Mayday is my favourite alternative rock band. It was found in the late 1990s by 5 members-Ashin (vocalist), Monster, Stone (lead guitars), Masa (bass guitar) and Guan You (drums). Formerly making music under the name of So Band, they came to be known as Mayday in 1997, with the name originating from Masa's online nickname. No one could imagine that this band was able to achieve such great success when it was first formed during the members’ studying in The Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal University. At that time, almost all their family members were against them because they thought the five boys couldn’t even earn their own living by playing in a rock band. Despite the opposition, they kept making their own music and finally reached the top.
I can still remember the first song of Mayday which I heard was called ‘angel’. I was attracted by it when the first few notes flied into my mind, then I searched the song on the Internet, finding its lyrics were so nice and attractive. All their lyrics are written by Ashine. I think most of them are wonderful and touched, though they seem to be too straightforward to some people. However, I think it may be exactly the lyrics that give their songs unique souls to have resonances for people. Taking the song ‘you are not truly happy’ as an example, it says: ‘you are not happy as you look like, your smile is only the protection you take.’ Sentences like this show the common feelings of people, so they are popular. Although some people think that Mayday is a fake rock band because the group doesn't have many songs that can be defined as pure rock and roll, I still love them very much since it is what a song sounds like rather than what kind of song it is that really matters.
Mayday finished their concert in Singapore on 25th February. It is only one stop of their one-year concert tour. Just before the release of their latest album-second round, they said it would be their last album unless the year 2012 was not the end of the world. Many fans were shocked when they saw the first few words but their anxiety eased after the whole sentence was finished. In fact, there is one thing that surly makes many fans upset. As the five men will soon be in their 40s which seems a little old for band members, fans are worried that they may possibly stop making music. However, I think they deserve to achieve even greater success because of their talents and love for music.
I am approval of your opinion that a band deserve success because of every members' talents and passion for music. And I like several songs of Mayday like "Zhi Zu" though I am fan of Twins, a Hong Kong-based female Cantopop duo. In their last ten years, they have experience happiness and trough especially the Edison Chen photo scandal involving Gillian Chung. Regardless of every difficult they have encountered, they continue their road to realize their initial dream. That is why I appreciate them so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI like music but I hardly care who the singers are what their backgrounds are, and after reading your blog I think I should start paying attention to it because I find it useful, at least in writing blogs.
I can feel that you really love their songs. Why don't you sing it in the classroom just like YU MING did?
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ReplyDeleteI also enjoy Mayday’ songs, especially the “jue jiang”. I really appreciate the lyrics of this song. Whenever I listen at it, I feel my mind is instantaneously filled with power and my spirit gets a great inspiration. I think a good band or even a good song can change a person’s attitude towards life and the “jue jiang” is a good example. Mayday is a successful band. From your blog, I can figure out they also have a very hard time to struggle. I think, to some extent, they can become our model roles. Everyone will encounter some difficult in the life. Some people choose to bravely face it, and eventually they succeed; some people choose to cower, and finally they become cowards! I think you must be one of the people of the former group! Go Go, 加油！（cheer）
ReplyDeleteWell, the content of this blog is quite new to me because I do not listen to much pop music and it is nice to get to know something about a band that is so famous. I agree with you that all the singers and actors must have made much effort to achieve their goals. Interestingly enough, my most familiar band is the same as Junji’s favourite one, which is Twins. I have just heard some of their songs, some in Cantonese and some in Mandarin. What attracts me most is also their love and passion for music, otherwise their band could not last for ten years! I think we can learn many things from these actors and singers!
ReplyDeleteI like music very much.I do like Mayday very much as well.Not only the beautiful songs but also the emotion, spirit and passion that they put into the music really moved many people,including me.Though most of the time,I don't like rock music very much because it's always too noisy.Mayday is relly an exception.Hope you can enjoy yourself all the time.
ReplyDeleteI`m afraid there is a generation gap here as I definitely cannot appreciate rock music. To me it`s really not music but plain noise. Sorry, Haoyan.I belong to the older generation.
ReplyDeleteHowever there is something about rock music that draws millions of fans. It could be that it represents the voice of this generation. That is why many young people can relate to this kind of music. Some of the lyrics portray social ills and disillusionment of the young with the Establishment.
Rock musicians start young and I believe with age, their popularity wanes except for a few who can still captivate the audience.
First, i like Mayday,too!!! Second, i like your blog very much. In fact, what impressed me most is that these 5 members could stick to their dreams regardless of the pressure from the outside world. I do think the abilily to keep one's dream is the essential key to lead a meaningful life. For me, my dream is to become a musician. Though it seems what i am doing has nothing to do with my dream, i would always keep my dream and try to move forward. I hope you can stick to your dream, too.
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