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| Korean hardcore punk band the Geeks / Courtesy of the Geeks |
By Jon Dunbar
This newspaper has published a high amount of articles about Korea's underground music scene, and it may seem frivolous to many readers. Some of the articles maybe are.
But the return of the Geeks, Korea's first youth-crew hardcore band and the first in the local music scene to tour internationally should be a big deal.
If you're a K-pop snob, well, these guys are technically K-pop, having played the first ever "K-Pop Night Out" Korean music showcase at SXSW in Austin, Texas, in 2013 (since renamed "Korea Spotlight") along with Galaxy Express, No Brain, Guckkasten, f(x), Jeong Cha-shik and Yi Sung-yol. But the Geeks held their own among this crowd, due to having built up a U.S. following by touring the DIY circuit in the U.S. years earlier, a feat the other bigger-name acts hadn't pulled off yet.
"I personally love K-pop and what it did to promote Korea," said Geeks lead vocalist Seo Ki-seok, known widely among his hardcore friends worldwide as Ki. "It may sound strange … When we were the ones pushing for Korean representation, no one knew or cared. We had to fight for awareness and win the audience. We somehow felt like we made a small contribution. Now it is totally different. Surreal. Now everyone knows and wants to learn more about Korea."
The five-member band was formed in 1999. "It was an era where 'indie' music exploded," he said of the early days. "Every show was full of passionate young kids. I think it was one of those things where things happen first and legal stuff comes later on."
Despite images of the music being full of heavy drinking and alleged illegal drug use, Ki has maintained a clean lifestyle, adhering to the "straight-edge" movement which eschews intoxication.
"I think it was in second grade of high school when I learned about straight-edge and decided to live this lifestyle," Ki said. "No alcohol or tobacco in my life. No urge or desire. On a personal level, it was a true victory of me trying to live my life the way I wanted to. No compromise!"
In the early years, the Geeks became the first in the Korean scene to tour places like Japan, the U.S., Canada and Southeast Asia.
"We toured with local bands. No Korean crowd, no other Korean bands, just five random Korean dudes along on those tours, representing Korea. We were the only Koreans on the bills and we were the first 'Korean band' for a lot of kids in those shows," Ki said. "A lot of kids in Asia have told us that they felt proud of us going out to the world and representing Asia. I feel super humble and proud at the same time!"
In 2001, the Geeks released a split album with Japanese hardcore band In My Pain, a very early achievement in the local scene. They have since brought to Korea many overseas bands through connections made on their international journeys, including Sick of It All, Bane, Strike Anywhere, Terror, No Turning Back and Outbreak.
In all its history, the band lineup has remained mostly the same. Ki said the current lineup has been together for about 15 years when Kim Myoung-jin (Gene) was added.
"The fact that we've been together with the same lineup for such a long time makes me feel super proud," Ki said. "We just believe in us and what it means to us, the collective vision and mission. The older we've gotten, the more important and significant this has been."
But the Geeks have had a difficult time in recent years, not just from the pandemic but also because guitarist Kang Jun-sung moved to China. The band's last show was in Tokyo in February 2020, but the last show with Kang was in 2019.
"Just to clarify we never broke up. I think the word 'comeback' insinuates that we all went our separate ways," Ki said. "We have been just waiting and waiting and now he is back here. Now we can play again."
The Geeks will be playing their first show together in almost four years this Saturday at Club SHARP. Opening bands include End These Days, FLUSH!!, Green Flame Boys and Turn For Our.
Ki emphasized that this is not just a one-off reunion show, and the band has plans to continue.
On July 19, they'll support the U.S. punk band Anxious on a tour here. After that, Ki said the sky's the limit.
"We will continue to find opportunities to play," he said. "Prior to the pandemic, we had an amazing plan to tour overseas in Southeast Asia and the U.S. and more. Now is the time to put it back on track!"
Follow @thegeekshc on Instagram for more information.
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