2003
The single from the new album, "Zangai" was released on January 8. The song's lyrics were written by Atsushi and music by Hisashi. The B-side was available on the album. On January 23, Atsushi and Hisashi appeared on Space Shower TV's "Ultra Countdown" show. The new album Mona Lisa Overdrive was released on February 13.
Buck-Tick played a secret gig at Shibuya-AX on January 24. The show was announced in advance on the band's website, but only that it would be held in Tokyo on January 24. The only way to win tickets was to buy the single and apply online using an access code from the single.
On February 9, Buck-Tick performed "Zangai" on the television show "Beat Motion". On February 12, Buck-Tick was interviewed on the television show "Mutenka". On February 17, the band performed "Zangai" on the tv show "Pop Jam".
In total, Buck-Tick played 27 concerts to support the new album. On March 4, they embarked on the Mona Lisa Overdrive Tour for 17 dates. The tour began in Chiba and ended in Tokyo. They continued to tour for 8 more dates under the title "Tour Here We Go Again!". The tour began in Tokyo and ended in Okinawa. (The tour title may have been influenced by a YMO song of the same name as Hisashi is a big fan of YMO.) Then finally there was a special 2 day event but more on that later. Given that one tour ended with 2 nights in Tokyo and then the next tour started with 2 nights in Tokyo roughly 2 weeks later, it makes 2003 and Mona Lisa Overdrive quite unique in Buck-Tick touring history. The band played the same city for 4 gigs in a row in the same month. The shows were held at 2 different venues. Previously, they had only played up to 3 gigs in a row in the same city.
During these tours, it is visible that Atsushi had a lyrics monitor and Hisashi had cheat sheets of lyrics for some of the songs he sings. I am not sure since when Atsushi has been using a monitor nor how heavily he relies on it. It seems that the following year, Hisashi and Hide began to use a lyrics monitor as well.
Buck-Tick appeared on the television show "Tsubo" on March 16 and "Live Teikoku" on April 13.
The Sabbat live videos were released as one DVD on March 19. Previously they were available as 2 separately packaged VHS tapes. A followup to the previous year's extensive video set, Picture Product II was released on June 25. Since it is part 2, one might expect it to be another extensive set. This is not the case since it was only released one year later. It might be considered an addendum as it contains more music videos in chronological order.
The Mona Lisa Overdrive -Xanadu- concerts were held in Tokyo on June 28 and 29. These were held at an outdoor venue and there was a blimp overhead that advertised the show. As typical for the band, the setlists were the same except for the encore. On the second day, the band performed 3 more songs than they had during the first day.
These Mona Lisa Overdrive -Xanadu- concerts were filmed and was released as the video Mona Lisa Overdrive -Xanadu- on December 3. As can be seen on the video, Atsushi broke the custom microphone stand during the performance. The editing for this live video is much more fast-paced than their previous live videos.
Buck-Tick played at the Summer Sonic 03 music festival on August 2 in Osaka and August 3 in Tokyo. The bands who play one city often switch to play the next city. The other bands that played on August 2 in Osaka included AFI, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Blondie, Good Charlotte, HY, Interpol, The Living End, The Mars Volta, Radiohead, Rooney, Stereophonics, The Strokes, Sum 41, etc. The other bands that played on August 3 in Tokyo include the bands already listed plus Alkaline Trio and Sons of All Pussys. Bands that performed the days/cities opposite of Buck-Tick included Air, Blink-182, Blur, Cheap Trick, Devo, The Greenhornes, The High-Lows, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Kick the Can Crew, The Kills, Kings of Leon, New Found Glory, Orange Range, Polysics, Puddle of Mudd, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, etc.
Fernandes held a Buck-Tick Fair at the Music Land Key music store in Shibuya where Hisashi and Hide's guitars were on display for 2 weeks in September. Some stage costumes were on display as well.
Buck-Tick opened up for Marilyn Manson for 2 of their Japan concerts in September at venues in Osaka and Tokyo.
The Climax Together live video was released on DVD on September 10. This was previously available on VHS and was filmed in 1992.
A new single not available on any studio album called "Gensou No Hana" was released on December 3. The song's lyrics were written by Atsushi and music by Hide. There were 2 B-sides, a new song and a live version of the A-side. "Nocturne -Rain Song-" had lyrics and music written by Hisashi.
Atsushi appeared on the television show "Free Pass" on December 14 and "Mutoma Japan" on the 15th. Atsushi appeared on the Nack5 radio show "The Shooting Hits" on the 18th. Buck-Tick appeared on the television show "Scope Japan" on December 6 and "Dynasty 69" on the 27th.
The Day In Question annual end of the year concert was held for 2 dates at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo.
