The Orient Express: 'We never really split up'

The Orient Express: 'We never really split up'

Legendary. Classic.

These are terms often used to describe Taiwanese 90s pop rock quintet The Orient Express and their frontman Jack Yao Ke-Chieh.

But Yao, 45, would prefer that he and his band members blend seamlessly into the current Mandopop scene.

In a phone interview with LOUD from his Taipei home, the father of one said with a chuckle: "I hope we are not referred to as pioneers.

"The word 'pioneer' makes us sound really old. Of course, age-wise, we are certainly not young. But I believe our passion and enthusiasm easily rivals that of today's youthful bands."

As much as Yao is reluctant to admit, The Orient Express - which include drummer Tiger Kuo, 49, bassist Sheng Tze-Chen, 49, guitarist Yang Zheng-Hua, 48, and keyboardist Hou Zhi-Jian, 46 - were among the first Taiwanese rock outfits to achieve mainstream success.

They scored hits such as Red Red Youth Comes Knocking and Charging In Front Of The Sun in the early 90s while Yao gained prominence for contributing vocals to inspirational stadium anthem Never Look Back, alongside Dave Wang and the late Chang Yu-sheng.

'LEGEND OF LEGENDS'

At the Super Slipper rock festival last August at the Taipei Arena, top Taiwanese rock outfit Mayday's frontman Ashin conferred the label "legend of legends" on Yao in front of a 15,000-strong crowd.

Contrary to the belief that The Orient Express had called it a day after their last EP, Red Hot Youth, in 2006, Yao explained that they "never really split up".

"Unlike other bands whose members fought and stopped talking to each other, the five of us have stayed in touch all this while. It's just that with each of us working in different industries and pursuing individual interests, it's hard to get together," he said in Mandarin.

Yao is the only band member with a solo career - he performs regularly in Taiwan and China.

While he will be without his bandmates when he pops into town for ensemble concert Songs That Keep Us Together 3 later this year, Yao is keeping his hopes alive for a possible Orient Express comeback in the distant future.

"US rockers Aerosmith are my idols. (Frontman) Steven Tyler and gang are nearly twice my age, yet they are able to pull off lengthy tours around the world. Props to them for their hard work and persistence" he said.

"Their longevity is also proof that good rock 'n' roll is hardly affected by changing trends in pop music.

"Who knows? Twenty years down the road, if we manage to do a reunion tour and our fans actually pay to watch us, we'd know we have written songs that struck a chord with them."

keeyunt@sph.com.sg


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