Interview with Iron Bamboo in Malaysia
(Excerpt from the Star Newspapers dated 7 June 2004 by Ll Ee Kee.)
This is an interview done during their promotion tour for their debut album "Iron Bamboo Volume 1" in Malaysia.
Iron Bamboo's Profile:
Michael Lim: Veteran music producer
Scottie Chen: Spots funky dreadlocks. Spent 5 years learning the ropes from the former.
Jason Wang: underground rapper, also retail trader, selling hip hop clothing.
Vince Chang: Having done stints like English teacher, store clerk and mover.
MTV banned the music video "Wei Le Xiong Di" (For My Brothers) for being too violent. But it was aired on other TV stations in Taiwan. One wonders if the incident helped raise the group's profile.
Michael Lim : Violence is far more evident in movies and even cartoons than our music. We did not do this as a publicity stunt.
The 4 friends came together to inject variety into Taiwan's pop driven music industry.
Michael Lim : We wanted to record an album that is fun and has different types of music because Taiwan there is only pop music. We want to give listeners an option, so that people will not say Mandarin music is all the same. Taiwan has become an idol market. Musical content has taken a back seat. Now it is about glitz and promotions. However, that it is all part of a cycle. Six years ago, you have artiste like Chyi Chin, who are not just idols but also musicians with talent. The time will come when thing's will change.
The guys admitted initially there were worried that listeners might not be able to accept their music.
Vince Chang : If Chinese music listeners can accept Westerners singing hip-hop, why not us? Many Asian groups are just mimicking what they see and hear. There is no real message, which is sad because we (Asians) are capable of doing more real music.
Michael Lim : Hip hop has nothing to do with race. It is about individuals and their statement. That is what we are trying to accomplish.
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