Dog People

After interviewing all four of the original Ging Nang Boyz, and months of exploring their music and milieu, we’ve decided to take a break from the show. Join us as we look back on this season of the show, and as we look forward to what might still be in store...

The soulful heartbeat behind all of our favorite songs, ex-Going Steady / Ging Nang Boyz drummer MURAI MAMORU joins us to discuss his new career in television, his love of East Bay punk, and his memories of visiting America in 2006. And, of course, we ask him about “Purple Haze”...

Asai Takeo was a founding member of Going Steady, and the only member not to continue on with Ging Nang Boyz. Adam delves into his musical projects post-Going Steady, and makes a case for Asai as a fundamental co-creator of this sound we know and love.

Inspired by the release of "少年少女" aka "Boy Meets Girl" we discuss some lesser known cuts from the Going Steady and Ging Nang Boyz catalog. This one is for the mega-nerds out there!

Links to songs & lyrics mentioned in the episode:

Yoru Ouji to Tsuki no Hime vs. the world - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3zPxAUVaAw

Shounen Shoujo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VYqcCLIx0s / https://www.uta-net.com/song/305096/

Asadachi (with lyrics) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxQW25GtCNc

Ano Ko Wa Nakatani Miki Ga Suki (with lyrics) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66sH96bz6xw

Let It Be - https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xvqo9i / http://katsuo576.blog47.fc2.com/blog-entry-26.html

I Want You To Want Me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNPsswiuHg8

Twenty One Again - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GwaI72CSuI

Because I Love It - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFNr2AG-BkI / https://lyricstranslate.com/en/going-steady-sentimental-boys-lyrics.html

Holiday - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnTh-UkxD3U

Friends (Holidays cover) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTPAm9B01x0

Friends (original) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYhaQ9Fioqo

Orokamono Potechi - Jinrui Kyuusai - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23TMSCvvl0U

Orokamono Potechi - Battle Rap - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovbuj0-I5pc

Orokamono Potechi - Ano Ko ni 1mm Demo Chokkai Kaketara Korosu - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZArmYfErVw

Legendary Going Steady/Ging Nang Boyz frontman MINETA KAZUNOBU joins us this week. Are you as excited as we are for this one? Mineta tells us about the unorthodox way he learned how to play guitar, meeting Jesse Michaels, and carrying on as Ging Nang Boyz after splitting from the other original members.

After leaving his life as a rocker behind, the former Ging Nang Boyz guitarist now known as Myochin Nakamura relocated to the small island of Suo Oshima to live as a farmer and Buddhist monk. Adam discusses the unassuming wisdom and insight found on the pages of Myochin's recently released essay collection/memoir, Dance in the Farm.

It's a true honor to have bass god and ex-Going Steady/Ging Nang Boyz member ABIKO SHINYA on the show this week! We talk with Abiko about his early days playing music and starting a label in the late 90's Tokyo scene, his work on the album BEACH, and the enduring, rejuvenating power of punk rock.

Going Steady and Ging Nang Boyz were at the forefront of Japan's seishun punk, or "youth punk", scene in the early-mid 2000's. During this time their music explored themes of teenage alienation, self-acceptance, and wide-eyed true love, with the uncomfortable shadow of sexual neuroses looming over much of it. In this episode we talk about how these ideas were addressed as the band evolved, the moments where they capture just what it feels like to be young and dumb, and even times when they might be problematic.

The Ging Nang Boyz' difficult "live remix" album may also be their most profound work. Mike busts out the metal detectors as we scour the sands for the hidden meaning, symbolism and treasure on Beach.

King of Ska™ Mike Park joins us to talk about the 1990's punk scene in Japan, his friendship with Ging Nang Boyz guitarist Chin Nakamura, and a whole bunch of other ridiculous shit. (57:46)

The Ging Nang Boyz caught us by surprise when they announced and subsequently released a new album, "Nee Minna Daisuki Da Yo", while we were recording this series. In this episode we discuss our thoughts on the record shortly after its release.

Adam leads a discussion about Mineta and the band's connections to artists in the manga, film, and theater community, including such luminaries as Eguchi Hisashi and Miura Jun.

Good artists copy, great artists steal, and Mineta Kazunobu is a great artist. Bob leads a discussion highlighting some of his finest misappropriations.

We're beyond excited to have ex-Ging Nang Boyz guitarist and Japanese punk legend CHIN NAKAMURA on the show! We talk with Chin about his early days in the Tokyo punk scene, Jimi Hendrix, trains, farming and more!

Special guest Jeff Rosenstock joins us to discuss the Ging Nang Boyz' song "I Don't Wanna Die" which he covered on his 2012 mixtape, "I Look Like Shit." Adam and Mike share some behind the scenes stories from the filming of the song's music video.

Adam leads a discussion exploring some of the Japanese musical and literary art referenced (and often subverted) by Going Steady and Ging Nang Boyz.

In our first episode we briefly talk about the history of Japanese punk leading up to the formation of Going Steady, then continue through their run as a band, and into their transformation in to the Ging Nang Boyz. (Note: This was recorded before the announcement and subsequent release of the band's 2020 album, Nee Minna Daisuki Da Yo)

Dog People is a podcast about the Japanese punk bands Going Steady & Ging Nang Boyz. A love letter to the bands with in-depth analysis of their music and lyrical themes, along with discussion giving context to their influences and legacy. Interviews with band members, friends, and followers of the band. Episode 1 premieres February 2021.