Now one of Taiwan's leading alternative record labels, Taiwan Colors Music (TCM, 角頭音樂), has released CDs of illegal pirate radio broadcasts, president Chen Shui-bian and the DPP all-stars singing karaoke, expat rock as well as some of the grittiest local rock, blues and Aboriginal jams that can be found on local CD store shelves. The label has ranged from zany to raw and has consistently prided itself on staying out of step with the mainstream. Its most recent release of newcomer Liao Shih-hsien (廖士賢), who's playing in Tainan and Kaohsiung this weekend, is something totally different. It's almost, dare one utter the word, pop.
The CD, Sam's Wonderland (完美世界) was released last month as Liao's recording debut. Born in Chiayi, he honed his music skills during college in Taipei by playing in bands, working as a record store clerk and selling glowsticks outside concerts. Earlier this year, his first self-produced demo caught the attention of TCM and veteran rocker Hu Shen (虎神), guitarist of Back Quarter (四分衛), came on board to produce his first album. Liao wrote all the songs and is credited for lyrics, music and arrangements on all 11 songs on the new album and plays guitar on every song but two.
Hu Shen's influence comes through in several numbers with real rocker oomph, pushing Liao beyond what seems to be his natural tendency for acoustic ballads and soft rock crooning. Liao's recent performance at Taipei County's New Year's party won a lot of new fans and prompted TCM to schedule a short tour.
Shows this weekend will feature Liao with a full complement of veteran musicians backing him up. He plays Saturday in Tainan at 9:15pm at the Eslite bookstore at B1, 181, Sec. 1, Changrong Rd. (台南市長榮路一段181號B1), and Sunday in Kaohsiung at 3pm at the Eslite bookstore on the 10th floor of the Datung Department Store (大統百貨公司10樓).
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