May Fest showcases largest indie artist event

The poster for the Haebangchon Festival

By John Redmond

Now in its eighth year, the Haebangchon Festival (HBC Fest) will welcome the foreign and Korean music communities to seven venues in the popular expat neighborhood on May 24 and 25.

Kicking off at 9 p.m. at selected clubs, restaurants and bars located in Haebangchon in Seoul, the HBC May Fest, two days of spring entertainment, will feature some 100 acts, including bands, solo performers and DJs.

Showcasing one of the largest indie artist events in Korea, the festival has grown over the past years to embrace an increasing wealth of local and international talent.

Always expanding, the festival is a local neighborhood initiative guided by Lance Reegan-Diehl, an internationally acclaimed musician who has been the central organizer since day one.

Under the banner of DEELEEBOB Music Productions he has organized and coordinated every version of the HBC Fest in cooperation with bar owners.

"With the pub owners of course. I have also associated RocKorea and Soft Industry with the festival because we handle the larger Indie rock concert festivals," Reegan-Diehl told The Korea Times.

"I'm a permanent resident with a music agency and a concert promoters license," he continued.

The musician stated that over the years, some have tried to claim it was their brainchild.

When it first started back in the summer of 2006, the festival pulled together around 20 bands in three bars, some of whom are still on the bill for this festival.

Now, after a few snags involving traffic and crowd control, the event looks set to become a staple of the local music scene.

All performers and spectators are asked to remain in designated venues especially in the evenings to control noise levels.

"As with previous events we're trying to keep people off the streets as we are trying to keep noise levels down," said Reegan-Diehl.

The listed venues are, Phillies Upstairs, Phillies downstairs, VFW Canteen, Orange Tree, Camarata Music Live House, FIX Pub and Bonnys Pizza Pub.

The May 24 lineup is Slippery Ginger, Pinkerton and Kimchi Cowboys at V.F.W Canteen. Phillies Upstairs will see Yvon Malenfant, Highway 9 and Craig n Kira. Phillies Basement will feature Randy Reno and The Pine Clones, My Man Mike, Chanters Alley, Certain Scary Ghost and Pentasonic. Slow Dress, Yuppie Killer, "Different Gravy" and The Underwater Chinese Amphetamines will play Orange Tree.

The bands performing on May 25 include Melissa Casamir, Jennifer Waescher, Johnny Red, John Valentine, Daniel Vaillancourt, Grey Watson and Dara O'Siochain at FIX Pub hosted by John Valentine. Phillies Upstairs, hosted by EARL features Xoana, Geoff Goodman, Backus, Nick Iacovino and Company, Shinae An Wheeler and Ear.

Bonny's Pizza Pub will see Michael Edward Flanigan, Maggie, Trevor Kelly, Mia Zepeda, A Couple of Cents Flat and Justin-Philmore Brown.

The Orange Tree, hosted by Yvon Malenfant sees the Bum Magnets, Missouri loves Company, Bad Apple, Missing Jane, Room 9, the Three Anguses (LRD), Language of Shapes, Dirty 30's, the Two Guitars and DJ FREE, nite train ride.

At Camarata, host Jennifer Waescher will introduce Kerey Smith Band, Black Moss, 3D Trees, Kite Flying Robot, The Tributations, Dongmyo Police Box, Grand Soul Central, Jeni Wai BAND, G.T. Arpe and Drunk and Disorderly.

John Wade will be the host at Phillies Basement, introducing Clamono, TORCH, Big Boned Rhythm, Magna Fall, The Quip, Killer Drones, Tampas Dusk, Sssssighborggggg and Honky and the Tonks. The VFW Canteen features Buzzard Luck, Billy Pilgram Show, Sinister, Used Cassettes, Les Sales, Band Minha and The Total Assholes

Most venues on May 25 will start at 5 p.m. onwards.

Live band stages will be equipped with a five piece drum kit (cymbals not so nice, bring your own), a bass amplifier (200 watt), two guitar amps (60 watt), two vocal microphones (a third available on request), a direct box line for acoustic guitars/keyboards and a stage monitor

Solo/acoustic stages will feature a vocal microphone (a second on request), a 300watt main speaker, an eight channel mixer and guitar cable.

The event is sponsored by Sound Drive Amplifiers, Swing Guitars, Olympia Strings and Straps, Graphtech Guitar Parts and DEELEEBOB Music Productions

For full band lineup, list of venues and directions, visit HBCFest.com or check out the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/hae.bangchon. A commemorative t-shirt will be on sale.

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