THE boys have become men, but eight years after their debut, the rockers from Taiwanese outfit Mayday are more popular here than ever before.

While other groups have succumbed to the short life span curse for rock bands, Mayday is still being hailed as 'Asia's Heavenly Band'.

From its album sales to concert box office and autograph sessions, the quintet has drawn no less than overwhelming response.

Like its vocalist Ashin, 32, said recently, Mayday has left its golden age, but it is now embracing its diamond era.

His bandmates are: Guitarists Monster, 31, and Stone, 31, bassist Masa, 30, and drummer Guan You, 34.

One would expect their popularity to dip after so many years in the music business, especially after both Stone and Guan You got married and started families.

Some members, like Ashin, have also embarked on solo activities. (See report, below.) But, surprisingly, Mayday's fan base has grown stronger in recent years.

Proof? Mayday's autograph session at IMM in Jurong last Friday evening drew some 6,000 fans - one of its biggest crowds to date.

Its new album, Born To Love, has shifted 20,000 copies within three months, despite the slump in the Chinese music industry, said its record label Rock Records Singapore.

This is almost triple the sales of its last album, Falling Angels With A Flying Soul. It sold 7,000 copies in late 2004.

Also, Mayday's upcoming Jump World Tour in June has sold 80 per cent of 7,000 tickets within three days.

This is twice the speed of ticket sales for its last concert here in December 2005, said Rock Record's managing director K H Ngiam.

'Obviously, Mayday's popularity has jumped quite a lot. Besides its loyal fans, it has also attracted new fans.'

On radio, the band achieved a new high when its new single, Angel, hogged the top spot on Radio 1003's weekly music chart for the past two weeks, despite facing strong competition from the likes of Elva Hsiao, Show Luo and Tank.

So, how did Mayday manage to outlive the limited shelf life trap feared by most bands?

Hong Kong rock legend Beyond, for one, lost its shine after losing its vocalist in 1993.

In Taiwan, Mayday's rock counterparts Shin and Backquarter have also quietly retreated into the shadows. Backquarter debuted in 1999 and Shin, in 2002.

But, industry sources agree that Mayday's healthy, down-to-earth image, never-ending music creativity and Ashin's insightful lyrics are key to its unwavering survival.

Radio 1003's music director Connie Woo said Mayday's biggest appeal is its members' unity and cohesiveness, not only in their stage performance but also their camaraderie.

'Their band spirit is very strong... When one of them jokes, the rest will join in to spice up the mood,' she said.

'They have a certain mo qi (chemistry, in Mandarin), that's why they can last so long.'

My Paper's entertainment journalist Cheryl Loh added that Mayday's earnest image also sets them apart from other angst-ridden, vulgarities-spewing rock acts.

Their brand of music is positive, varied and encourages fans to never give up and to chase their dreams.

Also instrumental in raising the band's profile in Asia is its decision to put out full Mandarin albums to cater to the China market, instead of its usual half-Mandarin-half-Hokkien works.

Ms Loh said: 'Ashin wrote so many good Hokkien songs, like Gong Lang (Fool), but our radio stations here cannot plug them, so the familiarity (with these songs) suffers.'

FIVE MOTORS RUNNING

Rock Record's Mr Ngiam added it also helps that all five members now compose music, instead of relying solely on Ashin like in the early days.

'It's not just one motor running but five, which is so much more powerful.'

Credit should also go to Rock Records for its aggressive efforts in marketing and promoting Mayday in recent years.

Mayday's last hit single, Love-ING, was the theme song for a SingTel 3G advertisement in late 2005.

Mr Ngiam claimed that it helped the band reach out to the English-speaking crowd here.

Even Mayday's own fans have noticed that the interest in their favourite rock band has grown significantly in the past few years.

Customer service officer Sardonna Yan, 22, said she can now discuss Mayday with some 15 friends, and they sing the band's songs together at karaoke sessions.

As for corporate communications officer Lim Bee Ling, 31, she will be going to Mayday's concert in June with five friends.

She became a convert after attending the band's concert in 2005.

'Seeing them perform live was amazing. The mood was so high and everyone stood up to dance.'

Both fans said they hope Mayday will stay as a group and not split up or go solo.

Ms Lim said: 'It's livelier to have more people and it won't be the same (without the rest).'

Ms Yan added: 'I hope they'll sing until they're old, and I'll support them until I'm old.'

Radio 1003's Ms Woo and My Paper's Ms Loh also agreed that Mayday should stay together, but there is no harm in each of the members pursuing solo activities.

Ms Loh said: 'It's a plus point if fans can see their other talent, but their biggest appeal is still the five of them on stage, performing live.'

Rock Record's Mr Ngiam predicts that Mayday can sustain its popularity for another three to five years.

'I don't deny that bands will eventually split, but Mayday has not reached its peak yet,' he said.

'The guys are only starting to embark on ``their journey. They've conquered China, and this year, they will focus on breaking into new markets like Japan and Korea.'

(新報 2007/03/22)