words emily cheng

Being an all girl band is not the only thing that makes Frozen Matches different.

“I like things to be extreme; frozen and matches are very different things and I just wanted to show people that not only guys can do well in bands – girls are something different but we can also be very good. The initials F and M can also represent Female and Music.” – Eunice, bandleader, bass player and vocalist.

Frozen Matches is a four-piece all-girl band with a quartet of independent streaks. Although they lay claim to their own ‘signature sound’, it is not something that has sprung spontaneously from mutual admiration and improvisation. Keyboardist/vocalist Karen explains a more organic process – “It’s very hard to define,” she says, “because we all have different influences so we just mixed our sounds together to form our own sound.” Eunice evolved from punk to Brit-pop, guitarist Bonnie likes jazz and blues, Kapo the drummer is keen on rock and Karen enjoys a mix of pop and rock. Imagine the musical ratatouille tossed into existence from those ingredients and you may come close to what makes a gig with Frozen Matches.

One thing is sure, their music does not depend on sex appeal. “No, no, no, we are not selling something,” Eunice protests while Bonnie laughs, “We can [wear bra tops] but you will not like it.” But Karen is more earnestly fully clothed as she says of their five original songs and covers of bands such as The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Killers, “The music attracts the people.”

The diversity of musical tastes also reflects the variety and strength of opinions within the band. Although only formed January last year, Frozen Matches have already been through two or three drummers (they don’t remember the exact number) and two vocalists. “We are quite easy, funny people…but some, like our ex-vocalist, I don’t think enjoy playing with us. Different people have different points of views… I always trust chemical reactions. If you have a good reaction with somebody you can do anything with them,” says Eunice. To which there must be some truth – the chemical reaction among the four girls of the current line up is visibly strong. Since the band formed, Eunice admits that she has seen less of her other friends, but all the girls agree that playing with each other is what they enjoy most; they often shop and have late suppers together after a gig – “As you can see,” Bonnie laughs pointing to Eunice’s body. But the retaliation is swift: “No, she is the fat lady!” the bandleader fires back.

Despite the disruptions to practice sessions from the turnover of band members in such a short span of time, they have already played at various live gigs and even won second runners up in the RTHK Anti-Drugs Band Competition last year. Which, says Karen, was pretty encouraging and meaningful considering they were a new band with so little experience. As Eunice elaborates: “We started our first song in July. Afterwards we changed vocalists and then the second vocalist joined us in October and we did our first show in November – so I think that was quite fast.” It was a bonus that, prior to the formation of Frozen Matches, Eunice was active in the HK music scene and had made quite a few connections in the industry.

Nevertheless, this group of female musician friends aren’t looking to become Hong Kong’s antithetical answer to the Spice Girls – at least not for now. “We will try our best to do something good. I’m not thinking anything big,” Eunice claims. “We are not mature yet,” Karen recognizes. One thing the girls are unanimous in is this go-with-the-flow thinking: as long as they can play together with the freedom to do what they like, they are happy. As Kapo says, “I just want to play music with [the band] – I never think too much.” So then, what is their main aim? What do they wish to achieve in any performance? “To make people shake!” Bonnie exclaims. Enough said.

Frozen Matches will be performing at Live House at 7:30pm on February 23 (Rm L215, 3/F, Phase 2, Kwun Tong Industrial Building, 9336 4426). Check them out at www.myspace.com/frozenmatches‑or music.llnr.biz/band.php?i=frozenmatches.