Hypercycle rocked and rolled the Joint

By Wendy Wang

With a name derived from the scientific term used to define the theoretical stage in macromolecular evolution, L.A.'s Hypercycle, gave a pulsating and energetic performance by producing sporadic musical twists that expanded and contracted rhythmically.

After having been kicked out of their previous heavy metal band, Kuang Lee (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Mark Davis (vocals, bass) formed their own band -- Hypercycle. Unlike most people accused of being too "popish," Kuang and Mark didn't fall into deep depression but instead, driven by revenge, vowed to recruit the best and the greatest. In which case, they recruited lead guitarist Parker Petrell and drummer Jamie Douglass. Now that Hypercycle was complete, they were ready to rock n' roll.

With inspiration stemming from Nirvana, R.E.M, NOFX, and Husker Du, Hypercycle's music celebrates the sound of reverberant guitars.

Onstage at the Joint, these boys played off one another, jumped, and boogied to their music without fear that their dance moves would lead to fatal accidents on such a small stage. By adding that extra kick 'n' punch, their beads of sweat and hyper-pigmented red faces proved the band's willingness to entertain.

Accompanied by a disco ball, a bar, and roughly fifty audience members, Hypercycle charged through a feverish and fast-paced selection of rock music that rolled out booming sounds and foot-tappable beats.

As admirers of the Beatles' look, it was not a surprise to see the four members suited up in identical white button-down shirts and neckties. To get a better picture of Hypercycle's image, take the four Beatles (during their "Hard Day's Night" phase), add an Asian to the group, tousle their hair a bit, replace the pointed boots with some sneakers, and you've got the semi-modern equivalent of the Beatles only with more grunge and less clean cut.

Songs like "Wreck" and "Les Paul and CD's" unveiled a mixture of fun beats with playful guitar riffs that provoked head-nodding familiarity.

With a power ballad like "Lullaby," Hypercycle showed us how good music could be sustained and how rock and roll could be made naïve again.

After the show, Asia Pacific Arts was able to get a brief interview with these hypercycled-up lads. When asked what the quartet musically hopes to achieve, comic relief guy, Mark said, "We hope to open for David Hasselhoff or maybe the Bruce Willis band."
Staying true to their music, Hypercycle explains, "We bring the rock. We bring the vocal harmonies. We bring the high energy musical attack."

If each of the members were to represent one characteristic in the band, Mark would be the goofy guy who brings in human satire. Jamie would be Dark Vadar while Parker would be "the angry young man who uses his guitar to preach to perverts." And Kuang said, "I'm like a circus ringleader, driving the band to greater rock and roll heights."

As the Asian member of the group, I asked Kuang if he felt he brought in any Asian influences to the music. Kuang said, "It's interesting that you ask that. We've got a new song in the works called 'Five Foot Two.' In the bridge of the song, I sing a lyric entirely in Mandarin Chinese. We'll see if the audience will get it."

According to Kuang, audiences should expect a lot from Hypercycle in the future. "We will be doing lots of shows, an album, and a music video. It will be a Foo Fighters style humorous music video for our song 'Les Paul and CD's.' It's half short film, half music video. It's sort of like Michael Jackson's 'Thriller,' but better. Watch for it on the film festival circuit."

Whether they know it or not, Hypercycle hone their craft with rockatronic sounds that destine them for greatness. So if you were at the Joint last Saturday, then you got a visual taste of Hypercycle's admirable personality and non-stop energy.

Despite Hypercycle's failed attempts at joke making, they were able to prove that they were not comedians but great musicians who have the potential to succeed; it just requires patience and a bit more practice on their part.

To find out more about Hypercycle, visit: www.hypercyclemusic.com or www.kuanglee.net

July 2, 2003