Underground 62 at Club Cixi Underground 62. Lots of new music for Hong Kong and a guest appearance by promoter Chris B's band.As well as organising all these great gigs for local indie fans Chris also takes time out to play in her own band,Thinking Out Loud. First band on were Monogel who play catchy,Cantonese indie-rock with a bluesy feel but it looks like they need to work on their material to create a more distinctive sound.It's great to see so many new bands on the hk scene but it also means that the standard has to be higher to attract attention.                 Commanches(Commanchas) were a revelation with their original take on folk rock..They have a big sound and are even (a little) like the Arcade Fire with their intense vocal style and switching of instruments.and the massive line-up of three guitarists,keyboards and tambourine gives the band a distinctive sound.and they also have a slightly improvisatory feel .The songs 'Darling' and 'Eliza' and 'Boats' were about relationships and familes and had a gentle,catchy jangle- rock appeal.I really enjoyed watching this band.The sound is like a blend between the gentle,retro harmonies of Fleet Foxes and the modern,intense power of The Arcade Fire.      Commanches live at The Underground                             F.T.T. is one of the best new bands in Hong Kong with their blend of fast-paced garage rock popularised in the last few years by American new wave bands like The Strokes.They kicked off their set with 'Sunday Morning' an uptempo rocker with lively bass and guitar riffs.continued with the uptempo 'KFS' and only slowed down a little mid-set on their new song 'Standing Where I Belong '.As vocalist, Keith gets most of the attention but Jonathan on lead guitar and Donald on bass with Edmund driving the songs along on drums deserve a lot of the credit for the band's tight,rocking sound.The band really came together on the remaining songs of their set 'I Feel Fine' and 'Ride with Me'with their driving riffs and catchy hooks.This band rocks!          FTT at myspace  F.T.T. live at Club Cixi  Everyone should try Thinking Out Loud.It's quite a noisy activity that may make you get up and dance or at least move your body rhythmically.The band is fronted by Chris B(formerly of Sisters of Sharon) and they play in an easygoing ,slightly retro style that may remind you of The Pretenders or Blondie or some of the early New York punk bands.They eased into their set with 'People',then got progressively rockier with''Stranger',the tongue-in-cheek 'Gonna Be Famous' before slowing the pace and darkening the tone with 'Moving On',before picking up pace.The band switched vocals for The Fratelli's 'Whistle for the Choir',giving the bass player a chance to grab the spotlight.Chris was back on vocals for 'Song For Lovers',a mainly guitar and sax- based bluesy rock number (whose image of 'the bride walking down the aisle' inexplicably made me think of the bloodbath wedding scene in 'Kill Bill)'before bringing the set to a suitably rocking conclusion with 'Rock'n'roll Machine'.              Thinking Out Loud live at Club Cixi                                               Next Underground  show on Sat.5th July ........