Meet the Bands

Primary Shapes Lineup: Chi-wai and Shing-san Sound: Primary Shapes operate in the oddly evocative genre of “avant-pop.” Think electronic keys and beats layered with pop melodies and poetically dismal lyrics. Like a depressed Beatle, in the most artistic way imaginable. Why you care: Primary Shapes is one of Hong Kong’s most important experimental bands. Formed in 1998, they’re the veterans most people conveniently forget about when deriding Hong Kong music. These guys are one of the pioneers of local electronica, and their albums are complicated concept affairs criss-crossing visuals and sound. In a January live performance, they decided to acoustically cover a selection of their songs using a cello, guitar, piano and double bass. Currently: They’re playing what they call a “digital opera” next Fri, Jun 8. A collaboration with opera singer Alex Tam, the show entails the duo manipulating Tam’s vocals in real time. Website: www.primaryshapes.com. Get “Here There and Everywhere” from all record shops, even HMV. YouTube keywords: Primary, shapes The Yours Lineup: Jack, Nicholas, Nadim, Dunson Sound: Disco-punk, post-punk, and other glam perversions of punk. Like they say, “Our music is the kind people listen to when they feel like crying, or feel like dancing.” Why you care: The Yours burst onto the indie scene in 2004, better dressed and glammier than any other group wringing out tunes in the grungy din of Hong Kong bars. They caused a splash as much for their shoegazing Interpol-esque sound as for their meticulous dress sense. Then there was lead singer Jack’s opening line at every show, “We are The Yours, and we are yours.” Gimmicky, but hot. The original lineup bust up last December when bassist and drummer Azia and Ho left the band because of time conflicts, miscommunication... that whole can of worms. Their current bassist, Nadim, used to write their press releases, and when he introduced drummer Dunson to the crew, the quartet reformed. Now you know. Currently: Their next gig is Underground 46 on Sat, Jun 9, and they start recording their first full-length album in mid-June. Website: www.myspace.com/theyours. Their 2006 EP “Abraham” is out on Lona Records. YouTube keywords: The, Yours, Hong Kong Ya Sei Mei Lineup: Conroy, Kit, Phat, Brian, Eddie and Ghost Style. “To play in Ya Sei Mei, you must be over 30.” Sound: They’re uber-new and ply that rarest of sounds in Hong Kong - party hip-hop in the vein of the Beastie Boys and Cypress Hill. And in an obligatory self-referential metaphor - “24 Herbs is a herbal drink, and it’s a specialty in Hong Kong. It’s bitter but good for you. That’s what our music is like.” Why you care: These guys come from all across the band scene. Their eclectic bill includes metalheads, rappers, and an actor slash boy band member. Conroy Chan hails from Alive, the Daniel Wu-fronted band that was the focus of the 2006 mockumentary, “The Heavenly Kings.” Chan started Ya Sei Mei with skate shop owner Brian, and because of his involvement with the local film industry, the band gets more exposure to mainstream channels. Two ex-LMF members, Kit and Phat, music producer Eddie and rapper/label honcho/DJ Ghost Style round out the star cred. Currently: Conceiving their first album Website: www.alivenotdead.com/62 YouTube keywords: 24, herbs My Little Airport Lineup: P and Nicole Sound: Minimalist indie-pop. Influenced by 60s French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsborg, My Little Airport are equally soft, and quirkily erotic, with an instrument lineup consisting of voice, guitar and tiny Casio keyboard. “We're inspired by details nobody pays attention to... Like a cheesy gag, or how I felt when my colleague resigned,” says P. Why you care: My Little Airport hit top ten on Hong Kong’s mainstream charts before ever doing the indie scene, but they then established indie label Harbour Records with four other indie bands. They’re known for cheeky song titles like “Faye Wong, about your eyebrows” and “I don’t know how to download good AV like Iris does,” while the cover art on their last album featured two schoolgirls in a slightly compromising state of affairs. Currently: Doing post-production work on their third album. “We’re frantically looking for a beautiful Chinese girl for the cover. We are looking for fair skin, an ethereal beauty and a bit of a lazy look. Contact us at mylittleairport@hotmail.com if you are one of those rare beauties.” Website: www.mylittleairport.com. Their first two albums are out on Harbour Records. YouTube keywords: My, little, airport Monogel Lineup: Lawwaiyip, CM, H and Shing Sound: Groovy funk rock. “Self-amusing, zero-thinking, cool styling rock,” according to bassist CM. The band’s musical tastes run from the Chili Peppers and Stone Roses to hip-hop and J-rockers Shina and Puffy. Why you care: These guys are wickedly charismatic and their music fun, retro and well, groovy. They have a history in the somewhat short annals of Hong Kong funk: back in ’97, CM and Shing played in Brandon Ho’s alternative soul-funk band, Site Access, before hooking up with H and Lawwaiyip for a jam session that turned into a whole band. Currently: Writing material for their second album, and preparing for a Shenzhen gig on Jun 10. Website: www.3721productions.com/monogel. Their 2006 debut album “Harder Babe” is out on 3721 productions. YouTube keyword: Monogel Salty Soggy Sour Lineup: Dejay, CM, H and Chris Sound: Totally playful and spontaneous. “We’re not a very serious band together, because we’re all so busy with our other bands [Monogel, Vibration and Pancakes, to be precise],” says lead singer Dejay. Their last live performance had them covering children’s and cartoon songs from the 80s. Why you care: Formed in 2005, they’re one part Hong Kong’s most influential singer-songerwriter and two parts funk groove goodness, with the keyboarding talents of downtempo electronica. And not to put too fine a point on it, but they’re one of HK’s only supergroups whose members come from other groups that actually are super. Currently: Keep an eye on Gigs for their next live show, or stalk them on YouTube. Website: www.thepancakes.com; follow the links for “sss.” YouTube keywords: Salty, soggy, sour Atomic Bubbles Lineup: Watermelon, Kitmatic, Man, Bo, Tony Sound: Sexy, poppy garage rock. Their sound is incredibly tight and upbeat, taking influence from rockabilly, house and Latin. They simply call it “everything you loved.” Why you care: These guys have been round since '96 and are generally known as pioneers in the indie scene. Rightly so, because they have the whole package – terrific music and great on-stage personality. Surprisingly, they have yet to release their debut album, but you’ll see them guesting on various compilations around town. Currently: They’re playing support for Jeffrey Butzer on Jun 9. Website: www.atomicbubbles.com; www.myspace.com/atomicbubbles for their songs. YouTube keywords: Atomic, bubbles ■ Does this year’s crowded schedule of summer shows herald changes to our concert culture? Natasha Stokes has more.

Meet the Bands

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}It’s a blockbuster summer for live music. What better time to meet our indie pioneers?

Primary Shapes

The Yours

It’s a blockbuster summer for live music. What better time to meet our indie pioneers?