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May
16thQuickslants: Tambours du Bronx, New Shanren, Painkiller Fest and more
stop me if you have heard this before: here comes a crazy few days of too many decent/wonderful musical choices for us to deal with. The onslaught began monday with no hype on that Mamer/Song Yun Zhe gig that ruby covered and there is plenty more headed to old smoggy. Let’s figure out what we’re up to over the next couple of days. Thursday May 16th Le Tambours du Bronx @ Poly Theatre If you’re into percussions, there is no other place you’d rather be the next few days: Les Tambours du Bronx is a French industrial percussion band created in 1987. Les Tambours du Bronx has 17 musicians on stage surrounded by synthetic sounds, samples, and singing, all in time with the powerful rhythm…. in other words, for once, get out of the smoky slums and get thy rear end to the Poly Theatre Bob Log III @ Temple I don’t think he needs this plug but according to everything i read, this fella is quite the show. expect weird outfits, singing through microphones, girls on lap and god know what other kinds of weirdness taking place throughout the evening. It’s supposedly psychedelic experimental weird costumed rock.. Opening duties courtesy of Low Bow and the Intrepid Adventurers. Friday May 17th Painkiller Fest with Caliban @ Mao our good friends from Painkiller Magazine are celebrating and they have invited some German friends to come along! Caliban, in the midst of their “we are the many” tour is landing in Beijing [...]
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May
9thQuickslants: No Dong, Some Punk, a Little Ordnance and more
the big expected gig of the week would have been the Dongpai Folk Festival at 2 KOlegas but if you’re read the site yesterday, you know that it is pretty much dead in the water. I got to hear various versions/reasons for the cancellation but none of them really makes sense at this point. Either ways, it’s fucked! Still, there’s a number of cool little gigs around town starting tonight. Let’s see what the consolation prizes are: Thursday May 9: Coprocephalic @ 2 Kolegas Death Metal from California/Taipei… that’s how these kids are being labeled and it sounds intriguing enough. In pure 2K tradition, we know nothing about the gig or the band other than they’ve been around since 2011. Options are scarce enough that this makes an appearance on the slants for a thursday. Punk @ XP: Discord along with Flyx, Brother Tough and Found Amber are headed to the west side of town for a mohawk night at XP. Nothing out of this world but surely a decent enough option for those craving a little 2 to 3 chord action with badly tuned instruments but fun nevertheless. Friday May 10: The Randy Abel Stable/Shun Kikuta @ CD Blues Probably the best show from this series of Blues Festival when Beijing’s resident Americana hellraisers pair up with one of Japan’s more prolific guitar players for a night of good mellow tunes. If you were looking for an excuse to head over there, this is the best night. Just remember [...]
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May
3rdQuickslants: Lidong, Yunggiema, Not There, Reggae and more
Gee… 3 days of non-stop music are over and we’re back to regular rotation before we go unto another onslaught of tunes. So in case the festivals didn’t do you in, here are some goodies you can look forward to over the next 3 days. Of course, don’t forget the CD BLues festival that I mentioned earlier Friday May 3: Lidong @ JIanghu we all know my addition/affection for all things Ningxia, right? well, good buddies Lidong are coming out to the hutongs for one of their last shows for a few months. beautiful modern northwestern folk from the Ningxia plains that will keep you on your seat. Jianghu is probably the best place for them to pull this off… with the nice weather, might as well hit it. Yunggiema @ Mako One of my favorite female vocalists running around all smoggy. She’s got a new performance out and it’s apparently quite different from the stuff she’s been doing with Song Yun Zhe so i’m really excited about this one. It does seems like she’s playing every other day lately but i’m pretty much convinced that there is no such thing as too much Yunggiema. I mean there is a good reason she’s nicknamed the Siren. By the way, Mako is reopening their upstairs restaurant tonight with some pretty tasty xinjiang food so in case you got a bit of a hunger, this will take care of it. Saturday May 4 One Drop @ 2 Kolegas yup, the reggae boys [...]
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Apr
24thQuickslants: Obituary, Funky, Devils, School Turn 3 and a Slew of Pre-Festival Fun
Are you ready for May festival madness? i’ll be honest with ya: I’m not but though luck and tough SOB bronchitis. That said, i’ll make it there one way or the other. Still, we got a few days to gear up for things and some of the shows are pretty darn kickass starting tonight. Let’s see what’s on the program pre-holidays. On another note, what kind of fucking messed up holiday is this? working sat/sun to get monday/tuesday off?? gimme a fucking break. Wednesday Apr 24th Obituary @ Yugong Yishan yes, that Obituary. the one one that gave your parents nightmares and helped you grow horns as a teenager. The kind folks from Painkiller Mag have brought them over and they are invading the Yugong Yishan pit tonight starting at 8:00 pm. There are still tickets to be had at the door so do not hesitate.. it will be massive. Ready to Die and Deathpact will be on opening duties. Note that the band will be playing a retro set and sticking to the classics, playing only hits from their 1989-1992 arsenal. Funky & Friends @ Blue Stream if you read my review on Funky’s improvised gig at 2 KOlegas a few weeks ago, you know i had tons of fun and would absolutely recommend heading over there to see the king of Drums rocking along his friends. The intimate nature of Blue Stream bar will make this a really cool party. So far, the only confirmation i got is [...]
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Apr
18thQuickslants: Mademoiselle, Giants, Julio Baby, OOC, Punks, Intrepid Trouble and more
Last weekend was a balckhole of Capoeira.. i basically went in and didn’t come out until late monday night. Missed out on quite a few good shows apparently but oh well… Time however for music to take its due now and there is a nice set of gigs coming up to just do that! Let’s get started without delay Thursday April 18 Mademoiselle @ Jianghu The Canadian Mynx is back from an extended overseas trip that saw her play throughout north and south america. For a moment there, i thought Beijing might have lost her for good. No worries though, she’s back and we’re getting ready to get a dose of her addictive suave Jazz starting tonight at Jianghu. I could think of worse ways to start preparing a weekend. Friday April 19 Death to Giants @ Old What Bar Shanghai freak rockers, Death to Giants, along with DJ B.O are putting together a show featuring a collaboration between Death to Giants and DJ B.O known as Death to Cinema. DJ B.O will be screening hand-picked film clips while DtG improvises a soundtrack on the spot. Sounds pretty fun and freaky to me. Also a pretty good option is you can’t catch them at Temple Saturday night. Worm is Green @ Yugong Yishan Trip Hop from Iceland…. do i even need to say more? it sounds so bizarre that it might be worth checking out! I honestly have no idea what to expect but it’s one of those things where [...]
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Mar
28thQuickslants: Jurat, PiL, XTX, Yangjima for a Loaded End of Week
There’s a monster saturday ahead folks with some beautiful shows planned all around Beijing and the choices are really hard… What’s a man to do if he wants to check out 3 shows happening at the same time on different sides of town? From new releases to impact gigs, get ready for it. Thursday March 28 Jurat TT @ Yugong Yishan The new album is being dubbed as dark psychedelic faire tale folk and i guess my answer to that is: sure, why not? I like Juratt and his style is quite unique in Beijing.. I’ve listened to the new record for a bit lat week and some parts are indeed interesting. As if the release itself was not enough, Yangjima will be be on hand as a support act. Not a bad way to spend a thursday. Friday March 29 Yangjima @ Mako How about this folks? a double appearance for a venue the same day and for an artist 2 days in a row: How about an early dose of beautifully soothing harmonies courstesy of Yingema and friends at 1:00 pm at Mako? yeah, a 1pm gig on a saturday.. that is potentially a new way to do gigs.. really. Sorry.. this one is on saturday. Rock You @ 2 Kolegas Devils at the Crossroad, Nine Treasures and Incisors head over to the drive-in for a rock n roll fuelled night. Nine treasure is slowly but steadily making their name stand out and Devils should have a whole [...]
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Mar
22ndQuickslants: Fangzui, Acid Live, Frank Turner, Dawanggang and more..
How you surviving the week y’all? With Jue kicking ass and taking names, it seems like the last 2 weeks have been a constant stream of live shows and music news and none of it is over yet. Way away from the mainstream, I was fortunate enough to catch some cool stuff this week with Japanese Drumming prodigy, Funky, organizing an impromptu music festival with some real y old school things that included a COBRA reunion… yeah, that Cobra.. but that’s all for another day. Let’s see what we should be looking forward to over the next few days: Fri Mar 22 Fangzui Xiangfa @ Temple This is my gig of the night. THe band was first brought to my attention by none other than J-curls and they kick ass. Old school hardcore punk that takes no prisoner. They’re coming off their first China tour in a while and have been putting on some kickass shows. Gumbleed and the Flyx will be on hand to provide some extra tunes. Acid Live/Wu Ning ye @ 2 Kolegas I saw these cats perform together about two months ago at Temple and it was kickass. They have developed such a chemistry since then with some of them even joining BUYi permanently. It’s a blast and tons of fun as they go through jazz, folk, blues seemingly. Definitely a good time. Wu Ning Ye almost seems happy these days as he smiles more on stage. Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls @ Mao Live [...]
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Mar
13thQuickslants: Americana, MATZKA, 3 Years of AIS, Jeff Lang and more
I had to try and get in an early quickslants this week folks because there are just way too many good things happening in town with Jue Festival action as well as a stronger than usual lineup that might get lost around. I mean, i’m kinda pissed off that i’m probably missing all of it due to bar commitments but that doesn’t mean you can’t go, right? Wed Mar.13 // Americana Workshop – Jianghu Randy Abel and Liu Yusi combine forces tonight to answer all your American Folk Music questions and play a whole bunch of tunes for you all. Audiences are also encouraged to bring your own instruments, and participate in a folk jam at the end of the night. Free if you bring in an instrument. Thur Mar.14 // Mongolian Bling – YUgong Yishan Forget about nomads and monks! It’s hip-hop that’s making Mongolia move in the 21st century. Join JUE | Music + Art and the film’s director/producer, Benj Binks, for the China Premiere of insightful yet exciting new documentary, Mongolian Bling… Screening at 7:00ish followed by Q&A then performances from film stars Gennie and Quiza, Beijing MC Nasty Ray and members of Hanggai. Fri Mar.15 // MATZKA – Mako Livehouse This is one hell of a cool band from Taiwan. Reggae with aboriginal characteristics! I’ve been aware of them for a while now and they freaking rock!! Do yourself a favour and block out this date. I might have to close the bar for this one! [...]
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Mar
8thQuickslants: Women’s Day, Jue, Punks and Japanese Noise
A bit of a late quickslants edition but as they say, better late than never. A whole lotta things going on for the weekend and even early next week so let’s get right into it starting with all the women’s day festivities around town: Fri March 8 Women’s Day @ 2 KOlegas Residence A, Wu and the Side Effects allong with some ROlling Bowling rockabilly will be providing the entertainment over at the drive in. I believe women get in for free and the gig is very much worth it. It might actually be quite hopping and crowded but in 2 KOlegas Fashion, it’s all good. Not a bad start to a Friday Ember Swift @ Temple Well Well Well… my favourite Rock n roll mama hits up temple and who better to lead Women’s Day festivities than her? I’m not sure if it’s her solo or with the full band but it will be good either ways. Guo Jian, LSD frontman, will be DJing afterwards. Sat March 9th Mars En Folie @ Yugong Yishan a celebration of all things francophone over at Yugong brings together an eclectic mix of musicians and lot of French folks if you’re into that sort of things. They usually party hard and you’re gonna be in it for a good time. so, why not “Laisser les bon temps rouler”. Some of the acts include Kl Pelgag, Benjamin Schoos & Sophie Galet, Les Mauvaises Langues and Junior Tshaka… who?? yeah.. Nostalgia @ School Two of [...]
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Mar
1stQuickslants: Indie Music Grows, Stegosaurus, 2 Kolegas Returns and more
ooohhh.. there’s action again!! with the weather warming up, looks like we’re almost back to Business-as-usual level as far as Beijing’s music scene is concerned. Looks for things to heat up even more as we get closer to kickoff date for Jue Festival and Sound of the Xity. This weekend got a few things going for it and some of it might be pretty darn fun. Let’s see what we got Fri. March 1 Indie Music Party @ Mao Live Xiao He and Buyi Headline this first night of indie Music celebration alongside Zhang Qianqian, Po Shang Cun, and Guo Nian. It’s definitely the folky part of this shindig with some bands that have “indie” written all over them. Sure, Xiao He is signed to maybe mars but the others as far as I know have been doing things on their own for quite some time now and that’s what indie really means: independent. A must go to gig… seriously worth the cash. Stegosaurus? @ Temple They came before and put on one hell of a good show at Mao. I liked the costumes and the style they brought along with that eclectic mix of genres in their song. A little metal, a little hard rock with a side of pop, maybe even some rapping here and there. A good band for a good time. I’m not sure i’d say the same for the opening act but let’s stay open-minded, shall we? Sat. March 2 Book Swap and Board Games [...]
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The Mini Skinny
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- PS: You Rocked Me – Abaji, One Drop, Devils, Yungiema etc..
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- HEATWOLVES热狼 on Full MIDI 2013 Information: Camping, Travelling, Hotels and More
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- ex virility pill on Quickslants: Jurat, PiL, XTX, Yangjima for a Loaded End of Week
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