Culture

Beijing rock bands on the right track

By Natalie Thomas (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-02-09 08:18

Second Hand Rose

Now one of the most established acts on the China scene, the path to success has not been smooth for this band from the north.

Harbin-born singer Liang Long was forced to return back to his hometown twice after failing to make an impact on the Beijing scene. After a spell in China's deepest darkest countryside and being inspired by the traditional folk music being played there, Second Hand Rose was finally born and the band returned once more to the capital with a unique blend of what has been described as "Chinese folk punk".

The group is currently in the process of recording their third album, which will be released later this year "in an original format", promises Liang.

Album to check out: Entertainment industry Jiang Hu

Lonely China Day

"I want to be different from the rest of the crowd here in China. I want to achieve much with very little."

These lyrics are the philosophy that drives Lonely China Day, an introspective and inimitable five-piece band from Beijing.

Combining poetic lyrics with dreamy, sometimes haunting melodies that feature a heavy dose of electronics, Lonely China Day has been compared to the likes of Sigur Ros and Mogwai.

Recognized both in China and abroad, this is a band possessing an undeniable originality that single-handedly trumps all arguments about a dearth of creativity in the Chinese scene.

Album to check out: This Readily Assimilative People

Rustic

Bursting onto the Beijing scene in 2006 and demanding everyone's attention, the Glam Punk three-piece crowd-pleasers have since gained international recognition, winning the 2010 global battle of the bands and pocketing a cool $100,000 in band development funds.

Not bad for a group who, when interviewed by Asia Calling, said: "You know we are really, really poor. That's why we got the song called Rock 'n' Roll for Money and Sex. It's a song for our hope for what we want."

While a studio album is still in the pipeline, three of their tracks are available as part of a new bands compilation. Expect to see more from them over the coming year.

Album to check out: Generation Six