SmartShanghai | Sell Your Soul For RnR

Sell Your Soul For RnR

By Morgan Short, Oct 9th, 2008 | In Nightlife

Nothing too spine-cracking going on this weekend in terms of live music in Shanghai, but there's still a few things here and there that you might want to check out, should you be so inclined as to rock the EFF out...

Friday, Oct. 10: Defy @ Yuyintang

Originally from Wuhan but now based out of Beijing, Defy were one of the coolest things going on in Wuhan a couple years ago when they were a garage/'70s punk band (read: Ramones). During that phase, they managed to get to Shanghai only once, playing with Angry Jerks (pre-psychobilly Angry Jerks) for an afternoon show at 4 Live.

Yeah, an afternoon show. That's just how people rolled those days. Anyways, it seems they've followed in Angry Jerks' footsteps and have switched from being a punk band to a rockabilly band.

Maybe that's the trajectory in China when you grow out of punk: Rockabilly. In Canada dudes start liking ska. Or they get into, "like... hardcore music with a lot of digital influences... hardcore loops and sampling and stuff. Bit crunching hardcore"

It's not pretty.

Friday, Oct. 10: Wang Lei @ Anar

A Zooma-Brad Ferguson joint, Wang Lei will be performing at Anar Bar. Wang Lei is one of these "godfather of Chinese rock" figures -- respected as a combination of Chuck Berry and Magellan -- and in his 16 years of making music in China, he's done much to flesh out the folk, experimental, world music end of the spectrum (released 10 albums).

His recent material in influenced by his travels in Europe and his collaborations with artists there (Hightone, 69 db), and while his music has rock/folk origins, he also does some experimental stuff with dub, drum'n'bass, and reggae. So expect to hear some interesting stuff if you check him out -- a real mishmash of influences and genres from a real veteran. Tickets are under-priced at 30rmb.

Friday, Oct. 10: Hard Queen @ BeeDees

Hard Queen! Where is this album, Hard Queen? Bah. Anyways, Shanghai's brightest daughters and son are playing a Friday weekly at BeeDees, so you should head on down and check them out because they are truly awesome. No cover.

Saturday, Oct 11: Sainkho Namchylak & Dickson Dee @ Yuyintang

Music as art, art as music for an experimental-to-the-max show at Yuyintang on Saturday. HK experimental turntabalist Dickson Dee is joined by vocalist Sainkho Namchylak. It's part of a larger China tour and this is the duo's Shanghai show. Expect to have your horizons broadened. If you're a fan of the NoiShanghai series or the RESO series, this one will be up your alley. Cover is 30rmb. Check out their MySpace pages for audio and visual samples and head on over to www.noiseasia.com for more info as well.

Upcoming:

There's a Monday night show at Yuyintang featuring German punk band No Opinion. Pick scrapes a plenty. Next weekend is the Regurgitator show(s) at LOgO and Yuyintang. And Miniless records returns to town for the "Miniless Experimental Electronic" showcase with five bands you've never heard of. Some are even having their debut show too. That one should be real good.

Tagged: Live Music Event Previews