TOKYO — Rumors that disco is in its death throes don’t worry the Village People, the group that gave the world "Y.M.C.A." and "In the Navy."

"People will always want to dance," maintains David Hodo, group member and spokesman, "whether they call it Big Band, disco or rock ’n’ roll, people will always be dancing. Disco is just a ridiculous title for dance music."

Hodo is the hard-hat character in the group that also features police, soldier, cowboy, biker and Indian costumes.

Randy Jones, the cowboy character, says it’s not true that the group prohibits photographs of them out of costume. "There’s plenty of pictures floating around of us (out of costume)," he says. "In fact, there’s plenty of pictures floating around of some of us without anything on," he jokes, referring to nude photos of some of them that were published in a national women’s magazine.

Those photos did little to dispel rumors that the Village People cater to the homosexual audience. Nor do the lyrics to some of their songs dispel those rumors. At a press conference last week in Tokyo, a journalist asked Jones if their music was tailored for homosexuals and which members of the group were homosexual.

"First of all," said Jones, "I think you can interpret a song as being related to a gay lifestyle or a homosexual lifestyle if, indeed, you are gay or homosexual or if you are familiar with that perspective.

"Second of all, the only point in time that you should be interested in whether anyone at this table is homosexual is if you intend to be in bed with him."

Hodo went on to say that the group’s first album — recorded before they had a real identity and before there were any plans to take them out of the studio — was directed at homosexuals. The .album featured such songs as "Fire Island," "San Francisco" and "Hollywood." When the group was finally put together, he said, no matter what we did became a "gay song."

Glenn M. Hughes, the leather-clad biker of the group, added that the group is not ashamed of its sexuality. "Part of our charm, if you will, or part of our appeal is on a sexual level. If you look at this table, you’ll see six very good looking men, and part of our business is giving you sexual fantasy. Any way you want to interpret that is perfectly OK with us."

Hodo thinks their latest album could mark a departure from the group’s image. Titled "Live and Sleazy," the album, he says, features a couple of rock songs and even a ballad. "We’re changing," says Hodo. "That gives us and our friends something to look forward to."

Village People fans in Japan can look forward to concerts in Tokyo May 19, 20, 21 and 22. Tickets are available from the Kamiseya Tours Office.

Touring with the Village People is the Ritchie Family, featuring three women who are also decidedly not ashamed of their sexuality.

The show is a "very special gift for Japan," said Hodo. "It’s our way of saying thank you for Sony, Toyota, Hitachi, Panasonic ..."