Aussie rock larrikins Frenzal Rhomb are no strangers to controversy, from “disgusted” complaints by concert attendees, to almost being shot by Deftones at Big Day Out. Now, they can add the Chinese Government to the list of people who apparently aren’t too fond of them.
As Quartz reported this week, Taiwan publication Apple Daily first published the news in December that the band were among a number of names supposedly “blacklisted” by the Chinese Government – although it was swiftly denied by China’s culture ministry.
The blacklist theoretically demands that entertainment companies in China have nothing to do with the 55 acts named, a list that includes international acts like Suicidal Tendencies.
Now, Frenzal Rhomb have spoken to Music Feeds about the alleged ban, and it seems they aren’t taking it too personally.
“In 2003 we played a Taiwanese independence festival alongside a bunch of Taiwanese punk bands that were setting fire to and wiping their arses with the Chinese flag,” frontman Jason Whalley says. “Something to do with having 2000 missiles pointed at them from the mainland apparently.”
“We got up and we’re like, ‘Have you guys heard of Russell Crowe?’ I feel like this blacklist is more directed at Russell than us.”
Meanwhile, Lindsay McDougall describes his confusion at the situation, considering the band’s apparent socialist leanings.
While the blacklist may or may not be legit, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear considering Frenzal Rhomb’s appearance at the 2003 festival – but damn, that’s a long time to hold a grudge.
