BAND: Carsick Cars

Widely hailed as one of the brightest talents to come out of China in many a yue, wonderkids Carsick Cars exploded onto the Beijing scene in the spring of 2005. Fast forward two years and they now dominate the scene to such an extent that it is cooler to be unimpressed by them than know about them. They’ve broken out of the Beijing backwater in a big, big way, playing shows in Prague and Vienna in support of Sonic Youth this year. Furthermore, in the spirit of incestuousness endemic to any decent rock scene, two of Carsick’s members are garnering praise in side projects such as the popular local act, Snapline, and the experimental noise band, White.

Average laowai first learned of Carsick Cars last year when Sonic Youth hit Beijing. The conspicuous absence of an opening act was Carsick Cars, who were prohibited from playing at the last minute, despite having been specifically requested. A welcome surprise out of the ridiculous debacle is the validation that the band is no one trick pony, not just another blip in the nearly saturated Beijing rock scene. Their shows over the past year have seen the threesome grow into a mature, disciplined and well-oiled rock ‘n’ roll machine.

Their first full length record, endearingly entitled "This Is Panda Noise," is a truly exciting development for the band. Coming in at just under an hour, it’s one of the great albums of 2007. The song lyrics, predominantly Chinese, are simple and the rhythms mesmerizing. The two English songs on the record are blissfully vague, reeling with phantasmic lyrics and an intensity that's a treat in the generally vapid atmosphere of Chinese rock n' roll. Recorded at Longyue Wenhua in Beijing and produced by singer and poet Yang Haisong (of PK14) the album is another smash success by local up-and-coming label Maybe Mars Records, which has previously released albums by Snapline and Joyside, as well as a fantastic PK14 tour video.

The genius behind all of this craziness is guitarist, singer and band leader, Jeffrey Zhang (Shouwang), whose uncanny ability to create catchy pop hooks that collide in perfect harmony with wild screeching guitars seems to only grow stronger with each passing month. There is a reckless abandon to any Carsick Cars live show—catastrophe and screaming noise and running, dancing rhythms—and in the middle of all of this there is Jeff, breathless and clutching at his guitar, shimmering with a crazed and bewildered sort of light.

The band has already played every venue of note in the country, and been showcased in countless music festivals in China and abroad. What will be most interesting is seeing what they will produce next. In a phone interview with Yang Haisong, he confirmed that the band was laying plans to record another album in early 2008, possibly in Germany. First they take Beijing, then they take Berlin. –Jenn Wong
Maybe Mars Records

Jeff Zhang: Rock God

Main influences? Mostly bands in the New York underground scene, in the ‘70s and ‘80s. I really like no wave bands, and stuff like the Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth and stuff like that.

Favorite band in Beijing? That's an impossible question, but if I had to pick three, it'd be: Snapline, The Gar and Hedgehog.

Least favorite? Haha. Probably any metal band.

Best thing about making music in Beijing? There's so much freedom here compared to other countries. Musicians here hang out with each other, they have a lot of talent and ideas and they all talk and make music together. In places like London or New York, there isn't as much of that, and it's also harder to show your work if you live in a city with such a huge market. Beijing is easier; the market isn't oversaturated yet.

Worst thing? We don't have the proper equipment, or the money to buy any. We use what we have, but we still don't have easy access to recording studios or anything like that. If I had to make a wish list of things that I want, it'd be a Mac, so I can finally start using Pro Tools, and maybe a mini moog and some old vintage guitars.