This A-Profiler we bring you the band that has been described as Chinatown dance rock; The Slants are an Asian pop band that have toured throughout the country many times and have been the only band of Asian Americans to be a Fender Music featured artist. Find out what the band likes to talk about when they are on the road, what is their favorite city to tour, and what is their favorite snack to eat on the road.

Your site URLs:
www.theslants.com
www.myspace.com/theslants

What musical track best describes your group?
Johnny: We Will Never Die
Aron: Jin Do...I mean Jen Don't!
Tyler: Got Rice?
Simon: Baby Got Bok (Choy)

Favorite snack to eat while you’re on the road?
Aron: Beef Jerky, Elk Jerky, Ostrich Jerky, Bear Jerky
Johnny: Anything that bleeds
Simon: Animal
Tyler: Fluffer Nutters

Most popular topic of conversation when you guys are on a road trip?
Tyler: Our top secret rating system
Aron: "Are you doing okay...are you tired? ...because your driving sucks and is scaring me!"
Johnny: We're usually laughing about something...
Simon: ...or talking about food and the next stop.

Can you describe the art of writing a song?
Aron: Listen over and over until it pops out!
Tyler: It is different from everyone, but for me, opposed to writing a song, I prefer to get out of the way and let the song write itself.
Simon: I think its important to find the right inspiration and then just start recording ideas. It’s a huge process with a lot involved, but we generally try and keep it organic, have it flow well, and make it danceable.

How did your parents react when you told them you wanted to be a musician?
Aron: They loved it!
Johnny: As long as I'm healthy and happy, their all for it
Simon: They told me that I should be a doctor or a lawyer instead.

What’s one word that would describe your relationship with each one of your band mates?
Aron: Dialog
Johnny: Hunky-dory
Tyler: Gay love...without sex.
Simon: Desultory

Where do you see your musical career taking you in 5 years?
Tyler: Everywhere in the world!
Johnny: Probably awesome if I still have a career in 5 years!
Simon: Both of the above

When you guys aren’t making music what can we find you guys doing?
Johnny: Listening to music!
Tyler: Working or sleeping.
Simon: ...when are we not making music or working on the band?

Which city is your favorite city to perform in and why?
Aron: I like Denver a lot
Tyler: Nashville. I love the fans there!
Johnny: Nashville, TN. I love southern girls!
Simon: New York, NY - I love visiting the city and we can always get amazing food in Chinatown before the show

Which musical group would you guys pay to watch?
Aron: Sade
Johnny: David Bowie and The Spiders from Mars.
Simon: The Notorious MSG
Tyler: I love watching live music and pay to see lots of concerts, from local bands at dive bars to big arena shows!

Did you guys ever considered quitting the music biz?
Aron: Of course...
Johnny: It's never crossed my mind
Tyler: No.
Simon: Every so often, I get tired of the "business" end of it. The real joy is making and playing music for the fans...the music business is just what allows us to get to more fans so it’s a necessary evil.

How did you guys come together as a group?
Johnny: Craigslist and friendships
Tyler: I met Simon via Craigslist when he was first looking for musicians to join The Slants, before he had a band name or any members.

If you guys didn’t choose music as a career what kind of career do you think you be in?
Johnny: I'd pursue a career in electronic engineering
Tyler: I'd probably be working in advertising, or as a studio audio engineer, or working on a film crew in Hollywood.
Simon: Marketing or working for an organization that helps make the world a better place.
Aron: Porn

Do you have any crazy encounters with fans?
Aron: A stalker once...
Johnny: Some bad, but usually they're crazy in a positive way.
Tyler: I had a crazy stalker fan a while back that found out where I lived and would find any excuse she could to "stop by".
Simon: Sometimes things happen, but we usually take it in stride.

What’s your one guilty musical pleasure?
Aron: Lil’ Wayne
Simon Lil’ John
Johnny: Africa by Toto
Tyler: I admit nothing

Is it difficult to maintain a relationship when you’re a musician?
Johnny: I think so. It's difficult finding someone who doesn't mind that we're constantly touring, practicing, or song writing.
Aron: Not with the right person
Tyler: No, but it is important to chose a partner that understands what it means to date a musician and can be your ultimate supporter.
Simon: I think even with the right person it can be tough. It’s hard being away on the road for so long and it’s a pretty crazy schedule, but I imagine it’d be the safe with being a trucker, in the military, or anything else where someone feels left behind. But having that right person who understands and supports gives you the fuel to keep chasing the dream.

Who are some musical artists you like to collaborate with?
Aron: Son Of Rust and R. Kelly
Tyler: Dave Grohl, Richard Patrick, Chino Moreno, Steve Vai...there are tons of musicians that I'd love to collaborate with!
Johnny: I'd love to collaborate with Kanye or Timbaland!
Simon: I want Snoop Dogg to produce our next album. As far as collaborations, we’re going to be working with a few other artists on the newest release...it’s going to be a surprise.

What are you guy’s currently working on? What can we look forward to in the future?
Tyler: I'm working on a song for The Slants with a local Taiko drumming group...it is going to rock!
Aron: A new and more rocking album than ever before
Johnny: We're currently working on a new album. Once that's released expect A LOT of touring.
Simon: More shows, more music, and probably more contraversy

What’s a typical Tuesday night hanging out with you guys?
Johnny: I'm probably sleeping
Tyler: I take salsa dancing lessons on Tuesday nights if I don't have a concert or are not on the road.
Simon: Cooking dinner!

Thanks for taking time out to answer my questions; do you have any thing you like to say to your fans?
Aron: Thannnnks for your love and support
Johnny: xoxoxox
Simon: Without you, this wouldn’t be possible!
Tyler: We love you guys!

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This issue of A-Profiler is brought to you by Ray Lam.
Special thanks to The Slants.

Photo Credit: Ellenote. Photos used with permission.
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