Most musicians don't seem to mind a drink, so starting my search for others to start a band with meant making a beeline for the bars. Beijing, in particular, is witnessing a growth of local acts and because underground music is relatively new, there's not the cold shoulders and elitism that is associated with more established scenes. By and large, musicians here are willing to collaborate and many can be found milling about live venues.
Within five minutes of attending my first show, I had met two guitarists, a whole blues band and a drummer. And none of these guys were actually on the bill to play. When the booked band failed to turn up, the night turned into an impromptu performance featuring one of the guitarists and a drummer that I had barely spoken a few words to. As luck would have it, the drummer and I would eventually play in a group together.
Sure, that was a rare spot of luck, however, in the coming months I would have met at least a dozen people willing to start a rock band.
(China Daily November 9, 2007)
