After a year of theatricals, Gayamyan are going straight in their final live gig for 2006.

It’s 9:30pm in a band rehearsal room in an industrial building somewhere in Kowloon Bay. A slightly bemused musical foursome are trying to figure out the last time they were here together.

“In May I guess? We had a gig in May. Didn’t we come back to practise?”
“I don’t think so…”
“See how professional we are!”
“Oh, we did a show in May?”

This is Gayamyan. Hardly serious, always casual, yet a force for applause on stage. Gayamyan (literally ‘falsetto’) played 10 sold-out gigs at the Hong Kong Art Center in September last year with a mix of jazz, rock, dance and Canto-pop. But for their coming show, the 2006 Final Live on December 1, the band decided to revert to the basics – a pure, simple and direct bar gig at the Fringe.

“We collaborated with Zuni Icosahedron for the concerts last year – we were trying to ‘perform’ a concert in a theatre instead of ‘playing a Gayamyan gig’,” front man Cedric explains. “Therefore what you saw last year was more dramatic, like riding on a rollercoaster. But this time we only want to play our own music.”

Gayamyan released their self-titled debut album in 2002, but made their name with the music for Zuni Icosahedron’s theatre productions, including the East Wing West Wing series: 2005 was all fancy costumes and surprising covers, from the jazzy Can’t Help Falling in Love to Leslie Cheung dance numbers. But that was last year and their bow for 2006 will be 90 minutes of the real Gayamyan – if the band can figure out how to put all their songs together for a show. Nor do they have any intentions for further recordings.

“We grew up listening to cassettes, CDs and now downloading digital music on the net… we just don’t think putting a physical album out means much to us now,” drummer Feijaiming says. “If you want to make an album you got to have something to say, but right now we just don’t have enough motivation.”

“We are not artists signed to a big label needing to release an album every year,” Cedric laughs. Which is all very well, but if success is reckoned by the number of albums released or gigs played, Gayamyan appears more than relaxed about their name staying up in lights.

What’s in your ipod 2006?

Cedric (vocal) – Madonna’s Confessions on a Dance Floor“I am a fan of Madonna – but I wouldn’t fly to her concerts.”
(“That’s because you have no money,” Feijaiming mocks.)

Feijaiming (drummer) – Yoyo Ma’s Bach: The Cello Suites Inspired By Bach, From The Six-Part Film Series“I am a bit tired of all that noisy stuff these days. I am more into instrumental music now.”

Mly (guitarist) – Muse’s Black Holes and Revelations“Didn’t find it particularly interesting at first, but it gets better when you hear it again after a while.”

Ball Jai (bassist) - Boom Boom Satellites’ On“Electronic music plus band sound. I listened to it the most this year.”

Gayamyan’s 2006 Final Live at the Fringe, December 1. Ticket $150 (includes one standard drink). Check www.89268.com for details.