ToNick

IMG_9890.JPG Live Review from True to This:
1. 跳制
2. 趕客
3. 撐
4. Go 4or it
5. 3ree

經過了兩個新進的演出單位後,第三隊出場的是為人熟悉的ToNick。

相信當晚有不少他們的樂迷到場,看場內有不少人穿著他們的演唱會t-shirt就知道了。蒲吧這場地對於他們一點都不陌生,更可算是他們的發跡地,因此與音控也頗有默契的,沒有在調音上花上太多時間。ToNick這晚以一首不常玩live的”跳制”作開始,頗適合當晚show的氣氛的,之後直接接”趕客”,把氣氛進推高,也聽得觀眾很過癮。接下來的”撐”是他們今年的新歌之一,一首蠻不ToNick的歌,但當中的隱喻想必聽過的大家都明白,亦有讓觀眾氣血起來的感覺。setlist上最後一首歌是”go 4or it”,但最後也encore了”3ree”,如主音恆仔所說的,唱完4也不妨來唱一下3吧,筆者一向覺得”3ree”是一首既溫暖亦有活力的歌,用來作結剛好。

總的來說,ToNick這種有經驗的樂隊的現場演出是必有保證的,氣氛好也毋容置疑,美中不足的只是恆仔的聲音明顯有點過勞,沒有發揮到最好。
– Sidick Lam

Fans clamoured around the backstage entrance as soon as local rockers ToNick arrived and began setting up. The home crowd grew fevered as the ebullient rockers took to the stage with a short set of witty and energetic pop punk songs.

Regularly compared to Blink 182, Fall Out Boy, Green Day and (local faves) Hard Pack, ToNick’s hook-laden sound and singalong, mostly Canto lyrics make for a fun show. Upbeat rhythms, jangling riffs and angst-laden lyrics give ‘跳制’ the flavour of such early noughties emo-rock as The Get Up Kids, while the acoustic-led ‘撐’ has the high school wistfulness of ‘What’s my Age Again.’

For most bands, it’d be a faux-pas to launch into a lengthy monologue between songs, but lead singer Hang Jai elicits cheers and laughter as he wonders openly about how to make HK’s future better, how their university tour allowed them to connect to students, and how The Underground’s Chris B is now the mother of two nine-year-olds as drummer Sun Hei celebrates becoming a first-time father.

Then it’s back to business. With a simple, shouty chorus, single ‘Go 4or It’ is a pop punk party-starter, blending dense verses with speedy guitarwork and undulating rhythms. “Ok bye,” Hang Jai teases, turning to walk off the stage. They may not be the last band on the bill, but the crowd isn’t about to let them leave without a encore.

‘3ree’ is ToNick’s parting shot; a classic rock ballad progressing from gentle intro to tightly-wound riffs and lyrics to inspire. Guitarist Siu Gwai’s fretwork shines brightest here, with shrieking, almost cheesy 80s solos. Pure, joyous, rock ‘n’ roll fun.

– El Jay


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Live Review from The Underground Festival @ Fanzone

1. 跳制
2. 趕客
3. 海膽生無
4. 我不能忘記你
5. 異相
6. 沖口而出
As the guys from ToNick started setting up, I heard someone say “the fan club is here”; and I looked up to see that it was indeed “here”. A really serious crowd had started to throng around the stage, and the expectant buzz had increased in intensity. The moment they began with their fun pop-rock, the pent-up energy was released, as the crowd cheered wildly. It wasn’t hard to see why; ToNick have an accessible, poppy-sound that uses really simple, nursery-rhyme-type melodies with catchy and fun hooks, which is always a recipe for popularity. They veered between sounding like Blink-182 and the girl who sang Hey Mickey (I realise that this sound is more popular nowadays in the Cantonese-speaking music community, but I’ll admit that I don’t have the right references for that, so I’ll leave that side of things alone). 海膽生無 saw the singer singing nonsense syllables and having the audience singing along, something like a rock-singing Cab Calloway, which was fun. In general, while they are poppy and I found them somewhat unmemorable in terms of pure sound (there are few interesting or unusual uses of instruments, or vocals), they did have some nice-sounding textures and undulating hooks. Most of all, they were really fun to watch, and I didn’t even understand most of what they said. In the end, if you’re a funny band that, for instance, writes an entire song about “a porn site” (我不能忘記你, for anyone that’s interested) while also being competent musicians, you’ll charm people into liking you (even me, apparently). They played a fun set that gave everyone a good time, and I think we can all agree that that’s a pretty good thing.
— Shashwati Kala

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U98_171.JPGLive Review from Underground 98:

Tonick ended the night with a great set, great humour, and great music. When I approached their drummer about their set list, he simply told me they did not have one. They are such a carefree and energetic group and that makes them incredibly fun to watch. Their first song entitled “What A Sunny Day” set the mood for the rest of their set. They got the crowd involved by getting them to clap and wave their arms back and forth. Their music automatically sets you in a good mood with their catchy melody’s and guitar riffs (”happy music” as I like to call it). They reminded me of Good Charlotte and Blink 182. Their fourth song was the one that stood out to me the most as they went from punk to a reggae beat.

Most of their set was in Cantonese, and although I wasn’t able to understand 90% of what they were saying, I found myself laughing and bobbing my head to their music along with the crowd. Between songs they would briefly explain the theme of their songs, and they seemed to be talking about very relatable issues like relationships and smoking in bars. They have such great stage presence that the language barrier wasn’t even an issue. ToNick was a great end to a great night.
Kyra Santiago
tonick.jpg

Live Review from Underground 36:

This tight 4 piece smelled like Green Day, but sounded more like local favorites Hard Pack. Really it was just straight ahead punk rock with Cantonese lyrics. The band enthusiastically interacted with the crowd and were quite at ease on stage. I would have to say they were a “happy” punk band, not of the “angry” variety.
Tony

I’ve fallen in love again! Ar Hang on vocals and guitar deserves to have me for his girlfriend. I love the jokes they told but most importantly I love how the songs are so professional with interesting subjects. Sun Hei on drums is cute too and a great drummer, maybe I can be his girlfriend? If Ar Hang and Sun Hei already have girlfriends then maybe Siu Gwai (who is so great on the guitar solo) will like me? But I also like Ryan. I love ToNick!
Daisy

Quote from ToNick: WE FALL IN LOVE WITH UNDERGROUNDHK ( just like daisy fall in love with ar hang)

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