Louder Than War’s resident Hong Kong correspondent (and the man behind the Metal Postcard label) takes us on a trip through China’s underground music scene with the help of YouTube.

It’s hard to choose the best top 20 from China’s underground scene because bands, recordings and videos are here one minute and gone the next.

So here’s a selection of songs and bands from the past few years illustrating what the China underground can offer. Some acts are entirely local , some are a mix and some are expat.

Personal favorites are Shanghai based Pairs (the only act we feature twice) & Hong Kong’s My Little Airport who may well sound like Belle & Sebastian at their most twee; but listen a little harder and you’ll hear the politics of The Clash and Crass in there. Also the Low Wormwood and Choi Sai Ho tracks have been personal favorites for years.

Enjoy.

Sean Metal Postcard Records

Bird Striking / Monkey Snake

Pairs / A surgeon In A Hospital In Shanghai Severed A Nerve in My Groin

Yours / Slip Out

my little airport / I love the country but not the party

Casino Demon / 赌鬼《悲伤会永远蔓延》

Low Wormwood / We Can’t Help Kissing Each Other

choi sai ho / Mark 6 Players Vs Game Boy People

Dada Baba / Chinese Fried Rice

DP / Velvet Tiger

Reykjavictim – Mediocre Superstar

Laura Palmer – Cat Dream (Live)

Carsick Cars / You Can Listen You Can Talk

Embedding disabled by request. To watch go HERE.

Liman / Dirty Party (Live)

Queen Sea Big Shark / Let’s Play

Poubelle International / The Hedonist

Pairs / YangPu Qu

Cochukmo / Goodnight

Little Punk / Documentary – Varios Songs

A Roller Control / Story Of A Fly Live)

Fang Zui Xiang Fa – DIY