Interviews: Planck

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the Melodic Hardcore band Planck, from Hong Kong (China). Check out this band and give them a like on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

SO: The band name “Planck” was chosen because Planck in physics can relate to different physical aspects. We wish to explore different aspects in our life through our music and touch different people by relating to them in any way that he/she can.

LEO: We came up using “Planck” as our band name when we found the idea of Planck time which could have such physical significance for explaining the nature in our world, from things around us like you and me, birds and trees to even the cosmos like the Earth and the Moon. 

2.Why did you want to play this genre? 

SO: Our music tries to blend influences from melodic hardcore, emotional hardcore, spoken-word and even post-rock. The blended style that we are playing has become an unique way for us to express our true feelings.

PETE: Emotional hardcore and spoken-word music were new genres to me until I play in Planck. The way we combine both elements has refined my impression towards hardcore music and I am in love with it. Since these genres are not common in our local band scene, we hope we can help spread that as well.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

PETE: We did. Keith, So and I first met when we were studying in university and we even had some gigs in the campus though we were not formally playing as a regular band at that moment. Keith and Leo used to play in a same band. Joined by So and later by me subsequent to their lineup change, the current line-up of Planck was then formed in late 2014. 

4. Each band member favourite band? 

SO: I would say La Dispute for their unique sound and Hotel Books for the goosebumps they give. But my favourites have kept changing as I grow and listen more, ranging from 80s hard rock to melodic hardcore.

LEO: Any band playing great music could be one of my favourite. Right now I would say Radiohead and Earth, but there are more for sure. 

PETE: I like Being as an Ocean and Hotel Books as they are some good inspirations for the genre we are playing. Meanwhile there are also some favourite bands of other genres such as Franz Ferdinand, Tower of Power, Incognito, Parkway Drive, etc.

KEITH: Memphis May Fire, Being as an Ocean, Architects and The Ghost Inside, etc.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

SO: Everything and everyone around us could be an inspiration but we never know what exactly will come up next and hit us so hard that we have to express that as a song.

LEO: Every moment that I breathe, smell and feel of falling in love with nature.

6. Where was your last gig? 

PETE: We played at The Wanch, a small pub in Hong Kong, but it was a great music festival featuring more than 70 artists/bands in 7 consecutive days.  

7. Where would you like to act? 

LEO: Anywhere we can stand. 

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

SO: It would be fun to collaborate with great artists of other genres to see what can be come up with.

9. Whom not? 

SO: Nope. I think anyone can be admitted as long as we have a common goal.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that? 

SO: Feel the music and as music flows, you just follow and will forget yourself on stage.

PETE: Good preparation before the performance is a must and it is always true that practice makes perfect.

KEITH: Yes, I experienced stage fright during our first show in HKUST which is my alma mater. But I would say the most important thing is to enjoy the stage instead of treating your performance as a kind of work/duty.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

SO: At first I started doing screaming vocals because of melodic death metal bands like Children of Bodom, while La Dispute and Being as an Ocean brought me to a complete new vocal style by implementing spoken-word elements.

LEO: Radiohead, Being as an Ocean, Hotel Books, Toe, etc.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

SO: Can’t think of any but we look forward to any weird things that our fans may ask for....Try us lol.

13. What do you think of your fans? 

SO: Always feel so good to know there are someone else who love the music you create. And the power they give us when they interact or even sing along with us is priceless. 

KEITH: Our fans are supportive and I would say they are not only our “fans” but also our friends. Without friends, we are nothing. With friends, we are alive.

14. What do you think of our site? 

SO: Definitely a great one and thus we are so stoked to be interviewed!

15. Something to add?

LEO: “Hold on and it will be fine”. That’s life and it’s always one of the messages Planck would like to convey through our songs.