tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34474932171773965062024-03-05T15:53:13.671-08:00GONZO CHICAGODocumenting weirder and louder since 2007. Chicago is home base. Currently in Missoula, Montana.
A new film on China's underground : http://theworldunderground.comGonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.comBlogger291125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-2260185543420395442016-02-11T23:27:00.002-08:002016-02-11T23:27:11.947-08:00"The Astounding Underground of Indonesia"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6I_GLKxhOkJgy9oEvZImPp3r-ZMvsdetsX0CXdimmhTfETD1i_Ux8CgXy8Ufjai5L2qtIgqPScWWVbQeznxUbs7JkhOcmXX5auhNFyNqjjYzwN6YHmMr7spIblke3qY2-Y02eIgaSyba/s1600/0+-+Header+-+Toyol+Dolanan+Nuklir.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6I_GLKxhOkJgy9oEvZImPp3r-ZMvsdetsX0CXdimmhTfETD1i_Ux8CgXy8Ufjai5L2qtIgqPScWWVbQeznxUbs7JkhOcmXX5auhNFyNqjjYzwN6YHmMr7spIblke3qY2-Y02eIgaSyba/s400/0+-+Header+-+Toyol+Dolanan+Nuklir.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Hey all. Happy New Year from Northeast China.<br />
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I've finally published a <a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/features/the-astounding-underground-of-indonesia">staggeringly long</a> piece on our time in Indonesia.<br />
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There's a lot to explore. I hope you like it.<br />
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You can read it on Impose Magazine by clicking <a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/features/the-astounding-underground-of-indonesia">here</a>. <br />
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Lots in the works. Keep an eye on <a href="http://www.theworldunderground.com/blog">The World Underground</a>.<br />
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Best,<br />
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- JYGonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-17545980287907309932015-10-03T01:23:00.005-07:002015-10-03T01:23:51.165-07:00Indonesia is a wrap. Raising funds for post production. New preview reel!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3aGZSODeW1qmvA951N6ETHgK4F90j4DcGp9R5EahxoDx8vC4_i063PHiRiDFRPPYqP4ooqejS4yo7gmi9_gigPT_w0v7zileoEZc0G9lvuACKmv2Gv-ycO_beSl53LKsHdfUpDg1uK5n/s1600/TWUPOST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3aGZSODeW1qmvA951N6ETHgK4F90j4DcGp9R5EahxoDx8vC4_i063PHiRiDFRPPYqP4ooqejS4yo7gmi9_gigPT_w0v7zileoEZc0G9lvuACKmv2Gv-ycO_beSl53LKsHdfUpDg1uK5n/s400/TWUPOST.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hi all. I've got quite a few things for you. First off, I am<b> <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-world-underground-episode-2-4-post-production/x/101516#/">raising funds</a></b> for post production of the next three episodes of The World Underground. These episodes will include Indonesia. Missoula, Montana. An East Asia tour through Japan, Korea, and more. Watch a new <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-world-underground-episode-2-4-post-production/x/101516#/"><b>5 minute preview</b></a> reel and help us do it!</div>
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Lastly, there's now, finally. a <b><a href="http://www.theworldunderground.com/blog">new blog</a></b> on the site, and I've spent hours and hours back posting the last 3 years of my life. All the way back to the first trip to China. Eventually, I'll go insane enough to hyperlink.</div>
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So there you have it. That's what's up. Cheers from the tatami bed of Takashi Kosaka in Tokyo, Japan. Much to come. Stay with it. Be safe. Cheers.</div>
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- John Yingling</div>
<br />Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-6742009628100034732015-04-16T14:54:00.002-07:002015-04-16T14:54:22.433-07:00Next up : INDONESIA. Help us continue...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3j75TU9u5Tawn4i00HWbGCYxtn0ThC3VKoQRdZkGtZCy-WiGmyxUntn4Rd841TdzVza5aKjbTakOEeQ1QtfNhtIGd2MGLntGv5Y_62rOyafv1fDiyiHfk8RA2QTqn4P1NOoyoK5xgMPEH/s1600/indonesia+splash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3j75TU9u5Tawn4i00HWbGCYxtn0ThC3VKoQRdZkGtZCy-WiGmyxUntn4Rd841TdzVza5aKjbTakOEeQ1QtfNhtIGd2MGLntGv5Y_62rOyafv1fDiyiHfk8RA2QTqn4P1NOoyoK5xgMPEH/s1600/indonesia+splash.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am <b>extremely</b> excited to announce that Episode 4 of <a href="http://www.theworldunderground.com/">The World Underground</a> will be <b><a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-world-underground-episode-4-indonesia/x/101516">INDONESIA</a></b>. We'll focus on an extremely unique noise scene, as well as maniacal punk and hardcore. For your donation, you can grab anything from a spice rub from Silkworm's Tim Midyett. OBITS Japan Tour CD's. Local sweets from Montana. Posters, t-shirts, and cassettes from Chicago.</div>
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We cannot keep going without your support! <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-world-underground-episode-4-indonesia/x/101516">Take a look, and spread the word!</a></div>
<br />Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-57412615336221613942015-03-26T09:19:00.002-07:002015-03-26T09:19:23.125-07:00The World Underground has launched. Watch a feature-length film on China's underground scenes, and much, much more...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoQUIO_2otFrzFKoF-XFL5W8qbZEOB_c4a5PVKXyakkuITqWAr_-JfoUi2scfzaduzXt-dgTvHQsQURhoh9RqszlyB3Dtr8dh_E6i3poxV8Ca31fD4W9lA0GKFQkHw53DToqE2Q95Dy5E/s1600/Hedgehog+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoQUIO_2otFrzFKoF-XFL5W8qbZEOB_c4a5PVKXyakkuITqWAr_-JfoUi2scfzaduzXt-dgTvHQsQURhoh9RqszlyB3Dtr8dh_E6i3poxV8Ca31fD4W9lA0GKFQkHw53DToqE2Q95Dy5E/s1600/Hedgehog+card.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>WE ARE LIVE.</b></div>
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Chicago, this project would not have happened without your support. Thank You. <b><a href="http://www.theworldunderground.com/">The World Underground</a></b> is now live, with Episode 1, which focuses on China. Over 50 live recordings from artists around the globe. As well as a "connect" page featuring labels from China, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and a slew of Chicago and American based artists. This will only grow with time.</div>
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<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;"><b>"Episode
one begins on tour with one of Mainland China’s most legendary
bands, P.K.14. We delve into various cities along the way,
including Guangzhou, Chengdu, Beijing, and Wuhan. Over two
dozens acts make up the first new, cumulative feature-length update
on China’s underground in over half a decade."</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">D.I.Y films on music scenes across the globe, released online for donation, with the hope of funding the next. Below, you can watch the first episode, a feature length film on China, listen to over 50 live recordings, dive into an extensive connection page. The goal is global connectivity. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 20px;">All the information you need is right here : <a href="http://www.theworldunderground.com/">It's already happening.</a></span></div>
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THANK YOU.</div>
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- John Yingling</div>
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<br />Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-87135301599446493522014-12-06T13:31:00.002-08:002014-12-06T17:01:27.979-08:00Rest in peace, Ray Ellingsen...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnt-WJd1oxeBkzsVKItfNMhYdKk2BTj425pRmqtjmM-hWs9-WfHzhtAlxlV3bzL0InQl5uY1mE6UWegmqBubAUEjhnKNkpEcy8r4Gy42cvKWfGtCr5Yi_RxVZpIz6W58SIeuf8nlG90N3E/s1600/ray3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnt-WJd1oxeBkzsVKItfNMhYdKk2BTj425pRmqtjmM-hWs9-WfHzhtAlxlV3bzL0InQl5uY1mE6UWegmqBubAUEjhnKNkpEcy8r4Gy42cvKWfGtCr5Yi_RxVZpIz6W58SIeuf8nlG90N3E/s1600/ray3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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It has come to our attention Ray Ellingsen, a true spirit of Chicago, passed away in October. There will be a memorial by the DIY community in the new year. We will update you. Hope there's some good noise shows up there, Ray. The lighting is probably perfect. We'll all miss you, but we're all happy we had the chance to know you.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Ray probably spent more time in weird D.I.Y spaces than I did. He was at literally every single show, taking photos, talking to people. He was over double the age of most people that hung out, but th</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">at didn't bother him. His passion for music and photography was unmatched. We were often partners in crime, dodging each other while shooting. I am unclear of the details, but there may be a memorial show planned in his memory. Rest in peace to one of the most unique characters Chicago will ever see.</span></span></div>
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Please check back for more information. Thank You.</div>
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<i>UPDATE : I remember Ray walking around with a little note-pad getting stories from people on what the DIY scene meant to them.</i></div>
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<i>Don Pentaro said one of his last conversations with him, he said he wanted to make a photo book with quotes from the music community.</i></div>
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<i>Obviously, we need to find this note-pad and do this. If anyone is going to speak with his family, <b>please</b> mention this, or ask if you could look for it!!!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yVTXzCfdHDhUhl7Dg7hI0O_uNEiu6H8JtDN-Lndrb3F-MyIqzyUn8kt0ymYhb3cjbjKzILSyteyykAJyY_2FBG56LfvrKhbQRB1K1wVgY8NRrucDImudtMAt_qONm-E5y4aG7l5jeE2h/s1600/ray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yVTXzCfdHDhUhl7Dg7hI0O_uNEiu6H8JtDN-Lndrb3F-MyIqzyUn8kt0ymYhb3cjbjKzILSyteyykAJyY_2FBG56LfvrKhbQRB1K1wVgY8NRrucDImudtMAt_qONm-E5y4aG7l5jeE2h/s1600/ray.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-67515024458403722792014-10-28T18:23:00.000-07:002014-11-13T00:03:22.372-08:00Eating souls in East Asia : A GUIGUISUISUI x Noise Arcade tour diary.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O4jlgIulMpkw6rkYXwh-wIMlhXGNPLfXNrjfeC2iuPzPlNMzWWi6Jzt2QA84HbCsvb9xAU1yBB_hGA6SATt9sU-8n7bzqfU8U1PvEWls6WTBtqvxQUMILyK8VsGQ_biEWOLEHP99yVpU/s1600/header.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O4jlgIulMpkw6rkYXwh-wIMlhXGNPLfXNrjfeC2iuPzPlNMzWWi6Jzt2QA84HbCsvb9xAU1yBB_hGA6SATt9sU-8n7bzqfU8U1PvEWls6WTBtqvxQUMILyK8VsGQ_biEWOLEHP99yVpU/s1600/header.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Yuki, Tokyo photographer</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfPH70aOW_DoisrW3q_UCaNdMLAu0n-NFqi3IDVMQYnM4YcHej5J9OmzNoHVHNkT_MMowNrQr9EdnrM1jrCqOaU8mZAzj-0_06aBkTRWfvc5gWOV6JHb0SwSOaEHUlBHVON5DL4MBJFYN/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfPH70aOW_DoisrW3q_UCaNdMLAu0n-NFqi3IDVMQYnM4YcHej5J9OmzNoHVHNkT_MMowNrQr9EdnrM1jrCqOaU8mZAzj-0_06aBkTRWfvc5gWOV6JHb0SwSOaEHUlBHVON5DL4MBJFYN/s1600/1.JPG" height="331" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Zaza (After Argument) + Sijiang (Hiperson)</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 17.2800006866455px; text-align: center;">I drop in at Chengdu, Sichuan province. Last year, <a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/features/exploring-the-china-underground">while on tour with P.K.14</a>, I caught these incredible young bands, <a href="http://site.douban.com/stolen/">Stolen</a>, and <a href="http://site.douban.com/hiperson/">Hiperson</a>. They were both just starting to come into their own sound. I contacted them asking if they could play a show on the tail end of the trip. They agreed. So did Chongqing's <a href="http://site.douban.com/themaples">The Maples</a>. After 4 flights, I found myself a bit delirious, but being a glutton for punishment, I sent out texts to see if anything was happening. Both were practicing in the same space, the first in 20 minutes. Off I went. It was great to see them again. I didn't expect to see Xiaobin, a friend from Guangzhou. Nor did I expect Zaza, drummer of the incredible Beijing duo <a href="https://tenzenmen.bandcamp.com/album/furs-of-time">After Argument</a>. Fellow Shellac lovers! After some acclimation, it was off to Xi'an.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Hiperson practice.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e; line-height: 0.18in;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Xi'an
was my halfway point to Beijing. When considering a brief stopover
to break up the train ride, I was told to hit up a crew of DIY kids
called <a href="http://site.douban.com/System-error/">System Error</a></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e; line-height: 0.18in;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.
After the bus from the airport almost killed 9 people on the way in,
I met Feng Fan. He's a scene supporter in this collective, alongside
a dozen or so people. We immediately sit down in the street for some
food, and a fight breaks out. Feng is quick to point out that this
isn't very common. He tells me of Xian's deep love of their cold
noodle. Tomorrow, there's a show. The collective's final show
before they all finish school and part ways, a common occurrence.
Feng gets me an ultra cheap hotel in a place right next to the venue,
which he says is really tough for foreigners who have no help. After dreaming of murder via bus, I
awoke, and continued to feel like Xi'an is a different world. Locals
in China are extremely hospitable, but the historic city was on a
different page these few days. Feng kept texting me throughout the
day to make sure I was alright. The show, “System Error Vol. 41 :
Graduation”, was a mix of noise via <a href="http://site.douban.com/xbh/">XBH</a></span></span></span><span style="color: #1155cc; line-height: 0.18in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e; line-height: 0.18in;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">,
Qingling Resort, and <a href="http://site.douban.com/xbh/">Yang Zhongguo</a></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e; line-height: 0.18in;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">,
who is a singer-songwriter playing traditional Chinese instruments.
</span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 0.18in;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://site.douban.com/kunjinkao/">Kunjingkao</a>
(</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS; line-height: 0.18in;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">锟斤铐</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 0.18in;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 0.18in;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e; line-height: 0.18in;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">put
an I.P. Address on screen and had everyone dial into a noise program.
Put your phone on speaker, flick your finger around, and become a
part of the show. I'm not sure what will be happening now in Xi'an,
but I look forward to seeing it grow and mutate.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxg-y-aeQYbpGT5kd1Ze5PNdKlk6P71cX1FPRlIUxblaZ7eluVZdx3qbHam2n2jiROWzhK7X66ME8TBY5XjT7JI-XY790pb-U6kykxUezVOaKpK1JfPc6RXNKht7-oyyEdLio0OsnDGXvb/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxg-y-aeQYbpGT5kd1Ze5PNdKlk6P71cX1FPRlIUxblaZ7eluVZdx3qbHam2n2jiROWzhK7X66ME8TBY5XjT7JI-XY790pb-U6kykxUezVOaKpK1JfPc6RXNKht7-oyyEdLio0OsnDGXvb/s1600/3.JPG" height="318" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Xi'an : System Error 41</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Beijing.
Perhaps due to my years of smoking and substance abuse, I was never
truly choked by the air here. This time, rolling in at midnight, I
could feel it in my chest. Excited to be back, and having a few days
before we embarked on the tour, I spent it seeing as much live music
as possible. A few more practice space sessions were lined up.
<a href="http://site.douban.com/hedgehog">Hedgehog</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #006621;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">shifted
their rehearsal date so I could attend, and ended up working on new
songs for an hour. DIDERS rehearsed and played a couple new ones as
well. It was the night before the show I booked at <a href="http://www.yugongyishan.com/?lang=en">Yugong Yishan</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Knowing I'd be back in Beijing, I figured it was the perfect
opportunity to book a show, and screen a rough cut of the film. I
asked some of my favorites. <a href="http://site.douban.com/subs/">SUBS</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
<a href="http://site.douban.com/agg/">Residence A</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
<a href="http://site.douban.com/diders/">DIDERS</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
<a href="http://site.douban.com/chuiwan/">Chui Wan</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
After Stolen had issues with a European trip they were going to
take, they agreed to trek the 1,000 miles to play in Beijing.
Everybody brought it hard. Aurelian, a great photographer in
Beijing, has some excellent shots scattered throughout his
eye-popping <a href="http://blog.foukography.com/post/93579771914/twu1">blog</a>.
People enjoyed the rough version of the film. Aside from some language barrier issues, all clarified, it was a great night. We made 300 copies of
a curated mix CD with bands from Chicago, Montana, China, and gave
them out to everybody who came. Before their original lineup
disbanded, they wrapped a final short tour in Japan. “Poppy”,
drummer of The DIDERS, has left China for school in New York City. She's
having fun. Xin, bassist, is forming another group. “Cookie”,
singer, will re-form the band and continue playing. Whatever else
those three choose to do from here, surely it'll be great.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>DIDERS</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Next,
a rowdy show at <a href="http://site.douban.com/oldwhat/">Old What Bar</a>.
Steps away from the Forbidden City, with a BBQ grill near the front
entrance, the audience spills out into the sidewalk, listening
through the windows, drinking on the sidewalk. It's small. A hole
in the brick allows me to film while dodging the beer being thrown
everywhere. DIDERS play the final show I'll ever see that lineup
play. Free Sex Shop belts out classic covers with a few originals..
I had never caught <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9H21mYlllU">Sochu Legion</a> before. They were great, made more beers fly, and closed it all out
with what seemed like a 2 hour set. Hell of a night at Old What. </span></span></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Free Sex Shop (a band)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
tour kickoff show was at Temple Bar. <a href="http://site.douban.com/luofusuliao/">Luvplastik </a>opened. A 2 piece. Picture Matt and Kim with two dudes, writing
better songs and being more interesting. The excellent <a href="http://site.douban.com/bedstars/">Bedstars</a>,
who I caught more than a few times last year. Snarled out old-school
punk. I got zero sleep that night, and to say the least, learned a
few things I need to work on in my life. I wake up Jenna Caravello,
an amazing human and animator from Chicago. She runs a great site
called <a href="http://site.douban.com/guiguisuisui/)">Dikarya</a>, is wonderfully talented, trekked to north China with us to help document. We miss our
train, and barely make the one across town at the shit-show that is
Beijing station. The monopod I had for exactly two weeks is left in
the backseat of the taxi due to our exhausted state, and is gone
forever. If you don't get a receipt, you're pretty much sunk, especially in this case. Following in our company, <a href="http://site.douban.com/guiguisuisui/">GUIGUISUISUI</a> and <a href="http://site.douban.com/noisearcade/)">Noise Arcade</a>.
Two solo artists living in the PRC, both lovers of DIY culture,
improv, and noise. Dann Gaymer leads GUIGUISUISUI. Originally from
Britain, he gripped onto underground ideals early, and tours harder
than most people I've met. Michael Cupoli is Noise Arcade.
Musically, a vibrant soundscape of improv noise from more pedals,
knobs, and switches than I'll ever be able to understand. He's been
called the “pedal master of Beijing”, and his room, littered with
gear, could confirm such a claim. It's danceable enough, with as
many layers as pedals, but definitely appeases noise kids.
Everything is done on the fly, so you get a different vibe each time.
It's really great. Read an in-depth interview <a href="http://www.aweh.tv/posts/noise-arcade-2">here</a>. Dann paints his face black and white, runs
around the crowd singing about blowjobs in bathrooms, and then it
gets weird. Out comes the evil. On goes the mask. When there's a drumset available,
Mike jumps on it and does the same. Out comes the one stringed
skateboard noise-guitar. The “diddly board”, so he calls it. To
the audience it goes. Go ahead, bang on it all you want. He wants
you to. This is <a href="https://genjingrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-court-of-king-necro-7">King Necro</a>, and he's going to eat your soul. </span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Bedstars</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">First
stop, <a href="https://foursquare.com/v/fuzz-box/520b917311d22c30710e702d">Fuzzbox</a>,
a very, very small live-house in Changchun. We're now in Dongbei.
People's eyes widened when we talked about where we were going, like
the Northeast was some mystical land of filth and debauchery. Not every band makes the trek to go to these
cities. I liked Changchun. Dirty, gnarly, you could feel the
constant transformation. Lin Lin, part owner of Fuzzbox told us
where we should eat, a restaurant catering to mostly local dishes.
He got us seats, ordered local, paid for us, and disappeared. Out
came an inspiring array of dishes. Incredible. The total capacity
of Fuzzbox can't be more than 50 people. P.K.14, who can easily draw
hundreds, played here. I found it hard to even fathom, but
supposedly the drummer set up on stage, and everyone else played on
the floor. There's about 12 feet of an open “pit” area until it
narrows even further due to the bar and couches. We meet Xiao Hai.
He's a beat-boxer who just so happened to recently open the first
cocktail bar in Changchun. Dann told me whenever he'd visit in the
past, Xiao Hai would always say he wished he had bar with the proper
equipment to craft his drinks. Now he did. Bar Trochilus. One side
held a giant class display case of toys, manga inspired and
otherwise. A beautiful bar for delicious, delicately prepared
concoctions. Another side, a proper whiskey bar. If you find
yourself lost and mulling around Dongbei some time, I'd say this
would make a good destination. Back at the venue, local lady <a href="http://site.douban.com/shakeann/">Anqi</a> sets up a guitar to kick off the show. It's a short set. She's
sweet, eloquent, and her songs calm our heads at the beginning of
what we know will be one huge shit-show of a tour. Zhang Jianfu
<a href="http://site.douban.com/jfi18w/">(JFI)</a> and Noise Arcade rumbled the tiny bar with noise. I was surprised no
glasses fell off the shelves. GUIGUISUISUI runs around, trying to
freak out WeiMa, the cute bar dog, who remained cool, more curious as
to what the hell was going on. We head back to Trochilus, and Xiao
Hai feeds us his maniacally amazing creations. He also arranges some
pretty classic sleeping quarters next door. It cost next to nothing.
You wandered through a pitch black hallway, into your room, which
was simply a bed. There was a five inch triangular shelf with an
ashtray, and about 10 inches between the bed and wall. After zero
rest the night before, it was one of the best nights sleep I'd get in
the next few weeks.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Noise Arcade @ Fuzzbox</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shenyang
cruised by like a blur. A quick train ride over, you start to see
more Korean and Japanese influence. We ate Bibimbap, walked around a
bit, and headed to <a href="http://site.douban.com/231046/">Feng Livehouse</a>.
Not knowing what the turnout would be for these Northeast China
shows, we were pleasantly surprised by a group of 40 or so kids who
all went apeshit the whole time. Circle pits, excited hooting and
hollering, the works. When it was over, in an instant, the crowd was
gone. A toast to the coming unknown, we drank a bit and traded
contacts. Michael grabbed some mystery BBQ from outside, and we were
spent.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>GUIGUISUISUI + Xiaohai</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dalian.
We gawk at the coastal surroundings of our inbound train, and trek
to the venue. Steps from the ferry we'll take to South Korea, <a href="http://www.echinacities.com/Dalian/city-guide/Echo-Books-and-Cafe-Dalian-Cafe-Bookshop-and-Cultural-Centre">EchoBooks</a> and its connected cafe keep our mouths agape. It's proprietor, Xie
Yugang, just so happens to be in a very successful post-rock band
called <a href="http://site.douban.com/wangwen/">Wang Wen</a>.
It's a beautiful bookstore, bar, and balcony overlooking the harbor.
Floodlights bathe the surrounding cranes and skyscrapers in purple,
green, white, until they suddenly vanish. Never to reappear.
GUIGUISUISUI and Noise Arcade's sets went over better than I imagined
they would. A good crowd who stayed attentive. Afterwards, we went
into a music studio and rehearsal room to chat with members of Wang
Wen, <a href="http://www.smartbeijing.com/articles/nightlife/mp3-monday-dalian-port-rock),%20and%20Doc%20Talk%20Shock%20(http://site.douban.com/doctalkshock/">Which Park</a>, and <a href="http://site.douban.com/doctalkshock/">Doc Talk Shock</a>.
After the chat, we hung out, and I had them put on Paper Mice, one
of my favorite bands from the Chicago underground. Heads began to
bob. Back in May, the DanShen Festival was born. A festival by the
beach. The point was to closely curate it, and have the lineup be
all bands they loved. Easy to enter, listen, enjoy. Some of my
favorites I can't stop listening to played this year's lineup.
<i>Hiperson</i> and <i>Proximity Butterfly</i> from Chengdu. <i>Duck
Fight Goose</i> from Shanghai. <i>The Dyne</i> from Beijing. Our
friends at “<a href="http://www.livebeijingmusic.com/lbm-exclusive-2014-dansheng-music-festival/">Live Beijing Music</a>” said the vibe had “basically
everything that Strawberry and Midi (festivals) lacks.” Definitely something to keep on your radar if you're interested. </span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>GUIGUISUISUI</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Before
we knew it, we said farewell to Jenna, and were on the overnight
ferry to South Korea. Xie left us with an expensive bottle of
whiskey, and Dann procured what would end up being one of countless
bottles of Makkoli, a type of fermented, milky Korean alcohol. Our vessel was comfortable, near luxury, seeing as how we didn't mind how we got there, and as Dann said, all you can carry for
baggage, and you didn't have to spring for accommodation. The
patrons of the boat sat endlessly staring at the waters before them,
feeding seagulls, and staring off into the darkness once the sun set.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">First
show in South Korea. <a href="http://yogiga.com/">Yogiga</a>.
A DIY style basement and exhibition space in Hongdae. I meet the
immediately bubbly Lauren Walker, who fronts a band in Seoul called
<a href="https://wearenicelegs.bandcamp.com/">Nice Legs</a>.
We head to an alley and she tells me why she loves Seoul. She's
been here a while, says foreigners should learn the language or
“You're completely missing out. Talk to old people. Hear their
stories. Go outside of the ex-pat areas." I would later find out she
is the cousin of a friend I've known since High School. I thought
they were joking, but it was true. Small world. Tonight's lineup
included <a href="https://gtarpe.bandcamp.com/">Yamagata Tweakster</a>,
<a href="https://gtarpe.bandcamp.com/">GT Arpe</a>,
and The Essence. Local band Les Sales had to cancel due to injury,
which was sad. Dann tells a story about when he lived here, how
there's a “Makkollii Man”. A wild-eyed joyful fellow who would
tow around dozens of bottles of this delicious elixir, and if he came
up to you, you'd play rock-paper-scissors. If you won, a free bottle
for you. If you lost, you had to buy one. It's super cheap anyway
so it's supposedly a win win either way just to interact with the
guy. Right before Yamagata Tweakster is set to play, in comes
Makkolli Man. Dann's eyes light up, I turn my camera on and film
what I can of this maniacally joyful fellow yelling “MAKKOLLI! I
LOVE YOU!”, not even bothering with rock-paper-scissors, and he was gone with a flash. Dann said he had the
exact same clothes on as the last time he saw him, four years ago.
One thing is for sure, Yamagata Tweakster wants to party with you.
He's dressed in neon, a one man dance party belting out words I'll
never know, making the audience kick the air. He leads everyone
outside to piggyback down a busy street, chanting. He's been doing
this for years. </span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Yamagata Tweakster</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jeonju.
<a href="http://koreanistapaula.blogspot.com/2011/09/radiostar-live-band-bar-in-jeonju.html">Radio Star.</a>
Who says you need a packed house to have a good time? Though six
people attended the show, I somehow managed to crowd-surf twice.
Almost immediately after they finished, a crew of kids show up. They're
break-dancers and hip hop artists. Their collective is called the
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQVvjVcJcYo">East Guinness Crew</a>.
Jeonju locals. Dann makes one of them go on stage and spit some
shit, with Mike backing on drums. Naturally, I have to take them
outside and try to get something on camera. Dann translates a bit.
I still don't know what they said. One of them drops down to the
ground and spins around on one hand. I give them some of the
leftover mix CD's I had from the show in Beijing. We stay in a huge
common room of a gigantic bath house. Super cheap. I get zero
goddamn sleep again, and could care less. A great night. </span></span></span>
</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">East Guinness Crew (Jeonju)</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Back
to Seoul. Dann lived here for quite some time, which is how <a href="http://aweh.tv/">AWEH</a> was founded. Our
time in Seoul, we're being hosted by Patrick, Ollie, and Shai. A
wonderfully creative bunch, and endlessly kind. While we sleep,
newly born kittens use us “as playgrounds”, as Mike would say in
an album<a href="https://noisearcade.bandcamp.com/album/it-could-have-been-worse"> dedicated to the days of shenanigans</a>, complete with a guy passed out atop some steep as hell stairs.
Their balcony has one of the coolest views of Seoul Tower. Ollie
and Patrick help run the label <a href="http://www.looseunion.com/">Loose Union</a>.
It's got an impressive catalog. AWEH is a creative culture website
honing in on what's happening in Asia. Their goal : be creative.
Music, art, just push forward and do things to help the scene. </span></span></span>
</div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tonight's
venue : <a href="http://indistreet.com/en/korea/venue/332">Space Moon</a>. <a href="https://wearenicelegs.bandcamp.com/">Nice Legs</a> kick it off. I loved them. Nice people. Poppy, spastic rock and
roll is always up my alley. We all circle pit, and I'm still amazed
this front-woman is my friends cousin. Dann had mentioned to me the
week prior, there was someone he demanded be a part of this leg of
the tour. That was <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mineri/106696102684490">Johny Q</a>,
who now fronts Mineri. A shredder on guitar. The final song had him
flipping his guitar around on the floor. A near miss on slamming
into my camera. <a href="https://gonguri.bandcamp.com/releases">Gonguri</a> belt out some harsh metal. GUIGUISUISUI and Noise Arcade invoke a
dogpile so inviting, I put my camera down and jump on top. Ollie
grabs my SLR and starts shooting photos. Really, a great night, with
exciting noise. There's a common area outside where people buy cheap
Soju and Makkoli, and that's when the busking begins. It's not a
'shitty covers and malnourished dogs' type of busking, but a tiny
amp, back on the floor, screaming and yelping. Dann carried a
singular drum around, beating against the cars whizzing by. It was
karaoke, Nice Legs style. </span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Johny Q (Mineri)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Daegu.
Communes. It's not only one of the last shows for local math
rock band <a href="https://colourssk.bandcamp.com/">Colours</a>,
but the final showcase for their collective “I Like Many Records.”
I meet Ali, a British born guitar player with an Iranian upbringing,
he's been in Daegu for quite some times, but just moved to Seoul. He
says there's “fuck-all” happening in Iran. Colours sounds
reminiscent of Don Caballero, though none of them are very well
versed in their music. I give someone one of The World Underground
mix CD's, and he stares at it for a while. “Paper Mice? Dude! I
saw them in a gnarly warehouse in Chicago, 6 years ago.” That
gnarly warehouse was called The Mopery. I was there. It was Pussy
Pirates final show, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsj0bvku-3o">right before it closed</a>. I very likely have a photo of this guy, who six
years later, is standing in front of me in Daegu, talking about <a href="https://papermice.bandcamp.com/album/the-funny-papers">Paper Mice</a>.
Wild. </span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Seoul Tower</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Busan.
<a href="http://cityawesome.com/busan1/2011/04/the-basement/">Basement</a>.
Local band <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeniusRock">Genius</a> kicks it off. Straight up catchy rock and roll with a punk spirit.
<a href="http://geniusxisxrock.bandcamp.com/album/beaches">“Beaches”</a> has been spinning a lot around here lately. Upon sharing it with a
friend upon my return, he says it's “like the Nirvana of Korea!”.
I can't disagree. The bartender, Xiaoshuang Du, is from China. We
chat, and since it's the last night in Korea before hopping another
ferry, all end up shit-housed. I tape Xi Yang Yang, a creepy, broad
eye-browed cartoon goat (or “Hello Kitty of China”) to the
stripper poles that spot the venue. The owner tells me of when
Juiceboxxx from Milwaukee, Wisconsin came to town. He's an old
friend, a scrawny American kid from the midwest who raps harder than
anyone I've ever seen live. It's punk-rap, with less awfulness.
Surely he was hanging off the balcony as much as Dann was. As most
tours go, you wish you had more time in these cities. The ferry over
is night and day from the one in China. There's an arcade, a sauna.
Smoking rooms. Dann passes out right away. Michael and I sit on
the balcony outside and gawk at Grand Gwangan bridge along Gwangalli
Beach, which is now lit up like a rave. I mull around a bit, dump
footage, and fall into a nice sleep. Mike wakes me, disoriented, and
in Fukuoka, Japan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Not dangerous at all.</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Japan
is a manic blur. It's cleanliness is almost disorienting. There's
no trash on the streets, anywhere, but it's difficult to find a garbage
can. Still unsure of how that one works. Buildings on top of
buildings. It's intense to take in, to say the least. First up,
Fukuoka. <a href="http://www.utero.jp/)">Utero</a>. A small club on the basement level. Black pads of soundproofing
make you feel like you're enclosed in a fallout shelter somewhere. Another stacked bill. <a href="https://soundcloud.com/bellbottom-from-80s">Bellbottom from 80's</a> kick it off with screeching guitars. A wall of psych channeling
Hendrix, the lead guitar player clearly enjoying his noodling. Long
hair flipping every direction. He ends the set by jumping out into
the crowd, banging away on his back, noise bouncing off every wall.
A solo artist, <a href="http://www.towatariyota.com/">Huduyangtai</a> crossing pop, folk. I interview the singer of <a href="http://www.jennifer-isolation.com/">Jennifer Isolation</a>,
a funk band. He seems optimistic about Fukuoka. He grew up in
Indonesia, and has heard the scene is amazing. I told him to talk to
Dann, who just wrapped a lengthy tour there. Hours later, <a href="http://d.hatena.ne.jp/macmanaman/">Macmanaman</a> surprises the hell out of everybody. Highly recommended. Fast
speed-core style instrumental craziness. They give us CD's, which
are scratched to hell burned copies. Punk. We sleep on the venue's
floor. The owner gives us the key the bar, and tell us to lock up
when we're finished. Wonderful.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Macmanaman</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oita.
<a href="http://www.athall.com/">At Hall.</a>
The center of Oita is a long, domed shopping area. At Hall
is up a few flights of stairs, just steps away. Another huge,
eclectic bill with everything from sloppy noise laden freak-outs, to
a classical style pianist. Two women in kimonos show up, and I'd
later find out they are family of the elderly couple in attendance.
Everybody sits front and center for the whole show, and doesn't
leave. A local act Dann knew, Warsaw Pact, jabbers on in Japanese
telling jokes we'll never get. He kicks in a few electronic gizmos
and plays guitar over them. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nobukogorilla">Ninja Man</a>, calling themselves the “New
No Wave”, pound out some noise, and the singer freaks out in front
of all of these seated people. He and a friend run outside, the
guitar still squealing, and I do my best to follow. With a heavy
camera, I only make it down the steps and film them run away, but
apparently he went and jumped into a nearby pool of water. I wander
into the night on a hunt for rooftop b-roll. Able to get on top of
one building, the view yields nothing. On my way back down I hear
the screams of karaoke, but the door of the place... a wooden plank with ornate Japanese lettering. </span></span></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> I</span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 0.18in;"> enter to a beautiful,
tiny bar. Everyone's giddy, the proprietors are an older couple,
dancing behind the bar. Everything stops and all eyes are on me. I
motion for a drink, ask for whiskey, everyone amused. From what I
understood was 15 dollars American for a round of something. I
leave. Upon getting to the bottom of the stairs, a guy from the bar
yells for me to wait. Come, drink with us, he says. It's on me.
I'll leave most of this for the film, but picture a hot mess of
karaoke. You're fed drinks, while a lady named Miho runs around with
a giant wooden pineapple, spoon-feeding you a mysterious Japanese
fruit liquor. Eventually fed up with the slow pace, she begins to
simply stalk the bar, making people drink directly out of the giant
pineapple. Every time someone does it, the whole place cheers. They
take me to a wine bar after karaoke closes, and buy me a glass. It's
time like these I wish I knew more Japanese. Nearing 4AM, I finally
force myself to leave. We would stay on the venue floor yet again,
this time for two nights. Bar key in hand. Free to come and go as
we please. Thank You, Japan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Kobe.
We trek toward <a href="http://www.livebu.com/hall/2903">Helluva Lounge</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
It's nowhere to be seen. Slotted streets behind streets. We ask,
and everybody has a different answer. After an hour of messing
around trying to find the place without lugging gear around, the
venue owner comes and gets us. It's a great looking space, and the
opening bands seem excited. Tero Tero open it up with dance punk.
The front-man does one of the weirdest performance-art style dance
routines, like an comedy from the 1980's, then banging away on the
electronics in front of him. <a href="https://myspace.com/blondnewhalf">Blond New Half</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> were my band of the night. Bowie meets Jesus Lizard meets that
non-shitty EP by The Rapture. Really great stuff. They only have 4
songs up publicly, but this live recording sounds entirely different.
Have a listen and get them on your bill if you go to Kobe, which you
should seriously consider. Jigokuhen brings a harsh noise guitar
session with furious energy for a one-man act. It sets the stage for
GUIGUISUISUI and Noise Arcade tearing it up. Kobe rules.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Blond New Half</i></span></div>
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<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sometimes,
somebody shows up to the venue and says they're going to play a
vacuum cleaner. Back in Osaka, we head to Mizutama's space, <a href="https://twitter.com/FIGYA1">FIGYA</a>.
Not only does he run this, which is also his home, but also a gallery housed
in a much older building. His wife Megumi brings out a dozen
chirpy motion sensor birds, and a noise making stick from Taiwan.
Satoshi, who's playing tonight, brings in a guitar. It all melds
into the strangest afternoon improv noise set I've seen in quite some
time. The sunlight peeking through the traditional style doors.
Birds chirping. The bug stick moaning away. It's a great night for
improvisation. Go Tsushima brought his project called <a href="http://gotsushima.wordpress.com/">Psychedelic Desert</a>.
He'd make a good tour mate for Noise Arcade. Waves of guitar
feedback. Harikozue is Megumi and Harico. Opposite in age, one
hooks mics up to a vacuum cleaner, the other puts them in a metal
pot. “Now we will clean.” ...and they screech out one of the
more interesting noise sets I've seen in a while. Dann and Mike have
spent the day procuring a bunch of cardboard boxes to make buildings
out of, and army men. What will they do with this? Re-enact
Godzilla, of course! Mike's set delves from layered bloops to a
harsher ending, in which Dann then tries to light the buildings on
fire, and then stomps it all into oblivion. It really goes without
saying that Figya is also highly recommended.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Figya</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yokohama
is a jam. In the outskirts of Tokyo, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Puente/214096195273923">El Puenten</a> is steps away from the train station. We roll into a bunch of noise
kids sound-checking. Shigeru, the owner, greets us and immediately
asks if we want a beer. That doesn't stop all night. Empty cup?
Let's fill it. He spent a long time living in America, and returned
to start this Spanish influenced tapas bar that also has punk rock
and noise shows. He liked underground shows and wants to do his part
to reverse this pay to play system that's so prevalent in Japan. He
says Yokohama is a ghetto area, but he loves it here. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/PUNK-DISCO/1408411916069885">Punk Disco</a> kick it off with street punk. Their front-man has “FUCK YOU”
tattoo'd on his chest, and runs around messing with everybody the
whole time. Climbing on tables and getting in everyones faces.
Taura Yorihisa and Elephant Noise Kashimashi plug in, blast out
squealing noise with a traditional set up that included plastic tubes
and hand-made objects. As a lover of noise music, I'm really happy
to see Japanese kids still bringing it weird and harsh. </span></span></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Punk Disco</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tokyo.
At this point, my roller bag is well over-weight from all the
fundraiser perks I've collected, and 15 pounds of vinyl await me in Sichuan. Exhaustion
starts to set in, but I'm excited as hell to be here. After so many
cities my brain can't even put my finger on Tokyo. More buildings
upon buildings. There's four shows in three days. <a href="http://gamuso.com/">Gamuso Chroma</a> is first.
GUIGUISUISUI open. Children are running around, unsure of what to do
with themselves. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/exo66">E066 </a>follow. Front-woman Sawa Kato clearly has a few fans in the
audience, and they yell and scream, and tell her she's a rock-star.
Android Beach Party is a local surf band. Their founder tells me his
bandmates are really good at following directions. He writes
everything. The next day, two shows. <a href="http://www.tokyogigguide.com/en/livehouses/venueevents/67-jam-shinjuku">Shinjuku Jam</a> is a double-staged basement level space, and this show started at
10AM. There's 7 bands, most of which we miss because there is just
no way in hell we are getting there by 10AM. One act plays while the
other sets up, and they swap immediately. I wander to the backroom
and everybody's already hammered. They tell me Shinjuku Jam is the
“best venue in the world”. An extremely loud, maniacal fellow
brings a guitar out and screams songs, and we'll never know what the
hell he was talking about. Despite afternoon wasted-ness, everyone
is super nice. Somebody puts on a bald cap and again tells a bunch
of jokes we'll never know, followed by manic drumming, with a break in
between each piece to do something ridiculous like slip on a banana
peel, throw toilet paper around. Ah, Japan. The third show is a last
minute addition. A blues bar with the capacity of about 30 people.
No openers. There's people lined up outside for a meet and greet
with a J-Pop star. The bar owner isn't there, so when the famous guy
walks out I ask to use his phone. Dozens of excited girls laugh. I
ask for an interview. He says a few sentences and everybody screams
and claps. It'll be interesting to get that translated. Zacharie
Gao, who's originally from Chongqing comes and hangs out.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Hello, Tokyo</i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Final
show of tour, <a href="http://soundstudiodom.web.fc2.com/">DOM Studio</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Steps away from our truly awful hostel, it's one of the only DIY
style places they played in Japan. Essentially, it's a recording
studio they have shows in. Sadly, the excellent <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/GRAVE-GRINDERGoreGrind/168265189895452">Gravegrinder</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> had to pull out of the show. It's a bill heavy on noise, but “Raging
Blast” kick it off raw and fast. </span><a href="http://www.polarityrecords.com/" style="font-size: 9pt;">Samm Bennett</a><span style="font-size: 9.09090900421143px;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">wails
out old school punk blues vocals over some traditional instruments.
Nobs turning for some harsh noise. Collaborations between <a href="http://darklaw01.blogspot.jp/">Darklaw</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> + <a href="http://soundcloud.com/dub-specialist-1">Facial Mess</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. <a href="http://www.leclipsenue.com/">L'eclipse Nue</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #3b5998;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and
<a href="http://moneyisgod.jimdo.com/">Kan</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
GUIGUISUISUI. Noise Arcade. After three weeks, countless trains,
two boats trekking three countries, my head is twisted. Booze kept
the shoulder pain at bay, kept apprehension away, but it catches up
to you eventually. Dann left to continue his tour back to China,
heading south. Michael had one more night. We headed to some music
shops so he could geek out at synthesizers. Afterwards, we meet
Takashi of <a href="https://blackholekuroiana.bandcamp.com/">Black Hole</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> records. Upon bailing to get drinks and bid Mike farewell, he
leaves his backpack at the restaurant, and I never see him again.
Years ago, Andy Junk, an old friend from Milwaukee ,called me and
told me I needed to host a bunch of Japanese kids in Chicago. It was
part of Tokyo's </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://yourpestband.bandcamp.com/">Your Pest Band</a></span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
and a crew of other people, including Takashi. They offered to
return the favor when I was in Japan, and half a decade later, I took
them up on it. Takashi ended up letting me sleep in his extra room
for the final few days in Japan. Your Pest Band were unable to play,
but little did I know they would come to Missoula, Montana only weeks
later. </span></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>DOM Studio</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
final show I'd attend in Japan would be NYC's <a href="http://www.obitsurl.com/)">OBITS</a>, a
band with members I've been following for over a decade. Hot Snakes,
Drive Like Jehu, Girls Against Boys. They just so happened to be
playing two shows in Japan. Both were with <a href="http://timmidyett.com/">Tim Midyett </a>of
Silkworm and Bottomless Pit. Tim grew up in Montana. What a strange
year. Watching him play in Japan was surreal. I met Sohrab Habibion
years ago in Chicago, and we've kept in touch. It had been years
since I'd seen them. <a href="https://cryptcity.bandcamp.com/">Crypt City</a> helped kick it off. Sapporo's <a href="http://discotortion.com/)">DISCOTORTION</a> had
two drummers. Neither were messing around, but this lady on drums,
she hit so hard that she nearly blacked out on her snare drum. The
final note sent her head into her arm. She tried to get up, but fell
back on the ground, against the wall, only to crawl off the stage.
Should be some heavy video.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Discotortion</i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
tour over, I headed back to Chengdu to re-align with Stolen,
Hiperson, and await the second show booked in China. I cannot
properly state my love for Sichuan. Chengdu is lush, muggy, and slow
paced for a major Chinese city. The vibe is different, and you feel
it daily. Stolen's front-man said last year that “Chengdu makes
you lazy.” After a dozen plates of </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS;"><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">回锅肉</span></span><span style="color: #37404e;">
</span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(twice
cooked pork), I couldn't disagree. The Maples have agreed to come
from neighboring Chongqing to open the show. They're great. Snappy
pop fueled rock and roll. Both Hiperson and Stolen's new material is
excellent. Stolen continue on to sounding more and more like a David
Lynch movie meets the Unsolved Mysteries / X-Files opening theme
songs. I recorded Stolen's Beijing set that summer, Noise Arcade
mixed it, and you should listen to it <a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/bytes/new-music/listen-to-stolen-perform-live-in-beijing-china">HERE</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We
wrecked ourselves the best we could, heavy spirits, heavy hearts.
Three foreign countries, building connections, spreading noise. As
Dann said to me after leaving that morning, with no grand farewell :
“It's never goodbye, but see you later.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>STOLEN</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.theworldunderground.com/">The World Underground </a>is set for a Winter launch. I hope to include live recordings from
Korea and Japan in the audio archive when it all drops. You'll be
able to watch last year's trip to China, and get a sneak peek at
what's to come in 2015. These trips are funded by donation. For
donors, I've been putting together record packs from the local scenes
I visit, to help spread the noise. The point is global connectivity,
spreading good music to good people, and capturing proper moments in
time. Reach out. The next episode's production is planned for
April, and I couldn't be more excited. Much to come.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>OBITS</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Hiperson</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Kang Mao (SUBS)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Yuko Tumino (Harikozue)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>GUIGUISUISUI + Noise Arcade</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Goodbye, System Error.</i></span></div>
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.........................................<a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/features/the-world-underground-tours-china-south-korea-japan">This story is also adapted on IMPOSE. Enjoy!</a></div>
Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-15701073702546075932014-09-08T12:19:00.000-07:002014-09-08T12:29:43.605-07:00Watch : Toupée - Live at Total Fest 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xFmNy6CFvtu9CJVYlHK93LAsqBb53kk0yAQ_l4KT1H0LORxWYgL2B-nuoKGjzVcmrtu-E1UDNN8FfNuAUeTns4csFrZRJ-BF8nBWHRVkGi_b_HDNGxObl6YpAIczugZZt_hREPW8DRW_/s1600/IMG_1766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xFmNy6CFvtu9CJVYlHK93LAsqBb53kk0yAQ_l4KT1H0LORxWYgL2B-nuoKGjzVcmrtu-E1UDNN8FfNuAUeTns4csFrZRJ-BF8nBWHRVkGi_b_HDNGxObl6YpAIczugZZt_hREPW8DRW_/s1600/IMG_1766.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">One of my favorite bands of all time, </span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=113076838782580" href="https://www.facebook.com/ToupeeChicago" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 21.466667175293px; text-decoration: none;">Toupée</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">, finally made the trek from Chicago to Missoula, Montana. Though I had just gotten back from Asia, it was my mission to film a rather stellar video of them. You see, back in 2011, they were the first band I filmed on what was then new gear. It was a song called "Slowski" in a spot called "The Dustbowl", and it still gets like 10 hits a day on my website, which I'm glad for. They deserve it. Figured I'd bring this full circle.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.5454540252686px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"><a href="http://wantagetotalfest.blogspot.com/">Total Fest</a> is a stellar music festival, held yearly, in Missoula Montana. Enjoy.</span></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="324" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/105529706" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="580"></iframe><br />
<br />Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-5503054423295259092014-08-05T08:57:00.001-07:002014-08-05T08:59:46.100-07:00Listen : STOLEN - Live in Beijing, China.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://site.douban.com/stolen/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Stolen</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"> are a young band from Chengdu, China, in the Sichuan province. I caught their act in October 2013 while on tour with </span><a href="http://site.douban.com/pk14/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">P.K.14</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">. It blew me away, so I asked them to play me a set in their rehearsal space. I'd catch them again in Beijing filming for </span><a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/bytes/news/the-world-underground-trailer-video" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">The World Underground</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"> series. Upon my return to film the </span><a href="http://site.douban.com/guiguisuisui/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">GUIGUISUISUI</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"> / </span><a href="http://site.douban.com/noisearcade/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Noise Arcade</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"> tour in East Asia, I screened a rough cut of my film, and booked a 5 band bill to coincide with the night. Stolen trekked 1,000 miles to play for an audience at Yugong Yishan. This is a recording of their set. The first 3 songs are new, and unreleased. The show was July 2014 and included </span><a href="http://site.douban.com/subs/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">SUBS</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">, </span><a href="http://residencea.bandcamp.com/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Residence A</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">, </span><a href="http://site.douban.com/diders/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">DIDERS</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">, and </span><a href="http://site.douban.com/chuiwan/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Chui Wan</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">. Listen below : </span><br />
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<iframe seamless="" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/track=411970746/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 42px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://gonzochicago.bandcamp.com/track/stolen-live-in-beijing">STOLEN - Live in Beijing by Gonzo Chicago</a></iframe><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span>Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-23420439821929365372014-06-10T12:16:00.001-07:002014-06-23T22:35:42.990-07:00Announcing a partnership with Korea's AWEH.TV. Guiguisuisiu Tour Documentary. Beijing sneak peek of THE WORLD UNDERGROUND!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i style="background-color: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: 'Benton Sans', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;">6/23 UPDATE : 70%!!!! Nothing to sneeze at! Thanks everyone! Some have already asked if they can still grab a perk via Paypal. ABSOLUTELY! We want to throw as much dough at these scenes as we can. Paypal : gonzochicagogo@gmail.com or e-mail hotmetaldobermans@gmail.com for other options.</b></i></div>
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<a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/aweh-x-the-world-underground-east-asia-tour-documentary/x/7264818">This is exciting</a>. We've been <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/aweh-x-the-world-underground-east-asia-tour-documentary/x/7264818">invited back</a> to Asia by Korea's <a href="http://aweh.tv/">AWEH</a> to film a tour documentary for the Beijing maniac <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Guiguisuisui">GUIGUISUISUI</a>. Now this is a partnership we can get behind! Naturally, we booked some shows. <b><a href="http://theworldunderground.com/">The World Underground EP1</a></b> will have a sneak peek in Beijing on<b> JULY 10 </b>at <b>Yugong Yishan</b> with ultra-ragers <b>SUBS, Chui Wan, Residence A, and DIDERS</b>. Honored. Poster design by Wang Xu of WHITE+.<br />
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For the tour, we will trek through<b> Japan, South Korea, and N.E. China</b>, for a curated look at these scenes. Perks will be grabbed directly from the bands hands this time. Vinyl, CD's and more from China's <b>GENJING</b>. South Korea's <b>LOOSE UNION</b>. Zines from Guangzhou, Beijing, and much more!!! <b>DO NOT SNOOZE</b> on the record packs! If you <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/aweh-x-the-world-underground-east-asia-tour-documentary/x/7264818">support</a> us, you're supporting DIY culture in Asia, directly.<br />
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The second show will be at<b> <i>Little Bar</i></b> in<b> Chengdu</b> on <b>AUGUST 8</b> w/ <b><i>Hiperson, Stolen, and The Maples (Chongqing).</i></b><br />
<br />
Have a look at the <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/aweh-x-the-world-underground-east-asia-tour-documentary/x/7264818">fundraiser</a> page, and if you can't donate, please consider giving it a share! We plan on a <b>late summer </b>world-wide launch for the project.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>BEIJING : The World Underground : Sneak Peek alert!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;">The World Underground是以美国为基地的John Yingling带来的全新系列作品,记载了地下音乐场</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></wbr><span class="word_break" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;">景。理念是及时捕捉世界独立音乐场景的一个时刻,在线发</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></wbr><span class="word_break" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;">布影片,将所有声音和内容存档作为捐赠,并在世界各地继</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></wbr><span class="word_break" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;">续。这是一次连接世界群体的尝试,这是一个世界声音的档</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></wbr><span class="word_break" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;">案馆,免费向大众开放。Yingling去年花费两个月</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></wbr><span class="word_break" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;">的时间记录了P.K.14的中国巡演,分别在广州、成都</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></wbr><span class="word_break" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;">、北京和武汉站停留。其结果就是编纂了与30多支乐队一</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></wbr><span class="word_break" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;">起穿越亚洲的、多样性独立音乐。影片预计在夏天晚些时候</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></wbr><span class="word_break" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;">发布,但是愚公移山非常荣幸地与SUBS、Chui Wan、A公馆和DIDERS一起,为影片举办这场先睹</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></wbr><span class="word_break" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;">为快的现场表演!</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;">晚8点 //</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></wbr><span class="word_break" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"> 80元(入场包括一个来自Yingling的“trash tape”融合了现场CD和声音记录,来自中国和全球!</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></wbr><span class="word_break" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 14.336000442504883px;">)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Thanks! Full tour schedule is below :<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;">July 10 Beijing - Screening w/ SUBS, Chui Wan, Residence A, Diders</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;">July 12 Beijing with Bedstars and luvplastik</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;">July 13 Changchun with Anqi and JFI</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;">July 15 Sheyang</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;">July 16 Dalian</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;">July 18 Seoul with Les Sales, Yamataga Tweakster, GT Arpe</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;">July 19 Jeonju with tbc</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;">July 20 Seoul with tbc</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;">July 22 Daegu with Colours</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;"><br />July 23 Busan with Genius and say sue me<br />July 25 Fukuoka with tbc<br />July 26 Oita with tbc<br />July 29 Kobe with tbc<br />July 30 Osaka with Go Tsushima<br />July 31 Yokohama<br />Aug 1 Tokyo with Android Beach Party<br />Aug 2 Tokyo with a shit ton of other bands<br />Aug 3 Tokyo with Gravegrinder<br />Aug 5 Osaka w/ OBITS + Tim Midyett<br />Aug 5 Tokyo w/ OBITS + Tim Midyett<br />Aug 8 Chengdu w/ Hiperson + Stolen + The Maples</span><br />
<br />
- JYGonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-81045543572713709922014-05-28T10:40:00.001-07:002014-09-09T00:37:31.747-07:00The World Underground - EP1 : China (Official Trailer) <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="326" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/96538881" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="580"></iframe><br />
<br />
<a href="http://theworldunderground.com/">The World Underground</a> is a new series, thoroughly capturing moments in time in underground scenes around the world. The point is to release the films online, and archive everything captured, for donation. Connect the global community, and keep going, all over the globe.<br />
<br />
Episode 1 finds us in mainland China, stepping outside of the often-covered Beijing, and trekking through Hunan and Sichuan with the seminal P.K.14. Their first tour, and record, in years. Along the way, we stopped at length in Guangzhou, Chengdu, Beijing, and Wuhan. We focused on small, unknown local bands like Hi Person, The Maples, Diders, and Stolen. We also caught all the local favorites like Hedgehog, SUBS, Carsick Cars, A.V. Okubo, Skip Skip Ben Ben, and over two dozen more.<br />
<br />
We hope to grow this series organically. Funded by communities, released for communities, an archive free to all. Eventually I hope to source sound and video crew from these scenes directly. Further connectivity through community involvement. Booking shows, filming practice space sessions along the way. Freezing moments in time when things are changing so rapidly. We're set for a release in Fall 2014, with more news <a href="http://theworldunderground.com/">to come.</a><br />
<br />
Slow internet? Watch on <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=Vj_FYTl6Hlk">Youtube</a>.Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-82428153114811851732014-05-13T19:53:00.000-07:002014-05-13T19:53:12.217-07:00Soon.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGL4mzIoruPpfQ2Y0iiXGZhF4VdBiRiA2zHZLr2FnTEmJPcbtHBZIbik_yTVYS2GIjWhURpXDrpNagRJfUggL5kyZMC013yR9cYCFrfg6nHuUMZA3SdBeZ41To_dvzq_EAQrvwmCXVmw0/s1600/guiguisuisui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGL4mzIoruPpfQ2Y0iiXGZhF4VdBiRiA2zHZLr2FnTEmJPcbtHBZIbik_yTVYS2GIjWhURpXDrpNagRJfUggL5kyZMC013yR9cYCFrfg6nHuUMZA3SdBeZ41To_dvzq_EAQrvwmCXVmw0/s1600/guiguisuisui.jpg" height="400" width="391" /></a></div>
<br />Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-18595654543836980322014-03-24T11:47:00.002-07:002014-03-25T14:25:11.683-07:0036 hours in America with Beijing's Carsick Cars and WHITE+<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZVanYCh3fRty2uWzFRInJse5f2mG6tIElMJFmJeic7uzpClRn9nE1NwqBtcGUqiQZimFrfOgxEtA4Cb3ePtYE5saf1WEtHLwkKfbLSO51K0EJzSYHgi_YYvAlIZNzWAIG5S9Cszot5tm/s1600/0.)+HEADER+-+WHITE++-+guest+house+-+olympia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZVanYCh3fRty2uWzFRInJse5f2mG6tIElMJFmJeic7uzpClRn9nE1NwqBtcGUqiQZimFrfOgxEtA4Cb3ePtYE5saf1WEtHLwkKfbLSO51K0EJzSYHgi_YYvAlIZNzWAIG5S9Cszot5tm/s1600/0.)+HEADER+-+WHITE++-+guest+house+-+olympia.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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If
you ever visit China, be prepared to dive deep into the proper
wormhole that is their music scene. It happened to me, and it
happens to almost everyone. In fact, why not do it right now? Start
with the <a href="http://tenzenmen.bandcamp/">Tenzenmen</a> bandcamp. It's all uphill from there. Hell, since returning from my trip to
kick off <a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/features/exploring-the-china-underground">The World Underground</a>,
I have sent many people down that path, and met many more who are all
equally excited.</div>
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Another
hopeless addict who's managing and helping make this tour happen is
Ricky Maymi of Brian Jonestown Massacre, who by the way are <a href="http://www.brianjonestownmassacre.com/?news=euro-tour-2014">doing a
huge tour</a><a href="http://www.brianjonestownmassacre.com/?news=euro-tour-2014"> soon</a>. When he told me Carsick Cars were coming over, I knew I had
to be there. The kicker for me was that the spectacularly wonderful
Wang Xu of <a href="http://tenzenmen.bandcamp.com/album/the-gar">The Gar</a> was tagging along. This would get their two-piece side project
(WHITE+) added to the tour. It's not every day two Chinese acts get
to make this trek.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
was excited because I had caught <a href="http://tenzenmen.bandcamp.com/album/-">WHITE+</a> on my first day in Beijing. I was lucky enough to speak with Wang Xu
at length days later. He powers away on drums alongside circuit-bent
noise that Carsick Cars leader Zhang Shouwang turns out. It reminded
me of Battles, but was immediately refreshing to me. I decided I had
no choice but to make the relatively short trek from Missoula,
Montana to catch them play three shows in Olympia and Seattle. Their
Olympia show was at a DIY space called the “Guest House”. A
small basement, with a fireplace, and the added greatness of their
60+ year old neighbor plugging her ears while smiling during the
first soundcheck.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMRMiEd-K19H1fH06rXeX7-kZFeU62tgPU2w7WwpEnTgMpQvXMiG4l-YcXXU8A69TDFAIb6SmWa1xmMG_ykQug52BhA-dkQt64XrFF1f482B09PQvV2rokPNwfyNcRItNc37to4-wBZix/s1600/1.)+fruit+juice+-+guest+house+-+olympia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMRMiEd-K19H1fH06rXeX7-kZFeU62tgPU2w7WwpEnTgMpQvXMiG4l-YcXXU8A69TDFAIb6SmWa1xmMG_ykQug52BhA-dkQt64XrFF1f482B09PQvV2rokPNwfyNcRItNc37to4-wBZix/s1600/1.)+fruit+juice+-+guest+house+-+olympia.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HbTauowXyXa8yEalS6luZcFfMy0r3ay2zW856Iu9HmHfzuM6XJF2SJb30OYL2usxaqSj3Lyq3iy5BLmViqXVRRoFLrHjhgjh1xXN_MLJV4KJRLNIytU0_fweZ3D_-l5jhFtin3A3Vutn/s1600/2.)+crowd+-+guest+house+-+olympia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HbTauowXyXa8yEalS6luZcFfMy0r3ay2zW856Iu9HmHfzuM6XJF2SJb30OYL2usxaqSj3Lyq3iy5BLmViqXVRRoFLrHjhgjh1xXN_MLJV4KJRLNIytU0_fweZ3D_-l5jhFtin3A3Vutn/s1600/2.)+crowd+-+guest+house+-+olympia.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Olympia
natives <a href="https://soundcloud.com/fruitjuice-oly">Fruit Juice</a> opened it
up, and swell Minneapolis folks<a href="http://flavorcrystals.bandcamp.com/album/three"> Flavor Crystals</a> are trekking along
with the tour for a bit. It was as great as you could imagine, with
kids generally losing it in the early morning hours. One
particularly excited fellow wrestled someone to the ground, all the
while the friend I drove with somehow slept through Carsick Cars on
the couch in the back. I figured she would woken up considering the
volume level. Impressive! It was my first time in Olympia. Great
people. We hit a few record stores. Wang Xu buys a Wipers cassette
and a Spits record with only light prompting from me. We popped into <a href="http://shop.krecs.com/">K Records</a>, ate Thai food, and were on our
way to Seattle.</div>
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First
up, a loud, fairly lengthy in-store at Spin Cycle! They bust through
new songs and a sped up “You Can Listen, You Can Talk”. Having
seen them twice recently, I began to really admire this third record. Their third line-up. It's solid, and maniacally catchy live. They're still one of the most popular bands in China. Shouwang jumps
off amps and is constantly breaking bones, to pop songs! You can't
deny the energy is still there. Though none of that happened on this
trip, it didn't really have to. People were excited enough. There
was a mosh pit at Chop Suey. A good turnout. People danced for
WHITE+, as they should! It takes a lot of work to sometimes barely
even break even on tours like these. At these shows, everybody was
happy to see them, and it showed in the performances. If you live in
any of the cities below, do yourself a favor and get out there.</div>
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You
can dance your ass off at the final 10 dates in these cities :
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mar
24 - Wunderbar - Edmonton, Canada</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mar
25 - Vangelis Tavern - Saskatoon, Canada</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mar
26 - West End Cultural Centre - Winnipeg, Canada</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mar
27 - Cause - Minneapolis, MN</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mar
28 - The Burlington - Chicago, IL</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mar
30 - izakaya sushi house - Toronto, Canada</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial;">Mar 31 - the APK - London, ON</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial;">Apr 01 D- ivan Orange - Montreal, Quebec</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apr
03 - Baby's All Right - Brooklyn, NY</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial;">Apr 05 - Bowery Ballroom - NYC</span></div>
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Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-4066125452993356022014-02-20T10:59:00.002-08:002014-02-21T01:47:47.368-08:00Update : World Underground : EP 1 : CHINA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(Benben : Skip Skip Ben Ben. Beijing. 2013)</div>
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Howdy folks. Perks for The World Underground EP 1 : CHINA, have mailed!! E-mailed, too. Please check your respective places, and give a shout if you haven't received something you should have. Such an incredible record pack...</div>
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Translation is almost finished. Editing will begin at the end of February! Really hoping to have this launched by the beginning of June at the latest.</div>
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Thanks again for all the support. This is growing. You're going to love it. As always, feel free to reach out @ hotmetaldobermans@gmail.com</div>
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More soon! Be good!</div>
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John Yingling</div>
<br />Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-46573069324149980492013-12-04T18:32:00.001-08:002014-09-09T00:43:15.066-07:00Scenes and noise from the Chinese underground. HELP US RELEASE IT!<h3 style="background-image: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px !important; padding: 0px !important;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1.4399999380111694px; line-height: 30px;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="326" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/80762528" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="580"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/80762528">The World Underground : CHINA</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/gonzochicago">GONZO CHICAGO</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span></span></h3>
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I'll try and keep this short. The World Underground is a global idea, starting with China, Montana, and Chicago. A new web series capturing moments in time from underground music scenes around the world. To be released online, for donation only, free to all if you so choose. I'll release all sound recordings with band permission. Begin an ever-evolving archive of video and sound from across the globe. Put up links to who books shows. Local bands in each city to contact. Local scene supporters. Connect the global community. Build bridges, and keep going, everywhere I can. I have the next 5 in the works.</div>
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3 months ago you sent me to China to kick this series off. Try and grab a moment in time. I'm happy to say I did just that. It went better than expected. With proper polish, it will be excellent. As a mostly inexperienced one man crew, it could not have gone any better. I also learned that this idea is more important than I thought. I filmed 47 bands. Went to 7 cities. Jumped on tour with the most one of the most seminal rock and roll bands in China. I listened to the hope, frustration, and embedded my own excitement.</div>
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What We Need : </h3>
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Wait, didn't you include editing costs in your <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-world-underground-episode-1-china/x/101516" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204) !important;">original fundraiser</a>? Yes. However, I did not expect to go so far over budget. WAY over budget. Thousands of dollars. I am fighting towards being back on my feet, financially. I cannot sit on this footage. Nobody wants to be that guy who gets you stoked and you don't see the result for 2 years.</div>
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Why did we go over budget? You can chalk some of it up to inexperience, and tackling this by myself. The first leap into the deep end is always the hardest. I had never done an international shoot before. I put too much into the perks. Travel costs were more than I thought. My computer stopped working, and I had to fix it in China to be able to keep filming. A hard drive took a flying leap off a table and went into the garbage. Luckily, I brought 2 backup systems. Considering what could have happened, I actually consider this a huge success. </div>
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I learned a lot from round one, in every regard. I will continue to apply this knowledge.</div>
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This film will not come out soon if this fundraiser does not succeed. I don't want to sit on this footage. The footage and sound is amazing, and it deserves proper nurturing. This is something I currently do not have the skills to do by myself. Not to the level this footage deserves. If it succeeds I hope to have the first episode up by MAY of 2014. In the interim, I will finish Missoula, Montana, and prepare it for release. While that happens, I will finish Chicago, and keep going.</div>
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<b>$2,000 : Post production. </b> Nathan Christ of <a href="http://echotonefilm.com/" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204) !important;">Echotone</a> is editing the project. I am excited to have him on board for this series. His editing fee is $200 / day. We expect the editing process to take around 45 days. Nathan is taking this on at a discounted rate because he believes in this project.</div>
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<b>$400 : Animation and Translation. </b>Jenna Caravello of <a href="http://www.dikarya.com/" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204) !important;">Dikarya</a> will be dong some short animations for the film. I have a few translators on board. They are all taking this on well under their normal rate to get this done.</div>
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<b>$500 : Indiegogo and Paypal fees. Perk fulfillment on the record packs. </b></div>
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The Impact</h3>
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Huge, and having dropped into foreign territory and done this, I know it's even more important than I had ever thought. The excitement for this project in China was immense. The excitement criss-crossing between scenes I already know is immense. Connecting people has been my passion <a href="http://hotmetaldobermans.blogspot.com/" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204) !important;">for years now</a>. Building bridges between communities. Introducing new sounds on a global scale. Helping connect touring networks and local bands. Things change so fast, and the "music industry" itself is growing and changing rapidly as we speak. I feel it's important to catalogue these moments in time. Music has no boundary, and no language barrier. </div>
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PERKS! </h3>
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<b>$5</b> : Thank you and shout out on all social media. In the film. On the website, forever.</div>
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<b>$10</b> : A LIVE recording and photo set from the best punk band I saw in China. They're called DIDERS. Young, fierce, and spectacular. They play Deadboys and Jet Boy covers. I saw them three times, and filmed a practice. They made me drink a whole glass of Jaegermeister and then licked my face. Recommended. (files will be e-mailed)</div>
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<b>$30</b> : FIVE LIVE recordings from across China, including HEDGEHOG, DIDERS, Casino Demon. Punk. Noise. Mind-melting rock. A few heart breaking tracks from the amazing <a href="http://skipskipbenben.bandcamp.com/" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204) !important;">Skip Skip Ben Ben</a>. There are some surprises in this one. HIGHLY recommended. I only ask that you keep them your secret, or listen with friends, until the film is out. (files will be e-mailed)</div>
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<b>$50</b> : TAPE AND VINYL RECORD PACK from artists across the globe. ULTIMATELY recommended. I did these last time and people enjoyed them. This run includes even more global. Trust me, you should consider this. </div>
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<b>The labels</b> : </div>
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China's <b><a href="http://maybemars.org/?lang=en" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204) !important;">MAYBE MARS</a> : </b>One of the main engines to China's independent scene, they have released seminal records from almost every Chinese rock band to date. P.K.14, Hedgehog, Skip Skip Ben Ben, Chui Wan. The list is endless. You really need to hear this.</div>
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Australia's <b><a href="http://tenzenmen.com/" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204) !important;">TENZENMEN</a> : </b>A scene supporter after my own heart, Sean Tenzenmen has been helping build bridges between Australia, China, and all over, releasing amazing sounds along the way. From Australia's CRUX and DEAD, to China's CARSICK CARS and BIRDSTRIKING, we're excited to connect with him.</div>
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Chicago's <b><a href="http://www.hbsp-2x.com/" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204) !important;">CAPTCHA RECORDS</a> : </b>Releasing bombastic cuts from the likes of TY SEGALL, RUNNING, and THEE OH SEES, Captcha has been bringing you the good noise for a long time.</div>
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Missoula, Montana's <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Al-Hadid-Records/243513269032130" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204) !important;">AL HADID</a> : </b>Rashid Abdel Ghafur started a label years ago, wanting to chronicle his relationships with SRI LANKA and beyond. He releases noise and black metal tapes and CD's from around the world.</div>
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Chicago / Asia's <b><a href="http://www.garyrecords.com/" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204) !important;">GARY RECORDS</a> : </b>Building bridges between Asia and Chicago, they've helped release international splits with acts from Taiwan, Chicago, China, and beyond. Exciting.</div>
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Records and tapes from individual artists from Missoula, Montana, Chicago, California, and beyond.</div>
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<b>$4,000</b> : Any punk rock philanthropist's out there : Seeing something you think deserves coverage, and have some money to burn? We will shoot an episode of The World Underground in a city of your choosing. All inclusive, anywhere in the world.</div>
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<b>International orders please add $10 to help offset extra shipping.</b></div>
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Other Ways You Can Help</h3>
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Share this project. Tell your friends. If you are reading this from a foreign country where something is happening, e-mail me. I will keep note. Since launching this project I have started conversations with many different countries. I will keep going with this project as long as I am physically able to hold up a camera. I hope to grow it and eventually be able to bring a small crew with me. Being a one-man crew had its shortcomings and benefits, but it would be nice to have a second person, especially when I trek to more dangerous countries.</div>
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This project will take a long time to come out if this fundraiser does not succeed. I do not want to sit on this footage. You don't want me to sit on this footage. I want to put this out, get everything out there, and finish filming Montana and Chicago. Keep going with this. I've never believed in a project more in my entire life. Regardless of the outcome of this, I will not stop. I wrote quite a bit about my travels. You can view more photos and words <a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/features/exploring-the-china-underground" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204) !important;">HERE</a>. Thank you for your continued time and support. It means the world. Let's do this.</div>
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Reach out : hotmetaldobermans at gmail dot com. - JY</div>
Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-2970874889096818472013-11-21T17:14:00.002-08:002013-11-21T17:30:45.547-08:00A journey through China's underground music scene...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well folks, you sent me to China to capture a moment in time in their underground scene, and I'm happy to say that I did just that. I went way over budget, and am currently back in Missoula trying to scrape my life back together, but I'm grinning ear to ear. As a one-man crew that mostly inexperienced, it couldn't have gone better. Thank you. Here's some words and photos to tide you over. I'll have to launch another fundraiser for editing costs, but this thing needs to come out as soon as possible. If we edit it right, it should melt your brain, break your heart, and hopefully blow some minds. A perfect start.</div>
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I was to meet up with the seminal <a href="http://site.douban.com/pk14/">P.K.14</a><span style="font-size: 13.513513565063477px;"> in Zhuhai, China. This was after a short stint in Hong Kong filming the excellent </span><a href="http://noughtsandexes.bandcamp.com/album/noughts-and-exes-2" style="font-size: 13.513513565063477px;">Noughts & Exes</a><span style="font-size: 13.513513565063477px;"> busk in “Times Square”, chatting with a few members of </span><a href="http://hungry-ghosts.bandcamp.com/" style="font-size: 13.513513565063477px;">Hungry Ghosts</a><span style="font-size: 13.513513565063477px;">. I was comfortable enough in Hong Kong, but it's not China, that much was clear. A short ferry ride, and I entered the mainland. Suddenly, nobody knew what I was talking about, but everybody was staring at me. The cameras surely made that worse. I exited the ferry terminal to shouts of “Hello! Taxi!”, and after waiving them off, I found the taxi queue to be gigantic. I started walking. Probably not the best idea, in hindsight, but I had the address to the venue in Chinese. How tough could it be? I showed the characters to a slew of people, all of which waved me off. I started to wonder if the person wrote them down wrong. A younger kid walked by. He looked curiously at the paper, and that's when I found out the “rock guitar” motion goes a long way with the youth of China. His eyes grew wide, he nodded and jumped on his phone, brought up the venue. We had found it. He called them. No answer. It's a 30 minute walk, but he'd take me there. I trusted him. No taxis, he said, as it's business hour. As soon as those words came out, I spotted a woman exiting our car. I ran over and jumped in. He excitedly did the same. “We got taxi!” he yelled gleefully. He told the driver where to go, and rode with me. Refusing to let me pay for the ride, he took my disgustingly heavy roller-bag out, and brought it up to the front door. We high-fived. He refused my offer of getting him into the show, as he had to go eat supper with his family. Besides, he said, he “couldn't drink the beer.” So began a 2 month excursion in mainland China.</span></div>
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<i>Noughts and Exes</i></div>
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My first P.K.14 show was a bit of a religious experience. I had listened to them for a while, but it's a different beast live. Faster, louder, and more energetic. Frontman Yang Haisong commands the stage with no fake attitude, and little calculation. I jumped into the middle of a 31 show stint that stretched as far up at Harbin, and as low as Taiwan. The show was a bit sparsely attended, but two kids bopped around energetically in front of the small stage, windmill dancing to themselves. I was the only foreigner in attendance, but everyone was overly accommodating. It was a ludicrously good first meal in China proper. These meals, I'd find, would be commonplace from here on out. The food in China is immensely varied and spectacular. Don't trust any nerdy food bloggers, just go and dive in. The restaurant also sold mobile for numbers with a few lucky 8's in it for only $25,000! I slept on Haisong's hotel room floor for the first time.</div>
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<i>P.K.14</i></div>
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We headed to Shenzhen. P.K.14 were touring in a van this time around, which they were quick to point out, is very rarely the mode of travel for most bands. Usually, you get back-line, and you load your gear onto the train. Someone has to watch it all while the other members mull around or sleep, so you take shifts. This particular band just so happens to be a Beijing staple who have been around for over a decade, so now they have the ability to not only tour in such a way, but pick their openers, also something most bands don't get to do. I rode with them for the shorter trips. I was a bit apprehensive, as I knew I'd be an odd man out, even with 2 members being well-versed in English. I felt comfortable due to how nice they were. It was a quick trip, and we headed into the jungle-like OCT Loft area. They converted a slew of old warehouses into art spaces, galleries, and performance areas. Tonight's venue, B10, a giant empty room with chairs lining the sides. Some of the nicest venue staff of the whole trip. I watched the soundcheck, and walked around a bit. A younger guy came up to me, and said hello. It took me back a bit to hear perfect English from a stranger after 48 hours of hearing no such thing. His name was Anran. We talked about rock and roll, what it's like in the states. I took him outside and had him talk to the camera. A nice kid, opinionated, excited about the future. He wants to come to America. “I love the weed there, LSD motherfucker, please don't put that in the documentary.” I asked his opinion on the rapid growth and construction, and he seemed a bit miffed. “One day we will have kids, and we will have to tell them about the past, and what if we have nothing to show them?” When I asked what foreigners outside of China, should know about China, his response was one echoed by many through these two months. “Come to China.” Step on the soil. See their position. Walk the streets. Don't trust the media. Everyone has their own version of what China is. In the end I asked if there's anything else he'd like to say. He looks deadpan into the camera. “Dog is tasty. There's nothing wrong to eat dog.” I must have made a face, as he said I disagreed. I said no, maybe I'd try it. “Great place to try it, Guangdong province.” We watched the show, drank beers, and were scolded for smoking inside for the first, and only time in China.</div>
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<i>P.K.14</i></div>
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Guangzhou, round one. I was excited to go here, as Josh Feola had lined me up with a few kids running a collective called Full Label. They put out records, host shows, and generally try to raise up a very small scene of kids. I met Lee Howie and Yuen Song. We bounced around at another P.K.14 show, went out for food. <a href="http://site.douban.com/pairs/">PAIRS </a>from Shanghai were supposed to play in a small club across town the next day, but their flight kept getting delayed. They pushed the show back to start at midnight, and ended up canceling it entirely. It was a shame, as I went ten-fold over budget and had to cut Shanghai out of my itinerary. There's a guy currently in Illinois, Benjamin Fawkes, who e-mailed me before I left. He runs a space in Rock Island, Illinois called <a href="http://www.rozztox.com/">ROZZ-TOX</a>. It also turns out, he runs one in Guangzhou, China. <a href="http://www.loft345gz.com/">Loft 345</a>. A hidden mecca for artists and collaborators. The best way to describe it would be like the hideout in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. You pass a loading dock, down a dark alleyway, and “follow the graffiti” to a tagged door. Up some dicey stairs, more hallways, and you're there. Almost like an upscale bar mixed with a kid from their early twenties' living room in the middle of nowhere, Guangzhou. Surrounding the bar, dozens of rooms, art spaces. It's been open more than a decade. I chat with Wu Wei, an artist and teacher. Having not translated that interview, I still don't know what he said. I'm told it's really good though. I'd return to Guangzhou on the tail end of the trip, but it was a good start.</div>
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<i>P.K.14</i></div>
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Changsha. Hunan province. I was excited to keep rolling. Dig into the food. The weather. The show. I was starting to get addicted to seeing P.K.14 play live, each show seemingly growing intensity in the middle of a 31 date stint. The band had a day off, so I took the ridiculously clean and efficient fast train over to await their arrival the next day. It's difficult to describe the Changsha night market. Picture a main street, your nose and eyes burning as you walk through endless wok fire. Heaps of seafood, stinky tofu, and other good bits on sticks calling your name. Every offshoot alley clogged with the same. Oh, and hundreds of club kids running around, puking on the sidewalks, all the while club music pulsates from afar. Picture this sea of food-filled tables, with a stream of wasted people wading through. However, I saw not a single one even so much as graze a food station. A silent code of respect. One spot in particular caught my eye. Clearly a family affair, the mother furiously ran the wok, the father on grill, and a quiet and reserved daughter in a long dress came up to greet you. She kindly asked what you wanted, and found you a table in the midst of the madness. I sat down, and two girls immediately start peering my way, filling an empty cup with beer. A shrimp order comes, and the girls swap food with me. Not a single word was exchanged. Only smiles and beer. The next day, I headed to the 46 live house.</div>
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I found out the hard way it had changed locations. Upon getting dropped off at it's old address, the hotel it has been replaced with simply said yes, I was at the correct address. I went to a phone store next door, and a nice fellow kept trying to find the address for me. He kept insisting I had incorrect information, but I knew the place existed. After an hour, I finally found a recent article in English about it's relaunch. The name was slightly different before. The guy got excited, told me he could give me detailed directions for a taxi, and started scribbling. I thanked him profusely, now only having about 30 minutes to get to the show. Walking outside, I was met with deadlocked traffic and a slew of full taxis. I started walking with my arm up. Nothing for a good 10 minutes. I kept my cool, convinced it would all work itself out, when an older gentlemen in a hard hat pulled over on a motorbike. He donned a construction helmet, and had fittingly dirty clothes. “No taxi! Where?” I showed him the address. He pointed across the bridge and motioned for me to get on. Fuck it, I thought, and jumped onto the back seat. He pulled over, pointed, and denied my money. This sort of thing happened a lot. I wish I had the balls to pull my video camera out on that ride. Thanks, Changsha.</div>
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<i>P.K.14</i></div>
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Chonqing, the notable NUTS CLUB. That city has an air of craziness about it I couldn't fully grasp only being there one day. The shows were still heating up even though it was the middle of the tour, and I took my first, and last sleeper train to the legendary Chengdu. Brutal, only due to my late sleeping schedule, but otherwise interesting and comfortable, considering. I got one hour of sleep and awoke haggard as hell to be fed fruit by an old man and his wife. I watched them play patty-cake and that game where you slap each others hands for a few hours. Everyone said I'd love it, and I was looking forward to sticking around for a few days. Jef Vrys, who helps run <a href="http://site.douban.com/newnoise/">NEW NOISE</a>, was hosting me. The idea behind said company is similar to Guangzhou's Full Label. Set up shows, help the community grow, any way you can. He had just gotten off a tour with EF, and was sick as a dog. A shame. It was then I hit my first hitch. My computer wouldn't turn on. Needing to dump my camera, I found myself stuck. I hung my head and went to the Apple store, which of course, told me the logic board was fried. 6,000 RMB, they told me. I left immediately, knowing that was their stock solution. They are the used car salesmen of computer repair. The extremely helpful girl at the hostel I stayed in the first night took me to her computer guy, the first trip to a Chinese electronics market. It messed with your senses, these giant highrise buildings, strewn with hundreds of little kiosks. “Hello! Computer!”, everyone yells, as if that would make you suddenly up and purchase one. We get to her guy, and in classic form, the goddamn thing turns on. We laugh, I dump everything I need before turning it off again, and I head to the legendary Little Bar.</div>
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<i>Yang Haisong and his lovely wife.</i></div>
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It's been a venue for 15 years, the longest standing venue in the region. No easy feat for anywhere in the world, let alone China. After soundcheck, I ate with the band and the opener, two gigantic pots of deep red Hunanese greatness. Meat, veggies, the ever present lotus root. The flavors were outstanding. I watched silently as Haisong chatted with this young, local opener, they sat puppy-eyed with their chins in their hands, eating up every word. I'll never know what was said. Jumping back into the venue before the show, I try to load up my computer for the final checks, and no dice. It's dead again. Visibly frustrated, the only other person in the balcony area comes up to me and asks me what's wrong. I explain the ordeal, and he tells me not to worry, he's got me covered. He must have paid a bunch, as he and his girl, along with Haisong's wife and I, were the only ones up there. I head over to his table, and we share an entire bottle of Bailey's on ice. The girl wanted it, he said. It was then I discover the absolutely excellent Hi Person. They have no online presence, but you'll be introduced soon enough through the film. I was floored by simple poppy rock music. They remind me of Chicago's Tyler Jon Tyler, an old favorite. Catchy as hell, serious hooks, female fronted excellence. Simple, but I knew I'd be humming those for days. As we chat, I'm still worrying about my computer. I have to be, as it's the only way I can comfortably keep filming without losing my mind. I have 2 backup systems for good measure, but no way to get anything on them without serious headaches. Bailey's guy, he reminds me we're about to watch P.K.14's first Chengdu show in years, takes my number, and tells me he'll take care of it with me in the morning. Drink up, he says, we cheers, and the band rips the place apart.</div>
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<i>Guangzhou.</i></div>
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In the morning, I get a phone call. “Where are you?” I give him the address. I go outside, and he's in a black Audi. I get in, and he takes me to yet another shit-show electronics market. Only this time, we go through a side door, to a back-room where 5 kids are pulling apart computers, soldering wires with maniacal speed. I film nothing. I give the computer to who I'm told, and the guy takes it apart in 14 seconds and starts testing wires. “You need this chip”, he points. 710 RMB. I agree, and he says it will be ready in the morning. While listening to Chinese death metal, I talk about the city with this random angel, who proceeds to bring me to Proximity Butterfly's practice space, almost clipping a pedestrian in the process. That guy has some good vibes coming his way. I filmed two other local bands rehearse. The excellent <a href="https://soundcloud.com/basihen/stolen-mad-man-club">STOLEN</a>, another young band, really surprised me. I'd meet with them again later in Beijing. I was so taken with Hi Person, I had them play another set for me in their practice space. They led me to a watery island near a park for their interview. I can't wait to show you this band. They have nothing recorded yet. This was Chengdu. The taxis seemingly drove 20 miles per hour. You cross the street normally. It felt like every other Chinese city I'd been in, slowed to 50%. Sijiang from Hi Person says there's a saying. “When you're young, don't come to Chengdu. When you're old, don't leave Chengdu.”</div>
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<i>Hi Person</i></div>
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I bid farewell to P.K.14 until we'd meet again weeks later, and was off to Beijing for one month. This had me giddy. A chance to stay put for a while and really sink my teeth in. Josh Feola helps push the scene forward. He runs <a href="http://pangbianr.com/">Pangbianr</a>, a news outlet, championing what's good in the city. He also helped found Sinotronics, books shows, plays improv noise, and runs events at a space called “The Other Place”, tucked away in the Beijing Hutong alleyways. He was a catalyst to this whole thing happening. Josh threw the contact out to Nevin of Maybe Mars, who made tagging along on the P.K.14 tour possible. Those two threw every contact I wanted at me, and I ran with all of them by myself. I'm grateful for that. So, I went to work.</div>
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<i>Stolen</i></div>
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The very first night, I went and got my mind blown by WHITE+ and Residence A, two Beijing staples. The next night, an intense chat with Helen Feng and a performance by the excellent <a href="http://novaheart.bandcamp.com/">Nova Heart</a>. Beijing is where I really dug into everything. What had people excited? What's happening now, five years after the Olympics and the hey-day of the seminal D-22. Where would everything go from here? Every band I contacted to do something said yes. Almost every show I saw was great. New, young blood like the snarling punk rock of DIDERS, to established vets like Carsick Cars and Bedstars. The surf-inspired hooks of The Dyne. One of Beijing's indisputable best, <a href="http://hedgehogrock.com/">Hedgehog</a>, played one show this year, and I missed it by mere days. Recording a new record while I was in town, they invited me to join them. I was grateful, but I had to see this band play in their natural element. I pushed for a practice space session, and they agreed. I met frontman Zo, and we headed down to an underground parking garage to their space. I heard familiar noise. “Oh, Carsick Cars are practicing too, want to go in?” Too perfect. I caught a few songs, thanked them, and went next door. Hedgehog's new material is slower than past endeavors. The 3 foot tall powerhouse drummer Atom, who can barely hold the sticks, cooing out harmonies. She sings a few by herself, too. It's excellent. I filmed and recorded it as well as I could. I've been listening to it for weeks now. This record, though a departure from the fast rock of their old records, should be something great. Free from their commitment to Beijing's Modern Sky record label, they're releasing this one on their own. Be stoked.</div>
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<i>Nova Heart</i></div>
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I finally met back up with Yang Haisong, in his practice space and studio near Tongzhou. Haisong now records and produces bands in Psychic Kong Studios. He also co-runs a label called “Share The Obstacles” with a small, fiery drummer named Za Za. She loves Shellac, and all the good American underground shit. They have another band called After Argument. I went to talk, and to film the practice. After Argument is Haisong on guitar and vocals, and Za Za busts out some of the fiercest drumming I've seen in quite a while. After having a tough time getting that man to say more than a few sentences on camera the whole tour, we talked for nearly two hours that night. I'd catch After Argument on my next stop, Wuhan, and when I returned to Guangzhou, the perfect continuity making me laugh after so long of everything working out so perfectly. Though minimal, the music rips. You'll love it. I witnessed one more P.K.14 show at YugongYishan in Beijing. Beforehand, I walked with drummer Jonathon, listening to a story about how their sound guy ate a whole lamb's head in the week before. Jonathon had some great stories you'll hear in the film, and was completely kind and generous the whole time. They all were. They didn't have to be, but they were. Glad to have made such wonderful new allies across the globe.</div>
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<i>DIDERS (our favorite)</i></div>
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So, what about China itself? What's happening? Well, I don't want this thing to be 30 pages, and I'm also aware that my view on the whole thing is skewed. I'm not a local. I don't live there. One thing that surprised me, was hearing stories about the government. The mafia in China? The police. They do as they please, and if you don't like it, well, things will be quite difficult for you. The police can wander into your bar, and close it down because they're tired and “want to go home”. Sonic Youth had to do a switcheroo with Carsick Cars, stating they were the “local band” to even be able to play. They can cancel your show or festival entirely at any point, including while it's happening, and you have no recourse but to nod and gulp it down. They can, and do, walk in and demand money, at which point you have to give it to them. I realize this isn't a new concept. The venue in Wuhan said they no longer have shows for expats on Christmas because the government would cap it at 100 capacity, saying they want to go home. It's not worth the trouble, they said. One night, walking back toward where I was staying in the hutongs, my host was telling me about this arcade near Ghost Street, a shitty, overpriced eating area where you go to show off to clients and girlfriends. He was excited for it to open, saw its progress, but it never came to fruition. As we walked by, we noticed the doors open, and a purple light on. It was about midnight. We went down to see what we could. We saw dozens of arcade machines, all unplugged and scattered around a main room. Two tables of guys all glared at us. We cartoon-walked the fuck out of there. That's no arcade, and it never will be. What were they doing? The rent is surely astronomical. People with something to hide don't take up a gigantic space next to one of the busiest areas of Beijing.</div>
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<i>Atom (Hedgehog)</i></div>
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That said, I'm happy to say that there's an air of optimism amongst the endless cranes, construction, shitty air, and endless noise. The youth of China is rebuilding a culture of their own. They're exicted about the future. It's easier to get a VISA out. Stick to the “normal topics of sex, drugs, and rock n' roll” and you'll have little issue getting your records out. Expats help fuel the scene. Nevin Domer started a new vinyl only label called <a href="http://genjingrecords.com/">Genjing</a>. DIY culture barely exists, and it'll be a while before it catches on like anywhere else, but this is what most hope will be the new wave. “Come to China.” I heard it over and over again. One of my final questions to everyone was, “what do you think foreign people outside of China, should know about China.” Almost every answer was the same. You need to come to China and see. Step into the soil. Don't trust me media. Everyone has their own version of China, and it's probably not what you think. “Rock and Roll saved us”, said Zo of Hedgehog.</div>
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<i>SUBS</i></div>
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Off to Wuhan, I caught After Argument in a natural setting, and met up with Wu Wei of the legendary punk band SMZB. They've been together 17 years. Wuhan is gnarly. Endless construction and dirt, killer food, and VOX livehouse, which is nestled in a downtown area indistinguishable to any of the others. I got smashed with locals in the nearby Wuhan Prison bar, filmed local weirdos AV Okubo in an art-riddled parking garage on Halloween. When I went back to Guangzhou, After Argument were even more potent. I had so much fun, and nothing to do the next day, so I jumped a train with them back to Shenzhen's B10 for one more show. They remembered everything about my first visit. As I said, some of the best staff of any venue I went to. I said a final goodbye, honored to work with Haisong for so long, grateful for what I'd done, and sad to see them go.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtThE6xnbjlEYIzIZ9ErcmBOfNonqw9NFV3HHf4u-RdzaRBkUqMWJ3RTVhtGIMb9c1lHOmv5praj7N-g55fOt7VNXM_5TCwjYJ0-lm-sORwK3rlUI10q0t6LblHJkV8awYkM0C2_le8SK/s1600/16+-+Wang+Xu+(White+).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtThE6xnbjlEYIzIZ9ErcmBOfNonqw9NFV3HHf4u-RdzaRBkUqMWJ3RTVhtGIMb9c1lHOmv5praj7N-g55fOt7VNXM_5TCwjYJ0-lm-sORwK3rlUI10q0t6LblHJkV8awYkM0C2_le8SK/s320/16+-+Wang+Xu+(White+).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Wang Xu (White+)</i></div>
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I filmed a total of 47 bands in 7 cities on the whole trip. Took up the first 4 pages of a re-launched Jingweir zine. Spent an awful amount of time hammered at the excellent School Bar. Caught a few of the legendary “Zoomin' Night's”. As a one man crew with little proper training, it couldn't have gone any better than it did. Being surprised over and over again never got old. Beijing has a lot going for it. Other scenes, some being microcosms, pushing forward in every way they can. Women are ruling China. Acts like Hi Person, Wild At Heart, Skip Skip Ben Ben, Girl Kill Girls, SUBS. You'll be introduced to them all soon enough. Ah...<a href="http://www.purevolume.com/subsbeijing">SUBS</a>, a local favorite. In China, when you buy a shitty phone number, you get all sorts of spam phone calls and texts. One morning, I awoke to my phone buzzing. I just so happened to pick this one up just to see what it was like, and it was Kang, their frontwoman, inviting me to their practice. Good timing and a little luck ruled this trip. They also have a new sound, and it's as excellent as anything they've ever done. It used to be, D-22 was packed every show, now shows are spread throughout a dozen or so venues. The scene is growing. People hope some new bands come to light that do their own thing.</div>
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<i>AV Okubo</i></div>
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With a scene that's mostly optimistic, anything is possible, and it'll be interesting to watch what happens from here. I'm endlessly glad to have gotten a chance to grab a moment in time. That's what this was all about. Could a one-man crew dive into foreign territory and capture this, and do it well? I'm happy to report that the answer is yes. Sure, there are some misses due to the limitations, but it went as well as it possibly could, and way better than I expected it do. If we edit this right, it's going to melt your brain. A few times, I found myself a bit overwhelmed and blown away at all that had been done, genuinely curious as to why it had all gone so smoothly. A couple people took me aside and told me this went so well because of the way I went about it. My demeanor. It was then that I knew I was on the right track. It was a whirlwind trip with enough staying put to get a good sense of what was real. Enough time to capture the moment I was looking for. You're going to love this. Stay tuned.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgE6XEJ2K_c-RA3RW5opjUydk1Q_W3c9v0AdZAJGUY2DSgmHpZ7RJlPZSkyNDZhi0kimGYGgg2ZQHBH35YZYDyCDwzYjF1ghznzyp2j1871vPTH2IfRwXSdTkFmqQXK6RYnQihM3GCGPsG/s1600/18+-+Speak+Chinese+or+Die.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgE6XEJ2K_c-RA3RW5opjUydk1Q_W3c9v0AdZAJGUY2DSgmHpZ7RJlPZSkyNDZhi0kimGYGgg2ZQHBH35YZYDyCDwzYjF1ghznzyp2j1871vPTH2IfRwXSdTkFmqQXK6RYnQihM3GCGPsG/s320/18+-+Speak+Chinese+or+Die.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Speak Chinese or Die</i></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.theworldunderground.com/">The World Underground</a> is a global idea. China was entirely funded by communities that have supported what I do in the past. The goal is to capture moments in time in underground communities around the world, make hour long documentaries, release them on <a href="http://theworldunderground.com/">The World Underground</a></i><i> for a suggested donation online. Pay what you want. Release all the sound files, free to all. Compile it on a website, with contact information for each band, label, and scene supporters. Begin an ever-growing archive of sound from around the world, and open up the global network. Open up more communication between the world's communities. Underground music has a smaller network than you might think. It's a work in progress, and I'm not going to stop. Hopefully donations will further this, to visit other countries, but after the release of China, I'll push harder. Apply for grants. Bother everyone, and do anything I can do further this. I went so dreadfully over budget, I'll have to run another fundraiser for editing costs to wrap this thing up quickly. Already being in debt, there is no other way to keep this rolling than what I'm doing. The footage looks fantastic. It sounds great. Sure, there were some misses due to lack of experience and being a one-man crew, but it's going to be spectacular. I am confident in this. Some truly heart-wrenching, hilarious, and eye opening moments. It needs a polish, and it needs to come out as soon as possible. I'm hoping for a 5 month turnaround time. Missoula, Montana and Chicago, Illinois are almost done filming, and will be the next two. If I have my way, future episodes will be filmed around the world. If you want to donate to this project, you can send a Paypal donation to <a href="mailto:gonzochicagogo@gmail.com" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">gonzochicagogo@gmail.com</a>, or <a href="mailto:otmetaldobermans@gmail.com">contact me</a> for a mailing address or further options.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3u0JL26DSpv4YRYJZOJsmm5pr8WiRn0UVa5_0w0FuWRNaISzbjg4mp04Uq7zsNOlgUe5r2FpymVoPtfT52xB21NXGlXmGJsW_QUgTxkV0vWmwORYt14RmHXvOcJl3X3INVORb2FPUx9nJ/s1600/19+-+Wu+Wei+-+SMZB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3u0JL26DSpv4YRYJZOJsmm5pr8WiRn0UVa5_0w0FuWRNaISzbjg4mp04Uq7zsNOlgUe5r2FpymVoPtfT52xB21NXGlXmGJsW_QUgTxkV0vWmwORYt14RmHXvOcJl3X3INVORb2FPUx9nJ/s320/19+-+Wu+Wei+-+SMZB.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Wu Wei (SMZB)</i></div>
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<i>After Argument</i></div>
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Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-56118595900778809472013-09-05T03:30:00.002-07:002013-09-05T04:54:53.897-07:00An update on THE WORLD UNDERGROUND : CHINA.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At this very moment, I'm sitting in Spokane International Airport, way too goddamn early. I'm not taking any chances with anything. It's 3:15 A.M. After 2 layovers, and a 14 hour flight, I will land in Hong Kong, thanks to the donors who supported <b>The World Underground.</b> I gotta say, that wasn't an easy thing to launch. I must have hovered my finger over that button for a good two hours. Thanks for confirming that it was indeed a good idea.</div>
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Your support brings us to China, where we'll meet up with <a href="http://pangbianr.com/">Josh Feola</a>, the legendary <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P.K._14">P.K.14</a>, and much, much more. China, from the north to the south, is on board. We'll be hitting many regions, speaking with many different people. It begins now. Follow the social media. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheWorldUnderground">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/wrldundrgrnd">Twitter</a>, and the like. We'll try to update it as much as we can. Hoping once every few days at the very least.</div>
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I really wanted to get up some live recordings of Total Fest, Bob Log III video from Farmageddon Fest, but planning this whole damn thing by myself has proven to be quite consuming. Be stoked on those things, and much more to come in the very near future. </div>
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We'll be gone for two months. Aside from the shows Josh Feola books, and the ones I catch naturally, a few bands have agreed to play a set in their practice space, and we hope that works out. The Dyne, HEDGEHOG, Noughts and Exes. We're excited. It's coming together. It will all shift and change, surely, but the base is there. Here we go. Here's out rough schedule if you want to follow along : </div>
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9/6 - 9/9 : Hong Kong.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><i>Following PK14 on tour : </i></span></div>
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9/10 - Zhuhai</div>
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9/11 - Shenzen</div>
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9/12 - 9/16 Guangzhou</div>
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9/16 - Changsha</div>
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9/18 - Chongqing</div>
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9/19 - 9/25 Chengdu</div>
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9-25 - 10-26 - Beijing</div>
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10-27 - 11/4 - Shanghai </div>
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11/6 - 11/11 - back to Guangzhou.<br />
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Thank you for the support, now, and in the past. It means the world (no pun intended). </div>
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<br />Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-63336872414432790232013-06-14T12:10:00.002-07:002013-08-26T23:19:34.369-07:00Announcing THE WORLD UNDERGROUND : A new series of films highlighting underground scenes of the world.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="326" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/68291466" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="580"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/68291466">The World Underground - Episode 1 : CHINA</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/gonzochicago">GONZO CHICAGO</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<strong>WE DID IT! THANK YOU doesn't really do it justice. </strong></h3>
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<strong><br /></strong></div>
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<span class="notranslate" style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
<span data-mce-bogus="true">People are asking if they can still donate. OF COURSE! Paypal : <a href="mailto:gonzochicagogo@gmail.com">gonzochicagogo@gmail.com</a>. </span><br />
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<span data-mce-bogus="true"><br /></span></div>
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<span data-mce-bogus="true">If you want to donate in another way, just send us an e-mail, and we'll accomodate you.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
The support was insane. It happened, because of you. You all stepped up HARD. What's next? All the perks will ship out in August. I leave in early September, and will be circling the country for 2 months, with a long stint in Beijing. I might just be dropping into the middle of China, and foll<span class="text_exposed_show">owing a band on tour. I really hope it happens. I will return, finish Missoula, and Chicago, get them out as soon as we can in 2014, and keep going. You made a total pipe-dream become a reality. Follow the social media. Things are still coming together. Thank you. </span></div>
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<span class="notranslate">
A short summary :</span></h3>
<span class="notranslate"><a href="http://theworldunderground.com/" rel="nofollow" title="The World Underground.">The World Underground.</a>
A new series documenting hour long moments in time of the ever-changing
underground scenes around the world. An ever-evolving, community
driven video history. The first 3 episodes to focus on China, Montana,
and Chicago, IL. The bands, labels, people, and what's happening now.
Future locations to be announced. To be edited by <a href="http://echotonefilm.com/" rel="nofollow">Echotone</a> director Nathan Christ, with animation by <a href="http://www.dikarya.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Jenna Caravello">Jenna Caravello</a>.</span><br />
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You really need the full story :</span></h3>
<span class="notranslate">How do you sum up a decade in a few paragraphs? After spending years
enveloped in the Green Bay punk rock scene, I moved to Chicago in
2007. I started filming all of these phenomenal bands blowing away 50
kids in dirty warehouses or dark basements. Paper Mice. Lechuguillas.
Tiger Hatchery. I did this for years on a mediocre point-and-shoot. I
wanted to try and capture how good this all <em>really </em>was. I started a website called <a href="http://hotmetaldobermans.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Gonzo Chicago">Gonzo Chicago</a>.
It originally included just one sentence. What this turned into, I
didn't expect. The community took hold of it. After some push from
people I trusted in Chicago, I hesitantly ran a crowdsourced fundraiser
on this very site for new gear. I didn't think it would work. It was
successful, and I raised $3,600 in 30 days, kept going, harder than
ever. What I captured was a tightly knit group of kids doing things
exactly the way they wanted to. Uncompromising, they released tapes,
vinyl, toured through the traditional means. Chicago was exploding with
great things when I left. <a href="http://hotmetaldobermans.blogspot.com/2011/12/watch-toupee-slowski.html" rel="nofollow" title="Toupee">Toupee</a>, Heavy Times (RIP), <a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/bytes/stream-running-iasshole-savanti" rel="nofollow" title="RUNNING">RUNNING</a>, <a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/bytes/premiere-mayor-daley-15-silver-arrows-and-plastic-light" rel="nofollow" title="Mayor Daley">Mayor Daley.</a> I've kept a keen eye on it. The ever-changing landscape of this is a main reason I do what I do.</span><br />
<span class="notranslate"><img alt="" height="197" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/bb456ed36722ea27608d5ee2f6152841/tumblr_mo3b93aUbi1r3z5bdo1_1280.jpg" style="max-width: 580px;" width="519" /></span><br />
<div title="Adult Swim">
<span class="notranslate"><br /></span>
<span class="notranslate">Things are changing. Independent bands are
playing stadiums, have songs in car commercials, winning artist of the
year Grammy awards. Ultra-famous comedians are self-releasing their own
DVD's. Even the <em>good</em> bands are releasing music via <a href="http://www.spin.com/articles/adult-swim-garage-compilation-thee-oh-sees-devil-again/" rel="nofollow" title="Adult Swim">Adult Swim</a>.
The wide swathe of the internet has made music and information
immediately accessible. Never before has music been so easy to find.
Police are pretending to be punk rock kids to bust house shows. Many
bands prefer the anonimity of underground shows, preferring to make a
handful of kids go wild in a basement than to have a half filled room of
people arms folded. These shows will continue, because they have to. I
realize this is not a new concept, both what's happening, and me
documenting it. Many documentaries have and will continue to be done.</span></div>
<span class="notranslate">Gonzo Chicago grew, I started writing more, for both myself, and other sites like <a href="http://www.brooklynvegan.com/chicago/2012/08/divine_fits_bar.html" rel="nofollow" title="Brooklyn Vegan">Brooklyn Vegan</a>, and NYC's <a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/bytes/gonzo-chicago-a-videographers-videographer" rel="nofollow" title="Impose Magazine">Impose Magazine</a>.</span><br />
<span class="notranslate"><img alt="" height="198" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/40a9eb6994724e10079ec9a3eb77ad99/tumblr_mo5xrg9QGF1r3z5bdo1_1280.jpg" style="max-width: 580px;" width="518" /></span><br />
<span class="notranslate">Missoula took me by surprise when I moved here last September. As
much heart as Chicago, on a smaller scale. Different tape and record
labels. Different locals, and a different stream of touring bands. But
the ideals are the same. Do good work, treat people well, support the
community. I moved here as 2 seemingly legendary spaces, The Lab, and
The BSMT, had recently closed. <a href="http://zoocityapparel.bigcartel.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Zoo City Apparel">Zoo City Apparel </a>was just heating up as I strolled into town, hosting White Mystery, <a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/bytes/video-thee-oh-sees-in-missoula" rel="nofollow" title="Thee Oh Sees">Thee Oh Sees</a>. It has since closed. Ever since, the <a href="http://www.vfwpost209.org/" rel="nofollow" title="Ole Beck VFW">Ole Beck VFW</a>, which was already doing a great job, was left to pick up the slack. Bands like <a href="http://themagpies.bandcamp.com/album/pretty-big-time" rel="nofollow" title="Magpies">Magpies</a> and <a href="http://kingelephantband.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow" title="King Elephant">King Elephant</a> are blowing me away consistently. Recently we re-launched the "BSMT" into what is now Missoula's only option for <a href="http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/GreenRoom/archives/2013/04/19/support-all-ages-shows-at-the-zacc-on-sunday" rel="nofollow" title="all-ages shows">all-ages shows</a>. I am honored to be this deeply involved with these communities.</span><br />
<span class="notranslate">As it all grew, scene reports came in from around the world. People
letting me know what I knew existed. This is happening everywhere.
Michale Coleman wrote me from Missouri and said he started <a href="http://thezombiegeneration.wordpress.com/category/the-hairhole/" rel="nofollow" title="filming diy shows">filming DIY shows</a>
because of what he'd seen. China, Montana, all over Europe, Japan,
Australia. Boise. Myanmar. China came on my radar after I interviewed
Handsome Furs, fresh off a <a href="http://hotmetaldobermans.blogspot.com/2011/01/interview-in-4d-handsome-furs-talk-new.html" rel="nofollow" title="a long tour in the PRC">long tour in the PRC</a>.
For over a year, I wondered how I could get there. I dug around,
eventually cleared my throat and e-mailed Josh Feola of China's <a href="http://pangbianr.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Pangbianr">Pangbianr</a>.
He agreed to book shows in Beijing, and line me up with other regions
such as Guangzhou. For as massive as China and its underlying music
scene is, it's understandably pocketed, yet growing rapidly. It's
constantly evolving, and I think grabbing this moment, any moment, is
important.</span><br />
<span class="notranslate">I will spend September and October in the PRC, filming shows both
naturally, and ones we set up, different regions, interviewing labels
and bands. China being the first episode, Missoula and Chicago are well
on their way to being finished. I will finish filming those by my own
means upon my return. I hope to release all three episodes in 2014, and
continue on. </span><br />
<span class="notranslate">I can no longer deny or downplay the potency of what I do. I only move forward when communities <a href="http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/GreenRoom/archives/2013/03/07/gonzo-chicago-focuses-lens-on-missoula-music-scene" rel="nofollow" title="deliver">deliver</a> an <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/best-music-scene-documentarian/BestOf?oid=6710852" rel="nofollow" title="undeniable push.">undeniable push</a>.
After Nathan Christ jumped on board to edit, and Josh Feola agreed to
book shows in Beijing, I received funding a new camera free and clear. I
know that this is the right path. This is extremely important to me,
and many others, so I hope you'll join me.</span></div>
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<h3>
<span class="notranslate">
What We Need</span></h3>
<span class="notranslate"><em>What are you going to use my $6,000 for?</em></span><br />
<span class="notranslate">Indiegogo's take-away estimate : $5,600</span><br />
<span class="notranslate">Travel will take a good bite out of this. Between plane, train, VISA, and other assistance : $1,600</span><br />
<span class="notranslate">Post processing, video and sound editing. Translation support.
Supporting the communities I'll be attending shows in for 2 months. I'm
honored to have Nathan Christ editing this project. I have
commissioned the wondrous <a href="http://www.dikarya.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Jenna Caravello">Jenna Caravello</a> to do animation. $2,000.</span><br />
<span class="notranslate">Partial expenses. This would be considered a no-budget documentary
by proper standards. With an upgraded camera, I believe even with
limited resources, I can still tell a good story. However, while I can
live and eat cheaply in China for 2 months, this is only covering a
partial amount of the full cost. Hard drives. Sound. The costs are
immense. Already being in debt, I must defray some of the costs of
this. $1,500.</span><br />
<span class="notranslate">Perk fulfillment and printing costs : $500</span><br />
<span class="notranslate">I'm not a huge fan of Paypal, outside of the extra fees they take.
It's on as an option, but if you'd like to send me payment in a
different method, feel free to contact me.</span><br />
<span class="notranslate">I doubt everyone will be into this idea. Will I have fun doing
this? Absolutely. This is not a vacation, and I take what I do
seriously. After working 60 hours a week to stay afloat, I realize I am
simply unable to fund this myself, and it must be done.</span><br />
<h3>
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Local goods you get for donating!</span></h3>
<span class="notranslate"><strong>Vintage hand-scribed smarmy postcards</strong> from Montana.</span><br />
<span class="notranslate"><strong>Delicious</strong> local tea from <a href="http://www.montanatea.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Montana Tea and Spice Trading">Montana Tea and Spice Trading</a> coupled with honey from the amazing Arlee Apiaries.</span><br />
<span class="notranslate"><img alt="" height="228" src="http://www.liquidplanet.com/estore/images_product/d_750.jpg?x=1" style="max-width: 580px;" width="228" /></span><br />
<span class="notranslate"><strong>DVD copies</strong> of the spectacular Austin documentary <a href="http://www.echotonefilm.com/" rel="nofollow">ECHOTONE</a> :</span><br />
<span class="notranslate"><img alt="" height="324" src="http://pictures.cdconnection.com/covers/1641459.jpg" style="max-width: 580px;" width="230" /></span><br />
<span class="notranslate">A hand-picked <strong>tape and record collection</strong> from some of the best labels in Chicago and Montana : <a href="http://www.lakeparadiserecords.com/index.html" rel="nofollow" title="Lake Paradise">TEEN RIVER</a>, <a href="http://www.caffeinatedrecordings.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Caffeinated Recordings">Caffeinated Recordings</a>, <a href="http://www.lillernetapes.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Lillerne Tapes">Lillerne Tapes</a>, <a href="http://www.solidmelts.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Solid Melts">Solid Melts</a>, <a href="http://www.moniker-records.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Moniker Records">Moniker Records</a>, Missoula's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Al-Hadid-Records/243513269032130" rel="nofollow" title="AL HADID">AL HADID</a>, and more...</span><br />
<span class="notranslate"><img alt="" height="278" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/e76c9927ea0b82360bf3d0da8094ab3d/tumblr_mo5xi6gsTw1r3z5bdo1_500.jpg" style="max-width: 580px;" width="419" /></span><br />
<span class="notranslate">Designer <strong>t-shirts</strong> from Josh Scholl's <a href="http://www.theskimmilk.com/" rel="nofollow" title="SKIM MILK">SKIM MILK</a> :</span><br />
<span class="notranslate"><img alt="" height="328" src="http://static1.refinery29.com/bin/entry/868/280x/272011/scholl-thumb.jpg" style="max-width: 580px;" width="274" /></span><br />
<span class="notranslate">Beautiful <strong>art prints</strong>. Your choice on if you'd like landscape, or live music.</span><br />
<span class="notranslate"><img alt="" height="276" src="http://i41.tinypic.com/iwhw7c.jpg" style="max-width: 580px;" width="417" /></span><br />
<span class="notranslate">...and more. All donors will be thanked on the website. That list should be intense to look back on as we go along.</span></div>
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<h3>
The Impact</h3>
The impact? In a perfect world, the global community will get involved
in this, and in 10 years, maybe I will have 50 episodes done that we
can all look back on. All those closed spaces, broken up bands. From
an archival standpoint, it's already there. Terabytes from Chicago.
Montana. Boise. I can no longer deny the potency of what I do. I only
move forward when communities push me forward. Since the beginning,
it has all grown ten-fold. After receiving an e-mail from someone
telling me I was the cause of them having "the best shared musical
experiences of their lives", I knew I must continue, and grow this.
That's exactly what I'm after. The point was always, and will remain to
get what I think is good to people who may not have found it
otherwise. </div>
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<div>
I understand not everyone will be into this. I'd like to think
been entrusted to do what I do for a reason. My number one concern is
uncompromising discretion and tact, as I take these communities as
seriously as you do.</div>
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</div>
<div>
This is not to shine a light on a dark corner of what's happening.
Those who come for the spectacle of it all never stick around. This is
not an authoratative stance on the matter, quite the opposite. What
you see is what you get, what's happening now, and I guarantee you it'll
be something exciting. I'm extremely excited at what's been filmed
even before the recent camera got funded. You'll love it. </div>
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I hope you'll join me in this. All I can picture is Matthew Lillard in "Hackers" right now. I can't do it without you. </div>
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Thank you for your time.</div>
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<div>
<a href="http://theworldunderground.com/" rel="nofollow" title="http://theworldunderground.com">http://theworldunderground.com</a></div>
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</section>Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-26309242392271415042013-05-29T12:43:00.002-07:002013-05-29T12:45:04.469-07:00Listen to Acid Mothers Temple play a surprise set in Missoula, Montana.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2xTFMxWcNCA-QSl-MwsAOqlDRekJ4-p_hucZTWE-QbKxXYUfxP3tNrzpNqWhYgh78o108sCc-e35M-RKssmI7PPSbjQrGtyfcF0tcMFbEGY3D3DZXrrL_HGGqXD-JDnJDk1gTFwfV7G4/s1600/acid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2xTFMxWcNCA-QSl-MwsAOqlDRekJ4-p_hucZTWE-QbKxXYUfxP3tNrzpNqWhYgh78o108sCc-e35M-RKssmI7PPSbjQrGtyfcF0tcMFbEGY3D3DZXrrL_HGGqXD-JDnJDk1gTFwfV7G4/s400/acid.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Spontaneity still exists, and sometimes <a href="http://acidmothers.com/">Acid Mothers Temple</a> play a
random show at the <a href="http://www.vfwpost209.org/">Ole Beck VFW</a> in Missoula, Montana. They jumped onto
an already great bill of <a href="http://stacian.bandcamp.com/%E2%80%8E">Stacian</a>, <a href="http://samanthaglass.bandcamp.com/">Samantha Glass</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tacosantorum">J. Sherri</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SkinFlowers">Skin Flowers</a>.
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=455829271/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=c51511/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://gonzochicago.bandcamp.com/album/acid-mothers-temple-live-at-ole-beck-vfw">Acid Mothers Temple - Live at Ole Beck VFW by Gonzo Chicago</a></iframe><br />Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-46091777312070440552013-05-24T10:34:00.000-07:002013-05-24T10:35:45.061-07:00Watch the first annual Chicago Sonic Coalition.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="327" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/66616612?title=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="582"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/66616612">Chicago Sonic Coalition : 2012</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/gonzochicago">GONZO CHICAGO</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
It wasn't my idea. Friends in Milwaukee have hosted multiple versions
of their "All Messed Up". They told me to "contact the scribes" from
Cleveland's "Lottery League". The idea seemed simple enough : Rally
together a shitload of local musicians, throw a party and put all of
their names in a hat. Draw random bands. Further rules vary by province.
No trading members. Play a cover. If you drew a bunch of drummers,
well, you'll have to deal with that. You are in no way obligated to play
the instrument you normally play.<br />
<br />
In the end, nearly 100 said they were in. A few weeks later, we had
72 names to draw. 17 bands were formed. I knew they weren't all going to
make it. Life happens. Bands crumbled, understandably. Some painful
dropouts, like Dave Reminick from Paper Mice and Kevin from Mannequin
Men. Kyle from Cacaw. Al Scorch was drawn with Magic Ian, and sadly, it
didn't happen. I expected this.<br />
<br />
Those who wrote music were invited to play a multistage show at my
favorite basement in the city. 9 bands performed. The energy and vibe in
the room was something I haven't seen in a long time, and something I
have not seen since. It brought the community together. Though
logistically a mess, it ran extremely smooth. Some of the footage is so
shitty because I was running around trying to make sure everything was
taken care of, all the while being fed shots of whiskey.<br />
<br />
The spectacular Whitney Allen made one of my favorite flyers in
existence. Knowing all of these musicians and what they've done, I had
an idea of what they may be capable of, and the challenges faced in
doing this project. It's what got me so excited. Would it be a disaster?
Surely, it could have been, but I'm happy to report it <a href="http://www.windycityrock.net/2012/06/recap-chicago-sonic-coalition-at.html">wasn't</a>. The high point, for me, was watching Bill Satek (Mines), John Carroll
(Paper Mice), and Andrew Martinec (Bad Drugs). They were called "Alien
Shit", and are 2nd to last in this video. There were many who could and
did pull off something different. However, this....it sounded exactly
how I'd hoped it would sound. Bill laughed after they were done and
yelled "It's our first show!" You wouldn't have known.<br />
<br />
The whole night was a testament to the burgeoning Chicago
underground scene. The talent and people. Treasure Town couldn't host
it, which saddened me. How could we cram so many people, so much gear,
into a basement? I reached out to my favorite place, and begged them to
take it on. They agreed, and it actually made the damn thing even
better. An upstairs and downstairs stage. At the height of it all, I'd
turn my camera off. Looking around seeing everyone in the room packed
together, smiling. It was one of the best nights I can remember.
Missoula just hosted one, and shared the exact same experience. You can
do it, too, and you should.Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-53475712890329387912013-04-10T14:15:00.000-07:002013-04-10T15:06:34.493-07:00Tonight : Our first show in Missoula. White Mystery, Magpies, and more...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MUuJvktkhXWYkFORi61cAeFRJ-HnQZFC0OmiCH3SPRnlntAHAVoYHgJSGvt4B5AtktFyJ689FAfB-JTLivhLwz7IFSoWTgspSMcC4NRn46pwpAnUGZ4kcNKmxj_zMdrdePig7k5TrnhX/s1600/wmflyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MUuJvktkhXWYkFORi61cAeFRJ-HnQZFC0OmiCH3SPRnlntAHAVoYHgJSGvt4B5AtktFyJ689FAfB-JTLivhLwz7IFSoWTgspSMcC4NRn46pwpAnUGZ4kcNKmxj_zMdrdePig7k5TrnhX/s640/wmflyer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Tonight in Missoula, Montana, we begin what will hopefully end up being a decently lengthy series of shows. Chicago's <a href="http://missoulian.com/entertainment/music/sister-brother-duo-are-white-mystery/article_723391c8-9dfb-11e2-8f95-001a4bcf887a.html">White Mystery</a>, Organs from NYC, and Missoula's excellent <a href="http://themagpies.bandcamp.com/album/pretty-big-time">Magpies</a>, <a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/tv/filmed-treefort-music-festival--why-2013-is-boises-year">BOYS</a>. Thanks to Hana Mt. for the flyer!<br />
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April also will see us hosting two shows by another Chicago favorite, <a href="http://thefuns.bandcamp.com/album/s-t-2013">THE FUNS</a>. Info below. With the closing of Zoo City Apparel, and the options for all-ages dwindling, we're honored to help the Z.A.C.C. "bsmt" take off <a href="http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/missoula/the-rise-and-fall-of-indie-venues-in-2012/Content?oid=1700077">once again</a>, and to host 3 all-ages shows. The others will be hosted at our favorite, seemingly unstoppable bar, the VFW post 209. If you watched the Treefort video below, it's true, the folks at the VFW209 in Montana <i>have </i>made a spectacular resurgence effort, and are killing it! If you're around, or have friends in the area, let 'em know! <br />
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April 21st @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/355271831256887/">THE Z.A.C.C. "BSMT</a>"! :<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/355271831256887/">THE FUNS, CRIMINAL CODE, KING ELEPHANT, NEEDLECRAFT</a><br />
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April 22nd @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/354801461307131/?ref=14">Ole Beck VFW!</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/354801461307131/?ref=14">THE FUNS, BAD NAKED, I HATE YOUR GIRLFRIEND, BUDDY JACKSON</a><br />
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If you're around, hope to see you there. All the best.Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-75763298683832583912013-04-08T12:51:00.001-07:002013-04-08T20:48:12.030-07:00A 37 minute case for Treefort Music Festival 2013.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="326" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/63402344" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="580"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/63402344">Treefort Music Festival 2013</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/gonzochicago">GONZO CHICAGO</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>. </div>
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I knew nothing about Boise, Idaho. When Missoula based BOYS told me I could tag along to their show at the second annual <a href="http://treefortmusicfest.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Treefort Music Festival</a>, I happily agreed. <a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/bytes/gonzo-chicago">Impose Magazine</a> jumped on board. What I didn't remember was that I was heading to the very same festival that caught my eye, through that <a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/bytes/i-went-to-treefort-music-festival-and-all-i-got-was-this-hometown-pride" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">very site</a>, in 2012. One comment to that article is that more people got off their asses to go to shows in Boise after this festival. I can only see that happening again after this particular weekend. To say it was one of the best festivals I have been to lately is an understatement. Over 200 bands, a dozen venues. Boise, Idaho became a haven for any type of music you could ever want to see. The small venues sealed the deal. It's not a new concept, however, I can assure you that the energy felt here was thicker than what I've felt in a while. It reminded me of the most potent warehouse shows in Chicago. The large main stage, notorious energy killers, even had the vibe of Chicago's smaller street fests like <a href="http://www.do-divisionstreetfest.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Do-Division</a>. Sure, what we saw in Boise exists many places, but there was a rabid passion for a shared musical experience that made all the difference.</div>
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We stayed in a house that has DIY shows. Boise's Ditch Tiger calls it home. A living room and a strong ethic to make things happen in exactly the way you want. The right way. The comfortable way. The fun way. Treefort Music Festival engulfed Boise entirely. The El Korah Shriners palace, from what I understand, had never hosted a rock show. Over the weekend, they had some of the best. Built to Spill, Quasi, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Foxygen. The shriners held down the door and shilled spectacular $5 trucker hats. I bought one.</div>
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It was a golden opportunity to see a slew of bands I'd never heard of. For it's second year, it all went extremely smooth. They lost a main act with the cancellation of Animal Collective. The lineup shifted. In four days of wrecking myself running from venue to venue, only one band started late. Lines moved as quickly as they could. The security was nice. The staff was overly accommodating, and I didn't hear one remotely negative thing the whole weekend, despite brisk temperatures for the main stage. You have to give it to Eric Gilbert and crew for having the guts to put on a festival with a large main stage in March. It could have been a disaster, but it wasn't. The whole thing is a testament to Boise, Idaho, really. A collective of people who want to do it right. Embedding myself in Missoula, Montana for a year, I'm seeing sides of the country I never would have before. Not just tour runoff from Portland and Seattle, but whole new communities that could and do exist everywhere.</div>
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Many bands I talked to were having the time of their life. Deathfix, in particular, seemed really happy hanging out with everybody. Talking freely to many of past endeavors of Fugazi, Medications, and Faraquet. I have a bit of video I should have put in here. I could have edited it for months, but I just want you to see this.</div>
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I could talk all day about the acts, how much fun everyone had, the love shown for playing to a crowd that's really excited to be in the moment. As always, I'd rather show you. I think this video captures the spirit of it all. Bands, this festival should be in your thoughts when booking your spring 2014 tours. If the second year was this good, it's surely something to keep on your radar for years to come.</div>
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'Cast' in order of appearance:<br />
<a href="http://www.dandeacon.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Dan Deacon</a><br />
<a href="http://thoseboys.bandcamp.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">BOYS</a><br />
<a href="http://thewalkmen.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">The Walkmen</a><br />
<a href="http://mt-st-helens-vietnam-band.bandcamp.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thethermals.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">The Thermals</a><br />
<a href="http://whitelung.tumblr.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">White Lung</a><br />
<a href="http://www.theequasi.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Quasi</a><br />
<a href="http://teamyacht.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">YACHT</a><br />
<a href="http://theterrorpigeondancerevolt.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt!</a><br />
<a href="http://thedeepseadiver.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Deep Sea Diver</a><br />
<a href="http://www.fatpossum.com/artists/youth-lagoon" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Youth Lagoon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.emptyrecords.com/empty/bands/band_detail.asp?intbandid=131" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Digital Leather</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sharonjonesandthedapkings.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings</a><br />
<a href="http://www.builttospill.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Built To Spill</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jagjaguwar.com/artist.php?name=foxygen" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Foxygen</a><br />
<a href="http://unknownmortalorchestra.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Unknown Mortal Orchestra</a><br />
<a href="http://japanther.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Japanther</a><br />
<a href="http://www.finnriggins.com/band/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Finn Riggins</a><br />
<a href="http://littleruckus.bandcamp.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Little Ruckus</a><br />
<a href="http://teens.bandcamp.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">TEENS</a><br />
<a href="http://www.campervanbeethoven.com/fr_home.cfm" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Camper Van Beethoven</a><br />
<a href="http://naomipunkmusicgroup.com/" style="color: #b81d1d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Naomi Punk</a><br />
w/ Ditch Tiger, The Pharmacy</div>
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Thanks :<br />
BOYS<br />
Eric Gilbert<br />
Matt Dalley<br />
Neil Fridd<br />
Emily Kempf<br />
Treefort Staff (and their 300 volunteers)<br />
Impose<br />
Ditch<br />
Dan Deacon<br />
Albert Schatz<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58802801@N06/8633836258/" title="janet weiss - portrait by gonzo chicago, on Flickr"><img alt="janet weiss - portrait" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8633836258_749aa5c4e7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58802801@N06/8632730245/" title="walkmen - portrait by gonzo chicago, on Flickr"><img alt="walkmen - portrait" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8632730245_3ce53e1cda.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58802801@N06/8632730927/" title="doug martsch - portrait by gonzo chicago, on Flickr"><img alt="doug martsch - portrait" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8632730927_57a003eb72.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58802801@N06/8632731819/" title="dan deacon - portrait by gonzo chicago, on Flickr"><img alt="dan deacon - portrait" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8632731819_0541b60dc5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58802801@N06/8633840930/" title="deathfix - portrait by gonzo chicago, on Flickr"><img alt="deathfix - portrait" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8633840930_2b80fa1aa4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58802801@N06/8632753925/" title="TEENS3 by gonzo chicago, on Flickr"><img alt="TEENS3" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8632753925_955cf049d9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-48574650923922012322013-04-04T14:16:00.002-07:002013-04-06T13:04:13.482-07:00Rest in peace, Roger Ebert.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24.024023056030273px;">May you be dancing on the red carpet above. June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013</span>Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-23924845750877800152013-03-19T12:31:00.000-07:002013-03-20T00:14:59.050-07:00Watch : TAR reunite at the 2012 PRF BBQ.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="326" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/62141336" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="580"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/62141336">TAR - PRF BBQ 2012</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/gonzochicago">GONZO CHICAGO</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ah, the <a href="http://www.prfbbq.com/">PRF BBQ</a>. Doing things the right way can be a bit more difficult, but it's always worth the effort. This group of people, they live by that rule. This year's rendition of the fabled festival brought a <a href="http://www.prfbbq.com/gonzo-chicago-prfbbq2012-3247">mess of good things</a> to a warehouse in Ravenswood. Kegs of really good beer for donation. Donated sausages from Hot Doug's. More bands than your<a href="http://hotmetaldobermans.blogspot.com/2012/07/watch-instrument-at-2012-prf-bbq.html"> legs would allow</a> you to stand and watch. All of the proceeds went to charity. People flew in from all over the place, and for good reason. This was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tar_(band)">TAR</a>'s first show in 17 years. These are the first few songs.</span></span>Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-36961503975647168992013-02-18T08:45:00.001-08:002013-03-07T15:25:31.664-08:00A Night in Missoula : 3 live recordings.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58802801@N06/8484505380/" title="plurals by gonzo chicago, on Flickr"><img alt="plurals" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8228/8484505380_c16f8b70b3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Plurals</span><br />
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Three live recordings from a November night at the Ole Beck VFW Hall. Lansing, Michigan's <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/theplurals">The Plurals</a>, <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/ihateyourgirlfriend">I Hate Your Girlfriend</a>, and a new song by <a href="http://themagpies.bandcamp.com/album/pretty-big-time">Magpies</a>.<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/track=1276095792/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=f41d1a/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://gonzochicago.bandcamp.com/track/a-night-in-missoula-3-song-mix">A Night In Missoula - 3 song mix by Gonzo Chicago</a></iframe><br />
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Turning a VFW hall into a music space is <a href="http://hotmetaldobermans.blogspot.com/2012/03/watch-magic-milk-laying-waste-to.html">not a new idea.</a> However, when this particular VFW is helping to fill a void in all-ages venues, it's all the more important. The fabled "BSMT" and "The Lab" having <a href="http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/missoula/the-rise-and-fall-of-indie-venues-in-2012/Content?oid=1700077">closed within the last year</a>, Missoula kids did what any healthy music scene does : they kept going, found new spaces, kept booking shows. However, the cycle continues, and the all-ages crowd got another blow this week.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58802801@N06/8484497834/" title="zoo by gonzo chicago, on Flickr"><img alt="zoo" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8484497834_29a58b4011_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://zoocityapparel.bigcartel.com/about-us">Zoo City Apparel</a>, a space that just hosted <a href="http://www.imposemagazine.com/bytes/video-thee-oh-sees-in-missoula">Thee Oh Sees</a> and White Mystery, sadly announced a few days ago they will be ceasing all-ages shows. ZCA is a clothing collective churning out the awesome <a href="http://zoocityapparel.bigcartel.com/products">"406"</a> (check the White Mystery poster) line of clothing, which will remain in production with the help of another company who just purchased their clothing line. The racks were put away, a fresh stage built. A short-lived, wholly DIY minded space that could have existed anywhere, holding donation, BYOB shows. It's a monumental effort to keep an all ages space like this going, and they deserve to be applauded for selflessly making it happen in the first place. Having seen quite a few shows there, including one last night, we're sad to see it go.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58802801@N06/8484461766/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="sioux by gonzo chicago, on Flickr"><img alt="sioux" height="426" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8484461766_fafd25f016_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sioux City Pete and the Beggars</span><br />
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Thankfully, the Ole Beck can and does host all-ages shows, and instead of slowing down, seem to be going full bore since we arrived in September. I can only imagine this will grow exponentially with ZCA's closing. They've done what many before them have, but also turned it into one of Missoula's most enjoyable places to see music. It works, due to the people involved. Endlessly hospitable. The "most forgiving bartenders" as labeled by Kate Whittle. Classically, the bands serve your drinks. The shows, on average, $2-5. The acts? Great locals mixed with stellar touring bands like The Plurals, <a href="http://siouxcitypeteandthebeggars1.bandcamp.com/">Sioux City Pete and the Beggars</a>, and close neighbors <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/samplatts">Sam Platts & the Kootenai Three</a>. We just booked White Mystery April 10th, with a show by The Funs to follow. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58802801@N06/8483368931/" title="IMG_3361 by gonzo chicago, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3361" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8094/8483368931_2aba24f446_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">BOYS</span><br />
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Missoula's scene is impressive for its size. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.994556427001953px;">The ability to seek out noise, yet be able to drive 10 minutes to obscenely gorgeous scenery, has twisted my brain. Shortly after moving here, one of our favorite locals, Magpies, took us on a short trek to Helena. On Friday, we head back, this time alongside I Hate Your Girlfriend, old-school Missoula band VTO as well as Magpies. Helena's independent scene basically consists of one venue. Jester's Missoula bands make the trek more often than you'd think, the last time being just months ago. Touring acts coming through are a stream of locals from a whole other area. Different from what we're used to, it's great to watch. I can only imagine how things will heat up as this mild winter comes to an end. Missoula bands like King Elephant, Skin Flowers, Buddy Jackson, BOYS, and Shahs keep us heading out.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">So much more to come from both sides of the country. Stay tuned.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58802801@N06/8486567522/" title="IMG_2436 by gonzo chicago, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2436" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8486567522_db4d000189_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small;">Sam Platts & the Kootenai Three</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58802801@N06/8483369361/" title="IMG_2799 by gonzo chicago, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2799" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8483369361_75d6559bd7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">King Elephant</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58802801@N06/8485476779/" title="IMG_2286 by gonzo chicago, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2286" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8371/8485476779_556a69a864_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447493217177396506.post-85953545350735092662013-01-15T10:23:00.000-08:002013-01-19T00:44:21.347-08:00Listen : Bomb Banks - Beauty is the Beast<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58802801@N06/8383176942/" title="bomb by gonzo chicago, on Flickr"><img alt="bomb" height="423" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8352/8383176942_48990a2fcb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.jennacaravello.com/">Jenna Caravello</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">When you go to shows obsessively, seek out noise, you watch a lot of bands grow. You get to enjoy when a familiar potent live moment comes to those uninitiated. The energy and volume making people physically react, even if they don't want to. For well over </span><a href="http://hotmetaldobermans.blogspot.com/2012/01/watch-bomb-banks-at-dustbowl.html" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">the last year</a><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, a band called </span><a href="http://bombbanks.com/" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">Bomb Banks</a><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> has been terrorizing Chicago's cramped basements and unique all-ages spaces. More than once making everyone uncomfortable, making them yell and scream back, impatiently shift, or start a circle pit. However, there's no schtick here. Just energy.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Together, a consistently entertaining three piece that's constantly evolving after dozens of shows, yet you could probably count the times they've played a "normal venue" on one hand. They'd like to play your all ages show, please</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not People is out now on cassette via </span></em><a href="http://lovelionmusic.blogspot.com/"><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love Lion</span></em></a><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">. If you're in Chicago on Wednesday, RSVP to their </span></em><a href="http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3309864"><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Empty Bottle</span></em></a><em><span style="font-family: inherit;"> show for free entrance and spend that money supporting a great local tape label.</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="100" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/track=1770381971/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=000000/" style="display: block; height: 100px; position: relative; width: 400px;" width="400"><a href="http://gonzochicago.bandcamp.com/track/bomb-banks-beauty-is-the-beast">Bomb Banks - Beauty is the Beast by Gonzo Chicago</a></iframe></span><br />
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Gonzo Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14135159187542696017noreply@blogger.com0