“A Go Go” is a French expression meaning “in abundance” or “galore.” So Trash A-Go-Go means a whole lot of garbage–filthy, stinky garbage–but in Shanghai, it means parties with a whole lot of trashy, thrashy, punk music. Anyone who enjoyed one of the many Trash A Go-Go parties over the past year and a half, can largely thank one man, Toshi K.

Hailing from Japan, Toshi is an interesting contrast. On a personal level he is humble, calm and downright sweet. Yet he has a swagger, and when he takes the stage as bass player in either the Beat Bandits (punky surf rock) or The Instigation (hardcore) he shifts into a cocky, sneering, rock ’n roller.

Toshi organizes shows with bands from foreign lands, such as Norway (VOM), Japan (The Routes, The Fevers) and Australia (Digger and the Pussycats, Dead Farmers, The Vasco Era). Bringing bands from abroad presents interesting dilemmas. Although they are not always enforced, China is the land of laws and regulations when it comes to the stage. The process often sounds about as much fun as filing taxes for your entire extended family. I respect anybody who dares take on this daunting task.

Surprisingly, Toshi makes it sound easy. For starters, he targets garage punk bands. They are often not so famous as to stir up the fun-ruiners that complicate things for visiting bands. He guarantees minimum payment but the bands arrange transportation, hotel and visa themselves. Then he promotes them and sets up shows in other Chinese cities.

He does it all for the love of the music. “I like garage punk but often I can't see it in Shanghai, so I arrange for it to come to me ... We never make any money out of it. We give it all to the bands.”

Trash A Go-Go’s next international act will be Les Terribles at Yuyintang on July 30 (listen here: http://bit.ly/mndBwJ.) This retro punk act with a female singer hails from Paris. It’s full of bouncy basslines and spooky backing vocals adding ambience.

Additionally, Toshi plays with both of his bands on July 2 at the going-away party for The Dudettes at Yuyintang. This will be a festival of sorts, going all day long.

The Dudettes are fronted by several lovely ladies singing songs about the idiosyncrasies of life China, such as taxi Chinese and Shanghai vs. Beijing (Shanghai wins). Boys Climbing Ropes, Pairs and numerous other acts will also play. Finally, DJ B.O (also a huge part of Trash A Go-Go) spins between sets. Although not officially a Trash A Go-Go event, it'll still be a big, enjoyable mess.