Space program

Korea's seen a big jump in the international profile of its entertainment industry in the last few years, first with films, then with its pop music. Now it seems there's a bit of a push for its indie rock as well. Apollo 18 journeyed through North America last year, hitting up SXSW and the like, and also played a few club dates, including this one at Zaphod's.

Choi Hyun-seok handles the axe.



Bassist Kim Dae-inn was performing as a solo artist under the name Jellyboy when he recruited Choi and drummer Lee Sang-yun to help him out live, thus laying the groundwork for the formation of Apollo 18.



They've got a post-rock and hardcore vibe that makes me think of Motorpsycho.



Headbanging action!



The whole lot!



Extra Kim!



Choi sings!



Lee hits!



And so on!



They'll soon be touring through the U.K. with other Korean rock groups.

Waiting for liftoff

I confess, the videos of Apollo 18 I checked out before heading over to Zaphod's to catch their show last night left me a little "meh." Either I watched the wrong vids or they don't translate to Youtube, because they definitely brought the psychedelic post-rock hardcore goods to the stage. Unfortunately only about a dozen people showed up, far fewer than they deserved.

Celery Troff was tagged to open for Apollo 18; they put on a pretty raucous set and sounded very good.


Celery Troff at Zaphod Beeblebrox, Sept. 20, 2012


Celery Troff at Zaphod Beeblebrox, Sept. 20, 2012

On to Apollo 18, who come from Seoul. Although pre-show exposure to their music made me think of Japanese band Mono, I think a better comparison is Norway's Motorpsycho, who also made the hardcore-to-psyche translation. Here's Choi Hyun Seok, who plays guitar and sings,


Apollo 18 at Zaphod Beeblebrox, September 20, 2012

Kim Dae Inn plays the bass and also sings, while Lee Sang Yun drums.


Apollo 18 at Zaphod Beeblebrox, September 20, 2012

An excellent show all-round.