February 27th, 2010 |
Posted in Articles, Live Music Reviews by zack
Sorry about that headline, but I just couldn’t resist.
The 81Fur.com show went off without a hitch on Thursday night. There was a good crowd there, people were perusing literature and fully aware of the cause for which they came. Check out Kungfuology for more coverage and pictures, including this amazing one.
On a musical note, I was sad to be the dude who shows up late and missed most of the Forget and Forgive set, but what I did catch was really cool. They have nice riffs and energy, plus a band member whose sole job (as far as I could tell) was to scream! And he’s good at it. So there’s that. Candy Shop played a Candy Shop show. It’s not my favorite stuff, but it’s catchy. The kids seem to like it. Damn, I’m old.
Great job to the whole team.
Afterward, some f us headed over to The Shelter for some Teenage Kicks. It was a pretty sparse crowd, but the beats and drinks were flowing freely. I even got to break out The Running Man. Props to DJs Wongton, Oh Snaps, Sacco, and Morgan (what’s your DJ name, Morgan?). Morgan chased me from the club with a little White Zombie. Good times.
tags: Candy Shop - DJ Sacco - Forget and Forgive - Kungfuology - Morgan Short - Oh Snaps - The Shelter - Wongton - YuYinTang
February 24th, 2010 |
Posted in Editor's Picks by zack
What the fuck is up, people?!? Let’s get back to some motherfucking music! Whoa. Sorry, I feel like a just took a big hit of musical methamphetamines. If live music is your drug, the last week of February is going to be pretty epic, but it is only a prelude to a very, very busy March coming up. Who has time for rumination? Rehab is for quitters. Let’s keep the musical high going and get to the Picks.
Wednesday, February, 24th
Willow Neilson Quartet, 9 PM
Layabozi did some reconnaissance on this guy at JZ the other night. It’s a good band and it should be interesting to catch them at YuYinTang, Plus, you never know who else might show up. Willow says he used to live on a circus bus. Maybe some circus freaks or carnies will be there or something. I’m holding back other references right now. Peruse Willow’s Myspace page, here.
YuYinTang, 50 RMB
1731 Yan’an Xi Lu,
Changning
Entrance at Kaixuan Lu
延安西路1731号
入口在凯旋路
Thursday, February 25th
81Fur.com PETA Show, 9 PM Sharp
A good show for a good cause. Did you guys hear about the US figure skater who thought he was going to be sabotaged by the anti-fur people? Let’s hope that there are no fur-wearing figure skaters at the PETA show, but everyone else should be there. It’s a free show. Read more about it at Layabozi and Kungfuology, here and here.
YuYinTang, FREE
1731 Yan’an Xi Lu,
Changning
Entrance at Kaixuan Lu
延安西路1731号
入口在凯旋路
Later, after you hit the PETA show…Teenage Kicks
DJs Wongton, Sacco, and Oh Snaps. Flyers with crowned tigers armed to the teeth. Black-eyed schoolgirls brandishing knives. It’s like they went back in time and photographed my entire adolescence. Should we call this the official PETA after-party?
The Shelter, 10 RMB
5 Yongfu Lu,
Xuhui
near Fuxing Lu, Metro Line 1 Changshu Lu Station
永福路5号
近复兴路, 地铁1号线常熟路站
Friday, February 26th
Jehosaphat Blow and the Blah Blah Blahs, 9 PM
I have seen these guys on a couple occasions recently and they are really tight and fun. I feel like they could keep playing headline shows with inferior bands (70s cover band, anyone?) or they could go the other route and open up for some of the bigger bands. They really are good enough for either. Their Douban page has an interesting creation myth.
YuYinTang, 30 RMB
1731 Yan’an Xi Lu,
Changning
Entrance at Kaixuan Lu
延安西路1731号
入口在凯旋路
Uprooted Sunshine presents Boj Lucki, another late one
I think this will be the show of the night. Uprooted is beginning to make some more moves. They seem to wake up in the spring. I remember last year they made some moves with their anniversary show at Shelter and then a next-day, really good performance on the Electrograss stage at the JZ Music Fest. This spring they are doing a small China tour and continuing to put on quality events at Shelter. Check up on their exploits on their Myspace page, here. And check out this show Friday night.
The Shelter, 50 RMB
5 Yongfu Lu,
Xuhui
near Fuxing Lu, Metro Line 1 Changshu Lu Station
永福路5号
近复兴路, 地铁1号线常熟路站
It might even be getting the coveted Editor’s Pick of the Week of it weren’t for this…
Saturday, February 27th
Independent China in Stereo, 8 PM
Carsick Cars, AV Okubo (Layabozi Darlings), Guai Li, and Birdstriking. The first two are majors and the second two are up and comers. AV Okubo’s long-awaited new album Greed of Man will be on sale on the premises. Dan Shapiro has a preview of the show and a review of the new album, here. Once I get a hold of it I will be reviewing its pants off, also. So stay tuned.
MAO Livehouse, 60 RMB presale, 100 at the door
570 Huaihai Xi Lu
near Hongqiao Lu
淮海西路570号
近虹桥路
One Hit Killing Night, 9PM
I feel obligated to hype this show because I think it will be a fun night. The biggies are Dragon Pizza (awesome name), 5-Pointed Star (a nu metal band, a genre that the Mushrooms often get lumped into, also), and Forget and Forgive (emo Kungfuology Darlings who also play the PETA show). I hope they have a good crowd, although they are going against another terrific show just down the way.
YuYinTang, 40 RMB
1731 Yan’an Xi Lu,
Changning
Entrance at Kaixuan Lu
延安西路1731号
入口在凯旋路
Sunday, February 28th
Anar Jam Session, 9ish
I get John’s manic text messages for this event every week and usually I don’t go (you know, it requires pants and everything), but I did attend a couple weeks ago. It’s a fun time for a Sunday night and you can always check out the action on the rest of the street. Bring an instrument, just your voice, or something, anything. Maybe John will even wrap you up in one of his big, sweaty man-hugs. Now that is an experience.
And, with that, the Picks are complete for this week, but make sure to check out the Self-Improvement links under the picture.
Who doesn’t love to surf the Internet and learn interesting skills? This week’s list of links is devoted to Self Improvement. Improve your proficiencies in:
and, finally,
tags: 5-Pointed Star - Anar - AV Okubo - Birdstriking - Boj Lucki - Candy Shop - Carsick Cars - Dan - DJ Sacco - Dragon Pizza - Forget and Forgive - Greed of Man - Guai Li - Jehosaphat Blow and the Blah Blah Blahs - John Nguidjol - Kungfuology - Mao Livehouse - Oh Snaps - The Shelter - Uprooted Sunshine Crew - Willow Neilson - Wongton - YuYinTang
February 5th, 2010 |
Posted in Articles by zack
Andy Best seems to have a knack for following his principles and then following through. Recently he decided to get involved in PETA and start a no-fur campaign here in Shanghai. He arranged a “revealing” photo shoot with designer Kaine Love and members of Candy Shop (nice ribs, Andy) and set up a show at Yuyintang to promote the cause. The photos were shot by photographer Tim Franco in a studio provided by local promoters Splitworks. Here you have the essence of grassroots initiatives, community activism, DIY – whatever you want to call it. And now it has garnered some international attention.
Check out this article for Discovery Channel’s “Planet Green”.
Also, the photo shoot.
Not to mention China’s PETA site.
Finally, the 81 (sounds like bu yao) Fur Show page.
And, for good measure, Andy’s blog.
We want to commend everyone involved for finding a cause they are passionate about (no fur, the ethical treatment of animals) and making something happen. If you are sympathetic to this cause, check out the websites, contact Andy to find out how you can help and, by all means, get out to Yuyintang on February 25th for the show.
Be the change you want to see in the world.
tags: Andy Best - Candy Shop - Splitworks - Tim Franco
November 12th, 2009 |
Posted in Editor's Picks by zack
It seemed to me that there has been an unusually high number of Friday the 13ths this year. One quick check with the old Wikipedia confirmed my suspicion. Every year must have at least one Friday the 13th, but no more than three. And guess how many 2009 will have seen after this Friday: three. If you really, irrationally fear Friday the 13th, you suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia, which I think I may be developing after my last Friday the 13th, when a late Thursday evening watching Hassan and his band at Anar turned into a Friday morning hangover and, eventually, a clavicle-rearranging bike accident. One more bad Friday the 13th and I might become an official shut-in. So there’s a lot riding on this weekend. Musically, the lineup is not as crowded as last weekend, but there is some cool stuff to check out.
Thursday, November 12
Indie Heart Attack featuring Jake Newby, Not Me
There can be only one destination tonight. Jake Newby will be showing off his collection of Chinese Indie rock and it should be fun. Not sure what he has against birds, but we will let that one slide if he hips us to all the Mandarindie classics.
Not Me – 21 Dongping rd. near Wulumuqi rd.
Free Entrance
10 pm
Friday, November 12A (can’t even write it now)
Candy Shop and others, Yuyintang
I’m not necessarily hyping this show at Yuyintang. I really just want to share a quote from the mustachioed one, Dan Shapiro:
Lackluster rap-rock meets all-girl “punx” and utterly-depressing screamo / crabcore.
That’s succinct and hilarious, but tell us how you really feel, Dan. And can we not say crap on the Internet now? I didn’t get the memo.
YuYinTang – 1731 Yananxi rd. near Kaixuan rd.
Entrance 30 rmb
since 9pm
Friday got a little less awesome when it was announced that Holy Ghost! from NYC was forced to cancel their show due to one of their friends giving up the ghost, so to speak. Too bad.
As a substitution, I would suggest two dance shows elsewhere, one local and one international:
The Future, Dada
DJs Mickey Zhang, Ben Huang, and Nat Alexander teleport into Dada. Evidently, the future is Yellow. And a Void. And there’s house music.
Dada – 115 Xingfu rd. near Fahuazheng rd.
Free Entrance
10 pm
Roni Size, the Shelter
Roni Size is apparently a pretty big deal (get it?), brought to you by Sweatshop. I can’t really tell you anything about Mr. Size and I don’t feel like thinking up any more pathetic puns on his name. You probably don’t want to read them either, so let’s just move on to Saturday, shall we?
The Shelter – 5 Yongfu rd. near Fuxing rd.
Entrance: 80 rmb
10 pm
Saturday, November 14
Saturday is the real gem of the weekend with a variety of gigs going on around the city.
Uprooted Sunshine w/ Clive Chin, the Shelter
This is going to be pretty cool; Uprooted Sunshine in their element with reggae history on their side. I went to Chin’s talk at Dada last night, but couldn’t make it through the whole thing. Let’s just say older people, mics, and unlimited freedom don’t necessarily mix well. I popped over to Anar for some tribal drums and then returned just in time to ask Chin “Who killed Peter Tosh?” He was quite vague about it, though. We might have a suspect.
The Shelter – 5 Yongfu rd. near Fuxing rd.
Entrance: 50 rmb
10 pm
Triassic Park featuring Stegosaurus, Live Sound Garage
See what they did there? The famous title is Jurassic Park, but they changed it to another Paleolithic era. See? Now that’s how you name an event. I have never been to this venue, but if it’s anything like my parents garage, there’s not going to be much space for an audience. Not with the Pontiac in there.
Live Sound Garage - 696 Weihai rd. near Maoming rd.
Entrance: 30 rmb
9pm
Steely Heart by STD, LOgO
I don’t know much about this band, but Pet Conspiracy and Bigger Bang have convinced me that bands coming from Beijing should not be missed. ‘Nuff said.
LOgO – 13 Xingfu rd. near Fahuazheng rd.
Entrance: 30 rmb
10 pm
tags: Ben Huang - Candy Shop - Clive Chin - Dada - Friday the 13th - Holy Ghost - Indie Heart Attack - Jake Newby - Live Sound Garage - LOgO - Mickey Zhang - Nat Alexander - Not Me - Roni Size - Steely Heart - Stegosaurus - The Shelter - Uprooted Sunshine Crew - Void - YuYinTang
Sorry about that headline, but I just couldn’t resist.
