Famed rockers Crying Nut are back in civilian clothes

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Famed rockers Crying Nut are back in civilian clothes

After a 26-month hitch in the military, the pioneering Korean underground rock band Crying Nut is making its comeback tomorrow night.
It’s convenient timing, since it’s also the band’s 10th anniversary. It was in 1995 that four childhood friends ―Park Yun-sik on vocal, Lee Sang-myeon on guitar, Han Gyeong-rok on bass, and Lee Sang-hyeok (Lee Sang-myeon’s twin brother) on drums ―debuted their explosive guitar riffs and searing vocals in a legendary, now-defunct little club in Hongdae called Drug. (They were later joined by a fifth member, keyboardist Kim In-su.)
They stayed true to their underground spirit, shunning TV appearances despite their growing popularity, and concentrating on live club shows. The strategy worked, and their shows had a lot to do with cementing Hongdae’s reputation as a mecca for underground bands.
Crying Nut produced four successful albums, including “Circus Magic Traveling Troupe” and “Old Radio,” which boasted witty lyrics and a variety of styles. But in 2002, the five of them startled their fans with the announcement that they were going into the army to fulfill their military service requirements.
Their fans were stricken. But reports had it that the band members didn’t mind army life. For one thing, they were able to serve together in an entertainment unit (though they didn’t perform as Crying Nut).
Now they’re civilians again, though with shorter hair than they used to have. All five of them have turned 30, but are ready to get back on stage.
Though the classic Crying Nut performance is in a small, crowded club, tomorrow night’s show will be at Olympic Hall in Olympic Park in Bangi-dong, southern Seoul, which seats more than 5,000 people. The band warns that they might be performing all night long, which should please their fans.
Some guest artists will also be on tomorrow’s bill, including the well-known underground Korean bands the Rock Tigers and the Cha Seung-u Band. Two bands from Japan, Battle of Ninjamans and the Rizlaz, will also perform.
The band intends to record a new album, though they haven’t said anything specific about the details. After tomorrow’s Seoul performance, Crying Nut will be touring Korea. They’ll be in Busan on March 5, Jeonju on March 13, Daejeon on March 19, Suwon on March 20 and Daegu on April 5.


by Chun Su-jin

Ticket prices are 44,000 won ($44) and 55,000 won. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. at Olympic Hall inside the Olympic Park in Bangi-dong, southern Seoul. The venue can be easily reached from Olympic Park station on subway line No. 5. For more information, call (02) 522-9933.
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