Pandemic punks play loud in Mullae-dong

Polluter's first show at GBN Live House in Mullae-dong, Aug. 15. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

By Jon Dunbar

GBN Live House is hoping to continue its live schedule with a hardcore punk show this weekend, featuring a couple of interesting new names.

This will be the third show for Polluter, a hardcore band made up of several veterans of Korea's punk scene, with the addition of "A" on drums, a Canadian who arrived here earlier this year after living and playing in Beijing.

It'll also be the debut of ADxHD, a duo reuniting A with a former bandmate from his days in China. A and Oliver met at a Halloween show in Beijing in 2015. After that, they formed the hardcore/powerviolence band Struggle Session.

"Struggle Session, we both agree, is one of the bands that has defined who we are as people, who we are as musicians, and has really helped us to shape our visions of how we want to move forward in music and personally," the two said in a co-written statement to The Korea Times.

Together with two other members, they put out six releases, played around 200 shows and played 18 countries, including Korea twice.

During a tour of Mexico, they had another unique Korea encounter when their tour intersected with K-pop idol group Monsta X.

"When in Mexico City… the hotel that we were supposed to stay at had actually been double booked by screaming K-pop fans because Monsta X was playing across the street," they said. "After being tired, hungry, needing sleep and being rejected, a certain disdain for Monsta X grew."

Oliver of ADxHD leaps on stage in Seoul's GBN Live House while touring here with his Beijing-based hardcore band Struggle Session on May 5, 2018. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck early this year, A was on vacation in Vietnam. He couldn't return home to China due to travel restrictions, so he settled in Korea where he could continue working.

"What really made me decide to settle here was the ability to continue the work that I am passionate about, and our existing connections to the music scene through Struggle Session," he said. "As Struggle Session had toured in Korea before, we knew a lot of amazing people in the punk scene and great bands here. Because of that active connection to the scene and the potential to maybe start something new in a time of international uncertainty, Korea was the absolute best place to be."

Oliver came over this fall, having left China for completely different reasons. "One day I might publish a memoir about it," he said. "For now, I will say political reasons. You can read about it in the NY times ― just search Uyghur."

Rather than go back to the U.S., Oliver also chose Korea. "Korea has handled the pandemic really well and the U.S. is in a state of depression," he said. "I was seeking out punk friends in a vibrant scene with good energy. I'm happy with the choice."

"Seoul is just such a vibrant city with so much going on," A added. "Also, the positive nationwide intervention to COVID-19 make it one of the safest places in the world and one with life closest to normalcy. I am grateful that I have the life circumstances that allowed me to come here and stay here, and I recognize that privilege over many that are in extremely challenging situations."

A hit the ground running, talking to local scene friends about starting a new Korea-based project right when he moved here, which became Polluter. The five-member group includes foreigners and Koreans, fronted by Song-yi, also lead singer of the ska-punk band TalkBats.

According to A, Song-yi overheard him talking about starting Polluter, and asked if she could try out as lead singer. Unsure if such a "talented clean vocalist" could scream hardcore lyrics, they let her audition, and after two bottles of soju and two hours jamming, they were "pleasantly surprised" and accepted her into the band.

"Not only is she great at what she does, but she takes herself seriously, writes fantastic lyrics that oftentimes take a great feminist perspective and speak up for women's rights in the Korean context, and she always shows up ready to deliver" A said. "We are so grateful to share her with the Talkbats."

Oliver, right, meets the notorious Makgeolli Man in Hapjeong-dong, western Seoul, Oct. 18. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

After Oliver arrived, he and A were quick to set up a new project between the two of them to make the most of whatever time they have together in the same country again. "We are continuing in the spirit of Struggle Session and tailoring to our individual influences as two friends," they said. "Too many bands take themselves way too seriously when really music needs to be about pushing the envelope and having a good time. So, the music that you'll hear from ADxHD is simple, fast, loud, hard, and fun."

They cited their influencing genres including garage, hardcore, punk, D-beat, powerviolence, crust, blackened hardcore and grindcore, "sometimes in the same song."

The band has been described as "whatever violence" by Lee Yuying, owner of GBN and member of goregrind band Little Puppy Princess which is also set to play this Saturday.

The show this Saturday features Polluter, ADxHD, Talkbats, Little Puppy Princess and Korose.

Only 50 tickets are available to reduce the threat of COVID-19 infection. Attendees will have their temperature checked at the door, and must wear masks while inside.

Visit the Facebook event page for more information or to sign up, or go to Instagram to follow Polluter or ADxHD.