More photos and Nick's review of the first day, Saturday:

http://www.asian-villas.com/grahamecollins/images/clockenflap/

Clockenflap 7-8/11/2009 at Cyberport.

by Nick the Bookman

Sequels, eh! They can be good like Star Wars Two, Godfather Two and the two Chris Nolan Batman films. Or not so good like the Joel Schumacher Batman films. Or the four years of Bush One (1988-92), compared to the eight years of BushReich, 2000-08. Good, got my blood up. Now to write.

I'm thinking about The Return of Clockenflap at Cyberport on 7-8/11/2009, nearly two years after the debut in early 2008. This show is spread over a more audience friendly two days compared to the near all-nighter of last year. Some welcome artists return. Some new bands. Hopefully less police complaints about excessive noise and behaviour. Time to find out.

It's about 1050 Saturday, 7/11/2009 and I'm lazing on the grass in front of the main stage, watching Los Campesinos soundcheck, while I wait to collect my press pass. Little Nick ( sound engineer from last year) pops over to say hi. I meet Phyllis the sweet and effervescent Stage Manager who asks if I'm DJ Kulu. I'm often asked that. Apparently, neither of us shaves very much. We do look different though as the photo in the programme makes clear. Thanks, Hayley (the editor) for the ego-boost. I'm thinking that Phyllis is going to be a teeny bit ragged by tomorrow night, but she's perky enough right now.

Los Campesinos are a Welsh septet/occasional octet who've "become the indie darlings of music snobs everywhere...In short they grab that musical brass ring" Mixing rock, electric folk, disco, some punk and sonic explorations, they're the eagerly awaited headliners tonight. They all met at university and formed a band in 2006. Two LP's and an EP later, they're here in Hong Kong. They're affable and wildly excited to be in HK and want to return if they're invited. I'll get the band line up out of the way while it's still early. So, here's Neil with his much more legible handwriting: Neil - guitar. Kim -vocals. Gareth -vocals. Ellen - bass. Harriet - violin. Tom - guitar. Rob - extra stuff (like glockenspiel and small keyboards). Ollie -drums. Rob's bit in brackets is a guest writing addition by me. Thanks, Neil. Their new release is called "Romance is Boring". Out in February. You want to learn more? Ask Neil on neilbeale@gmail.com. On the basis of what I've heard, I'm looking forward to their headline set.

I've got my media wristband which I can't work out how to put on. Doesn't matter. Jumping ahead and screwing up the way we humans perceive the spacetime continuum, I'm able to report that frequent appearances on stage will occur/are occurring/have occurred during the past to future transition period that is Clockenflap 2009. In other words, access (almost) all areas. I've found the Film Tent where the I Shot Hong Kong short film finalists are pending viewing. Hopefully, "Isle Be Damned" is among them. That's coming up about twilight.

Joves is on stage. She's played the Island Bar and Lamma Fun Day and is always worth hearing. She's a solo singer/accoustic guitar. Message lyrics in a part folky, part bossanova/loungecore style. Sometimes a bit like Diana Krall. I'm glad she plays an old favourite, "Shoebox In The City", about the trials of "Living In A Box" that isn't quite "Eight Miles High" in the sky. The quotes are song titles by Colourbox (making their first of two appearances in this story) and The Byrds. Joves has finished and Metal Postcard Sound System roars into action in the Side Flap, adjacent left if you're facing the Main Stage. DJ Sean mixes in old faves like "...Help From My Friends" (Fab Four original version) and "Where's Captain Kirk?" by a band, who changes its name more often than Beau Brummel changed his clothes each day. I'm talking about Spizz Energy. Great punky start to the day and greeted with recognition by Grahame the Lamma photographer. Here today with his family as are fellow YSW residents, Graham and Susie and kids. The free ferry from Lamma has obviously docked. The place is filling up.

Goodfellas are on stage. My random notes say "Cool, punky harmonix. Tunes similar to the Jags/Chords/Ruts from Golden Age of Punk." They are a funky foursome for sure. Thanks to Po Kei for the names. Po Kei - vocals and guitar. Jim - drums. Angus - guitar. Egg - bass. Egg served his time on the front lines with Thinking Out Loud among other bands. He's a lot better bassist now. Not that he was bad, then. Songs include, "Trigger", "Hey You", "Move On", and "Be With Me". A most enjoyable rocking romp, punctuated by bellowed expletives, Pete Townsend split leaps, slashing, insistent and melodiic guitar interplay, overlapping vocals and a playfully roguish but powerful performance. Bonus. They sing in English. A definite highlight for the sleepyheads. My notes read "I think they'll give Chochukmo a run for their notes".

DJ Kulu has done another of his triphop/funky/soul/electro mixes. We catch up for a natter. Someone snaps a photo of us with the programme photo. If we make two more appearances together at Clockenflap, we'll have our own twisted version of Pink Floyd's "Ummagumma" cover. Something to possibly stay alive for, methinks. If we can find all the photos. Anyway, good vibes Kulu and cool breezes on your back. Always a pleasure to listen.

I've gotten "Lost in the Supermarket" (The Clash) so to speak. Had a wander round, checking the food and bevarages and seeing how the films are playing out. Had a good natter with Paul, the drummer for DP, HK's pre-eminent thrashpunk/speedmetal/tronicnoise duo. The DP GuitarBar was a legendary feature of last year's Clockenflap. A notable victim was Frank, the Young Knives drummer, who came over all boozy-woozy. Alas, DP aren't in official action this year. The GuitarBar remains Closed For The Duration. Improvisation will be needed. Anyway, by the time I've landed stage-front Songs For Children are tearing up a storm in Side Flap.

Jane Blondel and Mike Mystery have been hosting some quirky Indierock v Anything goes nights recently. Today, they're armed with six Macbook Pro computer laptops, Five of them being used by Mike who's trying to co-ordinate music and visuals. Quite a headspinning mash of of various electronic sounds and styles. Some darktronicgoth. Some helium-flecked vocals. Bits of eighties New Romantic songs. Some sound scapes like In The Nursery. I'm absorbed and absorbent. Rum-fruit juice Nixmix specials are working. I've misplaced my notebook twice already and lost Graham in the crowd. Spent a few minutes traversing the wrong section of the grassy steps trying to find him. An omen of things to come? Anyway, if you want to learn more about Songs For Children contact janeblondel@hotmail.com. She can at least pass on the website address. They're worth hearing.

Chochukmo are strutting their hellacious stuff on stage. They're polished after a few years on the local circuit. They interact musically. Some cool time changes. They're worthy of their slot in the show. And yet... How can I explain? Goodfellas for me was like The Ruts (of "Babylon's Burning" vintage). Chochukmo are more like Gang of Four. Discussing this with Dave, who's here without Eva, he offers an alternative selection. Goodfellas are The Kaiser Chiefs to Chochukmo's Franz Ferdinand. A little bit more funky intellectual than just plain rockers. The melodies are a little better with Goodfellas. That's just my personal opinion. Doesn't diminish the performance of Jan. C - vox. Mikey Orange - guitar/keyboards. Les Hunter - guitar. Yanyan Something - bass. Kitty Trouble - drums. I'll willingly give them the best performance by a quintet on Saturday award.

Volt In Music are next on in Side Flap. They're the unluckiest act today as electro-gremlins run riot and shut their audio-visual electronic soundscape experience down after the first number. Or cut short a continuous performance. Your sound was eerily hypnotic to me and I would have loved to hear more. Hallucinatory vocals over insistent pattern drums fading in an out of the mix. Some world music melodies. A little bit Dadawa, or Bjork. Could have gone Brian Eno ambient or dark electronic found sound like White Noise. Or horrorvox and FX. I was up for it. Chris does programming. Karmen does songs and performance. I'll look out for future shows by you. You deserve a better review than this squib.

I met Cain from Choochoo tv during an earlier aimless amble. Now he wants to do an interview. Miked and ready to go. Grace is producing. It rambles a little. Cain asks me how I'm enjoying myself. We agree that I can say "fuck" if necessary. This little prelude unrolls like the scene on "The Boat That Rocked" when Quentin is tricked into saying several "eff" words among others by the Count on live pirate radio. I interview Cain about his band F.B.I. - a runner up in the recent Global Battle Of The Bands, HK segment. The short segment goes downhill from there. In a good way of course. Not like an apocayptically stoned Mark Bolan falling off his stool on Old Grey Whistle Test (I think). Go to www.alivenotdead.com/fbi for more details and performances from the band.

Anticipation has been building steadily for the HK debut of Pet Conspiracy from Beijing. Remember what I said about Chochukmo being the best quintet. Sorry. No longer true. PC took control of the stage and audience from chord one and didn't let up for their hour long performance. Tall and short Chinese vocalists. Very breathy vocals. Searing punk guitar riffs and much strutting. A powerhouse drummer. And a new Italian lady on vocals and keyboards. A quote from the programme will suffice. Their live shows are "Electro Cabaret. Strange, exaggerated, electric and over the top. We love drag queens and Nancy Sinatra. We worship 90's rave shows and we think dance music should draw blood" There's definitely Giorgio Morodor/Donna Summer disco references. The drummer and guitarist swap places at one point. At times, Kraftwerk influences are heard. At times they're almost like Ministry or Suicide. And the grunginess of the rock, coupled with ferocious drums. Plus the visual kick of "What's Going On" (thanks Marvin) on stage. Pet Conspiracy set the bar so high that Robert Wadlow who was eight feet, eleven inches tall at his young death in 1940 could have walked under without mussing his haircut. The first jaw-dropping performance of Saturday. Los Campesinos are really going to have to be on their game in about an hours time.

Meanwhile, a geeky bespectacled Brains from Thunderbirds semi-lookalike is on Side Flap. It's Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip, doing a guest DJ set "featuring a scatter gun selection of classic disco, electro cuts, rock n' roll, techno and credible pop music" Again a quote from the programme. Alexis starts strongly with poly-rhythmic patterns, bass beats and keyboards shifting and shaping the set. But I think, he's struggling to overcome the after effect of Pet Conspiracy. It's like they sucked all the atmosphere with them when they left the stage and he's gasping like a beached fish. Not his fault. If he played the exact same set at Volar at the after-party, it would have received a much better response. The only tune I recognise is a sort of choral version of "Apemabn" by the Kinks. Enough already. Like Roy Batty in Blade Runner, it's "time to die".

I'm in the Film Tent now. Timing is dead right. "Isle Be Damned" aka The Lamma Zombie Movie has just begun. It's available on Youtube and if you don't watch it, I'll come round to all your houses and...well, ask you nicely to please, please watch it. Actually, I won't. I'll just fume silently. Those who've seen it know what I mean, Harry. Those who haven't. It's worth it. Blood lusts sated, it;'s time for the Main Stage and Los Campesinos.

The Saturday Night headliners start in a folk-rock rush of noise and instruments. They're going full tilt and the overall impression is like hearing Phil Spector's Wall of Sound reduced to two channels. Everything seems compressed. The songs are good. No complaint, but its akin to hearing Bruce Springsteen and the East Street Band on a slightly bad night. The energy is good. Gareth is exhorting the audience not to hurt themselves on the crash barrier. Doesn't want any dead or maimed fans (sorry post- I.B.D. stress) coz they won't buy the records. For me, the magic starts with the last two songs and the encore. The penultimate tune features some haunting violin by Harriet. I'm sure Davy Cur wouldn't mind jamming along with her. Some of the instruments are less in the mix. Sort of dub techniques to allow the music to grow and breathe. It's a horripilatory anthemic experience and I'm paying close attention. Final song before the encore is called "Swing Low, Sweet Cupcakes" I don't know if anyone else has told them this, but it's their Grateful Dead psychedelic drums/space jam workout. A chance for the band to cut loose for half an hour or more and explore "strange new worlds, to boldly go..." into "Interstellar Overdrive" big hi to Syd. etc. It's a lysergic masterpiece in wasting. The break featured some intricate doodling and plucking from the guitar. I was hoping for a call and response with the violin, FX pedals up to 11. Bring the keys and bass and drums in and out of the mix. Didn't happen, but for a moment there was a "brief and shining moment" when it could have coalesced. A brief break and a brilliant bonkers encore. Los Campesinos stepped up at the end and earned a honourable away draw with Pet conspiracy. Bloody well played folks. I told Gareth my psychedelic theory and he laughed and said, "We're not that good yet." I said, "No, but you will be and that song will be the centrepiece of your future sets." And again, it was pleasure to meet you all. The show's nearly over and I've got to go.

to be continued - Sunday, 8/11/2009.

_________________
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Nick the Bookman's review of Clockenflap, Sunday, 8/11/2009

Uptown Rockers are doing their rock/dub/tronic thing as I leave. Deja voodoo has occurred. I can't find the shuttle bus and end up walking aimlessly to try and find any sort of transport. A very nice elderly Chinese couple inquire if I'm lost and point me back to the bus dept. I've walked past it twice, hearing distorted fragments of the Rockers in full flight. Am almost tempted to go back up, but there's England v Australia (rugby union) starting in about two hours and I want to watch. A minibus gets me to Causeway Bay. A tram to Central and I've missed the 2230 ferry by about 30 seconds. Bother!. Get home for the last 18 minutes of the second half. England trail 9-11, soon to be 9-18. Game over. Prepare for tomorrow....

It's 1130. About 40 people, including Lamma-Gung, are on the free ferry to Cyberport. No doubt tempted by the free Bloody Mary on offer to all punters who arrive before 1400. I'm in repeat mode. Upfront of the stage, listening to Yacht do a soundtrack. Sounds promising. Fink, the English singer/guitarist is nearby, enjoying the vibe and possibly sulking himself into preparation for his afternoon set. Fink is signed to Coldplay's label, He hopes to return to Hong Kong next February. If you want to contact the great man, he's fink@ninjatune.net. More on him later.

First act on stage is Of Moths & Stars. A fine thrashy/folky accoustic duo. Chris plays guitar and sings. Nate bangs the tambourine and sings. The harmony singing is not basd at all, especially for this time of morning. Both guys are recent arrivals on Lamma. Their material is original. I'm joined by Drummer Paul (from DP) who's been recording them. They are worth watching. Some ferocious Marc Bolan type accoustic guitar bashing. Some Al Stewart levels of lyrical complexity. Songs include "Waterbird", "Ghost Vibrations", and "Life Is A Sleepless Journey" - one of the songs Paul has been recording/remixing for them. You can find their performances on MySpace and YouTube. Hope to see you at Lamma Fun Day, guys.

Ray Dollars is playing a slightly less abrasive, yet captivating, set in Side Flap. Wakes the crowd up a bit more. No "Bullet In The Head' remix this year though. It's a bit more r'n'b/hiphop and passes the time well enough. Especially with the first of three free Bloody Mary's to savour. I'm chatting with the guys from Poubelle International when I see drummer Neil on stage...

Joining Neil on electronic drum pads is Makha on percussion and Giedrius Sruougis on knobtwiddling electronic beats and mayhem. The trio is called Drumtronix and play non-stop for half a hour. Don't know if it's one tune or several. They would be totally in the space/time sweet spot at any Planet Dog megaraves from the mid nineties. Giedrius, who I think of as Gee (electro) whiz, should be more out there with the electronics. Some BBC Radiophonic Workshop tributes would not go amiss. Neil and Makha have played together before and have an easy confidence with each other. They've been together about two months. You'll be hearing more from them.

Ray does a brief second set while Poubelle International get ready. They are Johan Persson on drums. Ben McCarthy on vocals and guitar. Dean Cameron on bass and vocals. They are bonkers and huge fun. During the set, they invite Sean from The David Bowie Knives to guest on extra guitar and vocals. Later Mike and Orlando (who's a regular with Transnoodle) add some uptempo trombones to the mix. Johan is a drummer who takes no prisoners. He attacks his kit at times, does precision rolls and slows down when necessary. Damn fine show from the Old Man of the group. Ben is a near clone of young Roy Harper. Groovy 'tache, dude! He's got energy to burn. Dean is not so expressive, but his powerful bass provides a solid bass and counterpoint to the mania on stage. The opening song has hints of "Song 2" by Blur in it's construction. I hear bits of "My Sharona" by The Knack in places. Some Vapours. Lots of handclaps in one song. Some Dave Grohl antics now and then. Lamma-Gung is snapping away near the stage. Grahame tells me he hears a lot of B-52's in the act. They're generous with the other guest artistes. Basically, it's all about the music stupid. The debut CD "Avec La Boom" is released in January, next year. Contact them through johan@poubelleinternational.com. I guess most of the live set is on the CD. I think they're Sunday's equivalent of Goodfellas.

Bodhi's on the Side Flap, slowing things down with a trancey sort of uplifting dub, interspersed with a few oddities. Among them, one of my favourite tunes called "Shy One Horse" by Colourbox. That's their second reference. I've mixed this track in some of my CD's. Bodhi's the only other DJ I've heard play this tune. He likes it as much as me. The pacing, ebb and flow, rhythms of this Sunday are nicely calculated. Soon to be blasted apart by The Radioactive Sago Project. This critically acclaimed octet ply their trade in Quezon City, the Philippines. It's the closest thing I've heard to big band jazz meets Soft Machine. Back to the program notes for a more elegant description. They play a mixture "of spoken word poetry, jazz, punk, soul, afro-latin and metal" A grittier version of The Blues Brothers Big Band with a less po-faced stage presence. More John Zorn than Kenny G. I apologise for linking Mr. Gorelick and his Horlicks approach to music with this splendid weekend. Am I allowed one lapse in taste?

Clockenflap has achieved a coup of sorts by getting Clive Chin to deliver a masterclass in reggae history on the Side Flap stage. From what I've heard, he delivered a blinder of a set last night at Backstage. Part of The Homecoming - Back To China tour. Transnoodle were also on the bill and it must have been fun. He tells us some of the history of the tunes that DJ Fidel is laying down. No effort at a computer enhanced seamless mix and mash. DJ trickery is fine at times, but sometimes it's all about the tunes, which are played in toto. The artists include Mongo Santamaria, The Ska-talites and Neil Hefti's "Batman" theme among others. "Black Magic Woman" credited to Santana, but written and originally played by Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac, is the only slip I spot. Picky, picky, Nicky! Overall, a splendid show to soothe the radiation frazzled, toxic shocked audience after near lethal exposure to "The Sago". Clive is as amiable as he sounds on stage. He is part Chinese, hence the tour. A plasure to meet you sir.

A brief walkabout and return to find Fink midway through his set. The pacing of the show has led nicely into his spot. I hear the last few songs. Let me say this. Fink Is Spellbinding. The crowd appears to be sitting there enthralled, collective jaws resting on collective feet. When we chatted earlier, he told me he doesn't do happy tunes. He does have one though, but "I'm not playing it". Grahame is equally entranced and tells me, he's just like the late monopedal troubadour, John Martyn. Fink tells me that "The Sun christened me a John Martyn for the 21st Century" One song "One More Time For You' sounds reminiscent of the theme from "Exodus" in places. Another snatch of lyric runs ...I ain't got the bullshit, I ain't got the time". Couldn't get the title. The final song is a masterly cover of "Is It Love" by Bob Marley.

As for Fink, he started as a techno DJ, moved into trip-hop and now he's here as a singer/guitarist. Bravo, mate. Hope you do come back in February. There's a gig waiting for you in The Island Bar If you want. You'll follow in the immortal shoes of Shep Woolley. Among others...

Haven't seen Snoblind since we crossed paths at the time-warping sonic experience that is Mogwai in full flight. Led to one of my favourite reviews that I've written. Now, they're playing Side Flap. One of the few bands/artists to play all (both) Clockenflaps. Their set isn't as cosmic as last year, partly due to less time. Vincent is on laptops. Regina helps out and plays a small live bass as well. Nice sound montages. Hints of Portishead in the construction. Possibly even Beth Gibbons singing as well. Fine remixes of "Strawberry Fields Forever" by some Band That Time Forgot. and "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield. Cool dubby passages interpersed with stutter drums and percussion. Always enjoyable and unexpected, but over too soon. Hope you both make it over for Lamma Fun Day.

I've been waiting for Yacht to strut their funky electroglam stuff since enjoying their sound check. They are decadent disco fun to the tenth power. They're the Sunday equivalent of Pet Conspiracy. Who they recently played with in China. Jona and Claire prowl the stage like caged panthers. Swapping vocal duties, intermeshing on lyrics, creating a glitterball buzz of intensity to their electrogrunge pop. Both share keyboard duties. The crowd, especially up front, is having dayglo flashbacks and aural orgasms. They grab your attention and Do Not Let Up. They program all their own sounds and write their own lyrics. Although Claire says "we're just basically karaoke", that's a simplification. Milli Vanilli was karaoke. Until we found out they mimed their hits and became dread-locked clothes horses with expensive drug/drink habits. Yacht have done their gig equivalent of the Sydney-Hobart Race. Many times. Pet Shop Boys, who made their world debut in little ole Hong Kong, had the bigger budget and more performers. Erasure, who played some sleazy Kowloon dive years ago, are a pretty good comparison. Except that Vince Clark didn't try any acrobatics over his instruments as I recall. Awesome set people and Blood Red Shoes should be quaking by now. For more details contact Yacht at either Claire@teamyacht.com or jona@teamyacht.com. Show your devotion. Send them photos of your sartorial excesses. Buy their releases so they can afford to return to Hong Kong.

Pimpin' Ain't Easy are a dynamic DJ tag team with a world class reputation. Despite being on Side Flap, they've kept the hi-energy buzz going as Blood Red Shoes prepare to entertain us. DJ Kid Fresh and DJ Enso scratch, stutter and bewilder through a flowing set that merges turntables and laptops. Tunes range from electro to rock and disco classics. They're not quite so relentlessy and grimly cheerful as Alexis Taylor was yesterday. They are more amusing and up the pacing to ease into the punk rock showcase that is Blood Red Shoes. Good work, fellas.

OK. Entering the final straight and the Shoes are preparing to take the stage. The photographers are getting pissed off at their roadie who's been christened "Jack Black". He keeps getting in their way and preventing them getting their shots. I wonder if someone will lose it, and hollow him out to make an eskie to keep the Bloody Mary's cool. He doesn't bother me, as I'm out of the way, scribbling madly with ever-decreasing hopes that I can read the notes later. The audience is restless. Fanatics are up front. Elder members and kids are leaving slowly.

Like Los Campesinos, I think Blood Red Shoes have to be spectacular to match Yacht. I don't think they quite reach that level. I can understand the pacing of the show means that they're the headliners. But, it's a tough sell. Blood Red Shoes are the gorgeous Laura-May Carter on guitar and vocals. Steven Ansell is on drums and vocals. They sound heavier than The Ting Tings, but if heaviosity is the main attraction, then DP would be on stage right now. No reason they couldn't have been. Both Dave (with wife Clare and new baby) and Paul have been here all day. Soaking up the vibes. Anyway, Steven seems to lead from the drum stool. He's another good drummer in a day of many fine drum performances and Laura-May stays close to him quite a lot. About a third of the time, she's facing him and not the crowd. The songs are peppy although tempos don't slow to a terminal crawl or veer into overdrive. The songs are interesting enough, but not hummable for weeks. At least for me, that is. Their interview in the program is down to earth. They're both likeable characters. I'd be happy to give them a second chance if they played in a smaller club with the right degree of intimacy and excess. However, I feel that Poubelle, Fink and Yacht did the biz. Yacht especially sailed away and keelhauled all prisoners.

So, overall, a better sequel for me. Some of the teething troubles of 2008 have been ironed out. Alex did her usual magnificent job of whatever she does. Especially making me a wonderful toastie for Saturday lunch. Fine gossip as well, especially about a famous name band who might be in HK next year. I hope so (repeated ad nauseum). Phyllis seemed unfazed at the end. Saw Jay and Mike here and there throughout the weekend. Awesome show, gentlemen. I hope this review can match your skills and give you all the credit you deserve. I hope there's another one next year and I can write another review. Big hi to little Nick who did immaculate sound. Thanks to everyone who left me email addresses and interesting quotes. I'll be in touch. Time to stop now before carpal tunnel syndrome sets in. See you at the next gig.

Nick the Bookman.

_________________
Click here for Lamma-zine stories and recent Lamma Spotlights of the Week:
Photo, Video, Person, Wildlife, Bird, Artwork.