01.07.19 - H2 Festival 2019 Photos and Videos

Photos and videos of JUNK! at the event can be found here:

https://hongkong-rocks.com/2019/07/01/junk-h2-festival-2019

27.06.18 - H2 Festival 2018 Photos and Videos

Photos and videos of JUNK! at the event can be found here:

https://hongkong-rocks.com/2018/07/02/h2-festival-2018-junk/

25.06.18 'Hot Mess' ALBUM REVIEW

JUNK!, the one man band of Australian Hong Kong based musician Glen Lloyd is about to hit China for the third time at the end of this month. JUNK! is touring with a new album. Hot Mess is his twelfth record since he began JUNK! back in 2008, and it was released last March. The album contains twelve songs that flow around alternative pop rock sounds.JUNK! is known for his ingenious and fun performances. Hot Mess' twelve songs are fun and energetic, it inspires action and amaze, cool stuff to motivate you out of the couch and into any kind of physical adventure. You can come out with lots of ideas to say “it sounds like” … but really his mix of influences and vibes is ultimately unique, stylish and happy. Hot Mess was written, performed and produced by Glen Lloyd. Christelle Davis appears on vocals on “Fertiliza,” “Everything is Amazing,” and “Get Naked.” Phil Freestone plays guitar on “Fertiliza.” Leela Belle coos on “Leela Belle.” The cover photo is by Angus Leung. You can stream and buy Hot Mess on JUNK!'s Bandcamp. Find more information about him and the tour on his official website.

- Mache Link to article here

28.04.18 REVIEW: 'Electronica 3' @ The Hub

Spirits were high for one-man-band JUNK!’s headline return to The Underground. Producer, singer and, more recently, stripper Glen Lloyd was on top form, buoyed by the recent release of his third full-length album, Hot Mess. With a sound that can loosely be described as comedy electronica, or “performance art”, as Lloyd prefers, JUNK!, a familiar and welcome sight on Hong Kong stages, never fails to deliver a rowdy, fun-filled show.

A collage of photos tracing Lloyd’s existence from nappies to life as a 30-something opened Junk!’s performance, while the wistful accompanying track, Not Today, pondered the passing of time (“Maybe it’s true what they say, the time just flies away/ You wake up old and grey, and then you pass away”). It was a sobering start to the show, but signposted Lloyd’s evolution into an articulate songwriter capable of attaining great depth and incisiveness in his lyrics without sacrificing any of his signature playfulness.

The theme continued to Everything Is Amazing: on first look, an ode to the connectedness and technological privileges of modern life, until lines about being able to eat meat every day without having to kill an animal and having the luxury of being able to look away from the world’s atrocities really kicked in. The increasingly dark lyrics juxtaposed with the ebullient music, a party parade of congos, layered vocals and high-pitched keyboard stabs.

Similarly, Leave It Alone, saw Lloyd getting his rant on about the ubiquity of mobile phones and society’s addiction to checking for social media updates and taking selfies, slickly rapped over 90s hip hop beats and samples. Fertiliza, a song about how babies are made, which drew some of the biggest laughs of the night, featured a rapped verse by Lloyd’s wife, Christelle, amid a sex ed-style animated video that left little to the imagination.

Old favourite tracks followed, including tear-jerker I Remember, the Fiddler on the Roof-sampling recipe rap Matzo Ball Soup, and 8-Bit Killah, an ode to retro video gaming replete with nostalgic Nintendo effects.

Swapping from keytar to mic to laptop, Lloyd swept through the shouty, co-worker hate anthem, Fuck You, You Fuckin’ Fuck, the hilarious Tug a Little Love, which could have been an early 90s TV theme, and Get Naked, a rapid-fire celebration of bodies of all shapes and sizes – ending with Lloyd stripping down to just a novelty elephant trunk thong to whoops and cheers from the sweaty crowd. Final song, an excellent, down tempo cover of (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life showed there’s always surprises with this kaleidoscopic and endlessly creative performer.

– El Jay Click here to see photos and full show review.

24.12.17: GLEN'S 2017 UPDATE

07.01.17 REVIEW: 'Sub Terra #4' @ The Hub

Draped in a sparkling silver sequin gown, matching suit, shoes, skinny tie and black sunglasses, not unlike an exaggerated James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, JUNK! took to The Hub stage to both headline Sub Terra #4 and celebrate his 99th show, while cartoon visuals of a ‘Pinball Number Count’ lit the crowd, increasing anticipation levels. ‘My Name Is Glen’ began with a minimal beat and a Daft Punk-esque vocal, while visual projections of Glen from childhood to adulthood captivated the audience comedically, before the song abruptly finished with “My name is JUNK!”. This moved swiftly into ‘My House’, a swaggering nod to Kraftwerk over a simple two-note bluesy riff. The keytar provided piercing industrial drum sounds which continued to build the hype, despite it slightly dwarfing the mix. ‘Matzo Ball Soup’ switched it up again to self-described Australian hip-hop. The song began with distinctive violins over a subdued 90s pop breakbeat. JUNK! then broke out into a rap about the ingredients for his Grandma’s soup in a heavy Aussie accent, ahead of a brash drum’n’bass section, and Jewish folk song-influenced string lines. The performance and delivery was comparable to Flight of the Conchords, but with far more bravado. Arguably the highlight of the entire night was ‘Fertiliza’, an R-rated Soft Hair-esque squfunk track, with highly graphic images which may linger long in the memory. The song depicted how he accidentally got his wife pregnant, and included a cartoon sex sequence of “how babies are made”. Sperm, bizarre multi-coloured dancing babies and nude Simpsons-inspired characters dominated the screens, whilst JUNK! walked out into the crowd playing soft pad chords and high octave vibrato synth stabs with incessant baby noises growing louder with each beat. JUNK’s wife also appeared in the song, rapping with the couple’s baby, and raising the bar to laugh out loud moments. Throughout the set, JUNK! had been having a few issues with microphones cutting out, but allowed it to play into part of the show. Before ‘8 Bit Killah’, he had trouble fixing the microphone back into place. The lengthy fumbling felt like a musical version of a Stewart Lee sketch, garnering sporadic chuckles. The song itself was bit-crushed to the max with 80’s and 90’s arcade game sounds building the beat. More samples were added on top from a gaming controller, and classic games, most notably Pac-Man, featured behind him. ‘I Remember’ took a left-turn into love song territory, layering xylophone over “oohs” and a tribal beat. Lyrics had been included on screen to create a group karaoke as JUNK sang in falsetto. The sing-along refrain of “I’m gonna learn from my mistakes” repeated to the end, with it’s emotive frankness reminiscent of The Street’s ‘Dry Your Eyes’. Meanwhile ‘Fuck City’ brought the tempo back up, as a Vengaboys/Hot Butter’s ‘Popcorn’ synth line danced over an electronic 80’s backing and female harmonising vocals. The song sounded familiar, then quickly burst into the Haddaway classic ‘What Is Love?’, with the crowd equally bursting into song. JUNK began a beat boxing loop before cutting it off abruptly for “not having the patience”, and moved onto ‘Muthaphukka I’ll Stab You In The Face’. He was out in the crowd once again, this time with a toy knife and shouting down the mic, delivered vaguely like Zack De La Rocha. The song culminated in him playfully stabbing an audience member, and eerie Halloween footage created a perfect backdrop for the theatrics and intense Prodigy sonics. ‘Fuck You You Fucking Fuck’ also proved to be highly memorable, with guest samples of Arnold Schwarzenegger cleverly triggered by an X-Box controller. His voice was being warped and pitch shifted with the various buttons, before the verses vocally hinted towards David Byrne. The chorus was carefree, jumping around the stage shouting the song title repeatedly. And the middle section simply went “blah blah blah, blah blah blah” adding to the obscure hilarity. Again, JUNK! got the crowd involved in the show, giving a controller to an audience member and essentially having a ‘Fuck’-off battle with Arnie’s voice as the weapon. The crowd had to choose one song from a selection for JUNK! to cover for his closing track, and Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ won by a landslide. He handed out lots of tambourines, and danced into the crowd, invoking call and response sing-alongs in the middle section. Following a raucous response, the encore was a heavily sped up version of Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, sending the crowd off buzzing, talking about their favourite moments from the set. – Chris Gillett Click here to see photos and full show review.

23.12.16: GLEN'S 2016 UPDATE

27.06.16 INTERVIEW: VICE China

ETH：Hi Glen, Welcome to China, Hope everything is going great with you!

Let me introduce myself briefly first. I’m Eth and I started as a conceptual photographer who fell in love with illustration afterwards. My amateur is collecting toys(Especially Godzilla)! I love comics, music… even though I’m not really a professional. haha. So here are some questions. lets start right now! JUNK!: Hello Eth! Sounds like we have very similar tastes! I have been collecting toys (including Godzilla, video game and movie toys) since living in Osaka in 2011 🙂 ETH： Yes! just because our tastes are similar, I am very honored to be able to interview you, haha! Toys like monsters, aliens, fish, crustaceans are my favorites, I particularly like the Japanese kaiju, I can’t imagine how much toys I will buy provided living in Japan.

Let’s talk about Godzilla, Does Godzilla have any special meaning in your heart ? there is no? For me, my friends say I look more and more like Godzilla, I was very happy no matter whether it is a compliment or derogatory. What role does toys paly in your music? What kind of feeling it brings you? Besides your own music, what type of music do you like? How about some folk music? JUNK!: Im fascinated by Godzilla because it is one of the original embodiments of human wonder, fear and imagination. It's embraced by all ages and isn't just a 'kids story'. I lived in Osaka for a year and I was struck by how toys, video games, comics and anime are enjoyed by all ages.

Toys are designed specifically for fun and creative freedom, which is why I love giving video game controllers to my audience to trigger samples - as soon as I pass it to them, they know it's play time!

I am not a fan of folk music - I prefer modern artists who push the boundaries and make new, innovative music. ETH: Have you ever tries hot pot? If you have, I bet you might be really into it. JUNK!: Of course! I've been in Asia for six years and it's one of my favourite ways to eat and get drunk with friends. ETH：How do you think of the correlation of visual, sound, touch and taste? I feel like your music is my favorite hotpot! JUNK!: Yes, that's why it's called JUNK! It's a hot mix of this and that. I feel that sensual immersion is very important at a live show, which is why I use synchronised visuals and give out toys and video game controllers to the audience. My first cd has a documentary on it and a 'scratch 'n sniff' sticker or the front - so you can feel, hear, see and smell the album! ETH： Haha That’s great! I also like to drink and just got drunk two days ago lol. Alcohol is the best catalyst to enter any state. Eating hot pot with friends is such a great pleasure. The reason I want to talk about hot pot is that your show makes a feeling like having hot pot with friends. So relax and no distance! The audience is also part of your performance, right? I think each piece of your work are actually "unfinished". Because you can bring something new in each show between you and the audience to enrich your performance. How do you think about this? JUNK!: Yes - my show does rely on the audience's acceptance and energy, but I think all live music does. I have scientifically designed my show so that I can have about 6 drinks before a performance - but any more than that and I start to push the wrong buttons, play the wrong keys and sing the wrong words. ETH：Do you have some special hobby or addiction of collecting things? I’m quite curious if you have any story of it. JUNK!: I have a great collection of 80s R rated horror / sci-fi VHS tapes which are hilarious. I keep collecting them but have no VCR to play them where I live right now! ETH：Wow, just like a lot of people who collect vinyl records, they keep collecting even without vinyl player. What’s the relationship between the hobby and your creation? JUNK!: I love the aesthetic of the 80s - it's rough, raw, and its depiction of the future is awesome. I have a five track EP on five 1.4MB 3.5" floppy disks called 'The Dead Format EP'. People buy them at my shows even though they don't have an A: drive any more! ETH： I know you love special effects, and I love Godzilla a lot! I love to wear Godzilla headgear and take photos with my friends 😉 Seems You always dress on your superman costume in the shows. So I’m wondering why would you like to perform in this way? JUNK!: It helps me to transition into the JUNK! character - completely uninhibited, loud, and ready to save the day! It also lets the crowd know not to take this too seriously - just have fun. ETH：Seems like costumes have the same effect as alcohol! Next time when you see a person who wears Godzilla headgear. That’s me! JUNK!: I encourage dress ups at my shows - I love it when fans wear capes to my shows. ETH：How does your music inspiration com from? Did you ever meet some bottleneck? I love what you are doing So much fun! Would you like to share some exciting project you are planning to do next? and upcoming? JUNK!: My inspiration changes as I get older. My music started out as just being about sex, booze and video games - but now I'm writing about my daughter, temptation and even the environment... but nothing too serious 😉

Yes, I get 'stuck' very often! But I just have to go through the following cycle:

This is awesome

This is tricky

This is shit

I am shit

This might be ok

This is awesome ETH： It’s like constantly destroyed and rebuilt, as Chinese saying " There's no making without breaking." I think it’s the way you do. For me, I would read a bunch of stuff then go to bed sleep, which makes myself dream. Do you have this kind of experience? Or do you have any other magic methods and habits? Will you watch continue to see R rated horror / sci-fi movie continuously? haha JUNK!: I'm pretty shit at sleeping so I don't remember having dreams most of the time. I let the music drive the direction of each song. I just start playing with a drum or synth track and wait for a mood or theme to emerge.

Very often I will smash two unfinished tracks from years apart together and magically they will create a finished song. ETH：You expecting anything in this tour? or you have some good plans? JUNK!: I've polished some very upbeat sets, mixing new songs with popular favorites. Great drinking music 😀 ETH： Looking forward to your drinking music! Speaking of dreams just now, I think your music definitely can make people dream fantastically. Do you have such habit that you can get inspired from dreams? JUNK!: No, but a lot of music from my first album was made after smoking a joint! Nowadays I write sober, usually in a nice calm place overlooking beautiful scenery... I must be getting old. ETH：Glen I have a request which could be awkward. You know… We’ve never met. But do you have anything to ask about me? lol JUNK!: Yes! How do you split your passion of writing, illustrating and photography? ETH： Haha, now I also write independently in addition to photography and illustration. For me, get fun is most important regardless of professional or non-professional. Just like the the famous quote "I’m always very confident even it’s amateurish." Haha. this is my first time doing an interview and with an artist I like! The reason is very simple, the editors think we'll have a very fun chat. But I think we can have more fun with your drinking music and drinks! JUNK!: It's been lots of fun to talk with you 😀 ETH: Last but not least. Wish all best to your china tour! I hope you will play a show in Guangzhou someday, and we can go to have hotpot together if you’d like to 😉 JUNK!: Yes, I am planning on playing in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. I sometimes perform improv comedy there too (TBCIMPROV.HK) so I will let you know next time! ETH： Looking forward to seeing you in Guangzhong or Shenzhen! You get me some nice music. I will get you some nice drinks! Best wishes to you! JUNK!: Thank you Eth!

26.09.15 REVIEW: Volcom's 'True To This' @ Orange Peel

JUNK! Just gets more crazy each time he plays at The Underground. This time besides his Pac-Man jumpsuited dancer, there was also a guitarist to accompany the first few tracks from JUNK! There’s nothing I could say here that hasn’t been said before by any of the other Underground reviewers. All I can say is, if you haven’t seen JUNK! yet, do so, as this fun full-on singing, rapping, visuals and audience engagement will have you feeling good inside and out.

– Rosie Chan Click here to see photos and full show review.

22.08.15 REVIEW: 'Summer of Music' @ Backstage

Why put on a one-man show when you can recruit a friend in a crotchless Pac-Man babygro to gyrate alongside you? Crass, crazy and Cacophonous, JUNK! is the brainchild of MC Glen Lloyd, who furnished Backstage’s Summer of Music with the musical equivalent of a kilo of acid-soaked smarties (before Nestle ruined things by taking the blue ones out). As the second act of the night to twiddle a keytar, JUNK! ups the novelty factor with said dancing friend Lee Jay Heller and a multimedia experience unlike any other. It’s the 80s-tinged electronica of Daft Punk, the madcap sonic experimentalism of The Go! Team, the crude comedy pop stylings of Electric Six, and the shouting rap onslaught and sample-laden beats of the Beastie Boys all blended into one bonkers show. Lloyd sings, raps and beatboxes over a pre-recorded whirlwind of 8-bit bloops, chip-tune chirps, and bass heavy hip hop beats, with occasional effects pad looping and improvisation. Despite all the foolery, swearing, scratch ‘n’ sniff CDs, and glittery leggings, JUNK! shows a shrewd instinct for catchy dance tracks and lyrics sparkling with humour, while recruiting the more sophisticated beatboxing talent of Hugo Sohm for a final Backstage blow-out. Laced with songs such as ‘Fuck you you fuckin’ fuck’ and ‘Muthaphukka I will stab you’, JUNK!’s oeuvre is largely anecdotal and belted out with as much respect for the eardrums as an electric drill. Nevertheless, it’s one of the most wholesome live experiences to be found in the city. When miniature tambourines are passed out to the crowd, it could have been the recipe for a headache, but the result is harmonious and pleasingly cathartic. Later, the crowd are invited to pick from a series of videos, including Blondie, Phil Collins, Rick Astley, and He-Man, to accompany another dive into a wonderful portal of weird. The show closes with Four Non Blondes cover What’s Up. “I just had a baby yesterday,” Lloyd announces. Playing a show on the back of newfound fatherhood – now that’s dedication. – El Jay

(Click here for photos of the event)

23.04.15 REVIEW: 'Underground #116' @ Orange Peel

What to expect from a nappy-headed hipster wearing disco ball pants, a quasi-futuristic shirt and wrap-around nana-specs? Nothing less than a manic, multimedia maelstrom. JUNK! is a portal into a strange, hi-energy universe through which one man relentlessly dances, armed with laptop and keytar. Aussie hip-hop, beat boxing, vocoding and golden lyrical nuggets are backed up by perfectly synchronized video – and the guy has a surprisingly proper singing voice too. Reference material spans growing up, dancing out, Grandma’s special soup, sepia-toned Scandinavian karaoke clips, and my own personal passion: obsolete 8-bit technology. I’m hearing bits of Regurgitator, Daft Punk and even Electric Six – never mind Four Non-Blondes – and, at one point, the Housemartins on a Friday night bender at a techno club. JUNK! isn’t just music: it’s a full-on AV experience and a superior brand of mixed nuts. Don’t miss the next show – on your feet, people! – Brendan Clift

(Click here for photos of the event)

25.01.15 REVIEW: 'Girls With Guitars #7' @ Orange Peel