Audiotraffic are back. Older, wiser and more focused than ever. It was only a matter of time. Adrian da Silva (vocals, guitar), Don Cruz (guitar), Woo Joo-lee (bass) and Masaki (drums) have been together since 1996. In this time, the foursome have signed and split from a record company, flown to London to record, released an album, shared stages with Brit-rock heavyweights Mansun and Rialto, changed their name (formerly Cry), lost and replaced a member, won numerous band and individual awards, and even made an appearance in the Jackie Chan film Police Story 2. Still only in their mid-20s, there is much life and leverage left in the band. 'This is just the beginning,' da Silva says. Sound wise, the band refuse to be categorised. 'We listen to lots of different styles,' the frontman says. 'However, most of our influences come from Britain, and are guitar-based bands like Radiohead, Muse and Mansun.' Audiotraffic's music attests to their love of the genre, though the band are no copycats. Dark, yet uplifting, Audiotraffic amalgamate sonic experimentation with a frenetic pop aesthetic. Crafted, textured layers swirl around da Silva's trademark melodies, and a slick production generates a sound steeped in grand traditions and a grandiose vision. Melodic and diverse, the band land on the right side of prog rock without ever veering into self-indulgence. Presently finishing a new album recorded at the Point Studio (a space borrowed from friends Uncle Joe), the band remain philosophical about the process. Da Silva says: 'It is a slow and sometimes stagnant procedure, but we all really want to get it right and that is usually the way to do it.' Working first with Benjamin Lefevre (The Rolling Stones, Pet Shop Boys, Van Halen) and now Rob Porter, of Yellow Frog Media, Audiotraffic know what they want to achieve. 'At the end of the day, the most important thing is that the songs sound good and sound like us. We are very clear about the sound we want and how to get it,' da Silva says. Album aside, the band have been busy, switching mediums into film score work. Contributing tracks to last year's hit Naked Ambition (starring Eason Chan Yik-shun and Louis Koo Tin-lok). They also landed roles in the recent Jackie Chan smash Police Story 2. 'We were given a cameo as a band playing in a bar. That was pretty cool,' da Silva says. Currently without a label, the band are having to re-adjust to a self-financed existence. 'The record company spent a ridiculous amount of cash on our project, so much so that I'll doubt we'll ever see any of it. 'Pretty much all we are doing now involves friends and favours in some way. We think in today's climate this is probably the best way to do it.' Much has been made of Hong Kong's fledgling and failing music infrastructure. Da Silva remains defiant and refreshingly positive. 'All in all, it's tough being in a band here, especially if you want to make it. But hey, someone's got to be the first, right?' Audiotraffic play Joe Bananas on Thursday, 23 Luard Road, Wan Chai. Admission $50 (includes one drink). Inquiries: 2529 1811 or www.audiotraffic.net