Time for Rock...
Time for Rock...
Tang Dynasty was formed in 1988. It is China’s first heavy metal rock band, named after the Tang Dynasty, one of the most prosperous dynasties in history. In 1992, they released their album "Dream Back to Tang Dynasty", which caused a sensation in Taiwan and mainland China. This album established Tang Dynasty's important position in the Chinese rock music scene. The band is considered one of the most representative rock bands in the Chinese music scene. They won the Best Rock Band Award at the 7th Golden Record Awards in 2013 and the Hall of Fame Band Award in 2014.
Some of their well-known songs include "Dream Back to Tang Dynasty," "Sun," "Flying Bird," "Moon Dream," "Romance," "Black Humor," "Your Illusion," "Farewell," "Road," "Howling Train," "Feng Chan Ceremony," "Song of the Great Wind," "Thorn," "Tears of the Elk," "Elephant Doesn't Complain," "Rattlesnake," and many more.
The band has gone through several changes in members, disbandment, and reorganization.
== Members ==
=== Current Members === Ding Wu (1988 - present) - Lead vocalist, founding member. Liu Jingwei (2019 - present) - Guitarist Fu Dalong (2019 - present) - Guitarist Gu Zhong (1995 - present) - Bassist Zhao Nian (1989 - present) - Drummer
=== Former Members === Kaiser Kuo (1988 - 1989, 1996 - 1999) - Guitarist, founding member. Andrew Szabo (1988 - 1989) - Drummer, founding member. Zhang Ju (1988 - 1995) - Bassist, founding member. Liu Yijun (1989 - 1995, 2001 - 2009) - Guitarist Yu Yang (1999) - Guitarist Chen Lei (2000 - 2019) - Guitarist
==== Support Members ==== Qin Qi (1990) - Lead vocalist, sang the song "Dream of the End of the Century" on the album "Tang Dynasty."
=== Member Timeline === ※ This timeline is accurate to the year. ※ Andrew Szabo's position is unclear.
== Development History ==
=== 1980s === 1988: Tang Dynasty was formed by Ding Wu (lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist), Zhang Ju (bassist), and two American Chinese, Kaiser Kuo (guitarist) and his classmate Andrew Szabo (drummer).
The Hives, hailing from Fagersta, Sweden, burst onto the scene in 1993, igniting a garage rock firestorm that continues to burn brightly today. After cutting their teeth on the Swedish scene throughout the '90s, the band reached international stardom in the early 2000s, riding the wave of the garage rock revival.
Their iconic lineup - Howlin' Pelle Almqvist (vocals), Nicholaus Arson (lead guitar, backing vocals), Vigilante Carlstroem (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Dr. Matt Destruction (bass), and Chris Dangerous (drums) - remained unchanged for an impressive two decades, from 1993 until 2013. Matt Destruction's retirement for health reasons led to the arrival of The Johan and Only, the former Randy bassist, who seamlessly slotted into the band's rhythm section.
The Hives' discography boasts six studio albums: "Barely Legal" (1997), "Veni Vidi Vicious" (2000), "Tyrannosaurus Hives" (2004), "The Black and White Album" (2007), "Lex Hives" (2012), and their latest release, "The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons" (2023). They've also treated fans to the compilation album "Your New Favourite Band" (2001), the live DVD "Tussles in Brussels" (2005), and the live album "Live at Third Man Records" (2020).
Their breakthrough arrived with the release of "Veni Vidi Vicious" and its unforgettable single "Hate to Say I Told You So," which has become synonymous with the band.
The Hives' signature style is undeniable: clad in matching black and white tuxedos, they deliver high-energy, eccentric performances that have earned them a reputation as one of the most captivating live rock bands of the past two decades. Critics rave about their raw power and infectious energy, cementing their position as a true rock 'n' roll force.
The Early Years (1993-1999)
Formed in 1993 by brothers Per "Pelle" Almqvist (Howlin' Pelle Almqvist) and Niklas Almqvist (Nicholaus Arson), the band quickly gained a loyal following in Fagersta. Joined by close friends Mikael Karlsson (Vigilante Carlstroem), Mattias Bernvall (Dr. Matt Destruction), and Chris Dangerous, they embarked on a journey that would see them become a global phenomenon.
Miserable Faith (Chinese: 痛仰乐队), originally named Painful Faith band, was established in Beijing in 1999. Their style is rock and independent music. The strong critical awareness expressed in their first album "This Is a Question," released in 2001, gained them attention from fans. The band was once hailed as one of China's "Four Hardcore" rock bands along with Yaksa, Twisted Machine, and Tongue. Their representative works include: "The Need of the Nation," "Highway Song," "Give Way," "Anger," "Sing a Song for You," "Where There Is Oppression, There Is Resistance," and others.
Tokio Hotel, formed in 2001 by the Kaulitz twins, Bill (vocals) and Tom (guitar), along with Georg Listing (bass) and Gustav Schäfer (drums), is a band that's evolved alongside their sound. Starting as a pop-rock/alternative rock force, they've transcended genre boundaries, embracing electropop and synth-pop since 2014.
Their journey began with the moniker "Devilish," but after a demo and a split with Sony BMG, they signed with Universal Music Germany and released their German-language debut, "Schrei," in 2005. This album ignited their rise, selling over 500,000 copies worldwide and producing four top-five singles in Germany and Austria.
Building on that success, they released their second German-language album, "Zimmer 483," in 2007, alongside their first English-language effort, "Scream." These albums collectively sold over 2.5 million copies, winning them a Best InterAct award at the MTV Europe Music Awards. "Zimmer 483" spawned three top-five singles in Germany, while "Scream" propelled them into new territories, generating two top-twenty singles in France, Portugal, Spain, and Italy.
Tokio Hotel's international breakthrough culminated in a historic MTV Video Music Award win for Best New Artist in 2008. They became the first German band to achieve this milestone and to receive awards at both the MTV VMAs and the MTV Video Music Awards Latin America. They continued their winning streak at the MTV Europe Music Awards, claiming the Headliner award in 2008 and Best Group in 2009. Their global impact was solidified with a Best World Stage Performance award at the 2010 MTV Europe Music Awards.
Tokio Hotel's story is a testament to their talent, dedication, and adaptability. They've seamlessly blended genres, conquered international markets, and cemented their legacy as a band that defies categorization and continues to evolve.
Set It Off, hailing from Tampa, Florida, is a rock band that emerged onto the scene in 2008. Their explosive sound is a blend of pop-punk, post-hardcore, and emo influences, creating a signature energy that's captured the hearts of fans worldwide. The band consists of frontman Cody Carson, whose powerhouse vocals and charismatic stage presence are legendary, guitarist/bassist Zach DeWall, and drummer Maxx Danziger, who provide the relentless rhythmic backbone.
From humble beginnings, the band's journey is an inspiring testament to dedication and the power of social media. Cody's YouTube channel played a vital role in building a loyal fanbase before they even signed a record deal. Their catchy tunes and infectious energy resonated online, propelling them to the forefront of the next generation of rock bands.
After releasing a string of successful EPs, they caught the attention of Equal Vision Records, their first label home. Their talent and undeniable energy led them to Fearless Records in 2018, where they unleashed their fourth studio album, "Midnight," in 2019. This was followed by "Elsewhere," their fifth studio album, in 2022, showcasing their continued growth and evolution.
In 2023, Set It Off took a bold step, venturing out on their own as an independent band, a decision fueled by their desire for creative freedom and a direct connection with their passionate fanbase. This new chapter promises exciting things for the band, as they forge their own path, free from the constraints of the traditional music industry.
From their early days in Tampa to their burgeoning success, Set It Off's story is a testament to hard work, raw talent, and the unwavering support of their devoted fan base. They've become synonymous with an energetic, captivating sound, making them one of the most exciting rock bands of the new generation.
Here's a glimpse into their early days:
Formation (2008)
Cody Carson and Dan Clermont, bandmates from their high school marching band, found themselves crossing paths with Austin M. Kerr and Zach DeWall, who were also making music together. After high school, Cody moved to Ohio to pursue a degree in classical clarinet at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. However, his musical journey took an unexpected turn.
Cody's YouTube videos caught the eye of Alex Gaskarth, the frontman of All Time Low, who invited him to sing "Coffee Shop Soundtrack" at their Cleveland concert. The experience solidified Cody's passion for rock and his desire to be in a band. He left college, using his school funds to kickstart his musical dreams with Set It Off. The band's journey was set in motion, fueled by passion, a shared vision, and a little bit of internet magic.
Fire EX. is a Taiwanese Hokkien punk band from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, formed in 2000. During the Sunflower Student Movement in Taiwan in 2014, National Taipei University of Arts professors Wu Da-kun and Chen Jing-yuan, along with students, planned and invited Fire EX. to create the song "Island Light". This work, "Island Light", subsequently received widespread attention in Taiwan's mainstream music scene and won the Best Song of the Year award at the 26th Golden Melody Awards.
In 2015, they established Fire Music. In 2017, they created their own music festival, Fireball Festival. In 2020, they won the Best Band Award at the 31st Golden Melody Awards.
== Members == Lead Vocals/Guitar: Yang Da-zheng, vox/gt_Sam Guitar/Backing Vocals: Zheng Yu-chen, b.v/gt_Orio Bass/Backing Vocals: Chen Jing-yuan, b.v/bass_Jc Drums: Ke Zhi-xun (Ke Guang), dr_Kg
== Band History == In 2015, Fire Music was established. The team, drawing on 18 years of experience running Fire EX., sought to challenge themselves with more innovative endeavors through different team collaborations. They also hoped that "Fire Music" could become a label that would have a positive impact on the market environment.
In 2015, they participated in the production of the theme song for the YAMAHA BW'S micro-film, releasing the song "Forward." They also formed a new band, MONOEYES, with Takeshi Hosomi of the Japanese punk band ELLEGARDEN and collaborated with the Korean band Thornapple to hold a cross-border tour. Currently, promotional activities are underway in all three countries, with plans to hold grand events in Seoul, South Korea, Taipei, Taiwan, and Tokyo, Japan on September 12, 13, and 17, respectively.
In 2016, they were nominated by Net Temperature as the top 10 independent bands in Taiwan, coming in first place. Second place went to Grasshopper's No Party and third place to Light Morning Electric.
Beach House, the American indie rock duo, emerged from the Baltimore music scene in 2004. Victoria Legrand (vocals, keyboards) and Alex Scally (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, drum programming) formed a sonic partnership that would become synonymous with a mesmerizing brand of dream pop. Their music, characterized by ethereal soundscapes and hypnotic melodies, has captivated audiences worldwide.
Their debut album, aptly titled Beach House, dropped in 2006 to critical acclaim. Since then, they have released a string of critically lauded albums that have solidified their status as indie rock giants. Devotion (2008), Teen Dream (2010), Bloom (2012), Depression Cherry (2015), Thank Your Lucky Stars (2015), 7 (2018), and Once Twice Melody (2022) have all showcased their evolution as songwriters and musicians, consistently pushing boundaries and captivating listeners with their unique sonic signature.
The Name Game:
The band's name came about rather organically. After exploring countless options that attempted to capture their otherworldly sound, they stumbled upon "Beach House" during a brainstorming session. The name, simple and evocative, seemed to perfectly embody their sound and vibe. The story goes that they were already working on a song called "House on the Hill," and the combination of the two seemed almost destined. "Beach House" it was, a fitting name for a band that creates such dreamy, seaside-inspired music.