Music
Press
"...These guys play infectious, textured rock and are yet another check on the list of things that prove Birmingham has a vibrant music scene. Check out the song “fraggle” on their myspace page. It’s on heavy rotation in my sub-conscious."
- Sam George, R3Vrb.com
"This past week was one of the more diverse I've had in a while. Tuscaloosa'a Baak Gwai opened the evening last Wednesday with their herky-jerky prog/punk splendor. Baak Gwai is an acquired taste, I suppose, but I'm up for a second helping. Their songs are comprised of disparate ideas floating in the ether, tethered together with rubber bands -- the second you start getting your brain around one, it has bounced to another..."
- Alex V. Cook, 225batonrouge.com
"Baak Gwai - I find it interesting that I've become more absorbed by this indie rock trio's (sometimes quartet with percussionist Bo Hicks) deep repertoire of songs than I have by most mainstream artists' efforts. Honestly, I would throw Baak Gwai into the same realm as The Strokes, The White Stripes, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Built to Spill (even if they wouldn't want to be categorized with those artists) as the elite of the genre.
Frontman and guitarist John Snowden is one of the most talented and innovative songwriters I've come across in years, and he's supported by drummer Chris Zeiler and bassist Adam Pate, two musicians who dominate their instruments and construct the personality of the band. These guys are on the right track, though they might want to have a little more fun creating their live setlists. This is my personal favorite band in Tuscaloosa."
- Ben Flanagan, editor - The Crimson White
Discography
2005 - "Just a Demo" - 4 tracks
2006 - Self-titled E.P. - 10 tracks
2006 - Live recording from Baton Rouge - unreleased
2008 - "Find a Stranger in the Alps" - 13 tracks - release date May 2008
Photos
Bio
Baak Gwai
(a condensed biography)
Baak Gwai (bok gwhy) -noun
1. Derogatory Cantonese term for a caucasion (a.k.a. “white trash”)
2. Progressive Indie Rock band from Alabama
Baak Gwai was formed in 2004 by John Snowden (vocals/guitar), Adam Pate (bass) and Chris Zeiler (drums). Together they create a sound best described as “indie-dance dance-rock revolution”. More simply put, “progressive indie rock”. Shortly after forming, the band recorded a 4-song demo, and started playing regionally. In early 2006, Baak Gwai released their first full length album (self titled) and added a fourth member, Bo Hicks (percussion/keyboards). In that same year, the band recorded a live album (unreleased). Bo was replaced with Adam Planche, a Baton Rouge guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist about a year later, and the band signed with Baton Rouge-based Decimal Records, subsequently recording a 4-song E.P. and a 2nd full length, both scheduled for release in mid 2008.
Influences: Beer, liquor, cigarettes... Cursive, The Cars, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, The Beach Boys, Built To Spill, At The Drive-In, Braniac, Trans-Am, Wilco, The Four Tops, The Mars Volta, The Police, Archers of Loaf, Weezer, etc…
Notable bands they’ve played with: Fishbone, The Walkmen, Southern Culture on the Skids, Bobby Bare Jr., Elf Power, Maria Taylor, Colour Revolt, Captured! By Robots, The Show is the Rainbow, Joe Jack Talcum (of The Dead Milkmen), The Woggles, The Dexateens, Melt Banana
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