Rocker to brew up some folk

It's been over 11 years since Chen Ming-zhang (陳明章) hit the local music scene with his own brand of folk/blues influenced rebel rock. While the singer/songwriter's early solo albums only saw minor success, his work on two breakthrough compilation albums would prove to be the mild mannered guitarist's stepping stone to the big time.

Crystal Records' (水晶唱片) 1991 Office Desk (辦桌壹) and Blacklist - Songs of Madness (黑名單工作室 -- 抓狂歌) was the first anti-government-themed rebel rock in Taiwan which changed the local music scene forever and cemented Chen's status as one of the pioneers of Taiwan's underground music scene.

While Office Desk was packed with easygoing folk tunes, Blacklist - Songs of Madness was all about distorted guitars, hard-hitting political-rhetoric and sarcasm.

Chen continued to pursue his solo career throughout the 1990s, releasing folk rock albums such as his 1995 I am Not a Person Without Emotions (阮是一個無感情的人) and his most recent solo venture Don't Ask My Name (別問阮的名字).

When not in the studio working on solo ventures, Chen teamed up with some interesting musical partners. In 1992 he collaborated with Pan Li-li (潘麗麗) on Spring Rains (春雨). A year later he teamed up with Huang Yi-ling (黃乙玲) for the hit album Go Out For a Walk (出去走走). Then, in 1997, he joined forces with the Kings of Kinmen (金門王) on Wander to Tamsui (流浪到淡水), an album full of adaptations of traditional nakashi tunes.

Chen has spent much of the past couple of years working with The Tamsui River Band. Past performances by Chen and the band at the annual Spring Scream Music Festival have proven extremely popular. Few revelers at Spring Scream are old enough to remember Chen's rebel rock days, but today's teenage rebels are still wowed by the heavily bearded and hippie--like Chen and his unique musical style.

Whatever genre of music Chen is picking his way through, it is done with genuine feeling and a lot of guitar prowess. One minute the erstwhile rebel rocker will be hitting audiences with a piece of undiluted rock and the next he's serenading crowds with a passionate folksy number.

Chen Ming-zhang will be performing at 10pm tomorrow at The Witch House (女巫店); 7 Lane 56, Hsinsheng S. Rd., Sect. 3 (台北市新生南路3段56巷7號). Tickets cost NT$250 and are available at the door. For information call (02) 2362-5494.