The Last Rockstars comment on the state of rock music, BLACKPINK and the Asian community in the indu

(15 Feb 2023)?

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York, 2 February 2023

1. Yoshiki, Miav, Sugizo and Hyde walking backstage to the ballroom.?

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Yoshiki, recording artist:

“Yeah, we just released a single called ‘The Last Rockstars.’ You know, happened to be the same name as the band name, yes, it’s doing pretty well.??

3. Yoshiki, Miav, Sugizo and Hyde walking down the stairs backstage.?

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Yoshiki, recording artist:

“Okay, you know, some people say ‘rock has been dead.’ I don't think so. Rocks always been around. But again, you know, if you can contribute to stimulate rock’s scene, that would be wonderful, you know what I’m saying? So, rock would be back, big time.”?

5. (L-R) Hyde, Sugizo, Miav and Yoshiki standing and talking at the venue.?

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Yoshiki, recording artist:

“So, my band, X Japan, also played Coachella 2018. Yeah, it happened to be the same slot, same time as Beyoncé was playing. We were on different stage. I know how big deal Coachella, to play Coachella, also, especially headlining. So, I happen to know Rosé from BLACKPINK. I just texted her ‘how amazing.’ It's very impactful. I mean, it's just, you know, unbelievable. I mean, so in a great way, you know, an Asian act is headlining Coachella. I'm so happy and then so proud of them. It’s just so cool.”?

7. Yoshiki, Miav, Hyde and Sugizo walking down the stairs to the stage.?

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Miav, Sugizo, Hyde and Yoshiki, recording artists:

Miav: “I think the the door is open right now. Even in a movie like a Korean movie or a ‘Black Panther,’ like a you know, African-American people are doing a great job. So we Asian have lots of opportunity to, you know, just to have a good time with people, you know, even in the states. So it’s great and I’m really, really proud of them.”?

Sugizo: “Yeah, I agree. I agree.”?

Hyde: “Yeah, me too. Yeah.”?

Yoshiki: “So it's like, you know, it's a we have like if there's a wall between was dividing between east and west, the walls are getting thinner and lower. So everybody has opportunity. Then someone like you know, BTS, made it to, you know U.S. and then around the world. So, BLACKPINK is doing headlining Coachella, which is so amazing. Give us kind of like, you know, the possibility to go forward as well. So very inspirational.”

9. Miav, Yoshiki, Hyde and Sugizo standing near the stage.?

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Yoshiki and Miav, recording artists:

Miav: “I mean, it's all about the lifestyle, you know, an attitude. You know, it's not about genre. So, you know, and also it's not like anti, you know, the association or whatever. It is more like challenging spirit, you know, making something new and breaking new ground. I think that's what rock to us, I think.”?

Yoshiki: “Yeah. Yeah. I mean, being rock stars, I mean, everybody can be rock stars, you know, I'm saying, like, I try to live as much as you can. We appreciate what we are here. Then might as well live like, you know, as much as you can. So, you know so. But again, as Miav said, being rockstars, it doesn't have to be a musician. You are you know, the lifestyle is just a rock star.”

Miav: “Innovation.”

11. Drum set with the band’s logo on it.?

STORYLINE:

The Last Rockstars recently formed their band, which they describe as something similar to "The Avengers” coming together. The group hosts Yoshiki, Miav, Hyde and Sugizo who have all held a career as rockstars on their own. The group visited New York for their tour and gave Associated Press a behind-the-scenes look.?