interstellar90210 | Teenage Terrors: A Talk With Nuclear Parliament

Teenage Terrors: A Talk With Nuclear Parliament

Interviewer: What inspired your new songs?
Nuclear Parliament: Shin: Well, it’s been tough lately. I’m really happy for our success, but it’s a lot of work, you know? We channeled our frustrations into these songs. Virgo and Pride both are huge labels, and sometimes people think that we’re just making songs to seem cool, that we’ve been making up our troubles for money, but it’s just the labels looking for the money. Fame is great, but Roxas and I aren’t in this for the fame but for the chance to play and connect with our fans, and Virgo doesn’t really appreciate that. They’re always looking for the next big thing, but we’re not going anywhere. I think they let us release “Virgo and Pride” because it fits with our image, but we’re serious.
Roxas: We worked really hard on “Virgo and Pride” and then “Teenagers”. Through much approval and protest, at that. But we did it because we knew it would mean something for the listeners, as much as it does us, and I’m glad we went through it. This hasn’t been easy, especially with the change of cast, but we pulled through and did it. I think this is what the song itself is about too, even, and hopefully encompasses what we’ve had to deal with during the production and how much work we’ve actually put through to making it happen.

Interviewer: So, who writes your songs? What’s the process like?
NP: Roxas and I have been working on them together for the last two. With Johanna, Cloud, and Parker gone, we’ve kinda taken things over as the heart of the band. We’ve been writing music that fits with our feelings and what the band represents.
Roxas: Yeah. I forgot what sleep was, at this point. But it’s worth it to know what we’re doing means something, not just to us but the fans. And I think they know when they hear it.

Interviewer: How did you get into music?
NP: Shin: I had a tough childhood. I’m not allowed to talk about the details of it as part of my contract to protect my family, but my father never acknowledged my existence. It could have been much worse, but it left me without much emotional connection, at least until I found music. I was drawn into it instantly and saved and scraped together money until I could get a guitar. From there I just kept listening to music and tried to replicate it until I was starting to make my own music.
Roxas: It’s not really funny how similar our situations are. I mean, my growing up, it was like no one noticed who I was or even that I was around. Just a cog in a wheel. It wasn’t easy. But, wanting to get away from that and eventually being Somebody in that I was earning fame and fortunate and attention, that’s what lead me to where I am now. It wasn’t easy or fun, but I’m glad it happened because I wouldn’t be who I am without it.

Interviewer: What’s a normal day like for you?
NP: Shin: Ahhaha, I’m going to let Roxas take over answering this one. I spend way too much time trying to skirt the usual schedule.
Roxas: A normal day? Uhh... We go about our day like any normal person our age would, but when it comes time we’re there for practice, to get the songs spot-on, to get better. And it shows, I think. There’s a lot of down time and sleeping and.. recreational activities, we’ll leave it at that because you guys know damn well what that means. Otherwise, though, what we bring onto the stage is obviously from lots of time practicing and perfecting our craft.

Interviewer: Are there any love interests in your life? Band romances?
NP:Shin: I’m totally screwing Roxas. [Shin laughs and waves his hand, joking.]
Roxas: [Playing into this thing Shin has started, but also obviously nervous enough to anyone knowing him well enough who may be paying attention,] Hah.. you’re funny, Shin. But no, no, we have fun, but we’re pretty serious about what we do. [That’s all he’ll put at that.]

Interviewer: How has the band, at least the core members, been dealing with the significant changes in band mates as of late? Has it been difficult to adjust with the inconsistency that’s been happening?
NP: Roxas: ….yeah, it has been difficult. But, like any transition into anything new, we’ve been making it work because we care about this. We’re not going to give up on it easily. Hopefully, through our performance at least, it won’t be too noticeable. We’re definitely putting in the overtime. I mean.. I got used to working with Shin, among other things, so really, anything else is a cakewalk after that. [smiiile]
Shin: [Punches Roxas’ arm playfully.] The changes have just made us closer and given us a stronger identity as a band.

Interviewer: With these two new songs just released, is there eventually going to be an album?
NP: Roxas: Let’s see where it goes. Maybe. They seem to be a hit, if we keep this up it isn’t unlikely.
Shin: It’s pretty likely, actually. I don’t think any of us are going to stop making music until we die, so there’s going to be one eventually. It all just depends on how well things go on how soon we’ll get our next one out.

Interviewer: What lies in the future for Nuclear Parliament?
NP: Roxas: I guess you’ll have to wait and see. Nothing is predictable, no one stays the same and not one thing is always as you thought. As new members come and go, things change. We’ll all be finding that out when it happens, even us.
Shin: Always trying to be mysterious, Roxas. [Shin laughs.] Things are always changing. The business is rough, and who knows what it will bring, but I get the feeling some big things are happening. I think the World Tour is really going to kick things off.