Hungry Ghosts (band)

Last updated
Hungry Ghosts
Hungry Ghosts (Hong Kong) 2010.jpg
Hungry Ghosts after performing in Hong Kong in 2010
Background information
OriginHong Kong
Genres Indie rock, post-rock
Years active2007 – present
Members Luke Chow
Paul Lam
Tiffany Laue
Michael Jack
Website hungryghostsmusic.com

Hungry Ghosts is a 4-piece indie rock band based in Hong Kong. The band was founded in 2007 by frontman Luke Chow, a well-known musician active in the Hong Kong rock scene, and guitarist Paul Lam. Bassist Tiffany Laue and drummer Michael Jack joined shortly after, having met Chow and Lam by jamming at open mic nights in the city. [1] Along with groups including Chochukmo, King Ly Chee, Poubelle International and My Little Airport, Hungry Ghosts are considered one of Hong Kong's most influential and well-established independent bands. [2]

Contents

The band has released two studio EPs and was featured on The Underground HK's annual compilation in 2010. [3]

History

Formation and 'EP' release (2007–2010)

Luke Chow and Paul Lam formed the band in 2007. Chow had been performing and touring as a solo acoustic act for several years prior to forming Hungry Ghosts, releasing the Fast Forward Tour EP and a full-length record, Inspired By People.[ citation needed ] Lam was working as a teacher at the time, but "had so much free time [that he] played a lot of video games and wrote many guitar songs." [4] While early critics of the band were quick to label them as 'emo' based on the stylistic elements of their sound, Chow rejected that description, commenting, "“Emo” tends to suggest sappy losers whining about how they got dumped by their girlfriends, or bands like My Chemical Romance. We’re nothing like that." [5] The Ghosts do, however, cite indie-emo acts Death Cab for Cutie, American Football and Pop Unknown as influences. [6]

Hungry Ghosts released their first CD, EP, in 2009, and spent the following year gigging intensely in Hong Kong, opening for visiting international acts such as Caspian, [7] and Saosin. [8] They were also featured on The Underground HK's third annual compilation album, "Life After Roots – Rock Beyond" in 2010, and were described by Time Out magazine as being the "stand out" band of the record. [9]

EP 2 (2010–2012)

Immediately following the release of EP, the Ghosts began work on new material for a future release. Several release dates were announced for the new EP, [10] but it was not until February 2012 that EP 2 was finally made available to the public at a launch party at the Central venue Backstage. [11] Leading up to the EP 2 release, Hungry Ghosts opened for American instrumental band Lymbyc Systym at Hidden Agenda [12] and sent Chow and Laue to the 2011 Clockenflap festival, performing as the Luke Chow Band. In 2012, the Ghosts opened for Canadian post-hardcore band Silverstein and will play the main stage of the Clockenflap festival. [13]

Discography

EP

Compilation

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beyond (band)</span> Hong Kong rock band

Beyond was a Hong Kong rock band formed in 1983. The band became prominent in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Mainland China, and Overseas Chinese communities. The band is widely considered as the most successful and influential Cantopop band from Hong Kong. In 1993, leader Wong Ka Kui, died at the age of 31 after an accident during the filming of a show at Fuji Television in Tokyo. Beyond continued to perform and record after Wong Ka Kui's death. In 2005, the remaining members Paul Wong, Wong Ka Keung and Yip Sai Wing decided to pursue their own solo careers, and Beyond officially disbanded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saosin</span> American rock band

Saosin is an American rock band formed in Orange County, California in 2003 by Beau Burchell, Justin Shekoski, Zach Kennedy, and Anthony Green. The band released their first EP, Translating the Name, in 2003. That year, vocalist Anthony Green left Saosin due to personal reasons, and was replaced by Cove Reber in 2004. With Reber, the group recorded their self titled debut album, released on Capitol Records in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong</span> Entertainment hall of fame in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

The Avenue of Stars, modelled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is an avenue located along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. It honours celebrities of the Hong Kong film industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Will Destroy You</span> American post-rock band

This Will Destroy You is an American post-rock band from San Marcos, Texas, formed in 2004. They typically compose lengthy atmospheric instrumental pieces, featuring layers of effects-laden guitar and a heavy usage of dynamics. Their fourth album Another Language, released in 2014, entered the Billboard Heatseekers Album Chart at number 7.

Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival, commonly abbreviated to "Clockenflap", is an annual music and arts festival held in Hong Kong. It incorporates international, regional and local live music, film, art installations, street, and kids' area. 60,000 people attended the 2015 event and was widely considered HK's marquee music event of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lymbyc Systym</span>

Lymbyc Systym is an American instrumental band from Tempe, Arizona, United States, which formed in 2001, consisting of brothers Jared and Michael Bell. Their sound combines elements of instrumental rock and electronic music. Lymbyc Systym have toured with Broken Social Scene, The Books, Crystal Castles, The Album Leaf, Her Space Holiday, Buckethead, This Will Destroy You, Foxing and The One AM Radio. The duo have released records with Mush Records, Magic Bullet Records, Hobbledehoy Record Co, Western Vinyl and & Records (Japan). Michael Bell died on November 10, 2016, under undisclosed circumstances, leaving the future of Lymbyc Systym uncertain.

<i>Esprit damour</i> 1983 film by Ringo Lam

Esprit d'amour is a 1983 Hong Kong supernatural romance film directed by Ringo Lam and starring Alan Tam, Shu-Chun Ni and Cecilia Yip. Shot in modern-day Hong Kong, the film centres on protagonist Koo Chi-Ming, a hapless insurance investigator who while investigating the death of a young women begins being haunted by her spirit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chochukmo</span> Hong Kong indie rock band

Chochukmo is a 5-piece indie rock band based in Hong Kong, with Jan Curious on vocal, Mike Orange on guitar and synthesizer, Les Hunter on guitar, Fai on bass, and Kitty Trouble on drums and percussion. Formed in the summer of 2005, the band has experienced a few member changes, with the current line-up formed in the spring of 2008. The band's sound is always being described as a genre-blender, experimenting rock with some other different styles of music. The band is generally being categorized as indie rock while some considered the band's style as math rock.

<i>Mr. Vampire III</i> 1987 Hong Kong film

Mr. Vampire III, also known as Mr. Vampire Part 3, is a 1987 Hong Kong comedy horror film directed by Ricky Lau and produced by Sammo Hung. The film is the third of a series of five films directed by Ricky Lau in the Mr. Vampire franchise. The Chinese title of the film literally translates to Mr. Spiritual Fantasy.

<i>Field Studies</i> (EP) 2009 EP (Split EP) by This Will Destroy You and Lymbyc Systym

Field Studies is a split EP released on Magic Bullet in 2009. The first two tracks are performed by This Will Destroy You, with the last three performed by Lymbyc Systym.

<i>Love Your Abuser</i> 2007 studio album by Lymbyc Systym

Love Your Abuser is the debut studio album by American band Lymbyc Systym, released in 2007 on Mush Records.

Noughts and Exes was a Hong Kong-based six-piece indie folk rock band formed by singer and guitarist Joshua Wong that also included Gideon So, Alex Bedwell, Winnie "Wizza" Lau, Winnie "Bago" Lau, and Alix Farquhar. The group released three studio albums between 2007 and 2015, two of which were mixed by double-platinum producer Kelvin Avon.

Symbolyst is the third LP by American post-rock band Lymbyc Systym, released on September 18, 2012. On July 31, 2012, the song "Prairie School" was uploaded to SoundCloud by the band's label.

The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) is a statutory body in Hong Kong tasked with development of the arts in the territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Bollands</span>

The Bollands are a 2-piece folk music band originally from New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tux (band)</span> Hong Kong alternative rock band

TUX is a Hong Kong alternative rock band formed in September 2012. The four-member group consists of Dawn, Victor (Guitar), Kevin (Bass) and Tak (Drums). They have a shoegazing sound, blended with psychedelic and pop elements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GDJYB</span> Hong Kong indie band

GDJYB is a 4-piece female indie band based in Hong Kong. The concept of its name originates from the Chinese dish of steamed meatloaf with egg.

<i>The Yuppie Fantasia</i> 1989 Hong Kong film

The Yuppie Fantasia is a 1989 Hong Kong comedy film written and directed by Gordon Chan, and storied, produced by and starring Lawrence Cheng based on the hit radio series of the same name created by Cheng and Chan Hing-ka for RTHK in 1986 which also starred Cheng. The film was followed by two sequels, titled Brief Encounter in Shinjuku released in 1990, and The Yuppie Fantasia 3 released in 2017.

<i>Strange Lives</i> (EP) 2018 EP by Strange Lives

Strange Lives is the first EP by Hong Kong indie rock trio Strange Lives. It was released on October 26, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strange Lives</span> Indie rock band

Strange Lives are an indie rock band from Hong Kong, formed in 2018, consisting of Elliott Wan, Ethan Tang, and Ethan Yim.

References

  1. ↑ Robertson, John. "UpClose with Hungry Ghosts". HK Magazine. Asia City Online Ltd. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  2. ↑ Leese, Samantha, Maar, Dwight. "Best Hong Kong bands to rock out with". CNNgo. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ "Compilation CD No. 3 合輯 3". The Underground HK. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  4. ↑ Robertson, John. "UpClose with Hungry Ghosts". HK Magazine. Asia City Online Ltd. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  5. ↑ Robertson, John. "UpClose with Hungry Ghosts". HK Magazine. Asia City Online Ltd. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  6. ↑ Leese, Samantha, Maar, Dwight. "Best Hong Kong bands to rock out with". CNNgo. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ "CASPIAN Live in Hong Kong". Hidden Agenda. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  8. ↑ "Saosin live in Hong Kong".
  9. ↑ Tjhung, Mark. "Underground Compilation CD 3". Time Out Hong Kong. Time Out Group Ltd.
  10. ↑ Ng, Bun. "Hungry Ghosts and Milkteeth recording and releasing". Bunny Warren. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  11. ↑ "Hungry For Success". I Love LKF. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "Lymbyc Systym (US) w/ Hungry Ghosts Live in Hong Kong". Facebook . Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  13. ↑ Tjhung, Mark. "Hungry Ghosts". HK Magazine. Asia City Online Ltd. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.