The RockTigers
The RockTigers |
|---|
The RockTigers (더 락타이거즈, also written as The Rock Tigers, The Rocktigers) are a South Korean indie rock and roll band formed in 2001. The band is one of the leaders of the rock and roll revival movement on the Korean indie band scene. The RockTigers show a style that is rooted in the 1940s and 1950s jump blues, boogie-woogie, rockabilly, and the 1960s twist dance that sets them apart from other Korean indie bands. Although not on the Korean mainstream, The RockTigers have developed a cult following with their energetic live shows around the Hongdae club scene as well as several rock festivals throughout Asia. They are signed to Drug Records and regularly play at Club DGBD (formerly Drug).
History
Formation and early years: 2001-2002
While playing in various punk bands, friends Tiger and Rock were inspired by Japanese garage punk band Guitar Wolf's energetic cross between classic punk, noise rock, rockabilly, black leather jackets, and sunglasses. Tiger and Rock's initial aim was to bring Guitar Wolf's coined "Jet Rock 'n' Roll" to Korea and sought out to form The RockTigers with other musicians on the Korean indie scene.
One of the requirements for joining The RockTigers was to wear a black leather jacket and if a member wished to leave the band, they also had to leave their jacket for the replacing member. With Tiger on vocals and guitar, Rock on bass, they finalized a line up that included Hurricane Billy on drums, and Berklee College of Music alum Psycho MJ on lead guitar.
During a band rehearsal in early 2002, a female by the name of Velvet Geena visited the studio wearing a black leather jacket, although the leather jacket requirement was not known to her. The Rocktigers quickly accepted her as the fifth member to sing (scream) backup vocals and dance on stage during their live shows.
1st album: Come On Let's Go
In mid-2002, Hurricane Billy left the band, and through auditions for the vacant position on the drums, Billy the Machinegun joins The RockTigers.
Later that year, The RockTigers sign to Drug Records, a leading independent record label that emerged with the rise of Korean punk (also known as "Chosun Punk") band Crying Nut in the 1990s. This allowed the band to play at the club Drug, owned by Drug Records, every week. The band also contributes two songs, Sex Machine and Leather Bike Jacket Boy to compilations albums Culture Fraud Company Compilation No. 1 and Culture Fraud Company Christmas Compilation respectively.
In February 2003, the band begins recording material for a studio album. In June, the first album Come On Let's Go is released and the band plays various shows including the Cine Rock Night and the closing ceremony at the 7th Annual Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) to promote the album.
Discography
Studio albums
- Come On Let's Go (2003)
- Oldies But Goodies (2007)
Compilations
- 문화사기단 합동음반 제1호/Culture Fraud Company Compilation No. 1 (2002) "Sex Machine"
- 문화사기단 크리스마스 컴필레이션/Culture Fraud Company Christmas Compilation (2002) "Leather Bike Jacket Boy"
Members
Tiger - vocals, rhythm guitar
Velvet Geena - vocals, acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar (live)
Ace - lead guitar
Roy - contrabass, backing vocals
Hurricane Billy - drums
External links
 | This article on a band or other musical ensemble is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |