Buzz Bands

Park expands on spirit of punk

As an activist, Mike Park has few peers in the indie music world. The 34-year-old founder of Asian Man Records has campaigned for racial unity through the work of his ska-punk groups, the B. Lee Band and the Chinkees. He spearheaded 1999’s Ska Against Racism tour. And he founded the Plea for Peace Foundation, the nonprofit group behind a nationwide tour and a series of benefit CDs.

As an artist, though, Park had a hole in his heart -- not to mention a line in a 1999 catalog that promised a solo record would be “coming soon.” That album, “For the Love of Music,” a riveting, rough-hewn collection that wrestles with issues such as war and racism without sounding overbearing or strident, finally emerged in November on L.A.-based Sub City Records.

“I’d been so busy with the label and other things, I thought I might be falling out of love with music,” he says. “But out of all the music I’ve done, it’s something I can be proud of.”

It’s certainly one of the least punk-sounding punk records ever, but, Park says, “for me, it’s all a philosophy. I don’t see the album as an amazing change. Making a positive change through intelligence and understanding -- that’s what I feel the spirit of punk is.” Tackling problems head-on fits that spirit. In “From Korea,” he chides an acquaintance who used a racial epithet: “My eyes are small / but your eyes are closed.”

Park plans to tour with indie rockers Cursive starting in the spring, and he acknowledges some trepidation. “With just me and the guitar, there are not a lot of places you can hide,” he says. “I’ll be extremely nervous, but I’ve gotta give it a shot.”

Fast forward

Singer-songwriter Gwendolyn has been hosting “The Listening Room” on Sunday nights at the Parlour Club in West Hollywood (the series continues through Jan. 25). This week’s guests are Smells Like Flan and Ralph Carney; next week Richard Swift joins the party.... Singer-songwriter Jim Bianco is at work on a new album, “Handsome Devil,” with collaborator Brad Gordon. Look for a February release.... Rollicking country sextet the Drew Davis Band headlines a showcase performance Wednesday night at the Troubadour.

-- Kevin Bronson

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