Underground 50 opened with some introspective songs from Fourtenbirds like,
'I don't want to love 'and 'We built ourselves'.Wistful vocals with a hint of Thom Yorke,moody lyrics :'rip open your heart,insert a diamond 'and some excellent guitar from this ex-member of UK postrock band They Don't Sleep......An interesting set. that promises more
Mimi Yeah! (aka Mimileung) continued the solo theme with her electroacoustic set.Mimi writes great songs like 'Sunkinsun','Sky is Never Grey' and 'Closer Then'. You can check out her Myspace site at Mimileung at myspace
Fistiwave ,another new band on the hong kong indie scene,showed a lot of potential in their set ranging from the opening song 'Numb' which is funky,danceable with a strong rhythm and flowing lead guitar launching into a 70's style blues explosion to the bluesy atmospheric 'Achilles Heel' and 'Someone Else',with funky bass lines,jazzy guitar sultry vocals and drums.Ko on vocals has a good voice which can go from jazzy to sultry or bluesy but for me the guitarist Mo is the core of the band as his amazing guitar lines effortlessly merge rock,jazz and funk.Another great new hong kong band with their own unique style!
Fistiwave live at Club Cixi with'Someone Else'
F.B.I.(Firebirdinternational are an explosive mixture of high energy,classic rock and punk.Cain on vocals has an excellent voice for the material and he also won over the local audience with his Cantonese, although almost upstaged by the extrovert bass player !The band were a hit with the crowd who gladly participated in the band's exhortations to clap,wave their arms and even jump!
Highlights for me were the punk metal 'Fools and Ghosts' ,'the dual vocal 'Gonna Make Love' and the cover of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers(Californiafication)
Velvette Vendetta's set was much more moody and intense.With a range of influences from dark classical to grunge their sound is always interesting and exciting.The vocals may not be perfect but the intensity and virtuosity of Jack's vocals is always compelling.The band was formed in 2006 by Jacky (vocals ,guitar)after his return from Toronto. Their sound is powerful and exciting very punk/grunge but with an added dimension and more complexity in the song structures with a great rhythm section and a mesmerising vocal delivery by Jacky.The strong bass lines and driving percussion really complement the lead singer's vocals.On songs like 'A Very Pale Rose' and 'Velvet Dream' the band showed their intensity and they were big favourites with the crowd. You can check out some of their material at the myspace site but nothing can convey the intensity of their live set especially the power of Jack's voice and the amazing drummer!
Highlights for me were 'A Very Pale Rose' ,and the Nirvana cover of 'Teen Spirit' .
