The music production company WACK will hold its fifth overseas concert “WACK in the UK vol.5” at The Underworld live house in London, UK on Wednesday, 26 March 2025 (UK local time). The three groups performing this time are ASP, GANG PARADE, and KiSS KiSS. The following is an interview with each of the three groups.

This interview features ASP, which currently consists of YUMEKA NOWKANA? and NAMELESS, MOG RYAN, MATiLDER TWiNS, WONKER TWiNS, CCCCCC, and RiONTOWN making up a seven-member lineup. Fans collectively refer to them as “Narazumono (Rogue)”.

In 2024, the group embarked on a 47-prefecture tour across Japan, and on October 8, 2024, they performed a solo show at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo—one of the largest venues of its kind and a mecca for live performances in Japan. They have also performed four times in London, and their upcoming March 2025 concert will mark their fifth performance in the city. Here is an interview with the seven members of ASP.

-First, please introduce yourself one by one.

YUMEKA: I’m “YUMEKA NOWKANA?”, ASP’s high-energy powerhouse and always bringing the energy as an “energy girl”! I believe that YUMEKA’s power is worldwide, and I hope to share it with the world. My favorite thing is pandas, and I am also a collector. On my days off, I play the guitar and make funny faces. Simply put, I love to sing, dance, and entertain people!

NAMELESS: I am “NAMELESS”. I’m an original member and have short hair. I think I have a bad personality (laughs).

MOG: I am “MOG RYAN”. I’m one of the early members and have kept my hair in high tones since the beginning. I feel like I have been a rebel since birth (laughs). I may look harsh, but my hobby is drawing. My best friends are my iPad and my camera.

MATiLDER: I am “MATiLDER TWiNS”. I am a twin sister. I am often told that I am more “ slender ” than she is. Like her, I love films, especially British films like Paddington and Trainspotting.

WONKER: I am the “WONKER TWiNS”. I am a red-haired twin sister. The way you can tell the difference is that my sister has a mole and I don’t. Also, my body is a little more angled than hers. People often ask me, “How do you tell them apart?” I am often asked, “How do you tell the difference?” But in the end, I believe you can tell the difference between anything if you truly love it, so don’t be too naive! (laughs)

YUMEKA: Tough (laughs)!

WONKER: I like films and books. Thank you.

CCCCCC: My name is “CCCCCC”, I am the shortest member in both ASP and WACK, I say I’m 147.5 cm, but I actually think I’m closer to 146 cm (laughs). I love comedy and watch it a lot.

RiONTOWN: I am “RiONTOWN”. I have a characteristic shout and am often in charge of shouting parts in ASP’s performances. I like to cook, and I randomly post cooking and eating videos on my Instagram Reels. I’d be happy if you could check them out!

-What is the origin and meaning of the group name “ASP”?

YUMEKA: ASP stands for “ANTi SOCiETY PUNKS”. However, since our first album was “ANAL SEX PENiS”, people often say “ASP stands for that”, but officially it is “ANTi SOCiETY PUNKS”!

-Are you conscious of the theme “ANTi SOCiETY PUNKS” in your group activities?

YUMEKA: Yes, I think so. I think we continue to carry on with the sense of something unconventional and a kind of punk concept.

NAMELESS: I don’t think ASP is a classic in the field of idols. Our costumes are mostly leather, and I think people can sense the “anti” feeling from the way we look.

-MOG, what do you think about the “ANTi SOCiETY PUNKS” theme?

MOG: I think we have a punk spirit. In the early days, rock songs were the main focus, but recently, rap and digital songs have been increasing. I think it is “punk” in that we are not defined by genres. I feel that the way of life of the group as a whole is also punk.

-In the first place, didn’t you all join this group to become classic idols?

RiONTOWN: I don’t think that all of them are.

WONKER: I originally liked the music of BiSH from WACK and was attracted to the way they sang and expressed themselves. I was also attracted to the way they struggled to sing in keys that are not for women. I felt something new about idols that were not only cute but also showed their souls, and that’s what attracted me to them.

MATiLDER: I feel similarly. when I heard ASP’s debut song “Haikei Rock Star Sama”, I thought the girls singing about their feelings for rock stars was very cool. The music videos and performances were also doing “things normal idols would never do”, and I was attracted to that. So I felt more like I was “playing ASP” than “playing an idol. It is a very special environment.

-Rion and CCCCCC, you joined ASP after a 6-night, 7-day camp audition. Please tell us what you feel while performing.

RiONTOWN: The reason I joined ASP was because I was strongly attracted to the way they sang and danced, exposing themselves in many ways similar to the two members of the Twins. I thought it was cool that they “don’t just show their beautiful side, but show their true selves” at the audition camp, and I wanted to join ASP. In fact, soon after I joined ASP, they made their major label debut, and the mood of their music changed drastically, with more hip-hop songs being added to their songs. The style that used to be simple and plain has changed to one that is a bit more stylish and cool. I am discovering many new things, including these changes, and I am really enjoying my time at ASP, and I am getting more and more opportunities to listen to new genres of music that I never would have listened to before joining ASP. I am really happy to be able to sing these songs as my own.

CCCCCC: I took the audition because I was fascinated by the live performance. During the audition camp, I received a lot of guidance, especially regarding performance, and the experience left a great impression on me. Since the start of our activities, I am happy to be able to sing a variety of songs. Especially during recording sessions, all the members sing a song together, and after listening to it, they decide who is in charge of the song. I also feel that being able to tour a lot and spending time after each live show discussing “what to do next” with the staff and members is very precious to me. For me, being able to do a lot of live shows is in itself the main focus of ASP’s activities, and I think that is really wonderful. I love live performances so much that it is no overstatement to say that I am active for the sake of live performances.

-Last year, ASP toured all 47 prefectures of Japan. What did you feel when you actually went around?

YUMEKA: I was really happy that there were people waiting for ASP even in places where people might say, “Not many people come here to perform live”. It is not often that I get to experience visiting all 47 prefectures in my life, so I feel very special to have been able to leave ASP’s footprints in each place.

-Have there been any changes in the unity among the members after spending so much time together?

YUMEKA: Since we were together for the entire three months, the members became very close to each other. We were also working on an album during the tour, and we had the opportunity to incorporate songs written by the members, so I think we were able to get to know each other’s new sides better.

NAMELESS: The tour was not made possible by just the seven of us, but by the support of many staff members, and I am truly grateful for that. When we had a two-week break during the New Year’s holidays, I think we have had a strange relationship with the members, so much so that even though we are not usually that close, I would call the members because I felt “lonely” (laughs).

-I would like to ask you about the Nippon Budokan, which was also the final spot of the tour. It is a historic place where not only idols but also bands aim to perform, isn’t it?

NAMELESS: Budokan is a very important stage in the history of Japanese music, where the Beatles once stood.

YUMEKA: I think it is a very meaningful place in the idol scene, so much so that some groups are working to get to the Budokan. The experience of “standing at the Nippon Budokan” is like a medal, and I feel it is very important. The Budokan is a special place in Japan where everyone can understand its value, and I feel that it was a great strength for us as a group that we, ASP, were able to stand on that stage. I am really proud of it.

MOG: I think the Budokan was a stage with greater meanings because we stood there after the 47 prefectures tour. With the support of so many staff members, we were able to create a wonderful stage with the largest production, lighting, monitors, etc. ever. It was great to see all the members working so hard toward the Budokan.

WONKER: I felt that this was the day when all the thoughts of the people who had seen us perform live up to this point came together. There were people who came from as far away as Hokkaido and Okinawa, and I was reminded of the power of their support.

MATiLDER: I think it was a performance that we could sing with confidence because of the tour. After the show, I really enjoyed the mood in which all the members could say to each other, “That was a lot of fun, wasn’t it? It was a live concert filled with fun, beyond the tension of the Budokan.

RiONTOWN: Unlike a live house, the Budokan felt far away, but I felt that the heat and distance itself from the audience was the same. It was a very relaxing live performance, and I enjoyed it.

CCCCCC: There were many people who wanted to be there, and I think it is truly a miracle that we were able to be on that stage. We practiced more than usual and rehearsed for four days in a big studio, and I think all of our efforts were reflected on the stage.

-ASP has already performed 4 times in London. Do you feel any difference between Japanese and overseas gigs?

CCCCCC: I have the impression that people overseas enjoy themselves very freely, and there are moments when I can tell that they have listened to ASP’s music, and it is interesting that the timing of their shouts and reactions are different from those in Japan. When I see them dancing freely in a kind of club atmosphere, I am glad to see that they are enjoying themselves in an unconventional way.

RiONTOWN: It’s not so different from Japan, but I feel that people overseas enjoy the music in their own way, especially when they shout out loud during the part of the ASP song that has the lyrics “ASP,” which is a fresh reaction that is not often seen in Japan.

-Do you feel that you are getting used to performing overseas?

MOG: I have been to four of these events, and every time I get nervous. Overseas is a special place, and each time we want to show a new side of ourselves. It is also fun to prepare for overseas performances, such as call and response, which we don’t often do in Japan.

NAMELESS: Also, maybe it’s because there is no idol culture overseas like in Japan, or maybe the audience’s eyes don’t look at you with ❤️ when you perform live.

YUMEKA: I totally understand! I knew it was different from the Japanese mood.

NAMELESS: In Japan, people like us, so their eyes are like ❤️, but when we go abroad, they look at us with the eyes of an artist. There is a sense of tension. It’s like I shouldn’t fail. Usually, when they give me a reaction, I don’t get one. The difference in the way they look at me makes me feel like I can’t be naive, so it burns me up.

MATiLDER: Indeed, I think it is a perfect expression to say that overseas visitors do not have ‘❤️’ in their eyes. It’s interesting that many of them are filming videos with their smartphones instead of glow stick, which is a different way of enjoying the show than in Japan. I feel that by uploading those videos to SNS, those videos are reaching new people.

-In March, you will be performing in London for the fifth time. Please tell us about your enthusiasm.

WONKER: Last time, we had just released an album and the setlist was mainly new songs, so next time we want to deliver an even more powerful version of that. We have opportunities to ask overseas audiences at benefit events what their favourite songs are, so we are also thinking about the setlist based on their feedback.

YUMEKA: We are very grateful to be able to perform in London. We can only be grateful to the people overseas who can dig into and enjoy Japanese idol culture. For our next performance, we want to prepare to give an even more appealing performance and not betray the people who found us.

-Can you recommend a song for our readers who have become interested in the ASP through this article?

WONKER: ‘TOXiC iNVASiON’ is popular with overseas audiences. This song was written by Maxim (The Prodigy), who provided the original music, and people who listen to it feel fresh.

YUMEKA: “Haikei Rockstar Sama” is ASP’s debut song and I think it is our symbolic song. This song can be enjoyed by anyone who listens to it, no matter what country or language they are from, as they can imagine their own ‘rock star’.

CCCCCC: I also recommend the song “MAKE A MOVE”, produced by WARGASM. This song has all-English lyrics and the music video is just cool. We had a lot of trouble with the pronunciation and expression of this song, so I especially want people from overseas to listen to it.

RiONTOWN: I also recommend “NO REASON”. It has strong digital rock elements and has a cool live video. The chorus is designed for a singalong, so I think you can feel a sense of unity at the live performance.

-And lastly, do you have a message for our readers?

CCCCCC: Going overseas for the first time after joining ASP was also my first experience encountering a foreign culture. It was very different from Japan regarding everyday life and the mood of the live shows, and it inspired me a lot. If you have found ASP through this article, I hope you will listen to a lot of our music. And we will do our best to give back the stimulation we received from everyone overseas by turning it into energy at our next show in London in March. Thank you for your continued support!

RiONTOWN: The comments and support we receive on social media mean so much to us. Thank you also to those who found ASP through this article. We will continue to love the opportunity to meet you in person at our live shows. We hope you will enjoy ASP’s music live!

MOG: I think it’s really great that you’re interested in Japanese idol culture and found this site, and I hope you’ll learn not only about ASP but also about our agency, WACK. WACK is an incredibly unique collective filled with members who have strong personalities and a distinctive style. We are a very interesting group with a lot of different personalities. From now on, we would like to expand our activities with a view to overseas. I am sure that many more interesting things will happen, so I would be happy if you could look into the history of WACK as well as ASP. And if you think it’s interesting, I hope you will look forward to our future activities.

NAMELESS: I think the reason why the average life spans in Japan are so long is because of idols (laughs). I myself was originally an otaku before I joined ASP, so I realised that supporting idols really makes life more enjoyable. I think that’s the beauty of ‘idol culture’. If there are people who have not yet been touched by this culture, I think it’s a wonderful thing to know about it. It’s already good when you find this website!

MATiLDER: The experience of performing abroad as ASP was really valuable. I feel that there are many parts of my life where I have grown a lot through the experience of performing abroad. I am very happy to be able to perform abroad again in March. And I’m really happy when I find comments in English. ASP uses Instagram, and all the members post in English as well, so I’d be happy if you could see those messages. I myself have learned a lot about idol culture for the first time since I joined ASP. In the process, I look forward to seeing idol-specific words and culture spreading overseas. I look forward to meeting you in the future!

WONKER: I feel that more and more idols are debuting and touring overseas these days. I have the impression that these people are spreading traditional Japanese culture and ‘Japaneseness’, but we at ASP are a little different from that – ASP is characterised by sharp edges and some of our songs are provided by people from overseas. I think there are moments when overseas audiences can relate to us in this way. Also, it is really fun and exciting to perform live abroad. I’m living with the thought that there are only a few months left before our next overseas concert, so I would be very happy to see you all again!

YUMEKA: I really love Japanese idols and have lived in idol culture ever since I was a child. I was really happy when I found out that its goodness could be believed in another world as well. I was very moved to think that there are people in the wider world who say ‘I love idols’, and not just me. We at ASP also believe that there is something we can do in such idol culture. We hope to increase the number of people who say they like ASP while keeping that faith. Just as Japanese anime and Japanese food are loved around the world, I hope that Japanese Idol will become the next big thing. I would be happy if many people around the world could enjoy the culture of Japanese idols!

■Live Information

WACK in the UK Vol. 5
DATE: Wed. 26th Mar. 2025
OPEN: 7PM
VENUE: The Underworld (London)
APPEARANCE : KiSS KiSS,ASP and GANG PARADE

General Tickets: £30 (Entry from 7pm)
VIP Upgrade Ticket: £120 – strictly limited. It includes:
· Light lunch with the members
· Cheki photo with group of choice
· Cheki photo with member of choice (plus autograph)
· Exclusive T-shirt (Japanese XL size)
· Early entry to the show.
· VIP ticket holders do not need to purchase a general entry ticket.
To upgrade via DICE please purchase a general ticket, then log into your DICE account and choose the upgrade option.
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Timetable:
12:30 – VIP light lunch and cheki event
14:00 – Cheki ticket sale begins for general ticket holders.
14:30 – General cheki event
18:30 – VIP early entry
19:00 – General entry
19:30 – KiSS KiSS
20:20 – ASP
21:10 – GANG PARADE
22:00 – End
About Cheki event:
Cheki are a type of polaroid style photo that is popular in Japan. The VIP ticket already includes 2 cheki opportunities. Further opportunities, as well as opportunities for general ticket holders, will be available by purchasing cheki tickets from the mech stand. Each cheki ticket purchased will allow for one cheki to be taken with a member of the ticket holder’s choice.

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