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    • The Brokeys
    by Jon Twitch

    I know this is a pretty unprofessional poll, so let’s go over how it was created. Nominations were accepted on the Broke in Korea board. I nominated many people and bands myself, but I never nominated myself. I didn’t cast my own ballot, but in the event of a tie in which I am not a contender, I will decide on the verdict. In the event of a tie involving myself, I will declare two winners. There were seven voters, all foreigners and all deeply involved in the Korean punk scene. Let’s see who they picked.

    Best Hardcore Band

    13 Steps

    While most hardcore bands in Korea have gone a number of different directions— some right, some straight-edge, some metalcore—we’ve always had 13 Steps standing right there, standing up for music and friends rather than lifestyles and ideologies. The best band out of Cheongju, they’ve effectively turned “Cheongju City Hardcore” into an anthem. Take that, “Green Uiwang.” If you’re in Korea, you have no excuse not to see this band. Immigration officials will ask you upon leaving the country if you remembered to catch a 13 Steps show. Also, if you ever have a chance to see them in Cheongju, don’t miss that show. They always have their best shows in their hometown. did.

    Best Punk Band

    Suck Stuff

    Probably Korea’s hardest working punk band of 2006, Suck Stuff played shows every week inside and outside Hongdae, playing in front of more people than other punk bands, including Rux who was the runner-up in this category. Sure, Rux fills larger venues, but they play to the same people each time. Suck Stuff plays new venues in different cities, effectively opening up the punk scene and serving as the missionaries of punk in Korea. Suck Stuff went through a major change a couple years ago when guitarist Houk was replaced by Korean-American Paul Brickey on guitar. Since then, lead singer Chulhwan’s songwriting talents and signature vocal style have stepped aside to split duties with his new bandmate. The old Suck Stuff can be characterised by the anthem “Just Like a Punk Rocker” and dancey number “DDY,” while the new Suck Stuff can be characterised by “Spirit of Rebellion” and “Generation Against Them.” Suck Stuff has a wider variety of in- fluences than most other Korean punk bands. From the ska influence on “City Rebels” and “DDY” to Paul’s hero-worship of Johnny Cash, they come across to me as a modern-day Clash. And not because they’re aping the Clash at all, more because they’re combining influences the way that legendary band did.

    Best Label

    Skunk Label

    Was there any doubt? Korea has had lots of punk labels, but not many of them have ever done anything. Skunk has its own CD releases, its own club, its own online store, and now its own practice space. Essentially, it is the Korean punk scene. What have all the other labels done? Aside from occasionally renting Skunk Hell to put on a show. Next year I hope this category will be more competitive. Imagine for a minute that Jonghee was never born, and there was no Skunk Label, no Skunk Hell, and no Rux. Now let’s never think of that dreary world again.

    Best Foreign Band

    Waking Party

    With heavy heart, I award the Waking Party the Brokey for best foreign band. I’m writing this on the night of their final show. Although they aren’t quite a punk band, they’ve won their way into our hearts and made a lot of friends among the punk scene. They will be missed.

    Best Foreign Tour

    TIE

    Outbreak/Hat Trickers

    This category was split between the Outbreak tour and Hat Trickers, who have since played a second show in Seoul. Outbreak is a hardcore band and they’re pretty nice guys. Hat Trickers play a style of music inspired by a counterculture that comes from a science fiction book. They are quite a spectacle to watch, and are basically the Gwar of Japanese punk. I think I’m going to award this one to...

    OUTBREAK

    Best Show

    For the Dogs

    The first show of its kind, foreigners Paul and Jesse teamed up to throw a show for charity. At the door they accepted pet food donations in lieu of real money. The show set attendance records, althuogh without a headlining band it was never The show introduced a variety of bands to Skunk, including many foreigner bands, and featured some of the best Korean bands as well. Look for more charity shows in the future.

    Best New Band

    Galaxy Express

    Galaxy Express was warmly welcomed when they first came on the scene. It was the exact sort of music people wanted to hear more of. With the above average stage presence of the guitarists, these guys add a flavour of variety at their shows.

    Best (non-Skunk) Venue

    DGBD

    It turns out the second best venue is DGBD. A few interesting facts about DGBD. Its original name was Drug, and it first opened in the location that Skunk Hell now occupies. It moved to its current location in 2004, which Jonghee was actually planning to claim as the new Skunk Hell. DGBD is a nice club, much cleaner than the old location, with a bar, an emergency exit, a decent washroom, and an interesting layout. It is always a pleasure to work with the club organisers Matt and Anthony, and Lorne is a great sound guy. Honourable Mention: Club Spot, mainly for putting on a wide variety of shows and pioneering the after-midnight show, filling a much needed niche.

    Best Foreign Musician/ Best Guitarist

    Paul Brickey

    Picking up two prizes, Paul left a lasting impression on the voters. Although maybe not the most skilled guitarist, Paul uses the guitar to express himself and send a message. Sometimes that’s more memorable than hitting the right strings. Paul started off in Rux before getting kicked out. In Utah he started the 12th Street Staggers before returning to Korea and joining Suck Stuff, replacing a founding member and fundamentally changing the band.

    Best Drummer

    Kim Ganji, MR27

    MR27 was having trouble finding a drummer until they found Kim Ganji, a drummer with a jazz background. His style fit perfectly into the band and they had a great run, producing a CD and touring China, the first ever such tour by a Korean band. Now MR27 is split up with Burke returning to the US and Kim Ganji doing his military service. In two years we’ll have a great drummer back making great music with who knows what band.

    Best Singer

    Won Jonghee, Rux

    The people went with Jonghee, Rux’s charismatic vocalist. Most of Rux’s songs are easy to sing along to, and Jonghee always includes the audience in his act. It takes a great singer to get the whole room singing along with you, and he can do that in English or Korean. Jonghee,Rux

    Best Bassist

    Joohyun, Rux, Captain Bootbois, Ghetto Bombs, Galaxy Express

    After years of playing in bands, Joohyun has left his footprint on the punk scene. Originally a founding member of Rux, he left to form Captain Bootbois before moving on to Ghetto Bombs and his newest project, Galaxy Express. He’s been a key part of these bands and always plays a competent bass.

    Best Female Musician

    Michelle

    Despite one dissenter who called this category sexist, Michelle won this category with half the votes. Like some of the other winners, she’s been in a ton of bands, including Kingston Rudieska, BB Lucky Town, Jiraltan99, Samchung, Dirty Small Town, and so on.

    Best Songwriter

    TIE

    Chulhwan/Paul

    Well this is a pickle. Two bandmates competing for one award. Both Chulhwan and Paul write songs for Suck Stuff, and both have completely different but compatible styles. I remember the first time I met Paul, he pointed out Suck Stuff to me and said “This guy is the best songwriter in Korea.” Paul, you really aren’t helping your future self. Paul’s already won two, so I’m giving this to...

    CHULHWAN

    Best Album

    Suck Stuff, City Rebels

    There was no question this was the winner. Best album of the year, in the top three of all time in Korea’s music history, and not going away any time soon. A classic. Plus, I sing on some of the tracks.

    Best Record Store

    Hyang Music (unopposed)

    One thing Korea lacks is a good independent music store for punk stuff. Generally if you want to buy a band’s CD, you’d better go to one of their shows and hope they have merch. Failing that, Hyang Music carries most of the more important CDs in their independent section. It’s hard to find all tucked away in Sinchon, and I still usually take the wrong turn. We’ve had one or two stores in the past that had punk stuff, but these days Hyang is the only one left where you can find these CDs.

    Best Website

    Broke in Korea

    Our message board won 6 of the 7 votes. It is ultimately the most useful website, with the most comprehensive show calendar (when it’s updated) and links and news and bitch fights every day. All the foreigners who are committed to the punk scene visit it, and it’s a great way to find a way into the punk scene here. Sometimes it’s worth the bitchfighting. Come and give us a visit.

    Best Tattooist

    Sun Tattoos (unopposed)

    When you need a tattoo, you first think of Sun Tattoos. In a country where tattooing is basically illegal, it’s hard to find someone who can give you some ink. Sun Tattoos remains a well hidden secret, hiding out somewhere in Hongdae area. If you want to see what his work is like, just take a look around at most of the Korean punks. They got most of their work done by him.

    Best Photographer

    Me!

    Sweet, I won an award! I started taking pictures in 2001 when I worked for the campus newspaper at my university. My first camera was a Nikon Coolpix 950 which has a unique swivel design excellent for taking candids. It lasted me until January 2004 when it broke at Skunk Hell’s first show. I bought a Nikon Coolpix 4500, the updated model. When that one broke, the 950 was cheaper to fix. Now my primary camera is a D40, so we’ll see if I can handle it.
    Honourable Mention: xZustx Back in 2003, I met a Korean girl who took photos at hardcore shows. She was secretive as she didn’t want anyone to know she wasn’t a guy. She disappeared from the scene after she got married to a Canadian guy who didn’t understand hardcore music.

    D-Bag of the Year

    Seoul Penetrators

    Seoul’s greatest rock band, these guys aimed to bring life to Korean music...by dressing in drag and playing cheesy ‘80s covers. They crossed the line from amusing distraction to shitballism when a couple members took trolling to the extreme on ESL Cafe, where people didn’t accept them as the rock gods they claimed to be. They’re gone now, moved on to more pretentious pastures. Dishonourable Mention: Simon Byron Brody of drowningman. I mean, come on, dude. Who were you kidding. “Hi everyone, I’m Simon Byron Brody of the noted American band drowningman. I’m just here to be one of the little people, like you. Hey, do you have a couple hundred dollars I can borrow for painkillers?” Fuck, it’s been a bad year for blowhard musician types.

    Best Place to Sleep

    TIE

    DVD Bang/Jjimjilbang

    I’m not exactly qualified to judge this one because I’ve never been in a jimjilbang. I don’t know what happens inside a jimjilbang, but I think I heard it involves taking your clothes off. So I have to award this one to...

    DVD BANG

    Honourable mention: with a girl.

    Skinhead of the Year

    Jiwoong

    Most of us knew Jiwoong at first as the “I don’t speak English” skinhead. He’s unlike the other Korean skinheads—while most of them have gone more towards Mexican gangsta fashion, he’s stuck with the boots, tight pants, and braces. He does it with style and always looks his best. Also, he knows a little more English than he lets on when he’s around a foreign lady. You might not think much of him because he’s rail thin, but he’s a lot tougher than he looks.

    Best Back Up

    JESSE

    Why Jesse? Maybe people respond to his kindness, his loyalty, his disarming charisma. We want him on our side not because we want to vanquish our enemies, but because we know if Jesse is behind us, we’re on the just side.

    Best Drinking Partner/ Most Irreplaceable Foreigner

    Jesse

    Well this was Jesse’s year. He worked hard for these awards. Even more amazing, considering he didn’t even know they would someday exist. In the past couple years he has been an anchor to the punk scene. He promotes some of his own shows, including a couple successful charities. He also runs the Korean punk/hardcore MySpace page, directing a lot of people toward us. Without him, things would just not get done. Not bad for a guy who got lost on his first trip to Skunk and ended up around Gwangheungchang. Honourable mention: Joey He certainly could’ve won the Brokeys 2005 awards, but now he’s been gone too long. One of the original foreigners in the Korean punk scene, he pioneered a lot of things we consider traditions now. He also played in Rux for a little while before leaving for Texas to finish college.

    Best Mosher

    Never Daniel

    You know it’ll be a good show if Never Daniel is there. This guy brings teh mosh whether it’s to punk, hardcore, or ska. Lately he’s been going a little more low-key in a grab at respectability in Confucian culture. His lowest point ever was when he wore a Clash shirt on live national TV and was accused of being a Japanese imperialist. At least he didn’t take the shirt off.

    Best Rabble Rouser

    TIE

    Eric/Verv

    Now this is a tough one. Eric and Verv both at times have had awful nights, have sometimes been a tremendous burden on their friends, and often need careful babysitting. Not to say we don’t love them. Whether it’s Eric introducing himself to my wife’s friend with the charming line “Jot-ga-teun-nyun” or Verv getting drunk and hurling racial slurs inside a Nazi bar, they are both charming in their eccentricities. So, I am forced to declare a TIE.

    N00b of the Year

    Diane

    She came into our lives recently, and became committed to the Korean punk scene. She takes some of the best photos of shows, although her site isn’t updated regularly enough. It’s always fun to be around Diane.

    Most Missed Korean Army Guy

    Beomju

    It sucks going away for two years, especially when you’re in the prime of your youth. Every Korean male goes to the army for two years, time spent in boredom with next to no pay. It disrupts your social life, especially if you’re in a band. This year’s winner isn’t even in a band. Everyone misses Beomju, Korea’s number one ska fan. Fortunately he escaped during the Slackers show, Incidentally, to afford a 20 000 won ticket to that show, he would’ve had to serve four months in the army to get paid that much. That’s right. The army pays 5000 won per month. Anyway, he’s coming out this fall. the balls he wants. beauty. woke up though.

    Saddest Goodbye to a Foreigner

    Jay

    You remember Jay, don’t you? He was the sort of quiet guy who got along with everyone. He was here for a few years, spent a lot of time with all of us, and then moved back to the US. Part of living in Korea is saying goodbye to people. You’re probably not going to see them again, but sometimes they cross your path in the future. don’t think I’ve ever been around when he

    Best Dressed

    TIE

    Burke/Jiwoong

    Well I can’t decide, so here’s two sexy pictures of the finalists. Who wins? I can’t decide. Burke always looks his best for shows, but Jiwoong has the most expensive outfit.

    Best at Passing Out

    Urchin

    With plenty of formidable opposition, what mattered in this category was form. Sure, any chump can collapse on the curb, but Urchin takes it to a new level by passing out wherever the balls he wants. One time he passed out in a restaurant, and we covered him under a blanket of lettuce leaves and soju bottles. It was a thing of beauty. I don’t think I’ve ever been around when he woke up though.