Beijing Invades the Elk's Lodge

On Friday night, the Beijing Invasion tour wrapped up its Southern California stint with a stop at the Elk's Lodge in Highland Park. The venue was a good one, tucked between railroad tracks and a residential area with a cheap cover (7 bucks) and a casual vibe with the bands wandering around the premises. Above, AV Okubo bassist Zuo Yi represents the old world with his squatting technique and old-school punk rock with Clash and Misfits logos painted onto his leather.


Carsick Cars' front man and guitar hero Zhang Shouwang chills with ace photog Ben before the show.


Sweden-born, Hong Kong-raised, and China-based P.K. 14 drummer Jonathan Leijonhufvud bought some cameras on eBay while in the U.S. This Polaroid folds flat for easier transport. It has a sonar sensor so it can take pics in the dark!


The first band was AV Okubo, whose heavy use of the keyboards reminded me of pre-hardcore punk when bands like the Screamers, Wall of Voodoo, or even Oingo Boingo could play to a crowd of mohawks.


Next up was P.K. 14. Yang Haisong looks like an Asian version of Milo but plays more like Guy (of the Descendents and Fugazi, respectively, of course). I'm not kidding or exaggerating.


P.K. 14's albums are great, but they don't do justice to the live set. Tons of energy and focus. I was too close to take photos of the members going airborne. Below, bassist Shi Xudong, who I interviewed when he was in Brain Failure!


It sucks to compare the bands to American counterparts, but that's what I'm going to do. There's a Rites of Spring or Embrace feel to the P.K. 14's sound, and the lyrics are similarly political and poetic--and translated into English in the CD booklets.


Super nice dudes, and one of my new favorite bands.


If you've been reading my blog, you already know my take on Carsick Cars: Noisy, VU- and SY-informed guitar-based post punk with Pavement-quality melodies. Standing right by the bass monitor brought out the bottom end's Joy Division qualities.


Monday's set at The Echo was impressive, but Friday's was even better with pieces blending into one another like a long, gorgeous, ear-splitting composition. No violin bow this time, but there was extra knob turning and tweaking.


Bassist Li Weisi, whose basslines are deceptively simple sounding.


Shouwang meets the fans from the front row! On the left taking the picture is the GR crew's own Luis, who heeded my urgings to check out the bands and didn't regret it. (And where were you?)


Carsick Cars, P.K. 14, and AV Okubo's trip to the U.S. was made possible by the Maybe Mars label, which was started by Charles Saliba and Nevin Domer. I think it's cool that the two are are not only fostering Bejing's young scene via the D-22 club and growing the music with the label, but taking the bands out for the world to see. Super dedicated, friendly, and smart guys.


After Highland Park, it was on to San Francisco for one last show before heading back to Beijing. All the bands ended their sets with, "See you next time," so those of you who were too lazy to attend the shows might have a second chance. Don't blow it again!