like to COME BACK, これからもよろしくね(It was nice meeting you all),みな大好きだよ(I love you ALL),We would like to play more songs OK?,まだまだライブ好きましょう (Still like more songs)OK?Are you ready to ROCK? ROCK? YAY? YAY? もかい yay? OK lets rock Shunkan Sentimental! ... After Scandal Baby, they went backstage...All of us cheered for an encore for a 1min or so,then they came back out to play PRIDE,
Haruna "Thank you encore,元気?(fine?)元気ですか?(are you alright)すばらしですね?(it's wonderful isnt it)Everyone very excited Yay!" Rina was making cute sounds here"Last song" all of were going awe~ .please.
"Last Song PRIDE" "We Would Like to Come Back, Arigatou Gozaimashita" The Little ThingsYou may think it's over,but there is still more .clap.
so we evacuated the premises and went out of the concert room,we were planning to take a SH Group Picture then all of a sudden a bunch of people started taking pictures of us,after we went down to the 1st floor and gathered all the glow sticks we had and made this:
The Last one
I dont know if
Hope was by our side but SCANDAL came out of no where and walked pass by us we were all cheering I wasn't able to take pictures because I was just gazing at them ... We went out side , the convention was closing and then we meet Sadie right outside ... getting ready to leave in 5min,so we took some pics and talked for a bit ... here's Ross:
We ended Splitting from here,everyone was tired and needed to rest up for the last meet and greet the next day, but Lale,ultimaraiden,bigOeyez his sister and I went to iHop ... and For Tomomi:
She made me want some... I end up not finishing it ... we shared some moment's and then left
The Last DaySo I stayed up making a card for them last minute,and I Failed ... but I got like 2hrs of sleep,I went to CVS to print out some pictures of us and the one's from LAX to give to the Girls,I was running late and eveyone from SH was already in line by the time I got there,bigOeyez was at the end of the line and we ended going as the last group,it sure was nice seeing them one last time,I handed the Card and pictures to the lady that was collecting the gifts,and I couldn't remember what the Q's were but I remember the last one someone asked What was there ideal K-pop/J-pop guy and Haruna ended up saying
"We Love you!!!!<3" then before we left
We Shook their Hands OMG All of their hand were so soft .love. I was sure to make eye contact with each of them,that made my EPIC journey memorable , We got out and met with SH and went to the swimming pool next to the meet and greet , tried to find the place of Tomomi tweeted ... asked Chase Wang to help us and realized it was in an upper floor some of us said our goodbyes to the am2 staff for being so generous to us and putting up with us,we asked to try to bring SCANDAL back :D,then we just decided where to eat,everyone agreed to iHop ... Oh boy , there was 23 of us and waited about 25min ... Dbag ordered a steak while most of us ordered Pancakii .uhuh. here:
there was a 2nd table but I forgot to take a picture of the others .sweat. sorry....
FarewellsEach of us were leaving one by one and saying our Goodbyes ...it was sad that it had ended but such a memorable weekend for all of us, We all split and were still SCANDAL HIGH .stars. I got a ride with BigDnm01 and we sent Dbag aka Freddy to the airport,and headed to little tokyo,not much there spent half an hour or so and we split... This was the end of our journey at Am2 Hopefully the will come back sometime soon in the near future
Special ThanksI want to thank and give props to:
Wat - for being organized and as a Leader role model ... cosplaying as Canta
zimbobbio - giving the girls the autograph CD and being such a cool guy ;D ... cosplaying Doraemon
propglenn - getting the banner and pins for us
Jade & Ross - being SCANDAL-HEAVEN's Podcast Press and getting us some nice pictures
Mercurius - thanks for taking notes at the Q and A
ultimaraiden - thanks for bringing the Glow sticks,it made the girls happy
lale - for being one of the first SH buddie to help me out with things
BigDnm01 - giving me rides thanks so much,I am really thankful
bigOeyez - giving us the Banner idea and being a cool guy to hang around :metalboy: ;D
AM2 SPECIAL THANKS to them especially for making this happen the staff were so kind
If I'm missing anyone I am sorry but thanks guys for everything,just being there to help support SCANDAL and giving them a memorable time in the US after 3 and half years we really made a good impression,so next time around we will make it even bigger,it was nice meeting all of you and hope someday we will hang out again domo Arigatou Gozaimasu .hi.
at the previous event which was the panel, i told her that she's my favorite member while they were signing autographs and of course with the Doraemon cosplay i could assume its cause she remembered me muahaha)
