Interesting but speculative
 

So, I've been talking to people who have been going to the SAPS shows in Europe. Many have talked to the group quite easily and I see a recurring trend. Midorin seems to be somewhat seperate from the group, smokes by himself. And whenever a fan mentions the Shiina Ringo shows, a few group members have left and just left Midorin to talk to them.

Tensions because of Ringo? In the show recently at Lyon, France they introduced Midorin as the "most important and well known member now". I hope Ringo's influence doesn't destroy SAPS from the inside.

Maybe its the constant amount of weebs going to the shows and solely asking about Ringo that is bothering the group? Also, Midorin apparantly has confirmed that no, he will be not going to Taiwan.

Makes me wonder if Hata will be getting a phone call.

Saw them last week. They put on a great show and it was a lot of fun but it did seem like Midorin and Josei weren't really feeling it. Does explain the look Shacho gave me when I was taking a picture with him and he saw Ringo on my phone's wallpaper.

That said, there's a million different reasons why Midorin might be isolated from the group. He might even just be like that as a person. A lot of touring bands just straight up don't like each other. This is work to them, after all.

edit: as a side note, Motoharu is a good guy

I'd feel uncomfortable bringing up Shiina Ringo at a SAPS show, even if it would be my secret burning desire :lol:

They covered Montara by Bobby Hutcherson and the Love Theme from Spartacus. That's way more interesting than talking about Ringo.

There was an interlude during one of the TJ concerts, I forget which, where the crowd is shouting "Ringo, Ringo..." and she responds with something like "You know, I'm not alone up here..." (paraphrasing + bad memory + poor Japanese).

Ringo casts a pretty big shadow and I can totally understand why other musicians/groups would not want to stay within it. It has got to be annoying as hell to a group like SAPS that everyone keeps asking about her.

Who's Midorin?

he's a melon liqueur that's the ugliest shade of green possible

sometimes he moonlights as a drummer for SAPS and Shiina