FROM THE ASHES OF BATTLES...

So... Battles last night. Great great concert!!

We arrived when the doors opened at about nine. I'd never heard of the two warm-up bands P.K.14 and Lava/Ox/Sea. P.K.14 had cancelled and was replaced by a crappy chinese band that everyone but me, seemed to love... 

But Lava/Ox/Sea turned out to be quite an experience. This mix of post-rock, math (-something) and guitar driven instrumental parts really drew me in. It was like attending a Dillinger Escape Plan concert performed by three shy chinese emo guys (this is supposed to be a compliment). You can check them out on youtube: Here

Or you can grab three free mp3 downloads from SmartShanghai.com: Here

It's all from live performances so the quality is pretty bad, but you'll get the idea.

Underneath is a photo of the band. You can't see them, but you can see the venue. It's called The Dream Factory and I love this place (except for the beer prices.)

Enter Battles. Guitarist Dave Konopka (left) and singer/guitarist/keyboard Tyonda Braxton greeting some fans.
I saw Battles last year at Roskilde, but it was cool experiencing them up close. If you look in the left side of the photo underneath, you'll see John Stanier's (former Helmet drummer.., I learned yesterday) characteristic drum setup. He actually stands up when he needs to hit that cymbal. Have a listen at the bands myspace: Here
A great concert and a bruised toe (after an unwelcome mosh-pit) later, we find Simon actually stretching, to hinder soar loins... I'm pretty sure Slash never stretched.

UPDATE: I just received a link from Joey, a nice guy I met at yesterdays concert. He's taken some really cool photos of the event. For an up-close look at what happened, click on THIS LINK. You have to scroll a bit down for the concert pics. Dude with glasses and the Jaguar is from Lava/Ox/Sea...

GAMBAI BAI BAI...

I just got home after a night filled with magic and the worlds largest mini-bar. I'm now preparing for the concert of the year (or at least my stay in Shanghai). "Battles" will be playing tonight and I'm looking so much forward to it! Kick-ass show at Roskilde so expectations are high...

These are pictures from where I had my gig last night. I'll try to get some video up soon. The two guests in the photo below kept wanting to have pictures taken with me, so I decided to have on taken as well. It's was "Gambai" night at the party. This involved all the chinese "pressuring" the expats (foreigners) into downing their drinks every five minutes or so. Too bad I couldn't join in. 
This last photo is taken at around four in the morning, in a bar called Windows Scoreboard. An american guy talked me into giving a close-up show for the bars staff. I ended up doing magic in the smallest kitchen in the history kitchens... They didn't understand a word of what I said, but I think we all had a great time. At least I finished the evening drinking gin and tonics on the house : )

"Foreign Mud..."

Sunday! The day I've been eagerly awaiting... Last night is a bit blurry, but I remember having great mojitos and white russians at The Bell in Tang Kai Lu (spelling), doing magic for the owner of Windows Underground and Windows Scoreboard (sports bars with good and cheap beer), and then playing darts with three english skaters while being heavily sedated. Pointy objects do not go hand in hand with alcohol. Luckily no one got hurt.

I got home at around 5 this morning, after René and I had made a ritual offering on the altar of McDonalds. Sleep...

When I woke up i decided to spend the day on my own. I visited a great little restaurant called the Noodle House. This is by far the best food I've had so far here in Shanghai. Great vegetables and chicken served with noodles. Mmmmm... Not the, now frequently, expected fat and bones. 

5 stars out of 5 from me.

Just next to the Noodle House is a small café. It was really nice just sitting and relaxing while reading in my lonely planet about opium and mob-wars. Did you know that opium used to be referred to as "foreign mud"? Neither did I. This was one of the few places where I've actually felt that I could relax in this often chaotic and stressful city. The owners weren't hiding their dreams of an "American" style café. I Love NY stickers on the cash register and episodes of Friends playing on a big TV. But non the less this was a quiet and peaceful place. 
 

Back on Track...

Finally I'm back with more news from this nation turned upside down. A lot has happened since my last update. I have met a lot of nice and very exciting people here in Shanghai. I have done some magic, and I've been invited to do a couple of shows during the next month or so. I've had a very cultural experience while visiting IKEA... I had pasta! In IKEA, the chinese really do sit ind relax in the exhibited furniture and some people actually fall asleep in the beds.
I just needed to include this photo. As far as I could see, it's a packet of condoms. "DAD. Effect is very good". I would like to talk to that company's brand manager.

I have challenged myself, for the past couple of weeks, on the chinese food issue. My new rule to live by is called; "5 Days of Feeding Frenzy" (self-titled). The idea is, that I have to try out a new dish or odd-looking chinese "cuisine", at least 5 times a week. I already hate myself for this idea, but I must admit that I've also tried some really great things. Imagine a lump of unbaked dough, stuffed with brown sauce and onions... That was on of the good things I've had  : ) The picture below is taken at a local soup kitchen. They wouldn't have lasted five minutes in denmark : ) But it's actually a good place.

This photo is taken in my favorite labyrinth of Shanghai. It has the coolest little cafés and the worlds, probably, most expensive coffee : )

I got lost a couple of days ago and accidentally found myself in Barbie-land (you'll stop laughing when you realized I've signed you up for their weekly news letter and "dress-up" offers). Four floors of Barbie-mania!! It was the most disgusting place that I've ever set my foot in... So I left

Still Alive!!

 I haven't forgotten you at home. I'm experiencing troubles with uploading my pictures and film. This could be caused by the merciless chinese censorship, but is most likely due to a french and lazy web connection. We'll hopefully get a new and improved connection some time tomorrow.

Until then.., goodnight.