Five Favourites
Wu Hongfei : vocalist of Wu Hongfei and The Happy Avenue

What is your favourite song of all time?
Sopor Aeternus’ The Sleeper. I like the classical instruments used in the song and the vocalist’s depressive style of singing. I think that is what she is like – a person who refuses to reach for any sunshine. I also like songs from Portishead and Black Box Recorder. Those all have depressing, melancholy sounds.
Who is your favourite band of all time?
Sopor Aeternus, Portishead and Black Box Recorder. I like the gloomy aesthetic because that is what I am not able to do.
Who is your favourite writer?
I like Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jorge Luis Borges, Vladimir Nabokov and Marguerite Duras. They were my nutrition during my teenage years.
What is your favourite film of all time?
Time of the Gypsies directed by Emir Kusturica. The life portrayed in the film is chaotic, but poetic. There are a lot of surrealistic scenes in the film yet they look so real and so sad. I think it is truly a masterpiece – I was so shocked by it. Amelie from Montmartre and A Very Long Engagement are also pretty good.
What is your favourite city in the world?
I have only been to the US, Vietnam and Germany. But I quite like New York City because of the subway. You won’t get lost there. Actually I like Chengdu because it is very relaxed. It is sad that the city is affected by the earthquake now.
Beijing rock band Wu Hongfei and The Happy Avenue released their third album, Rouge, in March and are on a national tour. Other members of the band are guitarist Zhang Zheng, bassist Li Qiang, drummer Tian Kun with keyboardist Liu Lei and Yanzi, harmony. Catch the band on June 1 with supporting artists Hei Wong, slash!SAKURA!slash!, motionfades and Slept in Spray. The show starts at Club Cixi at 7pm and tickets cost $120 at the door.

Sipping Soda
Taiwan pop/rock sensation Sodagreen swept first the indie scene and then the mainstream pop world with their first three albums, Sodagreen, Little Universe and The Incomparable Beauty, and won the Best Band and Best Songwriting awards at the 18th Golden Melody Awards in 2007. Their sold-out concert in Taipei last November also set the record for the longest concert ever held there – a full five hours of live performance. bc asked if audiences will enjoy the same privilege at the band’s upcoming two shows in Hong Kong. The answer is, um, no.

“Last time was the first time we ever performed in such a big venue, and we just wanted to hang on there longer,” says A-Ful, the band’s acoustic guitarist. “But we can’t do it this time in Hong Kong because we will get fined, I think?” Well, true. But I have heard they actually got penalized last time too? Drummer Wei confesses that they were scolded for the overrun. “So we will learn from the experience and this time do some good for the organizer,” he says. Vocalist Qing-feng jokes that it was a “very expensive” experience but he is sure that it still will be a good show for the crowd this time around. For those who wonder how songs from a mere three albums can fill a five-hour show, the band’s recently released live album, Sing With Me, yields an answer. Songs like Radiohead’s Creep and Teresa Teng’s I Only Care About You are covered, once again showcasing Qing-feng’s amazingly wide vocal range, similar to
that of Chan Ho Fung of local band Gayamyan.

Did he train to develop such style of singing? “I didn't think about it much. I just sing whatever way that makes me happy, whatever sounds good,” he explains. “And maybe that is the best way to bring out the most sincere emotion you have.” What also makes Sodagreen more interesting than other pop/rock bands with the usual guitars-bass-drums line-up is Zephyr, a viola player. Classically trained, Zephyr adds a classy, orchestral feeling to some of the band's tunes and is officially the ‘dancer’ during the band’s concerts. No wonder, then, that when asked to pick his favourite album, Zephyr chooses Madonna’s Hard Candy. “I like the way she tries new things and I am very much inspired by her on stage,” he says. “The music of Sodagreen should also not be too fixed to a certain style.” The sextet
cite Björk, Radiohead and Beyond to John Mayor and Alanis Morissette as their influences. Which just goes to show Sodagreen are a much more heady cocktail than soda pop.

Sodagreen are Qing-Feng-vocals, Kay-electric guitar, A-Fu-acoustic guitar, Zephyr-keyboard and viola, bassist Claire and drummer Wei. Catch their Sing With Me concerts on June 12 and 13 at HITEC Star Hall. Showtime is 8:30pm. Tickets are $420 and $290 from HK Ticketing, 31 288 288.

Beyond Time
It has been 15 years since he died but his music and spirit remain in the hearts of many people - especially local musicians. To commemorate the 15th anniversary of Beyond’s Wong Ka Kui’s death, his brother Wong Ka Keung has set up a series of exhibitions and talks about the great musician. On June 10, a tribute concert includes performances from Ka Keung, Paul Wong, Yip Sai Wing, Tai Chi, Anthony Wong, at17 and Chet Lam. Tickets are already sold out, but you can dig out some of those old Beyond records to remember how the band’s music transcended time, or get a copy of DVD Missing Ka Kui, which comprises three special programmes about our rock legend produced by RTHK. To win a free copy, check out our Competitions section.

Monkeying with Music
The monkeys are heading south – we are talking about Banana Monkey, currently one of Shanghai’s hottest live acts. Together for less than a year, the garage/rockabilly/blues punk/rock four-piece have been hailed already for their brutally primitive and simply direct grooves. And one suggestion from the organizer: Don’t sit at the show - pogo!

What does ‘Banana Monkey’ mean?
We had a song about a monkey and a man with a line with ‘banana monkey’ in it. We like that primitive, impulsive and instinctive feeling. Music brings out our thoughts and desires.

How is Banana Monkey influenced by American music of the ’50s and ’60s, say rockabilly and blues?
In some European countries or America, that music can already be included in school textbooks, but in some developing countries - or at least to youngsters in China - it is still very new. At the same time we also listen to other genres; good music nowadays blends things together. There is no definition or complete originality to a genre now. The root of rock is American music of the ’50s and ’60s and every time we listen to it we find a new interpretation. The cultural differences enable us to find new meanings in the music.

So if you can be a rock star of that period for one day, who would you be?
Misuzu: A Rolling Stone, because they are big and I adore them. It is normal to want to be the people you like!
Ling-feng: I want to be Thom Yorke or Pete Doherty. Don’t need to do anything special, just to have a simple day will be fine enough.
Bono: Iggy Pop.
Ion: I’ve no idea. I think I am doing pretty good!

What are the five essential elements Banana Monkey must have to play a live show?
Originality, being dead drunk, coquettishness, slim legs and 100% personal charm.

Your MySpace page says ‘pussy-beer-pod-fucking’ under ‘influence’. So I suppose you guys are good with the ladies?
Ha ha! Music is a portrayal of life and life inspires music. To love pussy is the natural instinct of a man and everyone likes fooling around after a few beers. Pod doesn’t matter, it was there just for the rhythm, right! Fucking is the biggest pleasure in life. We don’t have a lot of girlfriends, but a lot of girls think we are their boyfriends.
Banana Monkey are vocalist Bono, guitarist Misuzu, bass Ling-feng and Ion on drums. Catch (or feed) the Monkey at the first Shanghai Explosion on June 6 at Fringe Club. The show kicks off at 10:30pm. Tickets are $180 (with one standard drink) from Fringe Club, White Noise and Zoo Records.

School of Rock
I was a little taken aback when, glancing at the line-up of the annual performance by the Rhythm Club of Hong Kong Shue Yan University, I saw one of the bands was called Liu Ying, a term which in Cantonese can mean 'prostitute'. But according to the students who have newly formed the band, 'liu' (meaning 'flow' in Chinese) refers to communication and 'ying' (meaning 'warbler' in Chinese) references a bird with a beautiful voice, so the name represents the band's motto: to communicate with people through their music. In the coming performance, they will share the stage with Innisfallen, Velvette Vendetta, Take Bad With The Good, Maniac, Los en Found and Mensheng. The concert kicks off at 6:30pm on May 31 at Warehouse and tickets cost $60 at the door or $50 if you book through 6575 0532 in advance.
After recovering from the madness of Maximilian Hecker's gig, the Band Society of the City University of HK strikes again with the Summer Blaze Band Show. Beijing five-piece Tookoo - also one of the first emo bands in China ñ will headline. The band first released their debut underground album Viva!Viva!Viva! in 2001 and since then have performed in China's prestigious Midi Modern Music Festival, Rockit Hong Kong and Bay Beats in Singapore. Sharing the stage are Xi’an punk band Noname, which gained attention in Europe with their first album Sick and Tired. The band, playing traditional music instruments with a savage punk sound, are well known for fiery performances. Local acts playing are False Alarm, The Love Song, Maniac and Senseless. Bang your head with the crowd on June 8 at the Multi-purpose Room ABC, City University of HK. The show starts at 7pm and tickets cost $80 at the door.

Urban Sounds
We often hear of the lack of creativity in the Big Lychee but to prove that wrong Juicy Orange Production has just released its first compilation, Hong Kong, City, Sounds, which features 19 songs from local artists. From some of the more popular bands like Hard Candy, Qiu Hong and 22 Cats to solo artists like underground hip-hop producer Mecca Audio Labs, jazz guitarist Rickard Malmsten and electronica artist Nick Dearman, the CD covers pretty much every genre you can find in Hong Kong. A bit confusing? That’s the point - the compilation’s intention is to show that the Fragrant Harbour is big enough to accommodate all kinds of music. That is not to say every track is top-class, but each is still worth listening to. And to celebrate the launch of Hong Kong, City, Sounds, the label is throwing a free concert on June 5 at Gecko Lounge & Wine Bar (Ezra Lane, Lower Hollywood Road, Central). Bands playing to be confirmed and showtime is 9:30pm. Check out www.myspace.com/juicyorangeproduction for updated.

Also new is N Set Music, a venue for live band shows in Kwun Tong. Though the music will mainly be underground, organizers (Zaz: 9739 2145) aim to host shows of varying styles. For their opener on May 31, rock is the keyword. The line-up is AMS, Dovey, Eccentric, Nuclear, Ignite the Hope, Nex-angelus and Wuya. Tickets are $80 at the door and the show will start at 7pm. N Set Music is at Flat 310, 3/F, Century Centre, 44-46 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong.

Popbites
Get Back: We are not sure why Lona Records name their gig Take Back The Noise, but the third in the series is coming again with four bands of very different styles. Post-rock/dream-popper the Fragile returns with their Sigur Ros-like sound while the Yours stick to their post-punk and shoegazing tunes. Also playing are four-piece rocker Kissing On The Dancefloor and experimental band Sea Monsters, who once caused a riot with a performance in Shenzhen because their sound was too 'experimental'. Take Back The Noise 3 will stage on May 31 at Backstage. Tickets cost $150 at the door with one drink.

Chili Beat: For those who enjoy creepy, smoky and stuffy warehouse-like band gigs, the Chili Band Show ’08 will feature BlackWine, DSC, Howler, Infinity, Cube and Luxury. Experience a night of underground rock on June 7 at Live House (Rm L215, 3/F, Phase 2, Kwun Tong Industrial Building). The show starts at 7pm and entry costs $80 at the door, or $65 if you book through isu_ming@yahoo.com.hk

After Shock: The line-up for Let Us Not Forget, a charity gig for those affected by the earthquake in China, is still updating as we go to print but acts confirmed include Hei Wong, Mensheng and Empty Tomb... The gig starts at 7pm on June 8 at Youth Outreach The Hang Out (2 Holy Cross Path, Sai Wan Ho). Entry is $20, but all donations are welcome at the event.

Jazz Date: Chris Botti doesn't have that charmingly depressed thing, but he is good looking and he plays trumpet. These are enough to make him one of the most popular trumpeters in the world. As Sting describes him, Botti “comes from the world of jazz, [but] also has a very refined pop sensibility”. For those in the younger generation who need some jazz education, Botti's easy, poppy sound can serve as a key to the door of jazz. He will be playing his A Date With Jazz concert in the Macao Cultural Centre’s Grand Auditorium on June 3. The show will start at 8pm and tickets are MOP250, MOP200, MOP150 from the Macao Cultural Centre and Kong Seng Ticketing Network, www.555555.com.mo/moticket/index.jsp

Key Player
Last September when she visited Hong Kong, only a few people had the luck (and privilege) to see her, but this summer most of Alicia Keys' fans will be satisfied. As I Am, the New Yorker's long-awaited album after 2003's The Diary of Alicia Keys, came out last November and swept the Billboard charts. The 11-time Grammy Award winner has already sold 20 million albums and now you can catch her live in her Alicia Keys As I Am Hong Kong 2008 concert on July 29. The one-night-only event at AsiaWorld-Arena will start at 8pm. Tickets are $980, $680 and $380 from HK Ticketing, 31 288 288.