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Chinese Happy brings punk rock sound to Temple tonight

December 7, 2005

Chinese Happy has been playing shows consistently for about two years and has members living in Detroit and Lansing, which helps both the band's dedication and fan base.

The band put out an EP called "Apathy is Worse Than Hatred" in 2003 and plans to record another album in January. Chinese Happy will be performing tonight at The Temple Club, 500 E. Grand River Ave. in Lansing. Doors open at 8 p.m.

The State News talked to vocalist/guitarist Mike Fiedler about the band and music, which is a blend of punk rock and pop. Fiedler, 23, formed the band with brother Jason Fiedler, a former State News photographer, and lives in the Detroit area.

State News: How long has Chinese Happy been around?

Mike Fiedler: We've been taking things seriously for about two years now, but it gets confusing because I've been using the name Chinese Happy since I was 16 years old. But the Chinese Happy now is much different than it has been. We've gone through a lot of changes.

SN: Where do you usually play shows?

MF: We play mostly in Detroit, but we do shows all around the state and the area. We went on a national tour across the country. We do about four to five shows a month.

SN: What is your live show like?

MF: It's very audience participatory. We like to include people who come to see us as part of the show and pretend there's not a stage and play to the crowd. We also like to spread a positive message and try to make everyone feel good. Everyone usually has a good time.

SN: Is it difficult to practice and play shows with two people in Detroit and two in Lansing?

MF: It actually isn't as hard as we thought it would be because everyone is really dedicated as a band. People drive out here to Detroit when we want to do things; sometimes we drive out to Lansing. It's like making an hour-and-a-half sacrifice for the band.

SN: What are your plans for the new album?

MF: For the new record, we want to get it out to as many labels as we can and get some kind of backing to help us out with touring, so we don't have to finance everything ourselves. So far, everything we have is just money we've gotten from the band. We don't gain financially from anything we do. It would be nice to get some financial backing from a record label.

Chinese Happy will be playing with Bloodwings and The Playback tonight at The Temple Club, 500 E. Grand River Ave. in Lansing. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the cost is $8 for 18 and older.

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