May 19, 2015 Save Music in Chinatown 6 preview: An interview with Birdstriking’s Wen Yuzhen
The concept was to have a series of all-ages benefit matinees for my daughter’s school in Chinatown that referenced the neighborhood’s punk rock past. In the ’70s, bands like X, The Dils, The Weirdos, and Black Flag would play there. I was a little too young to be there, so it’s been cool to have so many bands who were there support our cause and come back to play for us.
But our upcoming show introduces a new wrinkle to the plan. A timely conversation with an old acquaintance and major aligning of the stars led to underground musicians from Beijing playing our show. How cool is it to have noisy Chinese bands playing for the elementary school in Chinatown where my daughter is learning Mandarin?
The underground rock scene has been going off in China for a decade now, but they don’t get out nearly as much as they should. Chui Wan just blew minds at Austin Psych Fest and meeting them in L.A. will be Birdstriking, a second generation No Beijing band that is right up there with P.K. 14 and Carsick Cars. (Two members of Carsick Cars will be in the lineup!) Members of Chui Wan and Birdstriking will be playing together as Deadly Cradle Death, too.
I sent over some questions in anticipation of them playing Save Music in Chinatown 6, and guitarist Wen Yuzher provided some answers.
Your debut album that’s being released here in the U.S. is new to us but old to you. How has your sound evolved since then? Will you be playing newer songs as well?
We have almost half a dozen new songs, and they are more psychedelic than before.
You’re going to be joining Chui Wan when you arrive in the U.S. Have you been keeping in touch with them, seeing how things are going over here, and planning the Deadly Cradle Death set?
Yes! We keep in touch everyday because Yan Yulong and I are both on staff at Maybe Mars. We need to communicate for our jobs, and I help him take care of his cat, too. I saw they had a very successful show at the Austin Psych Fest and was glad to hear that!
I think it’s cool that you’re hitting Olympia and saw a K Records shirt in one of your portraits. Is that a pilgrimage?
Haha, K Records is our drummer Wang Xinjiu’s favorite. But I really want to play in Brooklyn—almost all of my favorite bands come from there. Playing there is my dream.
Is there anything that the guys in P.K. 14, Carsick Cars, or other bands that have played here warned you about or told you to check out in the U.S.?
Wang Xu, the drummer of White+, told me U.S is different than my dreaming. But I just want to see it for myself.
I’m stoked you’ll be playing our benefit in Chinatown. As a guy from China, what’s your take on Chinatowns?
I want to try American Chinese food.
Our show will be an all-ages matinee, so little kids can attend. Do you play many shows like that? Is it weird playing during the day or without alcohol?
All Chinese gigs are all-ages. But without alcohol before a gig, I will feel a little nervous.
There’s a cool Bruce Lee statue next to the bar where you’ll be playing. Is he still cool in China? Or is he just old-fashioned now?
He is really hardcore, but not for people my age. I like Jackie Chan more.
What are you most interested in bringing back? Records? Photos? Recipes?
A new guitar and memories. Also, we want to record a new album when we get back.
Check out Birdstriking, Chui Wan, Deadly Cradle Death, and Dengue Fever at Save Music in Chinatown 6 on May 31 at the Grand Star and follow Imprint on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.