The news is a week late but we thought it was still worthwhile mentioning the China finals of the Battle of the Bands, which took place on the weekend before last at the Cavern. With regional winners from Macau, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and Hong Kong metal band Qui Hong all here and fighting to represent China in London in mid-December, it was a loud and sweaty night, with each group playing two original songs in an eight-minute set.
In the end, the 12-judge panel - which included such industry veterans as voice coach Christine Samson, actor and singer Alex Fong Lik-sun, LMF member Davy Chan Hong-wing and the Soler brothers Julio and Dino Acconci - were most impressed by Beijing glam rockers Rustic's outlandish set. At the announcement, the trio (pictured) were so excited they jumped on stage with guitarist and singer Li Yan grabbing the microphone. "I was born on a farm. I moved to Beijing and chose rock 'n' roll because I don't want to be a farm boy all my life," he shouted.
For their effort, the group won an all-expenses-paid trip to London to battle against 23 bands in the world finals for prizes totalling US$100,000. No doubt their excitement level at flying to England (courtesy of contest sponsor Dragonair) is probably off the chart, considering their trip to Hong Kong was the first time these "farm boys" had set foot on a plane. And they loved that experience.
As bassist Ricky Sixx recalled: "There was so much food and the stewardesses were so pretty."
Additional reporting by Clara Mak and Vivian Chen. Send tips, tickets and invitations to andrew.sun@scmp.com
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