MARTY FRIEDMAN Collaborates With ANDREW W.K. On 'Kiba' Single

Former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman will release a new singe, "Kiba", on January 27, 2010 via Avex. According to CDJapan.co.jp, the limited-edition single, which is a collaboration with Andrew W.K., will include a sticker and a bonus DVD with promotional footage. A regular version of the single without the DVD will also be available.

In a recent chat with the webmaster of his official web site, Friedman answered a couple of questions about the upcoming single.

Q: You have been talking about this collaboration with Andrew W.K. literally for years now, and it's finally for real.

Friedman: I could not be happier about it. He is by far my favorite USA rock artist and I think we have made the ultimate mixture of our styles. The day I heard his first album, I said, "Some day I'm definitely gonna work with that dude." Since then he guested on two of my TV shows over here, and I joined him on stage at his Tokyo concert a couple years back. We got along instantly. But who wouldn't like the guy? He is about the friendliest, most positive and cooperative musician out there.

Q: What is the single about and how did it happen?

Friedman: The song is called "Kiba", which means "fang." It came about when I was offered the opportunity to write the song that you will hear if you win the highest award on the most anticipated new Pachinko machine in Japan, "Souten no Ken". In Japan this is likely the avenue which exposes music to the greatest number of people as this game will be displayed in every Pachinko center in the entire country. Andrew really went way beyond the call of duty perfecting his Japanese pronunciation to the point where locals don't even know that it is a foreigner singing. It is truly an amazing vocal performance.

Q: When I heard the song, I felt like it's totally Marty and at the same time it's totally Andrew. It actually doesn't sound like anyone could have done it other than you two guys.

Friedman: You could say that, for sure. No one wanted to do anything experimental. Actually, both of us do tons of different and sometimes surprising things. As you know, I'm way into ballads and straight-up pure pop, but musically I'm most known for intense guitar playing, like on "Loudspeaker". That's cool, too. Andrew's latest album has lots of unique styles and dark, modern arrangements but he is most known for powerful, uplifting, party anthems. These are just facts. So even though both of us like to disregard any boundaries and go over the top into new territory, for better or worse, this time we made a real effort to do what we are most known for. I mean, it's a Andrew W.K. and Marty Friedman record — you shouldn't have to worry that it is a collection of gorilla mating calls.

Q: Ha! You never know with either of you guys. Will this be available outside of Japan?

Friedman: On the single, there is another version of "Kiba" sung in English, so the option is there but it is not the top priority now. There is also an instrumental tune on the single called "Battle Scars".