Meet TTB - One Coin, 5 Lanes of Rock
Five 11th graders from Nagoya International School have spent months rehearsing, experimenting with music, and learning how to play together as a band. Their musical tastes are all over the place. One minute they're tearing into AC/DC's "Shoot to Thrill," the next they're working through the bluesy soul of Cardinal Black's "Tell Me How It Feels." Throw in Jefferson Starship's "Jane" and Tom Cochrane's "Life Is a Highway," and you begin to get an idea of just how eclectic their repertoire is.
They call themselves TTB, which originally stood for Totemo Tanoshi Band—roughly, "Very Fun Band."
I told them to drop the name and stick with the initials.
They're playing AC/DC, not organizing a summer camp.
On Sunday, November 22, they're taking their music out of the school auditorium and onto the club stage at Imago Live in Imaike.
I've watched them perform (um I am Maxwell's dad), and what impresses me isn't simply their individual talent. Massa, the lead guitarist, can make his instrument howl, launching into solos that are sometimes downright epic. But what really makes the band work is the groove they've developed together.
They listen to one another. The rhythm section locks in, the guitar and keyboards build around it, and the vocals rise above the mix. They know when to step forward, when to pull back, and when to give someone else room. These are covers, but there's personality in their choices and a genuine sense of fun in the way they bring them together.
Finding Their Sound
Over the past few years, Nagoya International School has made substantial investments in its music program. New teachers have joined an already dedicated staff, new instruments have expanded the possibilities, and a purpose-built auditorium designed specifically for music and live performance has opened up new opportunities for students.
The program has grown along with those investments. Rock, jazz, and progressive music are now part of an expanding curriculum that includes a new classical orchestra, giving students a much broader range of musical styles and traditions to explore.
But perhaps the most interesting element is the students themselves. Coming from different countries, cultures, and linguistic backgrounds, they bring their own musical interests and perspectives to the stage. Playing together gives them an opportunity to explore different styles, learn from one another, and find something they can make their own.
TTB is one example of what can emerge from a supportive and well tended environment.
Meet the Band
- Max, vocals. A wide range, and he isn't shy about using all of it.
- Yejun, drums. Holds down the beat and drives the band forward.
- Massa, guitar. Brings the riffs and those howling guitar solos.
- Jiho, bass. Locks in with Yejun and keeps the groove moving.
- Dohyun, keyboards. Adds melody, texture, and another dimension to the band's sound.
The five musicians have been guided by their music teachers and by longtime Nagoya singer, musician, and vocal coach Prisca Molotsi.
TTB already performs regularly at school events. This year, they also took the stage at the Walkathon in Meijo Park, one of Nagoya's longest-running charity events, and they plan to return in 2027.
Taking It to the Club
TTB began as a Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) project within the school's International Baccalaureate program. Along with developing their musical skills, the students are learning what it takes to organize a public performance.
They've booked the venue, set the ticket price, and taken responsibility for putting the event together. Tickets are ¥500, plus an order of one food item and one drink, and only 60 tickets are available.
The band also plans to donate any proceeds after expenses to charity. They're currently deciding which organization to support, and we'll update this article when they announce their choice.
Nobody is claiming TTB is a finished band. That isn't the point. Come and hear five teenagers who are good now and getting better, and support them as they take their music beyond the school stage.
The Details
TTB Live at Imago Live
Date
Sunday, November 22, 2026
Time
Doors 16:30, performance 17:00–19:00
Venue
Imago Live, Imaike
Price
¥500, plus one food and one drink order. Only 60 tickets.
Tickets
From any band member, or at the door while they last. To have your name put on the list, email info@nagoyabuzz.com with your name and "TTB performance Nov 22."
Address
5-20-9 Imaike
Chikusa-ku, Nagoya
Website
imago-jazz.com
Contact
052-715-6115
Access
By Subway: Take the Nagoya Municipal Subway Higashiyama Line (H13) or Sakura-dori Line (S08) to Imaike Station.
Use Exit 8 and walk south along the east side of the main road (Kanjō-sen). Turn left into Imaike 5-chome toward the venue. Imago is approximately 3–5 minutes on foot from the exit. Look for its distinctive purple exterior.
Using the Nagoya Subway
Nagoya Buzz
Map
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