Hedgehog

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{{SemanticArtist |Name= Hedgehog |CNName=刺猬 |PYName= cìwèi |Image= Image:Hedgehog1.jpg |ImageDescription= Hedgehog |FoundationPlace= Beijing |Genre= Rock | Years_active = 2005 - present |Bandmember= Guitar/Vocals : ZO (子健)
Bass:Fun (He Yifan) 何一帆
Drums/Vocals: Atom (阿童木 also: Nova Heart, White) |Formerbandmember=Bass: Box (博宣) (2006 - 2009, now Nova Heart) |Video=unmsHWYrAL0

Contents

History

Hedgehog, like many of the best bands in Beijing, was founded in the miracle years of 2004-2005, in January 2005, specifically. For some inexplicable reason they didn’t seem to make much of an impact early on, but we first met them when they played a series of concerts at D22 in late 2006, during which time they very quickly became one of the favorite bands. In late April 2007 they performed a concert that smashed the sound barriers and created such an uproar that within a month they had catapulted into position as one of the most talked about underground bands in China.

Hugely popular with both musical hipsters, for the brilliance of their compositions and performances, and with rock and roll party animals, for their wild, out of control pop frenzy, Hedgehog’s music is totally approachable and totally unique. Percussionist and vocalist Atom(阿童木) is a tiny girl who just barely peeps over the top of her drum kit but who bangs out explosive rhythms like a monster possessed. Bassist Box(博宣), the person responsible for keeping the band in line, punches out the tight bass lines that hold the songs together while seeming lost in oblivion. Guitarist and vocalist ZO(子健) slashes out huge waves of chords that seemed to fit perfectly within the songs yet at the same time tear them apart -- while jumping, twirling, staggering and even falling over several times during his performances without letting up for the slightest pause. Hedgehog is a classic power trio with three of the best performers in Beijing on their respective instruments, but it is their song-writing skills that make this band more than just a great performance band and one of the most important in China.

-- taken from D-22

October 2006, they performed during the Beijing beer and rock festival 2006.

June 2007, they performed during the Dino Beach Rock Festival.

September 2007, they performed during the Beijing Pop Festival 2007.

In January 2008 their song Our Last Word is included in Pocket Music 16.

In August 2008, Hedgehog was interviewed by Rock in China.

2009

April 11th 2009, they performed at Shanghai's Yu Yin Tang during their tour Blue Daydreaming. According to Andy Best, Part of their live mojo is that they are in complete control of the tempo and dynamics. It's never really fast or running away, but always just up-beat enough to get everyone moving.[1]

In May, Hegdehog's drummer/singer Atom is voted the no. 2 coolest rock star in Beijing by Timeout Beijing Magazine. It’s the musical equivalent of watching your 12-year-old sister take out a gang of bullies with a few swift punches, and it’s brilliant. We also love it when she comes out from behind the drum kit and duets with lead singer/lover Zo.[2]

In September (5th - 27th) they toured the USA during the Sing For China Tour 2009 organized by Modern Sky Records. September 11th, they rocked the Artistery in Portland, Oregon. According to commentor Alex: Hedgehog played far and away the best set I have ever seen them perform. If I had never heard any of these bands previously, then Hedgehog would have given the only performance that I would have considered following up on.[3]

2010

On March 18th, 2010, they performed at the Yuyintang in Shanghai as support act to The Thermals. According to Jake Newby: Atom was still incredible on the drums, Zo was on fire on the guitar and the new bassist held his own with them. Admittedly, they played essentially a greatest hits set and thus it was hard to tell where they'll go from here, but they nevertheless excelled with the classics.[4] On May 3rd, they performed at the Strawberry Music Festival 2010. According to Beijing Gig Guide: Hedge­hog, who as usual did not fail to please. Their new bass player is a bit of a snore (if very geek-chic), but like I said when I saw them per­form as The B-Side Lovers, I don’t think it makes much of a dif­fer­ence. So much of Hedgehog’s sound and appeal is tied to Atom and Zo that it seems dif­fi­cult to assess Xiao Nan’s place. Still, I await new tracks to pass any judgement.[5] On July 18th, 2010, they performed at the Qingyuan Niu Yu Zui Festival 2010.

In August, 2010, Hedgehog performed on Day 3 of the Baybeats Festival 2010 in Singapore. According to Original Music Society:

The trio from China rocked the Powerstage and as the band after The Brandals, had much to live up to. The crowd that had gathered for the Hedgehog set was unusually lively, concordantly chanting “Hedgehog” when prompted by the emcee. Their experimental brand of alternative rock, bordering on shoegaze and cliche as it may sound, whipped the already enthusiastic crowd into a frenzy. The drummer absolutely annihilated the drums, combining both technical prowess and pure, unadulterated punk-rock-aggression. Not bad when you realise that she’s actually a petite and demure looking girl. Oh, and I forgot to mention that she was singing while playing. The guitarist and bassist were both equally impressive and the trio combined was a joy to behold (and be-hear, heh). Although they were from mainland China, they belted out a number of English songs, that although lyrically were simple, made so much more sense than most of the sh*t you hear on the radio. I dare say, even their Chinese songs were amazing (musically at least, I don’t speak Mandarin so I wouldn’t know). You HAVE to check them out. Best Chinese export since the Cherry QQ.[6]

2010.8 Great Wall Festival , Beijing

2010.10 Modern Sky Festival,Beijing

2010.10 CMJ Festival , New York

2011

Tour Poster for Hedgehog's USA Tour 2011

In March 2011, they released their record Honeyed And Killed at Modern Sky Records and also self-released their record 2011 DEstroy meMOries. Hedgehog stated on their self-released record that many of them (the songs) are uncomplete edtion of new songs , we do it in a lofi and smarshing way , sounds more like our live , 500 copes limited[7].

2011.3-4 Honeyed And Killed & 2011 DEstroy meMOries China Tour(16 citys). Prior to their April 22nd Beijing concert, Pangbianr interviewed them. Asked on their musical move towards heavier rock, Zo replied:

Yeah, we’re definitely moving in a more energetic, rock direction, but it’s not totally noise rock. Our new demo is an bolder attempt, and next we’re going to be trying even more things. Generally speaking, Hedgehog shows are even bigger and more powerful than before. Come to a show – guaranteed fun.[8]

2011.5 Strawberry Festival , Beijing

September / October, Hedgehog toured the USA. They kicked off their tour with a show in New York's Bruar Falls on September 4th. According to Sound Bites:

This was the first night of Hedgehog’s stateside jaunt and the band took the stage invasion in stride. The trio may hail from halfway around the world but play a very American brand of indie rock, noisy and melodic, that would sound right at home on college radio. Not revolutionary, but enthusiams makes up for it. The band’s pint-sized drummer, Atom, looks like she is 11 but is no joke: she can whallop with the best of them, and is quite lithe on the band’s more textured songs.[9]

Participated Festivals

Appearances in Press/Books

  • Mentioned as one of "Beijing's hottest bands" in the Insider's Guide to Beijing 2008.

Photos

  • Photo by D22


Discography

Albums

Compilations

Appearances in Podcasts

Further Information

Official Webpages

Articles & Interviews


Other pages

Videos

References

  1. ↑ Andy Best (Kungfuology.com) (2009-04-12). "Hedgehog live @ Yuyintang (Blue Daydreaming tour)". Retrieved on 2009-04-29.
  2. ↑ Timeout Beijing Magazine (May 2009). "Class of '09". Retrieved on 2009-05-07.
  3. ↑ Alex (commentor at Chinamusicradar.com) (2009-11-14). "Comment on Sing for China: some reflections". Retrieved on 2009-11-14.
  4. ↑ Jake Newby (2010-03-19). "New Hedgehog support The Thermals, YYT". Retrieved on 2010-03-19.
  5. ↑ Beijing Gig Guide (2010-05-04). "Strawberry Festival Highlights!". Retrieved on 2010-05-04.
  6. ↑ Nurudin (Original Music Society) (2010-08-24). "Review: Day 3 - "Baybeats 2010" @ Esplanade (22 Aug 2010)". Retrieved on 2012-02-18.
  7. ↑ Hedgehog's website
  8. ↑ Pangbianr (2011-03-31). "两个刺猬采访 Hedgehog Interviews". Retrieved on 2011-09-22.
  9. ↑ Bill (Sound Bites) (2011-09-05). "Living on Chinese Indie Rock: Hedgehog". Retrieved on 2011-09-17.
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