8 questions with Friend or Foe

　 Friend or Foe

Formed in mid-2010, punk trio Friend or Foe hit the Shanghai scene in September of last year, quickly becoming recognized as one of the hardest working (and partying) bands in the city.

　
　

After an intense fall and winter live schedule and the completion of a three track demo, Friend or Foe are finally making their maiden voyage to Beijing, playing a pair of dates this weekend at What Bar on Friday and over at D-22 on Saturday, April 23.

　
　

In advance of their upcoming Beijing shows, Friend or Foe sat in on “8 Questions with . . .”

　
　

City Weekend: How and when did Friend of Foe form?

　
　

Friend or Foe: Oh your normal rock band origins. A demon escaped from hell and raped an angel who gave birth to triplets.Just like The Culture Club.

　
　

CW: Can you describe your sound and list some key influences?

　
　

FoF: Think of Enya. We don’t sound like that. If Enya was Snortin’ Clorox, she might sound like us.

　
　

CW: This is your first road gig, first show in Beijing and first at D-22. What are your hopes and expectations for this "Double Down" show?

　
　

FoF: People rocking out! Free shots for everyone! No traffic on the way to gig! Lots of topless women in the audience!

　
　

CW: What have you heard about rock in Beijing?

　
　

FoF: Actually, there is a lot of cool rock here. We are excited to be with Streets Kill Strange Animals. We definitely like Hedgehog, Queen Sea Big Shark, PK 14… hell I even caught Shanren the other day at Mao Livehouse in Shanghai at they are great. They are from Yunnan, but they live in Beijing now, so yeah, cool bands relocate here; thus, lots of cool bands.

　
　

We are stoked to be playing with Throutin, who mixes traditional instruments and dance beats, and who also has a beard. Lowbow is also nuts. Streets Kill Strange Animals definitely bring it as well. We are really happy with the bills we are on.

　
　

CW: You"re known for some wacky stage outfits. What do you have planned for your Beijing shows? What are your favorite costumes to date?

　
　

FoF: Top secret, if I told I’d have to kill you.

　
　

One time our lead singer Rabshakeh wore only stickers. That was great because he got a cheap body waxing out of it.

　
　

CW: What"s your go-to track for every live set?

　
　

FoF: We usually play “Double Down” and “Snortin’ Clorox.” Therefore we named the gigs, uh, Double Down and Snortin Clorox. Any one into either of these activities should say hi after the show.

　
　

Double Down is about a man who has gambled away his family’s savings and future. He is addicted to gambling and the rush and is hoping to hit it big on one last hand.

　
　

Snortin Clorox speaks for itself.

　
　

CW: Aside from a brief break from late December through March, you guys play a lot of shows. How do you keep it fresh? How do you not get sick of playing the same tracks over and over?

　
　

FoF: Our drummer hates Double Down now. We got in a fist-fight last practice and he left with a Purple Nurple and it won’t change back. And we will play the goddamn song anyway.

　
　

But it helps that our songs don’t suck. So we don’t mind playing them.

　
　

CW: Do you guys have any pre-show rituals and traditions? How do you keep those man chesticles looking so fit?

　
　

FoF: Are they fit? They are fed by a diet of cheap beer and lack of exercise. Their bounce and jiggle has hypnotic qualities . . . something to look forward to, Beijing.

　
　

CW: What"s next for Friend or Foe?

　
　

FoF: We are recording our album now. It is titled My Claw is Never Limp. We have plans for a crazier more expansive stage show and more elaborate costumes. We have several new songs that we are working on.

　
　

Basically, we want to blow people away.

　
　

Watch Friend or Foe perform "Snortin" Clorox" below.
　

　
　

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