Apollo 18

(November 9, 2009) After helikoppter's very positive recommendation of Apollo 18 over at Indieful ROK, I decided to give them a shot and picked up their self-titled EP, even without a strong clue of what I was getting myself into. Suffice to say, it rocked my face off. In fact, I have no face as I'm typing this now, since I'm listening to the EP again.

If a comparison must be made, I suppose Apollo 18's EP falls more into the post-rock camp, along the lines of Explosions in the Sky or Sigur R�s. The opening track is a very quiet sonic affair, primarily struck with sound effects rolling around the speaker field, perhaps a quiet before a storm. Then, like mentioned bands, Apollo 18 gets to be ridiculously soul-moving in their enormously epic second track, simply titled "Warm". The guitar, bass and drums trio also sparingly employ vocals, but like Sigur R�s, the lyrics aren't that important and aren't really sung to be comprehended. Unlike the two mentioned groups, Apollo 18 still steps closer to rock conventions, in their screaming grunge-rooted sonic collage, "End". From there, they touch on a more minimal sound, back to epic and bombastic and close out much like they opened.

As an overall listen, especially considering that it's an EP, Apollo 18's debut effort is remarkably satisfying and coherent. The sequencing is great, providing the roller coaster ride with plenty of intense cathartic valleys and meditative solemn hills. A truly stunning debut effort that I don't hesitate to recommend. Just a note though, if you plan on listening to this effort, it truly pays to turn up the volume to loud. The music truly deserves envelopment. Fantastic. 10/10.

http://init-music.blogspot.com/2009/11/inbox-apollo-18-apollo-18.html - INIT_Music

(September 18, 2009) : Although it’s been available since late July, the official release party for Apollo 18’s new full-length, “[O] Album” (also known as “The Blue Album”) takes place at Salon Badabie in Hongdae on Saturday, September 19. The second in a series of three albums, “[0] Album” follows February’s excellent eponymous EP (also known as “The Red Album”). Fans can expect the final chapter (tentatively titled “[0.5] Album” or “The Violet Album”) of the Ilsan-based act’s rock ‘n’ roll trilogy to surface on local label Estella Records at the end of this year or early in 2010.

Apollo 18’s stock has been steadily rising since forming in the summer of 2008. This past July they were invited to showcase their infectious mix of hard rock and post-rock at both the Jisan Valley Rock Festival and the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival. In August, they won a “Rookie Music Award” from EBS and KOCCA. To learn more about the group, check out the interview I did with them for this month’s Groove Korea magazine.

The entrance fee for Saturday night’s festvities is 15,000 won and things get started at 7 p.m. Finger foods will be served and everyone will be given one free cocktail (you get to choose the colour – red, blue, or violet). Apollo 18 are giving away 50 t-shirts, 50 hand-numbered three-track demos, and 20 copies of their EP at the gig. Those who reserve tickets for the concert in advance through their CyWorld page will get first crack at the loot and any left over goodies will be distributed to the rest of the attendees. Apollo 18 will be playing an hour-long set that will include the bulk of their recorded material to date. According to an interview on the always awesome Indieful ROK, belly dancer Eshe will join them for “[0 Album]” cut “Orbis” (she appears in the song’s music video). No. 1 Korean, National Pigeon Unity, and The Plastic Day will open the gig. Rumour has it that N.P.U. will cover an Apollo 18 song during their performance.

On Sunday Apollo 18 will be flying to Japan for their first overseas concerts. They’ll be playing in Tokyo on September 21 (Shibuya O-East & Duo Music Exchange) and September 22 (Shibuya O-Nest) as part of the “Zankyo Festival 5th Anniversary” and will share stages with Sweeden’s Scraps Of Tape , the UK’s Shapes, and top notch J-indie acts such as 9mm Parabellum Bullet, Te’, and Mudy On The Sakuban.

By Shawn Despres
http://www.koreagigguide.com/2009/09/18/ready-to-blast-off/ - Korea Gig Guide

Apollo 18 are rightfully being touted as one of the new “must-see” acts in Korea’s underground rock scene. First coming across them in a Hongdae live house in early February, their powerful playing literally made my jaw drop and left me repeatedly muttering the phrase “holy fuck!” well after their deafening set had finished.

Local music industry representatives seem to be having similar reactions (possibly minus the profanity, though). In addition to the positive Korean press they’ve been garnering, Apollo 18 were invited to appear at the inaugural Jisan Valley Rock Festival. They also won one of several Rookie Music Awards handed out by EBS (Education Broadcasting Station) and KOCCA (Korea Creative Content Agency), earning them a spot at the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival as well, making them the only band to perform at both of the competing summer concerts.

Formed in June 2008, the Ilsan-based trio initially began working together five years ago. At the time, bassist Kim Dae-inn was crafting electro-pop and folk songs under the moniker Jelly Boy. Guitarist Choi Hyun-seok and drummer Lee Sang-yun were recruited as session players for the project, which is currently on hiatus. The three wanted to create a new band together, but had to wait until Choi and Lee completed their mandatory military service to do so.

Live, Kim states that his Jelly Boy material took on more of a modern rock feel making Apollo 18’s awesome blend of post-rock and hardcore-infused rock a natural progression for the act.

“In my heart there is loud music,” Choi explains. “In Dae-inn’s heart there is loud music too, so what we are creating as Apollo 18 is the best sound for us.”

Before they began writing tracks, the three mapped out a detailed plan of attack for their first year-and-a-half as a band that included ideas and artwork for no less than three different albums along with unique T-shirt and sticker designs for each.

“We’re crazy,” says Choi. “We did a lot of thinking early on. When we spoke with record companies we told them exactly what we wanted to do. They had the choice to take it or leave it.”

Signing with Estella Records, the sister imprint of Seoul hardcore label GMC Records, Apollo 18 issued an eponymous EP in late-February. At the end of July they released a full-length effort entitled “[0] Album” (also known as “The Blue Album”). In December they’ll likely have another disc out, which is tentatively being called “[0.5] Album.”

“Our new record is named ‘[0] Album’ because in our minds, we haven’t really started yet,” Kim says. “We are still experimenting with the sound of Apollo 18. We’re not ready yet to start making the music we want to represent the band yet. After these three albums we will release our first official album.”

A fantastic listen, “[0] Album” is stacked with hard hitting cuts. The insanely catchy, raucous “High Stepper,” the dirty, distorted grooves of “Trampoline,” and the blistering, psych-soaked “Orbis” are amongst its many standouts. A stunning music video for “Orbis” featuring Canadian-born, Seoul-based belly dancer Eshe can be watched at myspace.com/apollo18official.

The EP and “[0] Album” have very different feels to them. Although its cover art will be designed to fit together with its predecessors to form one complete image, their next offering will also distance itself from what Apollo has done thus far.

“The new album will be more post-rock,” says Choi. “It’s going to be more sentimental and emotional and will include acoustic guitars, piano and xylophone.”

Wanting “Apollo style” to truly be all-encompassing, the group want to continually strive to re-invent themselves by trying different songwriting and recording techniques throughout what could be a very long and prosperous career.

“We don’t know what we will do yet, but our first official album will be another new style,” offers Kim. “It will have new concepts and new ideas. It will be like the rebirth of Apollo 18.”

The CD release party for Apollo 18’s \\\"[0] Album\\\" takes place on September 19 at Salon Badabie in Hongdae. National Pigeon Unity, No. 1 Korean and The Plastic Day will open the show. Cover charge is 15,000 won. For more information, visit club.cyworld.com/apollo18 or gmcrecords.net.

By Shawn Despres (09.2009)
http://groovekorea.com/groovekorea/subView.php?idx=73&menu1=Arts+%26+Entertainment - Groove Korea (Arts & Entertainment : Music)

Apollo 18
`The Blue Album'
(GMC/ Estella Records)

Korean indie band Apollo 18 has just released their latest effort ``The Blue Album.'' The band, composed of bassist and vocalist Kim Dae-in, guitarist and vocalist Choi Hyeon-seok, and drummer Lee Sang-yoon, are known for a post-rock and experimental sound.

Apollo 18 opens the album with the haunting sounds of the ocean on ``Pause 02,'' followed by the strong beats of ``High Stepper.'' There's a lot of energy, screaming, wailing and swearing going on in angry, rock songs ``Iridescent Clouds,'' ``Manic Depressive'' and ``Magnolia.''

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia (09.01.2009)
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/09/143_51065.html - The Korea Times (Arts & Living : Album Reviews)

As you may be aware, Apollo 18 is one of the best new bands in Korea right now - they even have an award to prove it! Having been a fan of Jelly Boy for years I was not disappointed when I realized that his new band was somewhere beyond incredible. And so, I'm awfully happy that Estella/GMC Records' Kyono agreed to translate for an Indieful ROK mini interview:

How did Apollo 18 come together?
DANNY (Bassist) :
I played my one man elec-pop project - Jellyfish Boy - a few years ago. And at that time I wanted some session players to play with me for Jellyfish Boy. The guitarist, HyunSeok, and the drummer, SangYun, for Apollo 18 now were the very session players I found for Jellyfish Boy. Eventually, I made an offer to them to start a new band called "Apollo 18" right after SangYun got out of military service in 2008. (Korean younger kids around even 20 years old got a duty of military service in South Korea.)

How would you describe your music and the dynamics of it?
Apollo18 :
It's what we can't define yet. But all we can say at least is that we are trying to make some sound and music we love and want. And we want people who listen to our music to make their own imagination and get some inspiration on listening to Apollo 18. It depends on listeners plus we respect everything from each listener's reactions. We wanna enjoy ourselves finding something from our music as well.

How do you feel about winning the indie musician category in the Rookie Music Awards?
Apollo18 :
We really appreciate it. Its always happy to get awarded.

What lies in the future of Apollo 18
apollo18 :
We wanna keep on playing music for a long time. We dont know about what kind of music we are gonna make and play yet but the most important thing to Apollo 18 is that we all three members are just like real brothers and family members and so the just only thing we want is that we play together with joy forever. That's it.

By Helikoppter (09.09.2009)
http://indiefulrok.blogspot.com/2009/08/mini-interview-with-apollo-18.html - IndiefulROK

I’ve wanted to write something about Korean trio Apollo 18 for almost a month-and-a-half now, but unfortunately have been swamped with other things.

I first came across the act in early February when they played at Badabie with The Plastic Day and
Juck Juck Grunge. Sun Ho from The Plastic Day was standing outside the tiny live space when I arrived and said Apollo 18 were just starting and that maybe they would be pretty good. Talk about a huge understatement. The band were awesome and left me slack-jawed with their self-described sonic hybrid of “Hardrock + Groove + Psychedelic +…” Mixing atmospheric post-rock with bits of fast-paced, hardcore-infused rock, their fantastic set was one of the best gigs I’ve witnessed in ’09 thus far and had everyone (paying customers and fellow musicians) hollering their approval after every loud cut.

The group released their debut self-titled EP on February 12 through local imprint Estella Records. While the EP is a solid listen, if they play like they did at Badabie all the time, these guys truly need to be seen live to get the full Apollo 18 experience.

Apollo 18 have been playing concerts every weekend since February 13 as part of their Sympathy Tour to promote the EP. Although more than half of the shows are finished, dates are scheduled up until the end of April so interested parties still have several opportunities to catch them before the tour finishes. They’ll be performing on March 28 at Club FreeBird, March 29 at Ruby Salon, April 4 at FF, April 11 at Club Spot, April 18 at Live Club Ssam, and the “tour final” will take place on April 25 @ DGBD.

There’s a short “teaser” for the EP and a video for its opening track, “Pause 00,” here.

Apollo 18’s MySpace hasn’t been updated in a while, but is streaming a song that’s not on the EP and has live footage of another non-album number.

By Shawn Despres (03.24.2009)
http://www.koreagigguide.com/2009/03/24/midway-through-their-mission/ - Korea Gig Guide