Subs, the band that is never docked for too long

I think Mr. Abe is not a good music writer. Always he writes about not popular bands. Why not write about good bands like Avril Lavigne, Blacked Eyed Peas or even Xu Wei. These bands are popular so their music is very artistic and original. Also have good song lyrics! You know most people read Shanghaiist are older foreigners and white collar Chinese. We like sophisticated music, not loud garabage. Like sheep who always stay together and eat the same grass because it tastes better than other grass. We want more articles like I always see in all the other magazines about famous, good music. Shanghaiist shouldn't try to be so different, get rid of Mr. Abe.

Every time someone makes a remotely critical comment on a "local" rock band, the defense starts calling these critics a bunch of disco poseurs that hang at Bar Rouge, etc etc etc.

Yawn.

Actually, I disagree with guest#1 -- I think the Subs are really a fun live act, and I'm not even into the whole mosh thing myself.

However, it's about time we give these Chinese bands the respect they deserve -- by not patronizing them blindly.

I too have been guilty of this, saying things like "well they're pretty cool for China" and considering the obstacles most of these bands are up against, it's fair enough. But it's time to raise the bar. Get over the Oi! punk and Guns n Roses and Nirvana homages, please. That's sooo Beijing 1995...

@Guest3

Is that you mom?

Haha...if you don't feel the posts are honest..well..then just don't read them. Go to the Subs show, if there is less than 300 people there, thrashing around in a crazy mosh, then fine...call me a liar.

Or better yet, send us your recommendations on local bands to see and why.

The simple fact of the matter is that at the moment there are few live venues in Shanghai for live music. Once Yuyintang opens again, you will hear me rave about bands playing there.

If you want to see more coverage on meat market dance clubs or lao wai watering holes featuring filipino coverbands then send me your reviews...I personally won't waste my time doing the write up.

For the vibrant Jazz/Blues scene in Shanghai I would love to do more coverage...just send me the info on what you all think is worth checking out, and why!

I'd rather get an honest description than someone trying to help out the local scene by raving about essentially every single band that shows up at 4Live.

It's immediately evident.

Heh. OK thanks bye.

interesting lyircs are for beatniks,

the best live show I've ever seen was Pantera 'in 97 simply because they made their burnout roadie snort a full red-dixie cup of whiskey up his nose. I think it gave him brain damage. They used a dolly to roll the poor loser off stage. I've never laughed as hard since.

What I think Mad-dog (the aforementioned roadie) was trying to say is that the subbs music probably does suck but their shows could still be fun

Micah Sittig: I have, and it was unpleasant. You're obviously not familiar with an interesting live music scene! Or perhaps it's blind support for all things local, which is a nice sentiment but not an honest stance. It's not like a subtle thing that they suck. It's immediately evident.

Anyone interested should have a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1xh0IDrqQ4 . I'd love to have somebody honestly try to claim that's anything but loud, angry, and tuneless- whereas it takes strength to be gentle and kind...tra la la...where are the bands with an occasional melody or interesting lyric?

Guest has obviously not listened to the SUBS.

If Shanghai had more pop rock bands instead of loud angry and tuneless punk-metal bands it might actually be fun. C'mon, metal has been a dead genre for 20 years plus, and even back then it was shit. Why give it a free ride just because it's in China?