Introduction to Ground Zero, 放射空間, Taiwanese Indie Band

If you are a fan of Mandarin rock, the highlight of this year's Skechers Sundown Festival 2015 line up should be none other than the Taiwanese Indie Band, Ground Zero for you. Well I am sure that there are other bands whose performance you also enjoyed but in the first half of the festival, they were the only non-local band so you could say they were in the spotlight.

Jason (Bass/Synthesizers), Ray (Lead Vocal / Guitar), Ivan (Guitar / Producer) and Shin (Drums/Percussion)

To share with you more about the band, Ground Zero is a four man Taiwanese Indie Band whose music has been aired on the Taiwan radio in recent years and they are here in Singapore to launch their latest EP and to perform their latest songs at the Skechers Sundown Festival 2015.

Since they are Taiwanese, the following information will be in Mandarin (pardon my limited Chinese vocabulary).

我要先說明我對放射空間并不熟悉，這次能訪問他們覺得很榮幸。放射空間四人組給我的感覺就是很友善，親切。在訪談的過程中能體驗到他們之間對彼此的坦誠也發現到他們其實還蠻幽默的。儘管我沒能流利的表達自己編的問題，對此有些尷尬，但是他們還是盡量地回復。

CK 幫我們拍的合照畫面

這是他們新創作的專輯「玩真的！」。覺得名字很有趣吧？專輯名稱背後的含義是想對家人朋友與粉絲們說他們對音樂是多麼的認真，並且堅信只要努力，一定會 make it!

他們也剛推出「大海之名」有機版。推出歌曲的主要目的是要讓社會大眾認識「WISH 星農」這個名字與有機的精神價值。WISH 希望從有機、友善的農業價值角度，正與「堅持、土地、非污染、提供勇氣、擁抱未來」的有機搖滾完全貼切。

從訪問得知他們還沒機會認識到新加坡樂團和朋友，希望在以後的演出他們會更了解新加坡的朋友和粉絲，能跟新加坡樂團合作，帶來更多好聽動人的歌曲。他們也表示在不久的將來會把一些受歡迎的歌曲翻譯成英文，以便把歌曲跟聽不懂中文的聽眾分享。希望喜歡他們的歌的讀者和粉絲能多多支持他們，到他們的臉書網頁按個贊！

以下是他們在現場表演的一段歌曲來自 「簡單生活」和照片供你們欣賞。

兩年前在念大學還沒畢業的時候，我曾經到臺北的師大做過交換，第一次跟台灣朋友接觸，也再次用到中文。一年前，我才初次在 F1 親生體驗到五月天的現場演出。雖說在廣播有聽過他們的歌，但是沒這麼留意他們的歌曲。自從看到他們的現場演出之後，就在 Spotify 常常聽他們的歌。這次也沒差，我會多多留意放射空間的新歌曲。有幾首歌我已經喜歡上了，特別是「簡單生活」，歌詞就把我們人的心情抓得真準確。

Here are some thoughts I have after the performance. As a Linguistics student, one whose (according to the government) mother tongue or second language is Chinese, I recognise that some of our feelings and emotions are best captured in Chinese song lyrics. It is a language that we can relate to on an emotional level that English can't, at least for me. So if you like what you see and hear, do support Ground Zero!

For those who have read the post till the end, particularly to those who know Mandarin, thank you for reading and kindly pardon my poor use of the language. It has been really long since I tried to write in Mandarin.

Get Grilling at Rocku Yakiniku Japanese Charcoal Grill

I haven't been writing for a while because I have been busy with work and on a typical work day, there's nothing more wonderful than spending an evening out with friends and good food.

Craving for BBQ food and want to avoid the crowd? Try Bugis+. It always seem somewhat less crowded there as compared to Bugis Junction, so there is no harm in walking over. Today, the limelight is on Rocku Yakiniku, a Japanese Charcoal Grill.

It's a cool place to hang out at with live bands such as Mint and Morgan, as the music provides a relaxing atmosphere where you can enjoy your food and sway to the beats of Mandarin, Japanese or Korean Pop-Rock variety.

When we think of cooking our own food BBQ style, we think of Korean cuisine but hey, there is Japanese cuisine too. Here's your chance to grill food after a day of being grilled at work.

For the meat lovers out there, if you have a craving for tons of meat, ROCKU is a good choice. Beef, pork, chicken, choose your pick. I would personally go for beef. Lots of it. I am licking my lips as I write this. Ahh, the taste of BBQ beef. Nothing beats that after a long day at work. Like it medium rare, medium or well done? You are the chef, you decide.

When this plate of meat was served, you can imagine our eyes glowing. Preciouusssss! Which guy can avoid such a temptation? We gave in, happily, at that.

Have you tried grilling salmon before? We tried our hands at it and I suck at flipping it because it gets all sticky and sticks on the grill but as much as it is difficult to keep it grilled nicely as an entire slice, it is one of the best ingredients you should grill. The taste will leave you amazed and wanting more. It tastes nothing like how it looks. I highly recommend that you try it.

In fact, grilling food can be kind of therapeutic as you take the time to cook your food. It is perhaps one of the best cuisines to have if you simply want to hang out with a friend over dinner. I mean, some dinners do last a duration of like 30 minutes or less, if your friend is starved and that will leave you wondering what to do next. At ROCKU, there's always time for some beers to compliment your meal. Just a heads up, there are complimentary welcome drinks served on Monday to Thursday. Their very own special Rocku Bomb! It is something different, so I will let you find out what it is yourself.

Besides meat and beer, there is also seafood for those of you who can't say no to prawns and squids. If you have a date to impress, start peeling, it will earn you some plus points.

For the Halloween special promotion they are having, Horror-ween, it also includes crayfish, just our luck! If you particularly like them, this is your chance! Besides that, there is also salmon sashimi and hotate, not to mention a whole line of specially curated food items made available at the buffet counter. Available at $30.90 ++ on weekdays and $37.90++ on weekends.

With free flow meat and over 20 dishes at the buffet counter to choose from, you should not be leaving ROCKU with anything less but a satisfied stomach. Also, one benefit about grilling here is that the exhaust system takes care of the smoke, so you won't be leaving the place smelling stinky. For more information on ROCKU, visit www.rocku.com.sg.

Rocku Yakiniku Japanese Charcoal Grill

201 Victoria Street #04-06 Bugis+ Singapore 188067

Tel: 6634 3313

Dolce Vita, an Endless Summer Edition with W Singapore and Zouk

So what's new and happening at W Singapore? 

On 2nd August, W Singapore – Sentosa Cove and Zouk will be collaborating to bring some of the hottest homegrown music mavens to Dolce Vita, an Endless Summer edition. Be prepared for a time of revelry, bring out those shades and get ready to let your hair down!

Powered by Zouk resident DJs Jeremy Boon, Lincey and Zushan at WET® deck, it will be a time of celebration with renowned brands including Bell & Ross, Veuve Clicquot and Belvedere. Walk away with multiple summer treats including half-hourly giveaways from Mango eyewear together with Eye-Trendy and if you are the lucky one, you might win yourself a Bell & Ross Vintage BR123 Heritage watch worth SGD4, 200! Sounds good right?

What’s more, there will be complimentary entry for the first 100 Zouk members and one guest upon presentation of membership card at door and a complimentary goodie bag given to the first 50 guests.

From my previous experience of the Endless Summers at W Singapore, it is an awesome event to chill out at, as you sway to the beat of the music while enjoying the cooling sensation that the pool has to offer. What's more, Zouk resident DJs are in the house this time round, so what are you waiting for? The atmosphere is going to be great!