State/Fuzz

--By Shanzi Chen Translated by Sho Huang

MaPi live music performance

101, ZhongShan Road, Sec. 2, B1, Banqiao City, Taipei County; (02) 2700-5411
Hours: 24 hours/day (except when there is no class or practice)
Fuzz Performing Schedule: After 9 pm Fri/Sat (sometimes Sun.)
Tickets for live music nights: NT$250 (includes drink)
www.statethemusic.com.tw

The area around ZhongShan and MingSheng roads in Banqiao City resembles a local version of Wall Street with plenty of banks and stock brokerages. So you can imagine how surprised I was to find a music studio/school/bar there, situated in a basement with cool, hip-hop decor.

The basement, with a 100 pings or so, is divided into "State" and "Fuzz", which provide slightly different services. State offers rooms for rock and roll classes, band practices, recordings and anything relating to music. In the meantime, Fuzz is equipped with a decent-sized stage and professional stereo system and lighting for band performances, making it an ideal set-up for rock groups to practice and perform.
Born in 1980s, the owner of this place, Wae Chen, has a strong interest, commitment and background in training great musicians. According to him, a good musician should possess excellent instrumental skills and a profound knowledge of music, as well as imagination and passion. Once a band is formed, cultivating an understanding of operating lights, sound systems, costume design and anything relating to stage performances should be enhanced to present a flawless show, just like the movie "School of Rock" humorously demonstrates.

When deciding to rent the 100-ping space, Mr. Chen had a vision of setting up a stage and Fuzz is the brainchild of his devotion to music. Bands with or without experience all can perform here as a result, and there is no specific schedule for certain bands there. What's more, the atmosphere here tends to be more experimental and "underground". While visiting, it was a pleasure for me to watch the band Mapi's original performance.

Live music is usually arranged here on weekends after 9 p.m. If you're insterested in specific bands' performances, call for more information. In the future, plays and other theater performances may also be held here. With such a broad mandate, Fuzz is an ideal venue for budding artists to come and express themselves.