Second Hand Rose, which claims to be "the most seductive" folk rock band in China, has become one of the most popular with rock fans. 
 
Second Hand Rose, which claims to be "the most seductive" folk rock band in China, has become one of the most popular among rock fans. The band is well-known for its bold combination of traditional Chinese instruments with solid rock and roll fundamentals. The influence of traditional Chinese folk music, especially Errenzhuan, a kind of comic theatrical duet popular in northeast China, can be clearly felt in the singing.

Liang Long, lead singer of the band is from Heilongjiang province in northeast China. He looks no different to other men from that area: tall, broad and straightforward. But on stage it's a different story. Unlike front men of other rock bands, Liang Long dresses up in women's clothes and uses lots of make-up. Sometimes the singer wears a Qipao, a traditional Chinese dress. The funny outfit, together with the often comic lyrics is a big hit with fans, but there's a very serious side to the band as well.

"Tomorrow has become a burden for you Stimulations are not that exciting. You need some time to be really depressed and to find evidence for a reasonable metamorphosis." The lyrics are taken from the Song "Compromise".

Liang Long's musical journey has by no means been a smooth one. In 1997 he established a band called Black Lens in Harbin, capital city of Heilongjiang Province. The next year he quit his job and came to Beijing to organize a new band but without much success. Liang Long watched other bands performing in bars, and although he says he didn't like much of what he heard, he had to admit he was no better than them. The following year, the singer made a second attempt to set up a band, but this came to nothing. He went back to his hometown and stayed in the countryside for a period of time. During this period Liang Long became inspired by the local folk music. Over several weeks, Liang Long composed 10 songs after which he returned to Beijing for a third time. This time he was successful.

As one of the most famous of China's "underground" rock bands, Second Hand Rose held its first concert in December last year. Although the concert was not perfect in terms of the performing venue, the staging and marketing, it was the first of its kind during these few years and was definitely a significant event for China's rock'n'roll scene.
 
Second Hand Rose were one of the few Chinese rock bands invited to perform in Shanghai at the 2003 China-Japan Pop Music Exchange Concerts organized by Japan's public broadcaster NHK. And in 2002, they also became the only foreign band to be invited to attend the annual Swiss Snow Mountain Music Festival. Next month the band will perform at a grand rock gala to mark 20 years of Chinese rock.

The first time he heard Second Hand Rose play, Cui Jian, the father of Chinese rock music, thought the band performed terribly, but he said their ideas were some of the best he'd heard. He even performed as a guest at one of their later concerts. No matter what the fans and critics say, the band has stuck to its style and is becoming more and more popular.

(CRI July 16, 2004)