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)
