Alright, a bit worn this week – last weeks’ five day concert-going marathon worked better in theory than in practice. But don’t let that deter you this weekend which is chalk full of punk on a grand scale. And if that’s not to your liking then hop over to the updated Calendar, where you can check out every show happening this month thus far. 

FRIDAY

No better way to shake off the week’s excrement by losing yourself at one of School’s punk outings – shameless, gut-full of punk expelling with these fine upright gents. On deck are The Flyx, The Diders, who have been picking up praises left and right from folks, Dr. Liu (and his all too on the nose name), who impressed the shit out of me last fall, and One’s Last Shift. Expect fast and furious ditties, fist pumping, and cigarette smoke. And all for free, cause hey, why not. Know what else is free – WHAI, at Temple – pretty much sums it up. Don’t know how much times I have to spell it out. Take it easy (an oxymoron at Temple) at the Gulou hangout and feel the full on badassdom of WHAI and try not to imagine yourself as Donnie Yen tearing it up. Oh, and a little drum n bass action courtesy of Owl Eyes. Niceee. Metal goes high tech over at Mao Livehouse as industrial electro metal group Nuclear Fusion G release their second album Nuclear Process with a little help from friends, Mulit–Ego, and The Sweet Escape. Over at XP, a mash up of garage, grunge, electronica, and then some commences with Lilium, Pork, Fat Tree, and You Xi. Out of Chengdu, electronica group Dancing K swing through Mako Livehouse for some big rhythms and dnace-ready beats – they’ll be supported by Self Portrait. While US pop punkers Zebrahead cancelled, one can still check out well known Japanese punk pop group Secret Line 7 at Yugong Yishan. Yunnan indie group Li Ming & The Embroidered Shoes plan to rock Dos Kolegas well into the night and finally, the blues trope New Band hit up Jianghu Bar and folk from the heart at Blue Stream Bar with Lin Tianran and Suyu.

SATURDAY

Word on the street new punk safe haven DMC located out in bumbblefuck Beijing (aka Tongzhou) is like retro Beijing – back when emptied out buses doubled as bars, and rowdiness was just a part of the act. Well, looks like the joint, owner by Spike, of Demerit, is looking to capture that feeling, and the essence of punk at DMC, starting off with a freebie this Saturday that kicks off at 6pm with surely BBQ, beer, cheap liquor, and finally musicals antics from Bedstars (finishing their debut album), Discord (who just released their latest album), and possibly Demerit, depending on how housed Spike is (it’s his birthday as well). Either way, it’s gonna be an epic shit storm of fun. Nothing like a little change of scenery. I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Xian noise rock group Colorful Z-bra a few months back, and let me tell you, they’re the real deal – well, they’re back at XP so head over and cheer the boys on, who will be joined by post punk deconstructionists Streets Kill Strange Animals and The Somnus. Pure unadulterated rock n roll, in all shapes and forms, at School with Steely Heart, White Noise, Fat Tree, and Mam’s Mud. The Old What? Bar is still going strong as Streets Kill Strange Animals play their second gig tonight with help from rock steady outfit The Intrepid Adventurers. Keep it poppy at Mao Livehouse with this handful of eager to please bands including 4U, Toyhead, Magic Mama, Magic Bus, and more. Songwriter Liu Donghong stops his band Sand at the Blue Stream Bar for some earthy folk tunes. Feel the American country at 69 Café with David Colp, and at the Hot Cat Club, with In Side Out, a duo which fuses Americana with Chinese folk. And of course there’s always the jazzy fun to be had at Temple, where The Hot Club of Beijing will perfrom. Lastly, for you ambitious types, there’s an ukulele workshop by Taiwanese ukulele master Uncle Ma at Mako Livehouse followed by a show as well as a cosplay festival happening all afternoon and evening at Yugong Yishan.

SUNDAY

Indie rockers The Twenties are joined by Tigers and Laojins at Blue Stream Bar. Folk love at 69 Café with Bear Biscuit and Xiao Pu. Goldne Melody Award winner Lala serenades will jam pack Yugong Yishan as well. And finally, check out Japanese rockers Okan at School. And a last minute addition, The Incisors will be joined by visiting experimental violinist Amble Skuse at the Hot Cat Club.