Belgian Flu

The Belgian Flu (Chinese: 比利時流感; pinyin: Bǐlìshí Liúgǎn) was a Tsengian rock band formed in Hillsborough, Tseng City, in 1977. Considered one of the most influential and successful artists in Tsengian music, the band represented rebellion against the strict You Guo era and were famously denounced as "criminals" by then-vice-president Louis Xi in 1984. Their second album, Discombobulated became the highest-selling album in Tsengian history, with 5.3 million sold. The Belgian Flu is considered to be one of the first East Asian rock bands.

The Belgian Flu disbanded in 1985 after the death of lead vocalist Alexander Yu.

Formation and early years (1977-1979)
The Belgian Flu was founded in 1977 by Hillsbourgh High School friends Alexander Yu and Cheng Mai-hu. They were both interested in music and decided to form a band. In fact, Cheng had already been in a rock band before, however the band was unsuccessful. Drummer Chris Xiang, a friend of Cheng, later joined, and the three started playing in school talent shows and later nightclubs.

The band went through many names, including French Torpedos, Skydivers, and later Layover in Pasadena before settling on Belgian Flu. Yu chose that name after seeing his sister sick with the flu while in vacation in Belgium.

The Belgian Flu released their first track, "Aphrodite" in January 1978 on the label ECN (Xiang's girlfriend introduced the band to the label). In April 1978 Chris Xiang got into a fight (in which he killed someone) and was arrested and later executed. Robert Mays, a roommate of Cheng, replaced Xiang, despite his criminal history. Jeremy Jia joined the Belgian Flu in 1979, playing percussion.

Growing fame (1980-1984)
On December 23, 1981, the Belgian Flu released their first album Floor Rocket. The album became popular with Tseng's youth but condemnation with the old. The criticism was because the songs encouraged crime, including drug use, truancy, and bullying. This only fueled Belgian Flu's popularity. In January 1982 they embarked on a national tour.

Peak years and banned (1984-1985)
The 1984 album Discombobulated made Belgian Flu legendary. The conservative government of Tseng banned the album, the reason was "it was a dangerous threat to our youth". Then-vice-president Louis Xi called Belgian Flu "criminals", and with consent of president Thomas Lan-xiao, ordered the police to arrest any members of the Belgian Flu. Despite the ban, Discombobulated became the best selling album in Tsengian history, with 5.3 million copies sold, mostly by pirates, gangs, and Tsengians that were out of Tseng.

Final months (1985)
Jeremy Jia left the band in January 1985 after "too much publicity". On March 1, 1985, Alexander Yu died in a car crash. It was revealed that he took the wrong medication for his diabetes, went out, lost consciousness while driving and crashed his sports car. Yu was replaced by Michael Tam but the band was unable to recover and Cheng, Mays, and Tam agreed to end the band.

Aftermath
Cheng went on to become a very successful solo artist while Mays became a chef at a restaurant. Tam joined another band called 369 but they achieved few success. Tam later became a producer for ECN Records.

Discography
Main article: Belgian Flu discography

Studio albums

 * 1981: Floor Rocket (地板火箭)
 * 1984: Discombobulated (混亂)

Live albums

 * 1982: The Ritz London (倫敦麗思酒店)

Extended plays

 * 1983: Hotel Marin (馬林酒店)

Final lineup

 * Michael Tam (lead vocals, guitar; 1985)
 * Cheng Mai-hu (bass, backing vocals; 1977-1985)
 * Robert Mays (drums; 1978-1985)

Past members

 * Alexander Yu (lead vocals, guitar; 1977-1985)
 * Chris Xiang (drums; 1977-1978)
 * Jeremy Jia (percussion, backing vocals; 1979-1985)