“I think people in Taipei don’t like us.”
Talk to bands from the capital long enough and you’d be surprised how often this sentiment comes up, even among well-established groups born and raised here. This time, the words are coming from the mouth of Xiao Gao (高小糕), singer for alt punk band The White Eyes.
The band, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, started out as your basic socially and politically conscious punk act a la Bikini Kill, and despite its front woman’s grim assessment of their popularity, has developed a hard-won following in Taipei — so much so that this weekend’s concert has sold out — and beyond throughout their artistic evolution. Over the years The White Eyes have added electronic and alternative rock elements to expand their sound into the realm of more experimental artists such as Sonic Youth and PJ Harvey, if you’re looking for the obvious parallels.
Photo Courtesy of White Wabbit Records
Through multiple lineup changes (mostly in the guitar slot, which as seen at least four members come and go), the core of The White Eyes, consisting of Xiao Gao and bassist Johnny Fan (范仲瑜), who has been with the band for eight of its 10 years, has remained together through all the ups and downs. Xiao Gao never saw it going this far, to the point where the band has played both North By Northeast (NXNE) and South By Southwest (SXSW) in North America, or lasting this long. Around 2011, it all nearly ground to an unceremonious halt before either of those achievements could be realized.
“Actually, two or three years ago, since we changed the members again, I really wanted to quit because I thought we wasted so much time finding members,”she says candidly over coffee near the band’s rehearsal space in the Zhongzheng District (中正).
It’s a well-worn statement in a small scene where, until recent legislative developments dictated otherwise, male musicians often found their musical endeavors either stalled or thwarted outright by the compulsory year-long military service. Upon getting out of the military many were confronted by another battle — one with parents whose concern is only for their offspring securing financial security rather than artistic fulfillment. The White Eyes managed to persevere through all of that, and seem to be on the verge of making themselves more than a core of two surrounded by a rotating cast of bit players.
Photo Courtesy of Huang Chun-tuan
“Now the drummer is more steady and I think we know each other well. You have to know each other,” says Fan of the importance of building a bond both musically and personally.
“You have the same sense,” Xiao Gao finishes the thought for him, as they often do for each other throughout the interview.
“Now is the time,” Fan punctuates the collective statement.
The band, and Xiao Gao in particular, has never shied away from controversy. What else would you expect from an act that takes its name from a Taiwanese term for those who say the things everyone knows but is too afraid, or embarrassed, to say out loud? Xiao Gao is also well-known for her at times outlandish choices in attire, once appearing in a skin-tone leotard that made it appear she was completely naked. She is quite literally comfortable in her own skin. Her day job? Nude model for art students.
In this day and age, one would hope the scene would be accepting of a strong woman who is not afraid to express herself in any way she sees fit. Depending on the circles you run in, that may or may not be the case, says Xiao Gao. Overall, however, she doesn’t mince words when it comes to her hometown.
“Taipei is too serious. People here have no humor and no ideas of their own,” she says coolly.
Then perhaps there is no better time for The White Eyes to release their second full-length album, due to come out early next year. Though the music has evolved from its punk roots, the punk ideals present when the band was first formed are still very much alive. Lyrically, Xiao Gao, who has been active in protest movements in Taipei for years, from the effort to save beloved underground institution Underworld (地下社會) to putting herself directly in harm’s way during the more recent Sunflower movemen, tackles a myriad of subjects from environmentalism to liberation in its many forms.
Gender equality, too, is a subject often broached in The White Eyes’ music. Feminism isn’t something Xiao Gao consciously sought to explore, more something that, as a woman fronting a band in a largely patriarchal society, she couldn’t ignore.
“I don’t want to be a feminist,” she says, “but because I’m a woman, my life is about struggle. It’s hard to explain, but I read feminist books and I think feminism is not to say women should be treated differently. It’s about equal rights. We just want to make this environment more equal.”
It’s been a long first decade for The White Eyes, but they have come out of it stronger for all the trials and tribulations they’ve been through, with Xiao Gao boldly predicting she can keep the band going for at least another 20 years. She quickly dismisses the bulk of bands she sees perform who, in her eyes, are only on stage to look cool — the most hollow of reasons for making music. For her and Johnny, it’s about something far more substantial.
“Being an underground band, you have to fight every time,” says Johnny, looking to Xiao Gao for her take.
“I think people who do music think more. Then they will know what’s right.”
■ The White Eyes play tonight at Offline Cafe (離線咖啡), 30-11, Beiping E Rd, Taipei City (台北市北平東路30-11號). Doors open at 8pm and the show gets started at 8:30pm. As of press time, tickets are sold out.
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