由Sidick Lam進行採訪，Vivian Yeung翻譯為英文。
Interview conducted in Chinese by Sidick Lam. Translated into English by Vivian Yeung [English below]
Sammy@Kolor
Q：對於近年似乎有越來越多樂隊比賽有什麼看法？
A：我覺得這絕對是好事來的。記得以前就只有大琴行一年一兩個比賽，現在更多不同的單位都願意舉辦樂隊比賽，而且他們各有各的market，rock、metal、acoustic 為主的比賽都有，現在這樣的多元化其實都有賴學校和家長們，現在社會上對夾band的看法已經開發放不少，甚至乎變得正面，才促使樂隊在本地有更多的機會。
Q：那你們有沒有參加過什麼樂隊比賽？還記得第一次比賽時的感覺嗎？
A：第一次是和以前的樂隊”臨記”去參加Asian Beats，那時候不知怎樣的就拿了冠軍，還代表香港到泰國參賽。那時候band圈其實很小，基本上所有參賽樂隊大家都互相認識的，所以緊張也不會說有多緊張，反而是事後想起也不知道為什麼自己能勝出，也真夠奇怪的（哈哈哈！）。另外啊，以前比賽完贏了很多時候就算了，現在的好很多，有很多follow up，主辦之後會給更多機會，例如商演等。
Q：為什麼想到以協助樂隊錄音作獎品呢？
A：因為現在很多樂隊會覺得錄音是一件可怕而且很難的事，我希望透過自己的經驗可以幫幫他們，而且其實有時候他們缺的，只是一些合適的器材而已。（那麼有什麼最要留意的地方嗎？）最重要是和engineer的溝通，要找到一種自己喜歡的聲音。
Q：這次Gibson結他也是我們的獎品之一，又知道你是用Gibson的，為什麼會選用Gibson呢？
A：老實說，我自己也有很多不同牌子的結他，但Gibson一來是一個很Classic的品牌，要說最classic就必然是G字頭或F字頭那種（笑），兩種都有不同的性格，不過很感謝柏斯琴行在三年前與我們合作，給了我們一些Gibson結他，這都是我們小時候的一些夢想啊！說實在的它的音色也十分適合我們Kolor的歌曲的，所以都用到今日還在用。
Q：覺得香港現時的樂壇怎樣？
A：整個樂壇⋯⋯其實不錯啊。現在不像以前只能靠電視或傳媒「餵」聽眾，所有人都得聽一樣的，現在聽眾能自己找自己喜歡的，因此現在的聽眾可算是真實許多，是一件好事。（那麼有人說band近年好像在樂壇掘起，你又怎樣看？）其實 band根本就沒有停止過，不過可能近年多了媒體的報道，其實也不難理解為何越來越多人愛看band的，band在台上的演出的確是catchy的，是好看的，所以也是好事啊，不過未來還是最重要要靠傳媒讓人多留意樂隊界的事了。
Q：以前和現在夾band的分別？
A：現在我自己是夾少了（哈哈哈），還好我的工作還是與音樂有關的。說真的，以前沒那麼容易讓其他人看到自己的演出，以前沒有人會拍下來啊，現在夾band已經是一件很平常的事，甚至有家長會鼓勵子女去玩樂隊，加上多了很多網上教學，很多都很pro，而且現在台上的效果如燈光那些都好多了。
Q：夾band最困難的是？
A：人與人之間的磨合。真的找到有共同目標和方向的就要好好珍惜彼此的bounding。
Q：夾band為你帶來了什麼？
A：我如今的生活，包括我太太也是因為夾band而有的，所以我擁有的所有基本上都是band給我的。
Q：最難忘的演出？
A：每一場都十分難忘的！這也是表演的魔力所在，對著不同的觀眾唱著同一首歌也是有不同的感覺，因為每次的反應都會不一樣。
Q：對新進的樂隊們有什麼話要說嗎？
A：最重要ENJOY！不要把它當作比賽，因為夾band永遠都是一場又一場的battle，你永遠不知道台下有誰會看到你，又會為你帶來什麼。
Sammy@Kolor
Q: What do you think of the growing number of band competitions?
A: It’s definitely a good thing. In the past there were only a couple of competitions every year held by music stores, and now many different organizations are willing to hold these competitions. There are so many genres that these competitions now cater to – there’s rock, metal, acoustic, and it’s all because schools and parents have become more open-minded about bands. Society as a whole is viewing bands in a much more positive light, and that’s why local bands now have more opportunities than ever.
Q: Have you ever entered a band competition? How did you feel the first time you played in one?
A: The first time I entered was Asian Beats. We joined the competition with temporary members, but for some reason we won first prize and even represented Hong Kong in Thailand. Back then the band scene was tiny – virtually all the competing bands knew each other, so we weren’t really that nervous anyway. In fact we didn’t even know why we won, and we still don’t know, it’s so weird (laughs). In addition, back then when you won a competition that was all you get – you won. Now it’s much better, there’s so much follow up and the organizers give you so many valuable opportunities as a prize, e.g. actual shows.
Q: Why were you willing to offer recording time as a prize?
A: A lot of bands nowadays may think that recording is a frightening and difficult thing. I just hope to help them using my experiences and knowledge – in fact sometimes these bands lack only one thing, that is, the suitable equipment. (Is there anything bands should pay particular attention to?) The most important thing is to communicate with the engineer, and to find a sound that you like.
Q: Our prizes include a Gibson guitar, and you’re a fan of Gibson yourself. Why Gibson?
A : To be frank, I own a lot of different guitars, but Gibson is a very classic brand – the two classics are obviously the two brands that begin with “G”, or “F” (laughs). The two brands have different characteristics. We’re very grateful to Parsons music for collaborating with us three years ago and giving us some Gibson guitars. That’s been our dream since we were little! And their tone is very suited to Kolor’s songs, so that’s why we’re still using them today.
Q: What do you think of the local music scene today?
A: The scene is actually not bad. Things are different now, you can’t just rely on the television or media to spoonfeed audiences and make them listen to the same things. Now listeners can look for what they themselves like, so there are a lot more people who listen to music, and that’s a good thing. (Some say that bands are becoming popular only recently – what do you think?) Actually bands have always been here, but maybe it’s because more media outlets are paying attention to bands? It’s not that hard to understand why more and more people are listening to bands – bands are fun to watch on stage, but in the future the media will probably still be most important outlet for getting people to notice bands.
Q: What’s the difference between being in a band then and now?
A: I play with my band a lot less now (laughs), but luckily my career is still related to music. To be honest, it wasn’t as easy to get people to watch us back then, nobody took photos/videos back then. Now being in a band is just a regular thing for many people – you’ve even got parents encouraging their children to join a band, there are so many professional online tutorials, and stage effects like lighting are so much better now.
Q: What’s the most difficult thing about being in a band?
A: Being with other people. If you can really find people who have similar goals and views as you, you should really treasure your bond with each other.
Q: What has being in a band brought you?
A: Pretty much everything in my life today was because of my band – even my wife who I knew because of the band.
Q: Most unforgettable performance?
A: Every show is unforgettable! And that’s the magic of performing – you sing the same songs to difference audiences, but you still feel different every time because you won’t get the same reaction every time.
Q: Any advice for new bands?
A: Enjoy! Don’t see it as a competition, because playing in a band is pretty much battle after battle. You never know who’s down there watching you, and what they’ll bring you.
