Band Class is back, and today we’re meeting Drinking Boys and Girls Choir, a 3-person punk band originating in Daegu in 2013. In 2017, drummer MJ suffered an accident, and the band went on hiatus before returning in 2019 with their debut album, Keep Drinking. The band went on two tours, one in 2019 and another in 2020, before releasing their album Marriage License in 2021. In 2023, the band found their fourth, and current, guitarist, Megan. Now, in 2024, Drinking Boys and Girls Choir have set out on their first headline tour of North America after releasing their first live album, DGBC Live in Busan, on October 4, 2024.
DGBC: Hello, we are a Korean punk band called Drinking Boys and Girls Choir.
Meena plays bass, Myeongjin (MJ) plays drums, Megan plays guitar, and we all sing together.
MJ
Drums / Vocals
Megan
Guitar / Vocals
DBGC: There is no special meaning. We just combined what we like. We like drinking together and didn’t want to behave like adults. All members sing together, hence the choir part.
KW: Outside of music, do the members have any artistic interests?
Meena: I like drawing but I’m not good.
Megan: I like sketching, and writing with fountain pens.
MJ: Movies!
KW: Do the members play other instruments besides the ones they do for the band?
Meena: I was a drummer before I met MJ. I decided to change positions because I wanted to make a band with MJ.
Megan: I have a banjo at home.
MJ: I like to play the guitar for fun and I am interested in world instruments, especially percussion. One time, I got really into learning the tin whistle. I play in an amateur wind orchestra, too.
KW: What do you enjoy about being in a band?
Meena: Obviously when I play on stage it is the best part of being a band. Also When we make new songs, I feel most happy.
Megan: Making art with two people I love. You can’t have this type of relationship any other way. It’s unique, special and important to me.
MJ: When the music comes out in a perfect match between the three of us, it gives me goosebumps!
KW: What is the process of creating a song like for your band?
Meena: Every member has a different style. For me, I write lyrics first then add a melody, share with the girls, and then we finish it together.
Megan: Someone comes with an idea and we go as a team from there. I don’t write lyrics or melodies, or at least I haven’t yet, but never say never. I bring the riffs and cool chord patterns! We don’t really jam things out. Not yet, anyway.
MJ: I am usually inspired by nature even if the theme of the song is not about nature at all. At some point, I write the melody and lyrics together, and then the later part comes naturally by mixing with the members’ ideas.
KW: What do you each do when you hit a creative block?
Meena: Go hiking. It makes me less stressed. When I go hiking, I only have to focus on my steps. After hiking I can focus more on making new songs. Or just let it go, and sleep.
Megan: The worst thing you can do at that point is force it. Take a break! Go for a bike ride, or just listen to music and get inspired.
MJ: Feeling desperate and reading a bunch of books. It’s not really ‘reading’, but like putting as many random words into my brain as possible.
KW: Tell us about your recent (or upcoming) album. What story do you want to tell with this album?
Meena: Our first Live album released on the fourth of October. Actually, We just arrived in America for our first headline North American Tour. Please check our schedule and come to see us!
Megan: Like Meena said, we just released a live album we recorded in Korea at the start of this year. Besides that, we plan to get to work on writing and recording the third full length super soon.
After you check out Drinking Boys and Girls Choir, let KpopWise know your favorite song! A special thanks to the members of Drinking Boys and Girls Choir for this interview.