--By ciacia Translated by Sho Huang Photos by ciacia

I discovered Bearbabes at the Gong Liao Ocean Music Festival two years ago, when they placed in the top 10 finalists. After six years together, they've finally released their first CD, [03:53], which features 15 songs elaborating on the band members' life experiences. This two-disk album also includes a remix of a single by Ah Kai, who was active in the band scene in 1976.

Bearbabes care a lot about atmosphere and aren't afraid to try new things. For each performance, their original works are re-interpreted in new ways. For example, acoustic or jazz stylings might be adopted while presenting the pieces. All four members are--or were--students at Hsinchu's Chiaotung University and had played in cover bands. Cookie, the lead vocals, is influenced by Alanis Morissette and 4 Non Blondes. The guitarist, Hide, is more into '80s hard rock. Traces of Guns'N'Roses, Metallica and Deep Purple can be detected through drummer Aki, and Foo used to play Bon Jovi cover songs. With these backgrounds, it's not hard to understand where Bearbabes gets its style.
Though Bearbabes made the Final 10 list at the Ocean Music Festival a couple years ago, they weren't chosen to join the "Sing at the Open Stage" performance. The next year, the band applied to present a show at the Ocean Music Festival but met with disappointment. That experience led them to found Magic Lane Studio. The "Surround the City Music Festival", sponsored by the studio and held at 44 South Village in Xinyi district, was a great success. Though only five bands attended, the results were encouraging and the influence profound--all adding to Bearbabes' magic power.

Despite the fact that original music hasn't been well accepted by the local music industry, Bearbabes continues to devote itself to the principle of music over image, with a dedication that keeps this scene alive. Way to go, Bearbabes!
ciacia, currently the Rock DJ on Hit FM 91.7, has several albums to her credit including last year's EP ? (me) available island-wide at Eslite Bookstores (????). Visit ciacia at www.ciacia.com

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
Cookie: Placebo "Black Market Music"
Hide: Wilco "Kicking Television: Live In Chicago"
Aki: Stereophonics "Just Enough Education To Perform"
Foo: Smashing Pumpkins "Siamese Dream"
All: (Taiwanese Band) "Peppermint"