Hello old friends! It has been a happy August, eh? New month, better vibes. The bossman got some needed vacation time, but now GigGuide.tw is back and fully operational for all your music needs. Steve works hard for us. Thanks, man!
First up, not just good news, but the most excellent news: Underworld is back! Hell yeah. Our home away from home reopened on the 15th (yes, same location). Shows will resume in September.
I finally had a moment last night to head back down for a beer, as Go Chic was hosting an event to support our jailed sisters in Russia, Pussy Riot.
Free speech is not just a lesson to endure in a civics class. It is an issue that always merits our attention and action, both here and abroad. And with the cultural climate in Taiwan being what it is these days, I, for one, feel an increasing need to remain vigilant here at home.
There's an excellent essay on AlJazeera about how censorship affects artists worldwide. Support Pussy Riot (freepussyriot.org). Support Freemuse (freemuse.org). Support artists everywhere.
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And speaking of free speech, how about something that really is free? Get a load of this gem: a 40-song free compilation honoring our beloved & embattled live house.
It is 2 hours and 20 minutes of music from bands that have either passed through or maybe never even left the basement.
Who exactly? These guys, exactly: Children Sucker, Ironska, aonami and misaki margarita, 黑狼, KbN, Skip Skip Ben Ben, The White Eyes, FunkStar, 蓋阿尼, Emily the Band, BB Bomb, Countervalve樂團, InhumanBand, The Sign of Human, Sonic Deadhorse, Random, Clippers, 1976, Floaty, She Bang-a, Lily et Coco, Nintendo Generation Blues, Unfamiliar Friends Party, Digihai, 彭詩昀, 88 Balaz, fish.the, Physical Chemical Brother, you copy me, i copy you, IGU Band, Go Chic, Kou Chou Ching, The Shine & Shine & Shine & Shine, Kiiion, 床上暴動, Pilot K, 黃雨晴, Low-Brightness Period. DJ DEE
Organized by Fish, a DJ, electronic music artist, and long time friend to Underworld, it is available now as a free direct download. He adds, " I got material from old bands and new bands. They are all enthusiastic about it. I think we've covered most of the music genres that were played at Underworld.
"I put everything together in the order they were sent in. It's how people feel about Underworld so I didn't reject any song. Spread the file and enjoy it!"
(due to heavy traffic, the site has crashed/changed hosts a few times. This is the current address to obtain a download link, as of publication of this scene report) - www.facebook.com/media/set/...
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Nothing could top these two items, but the upcoming Beastie Rock rounds out a damn fine day of news. The last weekend of the month (August 24/25/26) looks like it will be an awesome time. Last year's festival was great fun with great bands. I expect more of the same.
It is a lineup of familiar favorites like Digihai, 人Human Beings, Celluloid, BB Bomb, Random, 88 Balaz, Skaraoke, 拷秋勤 Kuo Chou Ching… as well as newer acts like Tight Tight Crotch and New Sunglasses. You can get your info here and even buy your tickets in advance.
Do it!
See you there!
