Beijing Rockers Take Global Battle of the Bands Crown

With bands like Carsick Cars touring America and Matthew Niederhauser’s photography book Sound Kapital: Beijing's Music Underground recently published in New York, it seems the world just can’t get enough of Chinese rock. Now comes the news that local lads Rustic having taken the Global Battle of the Bands crown in London.

The announcement on the GBOB site reads:
“The Global Battle of the Bands 2009 World Final at the London Scala on April 27 featured national final winning bands from every corner of the globe… But after an entertaining evening of truly fantastic performances it’s a shame that only one band could take the title – and that honor fell to flamboyant punk rockers Rustic from Beijing in China. They were the unanimous first place choice of the judges just ahead of two Nordic contenders in the shape of Endless Dark from Iceland in second place and Explicit Licks from Norway in third. In fourth, fifth and sixth place respectively were Cousin Avi from England, Umlala from Israel and E.Quals from Nepal.”

According to Beijing Daze the band were initially reluctant to enter the competition due to the fee, and were pushed into it “kicking and screaming.” No doubt they’re screaming for different reasons this morning. Congrats to the band (and the guy who persuaded them to enter the comp).

You can hear some of Rustic’s tracks here and here.