Groups Starsailor, Ellegarden to Headline Rock Concert in Seoul
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
British indie rock group Starsailor will headline the 11th Bud Rock Concert in Seoul on Nov. 17. Korean rocker Lee Seung-hwan, Japanese bands Ellegarden and Rize, and local bands Supercard and Dr. Core 911 will also hit the stage at the Olympic Hall, Olympic Park.
The 11th Bud Rock Concert promises more than five hours of electrifying rock and punk performances from international and local rock groups. The rock festival started ten years ago in Hongdae, and has now evolved into a bigger event with an international line-up of rock groups.
Starsailor, an indie rock band from Chorley, England, has scored hit albums in the United Kingdom, such as ``Love is Here,'' and ``Silence is Easy.'' Their third album ``On the Outside'' received critical acclaim, but failed to generate high sales. Formed in 2001, the group is composed of Ben Byrne, James Stelfox, James Walsh and Barry Westhead.
Starsailor is best known for hit songs such as ``Alcoholic,'' ``Four to the Floor,'' ``This Time'' and ``In the Crossfire.'' The band is currently recording their fourth album, which will be released next year.
Ellegarden, a popular Japanese pop-punk group, just held their first solo concert in Seoul last Oct. 7. Often compared to American groups such as Sum 41 and Good Charlotte,
Ellegarden gained fans for the upbeat punk songs with English and Japanese lyrics. Its members include drummer Hirotaka Takahashi, vocalist Takeshi Hosomi, guitarist Shinichi Ubakata, and bassist Yuichi Takada.
Hit albums include ``Don't Trust Anyone But Us,'' ``Riot on the Grill'' and ``Eleven Fire Crackers.'' Ellegarden released a compilation album Figureheads Compilation'' last July 31. The band has performed in several summer music festivals in Japan such as Fuji Rock and Summer Sonic over the past few years.
Rize is another Japanese rock band that will be performing at the concert. The band, composed of MC Jesse, drummer Kaneko Nobuaki, guitarist Nakao Yoshihiro and bassist Kenken, is known for combining metal, rap and reggae music. Rize performed at the Live Earth concert in Tokyo last July.
Lee Seung-hwan, one of Korea's most popular rock stars, is known for his exciting performances. Last year, he released his ninth album ``Hwantastic,'' which included songs like ``How Can Love Be Like That'' and ``Moonlight Girl.''
Korean indie rock groups Supercard and Dr. Core 911 are gaining popularity for their fresh new sound.
The concert starts at 5 p.m. at the Olympic Hall, Olympic Park in southern Seoul. Tickets are 22,000. For Korean information, visit ticket.interpark.com (No English available).