The Republic Tigers made its mark on the blogosphere with their outstanding pop single "Buildings and Mountains," which you can find here. The band supported their newly found hype by sweeping through SXSW, touring the country and recently joining indie veterans Nada Surf on the road this summer.

Buzznet contributor Kron caught up with singer-guitarist Kenn Jankowski, with her infamous 'Behind Closed Doors' interview session:


Buzznet: Do you have a morning bathroom routine? If so, what does it entail?

Kenn: Brush my teeth, lap water from the faucet for re-hydration, take a Kenn-minute shower. I always say it'll last ten minutes, but it ends up being a while longer (past roommates have dubbed the event a "Kenn-minute shower"). I frequently overhear people saying, "I'll be there in Kenn minutes." It does grow tiresome.

Buzznet: Who was your first kiss? How old were you? Where were you?

Kenn: I'm trying my hardest to remember her name. She was a cheerleader for Billings, MO. Junior High School. I don't remember how we came to know one another, seeing as I went to Republic Junior High School -- about fifteen miles away.

My first dance, and it was at her school. Earlier that day I remember getting a paper cut on my lip while I was on the phone with her. As we were well into the last dance (Brian Adams), I was flustered, scared to death, shaking, heart pounding. I was thinking, "her head is on my chest, and she knows!"

Unsure how to make my move that simply had to be made, I remembered the cut.  So I said, "this cut here, it really hurts." Since then, I've been remarkably suave.

Buzznet: What do you have hanging on your bedroom walls?

Kenn: I have a mattress up against the wall, clean flannel sheets, posters rolled up and framed records -- all on the floor -- waiting to be placed. I've lived here for over a year, and my walls are still bare white. I was once married -- and realize I won't be able to live this way forever. So, I revel in my freedom.

Buzznet: Do you have any fetishes? Any pet peeves?

Kenn: I enjoy some pain -- punches to the shoulder and chest. Not the face, my nose breaks easy, though, I do enjoy the look of a black eye. I do miss the days when my friends and I would trade punches. It seems nobody wants to play anymore.

I'm not a fan of sloppy, sopping-wet kissing. Wow, I sound like a girl.

Buzznet: What is the first quality you look for in the opposite sex?

Kenn: A busy schedule.
 
Buzznet: What do you wear to sleep at night?

Kenn: It varies.
 
Buzznet: Do you have a nickname?

Kenn: "Eekswoknaj" is my gamer tag; look me up on Xbox live. Eekswoknaj is short for "roinuj eekswoknaj lahrey hetenik." For my acting career, I will be known as "kinjin kawski."

Buzznet: What was your first job? What was your worst job?

Kenn: Batting cage manager when I was fourteen. That may have also been my best job, other than rocking.

Worst job ... it's a toss-up between these three: hauling hay, sledging fence stakes into the frozen ground and roofing a three-story nineteenth century house in one hundred degree heat with spider nests under every other tile.

Buzznet: If you could be in the Summer Olympics which sport would you compete in?
 
Kenn: Pole-vaulting, it's the closest to flying I think.

Buzznet: What song do you know every word to, but totally embarrassed that you know so well?

Kenn: I know way too many bad modern-country music songs, thanks to my ex-in-laws and their CMT habit.

Buzznet: What text message or voicemail do you regret sending to someone -- so much that you will never forget doing it? Who was this person?

Kenn: I'm embarrassed that I left my phone laying around once, only for my ex-wife to get drunk, pick it up and send crazy fan texts to Matthew Caws -- the nicest man on the planet.

Buzznet: Which era do you wish you lived in and why?

Kenn: The one where my telekinetic abilities actually work on the street lamp.

Buzznet: Do you have any scars? If so what happened? If not, name one imperfection on your body?

Kenn: I have one on the top of my head from sliding on my knees under a laundry room table with my brother (my father applied butterfly Band-Aids rather than a trip to the hospital for stitching). Then, there's one on the back of my head from leaving my drawer open and falling off the top bunk. There's my right index knuckle scar from a 60-mile per hour -- on the rainy highway -- motorcycle accident. A left temple scar from flipping down a hill; hitting a tree in mid-air and coming to a stop upside down on a bridge. And finally, there's a circular brand on my left kneecap, because I wanted to fit in with some stupid rock band from Springfield, MO. -- whose singer sounded interestingly similar to Bon Jovi.
 
Imperfections: my nose grew crooked after I broke it three times. For years, I applied extreme pressure to it with my hands, to try and get it to go the other way. I don't believe the method works. But now, I am content with my appearance and unique characteristics. Maybe someday I will have a doctor reset it. But, only to look more like God intended. Unless I find out that God intended that I break my nose to learn some valuable lesson. I need some answers damn it.

Buzznet: If we gave you sourdough bread and you could put anything on your sandwich what would it be?

Kenn: Well, right now I'm in the mood for some kind of cream cheese and anything concoction. How, and why, does everything work with cream cheese?

Buzznet: When you hear the word "oatmeal" what's the first thing that comes to mind?

Kenn: It's a nickname for my friend Thom Hoskins. Why? I don't remember. But, I don't think he likes being called that. Also, at the very same time, I think of Mom's salty-sugary-raisin-steamy goodness, with buttery toast on the side. Mmm.