Print

Mail

wiki links

The Vinyl Word

As AXD branches out, Victor Cheng is taking some time out. PHOTO: JULES QUARTLY, TAIPEI TIMES

Three to four years ago, Taichung enjoyed a reputation as Taiwan's good-time town with a lively dance music scene: Clubs and parties in the nation's capital on the other hand were regularly raided by the police who hassled punters and dragged off revelers for urine tests.

The scene now in Taipei has never been more relaxed or mainstream, but after a series of raids, Taichung is simmering with rumor, fear and accusations.

Reeling under the pressure of intense police scrutiny, many venues have been forced to put up the shutters. "A lot of clubs have closed down," said Declan from Swank, an outfit that has been organizing parties across Taiwan for more than three years. "Over the past month if someone threw a party, it was 100 percent sure that the police would come. It's a mess."

The latest venues to feel the heat were Grooveyard and C'est la Vie, which have gone the same way as Bobos.

"C'est la Vie was the closest thing to Taipei venues in Taichung," said a Taichung bar owner, who requested anonymity. "Within two weeks of opening, the police were hassling clubbers and then closed the place down because it didn't have a dance floor license."

The fizz has gone out of the city's nightlife.

"There are honestly zero house clubs left in town. A few places we [Chifunk] can rent out, but no proper club ? there are a few cheesy commercial joints, a few hip-hop clubs, one band venue and the few underground spots that we best not mention," Ant of Chifunk said in an e-mail. He believes that a competitor is informing on parties and venues that do not have proper licensing.

That view is not shared by Declan, who will be playing at Spring Paradise and Spring Scream this weekend: "It's also the mayor [Jason Hu (胡志強)]. Part of his reelection campaign was to clean up the city and crack down on parties."

After the "new premier announced a crime crackdown, over the last month, the mayor in Taichung has tried to shut down all the clubs," said Zeon from Junkie Beats who is confident that, "All the clubs will reopen in a month's time."

Despite the obvious political impetus for a clampdown on dance music venues in Taichung, Ant said the police have told party organizers that there is an informant.

Some venues, such as Seduce and Lion are receiving less attention from authorities, the bar owner said. Whatever the reasons behind the increased police surveillance of bars and clubs in Taichung, one thing is certain: fewer venues mean less vinyl fun for everyone.

Down in Kenting, after around 6pm the Springwave and Moonlight parties will merge into one bash at South Bay Beach (南灣沙灘). The daytime programs remain unaffected.

In the capital, AXD has undergone a transformation. "On Friday nights the [club organizers] wanted to do something with hip hop. Many people think AXD is a gay club, so straight people won't go there. They wanted to attract a new crowd," Taipei Times DJ poll winner Victor Cheng told the Vinyl Word. Creamy's Web site (www.creamyclub.com) displays photos of scantily clad girls: a stark departure from AXD fare. Joining the club's regular spinmeisters are Dicer, Ground, Sam and E Turn.
This story has been viewed 1652 times.