VANDENBERG's MoonKings

What Doesn't Kill You

Interview: Ad Vandenberg (MoonKings) // @Moonkingsband

Interview Ad Vandenberg (MoonKings)

De verrassing was groot toen er na zo’n veertien jaar eindelijk weer muzikale tekenen van leven konden worden waargenomen rondom de persoon Ad Vandenberg. Met zijn MoonKings waarmee het gelijknamige debuutalbum werd opgenomen kwam de muzikant verrassend sterk voor de dag. De verrassing was eveneens groot toen onlangs, we zijn inmiddels drieëneenhalf jaar…

Album Review: Vandenberg’s MoonKings – MK II

Adrian Vandenberg is back with a second Moonkings LP. Aptly titled MKII, it is a slab of fine classic rock performed by top quality musicians … in fact, nothing less than expected.

The flying dutchman is supported by Jan Hoving on vocals, Sem Christoffel on bass and Mart Nijenon drums all of whom contribute to make this an LP you will return to time and time again. Opening with the out and out…

Album Review: Vandenberg’s MoonKings – MK II

Adrian Vandenberg is back with a second Moonkings LP. Aptly titled MKII, it is a slab of fine classic rock performed by top quality musicians … in fact, nothing less than expected. The flying dutchman is supported by Jan Hoving on vocals, Sem Christoffel on bass and Mart Nijen on drums all of whom contribute to make this an LP you will return to time and time again. Opening with the out and out…

Moon Seul lonely walked the cold streets of Seoul with no destination in sight with only a few bucks left in her pocket she wondered where she would be sleeping for the night.

“You ungrateful child! We brought you into our home as one of our own and this is how you repay us!” Mrs. Oh continued to shout at her as Mr. Oh stood off to the side trying to contain the anger that was bubbling inside.

She couldn’t do anything but cry, the tears stained her face like the blood that was now staining her once favorite white dress.

The memories replayed in her mind as she wiped away the newly formed tears on her face. This was the 5th rental property she was evicted from for not paying rent on time for the third straight month. During the struggle with the landlord she was only able to grab a backpack and whatever supplies she could fit into the backpack before she was roughly pushed out of the room.

Life is hard as it is but it’s even harder when your known enemies run more than half of Seoul.

It was a little after 10 o’clock when she decided to take refuge in an abandon building a few blocks from her old rental. Tempting as it was she knew that she wouldn’t be able to go back for the rest of her belongings. Knowing the type of person the landlord is, she probably already has her goons ransacking the place to try to find anything of value so she could sell it.

Little did she know, the only valuable thing Seul had ever own was a small pendant necklace her mother gave to her on her 11th birthday. Ever since that day the necklace has never left her neck.

The building was in a part of Seoul she normally wouldn’t trespass through but tonight it would have to do. Using the flashlight from her phone she skimmed the area to make sure there was no one else there before she decided to make it home for the night.

Turning the flashlight off on her phone, she could feel her defeated body sliding down against the stone cold cement wall. The air was chilly but she had already felt numb to the cold night air. The tears threaten to fall again as her phone flashed signaling she had an incoming phone call.

“Yah Moon Seul where the hell are you? You got the night shift tonight!” she was roughly reminded that it was her night to serve at the bar she has been employed at for the past 3 months.

Technically she was still on probation until she’s worked there 6 months, so she was stuck working the sucky shifts the other waitresses didn’t want to work.

The Cove was a semi upscale bar and lounge which catered to the middleclass business men and women who needed a place to let off some steam after work. The owner of the place which everyone just referred to as Baek, was the only son of a huge oil conglomerate. One must wonder why he would open such an establishment but most people said he opened the place to hide the true functions of his business.

Seul had overheard some of the other girls saying that the bar and lounge itself brought in decent money but the real money was made behind the scenes. Baek belonged to a prestigious group. It was a self-made underground group that ran everything illegal you could imagine under the sun. Most of the leaders were kept unknown for their own safety but the rumors are they are heirs to huge empires that would crumble if the media ever found out they had dealings with the underworld.

“I’ll be there soon.” She said grudgingly getting up off the cold ground and started making her way to the bar.

“Hey Moon.” The bouncer greeted as he saw her making her way towards the back to where all the employee lockers were.

She quickly unlocked her locker and grabbed her uniform to change into before Junho came barging in on another one of his lecturing rants.

After safely changing into her uniform she stashed away her belongings and walked back to where she was greeted by the bouncer.

“How’s business tonight?” she asked as she was tying the small black apron around her waist that held her notebook and pens.

“Steady, you know the usual for a Friday night. Why were you late? Junho was losing his shit earlier because the big boss made an appearance.”

“Baek stopped by?”

Seul technically has never met the person everyone referred to as Baek. He would either come when she wasn’t on schedule or be rushed to the VIP lounge before she could catch a glimpse of him.

“You should have seen it? Junho was crazier than he normally is.”

They both let out a small chuckle thinking of the crazy manager that runs rampant around the place barking orders and making sure everyone’s life was miserable as his own.

“You better get to work, otherwise the others will tattle on you.” She gave him an appreciative smile before heading to the bar.

Besides Wook the bouncer Seul didn’t have anyone else she could rely on at work. Everyone was usually out for themselves and would rarely make an effort to help her unless she literally had to beg them. One of the bartenders took kindly upon her and has helped her quite a bit.

“You’re late sweetheart!” Mia spoke just as she was coming into earshot.

“I completely forgot I was scheduled tonight. Where’s Junho?” she asked as she scanned the bar area to look for the eccentric manager.

“Didn’t Wook tell you Baek is here?  When he stops by the only place Junho could be found is behind his ass kissing it.” They shared a small laugh until Mia motioned for Seul to deliver some drinks to a table.

Grabbing the tray that was filled with high price liquor Seul made her way to table 13. Table 13 was tucked to the right of the bar in a secluded area by itself. Usually the customers that request this table would also request the accompaniment of the girls that Baek keeps around to entertain the guest.

Once reaching the table Seul placed the bottle of grey goose into the chilling container that was already on the table. She noticed there were already a few empty bottles of grey goose on the table. Grabbing for the empty bottles to clear the table her arm was harshly pulled to the right.

“Hey!” she yelled as she landed on the lap of one of the patrons sitting at the table.

“I haven’t seen you here before?” he purred into her ear sending chills down her spine.

“I’m new.” She quickly managed to say as she pushed herself away from him.

He grabbed her hand again and pulled her down onto his lap again.

“Leaving so soon? I’m sure Baek wouldn’t mind if you accompanied me tonight?” he spoke again as his liquor laced breath continued to smother the clean air she was trying to breathe.

“I’m sorry sir, I’m just a waitress. I’ll find one of the other girls for you.” After saying those words she quickly bolted out of the sitting area and made her way back to the bar area where she saw Mia making a drink for a customer.

“Seul are you okay? You’re paler than a ghost!”

Seul tried to steady her breathing as she took a seat behind the counter. That was the first time a customer has ever thought she was one of those girls. Most customers that came into the Cove knew that everyone who wore a white collared shirt and black pants was just a server and the girls who they could call for wore flashy and showy dresses.

“The customer at table 13 who is he?” Seul shakily asked Mia still trying to compose herself.

Mia turned her head to look for the patron Seul was referring to but through the darkness of the bar she couldn’t make out who it was.

“I don’t know, they were already seated when I started my shift. Jaemun didn’t tell me anything so I assume they are just regular patrons. Why?”

“The guy asked me to accompany him tonight. He should know I’m only a waitress.”

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll let Junho know when I see him to explain to the customer.” Seul smiled slightly at Mia before grabbing another tray to head to another table.

The rest of the night was uneventful and as the night came to a close Seul helped Mia clean the bar before heading back to the locker room to change into her street clothes.

The bar had gotten busier around midnight causing her to completely forget about the weird encounter she had with the customer at table 13. She noticed that the table kept ordering more and more bottles of grey goose but Mia sent another server to the table instead.

Seul clocked out at the time machine before exiting the back door that lead way into the alley. By this time it was already nearing dawn and she would be able to catch a few Z’s at the bus stop before heading to find another flat for rent. She promised herself this time she would be able to stay caught up with rent and not be kicked out again.

Just as the day couldn’t get any worst, as she was rounding the corner to make way to the main street a sudden voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Why didn’t you come back?” the voice asked her slightly slurring his words. Seul knew he was drunk and with no one else around she knew it was unsafe to speak to him alone.

She continued to walk away as she heard his footsteps following behind her. She started walking faster and faster but the faster she went the faster the footsteps behind her became. She was in an all-out sprint when she finally made it to the main street where lucky there were still people around.

She sat down at the bench in front of the convenience store trying to catch her breath. She looked around to make sure she had lost him, not seeing anyone too suspicious she leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

“You’re fast but not fast enough.” The voice said again before Seul could open her eyes to look at who it was, someone threw a bag over her head with chloroform which instantly knocked her out.

The morning sun shining through the small slit in the curtain caused Seul to stir around. She quickly opened her eyes trying to take in her surroundings only to be greeted with an unfamiliar room. She found herself on a bed with completely white sheets and the room she was in was decorated entirely in white as well.

“You’re finally awake.” The voice asked.

Seul quickly backed up into the head board as she pulled the covers closer to her face. She peered around the room to see where the voice was coming from. Her eyes landed on a figure sitting in front of the fireplace with his back towards her.

“For such a small girl you put up quite a fight I hear. My men said they had trouble getting you here.”

“What do you want?” she asked hastily, trying to figure what she was doing here and who the hell he was.

“I’m sorry, I’ve been quite rude haven’t I?” he asked standing up and finally turning around to face her.

Seul’s nearly choked on her breath as his face finally came into light. He wore a completely grey suit with a white collared shirt underneath. His black hair was slicked back and his skin was whiter than white. Besides the darkness of his hair the only other part that stood out was the rosiness of his full lips. Seul caught herself staring at him admiring his beauty before she was rudely interrupted as he spoke again.

He chuckled as he caught her staring. His full rosy lips formed a wide smile as he continued to look at her.

“Hmm..like what you see?” he laughed again and this time it snapped Seul out of her trance.

“Who are you?” she asked again.

“I’m Shin Hoseok. I’m sure you have not heard of me, but I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“What do you want from me? If it’s money I don’t have any!” she quickly stammered out.

The fear was eating her alive, she couldn’t fathom why anyone would want to kidnap her.

“Calm down, money isn’t what I’m seeking. Your much more valuable than that.” He raspy spoke as he made his way to the left side of the bed. “There’s something I want and you can help me achieve it.”

“I think you have the wrong person, there’s nothing I can help you with.”

“Oh contrary my dear, Moon Seul is it? Or shouldn’t it be Oh Seul?” the look of shock appeared on her face as she realized he knew about her past.

“I have nothing to do with that family anymore; I’ve completely cut all ties with them. So please let me go.” She begged.

“I’ve heard differently on the streets though my dear. I’ve heard that Oh Sehun has completely turned Seoul upside down looking for you. You’re pretty crafty if you were able to stay under radar for as long as you did. If it wasn’t for the stalking skills of my men we would have never found you working at the Cove. Lucky for me I happen to think kindly of Baek, and vice versa.”