A CD Release in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and the USA, Gigs with Asian rock legends like Shonen Knife and Beyond - Ladybug are definitely the most notorious (ex-)grrrl rock band from Taiwan. On the occasion of the band’s 10th anniversary Ladybug’s leadsinger Mei gave us an exclusive interview.
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| Georg: |
How did you grow up? How did you get the band started? |
| Mei: |
How I grew up?…..mmm…..I was born in 1976 on May 10th… in Taipei….. mmm…. I grew up happily with my family.. haha… when I was 15, I’ve started listening to rock music, and also, I met these rockers, like the bassist Xaio bao and guitarist Showy at that time, and when I was 16… I joined a girls band called quot;Puker”, I was the bassist. 1 year later, the drummer and guitarist left, and Xaio Bao came in to play bass, and I played guitar.. and….when I was 18, Puker was over.. and….me and Xaio Bao still wanted to keep playing in a band, so we found Ellie the drummer, we still called ourselves Puker, and then we found Wanting the guitarist, we decided to change the name, and Ladybug was born on 14.07.1995…..and palapalapala………. I really don’t know what to say >.< |
| Georg: |
Did your friends and family support you? |
| Mei: |
Yes!! As for other band players.. I don’t know if their friends or family support them or not. |
| Georg: |
Can you remember your first gig? |
| Mei: |
I don’t remember which gig was our first one…..sorry.. |
| Georg: |
During the years some of the bandmembers were replaced. Can you tell us why? |
| Mei: |
The ex-guitarist Wanting had different thoughts of composing music, and we were kind of lazy 3 years ago. At that time, Wanting got lots of thoughts about music and we were not good supporters to her. So the biggest reason was music, but I think it’s great now. Wanting has been doing great on her music, it’s great ! Everyone has been doing great music!! Our ex-drummer Ellie went to Australia!! She decided to stay in Australia for a couple years, so that’s why she left. If I get married.. I may leave band??!! I don’t know. Whatever happens, it’s a good time in my life ! |
| Georg: |
How did your musical style change since your starting days? |
| Mei: |
We always change…….. it’s great to me to try different kinds of music. I wonder if we can make Jazz or classical music someday …..??? |
| Georg: |
What are your best and worst memories with Ladybug? |
| Mei: |
We have a lot of good memories, but it’s hard to say in words. I think I just want to say “Thank you” to the band players who had and have a great time with me. Of course we also have some bad memories, but it’s a secret to me!!!! Haha.. sorry …. |
| Georg: |
Do you have any special bands that have influenced you? |
| Mei: |
Yeah~~Manu Chao!!!!! And recertly, I like Jean-marc Zelwer very much! Also our band players have influenced me a lot! The guitarist Showy has influenced me, I’ve learned lots from him! He is a great musician. |
| Georg: |
What is the most exciting thing for you when you perform life on stage? |
| Mei: |
Having a great sound and great mood! |
| Georg: |
What was your worst gig ever? |
| Mei: |
We had a couple of pretty bad shows when we were on tour in U.S.A., but it’s kind of funny to talk about that now… so worst gig?!… no!! |
| Georg: |
What are Ladybug’s future plans? |
| Mei: |
Make music. |
| Georg: |
Any chance we’re going to see you here in Europe? |
| Mei: |
Can we have that chance?! I really hope! |
| Georg: |
What comes first to your mind when you read the following words:
Friends |
| Mei: |
A boy I like……. hahaha |
| Georg: |
Family |
| Mei: |
My mom |
| Georg: |
Idols |
| Mei: |
Myself.. haha |
| Georg: |
Values |
| Mei: |
No thoughts now |
| Georg: |
Sex |
| Mei: |
Yeah!! I want to get laid by him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Georg: |
Politics |
| Mei: |
It’s so weird when I think about that our president used to jack off……….(what am I talking about??) |
| Georg: |
Death |
| Mei: |
Make me stronger!! |
| Georg: |
Religion |
| Mei: |
My past family members |
| Georg: |
Money |
| Mei: |
I need more money to go to Japan next month!! |
| Georg: |
Alcohol |
| Mei: |
I don’t like |
| Georg: |
Mei, besides Ladybug you are doing some projects on your own? |
| Mei: |
Not so much ’cause I still go to school now (major in Arts), so now, there is not so much time for me to do other projects. Here is my personal web, you can check what I’ve done. I just finished a stage performance.
http://www.ladybug-tw.net/mei/mei.html |
| Georg: |
Thank you for the interview |
| Mei: |
You’re welcome. My English is not so good, sorry about that! |
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