From Chinatown to Rock Icon: The Savory Beat Behind "Hoochie Coochie Har Kau"

Let's kick things off by setting the scene. Picture it: London's buzzing Chinatown, the air is thick with the aroma of spices and soy sauce, and there's a young, wild-hearted music producer named Waller with a penchant for Chinese cuisine and a knack for creating rock anthems.

Diving into the song's zesty origins, Waller dishes out a tale that's as delicious as it is unconventional. "Look, it was one of those tracks that came out of nowhere," Waller chuckles, his eyes gleaming with the memory. "My girlfriend at the time could practically live on Chinese food. So there we were, week in, week out, at Lee Ho Fook's – that's the real MVP of Chinatown, the first to bag a Michelin star in the UK for its lip-smacking Chinese fare. And what do you know? The chorus ended up being a shoutout to my go-to dishes!"

But this isn't just any old love story between a man and his dim sum. No, this tale takes a turn for the legendary when Waller, moonlighting as an EMI producer, joins forces with the soon-to-be rock gods, The Marcus Hook Roll Band (pre-AC/DC). The catch? A little complication involving their Aussie management, Alberts, which nearly derailed the B-side's publishing rights with EMI.

Unfazed, our hero Waller takes matters into his own hands, laying down the track at none other than the hallowed halls of Abbey Road Studios. Intended as the B-side to "Louisiana Lady" – a number from the dynamic duo Vanda/Young – "Hoochie Coochie Har Kau" somehow finds itself front and center, snagging the A-side spotlight in Portugal under the 'Stateside' label. "Embarrassing?" Waller muses, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Perhaps. But it's these unexpected twists that make the rock 'n' roll ride worthwhile."

There you have it, folks. A story served with a side of surprise, a dash of destiny, and a generous helping of rock 'n' roll. And if your appetite for Waller's musical feats is just getting started, be sure to feast your ears on "Kitchen Rock", available in all formats – CD, LP, and digital – through Think Like A Key Music.