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The Biographical Approach: The Story of a Chinese Punk Musician

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Punk Culture in Contemporary China
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Abstract

This chapter provides a discussion of individual-level punk practices in China through examination of the biography of punk musician Mr. Li, an important figure as well as my key informant in the Chinese punk scene. It highlights his gradual process of deepening commitment to the punk scene. Through analysis of the intertwining of this punk musician’s individual biography and his surrounding society, I attempt to achieve an understanding of how individual punk practices can be regarded as different forms of resistance in China.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The term has its origins in Jamaica, referring to ‘a lawless urban youth who likes ska or reggae music’, according to http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/rude-boy (accessed in April 2014).

  2. 2.

    A hutong is a narrow lane or alleyway in a traditional residential area of a Chinese city. Hutongs are especially commonplace in Beijing (see http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/hutong?, accessed on 18 April 2014).

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Xiao, J. (2018). The Biographical Approach: The Story of a Chinese Punk Musician. In: Punk Culture in Contemporary China. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0977-9_3

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