Chinese Rock and Roll
by John Korber
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When the country is ruled with a light hand,
The people are simple.
When the country is ruled with severity,
The people are cunning.
--Lao Tsu
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China has been going through many political changes, and in an attempt to keep things under control the government has often taken extraordinary measures to control the people there. The measures include many unfortunate restrictions on freedom, and the violations of human rights associated with that. After the Tianemen protests of 1989, the government purged the Ministry of Culture, and the new ministers that replaced the old decided they had a rock and roll problem. Whenever populations are moved to social protest, there are usually artists who are willing to help articulate the emotions of the protesters. Several rock musicians in China have assumed this role, and though little emerges from the arts community in China without official approval, it is hard to keep the lid of a pot after things start to boil.
The current state of development of rock and roll in China is said to be similar to that of the USA in the late 1950's. This refers more to the state of the music business than it does to the diverse music styles the Chinese bands experiment with, including Hip Hop, Punk, Grunge, Metal, traditional Rock and Roll, Folk rock, and various hybredized styles that blend western influence with elements of traditional Chinese instrumentation.
Some argue that as rock and roll evolves, it may eventually bring about a new cultural revolution. I would say that rock may work to popularize ideas that bring about the impulse to change social relations, but it may just as easily be coopted by those in power to impede that impulse or deflect its direction. It will be interesting to see how matters musical and social develop in China over the next few decades.
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Cui Jian
Cui Jian is a very skilled trumpet player, guitarist, and composer from Northern China. When he was fourteen years old, he started his music career playing classical music with a Chinese orchestra. After a while he became interested in Western rock music, and in the early 1980's he began his first rock band. He has continued to explore new musical styles with each album he produces. By far, his compostions are the most complex on the scene, and most recently have a strong Jazz flavor.
Today he is known as the grandfather of Chinese rock and roll. Despite this title, if you ask many Chinese people who he is, even those who come from mainland China, you might find that they do not know him. One mainland Chinese student I had told me this was probably because Cui Jian had not been packaged with the glitz typical of the capitalist Hong Kong music scene. Another reason for his relative lack of fame may also have to do with an official government dislike of the type of hardcore rock that Cui Jian plays, and the fact that his most famous song became the anthem for the pro-democracy movement in China that came to a boiling point during the famous Tianemen Square protests of 1989.
In 1986 he gained some international fame with his song "I Have Nothing." This is the song that became the anthem of the Tianemen Square protests of 1989. He would often perform the song at concerts with a red cloth wrapped around his eyes. Perhaps this symbolizes the majority of people in his generation having been raised with a socialist idealism that merely masks the widespread government corruption and favoritism that really dominates daily life.
"I Have Nothing" is a hauntingly sad, and plaintive song that begins with a slow tempo and ends with hard rock energy. This song was played over and over again by students who joined in the tragic Tianemen Square protests of 1989. The song articulated the general sense of betrayal protestors felt with lyrics like:
I am giving you my aspirations
And my freedom too.
But you always laugh at me
Because I have nothing
During the Tianemen protests Cui Jian is said to have taken part in a hunger strike in the Beijing. After the democracy movement was crushed, his concerts were banned. It is hard to get a hold of his music CD's, outside of China, but I managed to buy a copy of a compilation of his songs appropriately entitled,No One Knows My Name. The first cut on the CD is "I Have Nothing." I have asked many Chinese people about Cui Jian, and some shrug their shoulders and ask, "Who is that?" But when I am able to play them the song, "I Have Nothing," they recognize it. One student of mine said, "I remember when I was about ten years old. Cui Jian's music covered the whole town. Almost everybody was able to sing his song."
Cui Jian's released a new CD in May, 1998. It, and a few others, can now be purchased from Buzz Records online at ChinaBUZZ.
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Cobra
Cobra is a rock band from Beijing whose five members are all female. They started in 1989, and as of 1998 they have only one album recording entitled Hypocrisy. The music on their one CD is in the hard rock mode, and like that of Cui Jian, the lyrics can be read as critical social commentary of life in China. Maybe that explains their only having produced one CD in nearly ten years. In fact, at least once the Chinese Ministry of Culture has denied them passports needed to perform abroad, and it has restricted the size of the domestic audiences they can play for. I was lucky enough to find a copy of their CD in New York City put out by World Beat Records.
Their lyrics are intelligent and poetic, and though somewhat dark, they transmit a fierce sense of determination to face personal and social realities that are less than ideal. Some people say that in China, simply performing rock music is subversive.
Cobra's arrangements are complex and beautifully woven with a variety of instruments including the Chinese xylophone, piano accordian, and some orchestral accompaniment.
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1966
That day I boarded the Red Express,
Just feeling fanaticism and bliss.
I want you to be the same.
A hallow voice,
makes me forget all my desires.
Is it heaven or hell?
I have nowhere to hide.
The world he speaks of began in a distant land,
A village of fresh flowers and fields of grass.
Living is just like dreaming,
the Red Express never reaches it's destination.
1966
Red Express
Carrying the freight of....
--Cobra, from the Hypocrisy CD (translation by Ni Jun, Mei Sui, Simone Wan)
I am told that "1966" (first year of the Cultural Revolution) was never released in China, but you can hear it on the international release. Much more than I can say about Cobra has been put together at the International Cobra Fan Club web site. The site contains pictures and a number of interesting articles.
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Other Chinese Bands
I have been checking out other bands and musicians who work in the rock or folk genre. I do not give recommendations. Who knows what you will or will not like, but you might want to check them out. As more and more bands spring up the music scene becomes more diverse. Not all Chinese Rock bands have a political edge. Some artists, especially the newer ones, dwell on personal themes:
He Yong is a punk stylist from Mainland with a good album called,"Garbage Dump." From the title track (a song he happens to scream rather than sing):
Garbage Dump
The place where we live
is like a garbage dump
The people are like insects
EveryoneÕs struggling and stealing
We eat our consciences
and it is ideology that weÕre shitting
Sure, there is a green tree growing
You can smell the flower's scent
The Forbidden City is really pretty
There is even a really great wall
They're growing on top of a garbage dump
Is this a Joke?
No!
Tear it down!
--He Yong (translation by Jones from a book, Like A Knife, Cornell, 1992)
Sober has been described by westerners as a cross between the Beatles and the Talking Heads. They are former art majors from Beijing who decided to form a rock band. A quote from a band member, "We all live in a global living room watching a global tv set. Until now, the programming has been dominated by the US, but the next century is likely to bring a more multi-cultural mix where American youths will one day watch Chinese rock bands." (from article by Kevin Platt, Christian Science Monitor).
Anthony Wong (Chao San) is a rock musician in Hong Kong most of whose lyrics range from amusingly disrespectful to down-right hard to handle. Originally, he gained noteriety as an actor who performed in x-rated films, or portayed unsavoiry characters in popular film. For a time he had a radio show in Hong Kong, but it was pulled from the air because his use of profanity. He is the Charles Bukowski of Chinese rock, and like Bukowski used to do, Wong lays out a lot that people would often rather overlook. I have two albums of his.Both came with a warning label. I doubt it needed it, but there is one song from Underdog Rock (1996) that...hmmm...not for the faint-hearted. However, consider another, this amusing prayer he sings for Deng Xiaoping, the current leader of China regarding the Hong Kong handover of1997:
Amen
Deng Xiaoping be thy name
United Kingdom gone
thy will be done in Hong Kong.
Give us this day, our daily bet
and forgive us our speculations
as we forgive those who sepculate against us.
And lead us not into communism,
but deliver us from the gweilows (foreigners).
For thine is the sovereignty
and the power and the authority
Forever and ever.
Chow Mein
ADO is a rock and roll band with a nice horn section. I really enjoy their "I Say What I Mean" CD, Magic Stone Music Company LTD., 1996. There are eight songs on the CD, all written and arranged by Randriamampionona Eddie who is actually from Madagascar, but has been living in Beijing for over ten years. Five of the eight songs on the CD are in English. "I Say What I Mean" is the only CD the band ever produced. If you ever see it, snap it up. It is a rare and enjoyable treat. Here are some lyrics that remind me on an old Who song, "My Generation", but ADO has a musical character all its own:
With My Generation
Let me live up with my generation
Let me grow up with it
No matter if I'm right
No matter if I'm wrong
No matter if I am weak or strong
What even I do
There's nothing strange
You did it once
When your were my age
So try to understand
Don't fool me around
Everything I do now is just up it
Let me live up with my generation
Let me grow up with it
Don't care what will happen in the future
Was cloudy and dark about my souvenir
There's no time for me to make a break
I'm ready to pay off all the mistakes
Life is running fast
Got to take my chance yeah
Don't care
don't believe
about any advance
Got to be smart
to be this way
I'll get back on my feet one day
Let me live up with my generation
Let me grow up with it
-- Randriamampionona Eddie
Ai Jing is a guitarist and singer in who works in the tradition of North American folk music. Westerners have compared her to Susan Vega. I have listened to her first album, 1997 (1992), and her album, Chasing the Moon (1998), and a Japanese release of Made in China (1999) . I will recommend Chasing the Moon without reservation. The first song on the CD is called "White Cat, Black Cat." The title brings to mind the economic development policy of Deng Xiaoping, and the saying he is fond of, "It does not matter if the cat is white or black. As long as it catches mice."
Black Cat, White Cat
I cannnot sleep well lately
Because the mice are increasing without a good cat.
I do have a cat in my home,
But it just doesn't catch mice....
Meow, Meow, Meow
I want a cat that can catch mice.
No matter if it is a white cat or a black cat.
I want a cat that that can catch mice.
No matter if it is black haired or white haired....
(translation Zhang Jing Ru)
Catcher in the Rye is a post punk rock band, whatever that may mean. Good recently produced band who formerly worked with Cobra playing Cure songs. They have been criticized for having nothing much to say, but I enjoy the energy of their songs, and have listened to their CD many times over. I do not understand what they are saying anyway, hehe, so it does not matter to me. Here are some lyrics from Catcher in the Rye tranlsated by a student of mine:
Selfish
My heart is beating.
My hands are shaking.
Odd sounds come out of my mouth.
My legs are tingling.
Mud is in my brain.
Blankness is flashing in front of my eyes.
I am still shaking.
Seems you are watcing beside me.
An excited feeling is coming.
It is not painful,
but it cannot be called well-being.
It belongs to me only, only, only.
My fanaticism. Hold back the impulse.
My resolution depends on repetition.
My fanaticism cannot last long.
My resolution, I cannot possess.
Blazing heat that noone can force.
Resolute, I am not acting.
Comfortable, I cannot feel what is joyful.
Oh, it is me who does not have your worries.
Oh, it is me who has what you resist.
You do not come to find me.
But you do not leave me.
(translation Kwong Lai Man)
Other punk bands from Beijing are the Anarchy Boys, Brain Damage, and The Fly. Punk is the hardest music to come by, but I have the first album of the Fly, and a second strange collaborative effort the lead singer did with an industrial noise group called, Third Nova.
Dou Wei is married to (soon to be divorced from?)the pop music success, Wang Fei, but is an excellent composer and musician in his own right. Formerly of a metal band, Hei Bao (Black Panther), he split with that group and has produced three albums: "Black Dream", "Happy Days", and "Wind and Mountain". His first solo effort "Black Dream" is very good. His musical arrangements have since mellowed out, and border on sounding like elevator music. Here is a translation of a song from Happy Days:
Outside the window
Words/Music/Arrangement: Dou Wei
Outside the Window
Sky
Mind
No Limit
Green Country
Your radiant smile
I spend all of my strength running
To a faraway place beyond the limits
No chance to visit the village hamlet
The boat returns again at sunset
Seeing that side of the sky
White cloud sheet
Only exists a twinkling world
You appear now before my eyes
Still notice the evening wind that blows
Still notice the irridescent beauty
Outside the Window
Sky
Mind
No Limit
I forgot long ago
Where did it come from
Only can believe
You compare; I understand
(translation: Molly Elizabeth Mary Hartman-O'Connell)
Wang Yong is a Mainland artist trained on traditional Chinese acoustic instruments. He is also an award winning midi composer. An old timer on the scene, he has worked with Cui Jian and ADO. He has one CD with a Buddist theme entitled, Samsura.
Tang Dynasty is a group of four Mainland musicians who take their name from one of the most artistic periods in Chinese history. They are a heavy metal band, very competent metal heads. Their most recent of two albums was released in 1999.
Zheng Jun is a Mainland rock musician from mainland who mixes some traditional Chinese music styles into his contemporary rock compositons with good effect. His most recent album is entitled, The Third Eye, as well as two earlier albums.
Hei Bao/ Black Panther (Mainland) is a metal band. Their first album (1992) is said to be the best. I have another from 1995 which I enjoy almost as well.
The Face is a speed metal band from Mainland. Not too bad.
Anodize is a talented metal band from Hong Kong. For good metal music, they are the best. Their CD, "Action Figures" out-shines most other bands of the genre. (My humble opinion.) I would say they are well ahead of the most popular Hong Kong rock band called Beyond. Recently a song of theirs has been compiled onto an EP of Hong Kong hip hop called "LMF" (for Lazy Mutha *******). This is nice hip hop/rock EP in the style of Rage Against the Machine.
Beyond, I could say, is beyond talent, but I will not be mean. Actually this band has been around for quite a while, and has churned out a lot of CD recordings. The impetus behind this output seems to be money rather than art. Some of their songs are good, but I suspect there is a lot of filler on all the albums. I have never fully explored their complete discography which is enormous and easy to get in most Chinese music shops. After buying one of their albums, I have no interest in hearing any more.
China Blue is a popular Taiwanese rock band that does mellow rock ballads.
Scrap Metal is another Taiwanese band that does both heavy metal and some very mellow songs on their debut album. The band has a female vocalist. I like their CD.
Lady Bug is a Taiwanese punk band with four female musicians who usually sing in English. Their first effort was really badly produced and recorded. The most understandable English word they use is ****. They use it often. This is a great album to listen to if you have the notion that Chinese women are mellow and submissive. I like their CD despite the poor qualtiy of the production. They may have a new release in 1999. You can read more about them and buy their cd by clicking on the CD Now icon at the Lady Bug page of Shock records.
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If you intend to try and obtain some CD's by these artists and you do not speak Chinese, you might want to have a look at the CD covers to help you in your search. Click here for some CD cover scans. I will be adding more by and by. Many other cover scans are available on the web scattered here and there in the links below.
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Chinese Rock Music Links
. Some of these sites have music samples..
Rock Forum is a great place to to ask questions about Chinese rock. The people who post there are very into the Chinese rock scene, and are very friendly.
Cobra International Fan Club
Chinese Popular Culture: Good site with an encyclopedia of Chinese Rock Music, an extensive thesis on Chinese popular culture and music. Lisa, the site owner currently in China. She is hving some problems updating the site from Shang Hai, but it is a good site to check out.
SDF Zippy's Music Page is a very large site with many band listings, links to photos, band homepages, and audio files. Zip manages the rock ring.
Mainland Chinese Rock Review: reviews, news and promotion of Chinese rock and punk bands.
Alternative China
Chinese Ultimate Band List (good, comprehensive list with links and sound )
Beijing Rock: Rocking in the Not-So-Free World (longer version of an article published in the British music journal named Wire.)
Ai Jing: her story, discography, and some music samples.
Sonarchy: New Directions in Chinese Music: articles and music samples.
Rocknet Taiwan: you need a Chinese character program for this.
Chinese Rock Music Blacklist: nice list of bands with music samples and links to band pages.
Chinese Rock Music!!!
ChinaBUZZ. Buzzrecords at ChinaBuzz is selling the work of some of the harder to get Mainland rock artists online. The owner, Steven, lives in Beijing and has made a great list of CDs and tapes available. Recently he installed secure server technology at his site.
AsiaCD is an online music store that carries a few rock artists mentioned on this page. They are based in San Francisco, Ca, USA. I bought Sober and Anodize there.
Imarnet is an online music store based in Ohio, USA. They have a few of the artists and bands mentioned here.