Tokyo Dragons are a London-based hard rock band. They have achieved success in the UK and worldwide after having released a successful album and touring with bands such as Nashville Pussy, Status Quo, Do Me Bad Things and Winnebago Deal.

They appeared on Breaking Point, an MTV2 program (sponsored by Island Records in which ten bands were documented going through the process of being spotted, courted and then signed to a recording contract. The Tokyo Dragons were signed and recorded Give Me The Fear at Rockfield Studios for Island Records in June 2004.

The band released their first single, "Teenage Screamers", in June 2004. It reached number 61 in the UK Singles Chart. Their debut album, on which this song featured, 'Give Me The Fear', was released in September 2005 and entered at number 23 in the UK Rock Album Chart. Shortly after this, in October of the same year, the band released their second single, "Get 'Em Off", which entered the UK Singles Chart at number 75.

In June 2005, the band appeared at the Download Festival, playing on the 'Napster Stage'. The band have recently recorded a new album with Kurt Bloch entitled 'Hot Nuts' which was released September 24, 2007.
 

So time to ask the band some questions about their latest release!!!

How did you launch into writing the material for ‘Hot Nuts’ after your previous album, did ideas come easily so that you just had to write them down or was it more of a careful composing thing?
We just kept it  free and easy !  The tunes kept flowing so we kept going ! There was no plan, it was all really natural and fun !

Did you have a certain idea of what you wanted to do on ‘Hot Nuts’, any elements you definitely wanted to have on the album?
We wanted it to ROCK ! That was the only remit for the record and that’s what we got!

Was it a conscious decision to do it this way?

I would say it was more of a subconscious decision ! It's best not to over analyze this process, well not for me anyway. Keep it spontaneous and instinctive.

What were the goals you had in mind when you started to record 'Hot Nuts'? Like I said keep it loose, instinctive and dynamic. Otherwise the recording process can become too sterile.

Who was responsible for writing the songs and the lyrics on the new album? Well everybody brings in ideas  and we just bash them out. Some make it and others don’t. I write all the words.

In song writing, what is the utmost important ingredient for a song, according to Tokyo Dragons?
That’s a difficult question to answer cause all the different parts of a song are equally important. I cant really dissect a song like that with out losing its actual essence. A good title is a good starting point though!

What would you say are the main themes in your lyrics, can you tell us something about them?
Some of them are abstract, some are personal, others are just stories. I don’t like to give away my side of the lyrics, I think that spoils the fun! The listener can make of them what they want! That’s their trip!

How important is it to you that people pay attention to the lyrics apart from listening to the music?
I don’t think you can separate the two! It’s the relationship between them that makes a song.

What are the main differences between your debut album ´ Give Me The Fear ´ and the recently released ´Hot Nuts´?
A year and a half of constant touring and of course a different bass player. I think its a natural progression of onwards and upwards between the two records.

You recorded this album in Seattle with producer Kurt Bloch, was this a conscious choice?
Very much so ! We wanted Kurt to do the record and it was easier and cheaper for us to go to Seattle than for him to come here.

The production, mixing and mastering has been done by Kurt Bloch. What made him the perfect man for 'Hot Nuts'?
We loved the records he did with The Supersuckers and Nashville Pussy and he´s just a great guy as well. Super relaxed and very funny too! He of course ROCKS, too!

In which things/songs of the new album can one clearly hear his vision and ideas?
Well, all of it! From track 1 through to track 10 but its not so much his vision as it is “our vision”, the band and Kurt.

How did the recording process proceed and how much time did you spend in the studio?
One week of playing him the songs, two weeks of recording and one week mixing.

Have you received any feedback on the new album yet? How do you feel about this album – are you satisfied with the outcome or would you have liked to have changed anything in retrospective?
I’m very happy with ´Hot Nuts´! The reviews on the whole have been pretty good. And if somebody doesn’t like it, they’re wrong and I’m right because it ROCKS! On so many different levels, too. I wouldn’t have changed a thing!

What is your opinion on the rock scene in England these days, is there anything missing?
There really isn’t much of a rock scene in the UK, which is a shame. So the thing that is missing IS a rock scene.

Which album has been your biggest musical influence, one that made you think “this is what I want to do”?
When I was twelve I listened to Live Killers by Queen constantly so that probably had an impact.

What can we expect from Tokyo Dragons in the future?
More unashamed rocking out! More records, touring and of course partying in a town near you soon!

Is here anything you’d still like to share with us?
No! get your own!

Tokyo Dragons is:

Steve Lomax – Guitar, Vocals

Mal Bruk – Guitar, Vocal

Mathias Stady ­ Bass

Phil Martini – Drums, Vocals

Albums
Give Me The Fear (2005)
Hot Nuts (2007)

EPs
Get Em Off (2005)