BIG Naughty Pays Homage To No Brain in a Soulful Rendition of “Whiskey Blues”
Photo: 노브레인[NOBRAIN] Official/YouTube
Ten years ago, No Brain (노브레인) released the iconic “Whiskey Blues” (위스키 블루스), and on May 22, BIG Naughty (빅 나티) gave us his own unique reinterpretation of the track as part of a project celebrating the 30th anniversary of the cult indie band.
The original track was beloved for its rough yet romantic sensibility, which remains palpable in the newest rendition by BIG Naughty (Seo Donghyeon, 서동현). However, the younger artist has infused it with a more modern, striking style—and shortened it considerably, scaling the original six-minute track down to a compact 2:46 runtime.
The 30th anniversary celebration is poised to be a major event in the Korean music scene. BIG Naughty’s release is only the first contribution under the overarching project slogan “Still Noisily” (여전히 소란스럽게). As a spokesperson for No Brain stated:
“This project was planned to celebrate with fans who have stood by us for 30 years in the most No Brain-like way—noisily. Starting with the first track “Whiskey Blues” with BIG Naughty, we aim to reignite the energy of the indie scene through music and live performances. We kindly ask for much anticipation.”
The large-scale project aims to take listeners on a musical journey that connects the past and present of the Korean indie scene, showcasing No Brain's lasting appeal. Fans can look forward to a diverse array of artists from various genres who will unveil their own collaborations over the coming weeks.
Given that No Brain is one of the most influential bands in indie music history, it is only fitting that the anniversary includes a celebration in the very heart of that world—a scene that still thrives today with countless performances year-round. That place, of course, is Hongdae, the Seoul neighborhood that has long stood as the definitive symbol of independent music culture.
Accordingly, No Brain kicked off their 30-year celebration with a club tour in Hongdae. Teasing the upcoming performances on Instagram, the band shared a video contrasting frontman Lee Sungwoo (이성우) in 1996 with the present day, writing:
“There’s no staging here. Just that time, that place, that smell. Let’s go back to the Hongdae underground of 30 years ago!” They added: “Step aside, you weaklings! I’ll show you what real ‘punk’ is all about!”
The final act of the anniversary celebration is expected to be a large-scale concert by No Brain members Lee Sungwoo and drummer Hwang Hyunsung (황현성), designed to recreate the raw, live spirit of Korean rock.
Originally formed in October 1996, No Brain has released numerous definitive hits over the decades, including “Your Crush On Me,” “Rain And You,” and “Youth 98.” With this star-studded anniversary underway, there is no better time to rediscover the band.
Edited by Sandy Ou