Band's attitude rubs off on teenagers
The local rap-rock band LMF have stirred controversy with their lyrics and behaviour. Their songs contain foul language and the band has been accused of obscene behaviour. Last December, the band performed at an inter-collegiate concert and made indecent gestures on stage. Young Post asked some secondary students about their impressions of the band and whether they think the record company should be given a warning or a law should be passed to restrict such behaviour.
Fourth former So Wing-tim, 15, is a student at Sha Tin Government Secondary School. He thinks the band has gained attention because its songs reflect today's youth culture.
'It's hard to say whether their songs are good or bad. Some are quite outstanding and meaningful,' he said.
Wing-tim himself thinks lyrics with foul language is unacceptable. The student said songs circulate quickly among young people and they would be influenced by the lyrics and start using foul language.
'But after all, music is a form of free expression. The Government should not impose restrictions on singers or bands or prohibit them from performing.'
His schoolmates, Wong Ying- chun and Susana Soo, both 17, have similar views.
The band has made a bad impression on Ying-chun. She has read some negative reports on the band.
She thinks as teenage idols, the band members' attitudes are unhealthy.
'They should bear in mind that they are public figures and their music affects people, especially teenagers,' the sixth for mer said. 'They are too rash. They have failed to realise the effect their songs and behaviour have on their audience.'
Fifth former Susana said the band's songs were not as outstanding as some people thought.
She said they were not her cup of tea although some of their commercial songs were fun or interesting.
'But since the band is targeting young audiences, it should seriously consider its influence on them.'
Anne Wong Shum-yee, 18, a Form Seven student at Vicwood K T Chong Sixth Form College, said the band stood out from the rest despite the language it uses.
Shum-yee said teenagers identified with the band because the songs reflect their thoughts and ideas.
'Parents should educate their children about this type of music to satisfy their curiosity and let them know it is merely a way of expression,' she said.
Dennis Lam Kai-fu and So Ho-yin, both 15, are Form Four students at St Paul's College.
They said LMF's songs promote foul language.
'It is about demand and supply,' Kai-fu said. 'So many young people support the band. It makes them feel popular. But I wonder what the majority of so ciety thinks about the band.' He said the band had set a bad example for teenagers.
'Foul language contains insulting words which youth may not necessarily understand. When the band performs songs with foul language, it is doing damage and causing embarrassment to the public.'
Ho-yin said the band should exercise some degree of self-control.
'I have no problems with people using foul language, but I see no need for songs with foul language.'
Ho-yin said the Government, of course, could not ban the band because it was a matter of freedom of speech and expression.
'Maybe the band could be monitored to a certain extent under the Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance.'
