Revisiting The Song ‘Unite Asia’

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We are currently in the midst of working out the kinks, acquiring equipment, tapping into personnel all over Asia to help put together our very own Unite Asia video podcast. The excitement is unbearable…we just want to jump right into it! But we know that with the world overwhelmed with podcasts and videocasts that we want to do this right. So we’re taking the time to talk to experts in audio, video, graphics, podcasting, to help with all the things that we have to think through before we even begin.

While thinking about this and working with our awesome video editor, Nicco out of Bangkok (who also runs the amazing Punk Rock Bangkok site with Charlie), he didn’t know there actually IS a song called Unite Asia! So while digging it back up for him, we came across this premiere we did for the track way back in 2015! The song was originally released by our old band King Ly Chee back in 2006 but was re-recorded in 2015 by inviting a whole bunch of vocalists from 7 Asian hardcore bands to sing on it. The result is something that we will be eternally proud of.

The lyrics and the music and the message still stand today.

Enjoy the text and music below. But thank you as always for supporting this site and what we’re all about.

More info on the video podcast soon!

WE ARE STOKED TO BE DOING IT!!!

The following was all published originally in 2015 with the actual post HERE. 

Welcome to the re-recorded version of the song – Unite Asia. This version of the song could quite possibly be the most emotional release/project that the boys in King Ly Che have ever worked on in their 16-year existence.

Because of this brand new website and because the website is connecting with SO MANY people all over the world, King Ly Chee decided to re-record this old song that was first written and recorded in 2006. The original idea of the song back in 2006 came about because King Ly Chee was about to embark on an Asian tour with NOFX as their direct support act, and because of this incredible opportunity, they decided to write a song about Asia and just how great this part of the world is.

But how do they re-record this song and make it a little bit more special especially in 2015 when King Ly Chee doesn’t really sound like that 2006 version of the band?! King Ly Chee’s guitar player, Brian, suddenly sent out a message to the band saying “What if we got singers from different Asian hardcore bands to sing on it?”

And that – ladies and gentlemen – is what we are honored here to premiere to you today.

The song below is called Unite Asia – and it features 7 vocalists of hardcore bands throughout Asia…

You can find out more about the vocalists below including short interviews as to why they chose to be a part of this…

Din
Kids on the Move
Malaysia
https://www.facebook.com/kotmhc?fref=ts

Where was your track recorded and by whom?
The track was recorded at Pharcyde Studio in Kuala Lumpur. Quite a new studio, owned by Noh Salleh, a prominent name in the indie-mainstream scene. He has helped us a lot these past few years, and that studio is where we always go for practice nowadays.

Why did you agree to be a part of this song?
It was such an honor! And I would never have missed out on being a part of it. I’ve known KLC from 2004 when we shared the stage and I saw their passion and how they really fight for “Unite Asia”. If I can do anything to help the movement, I would, hence I said yes straight away.

What does “Unite Asia” mean to you?
Hardcore is still considered such a “Western” thing. And I believe Asia has a lot of different cultures/customs and characters that make hardcore even less common to see in our youth. While hardcore/punk rock may be the norm in the west, we are still the black sheep in our own countries. Still, we strive to bring our own character into this music, and despite not having a big scene for your band to prosper in, we still go to our neighboring countries and share the music and passion. By uniting as a whole, we share our passion on a bigger scale, not bound by our borders, language, race, or religion.  

Dokyo
13 Steps
South Korea
https://www.facebook.com/13cjhc?fref=ts

Where was your track recorded and by whom?
Vocals were recorded at M.O.L Studio, Seoul. The producer is Sang-Hyun Cho who is one of the best producers for heavy music in South Korea.

Why did you agree to be a part of this song?
The reason is Riz. He is my old friend so there was no hesitation on my part.

What does “Unite Asia” mean to you?
“Unite Asia” will be an anthem and it is my honor to be a part of this song.

Bagoes
Final Attack
Indonesia
https://www.facebook.com/FinalAttackJHC?fref=ts

Where was your track recorded and by whom?
The vocals were recorded at Black Venom Studio by Hari.

Why did you agree to be a part of this song?
Because it’s our form of a statement to amplify the message of unity. And we absolutely support this great idea, that’s why we wanna be a part of this song. This song shows that the Asian hardcore scene is strong and united!

What does “Unite Asia” mean to you?
The Asian hardcore scene is often overlooked by people around the world cause people tend to just focus on the US/European hardcore scenes. We talk a lot about things like unity. But sometimes we leave that word alone down in the corner. Kids tend to not have a lot of faith/respect for their scenes in their regions. Kids tend to like bands from the US or Europe which I’m not saying is wrong. But it’s important to be aware that a band from your own area actually has a great sound too! At least, don’t forget where you are from, your friends, and the community that has given you massive support and contributed to shape and build who you are now.

I think by uniting Asia, we can show the world that Asian hardcore is so much more and so much greater than people see it.

Li You
Unregenerate Blood
Beijing, China
https://www.facebook.com/UnregenerateBlood?fref=ts

Where was your track recorded and by whom?
At our guitar player Li Chao’s underground studio. The producer was also himself.

Why did you agree to be a part of this song?
We’ve known the guys in King Ly Chee for so many years and are very close friends with them. We’ve always wanted to do some sort of crossover project with these guys so when Riz wrote to me about this I replied “Hell yes!” right away! It is a huge honor for my voice to be a part of this song.

What does “Unite Asia” mean to you?
Well first of all I’ve been checking out Asian hardcore for many many years and if you compare it to China, the Asian hardcore scene’s development began decades ahead of us so there are so many areas that we can watch and learn from them. The most important thing is that Asian hardcore bands are great. So coming across their music and getting to know these bands I can really feel their sincerity for this movement and I especially appreciate their DIY attitudes.

At the end of the day, it’s good to know that the Asian scene can have it’s own strengths and killer sound!

Ratchy
Overthrown
Singapore
https://www.facebook.com/overthrownlchc?fref=ts

Where was your track recorded and by whom?
It was recorded at OTHQ by Irfan Ramli.

Why did you agree to be a part of this song?
There’s no reason to disagree. We’re all family and it’s a great honor to be part of it for a good motive. Thanks for having us! Besides, Riz was also featured on one of our songs from our last album ‘As It Is’. So this is also our opportunity to give something back to KLC.

What does “Unite Asia” mean to you?
Hardcore in Asia is huge and there are tons of great bands who are all virtually unknown in the worldwide hardcore scene. But Asian hardcore kids still support American bands as their main priority, instead of supporting local ones. There’s nothing wrong with that but sometimes we Asians need to remember to support our local bands as much as they support western bands because every band deserves the same amount of support. In order to put Asian hardcore on the same par as US/European hardcore, we have to unite amongst ourselves first to keep the spirit alive and continue to support what we have built.

Marben
Badburn
Philippines
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Badburn/114672008558924?fref=ts

Where was your track recorded and by whom?
In my room by myself.

Why did you agree to be a part of this song?
The song reflects one of the reasons I believe in hardcore, and that is nobility. Nobility made real because it’s standing for one another.

What does “Unite Asia” mean to you?
Stay down!

Riz
King Ly Chee
Hong Kong, China
https://www.facebook.com/kinglychee

Where was your track recorded and by whom?
My vocals were recorded at our studio right here in Hong Kong called SFS Studios by our guitar player Brian.

Why did you agree to be a part of this song?
Because you wrote the song dumbass. If you weren’t going to be part of your own song that would probably have been one of the stupidest things you’ve ever done in your life – and you’ve done a lot of stupid shit.

What does “Unite Asia” mean to you?
I think it’s pretty self-explanatory in this song. But having all these singers from all over Asia come together on this track while maintaining their own unique vocal styles is one of the coolest things ever. I have all 7 versions of this song sitting on my computer and every time I hear their FULL take of the song – it gets me a little teary-eyed. We don’t live under any false pretenses that one day we will be able to do this band full-time or that hardcore will ever be able to pay the bills – that shit isn’t happening in our lifetime, so it’s even more exciting to hear all these guys take the time out of their own busy lives, listen to the song, learn the words/rhythm of the song, book studio time, lay down their amazing vocals, and send them out to me. For some of these guys, their own bands don’t play this particular brand of hardcore – so it was really asking a lot for them to step outside of their comfort zones. But they did it anyway man…I owe these guys so much for doing this, for King Ly Chee, for me, and most definitely for Asia.

Thank you Marben, Dokyo, Li You, Ratchy, Bagoes, and Din for taking the time and putting so much heart into this…you guys are the BEST!

LYRICS

This is our time
EVERYONE RISE

This is our time
WE WILL RISE

From the streets of Hong Kong
We hear your voices loud.
We know all about the struggles you face
It’s this for which we’re bound

Our differences are our strength
Our diversity unites us
Our will to persevere is why we stand as one
STAND AS ONE

We will rise – as long as you’re by my side
We will rise – no longer pushed aside

Look at what we’ve been through
Look at what we’ve been through
It’s time for me and you to
UNITE ASIA

I see the desperation in your eyes,
UNITE ASIA

When it feels like no one hears you your spirit dies
UNITE ASIA

To those with no hope I sing to you
UNITE ASIA

Look around this room,
you’ll see that we stand with you.
WE STAND WITH YOU.

From the streets of Hong Kong
We hear your voices loud.
We know all about the struggles you face
It’s this for which we’re bound

We will rise – as long as you’re by my side
We will rise – no longer pushed aside

We stand as one

RISE
We will rise.

We Will rise
We will
We will
Together

WE WILL RISE

We will
We will
Together

WE
WILL
RISE

UNITE ASIA