Friday, June 1^st

The Honeys + Flying Fruit

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: FREE

Tookoo + Dropkicks

Starts: 10 pm (free beer from 9 to 10)
Cover: 50 yuan

4 Live
8 Jian Guo Road, near Chong Qing Nan Road

According to the promoters, Tookoo, formed in 1999, is one of China's earliest and best Emo bands. Having evolved over the years, Tookoo incorporate many rockish elements into their music including Indie, Pop Punk and straight Rock. The band has performed all over China and has appeared at Beijing's MiDi fest and the Hong Kong ROCIT music festival. Opening are the heroic, Anti-French superstars Dropkicks.

Happy Strings + Venus + Yu-Bu

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 20 yuan

Live Bar
798 Kunming Road, near Tong Bei Road

Happy Strings are an all-girl Garage Punk/Grunge Punk outfit from Shanghai. They've got a big sound and they dress like school girls. Can't beat that. They are joined by locals Venus and Japan's Yu-Bu. Girls on film, girls on stage.

Tokoyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 150 yuan (includes one free drink)

Underlounge
60 Tong Ren Road, near Nan Jing Road

According to the promoters, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra are Japan's most respected Ska Band. Although they are widely unknown outside Japan the group enjoys great commercial success and popularity within Japan. The over 20 year-old band is comprised of more than 10 veterans of Tokyo's underground scene. Their music is an eclectic mix of traditional ska (a mix of Jazz & Reggae with heavy trumpet sounds), jazz, and rock, many of Skapara's songs are purely instrumental. Supported by the Japanese DJs Tatsuki and Baru.

Saturday, June 2^nd

Infadels + Banana Monkey + Killa Kela

Starts: 8 pm
Cover : 120/80/60 yuan, Door/Advance/Student (tickets available from 6249 9535 or tickets@spli-t.com)

Absolute House
Bld. 6, X2 Creative, 20 Cha Ling Road, near Xie Tu Road

U.K. Electro Rock superstars Infadels will be playing a Shanghai show at Absolute House, erstwhile a mega dance club type place. The six-piece (sometimes seven with roadie Commander Bond) records on Wall of Sound, and have shared the stage with cross-over Electronic acts like Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers and Faithless. Infadels have made their name based on their kinetic live performances and unique brand of Dance Rock. Accompanying them is some beat box guy, Killa Kela, and local Garage Rock band Banana Monkey.

"DEPORTED" with The Livin Thin + Boys Climbing Ropes + Dropkicks

Starts: 10 pm Cover: 30 yuan (entry + free Carlsberg) 15 yuan Carlsbergs all night

4 Live
8 Jian Guo Road, near Chong Qing Nan Road

DEPORTED is a new rock party hosted by 4 Live showcasing locally-based foreign rock musicians and bands living and playing music in Shanghai. Along with cheap-o drinks, and ‘whoa-fuck-that-rules’ new music, various non-professional DJs will be “spinning” classic, feel-good, morally questionable, ethically vapid R&R.

The Livin Thin (USA/SG/JAP) – (Indie Rock)

Only two months back from a brief hiatus, Shanghai’s favorite sons and daughter, The Livin Thin are well on their way to crafting a 20-year, 40-album rock and roll legacy followed by numerous questionable and exhaustive reunion tours which will spark debates on whether they are as rad as they once were. No matter. That’s all in the future. Right now they are YOUNG AND HUNGRY and in the midst of what rock pundits will be calling their “prolific years.” Don’t miss out.

Boys Climbing Ropes (CAN) – (Indie Rock)

Boys Climbing Ropes are three Canadians, two tall one short (ish). Recently back from their three-show, two-city “Kill/Heal the Children” East PRC tour, the BCR dominated the sleepy towns of Wuhan and Nanjing with their agitprop stylings, soulful leanings and drunken earnestness. Expect a four song chart topper/heart breaker of their least suckiest hits to be released in a fortnight.

Dropkicks (FRA/JAP) - (Classic Punk)

Known for the tasty licks/kicks of their charismatic French front man, Dropkicks put 45 people in intensive care and melted 28 faces right off with their Hard Rock/classic Punk tunes opening for SUBS a few months ago. For their special DEPORTED appearance, Dropkicks will be serving up more high octane, guilt-free, low-down, straight-up, needle-in-the-red, drug-addled R&R.

Wiseman and the Rockdragon

Starts: 10 pm
Cover: Free

Logo Bar
13 Xin Fu Road, near Fa Hua Zhen Road

After a two-year silence, locally-based rock band Wiseman and the Rockdragon will be playing their first reunion show at Logo Bar. Newly joined by two other musicians, Wiseman (a Canadian guitarist) and the Rockdragon (a Chinese guitarist) had a brief but active run in Shanghai two years ago, giving many bar performances, releasing an album, appearing in a documentary and making four television appearances. With Wiseman's return to China, the band is reforming and have stated that their goal is to "work hard, make the best music we can and make our dreams come true!"

Tookoo

Starts: 9pm
Cover: 30 yuan

Zhi Jiang Dream Factory (Yuyintang)
28 B Yuyao Road, Bld. 4, inside Tong Le Fang, near Xikang Road

The second of Tookoo's Shanghai shows has the band playing at Yuyintang's new live music space. See June 1 description for more info about Tookoo.

Three Yellow Chicken

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 20 yuan

Live Bar
798 Kunming Road, near Tong Bei Road

Genre-bending (blues, folk, rock, punk) local favorites Three Yellow Chicken are back from a brief hiatus with a show at Live Bar.

Sunday, June 3^rd

Sun Yang Band

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 40 yuan

4 Live
8 Jian Guo Road, new Chong Qing Nan Road

According to the promoters, "Su Yang Band is a unique Ningxia (Northwest China) band mixing an earthy tradition -- with natural and traditional folk songs of Helan Mountain and the Yellow River -- and the new power of Chinese rock. ‘Su Yang Band’ have given performances throughout China and participated in several folk music festivals."

Happy Sky + Loudspeaker

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 88 yuan (all you can drink and die)

Bonbon
1329 Haui Hai Road, near Heng Shan Road

Sunday night rock continues at Bonbon with Shanghai's best (and oldest) Skate Punk band, Loudspeaker. The three-piece will be joined in the glittering, glittering Bonbon nightclub by Pop Punk band Happy Sky. These two bands shared the stage last month at Bonbon and last year with local Street Punk heroes Mortal Fools. The show will be followed by Shanghai's best (and only) Rock Karaoke.

Friday, June 8^th

"CRAZY TIANJIN" with 20088 + 641 + Cake Bomb

Starts: 10 pm (free beer from 9 to 10)
Cover: 50 yuan

4 Live
8 Jian Guo Road, new Chong Qing Nan Road

The hands-down raddest concert of the month is the 4 Live appearance of Tianjin-based 20088. The collective age of this entire band, a four-piece, is 24. That makes each member six years old! And me very very old. Apparently, they've been playing music since they were three and each can play two instruments. They're name is a reference to the Olympics. I dont know why. Lyrically, they are heavily influenced by early Lou Reed/Velvet Underground and sing songs about coping drugs, S&M, and prostitution. Musically, they bring a harder edge and wear their At the Gates, Sepultura classic Grind Metal influences on their sleeve. Fans of GWAR should also take note. Check them out posing with Chinese celebrities and just generally acting immature on their web page. They are joined by Tianjing MiDi fest veterans 641, which are a Nu Metal band formed in 2003, and Cake Bomb, a pop punk band. Check them out here. Crazy Tianjin indeed.

Flying Fruit

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 30 yuan (entry + one free beer)

Live Bar
798 Kunming Road, near Tong Bei Road

Shanghai-based, Jiangxi-bred Flying Fruit will be straying from their usual spot at Bonbon Sundays to play a show at Live Bar.

Saturday, June 9^th

The Deadly Vibes + Banana Monkey + Boys Climbing Ropes

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 30 yuan

Zhi Jiang Dream Factory (Yuyintang)
28 B Yuyao Road, Bld. 4, inside Tong Le Fang, near Xikang Road

Sure to be a night of explosive Garage Rock tomfoolery, Canadian three-piece, Taiwan-based The Deadly Vibes (erstwhile playing under the name, The Daymakers) will be joined on their only Shanghai stop by local Garage Rock band Banana Monkey and local Indie Rock band Boys Climbing Ropes. Audience interaction will be key for the three bands as each tries to flog the audience into rawk madness in their own way. Click here to be redirected to the Small Swords interview with The Deadly Vibes in which they discuss Keynesian Economics, Middle English Poetry and Molecular Physics. Click here for their MySpace page.

 

MUSIC IN GENESIS" with Unlink + Carbon Activated + Mushroom

Starts: 2 pm

Daytime Venue (Yuyintang)
234 Hu Song Road

The first of a four-day afternoon concert series hosted by the Yuyintang promoters, the "Music in Genesis" shows feature younger local bands along with a few older, locally-based bands. The concerts will be held at a different location than Yuyintang's new space at the Zhi Jiang Dream Factory so concert attendees take note of the address. The other dates of "Music in Genesis" are June 10, June 16 and June 17. June 16 and 17 features the bigger name bands: Underground, Flying Fruit and Plastic Chocolate.

 

5 Student Bands

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 30 yuan

Live Bar
798 Kunming Road, near Tong Bei Road

A new monthly event for Live Bar, five student bands will be sharing the stage to showcase Shanghai's younger talent.
 

ENOISE Concert Series with The Deadly Vibes + Banana Monkey

Starts: 4 pm

ENOISE
139-23 Chang Le Road, near Rui Jin Road

The daytime concert for Taiwan-based Canadians The Deadly Vibes will be held at the Eno clothing store. They are joined by Banana Monkey and the promoters are promising "FREE BEER!"

Sunday, June 10^th

"MUSIC IN GENESIS" with Perfect Eidolon + Haliyou + San Huang Chicken

Starts: 2 pm

Daytime Venue (Yuyintang)
234 Hu Song Road

The second of Yuyintang's day concert series featuring younger Shanghai-based bands. Again, take note of the address.
 

Ferris Wheel + Happy Strings

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 88 yuan (all you can drink)

Bonbon
1329 Huai Hai Road, near Heng Shan Road

Sunday night rock (recently changed from Wednesdays) returns to Bonbon with a show by Ferris Wheel and Happy Strings, perhaps grouped together because both bands feature female leads. Both bands are great live, so if you're thinking about heading down to Bonbon for some rock but haven't yet, this would be a good show to catch.

Friday, June 15^th

"YOUNG BEIJING" with The No Name + The Life Journey + The Hedgehog

Starts: 10 pm (free beer from 9 until 10)
Cover: 50 yuan

4 Live
8 Jian Guo Road, new Chong Qing Nan Road

"Young Beijing" is a special concert hosted by 4 Live which features three great Beijing bands. The No Name, while not exactly "young," are one of the best Street Punk/Hardcore bands in China and as their MySpace page succinctly declares, they "enjoy wasting our life on fucking Punk ROCK, on DRUGS and BEER, it's fucking awesome." Simple. Forthright. Direct. Check out their other tour dates, sample tracks and video on said MySpace page. They are joined by The Life Journey and The Hedgehog.

 

S.A.W.

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 25 yaun

Live Bar
798 Kunming Road, near Tong Bei Road

S.A.W. are a Beijing-based Metal band that is breaking away from the copy cat formula of Chinese (Nu) Metal bands to incorporate more intensity and unique instrumentation in their shows. They are touring their first EP and this month they are hosted by Live Bar.

Saturday, June 16

Cold Fairyland Album Release Party

Starts: 8 pm
Cover: 40 yuan

Zhi Jiang Dream Factory (Yuyintang)
28 B Yuyao Road, Bld. 4, inside Tong Le Fang, near Xikang Road

Cold Fairyland are hosted by Yuyintang for their CD release party. Cold Fairyland are difficult to define. Fusing aspects from a wide variety of sounds and sources, the Shanghai-based five-piece meshes atmospheric Western Psychedelic Rock with traditional Chinese Folk music and Metal. Their songs have an airy Pink Floyd feel to them, and also belie the technical experimentation of free-form jazz.

 

"BLUES FESTIVAL" with Sultans of Swing + Georgia Sam Blues Band

Starts: (see below)
Cover: 40 yuan (one free drink)

Live Bar
798 Kunming Road, near Tong Bei Road

A full day dedicated to the Blues at Live bar.

3pm to 6pm: Lectures: Blues music, Blues harmonica, guitar, Piano and history (free)
8pm to 3am Performances: 5 or 6 bands and a lucky draw

 

"MUSIC IN GENESIS" with 5 Pennies + Happy Xuan + Plastic Chocolate + Joker

Starts: 2 pm

Daytime Venue (Yuyintang)
234 Hu Song Road

The third of the Yuyintang day concert "Music in Genesis" shows.

Sunday, June 17

"MUSIC IN GENESIS" with Angel of Music + Magic Garden + Underground + Flying Fruit

Starts: 2 pm

Daytime Venue (Yuyintang)
234 Hu Song Road

The finale of the Yuyintang's "Music in Genesis" day concert series features the premier local Nu Metal band Underground (sounding like a mix of Korn and The Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Flying Fruit.
 

SEESAW + Flying Fruit

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 88 yuan (all you can drink)

Bonbon
1329 Haui Hai Road, near Heng Shan Road

Playing two shows in one day, Flying Fruit returns to Bonbon for a Sunday night show opening for SEESAW.

Tuesday, June 19^th

Desire Abandoned

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 20 yuan

Live Bar
798 Kunming Road, near Tong Bei Road

Jiangxi's Desire Abandoned play Metalcore with Punk and Thrash undertones. Their stop at Live Bar is the first time they've played Shanghai.

Friday, June 22^nd

Chun Qiu Band

Starts: 10 pm (free beer from 9 until 10)
Cover: 50 yuan

4 Live
8 Jian Guo Road, near Chong Qing Nan Road

Saturday, June 23^rd

"DEPORTED" with The Livin Thin + Boys Climbing Ropes + Dropkicks

Starts: 10 pm
Cover: 30 yuan (entry + one free Carlsberg) 15 yuan Carlsberg all night

4 Live
8 Jian Guo Road, new Chong Qing Nan Road

See June 2 for show and band description.
 

ENOISE Concert Series with Banana Monkey + Fuck'n'Rolls + Hard Candy

Starts: 4 pm

ENOISE
139-23 Chang Le Road, near Rui Jin Road

The afternoon ENOISE concert series continues with three of Shanghai's best new wave Garage Rock bands. Each are known for putting on a great live set. Older brother band Banana Monkey will be joined by the Fuck'n'Roll, a fun Yeah Yeah Yeahs-esque band and Hard Candy, a keyboard-drums two piece. Hard Candy do originals and covers of the White Stripes (if there are two people in the band, who else are you going to cover) and are definitely create a unique sound in Shanghai's live scene. The promoters are promising FREE BEER. It doesn't get any cheaper than that.

 

Ferris Wheel + Flying Fruit + Boys Climbing Ropes

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 30 yuan

Zhi Jiang Dream Factory (Yuyintang)
28 B Yuyao Road, Bld. 4, inside Tong Le Fang, near Xikang Road

Three local bands are booked at Yuyintangs new space. Ferris Wheel and Boys Climbing Ropes are Indie Rock and Flying Fruit are Alt Rock.

Sunday, June 24^th

JQKA

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 88 yuan (all you can drink)

Bonbon
1329 Haui Hai Road, near Heng Shan Road

Locals JQKA are veterans of the Bonbon stage previously sharing bills with diverse acts like Mint and Underground.

Friday, June 29^th

Boys Climbing Ropes + Dropkicks

Starts: 9 pm
Cover: 20 yuan (or nothing)

Live Bar
798 Kunming Road, near Tong Bei Road

Taking a break for a couple weeks, local Indie Rock workhorses Boys Climbing Ropes will be joined by the Dropkicks, a locally-based Hard Rock/Old School Punk band for a special piss-fest, destructo show at Live Bar.
 

"YOUNG BEIJING" with The Scoff + Rubber Phonograph Needle

Starts: 10 pm (free beer from 9 until 10)
Cover: 50 yuan

4 Live
8 Jian Guo Road, new Chong Qing Nan Road

The second of the "Young Beijing" concert series at 4 Live this month brings in Beijing Garage Rock upstarts The Scoff (labelmates with Joyside on Sunyin Records) and Rubber Phonograph Needle. Last time they were in town the shared a show with Banana Monkey at Live Bar. Check out their songs at their MySpace page.

Saturday, June 30^th

The Go! Team + Flying Fruit

Starts: 8 pm
Cover: 120/80/60 Door/Advance/Student (includes one cocktail)

Absolute House
Bld. 6, X2 Creative, 20 Cha Ling Road near Xie Tu Road

Ticket hotline: 135 2455 1955 or email tickets@spli-t.com

For the fourth of the six Bicardi Sino Sessions (the first three being Maximo Park in Dec '06, Bugz in the Attic in March '07, and The Infadels in June '07), the Spli-t production team is bringing in U.K.'s the Go! Team for their most rad concert to date. A six-piece from Brighton, the Go! Team mixes Hip Hop beats, samples and lyrical style with Indie Rock guitars and Psych Folk instrumentation. The end result sounds like a mash-up of Missy Elliot and Wolf Parade. Their 2003 release Thunder, Lightning, Strike was critically acclaimed on both sides of the pond, lauded for its cross-genre infectiousness and originality. Download Huddle Formation and Ladyflash. Shanghai-based, Jianxi-bred Alt Rock band The Flying Fruit are slated to open.



 

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-Morgan Short

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