words rachel mok

Killer Soap, winners of the Global Battle of the Bands in Hong Kong, have their eyes firmly on the main prize...

For Killer Soap – the name in Chinese is literally ‘ultimate lethal weapon’ – there is no such thing as second best anymore. Entering the band’s rehearsal room in an industrial building in Ngau Tau Kok, one’s first impression is ‘messy’. But a second look reveals awards and cups scattered around the place, though none have the word ‘winner’ emblazoned on it. The band say they don’t like looking at them. “When we first started playing we were happy if we got second or third prize,” says drummer Chung. “But now I’d rather [the MC] not say our name until the first prize.” Guitarist ManMan agrees. “If we were to be the first runner-up again, I’d rather win nothing at all.” Since forming in 2006, the young five-piece have competed in various band competitions and have been runner-up five times. So when they beat 11 local bands at Club Cixi to win the Hong Kong leg of the Global Battle of the Bands earlier this month, the MC couldn’t help but say it was finally time to call them champions – “And we screamed as loudly and hoarsely as we could,” says Chung.

Asked what made them stand out at the GBOB final, the band agree – though it sounds a bit of a cliché – devotion and passion were keys to the success. Their two original songs, Get Rid of You and Reason, are both tight fast killer tunes perfected by Rocky’s sharp, charismatic, J-Rock-influenced vocals. “We love our songs. We polished them to the extent that everyone loves every bit before we play them. And so we are confident when we play,” says Rocky. But sounding good is not enough. They take the game to a different level by looking cool as well, practising every move they will make on stage in front of a mirror. Rocky brings up the question of playing with the wire of his microphone (and what if he is using a wireless microphone?) at the China final, and ManMan suggests Chung is more flamboyant while striking the drums so that the audience will take more notice of him. “We sometime argue over these kind of things quite brutally,” says the drummer.

In line with their ambition, the quintet are not content to have just won the Hong Kong final – they are aiming much higher. As Rocky says, “You may say I am dreaming but I do hope to win some international competitions and make some noises overseas, and then come back to Hong Kong. Hong Kong people are like that, they always think things from overseas are better.” The China final might still be a week away, but the boys are already excited about going to the world final in London and have been dusting off their passports. Although they have used the local transport – bus, ferry and taxi – together to get to gigs around town for the last two years, if they win in China, they will travel as a group by plane for the first time. In fact it will be the first time some of the members will be going overseas. “Winning second or third prize is meaningless. The most important thing is to have someone remember you,” remarks Chung. That makes sense, especially when a gift certificate from one event organizer labels the band ‘Killer Soup’…

Killer Soap are Rocky (vocalist), ManMan and Kelvin (guitars), Chung (drum) and Isaac (bass). To listen to their music, go to www.myspace.com/killersoap.