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Page 1 of 2 Exactly how many setbacks do you think it
takes to bring someone down? To these four rebels, each only serves to make
them stronger and tougher than ever. Coming back with their eighth album, 'Tian
Sheng Fan Gu' ("Born To Rebel"), they are going to show you the right way to
rebel - against all odds.
HOOKED brings you an exclusive interview with
Energy, while trying not to get distracted by their irresistible manly charm.
Rise To Fame
Started out in 2002, Energy, which consists
of Toro, Niu Nai, Ah Di, Kun Da and Shu Wei, shot to fame with their
exceptionally powerful break-dancing moves and catchy, upbeat numbers in their
debut album "Come On", establishing their venerated status as one of the
leading dance groups in Taiwan.
Riding the wave, Energy quickly released
their second and third album subsequently in 2003, reaching the peak in their
career and garnering a huge fan base, not only within Taiwan, but also in
various Asian countries like China, Hong Kong, and of course, Singapore.
We'll Never Say Goodbye
However, when you are at the top, the only
way left to go is down. After a series of unfortunate events, which include
implicit management controversies and injuries, band members Toro and Niu Nai
left Energy in 2003 and 2005 respectively, leaving hordes of loyal fans
heartbroken and disillusioned.
Despite speculations on their disbandment
and condescending voices of the media, Ah Di, Kun Da and Shu Wei resolved to
continue this arduous journey together because of one promise: Never Say
Goodbye.
New Blood
Even so, losing two members proved to have
a detrimental effect, as Energy's popularity continued to slide over the years.
In order to heighten their morale, a new member, Xiao Gang was inducted earlier
this year, bringing a brand new vibe to the group.
Xiao Gang is no stranger to the
entertainment business, having acted in Taiwanese idol drama 'Zi Zun Bo Li Xie'
("Queen's"), as well as Taiwanese Hip Hop movie 'Qiao Ke Li Zhong Ji'
("Chocolate Rap"). Neither is he new to Energy, since he used to be their
backup dancer, and was even once roomies with Kun Da and Shu Wei.
L-R: Shu Wei, Xiao Gang, Kun Da, Ah Di
Before letting HOOKED bring you through the
20-minute interview with Energy, please pardon the writer (i.e. me) for her slight
incoherence at some points, because she spent half the time avoiding eye
contact with them, and the next half getting lost in it.
Now, Fight!
HOOKED: It has been some time since you
guys came over to Singapore, and now, with a brand new image! After so many
changes made to the group, what do you think is the biggest difference between
the current Energy and the initial five?
Kun Da: The
biggest change should be...
Ah Di: ...the number. (Laughs)
Kun Da: Yeah...it used to be the five of us, and after many changes, we've added a new member. That's the biggest difference.
HOOKED: What about psychologically?
Shu Wei: Our spirit is still the same. In fact, the addition of Xiao Gang brought us back to the time when the five of us first started out.
hooked: And the same for group
dynamics or chemistry?
 Kun Da: Yeah, it's still the same. Perhaps the three of us (meaning Shu Wei, Ah Di and himself) already have a pretty good chemistry together, but with the addition of a new member, he may need to make some adjustments and adapt. However, I believe it will become better and better.
Ah Di: (He) Will need more time.
Shu Wei:
Even though the people in Energy are different now, the spirit is still the
same. We knew Xiao Gang right from the
beginning, so our bond is pretty strong. I guess it still takes time for him to
get used to it, since it's inevitable to be nervous when you first start out.
Xiao Gang:
Yeah, I wasn't used to holding a microphone at first, so they would ask me to practice with a
bottle, and try singing and dancing with it.
Kun Da:
Actually, we used to live together, so we are friends with Xiao Gang long
before this, but now that we are working partners, I guess there is still a
difference. After he joined us (Energy), we probably need to give him more
guidance.
HOOKED: So what kind of difference did
Xiao Gang make to Energy?
Shu Wei: Definitely
more vigour, which is what Energy is. Before he joined us, the three of us have
been working together for about five years. After dancing for so long with the
same people, you lose the motivation (to dance), and performance becomes
something you need to do, not something you want to do. So Xiao Gang's
enrollment actually spurred us on and we're gaining back the energy.
HOOKED: If I'm not wrong, Xiao Gang was
supposed to form the second generation of Energy. When and how did the idea (of
having a second generation) come about?
 Shu Wei: There
is only one person in the second generation of Energy.
Kun Da:
(Laughs) Only Xiao Gang.
Ah Di: When
we were down from five to four (members), this idea came up (to add a new member) as backup. We were aware of Xiao Gang's existence then, but nothing was confirmed. By the time the three of us were left, we
thought of making new, radical changes to the group, so we got Xiao Gang to
join us. It was a very risky decision, since the fans weren't familiar
with him at first. But it all turned out really well now.
HOOKED: Having been through so much
together and with so many changes made, Energy probably means much more to you
than just a group. What do you think Energy now symbolises and what exactly
does it mean to you?
Ah Di: (Energy
is a form of) Spirit. Actually, literally, Energy means power. Ever since we
first started out, we emphasize on bringing people vim and vigour, as well as
power. We also hope that in the future, Energy does not simply mean the number
(of people)...
Kun Da:
...does not restrict ourselves with the number (of people)...
Ah Di: ...or ourselves, but a form of spirit. Perhaps in the future, the people
within Energy may not be (the four of) us, but the spirit is still there.
Kun Da: Maybe
what we mean is that we are treating Energy as something like a brand name, a
brand to be proud of.
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