Scream for Life — Interview with SMZB Frontman Wu Wei
WHILE YOU READ, listen to the Under the Wall SMZB mixtape: https://www.mixcloud.com/Under_the_Wall/under-the-wall-smzb-mixtape/
If you’re familiar with the Chinese independent music scene, then the chances are you don’t need an introduction to who Wu Wei and SMZB are.
Wu Wei, the singer and lyricist of SMZB (生命之饼 — ‘The Bread of Life’), grew up in the Hubei province’s largest city, Wuhan, and is widely regarded as one of the oldest and most influential punks in China. It goes without saying that Wu Wei is largely responsible for helping Wuhan gain the moniker of ‘China’s Punkest City’. “When we (SMZB) got together in 1996, Wuhan had no punk scene. After we played a few times we got to know more and more people in the (music) scene. At that time they were all in university. After we slowly all got to know each other and more and more friends started their own bands.”
Wu Wei’s music and support of the early scene helped to establish a punk scene which began in China in the late 90’s and exploded in the early 00’s. “Around 1997 I had a friend who moved to the states and would send me a lot of the underground punk and hardcore tapes and CD’s from the states. That’s how I managed to listen to more and more different punk bands.” Recollects Wu Wei on how he first got into punk music.
Along with the punk scene in China, SMZB have grown and changed their style over the years. Their earlier songs and records had an edgy and raw old school street punk sound. In recent years the band are more stylistically akin to the Celtic punk rock sound of the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly. However, throughout these stylistic changes SMZB have always been best known for their energetic, fast paced brand of punk rock and their confrontational socio-political lyrics. What might seem confrontational lyrics to many, Wu Wei rather sees them as direct and forthright statements about “occurrences that are happening in Chinese society. Things we hear about and see”.
It’s these lyrics that have been the subject to controversy throughout SMZB’s 20 year career. Their songs and critical lyrics have not only attracted a devoted following of punks and indie rockers, but also unwittingly attracted the attention of government authorities. As a result, SMZB have seen themselves banned from many government organized music festivals and shows and similarly have found distribution deals difficult to come by. “I couldn’t care less. It won’t change my style or subject matter”, is Wu Wei’s defiant response to these ‘complications’.
This defiance, along with his tough exterior, somewhat serve an oxymoron to Wu Wei’s honest and extremely kind character. You just have to meet the man once to know as much. And if you go to a SMZB show, you WILL meet him. Wu Wei always hangs around before and after shows to share beers and whisky with friends and fans alike.
He is also a man who wears his moral codes on his sleeve, and keeps his values very close to his heart. “Punk to me is about being a genuine person. Being honest, brave, having honor and being a kind-hearted person.” His definition of the concept of punk is not your typical response to the question, which it should be stated has no concrete answer. But it’s fitting to Wu Wei and SMZB. This bravery and integrity shine through in SMZB’s lyrics, which often have a strong theme of being true to yourself and following your heart, no matter what obstacles you run into. This defiant attitude has been the driving force behind SMZB over their 20 years. This year it will be 21 years. And there will be a 22nd year too as SMZB plan to record new material in 2017 for a 2018 release.
Fresh off the back of their 2016 release “Born in the PRC”, SMZB completed two China tours and a full tour through mainland Europe. Wu Wei was kind enough to agree to an interview during the middle of SMZB’s second China tour.
The full interview can be seen below （中文版在最下面）
Under the Wall: 2016 marked SMZB’s 20 anniversary. 20 years ago, what was it that first appealed to Punk to you? How did you first get into punk? How did the band form?
We Wei: Punk rock in itself is what appealed to me. It’s simple, straight forward and energetic. At that time the only way for us to hear rock n roll and punk was through ‘Punch Hole’ tapes (*). Even at that time it was hard to get your hands on punk music, apart from the more famous bands like The Clash, The Ramones and The Sex Pistols. Around 1997 I had a friend who moved to the states and would send me a lot of the underground punk and hardcore tapes and CD’s from the states. That’s how I managed to listen to more and more different punk bands.
Under the Wall: Who have been your biggest influences?
We Wei: The Clash, The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, Nirvana, The Pogues, Ranicd, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys
Under the Wall: Not many foreigners know too much about the Chinese punk scene now. Even less know about what the punk scene was like back when it started. What was the scene like when you first started?
We Wei: When we (SMZB) got together in 1996, Wuhan had no punk scene. After we played a few times we got to know more and more people in the (music) scene. At that time they were all in university. After we slowly all got to know each other and more and more friends started their own bands. But (these bands) didn’t stick around for too long.
Under the Wall: As most Chinese punks say, the golden age of punk was in the late 90’s, early 2000. Of all those bands, SMZB are one of the few Chinese punk bands that are still together and actively creating new music. What keeps you driven to continue making music and playing shows?
We Wei: （My motivation is that）I always have things that I want to express. Because I’m still alive. Still alive and living in this country. I need music to express (these feelings).
Under the Wall: To you, what is punk?
We Wei: To me, it’s about being a genuine person. Being honest, brave, having honor and being a kind-hearted person. I know a lot of people will read this and think that it’s not cool or pathetic. But this is what punk is to me.
Under the Wall: Is there a difference between the Chinese and western concepts of what it means to be a punk? If so, how is it different?
We Wei: Not long after the birth of the western punk scene, many music fans and punk bands started to have their own understanding and interpretation of what punk meant. This is one of the main reasons why Punk branched out in to many different styles. The same thing happened after Punk came to China.
It’s hard to define what punk is. But each fan and band has their own definition and interpretation of what punk is.
Under the Wall: Let’s talk about SMZB’s new album. Your latest record ‘The Chinese are Coming’ has a theme of standing up for yourself and the restrictions of society, in particular Chinese society. What were some of the biggest influences behind this album?
We Wei: Occurrences that are happening in Chinese society. Things we’re hear about and see.
Under the Wall: The Flower of Socialism and Born in the PRC are songs which heavily criticizes society. Can you explain a little more about the songs?
We Wei: These two songs are just my personal opinions on this system and what life is like in this society. I also really like these two songs.
Under the Wall: Two of the tracks that stood out for me on the album were The Chinese are Coming, and Welcome to China (The foreigners are Coming). The former talks about the problems Chinese are causing abroad, and the latter tells of the problems foreigners are causing in China. What drove you to choose this as a subject matter?
We Wei: Yeah, I’ve seen that the behavior and mannerisms of many Chinese living abroad has attracted a lot of negative attention. This has to do with Chinese education and culture and all that. I have seen some foreigners who live in China become influenced by Chinese behavior and mannerisms, (or maybe they initially had bad-manners) and start acting like Chinese people. This also is a product of the treatment that the Chinese government give foreigners who live in China. I feel quite strongly about this, so I wrote these songs.
Under the Wall: How significant to you think these problems will become in the future?
We Wei: These news stories (of ill-mannered Chinese abroad/foreigners in China) are coming out more frequent. No matter if it’s Chinese or foreigners, you should pay attention to how you act abroad. I don’t think this will become a serious societal problem.
Under the Wall: You’ve had run-in’s in the past where you’ve had songs blocked online, and even instances where you were punched by a government official for playing a banned song live onstage. Do these situations make you tone it down a bit, or inspire you to keep going on?
We Wei: I can only refuse to attend government sponsored or state controlled events and performances. It would also be pretty difficult (for SMZB) to attend. I couldn’t care less. It won’t change my style or subject matter.
Under the Wall: What SMZB track do you consider to be the definitive calling card for SMZB? Why?
We Wei: Ah. That’s difficult to say. Our band has had a lot of members come and go. Our style has also changed a lot. Even within our last few records there are some songs which have huge stylistic differences.
Under the Wall: In your eyes, how has Chinese punk progressed over the years?
We Wei: I’ve haven’t really thought about it. There’s not many people listening to punk right now (in China). Punk bands are also few and far between. I can only concentrate on myself, my band, what our plans are and we how we go about them.
Under the Wall: Would you say that your relationship and identification with the punk scene and punk “label” strengthened or dampened over the years?
We Wei: Possibly both. But this is not important to me.
Under the Wall: SMZB just finished a year of heavy touring having toured twice across China and finishing off a huge European tour. Tell us what your favorite thing to do on tour is?
We Wei: Drink the best local beer at each place we tour, and hang out with friends.
Under the Wall: You just got back from Europe on tour. What were some of the best experiences you had while on tour?
We Wei: The best experiences were playing at a few punk festivals and seeing some bands we like.
Under the Wall: Did you notice any difference since the last time you were there?
We Wei: I feel that the European punk scene is getting smaller. It’s the same the whole world over. The one difference is that Europe still has a lot of older people who still listen to punk and play in punk bands. Whereas in China, most people would probably only listen to it for a few years and then stop listening and stop going to see shows.
Under the Wall: What’s on the horizon for SMZB?
We Wei: This year we’ll start to creating and recording tracks for our new album. The goal is to aim for a 2018 release.
Under the Wall: To finish with, lets talk some of your favorite tracks and bands: Whats your favorite Chinese band of all time?
We Wei: Cui Jian
Under the Wall: What’s your favorite band of all time?
We Wei: Too many, impossible to choose only one.
Under the Wall: Can you recommend any Chinese bands, movies or books for people who are looking to learn more about Chinese underground culture?
We Wei: Any Chinese Punk band! Haha.
Books by Lu Xun; Hu Shi; Wang Shuo and Wang Xiao Bo. And any film that Jiang Wen has directed or acted in.
Under the Wall: 二十年前，朋克的什么地方吸引你了，当时你如先接触到朋克文化？ SMZB是如何建立了？
吴维: 就是朋克音乐本身的特点吸引我,简单,直接,有力..那个时候我们只有通过”打口磁带”才能听到摇滚乐和朋克乐,但是能听到的朋克乐队不多,只是一些有名的,像THE CLASH, RAMONES, SEX PISTOL…97年的时候我一个朋友搬到美国后,给我寄了很多那边的地下朋克和硬核乐队的磁带和CD, 这样我能听到更多的不同的朋克音乐...
Under the Wall: 哪一些乐队或者一人对你的影响最大？
吴维: The Clash, The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, Nirvana, The Pogues, Ranicd, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys
Under the Wall: 了解中国朋克圈子的外国人不多。了解二十多年前的中国朋克圈子的外国人是更少。 能讲一下SMZB刚建立的时候中国那个时候的朋克圈子是什么样子？
吴维: 我们96年成立的时候,武汉还没有朋克乐队,后来演出一两次后,认识了一些朋友,他们都在上大学,然后慢慢的都互相认识,开始组建了各自的乐队,但都没有做很长时间…
Under the Wall: 已经过了中国朋克的黄金时代。在当年的乐队其中， 还在创造新音乐，出外面巡演的乐队只有这么几个， SMZB是其中一个。 你对继续创造音乐和巡演的动力是什么？
吴维: 就是我一直还有需要表达的东西,因为我还活着,还生活在这个国家,还在思考,需要用音乐表达出来…
Under the Wall: 对你而言， 朋克是什么？
吴维: 对我来说,就是去做一个真正的人,一个诚实,勇敢,正直,善良的人..我知道有人会觉得这个听起来有点不酷,或者有点无聊,但是我心里的朋克就是这样.
Under the Wall: 对你而言， 中国朋克的定义和西方朋克的定义是有区别吗？
吴维: 自从西方朋克诞生之后,没有多长时间,很多乐迷或者朋克乐队对朋克都有自己的理解和认识,这也是之后朋克有了更多的风格的重要原因之一…
自从中国有了朋克乐队以后,也出现了同样的情况..
你很难给朋克一个定义,但是每个乐迷或者乐队可以定义自己所理解的朋克…
Under the Wall: 我们聊一下生命之饼新的专辑， ‘中国人来了’。本专辑的一些主题涉及到现代中国的社会问题以及其对老百姓的后果。 你对这个专辑的素材有奶一些？
吴维: 就是在中国社会发生的事情啊,我所听到,看到的东西…
Under the Wall: SMZB之前的一些专辑经常会涉及到现代中国社会的问题， 促使独立思想， 以及反对社会建设的束缚。本专辑其中两首歌The Flower of Socialism 和 Born in the PRC 也是含有对社会的批判性。能讲一下这两首歌的背景和你对他们的想法吗？
吴维: 这两首歌也都是我对这个体制和生活在这个社会的个人看法而已..我也很喜欢这两首歌…
Under the Wall: 我是被‘The Chinese are Coming’和Welcome to China这两首歌的之间的冲突和共同批判着迷了。 前者讲的是素质差的中国人出国中会带来什么问题， 后者讲素质差的外国人来中国带来的社会问题。 你如何想到要写这两首歌？
吴维: 是的,很多中国人在国外的言行举止带来了很多负面的报道,这和他们在中国的教育和文化等等有关系…我看到一些生活在中国的外国人也受到中国人的影响(或者他们在自己国家本来素质也不好),言行举止变得像一些中国人一样,这个也和中国政府对待外国人的待遇有关系,所以我很反感这些,于是就写了这些歌…
Under the Wall: 你认为这两首涉及的问题未来会成为很严重的社会问题吗？
吴维: 这些报道越来越多,不管是中国人还是外国人都会在国外注意自己的言行,我觉得不会成为很严重的社会问题…
Under the Wall: 之前SMZB的一些歌被删掉， 甚至曾经因为在现场演出演完包含具有争议性歌词的歌后与政府官员发生冲突。 经历这种事后会不会对你未来的音乐有影响？会给你更多动力去坚持你自己的风走， 还是会让你改变你的歌词内容和风格？
吴维: 我只能选择拒绝去参加一些由政府主办或它们控制的很大的演出活动,而且也很难参加…这个我无所谓,不会改变我创作风格和内容…
Under the Wall: SMZB的风格？
吴维: 嗯,这个很难说,因为乐队更换了很多人,风格也有变化,就像在最后几张专辑里面,也有风格差异很大的歌…
Under the Wall: 对你而言， 这几年来，中国朋克圈子是如何改变了？
吴维: 我没有想过这个问题,现在听朋克的人很少,朋克乐队也很少,我只能去做自己的事,把自己的乐队按照计划做好就行..
Under the Wall: 对你而言，在这几年来你对你的朋克身份和认可越来越强， 或者越来越淡化？
吴维: 可能这两者都有吧,但是这个对我来说不重要…
Under the Wall: 2016年SMZB去过很多地方巡演，包括两次全国巡演以及欧洲的巡演。 能说说，你在巡演中你最喜欢做的事情是什么？
吴维: 喝每个不同地方的好喝的啤酒,见朋友…
Under the Wall: 你是刚从欧洲巡演回来。 给我们讲一下你在这次欧洲巡演中最好的一些经历。
吴维: 好的经历就是参加了几个大的朋克音乐节,看到喜欢的乐队…
Under the Wall: 欧洲朋克圈子跟中国朋克圈有任何不同或者相似的地方吗？
吴维: 我感觉欧洲的朋克也变小了,全世界都一样…没有太多的不同,不同的是欧洲还有很多年纪很大的人还在听朋克音乐,还会去看演出..中国的听众可能听几年就不听不看演出了…
Under the Wall: SMZB接下来有什么计划？
吴维: 巡演结束后,明年开始排练新专辑的歌,然后录音,希望2018年能发行新专辑..
Under the Wall: 最后几个问题我们聊一下你喜欢的一些音乐和乐队吧。你最喜欢的中国乐队是谁？
吴维: 崔健
Under the Wall: 你最喜欢的乐队是谁？
吴维: 太多了,没法只说一个或几个…
