Can you tell us who is in the band and what they each play?
Partyolk includes 7 members.
Hinjai         -           Vocal
Kalun         -           Bass
Jay             -           Guitar
Cheung       -           Guitar
Hong          -           Drums
Tommy       -           Synth
Louis          -           Turntable

When did you guys start and how did it start?
We started playing music together in the summer of 2003, after we became committee members of the 28^th Polymuso. Throughout that year, we were invited to perform at many shows, both inside and outside the campus on behalf of Polymuso. After we completed our duties as Polymuso members, we wanted to form a band to continue our friendship. That’s why “partyolk” was formed in April 2004.

我們七人於2003年的夏季均不約而同地當上了第28屆理工大學音樂會社的幹事, 在一年的任期內, 我們代表著音樂會社到了不少地方作音樂演出. 當任期屆滿後, 我們均希望組織一隊樂隊以作維繫感情的媒介, partyolk便因此於2004年夏季組成了.

Tell us a little bit the purpose of “Muso’s” and what a “Muso” is?
We mentioned “Polymuso” in the above paragraph. “Polymuso” actually is short for Poly University Music Society. The aim of every “Muso” (Music Society) in each university is to promote music and band sound around the campus by organizing bandshows and some other activities such as instrumental courses (which are very economical for students) aimed at providing more opportunities to be involved in playing music. Now, the 31^st Polymuso is preparing functions and shows for all music lovers in the coming year. Stay tuned!

"Polymuso"其實是理工大學音樂會社的簡稱, 每所大學的音樂會社均旨於推動音樂及bandsound文化, 我們所舉辦的活動很多, 包括bandshow和十分經濟實惠的樂器班, 希望為會員提供更多接觸音樂的機會. 現在, 第31屆的Polymuso正積極籌備新一年的活動, 請密切留意.

Why do you think the Muso that you guys used to be a part of was considered one of the best Muso’s in Hong Kong?
It depends on the time and effort you are willing to put in for muso. In fact, we did not receive much support from the university, especially financial support. Usually, we need to fight with the university and sponsors in order to achieve our goal. To conclude, it's hard to find a large-scaled rock show or music festival in Hong Kong. We just wish to hold more good shows for the audience of Hong Kong.

很大程度取決於會社內各位幹事所投放的時間和心機, 事實上, 像音樂會社這一類文化藝術的組織, 是得不到大學校方的重視, 包括經濟上的協助, 因此, 我們時常要和校方及其他機構爭取更多更好的支持和待遇. 就音樂會社而言, 我們希望能夠舉辦更多精采的bandshow, 畢竟香港太缺乏這些bandshow了.

Back to your music – what were your main influences? What type of music?
Each of us were influenced by a variety of music, some of us like Blur, Radiohead, Oasis, The Prodigy…; some like Dir en grey, hide, Metallica, Nirvana…; some like Green Day, Limp Bizkit, Suede, Cradle of Filth…and some like Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, Fat Boy Slim…Also some local band such as Beyond, LMF, Lam Kee, AMK, My fun fair…

我們七人的喜好皆不盡相同, 有人喜歡Blur, Radiohead, Oasis, The Prodigy.....; 有些喜愛Dir en grey, hide, Metallica, Nirvana.....; 還有人鍾情Green Day, Limp Bizkit, Suede, Cradle of Filth.....更有些偏愛Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, Fat Boy Slim.....至於本地的樂隊則包括Beyond, LMF, Lam Kee, AMK, My fun fair.....

What are your main influences today?
We like listening to other types of music besides the typical “band sound” such as Aphex Twins, Prefuse 73, B21, Buena Vista Social Club…and some music genres like Trip Hop, Breakbeat, Techno, Latin, Jazz…because we want to add different music elements into our band sound.

我們近來喜歡一些bandsound以外的聲音, 例如Aphex Twins, Prefuse 73, B21, Buena Vista Social Club.....所選擇的音樂類型有Trip Hop, Breakbeat, Techno, Latin, Jazz.....希望可以從中吸收更廣泛的音樂元素, 並將它們帶到我們的創作之中.

When did you guys start listening to music and what do you remember from it?
Most of us started listening to band sound when we were in secondary school, usually by friends' influence and TV programs. We found band sound very cool and emotional.

我們大部分成員自中學開始便接觸bandsound, 多是來自朋友介紹或收看電視節目. 當時覺得bandsound很酷和激情.

When did you guys realize that you wanted to pursue music seriously?
Since we saw some audience members supporting us when we were performing on stage, we wished to continue to improve our playing in order to maintain their confidence in us. Besides, we have had some awful performances, with awful songs and awful skills. Those were some terrible memories, so we hope to keep improving ourselves to prevent these nightmares from happening again.

每當在台上演出, 看見有觀眾正在支持和鼓勵我們時, 我們便希望可以做到更好的演出以維繫他們對partyolk的信心; 另外, 我們亦曾經作過一些糟透了的演出, 不論歌曲及技術均慘不忍睹, 當時的感覺十分沮喪, 自始我們一直鞭策自己要努力做好音樂, 以免悲劇重演.

How did you find each other?
We met each other while studying at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

我們都是在香港理工大學認識的.

What was your first show with Partyolk? What can you remember from it?
The first show of partyolk was the Polymuso Annual Performance in 2004. Our performance was awful, everything was a mess. After that terrible experience, all of us hoped to take music more seriously and hoped to improve ourselves in every aspect.

partyolk的第一次演出是2004年的理工大學音樂會社年度匯演, 當時的演出實在不堪入目. 經過這個慘痛的經驗, 我們希望更用心地創作音樂, 以改善各方面的問題.

What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
Realizing that we have the ability to create music which other people are willing to listen to, and enjoying our music when we’re performing on stage.

最大的成就是知道有人會用心去聽我們的創作和享受我們的演出.

What do you hope to accomplish with this band?
We wish that people would be willing to watch a certain bandshow because partyolk is performing. And also provide a new type of music which is created by us.

我們希望有一天,  partyolk的演出會成為觀眾選擇去看一個bandshow的主要考慮. 另外, 我們亦希望能夠創立一種屬於partyolk獨有的風格.

What is your dream show? (What bands? What venue? What type of sound?)
Great music festivals like Woodstock which would be held in Hong Kong, with many foreign and local bands involved.

希望在香港能夠舉行一個大型音樂節, 並包括很多香港和海外樂隊的演出.

What are the top 5 CD’s you think we should check out?
RIZE - Spit and Yell
Method of Mayhem - Method of Mayhem
Rage Against the Machine - The Battle of Los Angeles
Kula Shaker - K
Mad Capsule Market - OSC DIS

Any last comments
We are glad to see that some bands in Hong Kong linked together to form societies with similar music style, e.g. hardcore, punk rock… That’s a very good sign and indie bands should be united and supportive of each other.

Besides, we can also see that local bands are getting more and more exposure to the public, through tv programs, radio programs, magazines and internet-based media. It signifies that the local band scene is expanding and all of us should work harder to make different voices heard in Hong Kong.

Anyway, partyolk will continue on our path of music and we hope you will keep looking for something new from us.

Thanks Riz for interviewing us!

我們看到很多類型接近的本地樂隊, 均團結一致地建立起一個又一個音樂圈子, 對本地樂隊而言是一個很好的現象, 因為獨立樂隊是很需要互相支持的.

另外, 我們亦看見獨立樂隊越來越受到重視, 出現在電視, 電台, 雜誌及網上媒體的機會越來越多. 証明獨立樂壇正不斷擴展, 因此樂隊們應更加努力, 為香港提供更多不同的聲音.

總括而言, partyolk仍會向著我們的方向不斷努力, 力求更多的突破.

感謝Riz親切的訪問!