Bo Ningen @ Hidden Agenda ~ March 23, '17
by Nick the Bookman, edited by Lamma-Gung
"Did you miss me, when I was away? Did you hang my picture on
the wall?
The short answer is probably no and no. Anyway, this couplet of some rock lyric has taken up residence in my brain and is basically unremovable. At least until I remember which song/group it comes from. Your help is gratefully appreciated. Come and inter-act. Now that's out of
the way, it's time to end my lexicographical absence from
the Lamma news page. So, let's go. We'll start with
the return of BO NINGEN to Hong Kong on 23/3/2-17/ At Hidden Agenda for
the very reasonable price of $320 a ticket. They made their debut at Clockenflap 2015 and I bigged them up as much as I could. And, it was worth it. They are stunning. Even more so, when one of
the guitarists broke a couple of strings and had to retire, bloody but unbowed, from
the musical fray.
The other three looked at each other, smiled their secret smiles and took
the rest of their gig into OverDrive... When shit happens, embrace
the excreta. Get into guana. Trample turds under toes. Put on a show for
the ages. And now they're back...
I arrived at
the new Hidden Agenda about an hour before show time. No ticket, but I felt confident. And I found someone with a spare who took my money and got me inside. I'd already had a brief chat with BN's Taigen,
the bassist/vox and Yuki,
the other lead guitar. Very pleasant lads. Excellent English. Learned during their ongoing sojourn in London. There's a good crowd. So big hi's to Frankie and Julie (?) who took
the photos for this piece. Greetings also to Louisa who told me our paths had crossed at previous gigs. She also said she made all four gigs earlier in
the year that I wanted to attend but couldn't due to domestic dramas and no brass in pocket. That was a good week that was. Featured Tangerine Dream's debut local concert. A memorial for
the late Edgar Froese. Followed
the day after by
the first return of Japan's one man band Logic System since 1985. I was at that gig at
the A.C. Hall. Couldn't manage
the double.
The next night was
the Damned's first gig in HK since 2012. Going head to head with
the debut of
The Kills. Again, unable to attend. Perhaps Clockenflap could re-book
The Kills for later in
the year? I'm sure Louisa would like to see their complete show. Also a metaphorical sharing of
the spliff to Ham. Jerome, Marcin, Peter and J.C. for scribbling heartfelt but illegible salutations in my book. And for raving about David Boring,
the local opening act.
David Boring are a quintet who've been together for four years now. They are Janice on vocals. Sings like Kim and sway grooves like Chris from Sisters of Sharon. Breathy vocals at times and a magnetic stage presence. Jason and Wa are on
the metal guitars and Panicube and Stan knit everything together on bass and drums respectively. It was one hell of a show as Marcin explains; "
The most amazing band on
the HK scene. Polish(ed) rock but so fresh and uplifting. A killer band". Definitely one for
the noiseniks.
The drums are rapid and non stop.
The guitarists are either flat on their backs playing along or madcap pogoing in
the corner of
the stage. Without dropping any beats. Janice is on her haunches peering around at
the audience. Silent and still and then exploding into a fresh display of vocal gymnastics. Which resulted in near manic call-and-response antics from
the madly pogoing crowd in front of
the stage.
The quintet shake it up and take it down.
The tempo ranges from funereal to stratospheric. Absolutely captivating. Dave, if you're reading this, you should book them for Lamma Fun Day. Seriously. They've just released their debut album at Triple XXX. I'm hoping to get a copy ASAP.
There was a brief break and BO NINGEN took
the stage. Think David Boring with one less member and amp up
the tempo. Their set was brutal, balletic, atmospheric, over
the top and how these long haired maestros didn't choke themselves with their tresses becoming entangled in their strings I do not know.
The other two members are Kohhei on guitar and Monchen on awesome percussion. I mean this guy plays
the drums so hard and fast without fainting or passing out. He must exist on a diet of Energiser Bunnies coz he just didn't stop. Or maybe his make up consists of half a dozen Magnuses (Magnusi?). But he's very quiet off stage. Did his portions and then chilled out. Yuki and Taigen provide most of
the guitar pyrotechnics. Playing behind their heads. Lying on
the floor. All
the little Hendrix at Monterey snippets of joy. Aside from wrecking their guitars or setting them on fire. Taigen is his usual on stage cross-dressing self. but ends
the show stripped to
the waist and then comes to
the merchandise desk and signs autographs and poses for photos. There was also a live recording he made with a member (name forgotten) of Acid Mothers Temple. Quite enjoyable electronic drone and muted percussion. I got a copy. Incidentally, Acid Mothers Temple was
the ONLY other band I ever saw at Hidden Agenda -
the old Hidden Agenda.
And speaking of which, what
the fuck was
the recent Immigration and Police OVERKILL raid on HA all about? How much money did
the gullible tax payers cough up for this bureaucratic muscle flex? Why can't
the Government extract its collective digits from its bummed out nether regions and find some way to allow these premises to be used for music gigs? Ease
the legislation
The bands who come are certainly putting
the "industry" into these buildings. They work hard for their money. I presume they're being paid for their labours. Other money will cover
the rents.
The fire risk at
the present Hidden Agenda is remote. You walk off
the street into a ground floor mallway. Hidden Agenda has a door on
the right. Go inside. There's a stage and a seating area with tables at
the left. Mixing consoles at
the back of
the room. It's about as convenient as walking into
the Fringe Club in Central. I've been to some DJ gigs in Causeway Bay on
the tenth floor of a small building. A potential fire there is scary. Hidden Agenda isn't set up like that. I think Steveo is one of
the music industry's unsung heroes. He's put on shit loads of gigs. He employs people. I guess taxes are paid.
The licensing of international bands coming to HK could be streamlined if all parties want to make these little hardcore music scenes work well. I guess
the current Government must get pissed off at being unfavourably compared to
the Rule of
the Brits. But their track record of corruption, detestation and incompetence at
the HIGHEST levels speaks for itself.
The ongoing disdain of
the super wealthy for our craven bureaucracy Add
the continual tweaking of
the One Country Two Systems from Beijing and
the former Brightest Jewel in
the British Empire is starting to look tarnished. In fairness,
the parts of
the Government that do work very well are organised pragmatically and not subject to incompetent tinkering. I hope Hidden Agenda doesn't have to close. It's a vital part of HK's musical heritage. Good luck guys...