Taiwan punk band set to tear up Seoul, Daejeon

Taiwanese punk band Youth Tear Bomb / Courtesy of Youth Tear Bomb

By Jon Dunbar

• Published Jun 16, 2025 10:00 AM KST
• Updated Jun 16, 2025 2:06 PM KST

Taiwanese punk band Youth Tear Bomb is coming to Korea for two shows in Seoul and Daejeon this weekend.

"Toward the end of last year, we started writing new material, and I suggested to the band that we tour Korea — not just to perform at local live houses, but also to spend time together like a band trip, since we rarely get that outside of rehearsals and shows," said Leo Chen, the band's vocalist and guitarist.

The tour is the result of the band's friendship with Smoking Goose, a Daejeon-based melodic punk band that has toured Taiwan several times.

"We’ve known Smoking Goose for around eight years and have often helped them arrange shows in Taiwan," Leo said. "Thanks to their support, we got the opportunity to do our first-ever international tour."

Though he hasn't toured overseas, Leo said he's been to Korea three times so far.

"I’ve seen quite a few live house shows there," he said. "The independent music culture in Korea is really fascinating and left a strong impression on me. And of course — the food! It’s one of the things our band is most excited about. Honestly, the Korean food you get in Taiwan just doesn’t compare to what you have in Korea. Every time I return home, I miss it like crazy."

Youth Tear Bomb's influences are a mix of Western and Japanese punk rock. "Maybe because we’re a bit older, our approach tends to be more restrained and blended rather than aggressive," he said. "One thing we all have in common is our love for Y2K-era punk, so that vibe naturally seeps into our songs."

Many of their songs are inspired by the country's historical landmarks and cultural heritage. This includes songs like "Wind God Temple" and "Sea God Temple."

"I live in Tainan, which is rich in historical landmarks and cultural heritage," Leo explained. "While many young people or tourists might pass by these places without much thought, we wanted to dive deeper into the hidden stories behind them and retell them through music. This gives our songs a unique cultural angle. Aside from expressing personal emotions or everyday life, we often visit temples and talk with locals to get inspiration, creating songs that reflect Taiwan’s historical and cultural identity."

The members of the band came together at a younger time in their lives when they were all playing in other bands. This is what inspired the band's name.

"Back then, each of us had our own separate bands, but due to changes in lineups, we eventually regrouped and formed this band," said Leo, who is now in his early 40s. "We want to take what’s left of our time and channel the experiences of our youth, along with everything we’re living through now, into explosive creative energy — like a tear bomb, releasing intense emotions that hit hard."

The band originally had the name Zebra Man when it formed around 2012, but rebranded to Youth Tear Bomb in 2019.

Leo has been working hard for his local scene for years. He founded Holiday Punk Party in 2012, a nonprofit supporting local and overseas touring punk bands by organizing shows in Taiwan — "something I continue to do to keep the scene alive," he said.

Youth Tear Bomb will be in Daejeon's Greenbean Budgie Live House on Friday for a show with Smoking Goose, as well as Seoul band WinningShot, Gwangju band TwoFive and Busan band My Golden Age. Tickets cost 25,000 won in advance or 35,000 won at the door.

On Saturday, the band will play at Club Victim in Seoul, with Smoking Goose, Full Garage, Overhead, Archplot and Bearfoot in the Garden. Tickets cost 30,000 won.

Visit youthtearbomb.mystrikingly.com for more information about the band.