21ST CENTURY S-ROCK
It’s almost a decade since the third wave of S-ROCK bands/artists emerged from a music scene ravaged by the economic depression of the Asian financial crisis (1997), 911 (2001) and SARS (2003). Arguably the new wave began with the formation of The Observatory (above) in 2001 and the appearances of Electrico and Ronin in 2003. Coupled with the introduction in 2002 of the Baybeats Festival at the newly opened Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, there were more opportunities for S-ROCK bands to perform and thereby promote their recordings to the general public. Whilst there has been an invisible ceiling (due to lack of funds or support) which has kept S-ROCK bands largely off the radar of the international music arena, there has been a few good bands that have managed to fine-tune their craft despite the severe marginalization. So here are Power of Pop’s 21st Century S-ROCK recommendations (in alphabetical order, excluding bands on hiatus). Check them out.
B-QUARTET
BASEMENT IN MY LOFT
CHEATING SONS
ETC.
I AM DAVID SPARKLE
IN EACH HAND A CUTLASS
KING KONG JANE
LUNARIN
MELTGSNOW
STELLARIUM
THE GREAT SPY EXPERIMENT
THE OBSERVATORY
TYPEWRITER
Seriously folks, local gig promoters need never to hold auditions (or voting campaigns – ugh!) to decide which S-ROCK band should open for their foreign band. Information is all here and for free as well. What more could you ask for?
