ON THE EVE of their second album launch, Whence He Came (WHC) are optimistic that they can be one of the few Hong Kong rock bands to crack the popular market. Josh Wong Sun-kwok (vocals and guitar) and Ephraim Bano (guitars and backing vocals) met at a youth group in 1999, and realised they shared a desire to create a legacy of quality music. 'Most bands here come and go,' Wong says. 'We wanted to start something good that would last.' However, keeping a settled lineup has been a challenge. With ever-changing members and enough drummers to give Spinal Tap a run for their money, the pair have remained the band's foundation. 'It's Hong Kong,' Wong says. 'People always leave.' Stephane Wong is the band's sixth drummer. He and bass player Ken Mimasu were recruited from other bands specifically for touring duties, before deciding to stay on. WHC's sound is an energetic fireball of dynamics and verve. Jagged guitars battle machine-tight rhythms, all set against Josh Wong's melodic vitriol. 'Basically, we are rock,' Mimasu says. 'That's where the roots lie.' 'That's the safe explanation,' Josh Wong says. 'As soon as you get more defined, you just get judged by that standard.' Driven by the music, WHC have operated without expectations of success. 'We never thought we'd be able to record a full album, never thought we'd do a proper tour. It's just one thing after another and it always surprises us,' Josh Wong says. 'If you have a vision just to become famous or whatever, it's just crap. If you simply want to play music, then there are no limits to where it can take you.' So far, their music has taken them to Australia, Japan, China, Singapore and Malaysia. The quartet have twice had to cancel US commitments, after being denied visas. Unperturbed, WHC plan to tour America and Europe later this year. In the meantime, the band will concentrate on promoting their new album, The Shorter Story, which was released on May 31, through 89268. 'All the songs relate to characters and stories,' says Joshn Wong. 'The title eludes to depth of beauty and depth of character.' The band say they're proud of their efforts. And the follow-up to 2001's Still Amidst the Traffic (Far East Records) shows a marked development in songwriting, musicianship and production. WHC enlisted Dutch producer Martijn Groeneveld for the recording sessions last September. None of them had ever met Groeneveld, but an unsolicited e-mail, a demo and the promise of a plane ticket were enough to lure him to Hong Kong. 'We never thought he'd do it,' Josh Wong says. 'When he did come, we quickly realised he's far better than we thought. We've never had someone who could produce our live sound on record. He really got the best performance out of us.' Nonetheless, the band realise that Hongkongers often choose style over substance. 'The problem is Hong Kong doesn't recognise music for music - it recognises faces,' Josh Wong says. 'We're dealing with a market here, not an art form. It makes it hard because people don't want to pay for music, and promoters don't want to pay bands for shows. So, it's difficult to make a living out of it. 'Selling records is just a means to an end for us,' he says. 'Primarily, we want to play and tour.' Having already shared stages with the likes of Starsailor and Buddhiston, the band are set to play alongside Foo Fighters offshoot The Fire Theft at Singapore's upcoming Bay Beats Festival. 'It's exciting to meet great musicians,' Josh Wong says. With full-time jobs (Mimasu is a full-time student), the band say there are often time constraints, but nothing that can't be overcome. 'We just make the time,' Bano says. 'We're all committed to the band, so we make it work.' Josh Wong says: 'We feel we have very exciting prospects at the moment, which makes everything easier.' The impending addition of Nicholas Tse Ting-fung is further cause for excitement. 'Nic has been a friend for a long time,' Bano says. 'He joins just in time for our CD launch party,' Josh Wong says. 'Nic will add a whole new dimension to the band, and help us get the ambient feel of the album live on stage.' With tonight's launch party, and debut single Here's to Hope sitting pretty in the radio 903 listening chart, WHC look as if they're going places. The Shorter Story launch party, with support from Pixel Toy and Uncle Joe, tonight, 8pm, YMCA, 41 Salisbury Rd, TST. $90 or $50 with CD purchase from Panic (2/F 226 Sai Yeung Choi St South, Mongkok, tel: 2396 2608) or Monitor Records (5 G/F Block A Fortune Tce, Tak Shing St, Jordan. Inquiries: 2782 3562). Band website: www.whencehecame.net
