Go underground and rock with some of Korea’s alternative bands

www.skunklabel.com
This site has a great introduction: “Welcome to the Skunk label site. It is not much to look at, but then neither are you.”
After that cheery hello, go to sections like history, pictures and MP3s. There are some great photos of Korea’s punk scene and a music-video link at the bottom of the page.
You can also listen to sample music by groups like RUX, 99Anger and Gum. Skunk members promote underground music with concerts at venues throughout the Hongik University area. English content is available.
www.crashzon.com
One of Korea’s top metal bands, Crash is famous for its double bass-drum beats and the vocals of Ahhn Heung-chan. You can even find a review of one of their albums, “Endless Supply of Pain,” on a British metal Web site, www.sonicdeath.co.uk.
The Sonic death critic’s verdict: “When you look back at some of the utter crap signed up by record companies in search of the next Metallica or Sepultura in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it seems incredible a band such as this could have been missed.”
Crash’s Web site includes a biography, discography and message board.

www.drugrecords.co.kr
Drug is one of the oldest alternative music clubs in the Hongik University area. The proprietors also run a music label, aptly named Drug Records. The Web site includes information on bands such as Pastel, 18Crux and Groove#. One of its more popular groups, Crying Nut, is on a hiatus while its members do their 26 months of army service.
There’s even a link to an online punk shop that sells a few punk-rock fashion essentials. Some of the content is available in English.

assignment27.wo.to
Call them Assignment 27, call them Mission No. 27, but whatever you do, do not call them soft rock. This trio specializes in “psychobilly,” a mixture of old-school rockabilly and punk. You can download songs and view some of the lyrics, including the words to the humorous “Girls Love Elvis.”

by Joe Yong-hee