From an infatuation with tall buildings to visa scares, the U.K.'s Infadels China debut will be anything but boring

Be prepared for a wild ride as the U.K. band the Infadels herald in the third installment of the Bacardi Sino Sessions in Beijing and Shanghai with animal magnetism, piercing screams and a bit of the robot. Put on by local event organizers Spli-t Works, the Sino Sessions introduce up and coming bands from the West to China's local scenesters to foster a cross-cultural music exchange. The Infadels will be joined by beatbox master Killa Kela and local Shanghai band Banana Monkey.

A London based electronic-dance-rock quintet formed in 2003 by Bnann, Matthew, Wag, Richie and Alex, the Infadels’ carefully honed sound borrows from a full spectrum of electronic and rock genres, with their clearest influences being the big beat sound of the Chemical Brothers and acid-house gods the KLF. Since before the release of their debut album “We are Not the Infadels” in 2006, the Infadels have toured the world relentlessly, playing hundreds of shows with bands such as the Scissor Sisters, Faithless and Prodigy. City Weekend caught up with keyboardist Richie to muse over the enormity of the Jin Mao Tower and wild performances.

CW: Who came up with the idea to play in China?

Richie: Our label in the U.K., Wall Of Sound, has been keen for us to make the trip over. Like most things in the music game, we never thought for one minute it would ever happen. As the time drew nearer it all became a bit more serious—getting the visas, deciding on the set list. I think we’ll only truly believe our luck when we set foot in the country!

What are you expecting to find in China?

We are big fans of tall buildings and we’ve discovered that Shanghai is home to the Jin Mao Tower. At 421 meters high it’s 40 meters taller than the Empire State Building! That’s where you’ll find us on our day off … there and of course the Great Wall.

What can we expect from your live shows?

We’re a rock ‘n’ roll band first and foremost but the show is packed with large slabs of energy. We’ve earned a bit of a reputation as one of the most animated bands on stage so hold on tight.

Will you change your show at all for Chinese audiences?

A friend of ours has been teaching us a bit of Mandarin so we can have a bit of a chat with the crowd.

How would you describe your band to the Chinese?

We are a band probably defined the most for mixing up guitar heavy music with modern electronics. We’ve always felt a little out on our own sound wise.

Do you know any Chinese bands?

I think Chinese bands are as unknown to us Westerners as our music is to [the Chinese]. I hope to check out the local scene as much as I can when over there and pick up a CD or two. I’ll let you know my faves when I get back!

Banana Monkey

In August of 2006, a group of experienced Shanghai musicians formed a garage rock quartet that quickly became one of the most popular live music outfits in the city. Lead singer Zhang Feng, guitarist Misuzu, bassist Li Linfeng and drummer Wang Yulong have since provided Shanghai's underground rock scene with one of its most elusive elements: stage presence. Taking cues from their proto-punk heroes, Banana Monkey's energetic and antic-filled live shows combine an ironic sense of humor with a taste for lecherous rock 'n' roll. Using frantic, tinny guitar with methodic trashcan drumming, Banana Monkey has created a danceable punk sound that no pogoers can resist.

Sounds like: Any young garage band in the suburb of London during the ‘70s, with a gaggle of flushed cheek girls and a mountain of cheap beer.

You can hear them: Look for Banana Monkey at the Shanghai Rock it! Festival on June 30.

Boojii

Bassist and lead vocalist 33 founded Boojii one year ago after deciding that the bands playing in Shanghai didn't satisfy her vision of rock music. 33, along with guitarist Misuzu, singer/keyboardist Miss Tan and drummer Bubu, created Boojii as a platform to push the boundaries of Chinese rock into more experimental territory. Jumping from confusing dropouts to skin-crawling crescendos, and telling stories that draw from the dream world, Boojii rides the narrow rail between the road and the ravine, and provides a bright light in the often monotonous haze of Shanghai rock bands.

Sounds like: A pack of rock ‘n’ roll girls who walked out of a fairytale—sweet, childlike and sadly beautiful—with a quieter sound than Hole, but punchier than Mazzy Star.

You can hear them: Catch Boojii on June 30 at the Shanghai Rock it! Festival.

The Scoff

Bursting at the seams with charisma, dexterity and a ridiculous amount of energy, local four piece band The Scoff exploded onto the Beijing scene nearly two years ago and have been garnering praise ever since. The band can frequently be found playing at D-22 in Haidian, but lead singer and fledgling fashion designer Leo Lee, guitarist Cong Pai, bassist Paul Liu and drummer Feng Zhe have also played nearly every venue in Beijing to small and large audiences alike, never failing to impress with their innovative brand of dance rock punk and a ferocious, thrilling, blistering stage presence.

Sounds like: A mixture of Ziggy Stardust era David Bowie, late nights at the beer garden, summer in Beijing, being (and feeling!) forever young.

You can hear them: May 29 with HouHai Sharks at Star Live. www.myspace.com/thescoff

Houhai Sharks

Houhai Sharks (also known as Queen Sea Big Shark), have played big and small music festivals all over China and were recently featured in Rolling Stone magazine. Formed in late 2004, they've built a steady, ever-growing fan base amongst Beijing locals and waiguoren alike and recently signed to China indie label giants Modern Sky, with a new album slated for release at the end of May. Houhai Sharks are electrifying onstage with a cocksure combination of elements that guarantee an unforgettable night full of guitar and keyboard fueled poppy dance rock and exhilarating, spectacular, dirty '60s sounding chug-your-drink-smoke-your-cigarettes-dance-your-pants-off-get-bloody-drunk fun.

Sounds like: Electro dance punk, house parties that spill onto the street, the 60s, sweaty nights.

You can hear them: May 29 at Star Live with The Scoff-CD Release Party.