CHEATING SONS “DOUBLE HAPPINESS” TOUR SEP – OCT 2011
The Sons had barely time to catch their collective breath after spending a week in South Korea (playing Asia Spotlight) before embarking on their first mini-tour of China. The main reason for the trip was an appearance at the Strawberry Music Festival on 3rd October in Cheng Jiang but we had taken the opportunity to snag a gig or two (three actually) in nearby Shanghai before heading to Cheng Jiang.
And so on the evening of Tuesday, 27th September we landed at Pudong Airport in somewhat humid Shanghai weather. And by “we” I mean the Sons – Renyi, Don, Cheez, (little) Andy – joined by (big) Andy Yang, his lovely wife Caryn and yours truly. It took us almost an hour to reach our hotel in the city’s historic Bund district. Feeling restless, we took a walk around the Bund and ended up at a Chinese restaurant for our first meal (which like the many that followed, was cheap and very good) before ending up at the Glamour Bar (which was not very glamorous at all). On the way back to the hotel, we were waylaid by the persistent distraction of streetside barbecues where the security of intestinal tracts were put to the test.
The tour regimen tended to begin in late mornings or early afternoons and so brunches were usually the order of the day. For some reason, we decided to check out Yuyuan Garden, a particularly touristy area, with predictable results! Before long, we were getting ready for that first gig at Yuyintang. Now, Shanghai’s rush hour seemed to coincide with our scheduled timing to arriveat the live house described as Shanghai’s version of New York’s fabled CGBG club. Finally, the first cab we flagged (the one I was in) happened to be the last to arrive as we simply got lost as the cab-driver was unfamiliar with the location.
Still we arrived safe and sound. Although hidden in a slightly obscured locale, Yuyintang was the perfect venue for indie rock music, with the focal point being the stage. Although there was a bar, there were hardly any seats around requiring punters to actually stand in front of the stage to take in the music. Now that’s what I call a live house. Met the guys from Fever Machine (Dan, Miguel & Favi) three expats who played tight, loud, psych-metal which I really enjoyed. Now, being a Wednesday night, the venue was not quite filled to maximum capacity but it must be said that the crowd that was there was only in attendance for the music and the music alone. The band launched into their set with gusto and the audience responded in kind as heads bopped, feet tapped and the odd individuals pogoed along! A modest success! At the end, I collected our share of the gate and we took off.
But not back to the hotel immediately as we decided to celebrate the band’s first ever gig in China by braving an all-night karoake session till 6 in the morning! (Mainly classic rock tunes, it must be emphasized) It was disconcerting to say the least when we left the building and were greeted by bright sunlight! The perfect way to prepare for the next gig happening that same night at Anar Cafe Bar! Ah the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle!
As you can imagine, body clocks were royally messed up by the time we had ‘lunch’ at 3pm! But at least this time we arrived at Anar without much of a hitch with time to spare enough to check out a restaurant selling exclusively snake meat. In truth, it tasted like chicken with fish bones! Certainly, little Andy had the greatest fun with these snake meat wonders!!
Fortified by this, the band delivered three sets of 30 minutes each, which thrilled the crowd. Anar is a typical cafe bar with food and drinks on the menu. Despite that, the audience genuinely stopped to listen attentively to the band for everyone of those 3 sets and gave the band a hearty taste of appreciation after each and every song. At Anar, I met Tom Mangione and Jake Newby, both of whom were writers with Shanghai media outlets. Tom was also a musician (with the Horde) and had helped to set up the Anar gig. In addition, I met up with Michael Ohlsson who ran a label, promoted gigs and ran the Dada club just down the road from Anar. It did seem that many expats were very involved in the local music scene, more so than in Singapore.
It was well past midnight when the Sons finally finished their three sets but the cafe bar had not emptied at all and the applause at the end was heartwarming. Particularly so, when Brian – an American fan – gave the band much encouragement with his adoration and praise! Satisfied and tired after two gigging nights, we returned to the hotel and rested up before the off day that was to come.
After a day of rest, the band was raring to go for the gig at Lune in the French Concession district on 1st Oct – the first day of the National Day holidays in China. Perhaps that accounted for the fact that there were less than 5 locals amongst the 100-strong crowd at Lune. I met up with Dennis Ming Nichols, from another expat band, Rainbow Danger Club (sense a trend here?) The Phantom 5 (strangely there was only 4 of them – 3 expats (!) and 1 local) opened with an intriguing folk-rock set filled with interesting songs. The surroundings were austere and the stage/gear was not up to the standards of Yuyintang but the Sons gave their best and the audience certainly partied along. At the end of the hour-long set, encores of Pale Rider and Last Rites were devoured by the hungry crowd who really enjoyed the Sons’ passionate rock ‘n’ roll show!
And on to the next day, where we bade farewell to Shanghai as a van from Cheng Jiang brought us to the YiQuan Hotel, which would provide accommodation for the bands playing at the Strawberry Music Festival. When we arrived, we saw UK’s Go! Team hanging around in the lobby. The Hotel itself was obviously old (maybe 30 years!) and I understand would be renovated after the Festival. The provincial government had assigned the hotel to the Festival organizer for its use. Not perfect but good enough. Unlike Shanghai, we had a walk quite a distance before discovering suitable eating places. Once again, we found a restaurant that provided a cheap and good culinary experience. No arguing with that for sure!
3rd October marked the day when the Sons made their debut on the Chinese festival circuit. The festival grounds were massive, containing 4 stages (the LOVE stage was ours) and by the time the band took to that stage, it was 6pm and dark (and cold!). Although initially the crowd was smallish it grew into thousands by the time unleashed a feisty Pale Rider on the enthusiastic audience. Truth be told, there were sound problems especially with the lower ends but there was no denying the Sons’ excitement in delivering their full-bloodied set. By now, the band was a well-oiled machine with each member fulfilling his role with aplomb. Big Andy always provided something different (apart from the visual dimension) whether smashing a tambourine, fingering the bass or hammering the Indian drum.
Before we knew it, the Chinese adventure was over and all was left was a 4 hour bus ride back to Pudong Airport and the 5 hour trip in the air before landing safely at Changi. In our hearts, we are certain that this is only the beginning and already there are plans in place for the Sons to do much more with regards to overseas touring.
On a personal level, the trip gave me an opportunity to get to know the Sons better and definitely their individual personalities and characteristics crystallized in my mind during our time together. They’re a fun-loving bunch but deadly serious about their music and how far they want to take it. The appreciation received by the Sons from Chinese audiences (whether local or expat) has reinforced my belief that the way forward is overseas, in order to spread the message of Cheating Sons far and wide.
…still there’s more…
Pictures of our China trip can be viewed at Facebook.
Picture above of the crowd at Strawberry Music Festival courtesy of (big) Andy Yang.
Special thanks to Chloe Lee/Esplanade, May Tan/MDA, Michael Lojudice/Modern Sky, Bun Ng, Sean Hocking, Tom Mangione, Super Sophia, Brian Offenther, Dan Shapiro, Frankie Pan and the great crews at the Strawberry Music Festival.
