They wear the Pants

New Pants (pictured) was one of the earliest punk bands in Beijing and the three guys are still hammering out their sounds twelve years later.

Formed in 1996 by four lads from Beijing hutong, Peng Lei, Pang Kuan, Lo Bo, and Shang Xiao (who left in 2002), New Pants has released four albums under Modern Sky Records.

They were influenced by "new wave", particularly the Ramones, during their early years but have latterly been influenced by 80s disco and electro. The group's startling, eye-catching stage presence marks it out as an original fish in the over-crowded pond of the Chinese music scene.

Dragon Tiger Panacea, their fourth album, mixes vintage 80s' new wave with disco and became a hit album in 2007.

Peng, vocal and guitar, says: "I think this album gives many young people a brand new concept. Actually, many youngsters didn't know what kind of music they were looking for until we gave it to them."

Keyboardist Pang says: "We're giving young music lovers a new kind of music. Although disco's been popular overseas for years, we're the first to do it here in China. We have some serious lyrics in our songs, but more importantly, our music is stylish and cool. The essence of disco music."

The title track of the new album, Dragon Tiger Panacea, is a tribute to the band members' hero Bruce Lee. The music video for Everybody was shot in an old Beijing hutong and tries to re-ignite the break dancing trend. Two Boy Friends, a ballad, meanwhile, strikes a chord with the ladies, as it tells of the dilemmas of love.

Music is not all that keeps New Pants going.

Peng and Pang studied at Beijing Art University, as film director and graphic designer, respectively, and afterward found work as a cartoonist and filmmaker. This in turn influenced New Pants' presentational style with its music videos.

Peng is primarily a clay cartoon pioneer, consistently getting good reviews and awards for his work, the most recent of which is the acclaimed film Beihai Monster.

Pang is an excellent break dancer, and bass player Lo Bo has been deeply involved in the Chinese music scene for a long time, having played with many different bands apart from New Pants. Like one of their early hits, This Era is Ours, the band intends to keep mixing it up, frolicking around and being cool. It's their time.

Story by Chen Nan, photo by Xie Yu

Mao Livehouse, March 1, 9pm. 6402-5080; Yugong Yishan, March 7, 9pm. 6404-2711

(China Daily 03/01/2008 page6)