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For Those About to Rock:
Concert Listings May, 2007
Live music shows are posted as we receive them. The music event listing is subject to change and additions. If you would like your show listed, email
morgan@smallswordsmagazine.com.
4 Live
Starts 9 pm (but probably more like 10)
China's pioneer Electro Rock band Supermarket is now actually returning to Shanghai with veteran ambient-IDM producers Huzi and Wang Juan. (They were supposed to play last month).
Yuyintang
Starts: 9 pm
Continuing their theme of bizarrely-titled, large-bill events, Yuyintang is presenting "Disappear in Visual Rock," which will feature Nu Metal bands and more straightforward Rock bands; four in total. These acts seem put together because they present a visual element to their music. And then you disappear into it!
4 Live
Starts: 9 pm
Mod Rock by way of Brooklyn, Locksley are among the new wave of dapper gentlemen bands (matching suits, no less) that play music that sounds like the Kinks and early Who. The songs, much like the trousers they wear, are short and tight. Check out their
MySpace page to listen to their tracks and see some videos.
Tuesday,
May 1st
Supermarket feat.
Huzi, Wang Juan (Electro Rock)
8-10 Jian Guo Zhong Rd
near Chong Qing Rd (6415 0700)
Cover: RMB 50
Disappear in Visual Rock feat.
Ghod (J Rock)
Cross Axle (Nu Metal)
and guests
Lane 100, 200 Long Cao Rd
near Tiandong Rd, Long Cao Rd (6436 0072)
Cover: RMB 40
Locksley (Mod Rock)
8-10 Jian Guo Zhong Rd
near Chong Qing Rd (6415 0700)
Cover: RMB 50
Saturday,
May 5th
Kava Kava
(Fusion / Funk)
DJ Jon Kennedy
4 Live
8-10 Jian Guo Zhong Rd
near Chong Qing Rd (6415 0700)
Starts: 9 pm
Cover: RMB 50
England's Kava Kava is a seven-piece Psychedelic Funk Rock band named after the Kava Kava pepper, which gets you high. Much like the drug itself, bad Funk Rock has the following side effects: numbness in the mouth, mild headaches, dizziness and skin rashes. Kava Kava the band, however, according to "accolades from NME, CRdb Guide, Chart, Billboard, and DJ Mag" should instill the positive effects of the drug: getting you high. Check out their MySpace page to get your first taste. You know the second one's not free.
Also performing is DJ Jon Kennedy
Rock
Hard Power Spray
(Punk/Metal)
Yuyintang
Starts: 9 pm
Along with Kava Kava, Germany's Rock Hard Power Spray are in China for Beijing's Midi Festival and, if the pictures on their
website are any indication, they definitely intend to spray people down with "Rock
Hard Power." Great, gushing, flooding, spewing amounts of Rock Hard Power all over the faces of their audiences. Their music is a sort of Metal-sounding Turbonegro. Check out their
MySpace page for tracks.
Lane 100, 200 Long Cao Rd
near Tiandong Rd, Long Cao Rd (6436 0072)
Cover: RMB 30
Sunday, May 6th
Xie Tian Xiao (Alt Rock)
4 Live
8-10 Jian Guo Zhong Rd
near Chong Qing Rd (6415 0700)
Starts: 9 pm
Cover: RMB 50
According to the promoters, Xie Tian Xiao was "invited twice to play the USA (2001, 2004) and this band received positive media attention everywhere they played, including accolades from the Associated Press, Time Magazine, and NBC Television." They've also caught the eye of veteran producer and 11-time Grammy winner Bill Bottrell who commented, "Xie Tian Xiao and his band let me witness the real Chinese Rock. They made guitar and bass sound so different; familiar yet never been heard before." Bottrell has previously worked with guitar virtuosos Madonna and Michael Jackson.
Ghod (J Rock)
Yuyintang
Starts: 9 pm
After a successful show two months ago at Yuyintang, the brooding Japanese Pop Rock quartet are back to melt more faces off with their tasty licks. Seriously. Buddy plays a flying V electric guitar with a violin bow. Check out their
homepage for a band blog and other Japanese wackiness. Yuyintang has also provided the following mp3s for fans to listen to:
Ghod mp3
#1
4 Live
Starts: 9 pm
The promoters are bandying around the words "breathtaking," "spine-tingling," and "awesome" in association with UK Metal band Mishkin. They're playing the Midi Festival in Beijing and 4 Live managed to get them for one of their many Shanghai shows. They are also playing on the 16th at the British Bulldog (what?), the 18th at Yuyintang (okay), the 19th at Naked Cow Restaurant (what!), the 22nd at Dulwich College (never even heard of that), the 25th at Live Bar (that makes sense), and on the 26th on a boat in the Huang Pu River (what!!).
They play a sort of fusion Metal that has elements of Math Rock and Screamo. Kind of Incubus-y, but not so lame. In other words, "they blend catchy, melodic hooks, well crafted songs, diverse and powerful vocals and expert musicianship."
Rockinchina.com recently did and interview with them that you can read
here.
Or you can check out their songs at their
MySpace page.
Opening band Dropkicks are a Shanghai-based Hard Rock cover band that does Jet, Jimi Hendrix, the Stooges, and the Dead Boys, among others.
Yuyintang
Starts: 9 pm
Brain Failure are back in town touring their new split CD with Big D and the Kids table called Beijing to Boston and their newest CD called Come Down to Beijing. As one of China's oldest and most popular Street Punk bands, Brain Failure have played the Warped Tour and shared the bill with American Punks bands The Casualties and The Unseen. They put on an energetic performance and are, in the words of my friend who went and saw them last month, "tight as fuck." Check out their
MySpace page for songs.
4 Live
Starts: 10 pm
This month's version of the popular Banana Party series is at 4 Live and, in the words of the promoters,
"Enchantments abound, animals speak in human tongues and earth-shaking beats purify the spirit." Sounds atmospheric.
"Live on four turntables, Kamikaze, Mr. Stokes and elnomo bring forth the bass, with trouble brother MCs Tenzin and Kensho Kuma trading lines as spirit men on the microphones. Free mix CDs on blast, Banana Rum Punch on smash (just 20RMB). Hallelujah! Check out their
webpage for more info.
"Wild Child Once More" feat.
Zhang Quan
Yuyintang
Starts: 1:30 pm for graffiti art
Yuyintang is hosting a music and graffiti party featuring graffiti, canvas shoe art and T-shirt art during the day, and Zhang Quan with Cold Fairlyland at night. Influenced by northwestern music, Zhang Quan has been a bus ticket seller, a painter, and has traveled all over China. He formed a band in 1995 and played Folk-influenced guitar and harmonica.
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. Listen to their tracks at their
MySpace page.
4 Live
Starts: 9 pm
In the words of the promoter, "Nanjing's Li Zhi is catching on with hundreds of MP3 downloads and blog
mentions across China. As a folk songwriter, Li is known for his distinguished
lyrics and sweet, melancholy guitar sounds."
Bonbon
Cover: RMB 88 (all you can drink)
For their Sunday night rock night, Bonbon has put together two Korean bands. Hooligan are a Korea-based Rap Rock band. With two MC's, and a backing band, they don't sound much like their American Nu Metal counterparts but more so like early Beastie Boys: simple repetitive guitar riffs and two MCs trading off on the mike. Click
here to
see a video. Shanghai-based Plastic Chocolate are a four-piece Korean band that plays new school Alt Rock in the vein of Muse and Radiohead.
Lane 100, 200 Long Cao Rd
near Tiandong Rd, Long Cao Rd (6436 0072)
Cover: RMB 50
Ghod mp3
#2
Ghod mp3
#3
Friday, May 11th
Mishkin
(Metal/Screamo)
Dropkicks (Hard Rock Covers)
8-10 Jian Guo Zhong Rd
near Chong Qing Rd (6415 0700)
Cover: RMB 50 (Free Beer from 9 until 10pm)
Brain Failure (Street Punk)
Sk8bomb (Skate Punk/Ska)
Lane 100, 200 Long Cao Rd
near Tiandong Rd, Long Cao Rd (6436 0072)
Cover: RMB 40
Saturday, May 12th
Bananas Party (Hip Hop)
8-10 Jian Guo Zhong Rd
near Chong Qing Rd (6415 0700)
with Cold Fairyland (Prog Rock / Metal)
Lane 100, 200 Long Cao Rd
near Tiandong Rd, Long Cao Rd (6436 0072)
7:30 pm for Zhang Quan with Cold Fairyland
Cover: RMB 40
Sunday, May 13th
Li Zhi (Folk Rock)
8-10 Jian Guo Zhong Rd
near Chong Qing Rd (6415 0700)
Cover: RMB 40
Hooligan (Rap Rock)
Plastic Chocolate (Alt Rock)
2F Yunhai Tower, 1329 Huaihai Zhong Rd
near Hengshan Rd (1332 1939 299)
Starts: 9 pm
Mishkin (Metal / Screamo)
British Bulldog
1 Wulumuqi Nan Rd
near Hengshan Rd
See above for band description.
Friday, May 18th
4 Live
Starts: 9 pm
Beijing's Second Hand Rose Band are among the many Chinese bands that fuse Western Rock music with traditional Chinese music. Although this formula can be somewhat lamentable in the wrong hands, Second Hand Rose have incorporated a traditional music style that ensures a raucous and unforgettable performance: Dongbei Opera. The band is fronted by a cross-dressing lead singer Liang Long who often performs in a qipao. His/her provocative look has earned the band controversy in China and, along with Top Floor Circus, they are one of the weirdest bands in the country -- in a good way. Check out a couple of their tracks at a fan's
MySpace
page.
Out of their element but always in good spirits is local white boy Indie rock band Boys Climbing Ropes who, on this night, continue their proud tradition of opening for bands they probably shouldn't be opening for. But maybe they'll don some drag and kick up their heels. Who knows. Check out their songs at their
MySpace
page.
Mishkin (Metal / Screamo) Yuyintang Starts 9:00 See above for band description.
Second Hand Rose (Rock / Dong Bei Opera)
Boys Climbing Ropes (Indie Rock)
8-10 Jian Guo Zhong Rd
near Chong Qing Rd (6415 0700)
Cover: RMB 50 (Free Beer 9pm to 10 pm)
Lane 100, 200 Long Cao Rd
near Tiandong Rd, Long Cao Rd (6436 0072)
Cover: RMB 50
Saturday, May 19th
"Rock For Charity" feat. 12 Student Bands
After the successful Rock for Roots charity a couple months ago, the Shanghai Sunrise charity is collecting twelve student bands to play an afternoon concert to raise money for their worthy cause. The concert starts at 1 pm and goes until 4 pm and then the kids clear out for 4 Live's popular D!NG party. Come down to check out the future of the scene and to spend money for a good cause. One of the local bands, Sk8Bomb recently did an interview with us. Click here to be redirected.
Mishkin (Metal/Screamo)
Naked Cow Restaurant
No. 2, Lane 66, Dan Shui Rd
near Jinling Xi Rd
See above for band description.
Sunday May 20th
Happy Strings (Grunge Punk)
Mad Mushroom Brigade (Nu Metal)
Bonbon
Sun2F Yunhai Tower, 1329 Huaihai Zhong Rd
near Hengshan Rd (1332 1939 299)
Starts: 9 pm
Cover: RMB 88 (all you can drink)
Sunday night rock at Bonbon continues with two veterans of the show: Happy Strings and Mad Mushroom Brigade. 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. Click here for their blog and click here to watch a video of their performance.
Mad Mushroom Brigade played late last year at the Live Bar reopening, as well as shows at Yuyintang, 4 Live, Bonbon and nine million other places. They count amount their influences Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and Muse. Videos of one of their shows can be seen
here.
Bu Yi (Folk Rock)
4 Live
8-10 Jian Guo Zhong Rd
near Chong Qing Rd (6415 0700)
Starts: 9 pm
Cover: RMB 40
Yinchuanese band Bu Yi (not to be confused with local superstars Booji) are Midi Festival veterans and play a northwest influenced Folk Rock. Critically acclaimed and extensively traveled, Bu Yi are touring their new album which was produced by Funky, a Guns N' Roses (or, rather Guns N' fucking Roses) recording director.
Friday, May 25th
Queen Sea Big Shark + Banana Monkey
4 Live
8-10 Jian Guo Zhong Rd
near Chong Qing Rd (6415 0700)
Starts: 9 pm
Cover: RMB 50 (free booze between 9 and 10)
A night of huge Chinese garage rock at 4 Live as Beijing favorites Queen Sea Big Shark are joined by local toast masters Banana Monkey. QSBS are on Modern Sky Records, which is China's premier rawk label (Joyside is on that one), and bring the hipster dance rock beats. Banana Monkey opens.
Mishkin (Metal / Screamo)
Live Bar
721 Kunming Rd,
near Tongbei Rd
Starts: 9 pm
Cover: RMB 30
See above for band description.
Saturday, May 26th
Back To The Roots
4 Live
8-10 Jian Guo Zhong Rd
near Chong Qing Rd (6415 0700)
Starts: 10 pm
Cover: RMB 30 (money goes to charity)
Shanghai's most popular hip-hop monthly party returns with the boys and girls from The Lab bringing you the best in live hip-hop, underground funk, live drums, and pure soul. Dragon Dance Studio breaks out on the floor.
Sunday,
May 27th
Su Yang
4 Live
Starts: 9 pm
"Su Yang Band" is a unique Ningxia (Northwest China) band mixing 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' has given performances throughout China and participated in several folk music festivals.
Ferris Wheel
Bonbon
Starts: 9 pm
On this Sunday night show, Bonbon brings back a few scene veterans. Ferris Wheel are a locally-based three piece Indie rock band that has long been a local favorite. They put on a tight show with catchy, well-written Indie rock songs. Flying Fruit are another locally-based band that play more straight forward Rock music with an ear towards classic U2 and Muse. They are also incredibly, incredibly handsome and very nice.
8-10 Jian Guo Zhong Rd
near Chong Qing Rd (6415 0700)
Cover: RMB 40
Flying Fruit
2F Yunhai Tower, 1329 Huaihai Zhong Rd
near Hengshan Rd (1332 1939 299)
Cover: RMB 88 (all you can drink)
April Concert Listings
March Concert Listings
-Morgan Short
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