Introduction Tokyo based trio Titan Go-Kings (チタン合金ズ) brought their brand of idol punk to Hollywood on March 25, 2005 as part of Benten Records' Japan Girls Nite Tour. Later that night, Keikaku staff writer Chris McDougall and his translating friend Masafumi Iino managed to catch the girls after the show and ask them a few questions about the band, American fans, and McDonalds. Stay tuned for next week as Hana sits down with the girls and asks them about being signed to Benten Records, their instruments, and more. Titan Go-Kings official website Benten Label and Sister Records website back to features		Titan Go-Kings part 1 Could you please tell us your name and position in the band? Pinky: Pinky, vocals and guitar. Lintsu: Lintsu, drums. Yonyon: Yonyon, bass. Where did the name Titan Go-Kings (チタン合金ズ) come from? Pinky: There were two reasons why we came up with the name of the band. First is Japanese girl bands have this rule that they don't name themselves after American things.* Second, Titan Go-Kings had a nice ring to it. How would you describe your music? All: Idol punk.* Do American audiences understand what that means? Masa: They have a basic understanding of it. Who has influenced your music? Bands? Artists? Non-musicians? Pinky: Current pop chart singers and groups like Morning Musume. Also other girl bands that preceded us.* Are there any other specific bands that you're referring to? Pinky: There's this one band called GO-BANG'S (ゴーバンズ) that was a big influence on us.* What inspiration do you draw on to write your lyrics and music? I know that YONEDA was inspired by a real life occurrence. All: (laughs) Pinky: I like to take every day situations and twist them around a little bit. What's the hardest part about being in a band? Lintsu: You're not by yourself so each decision is not just your own. There's a lot of coordination that goes into the band with each member. You're currently on tour in America. How are American audiences different than Japanese ones? Pinky: Americans seem very direct and let us know what they felt about our performance rather than just speaking to their friends about us. They aren't afraid to come up to us and let us know that they like us. And we really appreciate that. Chris: American audiences are similar with American bands, too. It's just easier for them to come up to a foreign band. Usually they're very shy. Pinky: Oh really? All: (laughs) We know that Pinky likes McDonalds. What's each member's favorite thing to order there? Pinky: I used to like this thing called a Chicken Tatsuta. But it's gone now because of the bird flu problems in Southeast Asia, so they didn't order bird meat in awhile. But now they have another sandwich called the Chicken Fillet-O. Masa: Really? The Chicken Tatsuta was my favorite thing to order. I can't believe they got rid of that! Pinky: Yeah! It's really good huh? Masa: Yeah. Rintsu, what's your favorite thing to order? Lintsu: Hmm. Teriyaki Chicken. Pinky: Don't you mean Teriyaki Burger? Lintsu: Well, I really like teriyaki in general. Masa: What about you Yon Yon? Yonyon: Well, I just love all fast food so I don't have a favorite. (laughs) All: (laughs) What's the biggest difference between McDonalds in Japan and McDonalds in America? Lintsu: The drinks are really big! (motions with hands the size of American drinks) Pinky and Yonyon: Yeah! (motions with hands) Pinky: And they don't smile. Masa: Yeah. In the Japanese McDonalds they have a smile on the menu that's free. They don't have that in the US. Chris: Yeah. The people that work in America usually aren't very happy. (laughs) When the original version of Titan Go-King's disbanded, Pinky worked at a rehearsal studio. What did she learn from that experience? Pinky: I really wanted to "cut down on waste." We [the old version of Titan Go-Kings] were doing a lot of things that were pretty wasteful. I liked the other band members, but it felt that my sense of humor and vibe didn't match that of the other girls. So when I went to Tokyo I was very picky about other members to choose for the new Titan Go-Kings. Lastly, is there anything you would like to say to US fans of your music? All: We'll be back! Interview held 2005.3.25 [translation: Masa] Keikaku.net would like to thank Pinky, Lintsu, and Yonyon of Titan Go-Kings and Audrey Kimura of Benten Label for their cooperation with this interview. All photographs by Sherwin Abesamis and are not to be used without permission. FOOTNOTES Note 1: The actual pronounciation for the band's name is "CHITAN GOKINZU" and it's usually spelled in Japanese. It can be translated as "titanium alloy." They just spell it in English as "Titan Go-Kings" or "Chitan Go-Kings" sometimes. Note 2: You all know American Idol, right? The "idol" being referred to here is basically the same thing. Pop idol. "Punk" is well... punk. Note 3: Pinky refers to "girl bands" meaning actual bands with girls who play instruments. Why the note? When people say "boy band" they mean a group of guys who sing and usually aren't a "real band." We wanted to avoid that confusion. Note 4: GO-BANG'S was an all girl three piece band that lasted around the late 80s to early 90s. Lead singer Morikawa Kaori is still active today. - Chris McDougall, Masafumi Iino
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