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Their 2 albums (to date) are sub-par. Their songs are not very original, with unintelligible lyrics. Yet, they are one of the few, must see, melt your face good, bands in China. They are the Subs.
The Subs are a breed of bands that isn't meant to be listened to with your tiny, perfectly aerodynamic ipod. No, that would be stupid. To truly experience their music you need to catch their live performance in a bar, preferably standing front and center in the eye of the inevitable mosh that breaks out as soon as the first guitar chord is hit. Long before their debut LP "Life", released in 2004, the Subs have been a touring band. Tearing up bars from Yangshuo to Xian and every venue in between. In 2005 they were invited to Europe for their first overseas tour, which was followed by a more extensive 30 date European tour in 2006.
Despite the pure, angry energy released on crowds during their live sets, the Subs are very reserved individuals off stage. Always smiling, never confrontational. In person you might mistake them for a (make me puke) pop rock band. It is only after digging deep into their musical influences and scanning the vinyl stickers on their guitar cases that you realize this isn't just a follow-the-trend punk band. Unfortunately for their many fans, in 2007 the Subs have been forced to lighten up on the touring due to guitarist Wuhao's fight with chronic illness.
Let's hope these Subs are not decommissioned anytime soon (sorry, had to say it, Shanghaiist loves cheesy puns).
- Upcoming Shows -
Aug 24th - Gubao Bar - Nanjing
Aug 25th - 4live Bar - Shanghai
Sept. 1st - Mao Live - Beijing
- Band webpage -
www.myspace.com/subsband
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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?
Guest has obviously not listened to the SUBS.
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?
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
Heh. OK thanks bye.
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.
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!
@Guest3
Is that you mom?
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...
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.