The RockTigers
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| The RockTigers | |
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 The RockTigers in 2007. From left to right: Roy, Velvet Geena, Tiger, Ace, Hurricane Billy
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Seoul, Korea |
| Genre(s) | Rock 'n' roll Rockabilly Indie rock |
| Years active | 2001 — Present |
| Label(s) | Drug Records |
| Associated acts | Crying Nut |
| Website | www.rocktigers.com Velvet Geena |
| Members | |
| Tiger, Velvet Geena, Ace, Roy, Hurricane Billy | |
| Former members | |
| Rock, Billy the Machinegun, Psycho MJ, Master Jokquick | |
The RockTigers (더 락타이거즈, also written as The Rock Tigers, The Rocktigers) are a South Korean indie rock and roll band formed in 2001. The band is one of the leaders of the rock and roll revival movement on the Korean indie band scene. The RockTigers show a style that is rooted in the 1940s and 1950s jump blues, boogie-woogie, rockabilly, and the 1960s twist dance that sets them apart from other Korean indie bands. Although not on the Korean mainstream, The RockTigers have developed a cult following with their energetic live shows around the Hongdae club scene as well as several rock festivals throughout Asia.
They were signed to Drug Records and released their debut album, Come On Let's Go and its follow-up Oldies But Goodies but are currently unsigned.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Formation and early years: 2001-2002
While playing in various punk bands, friends Tiger and Rock were inspired by Japanese garage punk band Guitar Wolf's energetic cross between classic punk, noise rock, rockabilly, black leather jackets, and sunglasses. Tiger and Rock's initial aim was to bring Guitar Wolf's coined "Jet Rock 'n' Roll" to Korea and sought out to form The RockTigers with other musicians on the Korean indie scene.
One of the requirements for joining The RockTigers was to wear a black leather jacket and if a member wished to leave the band, they also had to leave their jacket for the replacing member. With Tiger on vocals and guitar, Rock on bass, they finalized a line up that included Hurricane Billy on drums, and Berklee College of Music alumnus Psycho MJ on lead guitar.
In addition to the black leather jackets, members of the band wore a pompadour hairstyle, known in Korea and Japan as "Regent."
During a band rehearsal in early 2002, a female by the name of Velvet Geena visited the studio wearing a black leather jacket, although the leather jacket requirement was not known to her. The Rocktigers quickly accepted her as the fifth member to sing (scream) backup vocals and dance on stage during their live shows.
[edit] Come On Let's Go
In mid-2002, Hurricane Billy left the band, and through auditions for the vacant position on the drums, Billy the Machinegun joined The RockTigers.
Later that year, The RockTigers signed to Drug Records, a leading independent record label that emerged with the rise of Korean punk (also known as "Chosun Punk") band Crying Nut in the 1990s. This allowed the band to play at the club Drug, owned by Drug Records, every week. While Crying Nut was on hiatus while most of the members were fulfilling their mandatory military service, Crying Nut member Kim In-soo (Master Jokquick) joined The RockTigers as the keyboardist.
The band contributed two original songs, "Sex Machine" and "Leather Bike Jacket Boy" to indie rock compilation albums Culture Fraud Company Compilation No. 1 and Culture Fraud Company Christmas Compilation respectively.
In February 2003, the band began recording material for a studio album. In June, they released their debut album Come On Let's Go and the band played various shows and music festivals including the Cine Rock Night and the closing ceremony at the 7th Annual Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) to promote the album. The band also made various television appearances and actively promoted the album.
[edit] Departures and reformation
Founding member Rock left the band for personal reasons in September 2003 but The RockTigers continued on with a session bassist to perform at Ssamzie Music Festival and Bud Rock Festival.
Billy the Machinegun and Psycho MJ soon followed and left the band. In early 2004, however, Hurricane Billy rejoined as a permanent member. Roy and Ace quickly joined the band to fill the vacant positions on bass and lead guitar.
With a new lineup, The RockTigers got their first international exposure by playing the 2004 Tokyo Big Rumble, an annual Japanese psychobilly music festival.
[edit] Stylistic changes
In 2006, the band opened for their heroes, Guitar Wolf, during their Korean tour. The band also continued to tour various cities in Korea and Japan, and even played Singapore as a guest for Rock D'Fort.
Since the release of Come On Let's Go and the continuous live shows, the band developed a newfound love for early American rock and roll artists such as Eddie Cochran, Jerry Lee Lewis, Wanda Jackson, Janis Martin, Elvis Presley, and Buddy Holly. They wrote new material on the road that reflected this change. Roy also switched from electric bass to a double bass giving the band a more rockabilly sound and look. Velvet Geena's role became more prominent within the band, playing guitar and singing lead vocals on several songs.
[edit] Oldies But Goodies
The band began recording for their second album Oldies But Goodies in early 2007. Their single "Run (Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die)" received airplay on various radio shows throughout South Korea. The music video premiered on South Korean music channels such as MTV Korea, Mnet, and Channel V in February 2007.
The album was released on April 16, 2007.
The eleven songs on the album are a collection of songs that were tested on the road during the past three years. The lyrics, with the exception of the Velvet Geena penned "Welcome My Wonderland," deal with nostalgia for old rock and roll, memories, friends, partying all night, and alcoholic beverages. The album received favorable reviews from critics, who also urged to see the band live in concert to fully appreciate the band's performance that "seems like they sold their souls to the devil."[2][3]
Their first headline show was on September 22, 2007. The show was supported by Crying Nut, The Moonshiners, Kingston Rudieska and 올라이즈밴드.
Their Christmas Eve show, co-headlined with Oh Brothers was broadcasted on EBS on January 6, 2008.
Their second headline show was on March 9, 2008 at Sangsang Madang with support from Crying Nut, Tei, and guest appearances by progressive musician Monla, Park Jong Hyun from Galaxy Express, and Choi Chul Wook from Kingston Rudieska.
[edit] Third studio album
As early as December 2007, The RockTigers began playing an untitled new song during their club shows. Velvet Geena has confirmed that recording for the upcoming third studio album has been completed and is in the mastering stages as of March 2008.
The RockTigers left their record label Drug Records in 2008 and are currently unsigned.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
- Come On Let's Go (2003)
- Oldies But Goodies (2007)
- Third studio album (TBA)
[edit] Compilations
- 문화사기단 합동음반 제1호/Culture Fraud Company Compilation No. 1 (2002) "Sex Machine"
- 문화사기단 크리스마스 컴필레이션/Culture Fraud Company Christmas Compilation (2002) "Leather Bike Jacket Boy"
[edit] Members
[edit] Current
Tiger - vocals, guitar
Velvet Geena - vocals, guitar
Ace - lead guitar
Roy - double bass, backing vocals
Hurricane Billy - drums
[edit] Former Members
Rock - bass, vocals
Psycho MJ - lead guitar
Billy the Machinegun - drums
Master Jokquick - keyboards (session musician)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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