MP3 Monday is a weekly SmartShanghai column, serving up mp3s from bands living and making music in China (or coming to China, or thinking about coming to China, or whatever). Copyright holders: if you would like your song removed, please email us here, and we'll honor your request promptly.

Today we've got a track each from galactic media darlings Handsome Furs and local media sluts Pairs. Both bands are playing shows this weekend; both acts are comprised of two people: a guy and a girl. The similarities basically end there, but hey...

Local band Pairs is Xiao Zhong & F, the former on drums and the later on guitar. Despite having only been around a few months, they've received lots of attention in Shanghai and Beijing web media based on the strength of a screamily entertaining live show and an overall sound that is quite dissimilar to what is going on in Chinese rock in either Shanghai or Beijing. The obvious comparison to make with what Pairs do is to Providence, RI two-piece Lightning Bolt, in terms the emphasis on the drummer being a total spazz. Musically, though, despite being delivered at 700 beats per second, the guitar work sounds more influenced by post hardcore, noise rock, and indie rock proper. I would say F sounds like she is super down with "Upside Down" era Jesus & Mary Chain, but I suffer from a specific form of Asperger's Syndrome in which I think everything sounds like Jesus & Mary Chain. Two chord distortion feedback... you tell me.

Including one or two 12-second powerviolence-ish songs, I think Pairs must be up to around six or seven joyous chart toppers by now, and this here is one of them. From the horse's mouth: "This is 'Yangpu Qu' from the recording we did with Adam at YYT. Not sure if this is the final mix we'll use, but who cares? Can't polish a turd."

Yeah, if you polish a turd you know what happens? You get shit all over your hands, man.


Pairs are invading Not Me this Saturday, along with a bunch of their DJ friends. More on Pairs right here.

Event info right here.

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Handsome Furs are husband Dan Boeckner, also of Wolf Parade, and wife Alexei Perry. Boeckner and Wolf Parade were just touring behind their latest album, and now he's blasting back into Shanghai with his wife to start their second Asian tour in as many years with Handsome Furs. Music is scuzzily heart-warming Korgs meeting Bruce Springsteen. But I suffer from a specific form of Asperger's Syndrome in which I think everything sounds like Bruce Springsteen. Handsome Furs were in town almost exactly a year ago, and I have to say, it was probably the best show I saw all year. This song is the hit off their second album, Face Control.


Handsome Furs are at Yuyintang this Friday. Supporting is Duck Fight Goose and oh look at that: Pairs. Very nice. More on Handsome Furs right here.

Event info right here.

Handsome Furs! Pairs! Can't not get it started for that.

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