Allow me to categorize, in an admittedly clumsy manner, the options expats have for international music in Beijing:
* Foreign bands, usually rather amateurish, that live in China.
* Past-their-prime bands or solo acts that have little more than nostalgia on their side (think Ian Brown or any individual Ramone).
* Super big-pop acts that no one really likes (Lil' John, Akon).
* Up-and-coming bands that may eventually make it big, or may suck rather hard (Common, Owl City).
For music lovers, that's not much to look forward to, so it's incumbent upon us to take chances.
I hit the jackpot last night at Yugong Yishan.
Formed in Beijing, Residence A (A公馆乐队) released its first LP earlier this year, Please Use Body to Pulverize the Desire to Flee for One's Life《请用身体砸碎欲望逃生》(translation mine). Described by Josh Feola of the music promotion Pangbianr as playing "tight, melodic indie pop, often with a syncopated disco beat reminiscent of Franz Ferdinand or The Killers," here they are with the music video Wo Jiu Zai (我就在), which translates to something like "I'm Just Here."
Scant info is available about this picture, except that it was posted earlier this week, taken at the intersection of Songjiang and Jinyu, city unknown. Commenters on Weibo speculate the grandma is doing this to get drivers to slow down. Or maybe it’s to cause drivers to rubberneck and crash? #MinorDifferences (Via Car News China)
We’re guessing this video was taken in Vietnam, but given we found this on Youku and here at BJC we’re amused by all quirky and homemade inventions, we thought we’d share this clip of a guy riding his own version of a batmobile… although it appears this vehicle is simply made from exercise equipment, bicycle... Read more »
Xinhua is reporting that in Yongling township, Xinbin Manchu autonomous county, Liaoning province yesterday, a 17-year-old went on a killing spree after fighting with his girlfriend: The 17-year-old suspect, a native of Xinfu district in downtown Fushun, stabbed to death two relatives of his girlfriend after having conflicts with his girlfriend, an initial investigation showed.... Read more »
The Guardian continues to win its coverage of the Olympics. You might remember they were right on top of the Ye Shiwen story, and what can you say about their Lego reenactments of Olympic moments except bravo, good sirs.
Let us first acknowledge that the glittering jewels around the logo and grille are probably fake. But what kind of car would draw attention to itself with such gaudiness? Is it camp? Is it social status? Spotted at Sanlitun on Sunday, this car will never believe it’s beautiful no matter how many leers it attracts. What does deficiency... Read more »
Wearing what could possibly be a fake Lakers jersey and shorts. We think one of his feet is in a plastic tub. The video description says he’s like the wind, which would only be true if the wind lik shimmies like his. Nothing else is known. Youku video for those in China after the jump.
The Good Doctor and Candice L. have teamed together with some of their long-time Beijing friends to produce a weekly episodic online show called Beijing Slice, which we think you might enjoy. Here’s their first episode, “Swimming in Qian Hai.” Youku video for those in China after the jump.
![Chinese Government Official Reportedly Bullies Sexual Assault Victim On Behalf Of His Son [UPDATE]](http://beijingcream.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Chinese-student-accused-of-date-rape-and-sexual-assault-150x150.jpg "Chinese Government Official Reportedly Bullies Sexual Assault Victim On Behalf Of His Son [UPDATE]")
