Snapline is a band based in
Beijing
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Beijing ( ; ; ), alternatively romanized as Peking ( ), is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the center of power and development of the country. Beijing is the world's most populous national capital city, with over 21 ...
, consisting of Li Qing on guitar and keyboards and Li Weisi on bass, who met while at students the Beijing Institute of Technology. Their music was dedicated to working out in a contemporary Beijing context the sounds and ideas produced by the noise and minimalist musicians of the 1970s and 1980s, especially focusing on the New York scene of that period. Wanting also explore the dark, industrial music coming out of England during that period, especially from bands like Joy Division and the Cure, the two created a side project, which performed strange, drum-machine-driven music over dark, minor chords. Chen Xi, on vocals and drum machine, brought a softer sound to the band with his singing.
Ex-
Public Image Ltd
Public Image Ltd (abbreviated and stylized as PiL) are an English post-punk band (and incorporated limited company) formed by singer John Lydon (previously known as the singer of Sex Pistols), guitarist Keith Levene, bassist Jah Wobble, and dr ...
drummer
Martin Atkins
Martin Clive Atkins (born 3 August 1959) is an English drummer and session musician, best known for his work in post-punk and industrial groups including Public Image Ltd, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Pigface, and Killing Joke. He also works as ...
produced their first CD.
Irrespective
As snippets of the recording filtered through the scene in China, the band's shows started drawing larger crowds, and they soon began to develop a strong following. A series of concerts at D-22 established them as one of the central bands in the scene, much loved by critics and musicians, although difficult at times for audiences to follow. In October, 2007, the performed a set at the Modern Sky festival. After that show it was clear to many that Snapline was one of the key bands in the musical explosion emanating from Beijing.
Press
The subject of many articles in the Chinese press, the band was listed in the September 2007 edition of ''
That's Beijing
''That's Beijing'' is a monthly English language magazine, distributed throughout Beijing, with a focus on news, current events, culture, art, music, fashion, nightlife and dining in Beijing. It is owned by Shanghai-based publishing group, Urbana ...
'' as one of the ten best bands in China and in an article in ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...
'' that same year Li Qing was listed as one of China's four major guitar innovators.
Discography
References
External links
Snapline Interview: SXSW 2010Snapline + Party Is Over, Pornostar CD Reviewed on CrocksimplicationSnap, Crackle and Pop: Snapline frontman Chen Xi talks about the band’s upcoming albumReview: Snapline at Mao LivehouseA Crop Of New Rock Bands Changing the Face of Chinese Youth Culture
{{Authority control
Musical groups from Beijing
21st-century Chinese musicians