King Ly Chee

From Rock in China Wiki

King Ly Chee in 2010/2011

Background Information
Name (English)	King Ly Chee
Name (Chn.)	荔枝王 / li zhi wang
Origin	Hongkong
Genre	Hardcore Metal
Years active	1999
Members
Riz - vocals Egas - drums Kent - guitar Brian – guitar Joe - Bass
Former members
G - vocals, Pong - bass, Man – drums, Ian Cruz - bass, Stephane Wong - drums, Alex - bass (now Die In Velvet), Kevin - drums, Ho - guitar, Ian Yen - vocals (Die In Velvet)

Participant of the Midi Music Festival 2010

History

King Ly Chee was formed in May of 1999 fueled by the fire and passion of a form of music called hardcore. In 1999, the music climate of Hong Kong was an unhealthy world of cover bands passing themselves off as “hardcore” or “metal” while belting out tunes by Limp Bizkit. The founder of King Ly Chee, Riz, had enough and one day, he decided that it was time that someone set the record straight on what “hardcore” truly implies even though he didn't, and still doesn't, consider himself any sort of know-it-all of hardcore. He set off on the mammoth task by releasing a bilingual zine called Start From Scratch that included interviews, essays and CD reviews of world-renown punk, metal and hardcore bands. As the wheels were turning for Start From Scratch, Riz sat back and realized that words were not enough, kids in Hong Kong needed to hear, feel and see “hardcore” in action to fully absorb the impact. King Ly Chee was the result. This band has tirelessly continued down this mission for over 9 years now accomplishing feats that no other heavy/aggressive band from this city has ever succeeded in doing. Through their sheer determination and passion for hardcore, they have taken their sounds, energy and hearts to surrounding Asian countries, and Europe, helping establish the name “King Ly Chee” as a truly Asian band. Its time for them to see what else is out there …to see what they have to offer the world.

As of August 2006, King Ly Chee has started up Hong Kong’s very own independent record label called Start From Scratch Records to help nurture and announce to the world Hong Kong’s other homegrown talent. The label has signed 3 bands (including King Ly Chee) and further information can be found on: www.startfromscratchrecords.com.hk

In China, they're signed to HotPot Music.

In January 2008 they released their highly anticipated 6-song EP aptly titled Unite Asia. This was released via China’s biggest metal magazine Painkiller. King Ly Chee’s presence in Asia is reinforced with the entourage of Asian labels have jumped on board to help promote this release throughout their own countries. Participating labels are: Dyslexia Records (Malaysia), Fast Youth Records (Indonesia), One Voice Records (Singapore), Take 4 Collective (Philippines), Townhall Records (South Korea), Sound Pollution (Sweden), Leek Records (Taiwan), Start From Scratch Records (Hong Kong).

King Ly Chee toured China twice. First tour was in November 2000 when they played 6 shows over 9 days in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Beijing. In 2009, they organized the CNHC China Tour 2009. They played Shenzhen, Zuhai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Changsha, Wuhan, Chongqing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian and Beijing.

King Ly Chee is recording their first album since 2003 entitled Time Will Prove. It will consist of an entirely English album, CNHC Tour DVD documentary and a entirely Chinese version of the album.

In February 2012, KLC got interviewed by music website AWEH. Asked on who did the artwork for their new CD Time Will Prove, they responded:

Our South African homie Rich from Star Crossed Tattoos in Hong Kong! This dude is an incredible tattoo artist but is also a great artist with other tools…and this painting that he did for our album is prime example of this dude’s natural gift! It was essential for us to work with someone that understands hardcore for our artwork and we were lucky to be given Rich’s time! THANKS HOMIE!^[1]

Participated Festivals

Modern Sky Festival 2007 - October 2007	2010 Chengdu Forever Young Music Festival, December 31, 2009 - Jan 1, 2010	Midi Music Festival 2010, May 1st-4th 2010	2010 Strait Rock Festival, Xiamen, June 14-16, 2010
11th Pusan International Rock Festival 2010, Aug 6-8, 2010	Singapore Baybeats Festival 2010, Aug 20-22, 2010	First Nanjing (International) Music Festival 2010, Oct 23-24, 2010	2011 Chengdu Forever Young Music Festival, December 31, 2010 - Jan 2, 2011

Discography

In October 2000, in DIY punk/hardcore fashion, they released their first, aptly titled, record We Are Who We Are. In August 2002, big things happened when they were approached by Paul Wong, the legendary guitarist/vocalist of Hong Kong’s biggest band Beyond. Paul Wong signed King Ly Chee on to his brand new independent label called Polar Bear Production and helped release King Ly Chee’s infamous second album, Stand Strong, in 2003. The album reached #11 on the HMV music charts something that is absolutely unheard of in Hong Kong for even pop-rock bands much less a hardcore band. Shortly after the release of the album, King Ly Chee filmed a CD release show for a LIVE DVD entitled Stand Strong Live 2003. Though the sound quality does not do the band justice, the energy caught on film that the band injects into the audience is documented very profoundly on this short disc. In January of 2006, King Ly Chee independently released a split CD called Under One Flag with an Eastern European band called Good Reason. The disc has been an attempt to bridge two communities connected by hardcore/punk rock. Shortly after releasing the CD, King Ly Chee took the music out to Eastern Europe on a 10-day tour around countries such as Slovakia, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria. This CD is also currently being distributed in the USA under Shnarler Records.

January 2008 King Ly Chee released a 6 song EP entitled Unite Asia through China’s largest metal magazine: Painkiller Magazine. Free Download on: kinglychee.painkillermag.com (offline now)

In 2009, they released a compilation album "10 years of King Ly Chee" which features new and old songs and also some songs in both Chinese and English version. This seems to be the trend as they appear to be recorded newer songs in both language.

In 2012, King Ly Chee released their first full studio album since 2003, "Time Will Prove". They did their first radio interview in 10 years with Radiodada's indie music program "Underground Battlefield". The album was released with an English CD and a Chinese CD for the same songs, and the band would embark on a China tour to launch the album.