Underworld (地下社會), currently Taipei's longest-running rock 'n' roll bar, is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month with live music five nights a week for the next five weeks. The music celebration started on Wednesday with 1976, and will continue each weeks starting on Wednesdays with shows daily through Sunday until the program ends with the Chairman (董事長)on Sept. 1.
Literally below ground, Underworld is a cramped and dingy club that seems to have been excavated out of an inconspicuous nook on Shita Road. At the back of this cave-like watering hole are lodged a drum kit in one corner and a DJ booth in the other. On a busy night, when the makeshift tables are folded into the wall, it's almost impossible to squeeze more than 50 people inside, which can be necessary for popular local or foreign bands. One way or another, Taipei's rock scene has found a way to flourish here, in what has slowly become the central congregating grounds for non-mainstream rock in Taipei.
In truth, the club is probably older than most of the bands that will help it celebrate its birthday. The month's most exciting event will be the Aug. 29 reunion of Ladybug (瓢蟲), which successfully toured the US college and club circuit in 1998 and 1999. Other highlights include the bossa nova antics of Captain Peanuts (花生隊長) on Aug. 22, an album release party by the goth rockers who probably have the best band name in Taiwan, Psychedelic Kindergarten (迷幻幼稚園), on Aug. 24, Sugar Plum Fairy (甜梅號) on Aug. 25 and the Clippers (夾子) on Aug. 17.
Tonight, new groups Tomato (蕃茄) and Hi Santa (海產攤) play. Tomorrow is Champion (強辯), which recently released a new EP, and Sunday are two grunge bands from Kaohsiung, Kook and Mess. One-night tickets cost NT$250 with a drink included, and passes for entry to all the shows are available for NT$1,000.
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