PUNK ROCK REVOLUTION IN THE P.R.C.

China’s seminal punk rock band, Brain Failure sings in English and Mandarin, belting melodic, upbeat ditties about politics, parties and Anarchy in the P.R.C. Brain Failure’s power-packed lineup is: Xiao Rong on lead vocals and guitar, Wang Jian on guitar, Shi Xudong on bass, and Xu Lin on drums. As the first generation of Chinese musicians since the 1949 Communist Revolution to grow-up in relative political stability, economic prosperity, and exposure to western popular culture, Brain Failure is influenced by bands like Operation Ivy, Sex Pistols, and The Clash They were the first musicians in the People’s Republic of China to shave Mohawks and belt-out the dissonant sounds of revolution over power-chords, in the late 1990’s. Appearing on China’s first punk compilation, Wuliao Jundui, they soon started a punk rock revolution in the P.R.C.. Brain Failure has inspired an entire generation of Chinese youth, and an evolving punk and hardcore scene that is growing around the country. Brain Failure has since become the first Chinese punk band to release their album and tour widely on the international scene. With the release of their album Turn on the Distortion in 2002, on Japanese independent label Bad News Records, they have toured in Asia and the United States. In 2003, they performed at the Austin SXSW, and New York CMJ music festivals. They have also toured with punk rock greats, including Dropkick Murphys, The Unseen, Stiff Little Fingers, Ramallah, Street Dogs, The Briefs,The Forgotten and many others In January 2004, Brain Failure finished recording their second album with Dropkick Murphys bassist Ken Casey. In a Boston Globe article about the recording, Casey praises Brain Failure saying “I love their music”,and that “Their musicianship is incredible, and the songs are very catchy. It’s real interesting to see a band come out of a place where punk rock is very much underground, while over here it is so commercialized”. With the Japanese release of this album named “American Dreamer” in August 2004 Japan, they have toured with Dropkick Murphys thorough out Japan in November as support act. Also, they have appeared on Hellcat/Epitaph’s punk rock compilation, Give ‘Em the Boot Vol. IV, which also had been released in November. As the irreverent punk rock voice of China’s burgeoning youth culture, Brain Failure has been featured in the international media, including Details magazine, The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Guardian, Giant Robot magazine, Edit by Getty Images and in a European Levi’s commercial.

Wang Jian : guitar
Xu Lin: drums
Xiao Rong : vocals, guitar
Ma Jiliang: bass