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CD Review: Demerit

“Bastards of a Nation” from Qingdao - By Morgan, Jun 17, 08

Originally formed in Qingdao in 2004, Beijing-based Demerit are one of the more forward-thinking Chinese punk bands, and their latest album "Bastards of a Nation (2008)" shows them mimicking the direction of the newly popular third (or fourth or fifth or sixth) generation of the oi / "streepunk" genre in the US -- diversified style and more complex song arrangements, but a return to the performing intensity of earlier hardcore and oi movements of the early 80s. And, of course, a return to the 70's UK punk uniform: leather G.B.H. jackets, dyed Mohawks, ripped t-shirts, bullet belts, bondage pants, etc.

An earnest, anthemic, and hyper-political hardcore album, "Bastards of a Nation" is, on first listen, pretty much in the realm of the current representatives of hardcore to the masses in the US -- A Global Threat, The Unseen, and The Casualties. Demerit keep it dense and heavy with metalish riff here and there, and break it up with melodic breaks, choral backing vocals, and even some clapping action in there ("Fight Your Apathy"). The arrangements were well-conceived and varied, and the musicianship is great -- particularly the guitar work -- and there's some interesting changes throughout. While listening to the album I had the feeling that the guitarist learned his stuff doing Iron Maiden licks and then switched up when the singer lent him a Choking Victim album. I enjoyed it overall, and bits and pieces reminded me of Leftover Crack, particularity "TZ Generation," and "Fuck the Schemers." Fans of that band's many variations -- INDK et. al. -- and fans of the newer US east coast hardcore, won't be disappointed.

The standout tracks on the album are the title track "Bastards of a Nation," "Bye Bye My County," and "Beijing is Not My Home." And this brings us to another interesting thing about Demerit (besides the fact that they were interviewed by the Washington Post). They're currently on tour promoting this, their second album, but the rumor is that their lyrical content, presumably the three aforementioned songs, have forced a delay of the album because of their anti-government content. In "Bastards of a Nation" they sing, "why the fuck am I loyal to you / we don't wanna be your victim of greed / sick of you, no future for us / how many people die in famine," which seems pretty inflammatory to say the least. In "Bye Bye My Country" they sing, "I can't believe the red sky. How much blood has been shed, in pursuit of freedom? / You can't stop, you kill for greed, money and pride let your children starve / is it worth the cost?"

The song "Beijing is Not My Home" -- my favorite song on the album -- echoes the sentiments of displacement and marginalization many bands feel living in Beijing (or so I hear) and is a really powerful answer to another punk band's song "Come Down to Beijing" by Brain Failure.

Demerit perform this weekend at Yuyintang, joined by some as of yet TBD local punk bands, and it promises to be a really great show if you want to see one of the better Chinese hardcore acts. And hopefully their album will be available at the show. Spike-up the 'hawk and head on down, punk rocker.

Demerit performs at Yuyintang this Friday. Starts 9pm. Tickets 30rmb. Head on over to their Myspace for audio and video samples here.

Photos of Demerit by Matthew Niederhauser.

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