WHERE’S THE BEEF- AND THE MUSIC?

Sure, the resident Filipino band might have seen better days and could be considered “past it” by the music world today.

But wait: Surely, this music world is made up of many different ways of looking and hearing music?.

Wait: This music world is made up of many different ways of looking and hearing it.

This band- Square Eyes- might not look the part, but in the male lead singer and guitarist, they have two amazing talents.

Yes, they play covers, but their version of Train’s “Sweet Soul Sister” was, to me, better than the original. Seriously…

With the vodka Red Bull running high, we requested Van Halen’s “Jump” and the guitar break- a pre-longed one- was amazing.

And here’s where the so-called Hong Kong music “scene” is going wrong:

If I am guilty of not venturing out to see every emerging local bands, many are equally guilty of not seeing great players. Fuck the fact that they are in “covers” bands.

These guys know how to play.

Forget that pretentious canoodling of the Goodlife at the Blue Bar of the Four Seasons.

It was a very good idea at the start and which has now become a dose of self indulgence by singer Gigi jamming on one chord and some Eighties beats. Who is she singing for? Herself?

It’s half-assed crap at five-star prices and appreciated by those who think singing a high note is a major musical miracle.

They had a good thing going, but now? Eh.

Nah, give me any of the real current cover bands in Jaffe Road instead.

They know how to tune their guitars, they know their chords and they can play.

Before going up to Spicy Fingers, we hit The Wanch and where we heard a group of part-time Japanese businessmen playing in a band.

They were good for what they do.

But, Square Eyes left them cold.

And this is what local bands in Hong Kong need to realize.

I love the passion and this co-called “Indie” spirit and DIY world.

But, for fuck’s sake, people, there must be musicianship involved.

It’s like intuitively knowing when the chorus doesn’t fit the melody.

Or when the song structure is all wrong.

Sorry, but I don’t think many bands and artists in Hong Kong- and Asia- know how to write real songs.

They write bibs and bobs and seem to hope that it all comes together.

Or else, it’s pretentious and contrived crap.

Never mistake passion and enthusiasm for “great music.”

There’s a huge disconnect.

Great music, one can ‘feel’.

Even if it’s covers.

But someone like the Goodlife just on Remote is fucking boring.

Playing music with passion one can appreciate.

But, in the end, it’s all about the music.

No amount of enthusiasm- and the Pied Piper of Fans- can hide shitty music.