The Bruce Lee Band is ...

Michael Park = vocals, saxophone, acoustic guitar

Vinnie Lee=drums

Chris Lee=guitar, vocals

Roger Lee=bass, vocals

Additional Players

Darren Lee=baritone saxophone

Shawn Lee=backing shouts

Michael Park was the Sax player and vocalist with Skanking Pickle. His nickname is Bruce Lee. Michael has never shyed away from his Asian-American background and has penned songs like "Ice Cube, Korea Wants A Word With You!" .

While with Skanking Pickle he wrote around 100 songs, he always wanted to record some of the songs that didn't make it on Skanking Pickle albums. He got his chance when he travelled to Disneyworld in Florida. While there he planned to visit the band Less than Jake (Less than Jake will be touring Australia in December!). They told him of a studio that only charged $20 an hour and offered to help him make an album. So the Bruce Lee Band was born. The album is a great mix of Ska, Punk and even acoustic tracks. I spoke to Michael about the Bruce Lee Band and his new label Asian Man Records.

Have you left Skankin' Pickle ?

Yes, I left the band about a year and a half ago.

The Bruce Lee Band is you and Less Than Jake - you recorded the album for $1100 - that's incredible you must be very pleased with the result :

I feel very lucky in a lot of ways! I don't know how we did it? We never even played together! We practiced for only 5 or 6 hours. It was very pleasing.

The CD is by the 'B.Lee Band' while your track on the "This aren't Two Tone" compilation is by the 'Bruce Leigh Band' - why the name permutations ?

Well, there were some legal problems with the name and I was going to change it to the Leigh spelling, but then I changed it to B.Lee. The legal problems were brought to my attention by Robert Lee, Bruce Lee's brother who said that Universal owned the rights to the name. Crazy!

Will the Bruce Lee Band ever play live ?

I hope so, but with the busy schedule of Less Than Jake, I really don't know ?

Will another trip by you to Disneyworld give us another Bruce Lee band CD ?

I plan on recording another record in December!!!!

My version of "Misfits of Ska" was released on Dill Records - what is the relationship between Dill Records and Asian Man Records ?

I used to help run Dill Records, but after some internal differences, I bailed and started Asian Man Records. With the departure, I took some of the records that I put out.

What are some upcoming releases to watch out for from Asian Man Records ?

New MU330, Unsteady, Tuesday, POTSHOT, CHINKEES (new music from me), The Broadways, and SLOW GHERKIN.

Sorry if this seems pedantic but I have to ask - I've seen three different cover sleeves for "Misfits of Ska" - why ?

Yikes!!!!! Mostly because of Legal problems!! First it was the Misfits lawyer who said I couldn't use the logo and then it was Godzilla who I paid $3000 in fines for the use of Godzilla on the back of my CD.

On "Misfits of Ska II" there is a song "Edumoya" by the Chinkees - an all Asian band you started. Can you give be any news on what the Chinkees have been doing ?

Well, I'm almost finished with the new record, but I have no plans on touring right now. The label is just too busy at this point.

I love discovering bands in far away places when I was in Sarawak, Malaysia I found a Reggae tape by a Malaysian Chinese band. I have also obtained a Punk compilation CD from Singapore entitled "Lion City Hardcore". Have you discovered any Ska or Punk bands from Korea ?

No, but I know there are some bands out there! I plan on visiting sometime very soon and then I can check out the scene over there.

Komsomida - Thanks for your time !

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