Buddha Boxing could be called the specialty performance style of the Buddha Machine, and it is also one of the works with which we are most satisfied. Although we’ve already performed it some hundred times, continuing will require further rehearsal and on-site control. As you know, it’s not a standard performance, not like a rock band playing a few songs that could be repeated over and over again. The downside of Buddha Boxing is that it is not suitable to be repeated in the same venue for a similar audience.
and Hong Kong during 25 June.
Robin Peckham: Releasing the Buddha Machine was an enormous step for FM3. Looking back, how has it changed the way you work as a group? Looking forward, in terms of performance, do you see FM3 continuing the Buddha Boxing style? How else has the Buddha Machine influenced your work as a musician?
As a musician, emotion is more important than technique… I still have a large amount of feeling to add to this machine.
Zhang Jian: The Buddha Machine exerted a huge influence on FM3. You could even say that it is the core spirit of the group, since even today none of our work has surpassed it. On the other hand, the commercial success of the Buddha Machine was unforeseen, but because of this, FM3 can continue to survive as an experimental band for another ten years or more; that counts as a miracle. For this reason, we are extremely proud, and, for this same reason, we will continue the miracle of FM3.
Robin Peckham: Let’s talk also about Gristleism project: was it successful? Obviously it didn’t have nearly as much of an impact within China as the original Buddha Machine. Can you explain what the differences might be, and discuss how the two projects 56