2009 Aug 14 Sing that Swing: Get dizzy with the Hellcats
At times, Beijing’s music scene can feel inundated with nothing but rock, punk and folk. Thank goodness, then, for the swing and rockabilly of DH & Chinese Hellcats.
Despite what their name suggests, the Hellcats are cooler than ice. Wearing a retro-print halter-top dress with a Betty Page bang peeking out of a pink headband, DH (aka Hemmy – “the ‘D’ stands for ‘dizzy’”) clutches a vintage microphone and bats her eyes before shyly asking the crowd, “Are you ready to dance?” And that’s when the music starts and playing coy comes to an end.
As Hemmy wails away on lead vocals, lead guitarist (and boyfriend) Dee Dee backs her up. Meanwhile, Xu Lin hits the drums, Fu Ying knocks the keyboard, Zhu Kun provides the sax and Zhu Lei carries everyone on bass.
“We decided to go with ‘cats,’ since our lead singer is a girl,” says Hemmy. But if you look closer, you might notice the Hellcats are more than just a pretty face. In fact, every band member is a prominent player in Beijing’s music scene – Dee Dee and Xu Lin are both members of punk band Brain Failure, and Zhu Lei is the bassist for emo rock band SUBS. Zhu Kun also has his own ska band and jazz quartet.
DH & Chinese Hellcats singing the Ramones cover "The KKK Took My Baby Away" on April 22 at Mao Livehouse. Watch more of their live videos here.
So how exactly did this eclectic bunch of musicians get together in the name of swing? “We started as a rockabilly band, and gradually turned more swing-oriented,” explains Hemmy. Back in May 2008, the band started playing remakes of classics just for fun, with songs ranging from the Ramones to Elvis Presley. Only a few months later, on August 15, they made their live debut at 2 Kolegas. “If only we had more orchestra instruments, something like a trumpet or a trombone, that would be ideal,” says Hemmy.
Still, even without the extra brass, the Hellcats put on one hell of a swinging party. “We’re all about having fun, really,” Hemmy says. “Some bands are about pain and suffering, as if society owes them something, but we quite frankly don’t like that attitude. Reality is f*cked up and we can’t do anything about it, so why not just put on a happy show and let people dance their troubles away?”
With their first anniversary fast approaching, you might expect the Hellcats to be gearing up for something big. Not necessarily. “We’re not signed to any label and not planning on any album yet,” says Hemmy. “We would like to get into the studio after coming up with some original material, but since piracy is so out of control here, we know we won’t make any money from an album.”
At any rate, the Hellcats are all about the live performance. “We make music simply to make ourselves happy, so if you really want to listen to us, just come to our show. That’s always the best part of rock & roll.”
DH & Chinese Hellcats say...
the Beijinger: What's your ideal job apart from music?
Hemmy: Fashion designer, Food critic
DeeDee: Pornstar
Xu Lin: Professional footballer
tbj: Who will you most want to perform with?
DH: It'd be nice if we can open for Brian Setzer.
tbj: What do you like about Beijing?
DH: Beijing always has that up-yours attitude, yet it's also tolerant to differences.
tbj: What do you hate about Beijing?
DH: The sandy weather in spring, the killing heat in summer, the period before they turn on the heat in winter, and of course the traffic.
DH & the Chinese Hellcats celebrate their one-year anniversary at 2 Kolegas on Aug 15 with fellow rockabilly lovers Defy and local reggae production Meiwenti Sound (RMB 50, 10pm), with the following song list:
Opening
In The Mood
Choo Choo Ch'boogie
Liqour Store
Swing Time 1
Rock Your Baby
One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer
I Want
Callin let you know
The Good Old Days: A Tribute to the Legends
Blue Suede Shoes
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend
KKK
Summer Time
Beat It (Swing It)
Fun Time
Fever
Sleep Walk + The Water Side (在水一方)
Chinese Hellcats Stomp (Introducing the Chinese Hellcats)
Swing Time 2
Hit the Road Jack
Jump, Jive, and Wail
Saturday Night Fish Fry
Ending
Good Golly Miss Molly
Chinese Hellcats
Catch them at the same venue on Aug 21 with big swing bands Skarving and Ghosts of Businessman (RMB 40, 10pm). Then on Aug 23, they'll be performing as part of the Summer Pilot 2009 Music Festival at Olympic Sports Center Stadium.(RMB 50, on stage around 7.30pm).
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