We recently heard back from Shinji Masuko, one of DMBQ’s guitarists.  Enjoy:

Q:  What is your least favorite kind of music?

A:   I don’t like music that is non-expressive, always worrying about what other people think

Q:  Is improvisation a big part of your shows?

A:  Both song and instrumentation is half-improvised. When we’re improvising excessively the show becomes too long, so we usually aim about half and half.
Q:  Have you found any good new bands lately?

A:  From the bands we played with I like Pit er pat and Mat & Kim.

Q:  If you couldn’t play music for a living, what would you do?

A:  I do like living quietly too, so I can do anything as long as I’m serious about it. These days I’m interested in work that’s nature related.

Q:  I read somewhere that you write articles for pornographic magazines.  Is this true?  If so, what do you write about for them and how did it come about?

A:  It’s not a porno magazine, but I publish books on criticism of Japanese erotic manga from the 50’s to 70’s. Erotic manga back then had great young and talented artists who never made it to mainstream publications. It’s an endlessly interesting subject matter. I get really good responses from a small amount of people.

By

NY-T

Japanese skate/fixed gear collective T19 collaborated with Medorra for a wheel release. The art work on the wheels are by Skatething, who is known mostly for his creative direction for A Bathing Ape. The series include signature wheels for Shingo, Kix, and Nisiki.

Honeyee.com

Original Fake will start the new year off with their January release which includes new Chomper hoodies and embroidered button ups all featuring Kaws’ work. Soon available at select Original Fake dealers.

Giant Robot is proud to host a “Choegal” release party attended by artist David Choe.

Raised on comic books, affected by street art, and inspired by crime, women, and music, Choe has developed a unique and restless style that is effortless yet meticulous and focused yet dirty. Since the artist contributed his first illustration to Giant Robot magazine in 1997, he has exhibited in solo shows around the world (at all three Giant Robot galleries as well as in Paris, Tokyo, and London) and also been featured on VBS-TV’s popular Thumbs Up! series. Choegal is his first wood figure: extremely detailed, totally hand painted, and featuring a head that rotates to expose three facial expressions. This piece is strictly limited to 1,000 pieces.

From 4:00-7:00 on Saturday, January 3, 2009, Choe will be on hand to sign Choegal figures, as well as the brand new issue of Giant Robot. In addition to writing his regular column, he provided cover art and design elements found throughout the magazine.

Choegal release event and signing
Saturday, January 3, 2009 – 4:00 – 7:00

Giant Robot NY
437 E. 9th street
New York, NY 10009
(212) 674-GRNY
grny.net

Tokyo’s Nanamica has recently released a collaboration series with The North Face Purple Label which is exclusive to Japan. The premium collection has a different approach with clean designs and palette choices. The bags feature premium materials that add durability and style. It’s all about the suede bottom! Available at Nanamica and DeepInsideInc.

By Ribo

Medicom Toy and Silly Thing got together to create the 1000% “Can’t Buy Me Love” project. The figures are based on one of the most famous music acts in modern history, The Beatles. The pack includes all four members, John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. The 1000% toys stand 68cm tall. Pick them up at select Medicom retailers and Colette.

By Ribo