Contract the Fever

Local promoters, S.T.D., look to the future of live music in SH - By Louder.cn, Feb 27, 08

In 2007, Shanghai was engaged in a flamboyant love affair with live music. The year saw a couple of big scale music festivals, several elaborately arranged international acts supported by local talents, and long lineups of high profile Beijing bands almost every weekend. Locally-based concert/party organizers S.T.D. (Sonically Transmitted Disease) rode the wave of passion and were responsible for some of the hottest live/electronic parties in town.


But 2008 got off to a rocky start with the closing of 4Live, the shutting down of Yuyintang for renovations and a near dearth of live music of any kind. Was 2007 a blip in the radar for live music in Shanghai? What can we expect in 2008?

The closing of 4Live, Shanghai's only consistent larger live music venue, was a wake up call for live music fans. On the surface, 4Live was a successful venue with a regular crowd and solid bookings of talented local, national and international acts. Financial stability, however, was unattainable and this implies the precarious state of live music in Shanghai. So, what about the survival of the one and only regular "rock" party in town?

HK's Pixel Toy @ 4Live
Dj/Producer Qnan argues, "In a practical sense, the reality is that live rock doesn't pay the bills. For a venue, it's much cheaper to throw a DJ party and a lot more profitable because party people keep the taps flowing -- a bar can't make money on just a rock show, so the only other option is to charge a ridiculous cover charge. LOgO was important for us, and has always been a good fit -- with the regulars there, plus the small following that a local band would have, plus the people that come for the afterparty. There's always a "sweet spot" during the night when all the groups converge, and despite EVERY band complaining about the equipment, they play to a great crowd, and it's become a lot of bands' favorite place to play. We don't have to charge a cover for local bands, the bar is happy, the bands are happy, and the crowd is happy."

DJ/promoter R3 argues that S.T.D. will have a strong presence again in 2008, pointing out that the party is recognized as a DJ party as well. People who come to see the bands might leave, but S.T.D. supporters, family and friends tend to stay on until the end. Recently, R3 and S.T.D. have found success in their "Digital Love" parties -- events that forgo the appearance of a band but feature S.T.D. DJs and guests playing (mostly) "rock-friendly" electroclash and trip hop.

Though the idea of combining live and electronic music in one night is pretty common internationally, what makes S.T.D. different is that they are helping to create a live music scene for both local Chinese and foreigners in Shanghai -- something that has proved in the past difficult to do in this city. The result of which has been an intermixing of styles, genres and cultures, perhaps even contributing to something that could be called the "Shanghai sound."


SH's 21g @ LOgO
Qnan says, "It's a place like Shanghai that has the potential to develop an interesting "sound". In the Beijing scene, musicians like to keep to their own in terms of genre. In Shanghai, musicians and DJs are more connected by friendships, regardless of style or genre. The main reason is simply the lack of musicians! A straight-up rock band might have to compromise by having a jazz drummer, and you might see the same guitarist shared by 3 bands. A noise-rock band may have a guitarist as the drummer. It's at the same time incestuous and diverse, and the hybrid quality of how musicians work things around here will possibly become the sound that defines Shanghai in the future."

Qnan has devoted a considerable amount of time recording, mixing, and producing for local Shanghai bands including Banana Monkey, Boojii and The Rogue Transmission. By working with them, he's found that many of these musicians are becoming more fascinated by the digital side of music--software and plug-ins, and samples--more commonly restricted to the electronic/dance side of music production.

S.T.D. is loyally supported by local bands which rotate their performances at S.T.D. parties. The reason for choosing them is definitely not out of Shanghai's "shortage of bands" desperation: Banana Monkey, The Rogue Transmission, Boys Climbing Ropes -- all of which have appeared at multiple S.T.D. shows--are three of the more promising acts not only for songwriting, but also because they are consistent in pulling off raucous live shows for live music fans craving mayhem and fun. On the other hand, local acts Muscle Snog and 21 Grams--also S.T.D. regulars--perform a more experimental sound.

Promoter/Booker/DJ SS says "Many local Shanghai bands want to be S.T.D.'s regulars, but bands with a more 'cutting-edge' attitude are given preference, because most S.T.D. supporters expect that we won't simply throw bands on stage to fulfill a lineup. We are about quality, not quantity."

BJ's Snapline @ LOgO
And so what's happening in 2008? The crew's future plans include producing, and currently they are collaborating with Miniless, a local indie label that promotes music created in complimentary attitude to the S.T.D. idea--style and genre are not important, as long as the music is interesting and innovative in some way. Muscle Snog, The Los and Low Spirit are all singed on this label, and they've just finished their South China tour. Look out for S.T.D.-produced mix CDs and compilations in the future.

Never forgetting to mention the digital side of the game, R3 hopes to represent Adam Freeland's label Marine Parade in China, and he will be in charge of finding local electronic talent. R3 hopes that S.T.D. can be a platform for newbie DJs in the future. He says he's willing to open the decks up to anyone as long as they play good music and can beatmatch. So far, local celebrity producer B6 and Raj from Coldcut have both graced the tables with S.T.D., and more new faces will take part in the future.

Yuyintang Returns (Again)


Yuyintang returns on the Shanghai scene March 7 after closing two months ago for renovations. Apparently, they've increased the capacity at their Yan'an Lu venue quite a bit and on their re-opening night they host Alter Ego, a mall punk band from Oregon. Opening band TBA. They host Beijing favs Hedgehog on March 15. Details of both on the SmSh events page shortly.
In 2007, S.T.D.'s bookings included Beijing's Snapline, New Pants, PK-14 and Hedgehog, Nanjing's Angry Jerks, Hong Kong's Pixel Toy, Shanghai's Top Floor Circus, and international acts YACHT, Covox, and French post punk band Papier Tigre. Due to the stress and pressure of last year's hectic schedule, they've been laying low for the last two months. However, watch out for their big comeback with an all-Xian line-up of bands, including 24 Hour Party People. The show is to coincide with 24HPP's new album release on March 15. So far, the venue has been kept a secret. In April, the S.T.D. crew will be the official Shanghai promoter for digital label Shanshui's national tour, and that show will feature electronic artists Dead J, Sulumi, iLoop, and Nara. As for international bookings, S.T.D. have confirmed electro/rock duo Mr. Miyagi from Sweden.

Though finding a suitable venue for live performance is still a problem, S.T.D. plans to forge on ahead in new locations, and is looking forward to making 2008 a year to remember for fans of live music.

This article was written and translated by Helen for Louder.cn.

Sonically Diseased: R3, SS, international heartthrob YACHT, and Qnan.


Kevon

Feb 28, 08

Yo R3 nice to see you on the front page. rip it up

tomwise

Feb 29, 08

I have one problem with the event. The name is tasteless. It shows a lack of empathy and respect for those who, maybe by no malice of their own, have come to contract a possible life-changing or fatal disease. I cannot believe that anyone who has a real (sex, not sonic) std or cares/has cared about someone with an std would create this name. It's completely insensitive to exploit this for the purpose of an attention-grabbing name. This is not a question of liberalness but one of tact. I can imagine serious-minded, talented bands would decline such an event out of principle. The event itself is a good thing for Shanghai, and I like the people who have organized it, but the name is really a shame.

STD Shanghai

Mar 01, 08

Seriously Too Dramatic

The point of the matter is that S stands for Sonically. The article made that very clear and we made it very clear too when we started STD.

if anything, we do alot to prevent STDs. we have handed out free condoms on entry to our shows and make sure drunken people get on a taxi and get home ok. it's a very family orientated team and we have great relationships with the people, bands, DJ's and other promoters in Shanghai. we all look out for one another.

i'm sorry if STD is a sore subject for you, but S is for Sonically not Sexually.

as for a lack of empathy and respect for those who have contracted a sexually transmitted disease. that's just utter rubbish.

im wondering how much trouble these guys must get www.myspace.com/holyfuck



tomwise

Mar 01, 08

Is is dramatic to be considerate? I didn't say it wasn't otherwise a good event. It is absolutely not rubbish that this name shows lack of empathy. It doesn't matter how many times you say "s" is for "sonic," the point is that you are intentionally using an association with a very serious topic as the name for a party. The abbreviation for the event is "STD," for crying out loud, and there is probably not a single grown-up native English speaker who would not make that connection. Your inference that STD is a sore topic for me is incorrect; it is not--rather, I am just thinking of the significant population of others for whom it is, in fact a sore topic. If you think you could honestly invite someone you knew had a sexually transmitted disease to an event "STD" ("no, it's sonic, not sex") with a straight face, then I guess we are just very different. Similarly, I would not name a party event "Kancer," "Serebral Palsy" "special needs," "Suicide" "Hollow-Cost," or "Raip" (really awesomely ill party) or "Parkin'-Sons" etc, no matter how wholesome the event were. You could have named it something else. Would you feel comfortable asking Bono, who has previously tried to spread awareness about the rampant spread AIDS in Africa, to come to your event if you had the chance? Look, it's great that you have organized a good, responsible party, and in some way I feel a little bad about giving you a hard time about the name because it is great to have live music. When you get down to it, most people are willing to overlook or rationalize to themselves insensitivity (the name, not the people) for the sake of fun and fitting in. It doesn't matter how nice you are, the name is tasteless and I guarantee there are people who are silently hurt to see a sore topic for them brandished as a catchy name. Either you really don't think people are hurt, or you didn't think of it before, because I know it's not true that you don't care. And that is a lack of empathy. Peace.

natsup

Mar 01, 08

Seriously get a life Tomwise... I work as a sexual health educator and regularly attend STD events. I find your posting ridiculous. I know and work with people with STDs and I can assure you that people are not that stupid to take offence at the STD name, especially when the STD crew hand out condoms at the show and are activly promoting safe sex. If you do take offence to the name then just don't go! I'm sure if any grown-up is "silently hurt" by it they just wouldn't turn up, not bitch and moan about the name.

Kevon

Mar 02, 08

p.s. syphilis via mouth. who cares the sun is shining

go r3 and everyone else i haven't met

Kevon

Mar 02, 08

p.s. gonorrhea via ear. who cares the sun is awesome

go r3 and everyone else i haven't met

tomwise

Mar 02, 08

Natsup: "Get a life?" Stop "bitching and moaning" ? Pardon me for speaking my "ridiculous" conscience. I don't see how you could find my point "ridiculous," anway and perhaps that is attributed to how your response doesn't really logically address my post. It almost sounds like you think I'm complaining that the good organizers of Sonically Transmitted Disease are encouraging unprotected sex or directly belittling people those who have STDs. The fact that the STD crew hands outs condoms and actively promotes safe sex--while a good thing-- is not related to my point. And do you think really think being hurt or offended by something is question of whether you're "stupid" or not? (I know you don't--it's only stupid when people are offended by things you should offend them) It is admirable, good, excellent, wonderful that you work with people who have STDs, and I can't argue with your personal experience, but I don't believe that a majority of people with STDs wouldn't resent STD being the acronym for a party, an event to which people go to drink, dance, joke, and mabye get some ass. I guess you don't think AIDS or RAPE wouldn't be an innappriopriate acronym for the name of a party event as long as the crew of the party had good intentions, right? Mr. /Miss Kevon who writes "p.s. gonorrhea via ear. who cares the sun is awesome go r3 and everyone else i haven't met" demonstrates that regardless of the responsible spirit of the organizing crew, many others who attend such an event may think it's trivial to joke about horrible things as long as they themselves haven't been hurt by them, and that is certainly not a comfortable environment for everyone. So for every kind soul like R3, there may a thoughtless, funloving soul who comes to the party for the music and who sees condoms being passed out and says "Whoah, dude, don't wanna get warts on your dick! Watch out for the hiv! ...etc" At the end of your post, you also acknowledge that some may be offended by the name, and that those people can just not show up. Well, you proved my initial point--that's it's an unecessarily bad name for an otherwise good event. They could have chosen any other name--even one very similar, but they wanted to use the acronym STD. If even a few people aren't showing up because the name rubs them the wrong way, then how is that not a shame? I guess those people are just stupid for being offended, right...good riddance? Peace.

STD Shanghai

Mar 02, 08

the day Bono plays at STD....is the day I suck on a tailpipe.

don't worry kevon...we're going (with or without Bono)

Kevon

Mar 02, 08

give me a hug on facebook b!0tches. i'm the only asian one from atlanta.
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Tom, we live in a place where people call us "Lao Wai" even though I'm a young abc. Do you think I'm silently hurting from that? lol lighten up and don't call me irresponsible again thanks! Actually this could be a great opportunity for the promotion of awareness. From the way you talk though it seems apparent that you've never organized a party.
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There are a lot more factors to consider. not an attack at your taste of music... but you would want Bono to come to a mix event? That's like one of the clubs here who hires the "top djs from europe" to come and find out that nobody in China cares.
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it's cool 'STD'. i just came back from ktv last night singing don't worry be happy with a bunch of other people :) i don't need bono
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please stop the online violence. Shalom b!0tches! =)

33recker

Mar 03, 08

YO its sa good party but I gotta go with mr. tom on this one despite the lengthy essay lol...the name is clearly for shock val and is kind of dick to use no matte rwhat..kevon, my young abc friend its easy to say lighten up when your not the one bein called out. Lol do really think being called a lao wai when you're an abc is the same having a std name in your face?? Lol I dont see online violence but i'll give you a facebook hug if you want ; )

STD Shanghai

Mar 03, 08

Thanks guys/girls for enjoying the party...we love what we do and are proud of everything we have done. No regrets. We support the little guys in Shanghai get heard, the big guys in China to get heard and the people of Shanghai to enjoy a fun, safe, intelligent party with some of the best music going around the country.

Having a name like STD, we knew we would have to do our parties more responsibly. Since starting, we have promoted safe sex at our parties and are looking to do charity/benefit gigs in the future for those effected by STDs and simply raising awareness in this city. But at the end of the day...the S is for Sonically, and our focus is making Shanghai a better music scene through eclectic live + electronic music.

As for shock value parties...i thought I'd have a look to see what made SmartShanghai pick of the week for this week.

[Vibrate - Ladies Night]
[Tag And Shag-Put your request on a wall and see what happens]

I won't say i support the party or don't support them. However, using them purely as an example that it's Shanghai, and there is plenty of shock going around. A name is name, it's purely platonic, it's a symbol we attach it to things to give it meaning. We chose S.T.D. because we want to deliver a party with infectious vibes and music. It's not very difficult. You come, you mosh, you dance, you make friends, you leave. It's as simple as ABC, 123. See you all soon. Peace - R3

tomwise

Mar 05, 08

..except, as has been pointed out, R3, the difference between the shock value of "tag and shag" and yours is that "tag and shag" is merely a racy name, while STD is not merely "racy" like "fuck" or "sex," but refers to an afflicted group that is both significant and specific. And as you point out, at the end of the day, STD is about music and a good time, not about raising awareness for or helping people with STDs, which, while a good thing to do, you do mainly to insure yourselves against crap (like my posts) for the name. And you can raise awareness, but you can't cure those with STDs. I think there has been a dearth of quality original music in Shanghai, and that's why your party is especially well received, in spite of the name. Look, you named the party and I wouldn't expect you to change it or see it from a perspective that you didn't before. That's fine. The reason I felt compelled to post is that juxtaposition of party images and words with STD smattered in this smartshanghai article just seemed a little too dismissive of the sensitive aspect of this serious topic. You chose, for the sake of promoting a party, a possibly offensive name--not offensive because of raciness, but for its insensitivity. And, clearly, you have no regrets about it. I would have chosen a similar, but different name. Fortunately, your party is about great music, and not (just money) otherwise it would be just another example of commericialism--doing what sells the most at the expense of small moral trifles. As for the Bono comment, don't go sucking any tailpipes yet, I brought it up merely as an example of a socially conscious band, not as an indication that I really like U2 or that you should get them to play. Okay. I'm done with this. Be safe, sensitive, and have fun. Peace.

natsup

Mar 06, 08

Wow... the acronym STD is suddenly offensive? In Australia, where I come from, we refer to long distance phone calls as STD calls. Should my former tel-co change the use of that acronym on bills just in case it may offend a person with a sexually transmissible disease? It's idiotic and the same logic that you are using. I certainly do agree with one thing you wrote tomwise... your posts are crap

33recker

Mar 15, 08

LOL Natsup dude you clearly dont get I can see by your post. I woulnt be callin mr. tom crap. maybe too sutble a point for ya you sound al itle threantened...dont worry my experience is some people get it and many dont. Ill enjoy the party but its a factthat many people have stds and its dick to use that shock value fer a party name. rock on r3 and mr. tom you are a kind wise fellow it seems lol but natsup you is a hostile one.
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