Raiding Party: Rainbow Danger Club Descend on Beijing for Shanghai Weekend
As this year’s JUE festivities draw to a close, they’re looking to wind up with a bang this weekend as the festival hosts a Shanghai invasion on the capital. As part of the aptly named Shanghai Weekend, two of the southern city’s live scene stalwarts, Rainbow Danger Club and Friend or Foe, will bring their legendary live performances to 2 Kolegas on Saturday night. "Vibrant" is one word you could use to describe the experience. "Insane" is another. We got the skinny from Rainbow Danger Club on “the scene,” their exuberant live show and a recent run-in with Beijing authorities.
You guys will be performing in Beijing as part of JUE’s Shanghai Weekend. How do you think the indie scene differs between the two cities?
I really have no idea, but we are excited to get to know how Beijing does it. We've only played once in Beijing – at the Black Rabbit Festival – and I doubt that was indicative of the "the scene." Some folks have told us that only a few dozen Beijingers will go out to see a Shanghai band. I hope they are wrong, but if that's true, then we look forward to playing for a few dozen beautiful people.
Your theatrical live shows have caused a bit of a stir in the past. What can we expect from your JUE performance?
Yeah, actually lots of Shanghai bands are into dressing up, face painting and stage antics. We've recently toned down the histrionics and focused on the music, but we do have a few tricks up our sleeves. We are bringing our VJ (VJ Tina Sprinkles) with us and might deliver some on-stage acrobatics. But if you wanna see theatrics, check out Friend or Foe, who is playing with us that same night. They have taken it to another dimension. We can't compete!
What was the story behind your run-in with the Beijing authorities over performing at Black Rabbit last year? Too riotous?!
It was a misunderstanding. They thought our drummer was mentally handicapped. He's just a drunk and a damn fine drummer. All was cleared up and we played the gig and had a great time.
You recently returned from a trip to Australasia. Did the trip help inspire any new material?
Not so much Australia, but New Zealand absolutely inspired a lot of ideas and imagery. And the natural beauty, laid-back people and proud heritage was enough to wash the Shanghai decadence away. And perhaps the dub, dubstep and drum ‘n’ bass has infiltrated some of our new arrangements a little bit.
If you only had one record to listen to for the rest of your days, what would it be?
Jesse (guitar and vocals): The Aeroplane over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel
Corayer (trumpet and keys): Blue Train by John Coltrane
Ford (drums): Red by King Crimson
Nichols (bass and vocals): Lateralus by Tool
Pickles: OK Computer by Radiohead
What's coming up on the horizon for Rainbow Danger Club?
Outside of a handful of shows in Shanghai in April, May and June, we are touring the USA this summer. We'll be in Texas, the Northeast, the southeast and a little bit of the Midwest.
Also, be sure to check out my other band, Death to Giants, at Hot Cat Club.
Rainbow Danger Club perform at 2 Kolegas at 9pm on Saturday, March 24. Tickets cost RMB 50 at the door.
Photo: Rainbow Danger Club
