SKO

From Rock in China Wiki

SKO as of 2006

Background Information
Name (English)	SKO
Origin	Beijing
Genre	Melodic Punk
Years active	2003 - present
Members
Guitar & Vocals: Billy Guitar: Zhao Lijie Bass: Hao Mengyu Drums: Zhang Weixun
Former members
Guitar: Sui Guanglei

History

Beijing melodic punk band SKO was formed in 2003 in Beijing, China. They have been playing fast, powerful, and fun punk rock such as Green Day, Blink-182, Good Charlotte, New Found Glory, Bowling For Soup, Allister. In October 2004, they won the BEST BAND in the BATTLE OF THE BANDS hosted by well-known soft drink brand "KANG SHIFU" (Master Kang). In September 2005, they shared the stage with Ian Brown (ex-the Stone Roses), Common (American Hip-hop legend) and other famous artists in Beijing annual international rock event Beijing Pop Festival 2005.

After playing many shows in Beijing and other cities, SKO is having more chances to feature in several huge music festivals. In May 2006, they played in Beijing Pop Festival 2006 with some pop stars in Chaoyang Park Beijing, before about 15,000 audience. In October 2006, they were on the line-up in Beijing Beer Rock Festival and shared the stage with Chinese rock idols like Zheng Jun, Xu Wei and other great bands. In December 2006, SKO got sponsored by international instrument brand GIBSON. They also played as the 2 only guest bands in "INTERNATIONAL RED BULL SNOWBORAD OPEN" in Nanshan Beijing in January 2007.

In April, SKO played as supporting act for punk legend NOFX Asia tour in Beijing. After many media explosion and shows, SKO starts to get international focus. In June, SKO released single "THE DAY YOU RAN AWAY" in "PUNK ROCK SOUNDTRACKS VOL. 5". This compilation is released in Japan by famous indie label KICK ROCK MUSIC. In Semtember, SKO played at "Beijing Pop Festival 2007" and shared stage with NINE INCH NAILS, PUBLIC ENEMY, MARKY RAMONE, NEW YORK DOLLS, BRETT ANDERSON and more. It's their first time playing before 20,000 people. On October 12th, SKO released their 1st DEMO ALBUM "DIY"(10 songs)and played ONE-MAN gig in Beijing, 300 tickets sold on the release party. From October and November, SKO played their first China tour including 22 cities all over China. In October 2007, their song You Always Will Be Mine appeared in the X-Music Magazine no. 351.

In January 2008, SKO played for "INTERNATIONAL RED BULL SNOWBORAD OPEN 2008" in Nanshan Beijing. In April, SKO toured with UK pop punk band 3 STOREYS HIGH in China.

-- from their MySpace page

On January 11th, 2009, their song 清 was included in the compilation King-Size China 2nd Anniversary (VA).