Superheroes of Korean Rock

Showcasing three of Korea’s top Indie Rock bands: DEAD BUTTONS, PATIENTS, 57 OH CHILL & LAYBRICKS who will all be featuring on the ‘Korea Rocks’ stage at LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY Festival (28^th – 30^th May). This show will give you a real insight into the vibrancy of the Korean indie music scene and musical talent that South Korea is producing. This is reflected in Korea’s young indie artists being invited to play showcase festivals Worldwide.

DEAD BUTTONS (Headline)

Dead Buttons are a Seoul-based rock ‘n’ roll duo comprised of Korean guitarist/vocalist Jihyun Hong and Paraguayan/Korean drummer/vocalist Kanghee Lee. A veteran of Korea’s indie scene, Hong previously played guitar for the Seoul hardcore band Combative Post as well as punk bands Sweet Guerillaz and Oi! Resolute, along with the psych- and pop-tinged garage rock act The Infamous Orchestra. He met Lee after Lee had finished his mandatory military service and the two decided to make Dead Buttons. 

In May 2014, Dead Buttons performed several gigs in the UK in support of ‘Whoever You Are’, including a stop at the Liverpool Sound City music festival. Continuing their foray into international touring, they were invited to play on the main stage of the groundbreaking V-ROX festival in Vladivostok, Russia, in August 2014, along with several prominent Korean bands such as Idiotape and Galaxy Express. In October of the same year, they were not only one of the highlight acts of that year’s Zandari Festa, but also one of only five finalists chosen to play at the Mandoo Entertainment Showcase, with a view to taking part in the SXSW festival in Texas. 2014 proved to be a very successful year for Dead Buttons, as, after winning the EBS “Hello Rookie” award for July, they were also nominated for the “Rookie of the Year” under the same title, in November.

https://www.facebook.com/Deadbuttons

PATIENTS

Korean punk band Patients formed in Seoul in 2005. Originally a quartet, the group emerged as one of the leaders of the mid-noughties local underground punk scene with the release of their debut EP of fiery anthems, 2006’s “Hanging Revolution.” The act scaled back to a trio in 2007 with bassist Sumin Jo assuming vocal duties shortly before recording their second EP. Whilst supporting “All the Patients Let's Go”, the band played their first international gig as part of the 2008 Japan/Korea Oi! Punk Festival in Japan.

In May 2014 Patients embarked on a UK tour that included an appearance at Liverpool Sound City and shows in several other cities. And in September 2014, they travelled to Taiwan for a number of dates including a gig at Beastie Rock Festival.

In January 2016, Soowon Choi joined Patients as the group’s new drummer. This spring, Patients plan to do another UK tour. Called “one of Seoul’s hardest-working indie trios” by 10 Magazine, look for the group to also keep busy performing throughout Korea and presenting gigs at the Seoul live spaces they own and operate, Club Steel Face and Steel Face Rooftop 3639.

https://www.facebook.com/patientspunk

57 OH CHILL

57 is a two-piece rock band from South Korea, featuring male guitarist Junhong Yun and female drummer Sur Kim. Originally formed in 2012, 57 began in their hometown of Jeonju as a 3-piece named Rainbow Stage. After losing one of their members, Junhong and Sur decided to continue on their own under the new name 57. In 2014, the band moved to Seoul, the capital of South Korea, and released their first album, the self-recording EP "57."

Heavily influenced by alternative, garage, and punk rock bands, the "57" EP captured the sound fans have grown accustomed to at their electrifying live performances. Most recently, 57 won first place at KT&G Band Discovery 2015 and receive the Special Jury Prize of Hello Rookies 2015, two of South Korea's most prominent band audition competitions.

https://www.facebook.com/duo57

LAYBRICKS

LAYBRICKS is an indie rock band based in Seoul, South Korea Consisting of vocalist & guitarist Kwangmin Seo and drummer Hyejin Yu. They have promoted British style music inspired by alternative rock.

In November 2015, they released their first EP which became a hit among fans, labels, and music festival organizing companies.

Nowadays, They have a pretty good reputation for being a band with great performances, good at interacting with audiences, and a band being talented enough for the global market.

 https://www.facebook.com/laybricks