Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell sat down with X Japan's lead songwriter/drummer/classically trained pianist Yoshiki in advance of the band's U.S. debut on the main stage of Lollapalooza Aug. 8 at 4 PM. What better way to prefix their coming out party than with this informative little fireside -- er, mixing-board-side -- chat with the alt rock icon.

Farrell is introducing X Japan to American audiences in a five-minute clip. X Japan are being touted as the biggest band to barrel out of the Far East, and it's not hyperbole according to these facts and figures! The band has sold more than 30 million albums, singles and videos. They've headlined and sold out Japan's 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome 18 times to date. Do the math -- that's nearly a million people!


Sitting in front of a massive mixing board in Yoshiki's Los Angeles studio, the pair talk about the band's contribution to the end credits of 'Saw 4,' their sweeping ballads, their unique personal style, which is heavily (and proudly) influenced by '80s glam, the massive crowds that come out to X Japan's shows in their native Japan and other assorted topics.

X Japan will debut the new song, 'Born to be Free,' at Lollapalooza this weekend. They have been holed up in Yoshiki's studio, recording their U.S. debut, which will be their first album sung in English. Post 'Palooza, the band will fly to Tokyo and play two headlining, sold-out nights at Nissan Stadium, hitting 140,000 fans.

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