Five-piece Korean rock band Rolling Quartz rolled through Portland in late May to put on an energetic performance. While they are styled with the K-pop aesthetic–accessories and hair dye galore–and have the charismatic stage presence of idols, they swap out the back-breaking dancing for instrumental shredding. Reviving the grungy, alt-rock vibes of the early 2000s (think Paramore and Avril Lavigne), Rolling Quartz gained popularity as they released covers of popular English and K-pop songs in their hard rock style.
Guitarist Hyunjung, sporting long, bleached half-white half-teal hair and a lustrous silver blazer with matching bottoms, opened the concert with a twangy rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” to honor the country the band was visiting. I appreciated the gesture, though it did not feel the most appropriate given the state of the country at the moment. The band then covered “Kickstart My Heart” by Mötley Crüe, an American metal band, amping up the energy in the room. Guitarists Hyunjung and Iree, bassist Arem, and main vocalist Jayoung all converged onto the edge of the stage to hype up the people at the front. It’s not hard to see why Jayoung has the nickname “Energ-ayoung”; brazen and expressive, she has an infectious energy that is hard to resist. Not to be overshadowed by the vocalist, the instrumentalists also have their own charm. Guitar queen Hyunjung had no shortage of solos, her fingers flying across the fretboard effortlessly, punctuated by well-timed hair flicks and a self-assured smile.
Arem’s serious expressions and black and red styling made her look like the most emo member of the group, but her shy smiles and the plushie dangling from her belt loop hinted at a softer personality than one may assume. It’s fitting that the plushie is Kuromi, a character in the Hello Kitty universe with a tough, tomboyish exterior and a love for rock and metal. Flaunting a shock of orange hair, the other guitarist Iree is cheery and bright, sporting a sweet smile as she rocked on. In the back, her petite figure almost shrouded by the drum set, sits Yeongeun, the band’s purple-haired drummer, at once delicate and ferocious. Her facial expressions rivaled those of the main vocalist, and she hammered out powerful rhythms with gusto.
Their songs are bold and uplifting, and they often have lyrics that are related to becoming a braver and more confident version of yourself. “Sometimes you need to have the courage to do things that scare you,” said Jayoung as she paced across the stage, inviting the audience to reflect on their dreams and their fears as the band launched into “Fearless,” a punchy track. “Tonight, I-I jump in fearlessly, thriller thriller / am I a killer? Killer” goes the chorus, catchy and anthemic. Just as catchy but with a darker vibe, “Stand Up,” hearkened back to Muse’s “The Resistance,” another song of encouragement and empowerment. The song had a taunting quality about it which didn’t quite match some of the lyrics (“Hit the peak, fly higher, fly higher / Feel so good, la-la-la-la”), but it could perhaps be interpreted as a tough love attitude. The ladies of the band embody the confidence they sing about and are as inspirational as they are entertaining.
Their performances of several covers really proved their versatility and ability to make any song their own. In their cover of “Azalea,” the ladies dove into emotional depths. The original song is about being abandoned by a lover, and it was also used as a protest against the Japanese occupation of Korea. Rolling Quartz transformed the angst and grief of the original song into a solemn and impactful performance, and the groovy guitar solos and Jayoung’s high notes at the end were fantastic additions to the already captivating song. In Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” the band went grunge, and their bass-forward arrangement added a welcome touch of drama to the song. Arem’s solo “Greensleeves” cover was an interesting choice, and while it wasn’t bad, the English folk song was a bit out of place in the performance. Is this what Koreans think Americans listen to? Thankfully, their hardcore mashup cover of BTS’ “Mic Drop” and Blackpink’s “Pink Venom,” replete with shreddy, tappy solos and hairflips, immediately brought the crowd’s energy back up.
Rounding out the performance with “Sing Your Heart Out” and a cover of My Chemical Romance’s “Helena”, Rolling Quartz proved that they’re ready to take on the world, polished as a team and replete with individual charm. Fusing the glamor of K-pop with the grit of a rock band, they’re the epitome of girl power and a delight to witness live.
Click on the photo below to view our photos from the concert:
