China, Asia, Climbing and Fixed Gear Bikes

We went to a small renovated hutong bar near Houhai for a concert of our friends. The Over Easy Dance Band plays foot-stomping rhythm and blues. They claim „If the Rolling Stones knocked up the Scissor Sisters, we’d be the spawn“. The band consists of Jimmy Biala on drums, Matt Forney on electric guitar, Meilan Frame on vocals and flute, Matt Roberts on the doghouse bass. But Jimmy flies forever to the United States in February so this was their last gig.

They played songs from Depeche Mode as well as Tom Waits. I think it is the first time that I heard a band play Tom Waits in China. It was really nice. Too bad the entertaining drummer is leaving Beijing.

Tonight I met with friends in a small beautifully renovated hutong building in a small alley going off Gulou Dongdajie #66 (near the public toilet). This new bar is called Amilal in Shoubi Hutong. A small Chinese minority band called EZ played some quiet music. They had a 4 stringed guitar, a 2 stringed instrument, a drum, a bell and other instruments. It was a really nice atmosphere.

If you come to Beijing and want to experience a nice lamb dinner in a Mongolian tent (called yurt) – then go to the restaurant near Dongdan. We went there and had our own little yurt with our own waitress. Each yurt is a luxury tent as they have their own air conditioners. We did not order a full lamb, but really enjoyed the Lamb back. Later even some Mongolian singers came to sing for our guests from overseas.

Afterwards we went to my favorite Chinese band called Second Hand Rose Band. In Chinese their name is 二手玫瑰. They played again in the Get Lucky bar. We arrived late but there were still 2 pre-bands playing. I was confused to see the Second Hand Rose lead singer with almost no hair and not wearing a dress nor high heal shoes. Also he was not able to put the typical rose into his hair anymore. I really always loved his outfit as well as the appearance and intensity on stage. That was missing today.