P.K. 14 Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 9th 2010 5:39PM by Areti Sakellaris
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Whether it's in English or Chinese, rock 'n roll is rock 'n roll, and the Beijing-based quartet P.K. 14 are at the forefront of China's underground rock circuit. After an inaugural visit last fall to the Mecca of their post-punk and New-Wave muses -- New York City -- the band is at it again with their shredding guitar riffs, unmerciful bass bombardment, and discontented lyrics. Spinner recently spoke with frontman Yang Haisong about his band and its plan for SXSW and America.

How would you describe your sound?

That little old thing called rock 'n' roll -- the one with electric guitars, bass, drums and amplified vocals -- churned through a Chinese dictionary.

How did your band form?

In Nanjing, 1997, we were young, we were bored, we loved cassettes and wanted to try making our own. Chinese kids are just like any other. The time was right, the entire country was busy making money and we were busy making noise.

How did you come up with your band name?

It's an ongoing play on words, but most often it's an acronym for "Public Kingdom for Teens."

What are your musical influences?

The four of us have radically different tastes -- it's what keeps the friction in our band. -- but we can come to agreement on the catalogs of Discord, Nonesuch, Motown, Sonic Youth-era Geffen, mid-to-late '70s CBS, Sire, EMI and Factory Records.

Was it ever difficult to listen to Western music growing up in China? Was it risky and dangerous?

No, it was never a risk; maybe a bit difficult as we had no money to buy records, plus most records weren't or aren't available in China. The Internet changed all that, of course. Starting a band in late-'90s China was also similar; we had no money to buy equipment and there were hardly any places to play, mainly underground parties and improvised/temporary venues.

In your experience, is there a big allure for Chinese bands to break in America?

Maybe more for the younger bands, hence more of the newer bands singing in English, not in their Chinese mother tongue. But isn't the big allure for the world to break in China now? [Laughs]. For us, the allure is to stay together and let the music takes us places we never dreamed of.

Your first visit to the US was last fall. Wow was the response, and did it feel different than performing in Asia?

It was great, and people were dancing with us even though we only sing in Chinese. I guess opposites really do attract. We felt very welcome. People are people, and whether in the US or Asia, a good time is a good time.

This year you'll be back to record. Will you have all the material figured out before you start recording? What city or studio will you be working from?

We're still filing away at the new songs. It takes way longer to write good scaled down and "simpler" songs. There are some producers and studios we really want to work with, like Jim O'Rourke or Steve Albini and his Electrical Audio in Chicago. It would be an honor, but it's all up in the air until we've figured out these songs.

Can you share some lyrics in English?

Sure, lyrics are always important -- there's nothing worst than empty music. I like this song, 'Some Surprises Come Too Soon': "Your first meeting downtown now a blur/Voices resonate from torn throats/Mocking you behind your back/The street sweeped spotlessly /And you say to yourself nevermind/I won't be surprised again ..."

What's in your festival survival kit and what will you miss the most while in the US?

Instant noodles, ear plugs -- to keep other members' snoring at bay -- and lots and lots of duct tape. Some of us get rice cold turkey within 24 hours -- we get romantic and miss our rich culinary roots -- but we love burgers and pizza too. Grease is the secret of any successful tour.

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

Every tour is crazy, it's the manifestation of yin and yang. Come to our show and we'll be glad to share bedtime stories.

Areti Sakellaris is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.