AMK, or Adam Met Karl, was a Hong Kong based independent band from 1989-1996. The name of the band is derived from the first names of the economists Adam Smith and Karl Marx.[1] One of the pioneers of Cantonese indie pop, their songs featured upbeat melodies and fast rhythms with lyrics inspired by political issues and ordinary city life in Hong Kong that are often presented in a humorous and satirical way.[2]

AMK
Years active1989-1996
Musical career
OriginHong Kong
GenresIndie Cantorock
Members-

In 2006, a compilation album, In the name of AMK, was released by Harbour Records as a tribute to the band. Their songs were performed by various independent acts such as False Alarm, Fruitpunch and 22 Cats.

One of their most notable achievements was their song "One Person Playing Two Roles" (一人分飾兩角) with lyrics by Wyman Wong, which was recorded by Faye Wong in 1995 and used as the theme music for a radio soap opera.

References edit

  1. ^ Sunflowers and Umbrellas: Social Movements, Expressive Practices, and Political Culture in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Vol. 76. Institute of East Asian Studies, University of California, Berkeley. 2020. p. 161. ISBN 978-1-55729-191-2.
  2. ^ 袁智聰 (17 April 2017). "樂迷期待復活的香港獨立樂隊 (Part 1)". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 3 January 2024. 公認為香港首隊indie-pop樂隊的AMK,原名Adam Met Karl,早年毋庸置疑是一隊post-punk樂隊(甚至某些作品有著gothic的薰陶),同時又師承著一眾英國獨立廠牌Creation的隊伍之影響,促使及後發生走向泛著一份赤子之心的shoegaze / noise-pop / indie-pop / twee-pop取向的轉營,並啓動了全廣東歌的創作理念,所以AMK也是開創了粵語獨立流行樂的先河,以及帶出生活政治的歌曲題材,啓發著本地indie-pop的生態。