News | More on Taiwan's Spring Scream |

As a consistency in this harmonious cacophony, one group who stood out this year were the residents of Taichung. It is fitting, as the founders of Spring Scream Wade Davis and Jimi Moe hail from here, along with an array of rocking regulars. The influence wasn’t only felt from the likes of outstanding shows such as Milk, .22, and The Anglers, whose sweet sets had crowds bouncing and singing along. Perhaps the scales were tipped a bit due to a few musicians from Taichung who got into a contest over who could play the most sets over the weekend. The saxophonist amongst them, Patrick, drew some attention when he spontaneously freestyled a proposal to his girlfriend Alison during the Lux Sound System show. Whatever the cause, it was evident that Taichung has a talented burgeoning music scene that represented well at Spring Scream Chicken.

For those of us living here, the amount of talented bands can easily be taken for granted, but they usually aren’t. When the Blues Festival recently brought out the slick Joanna Connor Band from Chicago, they did a second spontaneous show at a small bar called 89K alongside our local musicians. The synergy of jazz and rock filled the room with a pulsing energy as anyone with an instrument or a voice threw in their part. This improvisational flow is at the heart of the Taichung music scene, and streamed naturally into the Spring Scream shows this year.

According to trumpet player Roger Smith, this mingling of musicians was Wade and Jimi’s intent in starting the festival over ten years ago. That is why the battle for the most bands bet was made between Patrick (saxophone), Wesley (trumpet), Curly (drums) and himself. Although, Roger clarifies, “It wasn’t a competition, it was about jamming, which was the original spirit of Spring Scream”.

As a faithful follower of this spirit, Roger brought his own amplifier with 6 inputs for practicing with other musicians. It doubled as a good cause because, “The stalls had electricity so we could just play for free beer.” More importantly, when the stages were shut down due to wind problems at one point, he and the girls from Orenda were a welcome intermission for the audiences. Christie and Jennifer are currently in the works to move down to Taichung themselves, after a few visits to town tempted them to follow their musical path here.

They won’t be alone here either. Roger claims there are at least twelve live bands that do regular gigs on any given week. Five years ago there were half that, such as Milk, Spatula, and Folk n’ Hell, and back then each only finding monthly play dates. Consistency is tough, as it’s not easy to keep a band together in such a transient ex-pat crowd. “You need a combination of not just talent but commitment and ideas”, Roger says.

These days there is a deeper well to pull from when commitment falls through though. Roger, who also arranges gigs, claims, “If someone’s got a visa run I’ve got four piano players to sub for them”.

Keeping the crowds consistent gets sorted out by a few websites such as DJTaiwan.org that list the upcoming events and music shows around Taiwan. The site has recently started an ex-pat radio program called, “The Voice of the Underground” on Sunday, Monday and Thursday nights from 10pm to 2am. The show brings on local musicians, DJ’s and music lovers to share their work or collections. It’s free to listen to anywhere in the world over the internet just by downloading the Live365 software.

The support of listeners and creative spirits in other fields builds on the local music community. Spring Screamers might have seen James or Boston Paul hanging from rafters at the Milk performance to help film a video. The Kung Fu costumes the band donned this year were designed and made by Roman, who usually spends his time making mad leather masks. This collaboration of artistic minds keeps the local music fresh and friendly.

Everyone at Spring Scream this year added to the good vibes in a celebration of sun and symphony. Taichung’s influence was just one tasty slice of the pie. A bohemian intertwining of the whole Taiwan community shared the wealth globally this year. Bands drew in from New York to Tokyo to add to the inspired atmosphere. Each seemed thrilled by the crowds’ cheers of delight and chants for encores. Most all of those who attended are ready for an encore of this years Spring Scream performance next year.

--Text and Photos by Jennifer Roberts