Taking the rock back from The Man and dispensing it freely and unreservedly to the kids. That's what this weekend is all about. And here are some bands in some bars doing just that:
Friday, Oct 17: Voodoo Kungfu @ Live Bar 
The biggest act to hit Live Bar in a while, Voodoo Kungfu (Ling Yi) is playing their only Shanghai show this Friday. In town behind a new album as part of a national tour, Voodoo Kungfu offer up a bizarre mix of Mongolian folk and experimental metal.
They were just at the Modern Sky Festival in Beijing this past holiday and garnered the following review from a friend of mine, who shall remain anonymous:
"They were utter crap."
But what does he know anyways? One man's crap is another man's awesome Mongolian metal band. To wit: just this last June, Voodoo Kungfu won "Best Chinese Metal Band" at some thing, and because of that they've been invited to perform at Wacken Open Air 2008 in Germany, which is one of the biggest metal festivals in the world.
Voodoo Kungfu (formerly called "Masturbation" -- for real!) are famous for these elaborate live shows (costumes, make-up, the works) and are as close to GWAR as a Chinese band will ever come (presumably).
Do you like your metal fucking weird, drenched in macabre religious themes, and performed by psychos covered in blood and make-up?
If you answered yes, do make sure you're at Live Bar this Friday at 9pm and bring some money for the 40rmb cover and cheap beer.
Here is their MySpace. It takes a little while to load, but whoa man... when it does... look out!
Friday, Oct 17: Miniless Showcase @ Yuyintang 
Hefei-based Miniless records returns to town with a showcase of their newer acts:
ISIS (experimental/ noise/ psychedelic); Demmy (electro); Confirm-X (industrial/ power electro); CDGE (electro/ dance); Tinnitus Movement
It was a real great show the last time Miniless was in town -- packed house, the kids lovin' the rock, the rock refusing to stop rocking -- so we're expecting a good night for YYT on Friday.
Looks like the acts are veering more towards the electronic/ experimental end of the spectrum, but hey, that's great too.
Don't get too bummed out if one of those comes off a bit DJ-ey -- live and let live, rock 'n roller.
What's this Miniless Records thing? Read an interview with label founder (and singer for awesome band LAVA/OX/SEA) here. Click on any of the aforementioned bands to be redirected to whatever webbers were given with the press release thing.
Saturday, Oct 18: Loudspeaker, MIG 21, Pink Berry @ Sus2
Sus2 -- that place besides C's that you peek into on your way down to C's -- is offering up some upbeat, louder bands for an afternoon show on Saturday (they usually do more laid-back, folky, sit-down music). Head on down to see skate punk mainstays Loudspeaker, nu (very nu, like, two singers nu) metal band MIG 21, and pop punk band Pink Berry. It should be interesting to see that one because Sus2 is one of those places where the drummer plays in a glass box to reduce the noise of the kit.
This drummer guy I know referred to it as a "glass case of emotion." Starts 3:30pm.
Saturday, Oct 19: Regurgitator @ LOgO 
This Saturday is the first of Regurgitator's two shows in Shanghai (Saturday @ LOgO, Sunday @ Yuyintang), brought to you by local promoters S.T.D.
From net buzz (yes, I monitor "net buzz"), it feels like this one is going to get real Australian. So expect lots of dudes talking funny and referencing all these bands you've never heard of like "Spiderbait," "Frenzal Rhomb," and "Kylie Minogue."
Just smile and nod. Don't provoke these people. They're responsible for Silverchair.
But make sure you go to see one of Regurgitator's shows, if not both. Click here to be redirected to an MP3 Monday with them (free muzak), or click here to check out their MySpace.
Regurgitator @ LOgO: Saturday, Starts 10pm, 30rmb cover
