We’re extremely happy to welcome Going Steady guitarist Asai Takeo on to the show. Asai shares some stories about the band’s earliest days, shedding light upon their influences and creative process. The man loves good food, guitarists named “John”, and his good vibes are absolutely infectious.

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

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.

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.

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.