This weekend is all about hero worship. Miserable Faith are the kind of metal band that causes diehard fans to get their name and logo tatooed across their bodies; Joyside's Bian Yuan sexy swagger is enough to make you weak at the knees; while Shanghai's own folk heroes Dan Shapiro of The Rogue Transmission and Pu Pu of The Mushrooms will also be in action building their own cult followings. Last weekend may have been a quiet one, but the next few days are anything but.
Live Music This Weekend: Joyside, The Mushrooms and RandomK(e)
Five Questions For: Rogue Transmission (gone acoustic!)
Known in Shanghai for their "rock you like a hurricane" style, Rogue Transmission (listen to them here) has promised everybody something completely different for their set tonight at Anar. That's right... they're stripping their songs of the electric, twiddling with their rhythms and keeping it cool for a one night only psychdubacousticwhat? set: an Evening with Rogue Transmission.
Live Music This Weekend: Fucked Up, AK47, and Tian Pin Dian
It was only a matter of time. Yes, the traditional Midi Shanghai is on, off, on again, moved, all nonsense, season has started in earnest. Not only that, but it seems to be enjoying something of a vintage year. If all the claims and counter-claims are getting on your nerves, then we suggest you hit some of these shows this weekend and get Fucked Up*. We promise these shows aren't rumours. Honest.
Photos: Casino Demon, the Rogue Transmission and Fire Balloon Live! at Yuyintang
Friday night Casino Demon and The Fire Balloon (both from Beijing) played with local band the Rogue Transmission at Yuyintang. The Fire Balloon started it off with some garage rock and popping tunes with a Beijing slant. The always-fun-to-watch Rogue Transmission put on a good set and kept the crowd moving, but Casino Demon was the real gem of the night, playing a hazy, energetic set. Recalling early punk like Richard Hell and the Voidoids and the Ramones (whom they covered with a surprisingly decent rendition of the "KKK Took My Baby Away"), Casino Demon has a refreshingly organic sound in the land of DJs and Techno Beats. Crunchy guitars, good ol' rock and roll drumming and some slurred singing. Sounds perfect to us.

