alternative china

'alternative china' links to articles in english about the new music scenes springing up all over china. composed by australasian diy music specialist shaun/tenzenmen (http://www.tenzenmen.com)

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Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor

 

A Yaogun Cover, Part Deux

Late last year, it came to my attention that Beijing-based garage-punk act Subs had a song of theirs covered by Norwegian rockers Black Snakes. The band has just released a video for the tune, “Down,” which comprises a collection of footage from shows across China, and worth pointing folks toward. (more at link)

Documentary reveals what’s unique about rock in China Near the start of the documentary, Down: Inside Rock in the PRC, co-director Andrew DavidField asks Kang Mao, the outspoken female lead singer of the Subs: “So, what do you think ofCui Jian?” “Cui Jian is handsome. Cui Jian is the godfather,” the singer replies. “How about the Subs? Ever heard of that band?” Field continues. Kang says: “Nobody has heard of the Subs. People just know Cui Jian. The Subs are a bitstrange.”

Documentary reveals what’s unique about rock in China

Near the start of the documentary, Down: Inside Rock in the PRC, co-director Andrew DavidField asks Kang Mao, the outspoken female lead singer of the Subs: “So, what do you think ofCui Jian?”

“Cui Jian is handsome. Cui Jian is the godfather,” the singer replies.

“How about the Subs? Ever heard of that band?” Field continues.

Kang says: “Nobody has heard of the Subs. People just know Cui Jian. The Subs are a bitstrange.”

DOWN: Indie Rock in the PRC Filmed on the sweaty stages of underground rock clubs and music festivals, this indie rock doc takes viewers on a journey deep into the rock scene of a rapidly changing China. Through performances by some of China’s top indie rock bands and interviews with band members, rock club managers, concert organizers and record producers,Down: Indie Rock in the PRC highlights the music and the struggles that indie rock musicians are undergoing as they challenge the dominant values of mainstream Chinese society.

DOWN: Indie Rock in the PRC

Filmed on the sweaty stages of underground rock clubs and music festivals, this indie rock doc takes viewers on a journey deep into the rock scene of a rapidly changing China. Through performances by some of China’s top indie rock bands and interviews with band members, rock club managers, concert organizers and record producers,Down: Indie Rock in the PRC highlights the music and the struggles that indie rock musicians are undergoing as they challenge the dominant values of mainstream Chinese society.

Beijing’s loudest, lewdest live acts Shanghai might draw the big foreign music acts, but Beijing rules when it comes to homegrown talent. And that talent likes to stand out, be it through its sound, style, on-stage antics, or all three. So when you’re feeling a little too safe, a little too normal, let one of these acts shake you up inside.  

Beijing’s loudest, lewdest live acts

Shanghai might draw the big foreign music acts, but Beijing rules when it comes to homegrown talent.

And that talent likes to stand out, be it through its sound, style, on-stage antics, or all three. So when you’re feeling a little too safe, a little too normal, let one of these acts shake you up inside.  

Martin Atkins documentary: 16 days in China In 2008, Martin Atkins from PiL, Pigface, Killing Joke etc. came to China and formed relationships (both personal and studio) with Beijing’s best underground artists including PK14, Snapline, Subs. Check out the full 70 minutes at the link below which creates a nice snapshot of Chinese music at the time

Martin Atkins documentary: 16 days in China

In 2008, Martin Atkins from PiL, Pigface, Killing Joke etc. came to China and formed relationships (both personal and studio) with Beijing’s best underground artists including PK14, Snapline, Subs. Check out the full 70 minutes at the link below which creates a nice snapshot of Chinese music at the time

Never Mind The Bollocks, Those Are The Beijing Punks my oh my what a night saturday was! I had been looking forward to the Punk festival for a few weeks now but nothing prepared me for the amount of fun and atmosphere that this was…. easily the best one of the series so far and definitely the most organized

Never Mind The Bollocks, Those Are The Beijing Punks

my oh my what a night saturday was! I had been looking forward to the Punk festival for a few weeks now but nothing prepared me for the amount of fun and atmosphere that this was…. easily the best one of the series so far and definitely the most organized

MIDI 2011 day 1: Tales of Storms, Dust, Suffocated, SUBS and Rock The first day of a festival is always the trickiest one! That’s the one that sets the tone for the rest of the festivities from atmosphere to logistics and it’s fair to say MIDI was off to a rocky start with mother nature doing all she could to get in the way. Still, somehow, the dust, rain and mud just combined to make it gritty and grungy.

MIDI 2011 day 1: Tales of Storms, Dust, Suffocated, SUBS and Rock

The first day of a festival is always the trickiest one! That’s the one that sets the tone for the rest of the festivities from atmosphere to logistics and it’s fair to say MIDI was off to a rocky start with mother nature doing all she could to get in the way. Still, somehow, the dust, rain and mud just combined to make it gritty and grungy.

8 Questions with the Creators of “Down: Indie Rock in the PRC” In July 2007, Professor Andrew Field, a respected China historian and author, began work on his debut film Down: Indie Rock in the PRC. Working at his own pace and with no budget, Field chronicled the contemporary Beijing rock scene, not only following bands like Subs, Carsick Cars and PK 1.4., but also interviewing integral peripheral players in the scene like Tag Team Records’ Matt Kagler, Maybe Mars’ Michael Pettis and Outdustry’s Ed Peto.

8 Questions with the Creators of “Down: Indie Rock in the PRC”

In July 2007, Professor Andrew Field, a respected China historian and author, began work on his debut film Down: Indie Rock in the PRC.

Working at his own pace and with no budget, Field chronicled the contemporary Beijing rock scene, not only following bands like Subs, Carsick Cars and PK 1.4., but also interviewing integral peripheral players in the scene like Tag Team Records’ Matt Kagler, Maybe Mars’ Michael Pettis and Outdustry’s Ed Peto.

Going underground A new documentary on Chinese indie rock shows a country trying to find its voice In 2007, China historian Andrew Field set out on a journey across China to find out what the country’s indie rock scene tells us about a nation in the throes of rapid change. Returning to Shanghai with over 40 hours of footage of rock concerts and interviews with band members, club managers and record company owners, Field sought the assistance of fellow American, filmmaker Jud Willmont. Together they have spent the past two years editing down the material. The result: an hour-long documentary – Down: Indie Rock in the PRC.

Going underground

A new documentary on Chinese indie rock shows a country trying to find its voice

In 2007, China historian Andrew Field set out on a journey across China to find out what the country’s indie rock scene tells us about a nation in the throes of rapid change. Returning to Shanghai with over 40 hours of footage of rock concerts and interviews with band members, club managers and record company owners, Field sought the assistance of fellow American, filmmaker Jud Willmont. Together they have spent the past two years editing down the material. The result: an hour-long documentary – Down: Indie Rock in the PRC.