FOR CITY WEEKEND’S FIRST REDESIGNED EDITION
note: The battle actually never took place due to government boondoggle.
When Lyra, Kimi, Hubert and Little Chicken of the pop-punk band Pink 7 roar to a stop at the corner of Shanghai’s Xizang Lu and Menggu Lu on their turbo-powered purple motorbikes, the snoozing vegetable sellers, smoking workmen and pajama-clad grannies peer curiously over their cucumbers, cigarettes and crocheting.
The band was meeting CW for a photo shoot and had dressed as they would for a show. Their jet-black hair was carefully coiffed to appear messy, their crucifixes and chains draped just so. They were excited yet on edge.
“Who’s arrived?” Hubert, the bassist, asks hopping off the bike. “And who else will take part? Do you know?”
We ask him and the other band members, aged 16-21, whether they inquire because they’re nervous about the competition they’ll face at Tanghui’s upcoming Battle of the Bands, which promises more than RMB70,000 in cash and prizes.
Kimi turns with a sneer upon his face.
“Lady, we don’t know what nervous means.”
Until recently, “Battle of the Bands” was also an unfamiliar term in China. The tradition of pitting one music group against another enjoys a rich history in the West, from jazz-era swing competitions of the past to the rap offs and rock battles of the present, but has never found its way onto the Chinese stage until now.
Morry Morgan, a co-owner of Tanghui, has learned that to make money in China, you must first invest. That’s not a particularly romantic gestation for a Battle of the Bands competition, but for one of the most popularly received new live music spots in China, it’s probably a smart one.
“I felt that Tanghui had to assist in the development of bands in order to sustain Tanghui over the future years,” Morgan says.
Morgan expects a dozen bands to compete this year. Up to the point that this story went to press, eight bands have joined the competition. Their music styles range from post-rock to punk, metal to emocore; they travel from Sichuan, Ningbo, Hangzhou and Hong Kong, but local acts stand as the majority.
“There’s no way an outsider band can win this competition,” the members of Pink 7 gloat, but standing on a dirty curb waiting for the other band to show up for the photo shoot, there’s a trace of uncertainty in the way they kick the cigarettes that fall from tightened fingers and stuff their hands in their pockets.
When the other musicians arrive, it’s hard to tell if the red glow across their faces as we head to the studio comes from a competitive flush or the warmth of the setting summer sun.
21 Grams
Shanghai
Who are they?
Alex Dong , Charlie Chen (查礼潭), Li Dong(李栋), and Renminbi (人民币) met online and started their band in 2004. The members switch up on guitars, bass, piano and drum.
What’s their sound? Luscious waves of guitars played in minor chords, a plundering bass and steady down-tempo beats cradle and comfort. It’s somewhat meandering and melancholic but also mesmerizing. Mixed with space-age sounds, the crash of dishes, the splash of the sea and sexually driven panting. .
Where’ve you seen them play? Shanghai’s DDM Warehouse and Yuyintang
Pause for this: In their self-titled song, “21 grams,” a soft voice whispers, “21 grams… the weight of a chocolate bar” with such sincerity, it’s impossible not to smile.
Fun Fact: All of 21 Grams’ song titles are also film titles.
Makes ya wanna… Be hushed somewhere with a cup of hot black coffee or take a long walk where there is blue scenery.
Sound like: Mogwai, Sigur Ros, Explosions in the Sky
Achille’s Heel: The band might want to study up on their Slint to attain a better time a sense of dramatic dynamics.
Worldwide Rock: http://www.myspace.com/pr21g
Foreskin Ring
Ningbo
Who are they? Not unlike 21 Grams, these Ningbo musicians met in a chatroom online and two bands became one. When asked about their unusual name, they respond with another question, “Isn’t it a great name?” They are young – ranging from 20 to 25—and punks, after all. When these four guys, Wu Yong, Sun Jian, Wang Wei Da and Hu Meng Meng, are asked about their dreams, they respond with one word: “Girls.”
What’s their sound? California surfer guitar riffs mix seamlessly with the pluck of the Chinese guqin. Experimental melodies and ska upbeats are sprinkled with China kitsch and tongue-in-cheek lyrics to make the sound a unique one.
Where’ve you seen them play? In various Ningbo dives.
Sound like: Beach boys on cocaine, Green Day, Sonic Youth
Fun fact: On the song “The Campaign against Encirclement and Suppression” (“第八次反围剿”), the band references the famous deceased stage actress Zhao Li Rong and chant about how she used to love to tango. We don’t understand either.
Makes ya wanna… Skank about in plaid pants, break a bottle, make out with a hot 20-year-old.
Worldwide Rock: Coming soon at www.punkit.sohoxiaobao.com
Achille’s Heel: A Chinese phrase, “不愿听苏州人吵架，不愿听宁波人说话。”(Bu yuan ting Suzhou ren chaojia, bu yuan ting Ningboren shuo hua.) loosely translates to “Not willing to listen to Suzhou people quarrel, not willing to listen to Ningbo people speak.” The accent is supposed to be a little rough around the edges. Hopefully the crowd can overcome their prejudice.
Pink 7
Shanghai
Who are they? This four-person group is composed of three Shanghainese and one Hong Konger.
How did they get together? Lyra, an ex lead guitarist of Soleir Noir didn’t get the vision rock his group was headed, so he formed a new band. He grouped up with drummer, Little Chicken who introduced his classmate Kimi who had won a singing competition. Finally, they found Hong Kong Hubert online.
What’s their sound? Anthem-driven songs with a bass foundation and sweetly sailing little guitar riffs. Kimi’s hopeful vocals lead the group and Little Chicken’s drum breaks keep the tempo upbeat.
Where’ve you seen them play? Shuffle Bar
Who They Sound Like: Mayday, Blink 182, Simple Plan
Pause on That Track: The track “未知艺术家“ or “Unknown Artist” sounds as good as any teen anthem should.
Makes ya wanna… Drive around with your friends in a car and punch them on the shoulder as you cruise by funny yet vaguely distressing things.
Fun Fact: “We have more motorbikes than any of the other bands,” Hugo says.
Worldwide Rock: http://pink7.getbbs.com/
Achille’s Heel: Their confidence is as fleeting as their self-consciousness – it comes with the territory at 18.
Dulang
Hangzhou
Who are they? Rock duo composed of Brec Starhawk from Hawaii, USA, and a Chinese female singer, Ye Ru, or Cissy. Starhawk programs drums and bass on a MIDI sequencer and plays the electric guitar live. For live performances, Michelle Ye joins the duo on keyboards. Cissy sings vocals.
What’s their sound? Cissy wails while Starhawk’s guitar screeches. A plodding drum and bass beat sullenly in the background.
Where’ve you seen them play? Various bars in Hangzhou.
Pause for this: Does Cissy’s voice sound familiar? She was a finalist in the Hangzhou Super Girls competition.
Fun Fact: Starhawk played in the Brazilian band “Made in Brazil” for two years. He also has a killer mullet.
Makes ya wanna… Grow out your mullet and smoke cigarettes. Or scratch a fully clawed hand down the face of a chalkboard.
Sound like: Alice in Chains, Ozzy Osbourne
Achille’s Heel: With most of the bands providing a fully live sound, lack of a drum kit might prove an in impossible hurdle for a metal band.
Worldwide Rock:www.myspace.com/httpwwwmyspacecom73380357
Sidebar 1:
Beijing is being big about Shanghai stealing the rock spotlight for a change. Here, some musically connected Beijingers sound off on their advice for the young bands and their impression of the event.
PHOTOPHOTOPHOTOPHOTO
“Work hard and take your own road. Grasp new ideas and make them your own. It’s from this source that you make the music. Help people understand your own strengths and what makes you special.” Qing Xuan, keyboard player What Band
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“My advice to these bands would be to really concentrate on your music, and have the desire to make good music. Take this Battle of the Bands as a good chance to improve yourself and your own original music, not to win fame. To be frank, there are so many underground rock bands in China, only a few of them get famous. We don’t make a living by playing rock music, but we truly love it. If you’re lucky, this competition might bring you stardom, but if it doesn’t, don’t give up. The important thing is that this is a unique opportunity for unsigned acts to show off original music to the world and to practice in a real music scene and make a few fans along the way. Insist on your dreams of rock music and cherish its original spirit.” Liu Lixin, guitar player for Ordinance Band (Junxiesuo)
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It’s hard to define meaningful success for artists in China. For example, many of my favorite mainland musicians aren’t given exposure on television or the radio or even the press. Their music has been well-received, so why don’t the meet with the same fanfare and opportunity as the Super Girls? Most of these artists, despite having released collections, still have to work for a living. Innovation has still not yet been sufficiently supported. This competition should give young people a chance to really show off their music to a live audience. It should also provide proof that there are a lot of young people out there using their creative talents to produce something fresh.
Zhou Yang, Zhushu Entertainment Ltd., Publicity Department
Sidebar 2:
The rules: Unsigned band must include at least half local Chinese performers and all performed songs must be original.
The judgment: Contestants will be judged on musicianship, visual presentation, originality, audience response, song writing, professionalism and overall entertainment value.
The reward: Assistance to the winning band comes in the form of more than 70,000 RMB in cash and prizes, including Epiphone guitars and basses, as well as the assurance of a future gig with Tanghui.
September 14, 15, 23 and 24 First rounds – three to four bands a piece will play each time. 3pm-7pm
September 28 Semi-final
September 30 Final
85 Huating Lu
华亭路85号
Morry@tanghuibar.com
136-4163-3795
www.smartshanghai.com/battle-of-the-bands
–Megan Shank
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