Posts Tagged X is Y
Wuhan Petram Urbem
Posted by gunsella in Uncategorized on June 27th, 2011
The Wuhan express rolled in at 4 in the afternoon and the bands went straight to sound check while the rest of the entourage went on a beer check. Beer? Check.
The evening kicked off with an ‘acoustic’ set by math-rockers, X is Y. With their drummer unable to make it, they used a Casiotone for the beats, expertly played by regular bassist, Yajing, who also handled acoustic percussion duties like a pro. Their set was powerful despite the absence of a live drummer as G sweated through some very emotional quadratic equations and binomials put to song.
They were followed by The Dudettes in one of their last appearances ever. We relived some of the good old days on stage as I joined them for a couple of Dudette staples, I am, You Are and Move Move Text Text. The ladies even prepared a song for the local audience – Woohan, Woohoohan (referencing a 5, 6, 7, 8′s song). Don’t forget about The Dudettes Festival next weekend at Yuyintang – it’s your last ever opportunity to see them perform live. It also provides an opportunity to drink cheap Japanese beer in a park with live music going all day.
Next up was Stegosaurus? who put in a very strong performance, full of their usual humour and melodiousness. Their set included old favourites such as Qingwen and High and Low as well as a few upcoming tunes including the Shanghianese Nong Naozi.
Their set was followed by a typical brilliant set by The Rainbow Danger Club. I have nothing to add about this awesome band.
The real winner of the night was Moon Tyrant. They brought it. Great show, guys.
Well done to VJ Tina Spangles and DJ BO for keeping the room entertained all evening with visuals and antics respectively. Wuhan rocks. Ity.
Vox Populi* ^
Posted by gunsella in Uncategorized on June 24th, 2011
Hold on to your hats, Wuhan – Shanghai is coming to you.
It’s a traveling circus featuring The Dudettes, Rainbow Danger Club, Moon Tyrant, Stegosaurus, and X is Y as well as the awesome and erudite DJBO and the fabulous Tina Sprarkles on the visuals. It starts tomorrow night and it ends in the wee small hours of Sunday.
There’s a pretty cool write-up of it at Shanghai 24/7. I don’t really have much to add, except that I’m going in order to document everything for posterity, and also to play a few tunes with Moon Tyrant and The Dudettes.
To make this post seem a little heavier on the content, here are some pics from last week’s ritual slaughter at the LOgO re-opening.
The next morning
* Google translate does Latin. Mirabilis
^ Loving the footnotes
Free Rock and Pairs’s Manifesto
Posted by gunsella in Uncategorized on February 24th, 2011
Too good to pass up, this Saturday night sees all your favourite local/laowai bands playing for FREE at Live Bar. Amongst the bill is Pairs, whose 7″ vinyl was flung my way late last week. I am so stoked. Speaking of Pairs, they would like to debunk any mysticism associated with being in a band and making music. To that end they have published an open invitation for YOU, the members of the public to attend their rehearsals, soundchecks and even to join them on stage. You can read it in English and Chinese here.
In other Luwanrock news, there’s a veritable buzz of excitement around the studio as both the Moon Tyrant and the Rainbow Danger Club albums near completion. I’m looking forward to some CD launches in the coming weeks. \m/ \m/
Rock Word-Scramble
Posted by gunsella in Uncategorized on December 9th, 2010
I’d like it on my desk by Monday morning, please.
Another Saturday night, another night of rock at Yuyintang
Posted by gunsella in Uncategorized on November 25th, 2010
Moon Tyrant are my latest clients – I began working with them on their new album a few weeks ago. This was meant to be their record launch but I’m glad it’s not. I am looking forward to seeing them as I haven’t yet had the pleasure, despite becoming quite intimate with their tunes. It’s a kind of classic-rock/metal hybrid with a few nice melodic highlights and groovy bass lines in amongst the growly vocals and sharp riffs provided by Murray the Tasmanian. I believe they’ll be on last on Saturday night, after the pleasant metal stylings of Fearless. Also appearing is X is Y and a band that just doesn’t get mentioned enough on Luwanrock - Friend or Foe. They have a new line of stickers out that you should get your hands on. Happy Turkey Day.
Rocktober II
Posted by gunsella in Uncategorized on October 25th, 2010
It’s been a pretty solid month already, with The Vasco Era and Fever Machine and Friends at Yuyintang, as well as a free Jagermeifter show at Mao last Friday featuring Triple Smash, Pairs and Friend or Foe. Friend or Foe’s outfits have been getting increasingly erratic of late. I just don’t know where they can go from here. Photo courtesy of Fish Zhao.
The awesome continues this week with another two gigs at Yuyintang and a real “Last Shout” at LOgO. First up we have American troubadour and multi-instrumentalist, Daniel Hart, at Yuyintang this Thursday 28th. He has a quirky, left-field kinda sound that you’d expect from someone who lists The Polyphonic Spree and St. Vincent as acts to which he offers sonic contributions. In describing his music, I could use Of Montreal as a starting point, and throw in some Sufjan Stevens for good measure. I’m not sure what kind of show he is bringing with him but I am sure it will be enjoyable. If you want to hear some of his music you can check his myspace and douban. 40 RMB.
On Saturday 30th it’s the one you’ve all been waiting for. As a Halloween celebration four of our favourite bands are getting dressed up and presenting tribute sets by acts with some historical significance for rock music.
Pairs as Wham!, X is Y (plus members of Moon Tyrant and Rainbow Danger Club) as Joy Division, Boys Climbing Ropes as The Misfits and The Fever Machine (plus me) as KISS. No, no, it just doesn’t get any better. And if that wasn’t enough for you, after that there’s a Toshi-sponsored Trash-a-Gogo on at LOgO featuring The Dudettes along with Friend or Foe, and Japanese trash-garage-surf-rock 3-piece, The Paralyz (they will also be on at Yuyintang on the 29th). Though LOgO is officially closing on the 31st, I have strong feeling that this show will be the last blow-out for LOgO.
We’ll miss you. So many good times. So many lost nights.
The Vasco Era @ Yuyintang
Posted by gunsella in Uncategorized on October 7th, 2010
Last night Australia’s The Vasco Era stunned audiences at Yuyintang with their powerful three-piece trashabilly. Frontman, Sid O’Neil, has a captivating voice and stage presence, and he broke the classic Yuyintang mid-song silence with some actual back-and-forth banter. Mostly with Zack.
We can see Sid using a resonator guitar here, this one apparently made by Fender. These guitars have a more metallic tone and sound great both clean and really distorted. He told me afterwards that he plays this guitar because he can’t play with a pick and he doesn’t feel comfortable on an electric guitar. Whilst a standard acoustic guitar feels more natural for him than an electric guitar, these are also prone to feedback issues. Hence the resonator guitar – it feels like an acoustic, sounds dirtier and doesn’t have wild feedback at high gain settings.
These guitars are typically associated with slide guitar and often have a higher action (distance between the strings and the fretboard) than most guitars. Last night Sid used the classic bottle slide to get the room rocking. It looks like Budweiser.
If you want to hear some of their tunes you can check out their Douban page. You can read the blog of their China tour here, along with some interviews from some of the other bands on the Sino Australia Music Exchange, an initiative that is kind of like exchange students but for rock bands. PK14 and Carsick Cars will be heading to Australia soon too.
They were ably supported last night by Friend or Foe, who are going from strength to strength with their stage shows and their outfits. Last night was simple but effective – masks and no shirts. Six manboobs on stage. Not to be missed.
Also supporting where X is Y. Unfortunately I missed them but I am sure they were excellent.
We’re back . . .
Posted by gunsella in Uncategorized on September 6th, 2010
Hey folks. I just got back from an epic summer holiday. If you want any travel advice about Myanmar please feel free to drop me a line.
Meanwhile, get ready for a night of rock at Yuyintang this Wednesday night. Bands are X is Y (French post rock trio), Friend or Foe (Sino-American joint adventure in rock), The Instigation and The Beat Bandits (two bands sharing at least two Japanese members). Inside sources tell me that it is quite possible that the show will start at 9pm, or at least very close to that time.
Did any of you make it Jeff Lang on Saturday night? I was too knackered to make it there myself, but a guest report would be very welcome. It doesn’t have to be technical – I covered that last year. Just tell us what you thought of the show. Any pics are welcome too.
And the real star of the show is . . .
Posted by gunsella in Uncategorized on May 31st, 2010
Update: the specs are in.
3*12AX7 preamp tubes
2*6L6 power tubes
5AR4 rectifier tube
45W (approximate)
Aluminum chassis in pine cabinet
Dimensions: 330×215x240mm (WxHxD)
Basically it’s a modified Fender Bassman circuit, which in itself bears a lot of similiarity to early Marshall circuits, with two channels of goodness . . . Lots more detail at Brad’s Lab.
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Brad’s new amp, as discussed here at Andy’s blog.
Here it is with Guillaume (X is Y), its owner.
Specs coming soon . . .
Saturday Night Preview
Posted by gunsella in Uncategorized on May 26th, 2010
It’s a big foreigner line-up on Saturday night, yet there’s no Lou Gramm in sight.
X is Y are a three piece playing moody math-rock that punches you in the guts at all the right times, in weird time signatures.
Pairs – There’s a lot of mystique surrounding this lo-fi duo. I’m looking forward to seeing if their drummer plays better than he drives a go-kart.
Rainbow Danger Club is another band that is intrigued by music in odd time signatures. After a few minutes you get used to the jerkiness of the rhythms, and then the bliss sets in. They write tunes that are kinda like euphoric trance music. There’s a lot of repetition and they really do hypnotise you. Srsly.
The Fever Machine - Dan’s new band. 3-piece testosterock. Need I say more? Look out for some demos hitting the streets soon, mixed by yours truly.
Yuyintang, Saturday 29th May, 9pm doors open, first band hits the stage at 9.30. I hope to see you there.
Luwan Rock- Solar/Lunar: The Legend May 11, 2012
- The Illumin8tors Solar/Lunar CD Release April 18, 2012
- When it rains it pours, 50s-60s style April 11, 2012
- Eatliz – Art Rock from Israel March 18, 2012
- Last Minute Operatic News (and nothing to do with the Illumin8tors) February 19, 2012
- Enter the Dragon February 8, 2012
what are the people saying?