99 Anger is one of those bands that¡¯s been around for a lot longer than most of us. They took a break when the band moved across the pond to try and relocate in Vancouver.

Now Hyun has returned and reformed his band with new members, and they¡¯re playing shows once again. I sent him an e-mail to see what he had to say for himself.

BROKE: When did your band form?
HYUN: November 1997
BROKE: How did your band form in Jejudo? Did you have any support at all? Who put on shows? Basically, what was the scene like?
HYUN: After I came back from the states, my friend and I started the band that we always wanted. Basically there was no scene there. They didn¡¯t know what a ¡®scene¡¯ was. Punk was still new. The culture was new. There were a couple of bands who are actually playing shows. The bands were playing mostly at clubs. Clubs put on the shows. It was illegal to play shows at clubs back then.
BROKE: Can you clarify that? It was illegal?
HYUN: Yes, it was illegal to play shows at clubs. I know it sounds funny but its true. It was legalized in 1999. They had a big show to celebrate. We participated in that show.
BROKE: How did you discover punk music out there? Did you discover the Korean punk community first, or punk music?
HYUN: Well, I really didn¡¯t know if there was the community in Korea. I discovered punk music when I was in the states. One day when I was in Jeju, one of my friends introduced Crying Nut. I was like ¡®wow! Could Korean lyrics sound this good?¡¯
BROKE: Tell me about the history of your band. When did you leave Jejudo, and where did you move next?
HYUN: We formed in 1997. We¡¯ve played shows for about 2 years in Jeju. We decided to move to Seoul for the band in 2001 or 2002. Then we left for Vancouver in 2003 - I don¡¯t really remember exctly which year it was.
BROKE: How have you seen the Korean punk scene change over the years? Were there any major changes when you returned from Canada?
HYUN: Wow, I was amazed by these bands. Look at the bands like ¡°Galaxy Express¡± and ¡°The Moonshiners¡±. How can you not be impressed by them! It¡¯s been over 10 years now. It¡¯s about time.
BROKE: What bands do you like playing with most?
HYUN: Well, whoever I am comfortable with. I don¡¯t like just playing shows. I like to have fun with them,too.
BROKE: A lot of Korean bands have English lyrics. How do you feel about this?
HYUN: Well i know we are one of them. What I feel about lyrics is that lyrics can be a part of music. And sometimes lyrics are important cause it sends messages. If you don¡¯t know what you¡¯re saying then how¡¯re you gonna send your messages?
BROKE: It seems 99Anger has always been close to MF Crew. I always considered MF Crew to be the more Cheongju label. How¡¯d you wind up with them?
HYUN: Yes, mfcrew is a Cheong Ju label. We¡¯ve met them during the Who Comes First tour.That was the happiest time we ever spent on tour. We naturally got close and we naturally became the part of MF crew.
BROKE: I get the feeling you are the only original member. What¡¯s happened with the others? Who do you consider the most important members of 99Anger?
HYUN: I am the only original member. I¡¯ve always admired those bands that are still playing with the original members. Everybody knows it¡¯s hard. I don¡¯t want to say what exactly happened. But I hope they made a right decision. Well, of course, I consider, ME, as the most important member. (HAHA). All the members are important.
BROKE: Tell me about your move to Canada. Why were you there?
HYUN: I just got sick of Seoul. Seoul was the worst place I¡¯ve ever lived. Maybe still is but I¡¯m changed now. After the drummer left, I felt like I lost everything. We needed something new. We need a new start with new things. I was like ¡°Let¡¯s go to Vancouver and try again¡±.
BROKE: How did you get other members? Was it tough?
HYUN: I asked around and put an ad out here and there. Tough. really tough. we had like 10 drummers who mostly sucked.
BROKE: How was the punk scene different over there?
HYUN: I don¡¯t wanna say it in just one word. I don¡¯t wanna say it in 100 words either. Different contries, different scene.
BROKE: How well did 99Anger do there? Did you gain a following?
HYUN: Not really well. I¡¯ll tell you one story. I would never forget this one. One Friday or Saturday night, we were supposed to play with 3 other bands but no one showed up. Not one single person came from the bands. We only played this show in front of few people that my bassist and I invited.
BROKE: How do you like your current lineup?
HYUN: I am happy with the current lineup.
BROKE: Are you still making new songs?
HYUN: Yes, I am.
BROKE: Are you going to release anything new soon?
HYUN: Hopefully soon.We are looking for a label now.