casually epic

Walking into something out of back to the future armed with my new camera, last friday I spent a portion of the night at a private party in KG5 school. Poubelle international were asked to play this super cool catered birthday.

Ben (being a fan of back to the future) felt right at home on stage dressed like a greaser.

...the night escalated into mayhem. We partied pretty hard until sunlight.

Next day (a couple of hours after my head hit the pillow) was a pre-committed Wine Walk in Stanley. I was in no shape for a day of wine, but I pushed through and felt no pain all day.

That night going on essentially no real sleep I headed down to Kwun Tong to watch my friends' new band- The Gatling Gun Revival. 

Arrived to hear the last little bit of this guy..

Erik Piece

not my thing, but he did do a pretty rad bohemian rhapsody.

Then my pals Zane Stroud and Corey Tam took over.

The Gatling Gun Revival

I was super impressed! Had quite a sound. Most of the lyrics written by Zane and most of the music and melodies written by Corey. I am very happy for and proud of these dudes right here!

The Bollands

I heard alot about them. First time I had the privilege of hearing them. By far the best folk duo in Hong Kong (if not many more places). Holy smokes they where a treat for the ears! Check them out when you get the chance... you won't be sorry!

and the last thing I heard before I called it quits?

Dear Scarborough 

AKA - Josh Wong from Noughts and Exes.

I absolutely enjoyed hearing this. Such well written tunes and beautiful melody.

IMPRESSIVE pedal looping. This guy has some freaking skillz.

ANYWAYS- got lots of shit to do today and trying to hype myself up for this...

Should be a goodun'. As usual click the pic for event info

Skate Deck Art

So all you art lovers in HK, you should be going to check this thing out! Many sweet ass artists involved....

Also, you will want to watch my buddy Corey Tam's new music video!

shot and directed by Matt Bailey

Famished Phantoms

Every once in a while we get to experience a great landmark in local music here in our city. Saturday night we had Hungry Ghosts. Releasing their EP2 at Backstage in Central was a big success. The place was packed out (and with good reason). With opening acts like Corey Tam and The One Horse Town, Modern Children and More Reverb it was a quality night of sound. Hungry Ghosts were nothing short of mind-blowing (I was with two Ghost-virgins to prove it).

EP2. If you missed the show this is a must own.

As always Corey Tam was spot on. I kept realizing what a superb song writer he is. A little jealous. Hate you and love you Corey.

Because I'm pretty slack ass when it comes to fully paying attention to anything, I left mid-show to get some 711 beers with Shawn and he showed me some songs from the upcoming David Bowie Knives CD. I must say I am sooo EFFing excited for that bomb to drop!

Hungry Ghosts EP2 is the culmination of years of hard work. Listening to it non-stop today I can see why.

Sounds By The Sea

Such an incredible weekend full of fun and free music! Saw lots of good friends and drank lots of good beers!

Second time seeing my amigo's band Noughts and Exes play.. Excellent live band. Full of energy and a solid sound.

Check out their music video here -

Corey Tam and the One Horse Town was as stunning as usual! It seems they have permanently added a keyboard player... sensuality added!

David Bowie Knives brought a bit of sexual tension to an otherwise mellow day...

Had a bit of a tear in my laugh as Shaun did not refrain from making dirty jokes/remarks and singing out his sleaze...

Sunday brought forth 9 MAPS (who are having their Debut Album Launch this weekend in a secret location).

 Really beautiful as usual... Can't wait to get my hands on a CD.

Check them out playing a song on the star ferry here -

Jade and the Stagger Swallows ended the 2 day event with a mellow and gorgeous set. I'm starting to really love this band.

Check out Their Video here-

Flap your Hands

A few things to let you guys know about (if you don't already)...

Sounds by the Sea is happening this saturday at Stanley Plaza

starts at 230...

David Bowie Knives, Noughts and Exes and Corey Tam will lay down some phat beats and huge shapes... It's free and gonna be pretty fun. so you should all come down and check it!

Sunday 9 Maps and Jade and the Stagger Swallows will be playing. Be sure to try and do both days... This will be a showcase of some of HK's best live music AND it's freakin' free!!

THEN!

Come December 10th and 11th it's....

Gonna be really good this year and also IT'S FREE!

I'm pretty excited, although I don't really know any of the international bands, still amped.

If you want to git yer free tickets, simply go to http://www.clockenflap.com/ and follow the link that says 'free tickets'.

See you all there!

A Hard Rock life....

Did a little 'hard rockin' last weekend for the Underground CD #4 release party. It took place at the new Hard Rock hotel here in HK...

Was a cool to have a show in a new location, however, the venue itself is kinda balls. No place to sit (unless you order food) and absolutely no place to stand.... Other than that, the CD itself is pretty great and loving the Six Pack of Wolves song - Punk Rock Story.

Had (and will continue to have) a busy week... I just now got back from some hot pot, AKA yummy in my tummy. Tomorrow is gonna be pretty darn great! Reserved my tickets for The Chariot which is playing at Hidden Agenda. Gonna be pretty dope i'm sure. Check out the facebook event HERE.

Pretty stoked

Some video treats for you all to enjoy!

I super had more to write about, but as usual left my blogging for far too long and forgot it all.... so another potentially interesting blog (in my mind) turned totally mediocre. ENJOY!

Days of Birth

Last night was OFF the HOOOOK! Well it was pretty rad anyways. The return of two great bands + a new sound system at the Wanch made for a dope night with a great line up and a fun birthday celebration for Ben McCarthy of Poubelle International.

Since today is a public Holiday (and coincidentally my regular day off, not really fair but whatever) Ben had a big birthday blowout with a ton of friends new and old....it went like this-

Corey Tam (or One Horse Town as they like to be called now) did a fancy set with a few new kickers!

Poubelle International were having a great time returning once again to the stage along with Zane Stroud now on the Bass Axe.

There, I made a poster for them, they don't even need to bother taking pictures or anything, that only took me 2 minutes.....

Then the return of Hungry Ghosts, also super fun rocking out to some good old HK music! Wish I had taken a picture of Luke Chow that night, he looked incredible!

Last but not least was DBK (David Bowie Knives) and they were great as usual, not much else to say except they make me happy to watch and laugh when I listen. I took no pictures last night, so this is a more word heavy blog than I usually post, but just deal with it.

Like I had mentioned earlier, the sound system at the Wanch is new and sounds superb, made last night even better!

Leaving shortly for Zane's birthday party so that should be super fun times as well. My phone can handle day time pictures, so expect a more visually stimulating post soon, mmmk?

-Here's a video treat for anyone who has made it this far-

ROOFTOP BBQ TIME!

Drullets and Lightsabers

So it's been a pretty great last week and a bit....

First off, went to a friend's B-day out in Lan Kwai (not the place I love). Whilst there I saw an awesome battle...

There were actually a bunch of dudes with lightsabers, but I only caught the last bit, cops stopped the fun... lame.

Yesterday I went down to Swindlers and witnessed some G-reat music. It was a usual Bauhinian Collective show, the punks from Defiant Scum kicked off the night, Corey Tam and the newly rearranged One Horse Town band went next. Last but not least was Ned Noble... Ok they were great of course, but the really exciting part of the night was after the show finished and these dudes came on stage

French Canadian buskers who actually blew everyones mind. Dirty and fun as fuck folk...

You cant really tell, but the guy with the guitar and harmonica had a drullet (dread mullet for those of you who are uneducated). Also the picture does the banjo player's beard no justice, it was magic!

Honestly tho, just some of the best most raw bad ass folk music I have ever heard, EVER. They also did a cover of informer by Snow in between swigging Arthur's/Joey's bottle of Jameson.

In other music related news, I got my friggen BOB DYLAN tickets, super stoked! 3rd row Mother Truckers!

In other Star Wars news, I got one of my classes (who friggen love Star Wars) to hum the tune to Star Wars..... you decide which one is better

first attempt

second try, clearly a bigger fanboy...

What's the story Corey?

Corey Tam Band played the Wanch the other night, nothing new but its been some time since I've been to a show. Gotta say Zane has massively improved on the bass. He also told me that Poubelle International has asked him to play bass for them which is pretty rad! It's just a kind of rumor at the moment but those guys might be gig-ing around more soon.
New video from them - check it!

Anyways had a stamp card worth of drinks (possibly more) and discovered it was a bad choice for a Tuesday night! But all is not lost, Saw this girl Yan AKA Tyger Feb play again. Used to be in that once known band Hard Candy..... She is really good, great style and has super cute lyrics (mainly due to her chinglish) such as 'give me back my simpsons dvd collection, series one through ten'. ~ Pure awesome!

-Check out her stuff here at Tyger Feb

Monday night the star crossed boys and their wives swung by the house for some wii and cake action (it was Ross' birthday). That was a fun ol fashioned time!

Now I feel I may be getting sick, which super blows!

Kiffmas in Sai Kung

I've spent the last 3 days in Sai Kung. Did a Christmas Eve with Zane's family a.k.a the Strouds. That was some tasty eats! Polished some wine/beer had a nice cold hang out on the roof. Was a short-ish night as to prepare for the Christmas day ahead. Christmas day was spent at the Star Crossed homestead. We did a bbq and had some drinks played some hacky sac, opened awesome gifts and hung out on the roof. After the day of too much fun we went down to a bar around the corner for some pool and white russians (the drink, not the tall communists). Had a good sleep then arose to boxing day at Zane and Paul's bachelor pad! In the evening a boxing day party commenced. Was a real fun time as well. Despite being tired we got to play some 'Cock band' aka Rock Band then did a podcast with all of the guests for Paul Chan's Movie Podcast. You can check that out here at ThisIsBatCountry. Was really dumb but alot of fun. Had a nice BBQ there as well. So the whole Christmas break was great full of BBQs, South Africans and Sai Kung roof tops/balconies.

The Christmas

Connect four (i lost every bloody time)

Heck Yes!

Decorate the cookie game where we yell out dumb stuff and you must draw it on...

Champagne

BBQ!

two sets of twins

The Boxing Day

Hooka

EXCITE!

another BBQ

drinks and friends

best band ever!

The GIFTS!!!

From Rich!

From Ross!

And the Last 3 are from Paul.

Zane got me a Rad Moleskin watercolor sketchbook thing, Can't wait to use it!

Hong Kong bands throughout the ages

My buddy arthur has posted a slew of old hong kong bands I grew up either in or listening to...

here goes

Mugatu: Paul Lam (Hungry Ghosts), from 2004 and 2005 I think.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?26ctgp12or6ysls

Stella: A jam session with like, six people at Paul's house. I guess it's post-rock.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?036gj6qlvdunh7z

Six Pack of Wolves:

Stagger with a Swagger (month one demo)

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?demzqrryz2k

A Black Heart and a Broken Eye (months two and three)

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?x1nkgxmmmyz

The Mooches:

On the Rag (month one, two piece)

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?rhyynmf0bfoky71

Demo #2 (A few months later, three piece lineup which played once)

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?gom2i0yzjhn

Inappropriate Manner: Greg's (Priest Rogue) band from high school.

http://www.4shared.com/file/rtZHydSV/Inappropriate_Manner_-_Demo.html

Firefly Conspiracy: Another one of his bands, this one with Danny Kostianos (Priest Rogue, Seven Seas)

http://www.4shared.com/file/cOroGkNH/Firefly_Conspiracy_-_Demo.html

Live Fast Die: First Demo

http://www.4shared.com/file/ahO8oSc9/Live_Fast_Die_-_Demo.html

Outlying Islands: Joe Hastings (Live Fast Die, This is Ammunition)

http://www.4shared.com/file/UwdA8gQO/Outlying_Islands_-_Demo.html

Luke Chow: 2004 (?) Demos

http://www.4shared.com/file/h700GYGH/Luke_Chow_-_Demo.html

thanks arthur!!

Showing Off

Today is a day off and I am sitting around the house doing eff all. It is glorious (minus the part where I had a bunk ass hangover this morn.) Last week has been a busy one. Went to a couple of shows and had some band practice etc. Had a late night park get together with Zane, Corey and myself for a new folk project we are starting up. On Thursday- headed over to The Wanch for BC Unplugged. Ned Noble/Corey Tam....... greats!

Ned Noble singing a cover of Wolf Parade and some energetic originals as well.

Corey Tam is a Wanch regular now

Yesterday I headed over to Xperience to check out a Bauhinian Collective Showcase. Corey Tam once more opened for This is Ammunition and Sushi Robot.

Corey Tam

This is Ammunition

Never got a chance to get any pictures of Sushi Robot since I was busy gettin drunkz.