“We Sing This Song For You, Wuhan!”: A Short History of Wuhan Punk

June 30, 2021 8:34 AM

"Who was first, Beijing or Wuhan? This is a very controversial question, as both cities claim to have given birth to Chinese punk. As always, the issue is more complex than it appears; the answer is not merely chronological, but also involves ethics and politics. Claiming that Wuhan is the true birthplace of Chinese punk means one favors political engagement over style, raw punk energy over complex musical arrangement. I am myself non-objective on the matter, as shown by the tattoo on my upper arm or the patch sewn on my jacket: I frankly lean toward Wuhan. For me, if there is one song that embodies Chinese punk, it’s not “All the Same” (都一样), the self-proclaimed “first Chinese punk song” by UnderBaby; it’s “Scream For Life” by SMZB. Here’s why."
posted by antihistameme (8 comments total)

I have no opinion on where Chinese punk originated, but seeing FAZI 法兹 at Wuhan's excellent punk/alternative venue Vox Livehouse remains a real life highlight.
posted by thebots at 9:29 AM on June 30, 2021 [2 favorites]

The always informative and excellent Chinese cooking YouTube channel Chinese Cooking Demystified put together an episode on Burning Noodles that talks briefly about punk in Wuhan. Delicious!
posted by misterpatrick at 12:14 PM on June 30, 2021 [1 favorite]

So many things to explore that I'd never heard about. Thanks!
posted by eotvos at 5:29 PM on June 30, 2021

Parts of the intelligence community seem pretty convinced that punk is a weaponized form of music that leaked from a Chinese research lab.
posted by flabdablet at 10:57 PM on June 30, 2021 [2 favorites]

Great post, thanks!
posted by Tom-B at 8:27 PM on July 1, 2021

"Complex musical arrangement" is the precise opposite of punk. It was the need to defeat the endless, dull noodling of 1970s prog rockers like Yes and ELP which made punk so essential in the first place.
posted by Paul Slade at 11:19 PM on July 1, 2021

the endless, dull noodling of 1970s prog rockers like Yes and ELP

Them's fightin' words
posted by flabdablet at 5:24 AM on July 2, 2021

They were meant to be!
posted by Paul Slade at 10:12 AM on July 2, 2021 [1 favorite]