PENICILLIN nano Q&A session

PENICILLIN nano attended AKON (anime convention) in Dallas, Texas, USA, on June 9 - 11, 2006.
PENICILLIN nano is a temporary project of the two PENICILLIN members Hakuei (vocals) and Chisato (guitar). So far they haven't released anything yet, but in August they will release seven singles and album.

On AKON 2006, PENICILLIN nano performed live, had a question and answer panel and an autograph session. Unfortunately, JaME was unable to attend the press conference due to miscommunication, so the following “interview” is from the Question and Answer panel with fans.

How did you feel about performing for the first time in the USA?
Chisato: I was very excited! This was our first time coming to the USA as a group; after the concert I actually just woke up because I was so excited. (everyone laughs)
Hakuei: I had my own personal worries of being overseas, but the crowd made me feel better.

Why are you going to release seven singles in August instead of one album?
Chisato: Since we just started, we weren’t thinking of the CDs, but the process of becoming popular and the demand of music. We thought we’d make a joke by making all the songs into singles.

Chisato, when did you begin playing guitar and how did you start playing?
Chisato: I was 15 years old when I just chose a guitar and started playing.

Chisato, which guitarists have influenced you?
Chisato: Oh, there are so many! Jimmy Hendrix, Jimmy Page, etc.

PENICILLIN has been around for a long time, what made you originally get together?
Hakuei: PENICILLIN formed 15 years ago. We didn’t think why we were doing it, we just did it.

What are your thoughts of the US after being here for 2 days?
Chisato: The best meal I had so far was from Hooters. (he smirks/smiles and everyone laughs.) [Hooters is a restaurant that’s known for its waitress’ revealing uniform and hot wings.]

Hakuei, how many tattoos do you have and which is your favorite?
Hakuei: My favorite are the ones on my hands since the tattoo artist thought a singer’s hands would be the best spot [because when his hands are wrapped around a microphone, they will be visible].

Why did you decide to name yourselves PENICILLIN nano instead of a different band name?
Chisato: It was meant as a parody of the iPOD nano since the sales in Japan are popular; so it wasn’t meant to be taken seriously.

When are you most inspired to create music?
Chisato: I can be anywhere! I’ll think about it while I’m on the toilet or in the shower washing my body.
Hakuei: I like powerful and fast-paced songs, so I imagine being on stage and think about what melodies I want to hear.

What do you generally do on the weekends?
Chisato: Recently, I’ve been recording every weekend.
Hakuei: Me too.

Are there any particular songs that are special to you?
Chisato: Romance... actually a lot of the songs were made within two weeks, so I have the same feeling for all of them. For Romance, we had problems with, but I was satisfied after performing it last night.
Hakuei: New future.

What’s the best thing about playing live?
Chisato: You guys. (he points at the audience)
Hakuei: Me too.

Which live has made a good impression on you?
Chisato: Yesterday! Yesterday was crazy! I saw someone with a t-shirt that said “I’m looking for a Japanese boyfriend”. And when we played lighter and softer songs, I felt the band really connected with the audience.
Hakuei: Last night, when I looked into the audience, there were many people wearing extravagant outfits and usually it’s the audience that looks at us in our extravagant outfits. So I started to get pissed and jealous. (everyone laughs)
[the performance was at an anime convention and there were many people in cosplay outfits.]

Which Japanese bands have influenced PENICILLIN?
Chisato: SMAP and many more bands.
Hakuei: Me too. (everyone laughs)

Chisato, how many guitars do you own?
Chisato: I haven’t really counted lately, but at least 20. When I was going solo and performed, I would number my guitars, but then I got sick of it.

What is your strangest fan encounter?
Chisato: One fan gave me a huge stone with a picture of a fish on it. I was confused because I didn’t know what to do with it. I also get a lot of portraits and I’m just surprised.
Hakuei: I was asked to come up with a name for a child. So I chose Youji(?); ‘you’ meaning sun/son(?) and ‘ji’ meaning child.

PENICILLIN nano will have a short career span and will stop in August, why is that?
Chisato: So we could go back and focus on PENICILLIN again.

What do you think about when you’re making songs?
Chisato: Music takes away life, that’s how important it is.
Hakuei: When someone listens to our music and they’re happy, I want them to be happier or if they’re sad, I want them to be more sad. Instead of having half-ass feelings, I want them to have the ‘full’ feeling.

What are your future plans for PENICILLIN nano?
Chisato: There are no plans at this point.

We can see that you’re very fashionable, what is your favorite article of clothing or designer?
Hakuei: Vivienne Westwood. .... And Adidas, No wait, that's a lie.
Chisato: Neighborhood/bounty hunter; punk-rock-ish.

For the concert last night, how did you pick which songs to perform?
Hakuei: PENICILLIN nano doesn’t have many songs yet.

Is it hard to breath with the mask? [It seemed Hakuei was sick since he wore a mask on his mouth.]
Hakuei: Actually it’s easier, you should get one.
girl in audience: Can I have yours?
Hakuei: I only have one, so maybe next time.

Are you naturally hairless or do you have to shave?
Hakuei: I’m actually hairy like a chimpanzee and it took all night to shave. (everyone laughs)

Do you wear boxers or briefs?
Hakuei: (stands up and takes down pants revealing his underwear, briefs to the audience and all the girls scream/laugh/whistle/etc.)
[The translator asks Chisato if he’ll show his underwear and Chisato shakes his head saying ‘No’.]

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done here or back home?
Hakuei: What I did just now. 7 years ago I did the same thing for a Japanese magazine.
Chisato: There’s not much crazy stuff to do when Hakuei does it. (everyone laughs) Since high school, I never thought that this [becoming famous and being a musician] would actually happen and I think it’s just insanely crazy! In Japan, everyday is just fucking crazy!

[No question was asked, but Hakuei and Chisato had some final words.]

Hakuei: Thank you for your support. There are so many people who know of our music that I have never met before, so please, continue to support us. And if you get a chance, come see us in Japan.
Chisato: [translator said Chisato agrees with Hakuei and adds...] We’re musicians and that’s all we can do. We were influenced by other musicians’ music and we hope to influence you.