Introducing… Careless

Zoe Chen gets the lowdown from the new band to be

Taking their cues from the Libertines and the Strokes, Careless’s relentless Beijing gigging has seen them make a name as one of the new generation of Beijing rockers. They have played their spiky Brit-rock with the likes of Casino Demon, Snake and Jet’s Amazing Bullitt Band and SUBS. Lead vocalist Jason gives the lowdown to Zoe Chen

‘I’d describe our music as youthful, brave, passionate, honest and happy. The foundations for the band formed when guitarist Da Zi and bassist Song Liang were playing for a garage punk band andmet Xiao Bei, a thoughtful drummer just out of the Midi music school. I completed the picture at the end of last year – I’d already released a few albums with a band in Xian, but came to Beijing for new challenges – and Careless was born.'

'Our influences are too many to mention, but we’d have to say The Rolling Stones, The Pixies, Kings of Leon, The Libertines and The Strokes. You have to see us live to get what we’re all about. I play on stage to see people ignited and truly touched – nothing beats seeing people pogo and dance along with our songs. Our ethos is about being young and playing hard – music keeps us in high spirits, it’s what we live for. If we’re not playing music, we’re hanging out in bars around the Gulou area, where the girls are not only pretty but love rock ‘n’ roll.’

Listen to Careless at http://www.myspace.cn/carelesschina. See them live at 2Kolegas on Saturday 7 and at D-22 on Saturday 28.