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  Tang
Dynasty (TD) or Tang Chao is the
most famous rock band from Republic of China. The band consisted of
4 members. Zhang Ju (b.), Ding Wu (vo., g : ex-Hoi Bao or Black
Panther, the first chinese rock band), Lui Yi Jun (g.) and Zhao
Nien (dr.)
At
the begining, TD was temporary formed for making soundtrack for chinese
film. (of cause, the story about rock musician). The band's name,
Tang Dynasty, was given by Kaiser Kuo ( former member).
Tang Dynasty
was a no name rock band like others until they have a chance to met
Landy Chang, Taiwan businessman and founder of the Magic Stone Records
( related to Rock Records, Taiwan) and TD was signed to this label.
TD released their first album " A Dream Return to
Tang Dynasty" in 1992. Over 900,000 copies were sole
only in asia ( not include bootleg and illegal materials). They were
very famous in Taiwan. Their music
video won Best Asian Music Video Award from MTV. At that time, TD
was voted the best chinese rock band and Lui Yi Jun was voted the
best chinese guitarist.
TD
has some chances to performed outside China with other bands. For
example, "Chinese Avant-Grade Tour" in German
with Cui Jian and Cobra (chinese female punk band). And some events
in Japan.
In 1995,
bassist, Zhang Ju was passed away by motorcycle accident. And the
band activities were stop since then.
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For me,China
is ruled by the strongest communism system. So the the emergence and
development of rock music seem to be very difficult. But interestingly,
The Ministry of Culture (China) didn't care about TD because the goverment
believed that rock music can not change or resist traditional life
style and culture. Zhang Ju said that " The image that we
wear leather clothes and grown long hair is a CRITICAL POINT of chinese
society. Many people came to our live show for just to see what we
are look like. Journalists who never listent to our song always ask
us with questions like " Why are you grown long hair?"
or " What your parent think about this?" But teenager
can accept our music and all that we wanna present".
Although they are very famous, their
life are like other chinese. "We are still poor, even we are
popular" said Zhang Ju. They have to live their parent's old
apartment and ride bicycle to live house every night.
About
the music, TD sound is typical rock and metal. But there is something
that make TD differ from other bands. Lui Yi Jun gave the best explanation.
"We love many western music styles. We listen to Yes, Queenscryche,
Genesis, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Judus Prist and Metallica.
I always read and practice with the lesson in GuitarPlayer magazine.
But we have grown with our tradition and culture. Yes, blues is the
origin of rock. But blues is not in our blood. So our music come from
our heart and soul, that is (we're) chinese!!!"
About vocal
part, all people, who 've listen to TD for the first time, are claim
that Ding Wu sing like chinese opera. Ding Wu, himself, accept that
his singing style is influenced by chinese opera! And some lyrics
are extracted from poetry in
Tang Era.
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Choice : From the
first album "A Dream Return to Tang Dynasty".