SODACHI!

Brian represents Hollow, Azchael represents www.rockinchina.com

Azchael: Can you please first introduce yourself and your bands' members and tell me since when they are playing with the band?

Brian: My name is Brian Tsao and I was born to a Korean mother and a Philippine/Chinese father in New York, USA where I also grew up. I write most of our band's material, play guitar and sing backups live. I am a founding member of the band, which was in the winter of 2003.

Julian is from Germany and plays drums for the band. I had met him when I was shortly in the band No Return. I didn't feel musically comfortable with No Return, but always thought Julian and I could pull something off. About 1 year later, when the timing was right we started jamming as a side project. He's also one of the founding members of the band from the winter of 2003.

Florian, who plays guitar for the band, was next to join the band shortly after Julian and I had first started jamming. He was always a good drinking buddy, and I knew the guy had great potential, the timing was just never right. That was until Julian and I created Hollow.

We continued to jam, write and gig together for about 6 months. I had given my shot at the lead vocal spot, but it never really worked out because I was so concentrated on writing. My vocal style didn't match what the band and I were trying to execute. I had done acoustic shows for years to pop rock type songs, but we needed someone who really sang from the gut and have that husky metal growl. That's when we were introduced to HunZi or better known by us as Zigwac.

Zigwac had joined the band when it was just starting to develop a style and sound of its own. Being none of us had been in a serious metal band, we had to learn a lot of things, like volume control, tone control, timing, sequencing, etc... It was really exciting, but because we had no proper vocalist, we had no specific style. We had songs that mixed Latin and Metal, Classic and Metal, Pop and Metal, Punk and metal, the list went on. Though it may sound impressive, at most of our gigs, I think people were really confused as to how to respond to the music. Some songs were too poppy, slow, some really heavy, etc... When Zigwac joined, he was kind of the starting point; we had to make sure he could do his thing as well. That's when I started working on new material that would later turn into Hollows current sound. Zigwac was officially in the band June 2004.

Through all of this, we never had a bassist, so even though the guitars were ripping, we tended to sound thin live. While looking for a bassist, I wanted to make sure he wasn't just another guitar follower, but that he had his own style and something to add to the core of the band, rather than just a physical layer on top. That's when we were introduced to Gao Bo Qian by the same friend who helped us find Zigwac.

Gao Bo Qian was an extremely experience bass player who could play various styles and was really technically amazing... He could solo better on his bass than Florian and I put together! What I took most notice to, in terms of his style was, he didn't down tune his bass like Florian and I had done with our guitars. He has preferred to keep it in standard tuning while trying to figure out bass lines from a completely different stand point. It was a real challenge to write with someone like that and gave the band another new element. It only took a couple of jam sessions for him to be taken into the band. He was official when he did his first gig with us in October 2004.

Azchael: What kind of instruments are you using?

Brian: I have used various instruments, my favorite being an Epiphone Flying V that I had regrettably sold. For some time I used an Epiphone Les Paul Custom and now I have settle upon an SX Ibanez Universe type guitar. For effects, my secret weapon is a Behringer V Amp with various other pedals.

Florian had used a Vintage Gibson Les Paul Standard Gold Top in the beginning which sounded great, but had to be retired after its many break downs. He's been playing a Jackson Dinky since then. For effects he uses a Boss GT-6.

Julian used to play with a Pearl Double Bass Pedal and Paiste Cymbal until he had what I think every musician in Beijing has experienced at least once... leaving his shit in the cab. He eventually replaced it with Stagg Cymbals and a Tama Iron Cobra Double Bass pedal. When its needed he will bring in his Pearl Export Series drum set.

Gao Bo Qian uses a Warwick bass and Behringer V Amp Bass for effects. I think he's the only guy in the band that's been consistent with his gear from the beginning.

As for Zigwac, he's a vocalist and it doesn't matter. He gets what he can find at the jam room or stage. That's usually the case in China, you use what you can find, it also goes for Amps, Drums and PA systems. It's a bit inconsistent, but that's how it works here.

Azchael: What kind of style are you playing and why are you playing this in genre?

Brian: I usually like to refer to our music as Mosh Metal, simply because it's good and simple stuff to Mosh to. I remember people moshing so badly at our shows, fights would break out between security and the audience, turning into massive ass woopings. We see people getting kicked, stepped, punched, scratched, you name it... from the stage. It got so bad that we couldn't play at those places again for sometime.

As to why we play this genre, we don't have any specific reason. It just developed this way, because it was so much fun to play. I will tell you now, and you can quote me, Chinese Metal Heads make the best audience. They are just so fucking intense and into it that it feeds and pushes us to play harder. We always keep those metal heads in mind when we write, we have to make sure, will people want to kick ass when they hear this? I think one defining moment for myself and the bands style was when we played in Tian Jing for the first time. Moshers were going nuts and flooding onto the stage, nearly knocking over speakers and our equipment. At that point no one could really do anything, so we were there playing with the audience half way on stage. Then when things got quiet after a song, a guy jumped onto the stage from no where, screamed "OH FUCKING HELL, YOU GUYS ARE SO GOOD, ITS LIKE FUCKING COW BALLS!!! OH FUCK!!!" rips his shirt and jumps back into the crowd, never to be seen again. Keep in mind, he said that in Chinese, so it was a lot funnier.

Azchael: Do you consider yourself as a Chinese band, a foreign band, a Beijing band or a metal band? Please give reasons.

Brian: I always called us from day one an international band. Between everyone in the band and our influences and cultures, we really drag something from all over the world. One thing I love about Beijing is its international community, so you really get to hear incredible stories and learn things from all different angles. Even though it may not directly tie into music, I always have it mind. It's usually really hard to satisfy an international audience, and it raises the bar for us as a band. Though my heart personally goes out to the Chinese audience, fans, and the development of Metal music in China, I would like to hope that it can eventually unite people all over the world.

Azchael: Which foreign bands would you like to jam with or with which musician?

Brian: Man, this list can go on for ages, I couldn't give you one specific answer for everyone. The couple of artists that come to mind are the guys from Opeth or SoilWork. They're both huge influences!

For myself personally, I would love to work with Hide and Yoshiki from X Japan. Jerry Cantrell from Alice In Chins, Marilyn Manson, John Lennon... see, the list goes on...

Azchael: What do you think about the domestic scene?

Brian: I think the domestic scene is awesome and truly unique. In New York, I've always felt its a "normal" thing to go to a rock show. To hear a big band will be playing at Radio City Music Hall or a local band playing in a small Pub near by, that's not the case in China. Over here, a local band can really tear the fucking roof off of a place, big or small. All the people are there for the music... though there's at least one band that the crowd is familiar with, each concert will have a bunch of new bands that are just getting started in the scene, learning what it's all about.

Metal music hasn't had time to develop and spread amongst the masses like in the US or Europe. So to be here in China now, playing in shows, organizing concerts, you're in a period of growth and learning for everyone, it's one big progression. I think that's what I like about the scene most. People don't take it for granted.

Azchael: Which other domestic band do you like?

Brian: My favorite domestic band of all time is Suffocated. Hollow was playing one of its first major shows in Old Hao Yun, when we were just a 3 piece. After our set, and sitting outside for a while resting up from such an intense show, I remember hearing from outside metal heavier and sicker than anything I've heard before. To me, it was the perfect metal music. Heavy, Hard, Percussive, Technical, Loud and POWERFUL!

I went inside to see who the hell came up with this music before I could, I was ready for some gangsta shit to go down!!!

Once I stepped onto the floor, the band was barely visible, people packed every space available, head banging, jumping up and down, moshing. One of my best memories of that show was watching people at the front end of the stage arm over shoulders with each other, head banding violently to the music, up and down in unison like a wave all while the lights and music went on madly.

I managed to get on top of the chair to see a band, they caught my eye right away. There were 2 guitarists, one at each side of the vocalist in the center, who also played bass. The guitarists both had long black hair down to there asses, head banging with the most evil faces I've ever seen. The front man really knew how to control and take center, he looked like an evil Buddha, had a shaved head, large build, with the most incredible low tone growl and screams I've ever heard. I remember the drummer being a small but well built guy hitting eat note not only flawlessy, but with all his strength like there's no tomorrow. Ever band member was confident, and knew exactly what they were doing, they created a war without even trying.

Azchael: What was the most important event for your band and what has changed? What was the impact?

Brian: The first event that comes to mind is the first show we played in Old Yao Hun. The original metal shin dig in Beijing. Sadly its gone now, there was no place like it.

That show was such a land mark show for us, because it seemed like "FINALLY!! After all this practice and time playing in a small crappy local bar, we're in the place where real bands play!" I had adrenaline rushing through my system the whole time, from the moment we arrived to when I took the cab home.

The show went extremely successful, people never saw or heard a band like us, and we never saw a crowd like that before. Like I mentioned earlier, it was like a time of growth for all of us. Beijing finally got a taste of something different, while we learned what the real scene was like. We started nervous, but when we saw people really getting into it, they fed us the confidence to pull off a good show. We gave it every bit of energy we got. I remember we all got sick because of how much we sweat. We didn't bring and extra change of clothes.

I don't believe we're the only factor, but I think people were starting to crave something different at that time. I would say we were at the right place at the right time. We really did "Get Lucky" that night, because since then, we've always had a good faithful following. There are so many different types of bands out there now, mixed with Metal, Punk, Electronica, Pop, you name it, they're coming around.

Azchael: How do you see the Chinese scene in the next ten years? What are your expectations?

Brian: As the Chinese economy improves and people have more money to spend on leisure things, I see bands, jam rooms and live houses improving there equipment. I also see more tours happening, as younger people learn how to work numbers and manipulate money better.

Being China is currently in a conversion period, shaking off the effects of the cultural revolution, a new generation of China is emerging, more educated and stronger. However with great changes comes both pro's and cons. I feel people will start to become more concerned with how they make and spend there money rather than really appreciate what they have, and sadly, take things for granted.

I don't have any real expectations from the scene, but only from myself and what I have to offer. I hope to help the future of not only Chinese metal music, but all forms, weather is hip hop, r&b, pop, rock, classical, it all has something special to offer that I hope people here can start to understand and have a greater appreciation for. As people start to develop their musical tastes and themselves, there'll be more interpretations and understandings of not only music, but how everything ties in and effects one another. That's what I'm most excited about.

Azchael: How about records? Do you want to release one? If yes, when and who is doing it?

Brian: Hollow is in fact in the middle of recording a demo EP that will be independently released on our August tour across China. There is no specific date as of now, but it will be available as soon as possible. It'll be another one of Hollow's land marks.

We always wanted release something earlier, but I always felt at that time we weren't ready. I wanted to make sure that is we release anything; it focuses on quality at our strongest moment. I believe that's where we are now, we're all not only strong enough on an individual basis, but most importantly on a group basis.

As for a full record, yes I'm hoping one day we can get to a point where we're strong enough to release a concept album, something truly unique for the domestic scene. The ideal would be to have it released to the masses with good advertising and in good quality, from the music, cd case and booklet, advertising posters to the extra feature I would add in, a secret until I can release it.

Azchael: What do you think about www.rockinchina.com?

Brian: I love rockinchina.com, I remember it was still just a link from the Painkiller website, and now it's become its own monster.

In a way I'm proud of it too, because it was the first place where Hollow got attention and recognition. I would always show it off to my pals whenever I got the chance.

I hope in the future people from all over the world can recognize it, and see that China has a lot more to offer in music than just, F4. Nothing wrong with them, music is music, and they have some damn catchy stuff. BUT, when it comes to ass kicking, as test of your physical and mental aspects, metal is the way to go!

ROCK ON!!!

Thanks for having us RockInChina.com!!!

You'll always have the support of Hollow!

Azchael: Thanks for the interview.