Anarchy in the PRC

Overnight megacities, packed freeways, smoggy skies, and angsty rockers in tight leather pants. Photographer Matthew Niederhauser documents the other side of China’s urban boom.

BY MATTHEW NIEDERHAUSER, CHRISTINA LARSON | JANUARY 15, 2010

The Sex Pistols of China

Hip-hop, rock, and punk music aren't Western music -- they're urban music, says Matthew Niederhauser, a photographer who has spent the last two years backstage and on the road in China documenting the Middle Kingdom's emerging underground music scene. The three members of Hedgehog, pictured here, were obscure musicians until a series of high-voltage 2007 performances at Beijing's D-22 nightclub propelled them into the spotlight.

 

Matthew Niederhauser is a photographer in Beijing and the author of Sound Kapital. Christina Larson is contributing editor at Foreign Policy.

 

HOTDIGGITY

11:10 PM ET

January 24, 2010

Nice Pics thanks but nothing new

I love to see the Beijing punk metal scene revealed to those who have never lived in the 'PRC'. But I always feel it's misleading to omit that these bands and this scene has been raging since the 90's, with a spirit of rebellion infused by Cui Jian (China's Bruce Springsteen as one will here him referred to there) was absolutely Western. While it looks like it's gaining momentum I think it's just been going strong for quite some time, and now the rage and angst of metal and punk in BJ has it's own homegrown flavour. I always thought of BJ (Beijing) like Seattle, and Shanghai like well, Shanghai, with the former being grungier and more interesting : ) I'd like to mention here that any keen underground music researcher should investigate the Mid Festival, as that's where the 'growing scene started' I think in 2005 ? Thanks for the memories...

A former Beijing-er.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClBUvBFNmwU

 

HOTDIGGITY

11:20 PM ET

January 24, 2010

oops wrong link + typo : 'Midi Festival'...

Midi Festival 2006 Punk band 'DeMERIT'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF_AK2xI4E8

 

HOTDIGGITY

11:22 PM ET

January 24, 2010

+ 2004 Midi Festival with 'Miserable Faith' Punk ... argggh :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9zGbrVWmG4

 

HEAVYMETALPHD

7:40 PM ET

January 25, 2010

they are not like the 80s guy

These guys seems like some liberalists, but, in fact, lots of them are nationalists and others are definitely not liberal politically.

so, this fake phenomenon of liberalism in China is nothing like the 80s' rock that influenced eastern bloc in 80s.

 

VICTOREDWARDS

7:40 AM ET

February 7, 2010

This is awesome!

This is awesome! Yeah but they seem like some liberalists. =) =) =) =) =)