Evolution of Chinese Rock

He Yong's "Refuse Dump"

1993: On March 1, the first mainland rock music school holds an opening ceremony. Cui Jian, He Yong, "Tang Dynasty," and "Black Leopard " attend and make a speech. Soon, Beijing Music Radio launches a Rock Magazine program, establishing the first rock documentary in China.

He Yong's "Refuse Dump"

On July 18, and 19, "Breath," " Cobra," Dou Wei, Zhang Chu, Wang Di and many bands as well music players hold "Olympic Games - China''s dream" --- large-scale rock concert at Capital stadium. It is the first time a new generation of Beijing's rock circle appear in group.

In the same year, many artists perform abroad. Zheng Jun releases his debut, "Naked."

1994: He Yong's "Refuse Dump," Dou Wei's "Black Dream," the first post-punk album in China and Zhang Chu's, " Lonely People Are Shameful," separately release, which effectively establishes the legitimacy of the new movement in Chinese music.

Cui Jian releases his third album, "Balls Under The Red Flag," featuring exceptional performances from saxophonist, Liu Yuan, and guitarist, Eddie Randriamampionona.

1995: Dou Wei releases his second album, "Sunny Days."

On May 11, Tang Dynasty's bassist Zhang Jun dies in a car accident.

1996: " Overload" releases its eponymous debut album, which is a milestone in Chinese heavy metal.

In December, "Mangfeng Bar" opens in Beijing, as a venue for Beijing's new bands to perform.

Divergent Paths

Flowers

1997: In March, underground rock band " Pan Gu" releases its dirty punk debut "What to Do," which melds underground music with punk trends.

Pop and folk rock artist Xu Wei releases his debut,"In Other Places."

In November, "Sober" release their Britpop debut, "Too Good" .

Modern Sky, the earliest indie music company is found in China, initiating a storm of do-it-yourself music productions.

Several influential albums release, including, Zi Yue's Chinese folk opera rock debut, "The First Album," and Fly's, "The Fly".

1998: It is a year of punk.

In January, a famous punk bar "Scream" opened in Beijing, which displays an entrance sign reading "metal and old rockers get no entrance."

In August, "Punk Era" breaks ground. The publication coincides with the nation-wide punk craze.

Pop punk outfit "New Pants" release their debut "New Pants,"; Pan Gu releases, " Burning with Lewd Desire," and Dou Wei releases his, " Mountain, River and Water," an experimental album of techno and Chinese traditional music.

1999: In January Post-pubescent pop punk band "Flowers" release their debut, "Beside Happiness." The singer of the band is only 15 in that year, which is a mark of the arrival of " Children Era" for Chinese rock.

In the same month, pop rocker Pu Shu's debut, "I Go to 2000," wins the devotion of college students.

Free Music magazine is published under the statement "Music is the means, freedom is the aim."

Three rock magazines, Modern Sky, Xmusic and So Rock soar in popularity.

2000: Modern Sky signs more and more bands, and the proliferation of music labels continue.

2004: In August a three-day rock festival dubbed, "China's Woodstock, " is held on Helanshan Mountain.

Author:Ivana