M-Black Bone - A Hmong Rocks Band

By Amy Doeun
Pao Pheng Yang has a passion in life-music and the American dream. In the 1990s Yang took his hobby in music and started the band "blackbone" with 3 friends. He said, "We got the name because black bones are something rare. Normally bones are white."

The band had some success over the years, but, as life issues came and went, the band slowed down and eventually stopped altogether. "We were retired until about 2007. That's when I got these young bloods," Yang said jokingly of his 3 fellow band members. "I tried to retire many times but I can't quit playing. My wife told me many times to quit, but I keep thinking about the Hmong community."

Tou Cha, vocalist; Richie Vue, drummer; and Phia Chang, bass have all joined the band recently. And with the new members came a new name. "I added the M to blackbone for Hmong." Yang explained.

Yang added, "I used to play all kinds of music. But rock is really challenging and exciting." In addition to finding the right kind of music for a band, finding the right members can be difficult as well. Tou Cha added, "There are Hmong guys and girls that are musically talented but need to find people that click together."

The band now dreams of a record label. "The first step is to move into mainstream music." While the band stays committed to the Hmong community and their Hmong identity they do hope to attract the interest of other communities.

The 4 will compete in the Battle of the Bands at the Rock Night Club. 10 bands competed and mblackbone was selected to advance to the finals, date to be announced.

In addition to working with the mainstream community they also love playing at the Hmong New Year and other Hmong venues.

Currently they are working on their first CD. "We do some cover [songs] but also like to do our own," Yang told HMONG TIMES. Cha added, "When you play cover songs you get ideas you can input into your own songs-to enhance and develop you songs."

They hope to have their CD out in time for the July 4th event. There will be a Hmong version and American version. They are also working on a website to find out more about the band. Check it out at: www.myspace.com/blackbone2.

Source: www.hmongtimes.com