Noise Pollution: The Victory of Thrash, Sisi & Fan, Banana Peel, Dawei Wang & Social Poetry
Punk rock in all its forms is the name of the game this weekend – from the ska-inflicted Guilin riotousness of Banana Peel to the sax-wielding freak show that is Shanghai’s Round Eye – it’s an infectious, rowdy panorama of live music, one that looks to start a fire under your ass and get you moving. Of course, for those more inclined to keep their marbles all in one place, there’s plenty else out there including cutting-edge live electronic acts out of Chengdu and post-rock from "post-heavy" industrial cities like Liaoning. But if you want to go where the sweat pours out and the beers flow in – then you’re in good company. Here’s your weekend roundup.
Friday, Oct 23
Banana Peel 香蕉皮, The Sailor’s Grape 水手葡萄 at School
In the south of China, where the humidity swells and the lush green mountains are bountiful, one band has held the flame of punk alit – Banana Peel. Formed in 2002 in Guilin, the band has carved out their spot in the China punk hall of fame, staying true to their roots whilst delivering one ska-infused, rockabilly-touting, reggae-teasing punk rock anthem after another. Featuring members of SMZB, Fanzui Xiangfa, Underdog, and more, they’re a powerhouse ensemble, not only in southern China but to legions of punk fans across the country (if you’d like, check out my interview with the band here). Support from Beijing’s own ska/reggae supergroup The Sailor’s Grape. 9pm. RMB 80/100
Wasted Laika假假條, JaJaTao 丢莱卡, FE at Mao Livehouse
Madhat grunge revisionists Jajatao are back with a vengeance after being stuck outside of China during this whole ordeal. The Beijing band, whose culturally radical and satirically rich live act has made them crowd favorites (with fans often bringing their own funeral money to toss at their shows) are hitting up Wukesong with another cult favorite – art-rock punks Wasted Laika. Rounding out the bill is funk-rock outfit FE aka Free and Enjoy. 8pm. RMB 150/170
Ramblin Roze, A.D.S at Temple
Pure unadulterated rock n' roll at Temple Bar, courtesy of Ramblin Roze, the tight-jeaned, long-haired motley crew of Beijingers who know a thing or two about letting the good times roll. Often looking like they’ve stumbled out of a Guns & Roses music video, the seasoned veterans have been bringing their love of southern rock and heavy blues – with some Sabbath of course – to legions of fans for years. Support from hard rock affectionates A.D.S aka Ammunition Delivery System. 9.30pm. RMB 50
Dawei Wang & Social Poetry at Jianghu Bar 9
Hip-hop mogul and his soul-funk supergroup Dawei Wang & Social Poetry look to heat things up with their contemporary mix of poetry-led rhymes and bass-charging melodies that’s both fierce and tender; delicate and raw this evening in the hutong mainstay. 9pm. RMB 100/120
Saturday, Oct 24
Round Eye, The Ravages, Car Drop at Temple
The experimental, sax wielding, freak-punk outfit has accrued a loud and controversial name for themselves since forming in 2012, bridging the gap between the eastern and western hemispheres of DIY punk rock. Besides hosting greats like Descendents, The Fleshtones, MDC, Mike Watt, and many more, the band has been steadfast in sharpening their knives and instrumental chops over the years. They’re fresh off their latest fever dream of an LP, Culture Shock Treatment, which plays out like an extended LSD-spiked punk rock episode of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. Support for the boys comes in the form of Car Drop and new garage-trash-psych outfit The Ravages (featuring members from Hazemaze, Oldy Baby, Poetry x Music, and Boss Cuts). 9pm. RMB 50
Rustic at Tango
After years in the dark, beloved rock and rollers Rustic, led by the charismatic (and very off-kilter) Li Yan ala Lucifer, are back bringing their diverse assortment of blues, hip-hop, garage rock, and old rock n' roll to stages across China. Though founded in 2006, the band, who won the Global Battle of the Bands in China in 2010 and released their debut in 2011, have been on a second wind due to their stint on the second season of The Big Band where they made quite the impression (for better or worse, you be the judge) showing off their true punk colors. 8.30pm. RMB 120
Fake Gentle 假斯文, Electric Cherry 电气樱桃 at School
Indietronica continues to find a dynamic home in the city of Chengdu with Fake Gentle, who burst onto the scene with their dizzyingly kinetic debut earlier this year. If you hear remnants of indie rockers The Hormones in there you’re not mistaken. The duo consists of two of that group’s founding members, Li Jing and Wang Xiaoxue, who left the band in 2017. Leaning into their former band’s more electronic coldwave components, it’s a feminist-bent, pulsating bit of electro-pop that’s crisp, lean, and buzzing with rock and roll hairpin turns that burst with vitality. Support from up and coming electronic duo Electric Cherry. 9pm. RMB 80/100
Soil Godliness 泥塑上帝at RAM Brewery
Post-rock bands are a dime a dozen (one yuan a dozen) but sometimes they leave clues that there’s something more to them. Take for instance Soil Godliness, who are already starting on the right foot with such a ridiculous and gnarly name. Then we’ve got the poster with its religious allegory mashup imagery and best of all, the simple but effective logline, "Post Rock from Post-Heavy Industry City." I’m intrigued already. And now, after listening to a few tracks from the Liaoning band I’m sold. Bravo Soil Godliness. Bravo. 8.30pm. RMB 70/90
Sisi & Fan 斯斯与帆 at Omni Space
Speaking of The Big Band, female indie-pop duo Sisi & Fan received a fair bit of praise for their time on the first season of the variety show but have since capitalized on the attention, releasing one single after another this year, each capturing their playful yet delicate sound, built around the trust between the two high school besties. 8.30pm. RMB 150
Ember Swift at Jianghu Bar
Known for her unique, jazz-influenced guitar playing and elastic vocals, the Canadian-born Beijing-based singer-songwriter Ember Swift has been a fixture of the Beijing music scene for years, releasing an array of LPs and melding Mandarin, English, and French into one intoxicating package. 9pm. RMB 60/80
Sunday, Oct 25
Explosicum 爆浆, Tumourboy肿瘤男孩, Dressed To Kill 剃刀边缘, Tractor, Lost Temple 失落神殿, Execution 处决 at Omni Space
Thrash metal fans unite! It’s time to indulge in the trashing sounds of The Victory of Thrash, which I have decided is a real holiday. Nuclear invasion, social inequalities, and some of the most extreme metal bands this side of China, including the infamous Explosicum from Nanchang, Zhengzhou’s Lost Temple, and Beijing’s own including Tumourboy, Tractor, Execution, and speed metal purveyors Dressed to Kill – each offering their own unhinged (yet technically agile) take on the head-banging genre. 7.30pm. RMB 130/150
Yunggiema 央吉玛 at Poly Theater
Yunggiema’s music, inherited from the Monba ethnic group – a minority group of China who emigrated from Bhutan to the Southeast region of Tibet over 300 years ago – has slowly risen through the ranks of the music world not only here in China but across the globe, from guest spots on rock legend Cui Jian’s film Blue Sky Bones (she provided the theme song), to performing alongside Zuoxiao Zuzhou and Life Journey. Simply put, she's a one of a kind artist, with an otherworldly and divine voice (one that has led to many netizens calling her a 'Goddess') that pays tribute to her ancestry whilst defining her own unique artistry and even injecting it with a rebellious spirit, refusing to follow the same groove but instead absorbing musical elements from world music, rock, electronica, and even pop. 7.30pm. RMB 100-580
Black & White Bullets黑白弹丸, Tin Robot 铁皮机器人, Drop Out, Rocking Doctor 怪医咆哮团 at School
Promoters Rock Brothers continue fighting the good fight and giving the spotlight to up and coming bands, many of whom are still in college (or fresh out of). Tonight’s diverse lineup features everything from indie rock courtesy of Rocking Doctor to pop-rock outfit Tin Robot – and even a little reggae funk-inspired punk from Drop Out. Who knows, maybe you’ll stumble upon the next big act – only one way to find out. 8.30pm. RMB 80/100
READ: On the Record: The Unpredictability of Snapline, Beijing's Best Intercontinental Band
Images: Banana Peel, courtesy of the organizers
