The Underground

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Well this was indeed a fun night for everyone!  Prins Nitram DID wear his suit, Logo did a cover of “Taxi to Wanchai” and Sushi Robot were just so out there.   Thomas Baz was a pleasant blissful moment in the midst of all that action!   Thanks to the bands, the audience and to the lucky lady who won the TWO tickets to see Slash on 29 July 2010!   Lets hope Prins Nitram inspires those ‘one man bands’ to stretch their boundaries
love Chris B xx

 

           

       

1. Sushi Robot (9.30 p.m.)

I am half drunk as I walk in Rockschool. Things just happen to start on time, so I make myself comfortable on a couch, listening to Griff and Claudio starting with a 4/4 groove, which penetrates from the stage to the loo, where I have been in for a while. They perform with interesting videotage - visuals flipping about and definitely catching my attention. I walked closer to see Griff’s setup. What’s on is Ableton on Macbook Pro with a compatible controller, and my favourite Edirol EA-101 acting as a monitor and master output for the sounds he makes. Simple yet all-round setup which all electronica apprentices should consider acquiring. I love the way Claudio counts in, with something like a trademark hand gesture of all electronica/DJ people like ST, my good friend. A non-stop set, to me, is mesmerising. I imagine myself soaking in such a comfortable vibe in a chilling lounge. I suppose the girls in the venue feel the same too, since I saw some of them start to close their eyes and twist with their hands waving about.
Erik Piece

      

           

                   

2. Logo (10.15 p.m.)

It is wet, soaking wet, in terms of the reverberation of all instruments through the whole venue, even the drumsticks hitting one another can be heard with much reverb. The riff of “Love Hotel”, my personal favourite, reminds me of the 70’s UK detective/spy dramas like “The Zoo Gang” (The Wings). There is also a sense of vintage bassline like the retro-rock bands like The Coral. Maybe it is because of the fact that James need to sing, the drumming is stable yet never boring, since a drumming singer is already something interesting to see. There are few of them, to the best of my knowledge, including Don, Phil, Ringo and Roger. The pink blazer of Chris adds up the charm to the band. The riffs and tone of the guitar with the spring reverberation undoubtedly draw me to the dancing floor with the Shadows. So there I go, stop writing and have a good time with Logo.

Erik Piece

 

      

     

3. Thomas Baz (11.00 p.m.)

Thomas is helping Prins with the stage setup, and also contributes his precious voice with an acoustic guitar. If I have to compare - I really must - Thomas is more organic and earthy. Folk guitarists have a habit of tuning his guitar one key down - drop D - for the style like Irish folk etc. Thomas is of no exception; that is why he further drags me into the songs with nostalgia. I do not make any effort to figure out the lyrics, and just let the songs be. The slow-motion visual of the shuttle takeoff and birds flying by makes me think of those Discovery Channel video clips on Youtube. As a transition to the headline set, Thomas is a good choice; as a folk lover, I definitely will check his tunes on myspace again.
Erik Piece

                            

Winner of our TWO tickets to see Slash! on 29 July 2010:
 

 

   

4. Prins Nitram (11.45 p.m.)

Here comes The Prins! But where is his golden suit? He puts on a vest, orders his “pianist” to play the intro, and lets the “bassist” join in when the “pianist” goes to the drums. All the characters in the screen are the Prins, including the one strumming his guitar frantically on the stage. Who is the real Prins, Chris B? All of them come to ONE big genius, who can play so many instruments: piano, guitar, bass, drums, sax and even blues harp! One cannot forget to mention his singing - I am wondering why his vocal can be so in sync with the backing track. “I can’t hear my band; please put my back track on!”. At the end of his band set, he “kills” his bandmates! Why? Why? Because he wants a more interesting set! Finally he puts his golden suit and a cap on (My friend now will not ask for a refund) and sings a couple more songs, including the encore song “Bomty Bomty Happy”. It definitely makes everybody happy, and if I let loose myself and have a few more drinks because of the song, I may not even be able to go home. Incredible Prins! Good night!
Erik Piece

photos © Copyright 2010 by ANGUS LEUNG

poster by ANGUS LEUNG