Chochukmo
Encyclopedia
Chochukmo is a 5-piece indie rock
band based in Hong Kong, China
, with Jan Curious on vocal, Mike Orange on guitar and synthesizer, Les Hunter on guitar, Kento Anything on bass, and Kitty Trouble on drum and percussions. 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
.
, Philippines
in 2007, and had their self-recorded demo CD distributed there. In the spring of 2008, guitarist Ka-shing Law and drummer Cheong Ho decided to leave the band to concentrate on their own music projects.
by contributing 2 tracks to the double CD album. The band was then being selected as "Top 20 musicians in Hong Kong" by Time Out Hong Kong, alongside with the acclaimed musician Anthony Wong Yiu-Ming and alternative singer Denise Ho
.
The band has been touring to Manila
, Philippines
(with Carina Ho on bass and Chi-kin Wan on drum) and Kuala Lumpur
, Malaysia in 2009, alongside with some indie bands around Asia such as I am David Sparkle
, Free Love, Everybody Loves Irene etc. Bassist Yanyan Pang announced her departure after the Malaysia tour, due to the creativity differences. With no replacement to the bassist position, Alvin Lo came into the band as a supporting bassist.
The band has won the "We'll Make Your Album" contest hosted by Time Out Hong Kong and Diesel in September 2009, which the contest promised to release an album for the winning band. Chochukmo has been chosen as the winner by a team of judges including Kelvin Avon
, Anthony Wong Yiu-Ming, Wong Ka Keung
and Wong Chi-Chung. With the support from Time Out Hong Kong and Diesel, the band has then released its debut album "The King Lost His Pink" on 28 November 2009, with the album mixed and mastered by Kenneth Tse from The invisible Men, and the album cover designed and painted by Simon Birch.
Being described as "The most charismatic band to have emerged in southern China in recent years" by TIME Magazine, the band has been selected into the "Hong Kong Top List: 20 people to watch" by CNNGo in December 2009.
Yanyan Pang departed from the band in July 2009. Since then the band went on as a 4-piece with supporting from different bassists namely Vanilla Lau (Tacit Closet, Noughts and Exes) and Alvin Lo. Kento Anything was then being recruited as bassist in February 2010.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band based in Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, with Jan Curious on vocal, Mike Orange on guitar and synthesizer, Les Hunter on guitar, Kento Anything on bass, and Kitty Trouble on drum and percussions. 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
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
while some considered the band's style as math rock
Math rock
Math rock is a rhythmically complex guitar-based style of experimental rock that emerged in the 1980s and that was very influenced by progressive rock like King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Henry Cow - and 20th century composers such as Steve Reich and John Cage...
.
First Generation (2005 - 2006)
In the summer of 2005, Jan Curious (from League of Heroes) and Mike Orange (from Homework) suddenly came up with an idea of having a side-project when they're jamming at a studio, while at that moment they were both belonged to different bands. With the joining of bassist Yanyan Pang (from Hard Candy) and drummer Cheong Ho (from Innisfallen), the first generation of Chochukmo was officially formed, with its sound characterized by punk and garage rock influences. Considering the band as solely a side-project, the members of the band had no plan of recording anything. In the spring of 2006, guitarist Mike Orange decided to leave the band due to his personal reasons.Second Generation (2006 - 2008)
As guitarist Mike Orange departed, Ka-sing Law was then being recruited as the new guitarist. The band has toured to ManilaManila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
in 2007, and had their self-recorded demo CD distributed there. In the spring of 2008, guitarist Ka-shing Law and drummer Cheong Ho decided to leave the band to concentrate on their own music projects.
Third Generation (2008 - Now)
With the joining of new guitarist Les Hunter (formerly from An id signal) and new drummer Kitty Trouble (former from League of Heroes), plus the return of former guitarist Mike Orange, Chochukmo has come into a 5-piece. With no intention to play any formerly written songs (except the track "Caroline"), the members came into a new set of songs and had their debut gig in July 2008. The band has made part of a compilation album released by The Underground HKThe Underground HK
The Underground HK is an independent music showcase in Hong Kong to promote live original music. It has hosted over 100 shows featuring more than 300 bands in Hong Kong., Shenzhen and Macau since April 2004.-Bands:...
by contributing 2 tracks to the double CD album. The band was then being selected as "Top 20 musicians in Hong Kong" by Time Out Hong Kong, alongside with the acclaimed musician Anthony Wong Yiu-Ming and alternative singer Denise Ho
Denise Ho
Denise Ho Wan-See, also known as HOCC, is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer.-1996-2001:Denise Ho was born in Hong Kong and received her education in Canada and Diocesan Girls' Junior School, Hong Kong. She emigrated with her family to Montreal, Quebec at the age of 11. She studied and graduated High...
.
The band has been touring to Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
(with Carina Ho on bass and Chi-kin Wan on drum) and Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaysia in 2009, alongside with some indie bands around Asia such as I am David Sparkle
I Am David Sparkle
I Am David Sparkle is a band from Singapore and was formed in 2001 as an instrumental collective.The band's name is a direct literal translation from the name of a famous Malaysian singing legend – M...
, Free Love, Everybody Loves Irene etc. Bassist Yanyan Pang announced her departure after the Malaysia tour, due to the creativity differences. With no replacement to the bassist position, Alvin Lo came into the band as a supporting bassist.
The band has won the "We'll Make Your Album" contest hosted by Time Out Hong Kong and Diesel in September 2009, which the contest promised to release an album for the winning band. Chochukmo has been chosen as the winner by a team of judges including Kelvin Avon
Kelvin Avon
Kelvin Avon aka Afreex is a platinum selling music producer, songwriter and mix engineer based in London and Hong Kong, he made his name working on remixes for artists such as P. Diddy, Erykah Badu, Mario, Lumidee, Jamelia and many more. He is currently managed by Stephen Budd Management,...
, Anthony Wong Yiu-Ming, Wong Ka Keung
Wong Ka Keung
Steve Wong Ka-Keung is a Hong Kong musician, composer and the songwriter. He was one of the members of the now disbanded, Hong Kong rock band Beyond. Steve Wong plays bass guitar and provides vocals...
and Wong Chi-Chung. With the support from Time Out Hong Kong and Diesel, the band has then released its debut album "The King Lost His Pink" on 28 November 2009, with the album mixed and mastered by Kenneth Tse from The invisible Men, and the album cover designed and painted by Simon Birch.
Being described as "The most charismatic band to have emerged in southern China in recent years" by TIME Magazine, the band has been selected into the "Hong Kong Top List: 20 people to watch" by CNNGo in December 2009.
Yanyan Pang departed from the band in July 2009. Since then the band went on as a 4-piece with supporting from different bassists namely Vanilla Lau (Tacit Closet, Noughts and Exes) and Alvin Lo. Kento Anything was then being recruited as bassist in February 2010.
Albums
- The Underground: Something Alternative #1 (compilation) (20.09.2008)
- 21. Number One
- 22. Head To Toe
- The King Lost His Pink (28.11.2009)
- 01. Child Heights
- 02. Tell Her (Laura I Love Her)
- 03. Number One
- 04. Let Her Go
- 05. Head To Toe
- 06. Till Late No May
- 07. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 To You
- 08. Something Special
- 09. Caroline
- 10. Welcome to the Graveyard