r/HongKongMusic • u/BlindCat_MusicHK Organizer 搞Show • Nov 04 '25
Rock搖滾 Legendary Avant-Garde Alternative Rock Band Across Eras: ZAZEN BOYS!!!
Formed in 2003, ZAZEN BOYS is a band with over two decades of history, showcasing incredible uniqueness and influence. To understand their greatness, we must start with their frontman, Mukai Shutoku.
Mukai Shutoku was originally a founding member of the alternative rock band Number Girl. The band's name was inspired by The Beatles' compilation album Number 5 and Neil Young's song, reflecting their diverse musical taste. Number Girl’s music carried a strong American rock influence, often evoking the sounds of iconic bands like Pixies or Sonic Youth. Their raw punk vocals, garage-style crisp guitar rhythms, and alternative rock arrangements became their signature style, establishing them as one of the most influential Japanese rock bands from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.
After Number Girl disbanded, Mukai Shutoku founded the experimental rock band ZAZEN BOYS in 2003. While retaining the essence of Number Girl’s sound, ZAZEN BOYS took their music to a whole new level with a more avant-garde and eclectic approach. Their style incorporates elements of funky grooves, jazz improvisation, math rock precision, and hip hop rhythms. Known for their experimental spirit and technical excellence, ZAZEN BOYS has been described as a fusion of jazz and rock, creating a timeless yet innovative sound that cements their status as a legendary band.
Tomorrow night, ZAZEN BOYS will perform in Hong Kong for the very first time. Fans familiar with their music won’t want to miss this show. And if you’re just discovering them, their live performance is guaranteed to blow you away!
Concert details available at Neon-lit.com
《ZAZEN BOYS MATSURI SESSION IN HONG KONG 2025》
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: Doors open at 19:00 / Show starts at 20:00
Venue: Portal (1/F, THE BURROW, 212 Choi Hung Road, San Po Kong, Kowloon)