While the bulk of recent attention on the Middle Kingdom has focused on either the Olympics or the massive development of the most populous nation on the planet, there is another China bubbling not far below the surface. In the recent past around the world, rock music has emerged alongside – and, often, in reaction to – economic developments; China is no different in this experience. But China is different in one particular way: China has birthed SUBS.
Simply put: SUBS’ screaming garage-punk rock is the most sought after live experience in the country. The band has risen quickly through the rock ranks based on their riotous live sets that are explosions of pure energy rare to the Middle Kingdom. Inspired by bands such as the Hives, the Sonics and Fugazi, SUBS’ brand of garage-punk rock has been the leading light of the Chinese rock scene.
With the 2005 invitation to perform at Oslo’s Øya Festival, SUBS’ European campaign began. A small Norwegian and Finnish tour followed, and later in the year, the band hit Germany and Holland. The summer of 2006 saw the band play over 30 shows in four countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark). In addition to winning over new audiences, SUBS garnered interest from local and international print and broadcast media including: NRK (Norwegian Public Radio); American Public Radio International; the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong);Nylon(Australia);Roadtracks (Germany); BA and BT, two of Norway’s largest newspapers, Radio Helsinki, PopMatters.com and more. In addition, Sonic Studios recorded the band in their Copenhagen studios at the end of the ’06 tour. A Norwegian documentary on the band debuted at the 2008 Bergen International Film Festival --- SUBS played a select few Norwegian shows at the premier --- while the band has in appeared in numerious other documentaries filmmakers and news features on Chinese music.
Meanwhile, at home, SUBS self-produced and –released two albums, Subs Life EP (2004) that quickly sold out, and, in September 2006, the seven-track Down. In January 2007, they were featured on the cover of Rolling Stone (China). In 2008, the band self-produced the EP We Haven’t Entered the 21st Century. The band has been on several extensive China tours and has been crowd favorites at each of the annual Midi Music Festivals (Beijing) at which they have performed.(By: Jon Campbell)