Over the past decade, Beijing's underground music scene has been heavily influenced by loud genres, such as punk, rock and metal. Perdel strikes a different note with Britpop and a more melodic style of music.

Comprised of Mao Chuan on vocals, Gang An on the Bass, drummer Zhang Chao, guitarist Ma Xiaodong and keyboardist Xiao Tian, the band was formed in 2005. The name Perdel comes from the first three letters of "perfect delete". It released its debut album Take Me Away this year. With a mix of oriental lyrics full of traditional Chinese poetry and Western electronic music, the band's fresh style reminds one of Jay Chou, Taiwan's topnotch singer. Mao's soft yet powerful voice plus Ma's modern music production make them one of the most promising bands in China.

Like many young people born after 1980, the five were heavily into rock in high school and got to know one another at bars featuring rock shows. Their restless musical souls found common ground and helped establish their own sound.

Zhang says: "When I was in middle school, I saw a concert. For the first time in my life, I knew what jazz was and I became interested in drums." He bought tapes and learned to play the drums. Mao used to be more interested in painting before meeting Ma at an underground party.

"There is no 'no' in our music world. Like my encounter with Ma, every song has a story, and that is what inspires us," Xiao says.

Their upbeat music and infectious style is drawing enthusiastic crowds to their performances in first-class bars and clubs across Beijing.

(China Daily September 20, 2008)