Rock Music in China Flashcards
1
Q
Rise of Rock Music in China
A
Beijing: cradle of Chinese rock
- Emerged in mid-1980s
- Marginalized; lack of state funding
- Belonged mainly to university students and a few underground amateurs at the beginning
- Became part of the popular culture after the June Fourth Incident in 1989.
- Cui Jian: the father of Chinese rock
2
Q
Background of the June 4th Incident
A
Major causes:
- Death of Hu Yaobang
- Economic inflation
- Political corruption
3
Q
The June 4th Incident is also known as…
A
Tiananmen Square Protests
4
Q
Advocating for June 4th incident
A
- A Party without corruption
- Social Equality
- Speech/press freedom
- Escalated in mid May and gradually lost control
5
Q
Results of June 4th Incident
A
- After failed conversation, the government:
- Sent troops
- Declared Martial Law
- Opened fire to civilians
6
Q
Consequences of June 4th incident
A
- Many died (figure unkown)
- Restricted news coverage
- Some protest leaders got purged
- Protesters arrested
- Setback in society
7
Q
Cui Jian
A
- Started his music career as a trumpet player in the Beijing Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Gained massive popularity when he performed “Nothing to My Name” at the Tiananmen Square in May 1989.
- The song became an unofficial anthem for the student protestors.
- Cui and other rock musicians went hiding
- Banned for a short period
8
Q
How did the Independent describe Cui Jian?
A
“A cross between Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Kurt Cobain.”
9
Q
Cui Jian’s Musical Style
A
- Inspired by John Denver, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Talking Heads.
- Chinese folk (Northwest Wind) + Rock , punk & jazz(e.g. “Nothing to My Name”)
10
Q
Earliest Chinese Punk Bands
A
Underbaby, New Pants, Brain Failure
11
Q
Underbaby
A
- Widely considered as the first Chinese punk band (1991-present)
- Style: punk rock
- Inspired by the Sex Pistols, The Clash & Ramones
- The band’s first single: “All the Same” (1996)
12
Q
New Pants
A
(1996-present)
- Style: pop-punk + disco
- Inspired by Ramones
- “Bye Bye Disco” (200?)
13
Q
Brain Failure
A
(1997-present)
- Style: Ska punk+ hard rock
- Influenced by The Clash, Ramones and Dropkick Murphys
- “Give Me a Shot” (2012)
14
Q
Punk in China
A
- pop-punk/electro punk: in the open
- hardcore punk/anarcho punk: underground
15
Q
Chinese Punk vs. American Punk
A
- More reserved, less explicit appearances
- Avoidance of blood and Violence
- Cautious about anarchism
- Musicians’ awareness of healthy public images (no drugs, charity, etc.)
