By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
British electronic group the Prodigy promises to drive the crowd crazy with their exciting performance at the electronic dance festival Global Gathering 2009 on Sept. 18 to 19 in Seoul.
``Expect a loud bunch of guys on stage playing some big tunes, jumping around and getting the crowd going mad,'' frontman Liam Howlett said in an e-mail interview with The Korea Times.
Fans have been eagerly waiting for the Prodigy to come to Korea for years, but have been disappointed twice after previous shows were cancelled.
Rest assured, it won't happen again, said Howlett.
``It was totally out of our control that those two shows were cancelled but nothing is going to stop us from getting there. I will swim if I have to," he said. "We can't wait to play for the Korean people.''
The Prodigy was formed in 1990 with Howlett, vocalist Keith Flint and MC Maxim Reality. They first gained a name for themselves in the underground rave scene, and topped the charts with albums ``Music for the Jilted Generation,'' and ``The Fat of the Land.'' Through the years, Howlett remained at the helm of the group, while other members changed.
The group's original lineup reunited last year to record a new album ― their first together since 1997.
``We had our problems with each other but we sorted them all out," Howlett said. "We were very excited to all get in the studio and make this record. No one could make us or tell us to do it. We just wanted to."
``Invaders Must Die'' was released this year, under their own label ``Take Me to the Hospital.'' Howlett said it was important for the band to remain independent and not sign to a major record label. ``We can be very creative, move quickly and have total control, '' he added.
While several electronic rock music bands have fallen by the wayside in recent years, the Prodigy has proven they can still top the charts. ``Invaders Must Die'' shot to number one of the British album charts when it was released last March.
``It has a lot to do with us playing live and connecting with the people," Howlett said. "We survive on the edge of the electronic scene. We aren't totally in it. We like to be looked at as a separate band and not connected to a scene, I think. Sometimes, it can limit what you do if you are in a certain scene."
It's been 17 years since the Prodigy released their first album. Howlett believes the Prodigy's ``abrasive, electronic, in-your-face'' music cannot be placed into any category. ``We stand for the party people around the world,'' he said.
While their music has expanded, the Prodigy remains basically the same.
``We are now a good live band. We weren't in the beginning," Howlett said. "The music has broadened out I think, but the same thoughts and ethics are there. We pride ourselves on the fact we don't have to change too much. We think it's still the same, the same inspiration, same thoughts, same excitement."
The Prodigy will perform hits such as ``Firestarter,'' ``Breathe'' and ``Omen,'' at the Global Gathering Korea 2009, and will be joined by acts Underworld, Crystal Method, Royskopp, as well as K-pop stars G-Dragon and 2NE1.
A one day ticket is 88,000 won, while the two-day pass is 143,000 won. Visit www.globalgathering.co.uk/kr. Tickets are available on Interpark (ticket.interpark.com or 1544-1555). For ticket reservations in English, send an e-mail to
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