INTERVIEW - OTENKI

OTENKI are a pop/rock band from Houston, Texas formed in the Summer of 2004 by German Hernandez (vocals), Enoma Asowata (guitar/vocals), Fausto Padilla (lead guitar/vocals), Josh Tenorio (bass/vocals) and joined later on by Colton Majors (Keys/Programming) and Hector Tenorio (drums). Their new record KINETIC was produced by James Paul Wisner (Paramore, There For Tomorrow) and has garnered them attention from Billboard, Alternative Press and various music blog in the UK and France. 

1. What are your names are and what you do in the band? 

Enoma: Enoma and I play guitar.

 Colton: Colton, Keytar

2. How and when did the band get together: 

E: The band got together when Fausto met up and started going over song ideas back in 2004. We just pulled in friends and some musicians we knew from around town.

C: I called them together to aid in my quest to destroy the dragon

3. For people who have never heard of Otenki, how do you describe your style and music in 10 words? 

E: Intense, Pop, Rock N’ Roll, Energetic, Passionate, Crazy, and Heartfelt.

C: Alternative, electro, heavy rock

4. What makes your different from the average band?

E: Despite what photos may have someone believe this band is at it’s core never worried about our image. We’re not a  “hair product” band as someone recently made us out to be. Most of us came from punk rock/hardcore roots and our passion for music is best represented by our live performance. It’s very intense and I think that sets us apart from a lot of the other bands out there. 

C: we have a keytar player

5. What is your favourite song to play live? 

E: I love playing KINETIC live. That song means a lot to me because it’s about our fans and our families who are the reason we keep going. Though all the nonsense that comes with being in an unsigned band these days. Hearing back from our new and old fans about how much they love the new songs really gives us the drive to keep going and become a success for the people who love us.

C: Ghosts or Violence

6. Who are your inspirations? 

E: Musically speaking, Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World, Joey and Christian from Anberlin, Jade Puget from AFI and Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters. In my personal life, I would say my parents. They have sacrificed so much for me to be able to play music. 

C: Deadmau5, Skrillex, Dream Theater, Cradle of Filth, Tim McGraw, Kid Rock

7. What are your aspirations for the band? 

E: I’d like for us to align ourselves with a team that had a strong vision for our success. I would like for us to be able to tour often for our fans and keep putting out records. 

C: Conquer the World

8. What is the funniest thing a fan has ever done to get your attention? 

E: We’ve had a fan make some really strange youtube videos for us or show up unexpected in random places. It’s always flattering because they love us but sometimes it’s a little strange. 

C: Can’t Recall

9. What is the strangest/ weirdest thing a fan has ever said to you?

E: I won’t repeat it. it’s pretty vulgar haha. 

C: Its inappropriate and shouldn’t be repeated

10. What is your biggest pet peeve when you’re performing on stage?

E: When Colton’s gear doesn’t work. It throws him off and I always want us all to feel really good about how we perform each and everytime.

C: German laying on the floor

11. If you were a Disney villain, who would it be and why?

E: Jafar, he was a badass and he was magic. 

C: Chernabog from fantasia

12. If you could tour with any band in the world who would it be and where would you go? 

E: I would love to tour with Taking Back Sunday and Anberlin. We would tour the US. If we were to go to Brazil I would want to go on tour with Paramore or All Time Low, I hear those shows are just insane!

C: Dream Theater, and we would play at Stonhenge

13. Funniest thing thats happened to you while performing?

E: Once while on tour I slipped on a puddle of water and completely fell flat on my back and kept playing. It was really funny. 

C: Strap broke off during a “keytar Flip”(my signature trick) and flew into Enoma’s shin then across the stage.

14. Do you guys have any special ritual you do before you perform? 

E: We all stretch and then yell at each other to hurry up and get on stage. That happens at EVERY show haha.

C: Not that we can tell.

15. Last but not least, promote yourselves :) 

E: Our new record KINETIC is on iTunes now! Please check it out and head to our Facebook page (http://facebook.com/otenkirocks) to let us know what you think! Thank you!

C: OTENKI RULES!!!!!

 
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