It’s not often you hear a metal singer characterise his band as an egg. But that’s how Jan Lo wants Qiu Hong described. “Because firstly, an egg is easily broken,” the 29-year-old audio technician explains. “Some bands in Hong Kong, once their album is released, they’re gone – no more.” But on the other hand, if the music and the band
are properly appreciated – incubated, even – their future stands to be bright: “Just like a baby chicken emerging from an egg.”
In those terms, Qiu Hong has already hatched. The head-banging five-piece released their self-titled debut album at the end of July, and are gearing up to celebrate it with a launch party on October 7. Before that, the busy band – fresh from shows in Chengdu on September 9 and Guangzhou on September 16 – will play at HUSH!! in Macau on September 30. Lun and Hala on guitars, Hin on drums and Hippo on bass have been together since 2002 and worked on the album for a year-and-a-half. They never argue. “We rank friendship at the top and the band comes second,” says Lo. That they spend so much time together and get along so well – “We meet each other more than [we meet] with our families” – no doubt helped the cause when they won the regional finals of last year’s World Battle of the Bands.
“They were the most professional band to deal with,” says Chris Bowers, a World Battle of the Bands organiser. “They were just totally focused on doing the right thing.” She says the band stood out from its competition because of its desire to succeed and a humble attitude – a rare combination. Certainly, in private frontman Lo is a picture of restraint – quite the contrast to his roaring, raucous on-stage persona. He chooses his words carefully and speaks softly. Some of their songs are angry, he concedes, his long black locks sweeping over his eyes almost cutely, but he won’t say what about. The band hopes listeners will bring their own interpretation to the lyrics, so he won’t explain 1st of July, although it appears politically charged: “The sound of the footsteps, the sound of our breath / shout of dissatisfaction / We are here to state out / once again, we testify to history / Let’s start!” Take from it what you will.
Other songs are not angry but simply delivered with power and strength, Lo says. In Break the Wall, a huge, hard-hitting metal anthem, the frontman sings with such force it sounds as if he’ll burst his aorta. But the song is more about educating people about Hong Kong’s great local rock bands than anything else. It speaks of not flowing with the mainstream or inhibiting individual creativity: “Leave me alone, don’t lock me up / I have control of myself / I don’t want to be in your gang, damn you! / When the crowd praises you, do you feel embarrassed? I’d rather stay away from the wall.”
That self-control is evident in the release of their album – credits in the liner notes are revealing: “Produced by Qiu Hong. Recorded by Gene & Qiu Hong. Mixed by Qiu Hong… Recorded at Qiu Hong Band Room. Mixed at Qiu Hong Band Room.” And those notes don’t even mention that the band also arranged distribution of the album, did all their own promotional work, and devised the artwork. In fact, the only thing Qiu Hong didn’t do was the mastering.
But then, life’s tough for independent bands in this city. “If an indy band can release an album in Hong Kong, then it’s a great band, because it’s not easy.” Lo says there are many great rock bands in Hong Kong – led by the likes of King Lychee, Audiotraffic, Hardpack, and An ID Signal – but they’re not getting enough exposure. “We hope more media will talk more about Hong Kong bands, because I think the audience will support these kinds of bands.”
Qiu Hong is also looking for that support for their new album because it will help them produce more of their music. The album is up for sale at most music stores, but Lo doesn’t mind if people download their songs: “If they really like the song, maybe they will come to watch the live show… Our live show is better than the record.” And while he says ultimate success for the band would be a world tour, he just hopes that audiences enjoy the music. “That’s it. That’s enough.”
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