This band called Handsome Furs played in Shanghai a while ago and now they're doing some video tour diary thing on CNN about their experiences in China. Episode 4 is now up, and that's about them in Shanghai among other things. A highlight of the series is the drama in the comments section, so it's worth a click if you're into The Great Debate.

Highlight of the comments in this episode is this little piece of insight from "horrorcameo":

"Isn't every perspective intrinsically unique. What you said is like when people say stuff like "The most unique" or "The most original" do you really need the modifier "most" there to know something is unique or interesting?"

*strokes beard*

So true... so true...

ATL-based, So Sweet signed, Le Castle Vania, slated to be performing at Not Me tonight has been canceled. Or postponed, rather, to a later date. Promoters are citing nebulous "visa issues" and are working on a rescheduling for this summer. Most likely, the visa people took one look at Le Castle Vania and said, "No, BRO. Your swoopy hairstyle is too dangerous for China. You'd start a riot with that cut."

Alas, cover at Not Me is now free, drinks are cheaper, and: "With a stack of great DJs, VJs and drink specials, come join us tonight and we'll quickly turn that sour frown upside down. Free hugs and kisses if you wear stripes and straighten your hair."

There you go. Next, next Friday (March 26) they've got Killa Kela's DJ in, Conrank -- as in "Kela & Conrack" -- and its 30 beans to get in.

Anyways, Le Castle Vania... anyone remember ElfQuest? Dude looks like ElfQuest. That's a good thing.

Pavillon Costes is closing this Saturday. For ever. Until it becomes "eatertainment."

Dress code for the final party:

"More Parisian Than Ever Or Never"

Here's your SmSh listing, complete with devastated models on the flyer.

Is there anything David Laris can't, or won't, do?

No.

He is developing a concept for an upcoming downtown golf club, opening another Fat Olive, debuting The Pie Hole, polishing the details for his new Downstairs restaurant, and, I hear, the dude is in talks to re-do all the tea eggs, in ALL the convenience stores, so that the cracked shells form a svelte portrait of him in chef whites. That is magical.

Let's blow some smoke, shall we?

Urban 18: some private investors are setting up a state-of-the-art golf club in a building near People's Square. Six ultra-modern golf simulators, membership packages, and a sports lounge designed by Laris. Holy hi-life. Opening in June.

The Fat Olive and The Pie Hole: Fat Olive #3 (#2 is at Expo Village) will open in mid-April at.... the Hongqiao airport/transportation hub. Apparently this hub is going to be like the Central Station in Hong Kong, which integrates transportation into shopping, or shopping into transportation, or whatever, at the new Hongqiao terminal. It'll be the first Pie Hole open to the public (first one, also in Expo Village). The two concepts will share a 140 sq meter space, which means no terrace for the Fat Olive. Also, seeing as its at the airport -- eh, "transportation hub" -- wines are gonna primarily by the glass. They will both open in mid-April.

Lots of stuff happening in Shanghai this year. Tough to stay on top of it all. Here's a few more items to confuse things for you. On April 16, awesomeness DJ Kentaro returns to Shanghai, playing at The Shelter. He's got it etched in stone on his MySpace. Kentaro's been in town a few times now, always playing to a throng of the devoted.

On the same night over at MAO Livehouse, they're hosting a big show with big time Brit band Puressence, along with DJ support from Gary "Mani" Mounfield, of Stone Roses and Primal Scream fame. Interesting.

This profusion of big name foreign bands and musicians... is it only a matter of time before the SmSh wire rings out with the words I've been waiting five long years to type?

"Butthole Surfers. Confirmed."