Category: 2011

Liu Kun – Hey, Young Man – 23rd September 2011

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Cat #: 072TZM

Liu Kun, born in Zhelaizhai county after the 1980s, firmly believes that he is the descendent of a Roman soldier, who was besieged with his army during a war in Zhelaizhai two thousand years ago. He often dreams of himself being a soldier, raising his sword on a running horse, breaking open a way through brambles and thorns, however, wakes up to find his arms painful and aching, realizes that all was nothing but a dream. Anyway, he isn’t bothered by the mysteries of his DNA at all, because he finds art more fascinating. As a little boy in a town, he was never too eager to show himself by dancing, singing and playing drums and guitars, despite the rough stage of that little shabby theater. There he would feel like being in a dream once the lights were on. Years later, he went to Lanzhou for further education, and that was a university. He soon became a sincere and dedicated lover to drama, joining the school drama troupe, writing plays and acting on stage, he was full of energy to lead his company to success. And quite out of expectancy, a feature program was made for this energetic young man by the local TV station. Anyway, he isn’t bothered by this issue at all. It is the parents who were worried: Will you study ,study, or study? 

When graduation time drew near, he encountered a life-long buddy: Rock. Moved by his braveness, purity, and persistence, he followed this buddy onto the road of music, and realized that music is connected with soul. He established the band ‘Rust on the lip’ in 2003, which then got the present name, ‘Low Wormwood’, and became the lead singer. Every year he leads his band for a tour around China and has made several albums: <The absinthe>, <Low Wormwood>, <Upstream of Yellow River>, and <We can’t help kissing each other>. He plays football during part time, meets friends and makes plan for art exhibitions. Cooperated with the Barn Gallery in Lanzhou, he held a modern art exhibition called ‘Replacement’ in 2007, in which his works ‘Sound field in Lanzhou’ and ‘Talk’ were displayed, together with the works of Wang Dong, a young artist. He also planned an art exhibition of sound and devices in 2009. 

He met Michael, boss of Maybe Mars, on his tour in Beijing during October 2008. Their ideas on music are unbelievably alike, so he then joined Maybe Mars and co-founded with Xiao He the folk music brand ‘Maybe Horse under Maybe Mars. He published his first record <Hey, Young Man> in 2010. 

• 2003 formed the band Low Wormwood in Lanzhou 
• 2007-2009 modern art exhibition “Replacement” held in Lanzhou 
• 2009 formed Maybe Horse as a unit of Maybe Mars Records 
• 2010 debut album released Hey, Young Man 

Demerit/SS20 split – 5th September 2011

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Cat #: 062TZM

“The cover of the new spilt by Chinese Demerit and German thrashcore outfit SS20 is a throwback to that 1980s nuclear holocaust imagery—toxicity, flames, decay: the stuff of urban nightmares. A bulldozer covers a panel van with toxic ooze and trash; smoke billows in the background. People run for cover. 

And like its imagery, this three-song split from Demerit—their first release since 2008—channels bands from the era, including Misfits, Motorhead and Iron Maiden. 

The Beijing-based trio have come a long way since 2006—the 1000 BPM street punk microbursts of old have been replaced by increasingly-mature efforts like “Childhood Nightmare,” where a chanting chorus gives way to speed metal harmonizing guitar work before a delicate acoustic outro, accented with shuffling drums and babbling children, cleans the palette—think of it like wine tasting with the Misfits in that playground scene from Terminator II. 

“Barefaced Lies and Bullshit Peace” utilizes that same catchy speed metal riffing and gruff vocal posturing, while “Out of the Fog” is pure melodic thrash—laser-sighted guitars cut a clean swath through a murky punk undergrowth.” 
-Nevin / Genjing Records 

“SS20 – presenting crushing punk and hardcore that mixes memorable riffs, aggressive vocals and metal-tunes. These three new songs sound’s way darker, more mature and textured. The lyrics are straight, facing the personal and emotional content. The vinyl keeps pushing, is still snotty and raw and has the power and energy of the debut 7” 
-Ronny / W.I.F.A.G.E.N.A. RECORDS 

Hinterlandt – Migration Motion Movement – 1st September 2011

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Cat #: 076TZM

“Migration Motion Movement” is the eleventh full-length album by Hinterlandt. Following “All Things Considered”, a collection of rock-oriented songs recorded as a full band in 2009 in Germany, this new release sees chief architect Jochen Gutsch going solo again. 

After his return to Sydney/Australia, Jochen decided to get back into more experimental territory, writing a new live set for multi-instrumentalist solo performances. This new album mirrors the live set, in which Jochen uses electronics, trumpet, electric guitar, xylophone, effects, field recordings, and live loops. 

“Migration Motion Movement” is an uncompromising and demanding album offering extensive, detailed and focused compositions. However, it also follows an enjoyable and accessible narrative, inviting listeners to partake in the journey. 

Hinterlandt is a Sydney-based solo act playing long compositions encompassing beautiful harmonies, complex rhythms, fragile ambiences, as well as occasional patches of noise and silence. The approach celebrates musical diversity as much as unusual sounds. 

Hinterlandt has taken on a variety of live formats, performing in places such as Sydney, London, Bangkok, Helsinki, Melbourne, Rome, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Berlin, and many others. Eleven studio albums were released on nine underground labels in five countries.

Nikko – About the Spirit – 22nd August 2011

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Cat #: 077TZM

Nikko’s latest release, a double A-side single entitled ‘About the Spirit/Smoke Alarms’, features two new tracks taken from the band’s upcoming sophomore album, due for release later this year. 

The tracks demonstrate a stylistic change in direction that showcases frontman Ryan Potter’s skills as a songwriter and lyricist, along with the band’s collective ability to craft these skills into distinctive and compelling arrangements. 

For special deals with t-shirts go here: 
nikko.bandcamp.com/album/about-the-spirit-smoke-alarms

Limited copies of the 7″ available thru tenzenmen soon.

Nikko: 
Ryan Potter – vocals, electric and acoustic guitars 
Sam Whiting – bass 
Jackson Briggs – lead guitar, slide 
Blair Westbrook – drums, percussion 

Guest vocals on ‘About the Spirit’ by Jacinta Walker 
Violin on ‘About the Spirit’ by Adam Cadell 
Piano on ‘Smoke Alarms’ by Daniel Kassulke 

Recorded by Cameron Smith at The Old Museum and Browning Street Studios in June/July 2011. Mixed by Cameron Smith. Mastered by Naomune Anzai at Reel 2 Real Mix Master. Artwork by Trent Evans. 

Special thanks to Cam Smith, Nao Anzai, Jacinta Walker, Adam Cadell, Daniel Kassulke, Elanor Khan, Trent “Big Dog” Evans, Shaun Tenzenmen, all of our wonderful friends and family, anyone who’s ever bought a recording, come to a show or let us sleep on their floor, and the Brisbane and Australian independent music community. Cheers!

Crouching 80s Hidden Acronym​/​Rara Avis – 11th August 2011

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Cat #: 061TZM

Once described as “feel good hip-core”, ‘Crouching 80s Hidden Acronym’ only resist easy classification through a complete lack of musical attention span. Refugees from the country-music embattled north west NSW, Crouching 80s move with the flexibility and martial arts skill of the movie they are loosely named after (but which none of the members have actually seen). The band’s latest release ‘Truth Masseuse’ could be described as math influenced indie punk. 

The disc is a split EP with ‘Rara Avis’, a shoegaze outfit which includes most members of Crouching 80s and friend Andrew Rutherford. This latter half of the split is called “Itch Bin” and sports chunky 8-bit drum sounds. Completely self produced, this split showcases the creativity, versatility and good humour of this group of guys.

Alternative China – 4th August 2011

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Alternative China tumblr

Hot and Cold, Hedgehog, Carsick Cars, Beijing Gig Guide, Mr Graceless, Residence A, Youxi, D-22, Instigation, The Beat Bandits, Shanghai 24/7, Yan Jun, Artspace China, Sub Jam, Kwanyin, Skip Skip Ben Ben, Taipei Times, Pairs, This Town Touring, Rustic, Maybe Mars, Chairman Ca, Jonathan Campbell, Demerit, Brain Failure, 69, Anarchy Jerks, Reflector, Bearded, Martin Atkins, China Music Radar, P.K.14, Snapline, Subs, Pangbianr, Vans, Warped Tour, Jing Daily, Sulumi, Sun Dawei, Shanshui, Northwest Asian Weekly, F, Xiao Zhong, Beijing Daze, Misandao, Andy Best, Kungfuology, Black Metal, Sinica, Michael Pettis, Kaiser Kuo, Archie Hamilton, Pop Up Chinese, Zoomin’ Night, Zhang Shouwang

Rainbow Danger Club – Where Maps End – 14th July 2011

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Cat #: 067TZM

Who is Rainbow Danger Club? 

RDC is a Shanghai, China-based rock quartet with elements of experimental, indie-pop, post-rock, progressive, and electronica. Their unique brand of “experimental pop” has been featured on international mixtapes and podcasts. Their colourful and bombastic stage-presence makes them one of China’s praised live acts. They have attained critical and popular acclaim for their epic pop songs, fingerpick-style guitar riffage, heavy distorted bass, effect-laden trumpet, vocal harmonies, fantastical lyrics, and unconventional songwriting and production. 

RDC’s first full-length album, Where Maps End, is an ambitious, fully-charged musical narrative ripe with leitmotifs and mythological ingredients. Musically, it melts different styles, instrumentations and moods while remaining sonically focused. WME was released in China in March 2011 and has garnered praise from Chinese and international press and blogs including the UK Guardian, MTVIggy, and CNNgo.