Saturday, December 29, 2007

Butterfingers : Malaysian's Heavyweight Rock Band Under Rated By Media

Butterfingers to me is the most happening band that ever happened to the rock scene in Malaysia after Search. New sound, new attitude, but still maintain Malaysian roots. Just listen to Loque's guitars sound, he managed to insert old folksy song to his lead guitars. But despite all undergrounder's support for this band, the mass media never even look at this guys, even after they managed to produce Malay language album, 'Selamat Tinggal Dunia', such a prejudice act.
There are a lot of very good songs in this album. For me, I'm doing justice for these guys after not being appreciated in the small music industry of Malaysia. This is their turning point to be appreciated by all, but what did they got? To me it's an absolute zero appreciation. I've heard it one time X-Fresh.Fm played 'Ngilu' in 7 plus am. Who would hear it?
Now, I got good news for all of you. Butterfingers is distributing their latest demo/singles titled '1000 tahun (mahu hidup)', for info on how you can lay your hand on it, please visit their blog & MySpace page.
Butterfingers' bloque, here.
Butterfingers' MySpace, here.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Led Zeppelin: Reunion Gig

LED ZEPPELIN
The O2, London
Monday 10 December
[five stars]



And so, in the end, there is just the one question: did it live up to all the hype? In short, yes it did, and in every possible sense. But more of that in due course.

The longevity of Led Zeppelin's appeal has perhaps only truly become apparent with this reunion, well over a million people applying for tickets to the O2 show via the lottery that preceded it. Those applications had come in from 50 different countries, and inside the O2, the national flags of Canada and Brazil, Mexico and Italy are each unfurled and draped around the venue.

In the guest bars, one can espy the likes of Noel Gallagher, Dave Grohl, assorted Arctic Monkeys and Marilyn Manson, and then again Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Sienna Miller, erstwhile Formula One boss Eddie Jordan and Aston Villa football manager Martin O’Neill. All that remains is for Led Zeppelin to not, as Jimmy Page had worried in advance, fuck it up.

At 9pm, Led Zeppelin walk on to a huge welcome. Page, suited and booted, his hair long and grey, looks as elegant as a Victorian gentleman. Stage left, John Paul Jones, always their quiet man, is attired as soberly as a solicitor at a weekend retreat, his hair cropped short. Stockier and more grizzled these days, Plant completes a somehow unexpectedly dignified entrance. Led Zeppelin look and act their age, which is well and good.

They sound it, too, alas on the opening Good Times Bad Times. The snappiest of Zeppelin songs, the lead off track from 1969’s debut album begins to slip through their fingers, Page’s snaking riff coming loose from the moorings of Bonham’s backbeat and Jones’ rumbling bass. Footings are fortunately recovered for the ensuing Ramble On and Black Dog, Plant’s voice finding the extent of its range and the three musicians coming together as one.

Not that this prepares anyone for the seismic impact made on proceedings by In My Time Of Dying, the weightiest epic from Physical Graffiti and perhaps the archetypal piece of Led Zeppelin bombast. Opened by Page’s earth-turning slide and Bonham’s earthquake fills, it’s shocking to find three gentleman of such advanced years wielding such power. From here, Led Zeppelin lift off.

For Your Life (a grinding blues from the Presence album), played in public for the first time, the rolling and tumbling Trampled Underfoot, a trio of long, cascading set-pieces in Nobody’s Fault But Mine (another of the underrated Presence’s reclaimed gems), No Quarter and Since I’ve Been Loving You – through them all, the Led Zeppelin of contemporary vintage grow in confidence and stature.

In doing so, they roll back the years, bringing so much of their inherent iconography back into focus. There’s Plant, hair flying, chest puffed out, strutting like a peacock through The Song Remains The Same. Here’s Page, violin bow raised above his head, framed by a pyramid of green laser beams, conjuring up an unholy orchestra of sound from his guitar during Dazed And
Confused.

Plant, particularly, has spent decades attempting to either put distance between himself and his past, or to reinvent it in entirely new forms, but tonight Led Zeppelin are unapologetically Led Zeppelin: solos extend onto the horizon, their group setting never once wavers from ‘Hammer Of The Gods’.

And after so long with faces fixed in a picture of intense concentration, they eventually begin to relax and look as if they too are enjoying themselves. Plant jokes with Bonham, so too Page with Jones. Long the most fractious seeming of old couples, Plant and Page finally embrace, Page’s face cracking into the widest of smiles. How oddly touching it appears.



Not that this helps any of them get around the age-old conundrum of Stairway To Heaven. Their most beloved song it might be, but it became a bete noire for Plant and they’ve never been able to master it live. Tonight proves to be no exception. Page botches the intro. And while Plant, for once, throws himself into singing it, the musical scenery around him wobbles away until the climax comes and goes at an unseemly rush, as if band and audience have accepted it’s all gone south again and it’d be best for all if they quickly forgot about it and moved on.

The set-closing Kashmir is everything Stairway To Heaven is not. The better song anyway, its soaring riff unrolls with a real sense of sturm and drang. If there is an entirely unique Zeppelin moment Kashmir is it, and they nail it here, a great set’s greatest moment.

Come the inevitable encore, come a rattling Whole Lotta Love, the famous old riff still shaking the foundations, and a celebratory pummel through Rock And Roll. And then they’re gone, their arms raised aloft in triumph, their job very much done, with no indication here as to whether this really is it for Led Zeppelin.

And if indeed 10 December at the O2 is to be their final stand, then Zeppelin will have bowed out with a proper command performance. One is left to wonder, though, how they can now possibly leave all this behind again.

PAUL REES- Q Mag


SET LIST

Good Times Bad Times
Ramble On
Black Dog
In My Time Of Dying
For Your Life
Trampled Underfoot
Nobody’s Fault But Mine
No Quarter
Since I’ve Been Loving You
Dazed And Confused
Stairway To Heaven
The Song Remains The Same
Misty Mountain Hop
Kashmir

Whole Lotta Love
Rock And Roll

Me: This is my all time favourite rock band, i wish i was there. From the setlist, this sure was the best ever. Full story will in the January 2008 of Q Magazine.
*For EVERY new monthly subscriber this month will receive a copy of Led Zeppelin’s new 24-track Greatest Hits double CD, Mothership. A Q five-star-rated classic, this superb collection was selected and sequenced by Led Zeppelin themselves, making it a must-have for all music lovers.

Info source: Q4Music: Q Magazine

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Hujan, It's About Time You Showed Up!


HUJAN - Formed in early 2006, this wave-worthy band consists of Noh on vocals and 2nd guitar, Dimas on bass, Iyag on 1st guitar and Ambobzeela on drums. Influenced by a diverse range of bands which include the likes of The Strokes, Butterfingers, and even Pot Amir Radiostaq, Hujan prefers to classify their music as alternative rock and has no qualms about delivering their material in Malay. Living and breathing the element they take their name after, their music alternates between the light, heavy and the torrential storm a reflection of the many stories, moods and agendas embedded in their songs. They sing about everything from love, God, family and to the happenings of the world. Hot.FM is currently playing the song over the radio. It's a good thing because Hot.FM, are into local bands that can overcome the over populated Indon's bands over the air (not that i hate them, cuz they are really good band, it just we also got really good bands but are too 'berlagak' refuse to record songs in Malay). To me personally, it sound a little bit Padi sound, but it's okay, just look at their influences. I bet they are into R.E.M, Dave Matthews Band, Led Zep and other U.K bands.
Line up:
# NOH on Vocals & Second Guitar (Miri, Sarawak)
# DIMAS on bass (Bandung, Indonesia)
# IY.AG on Guitar, Keys (Alor Setar, Kedah)
# AMBOBZEELA on drum (Kuala Lumpur)
Grab your free sample: Bila Aku Sudah Tiada
You all can visits Hujan's MySpace

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Radiohead: In Rainbows

These wily boys may have a secret album-title exchange program with Kelly Clarkson, but everything else about In Rainbows is typically hard-rocking Radiohead. Like every other Radiohead album except Kid A — still their most famous album, but they only made it once — In Rainbows has uptempo guitar songs and moody acoustic ballads, full of headphone-tweaking sound effects. All of it rocks; none of it sounds like any other band on earth; it delivers an emotional punch that proves all other rock stars owe us an apology.

In a brilliant move, Radiohead released In Rainbows via optional-pay download; I paid $5.27, in honor of my mom's birthday. Almost all the songs are already familiar to fans from live versions, but here they become expansive new creations. "Arpeggi" and "Bodysnatchers" ride on white-heat rhythm-guitar overdrive, while "House of Cards" is a fragile lovers-rock ballad closely resembling Dusty Springfield's (and the Byrds') "Going Back." "All I Need" has erotic pleading ("I'm an animal trapped in your hot car"), sad chimes in the "No Surprises" mode, and an ominoso synth-piano rumble.

On 2003's Hail to the Thief, Yorke's vocals were all punk rage, but here his voice has an R&B lilt that suits the songs' romantic directness. The end of "Videotape" is the only time the band dips back into dated glitch-blip electronics. Otherwise, the music is full of vividly collaborative sonic touches, from the Gary Numan synth-nightmare drones of "All I Need" and "House of Cards" to drummer Phil Selway's surprisingly deft way with his brushes and woodblocks. No wasted moments, no weak tracks: just primo Radiohead. Hell, I'm going back and tipping them another quarter just for the finger-cymbal solo


Info Source: The Rolling Stones Magazines

Free Sample: This my favourite track, i hope it made it as first single Bodysnatchers

Pop Shuvit: The Ol' Skool Rocka is back In Town

Pop Shuvit has made it again...., now touring Malaysia sponsored by Hotlink promoting their latest album 'Freak Show Volume 1: Tales Of The Travelling Tunes'.
Free Sample taken From IMPAK MAKSIMA Soundtrack: Mara Bahaya

POP SHUVIT

Pop Shuvit began making waves in the local music scene in late 2001. Comprising of Moots (vocals), JD (guitars), AJ (bass), Rudy (drums) and UNO (turntables), the band has had 4 successful releases under their belt and rocked fans throughout Asia notably in Japan, Thailand and Singapore. Known for their adrenaline packed live shows and eclectic blend of hip hop and rock, Pop Shuvit are being touted as Asia’s leading Hip Hop Rock band.

Their debut album ‘Take it & Shuvit’ broke new ground when their first single ‘Skaters’ Anthem’ was released exclusively on the Internet and became one of the most downloaded local songs in Malaysian music history. The hype and street buzz from the track caught the ears of ESPN, who in turn licensed the track for use in their Summer X-Games broadcast that hit millions of households worldwide. As further credit to Pop Shuvit, ESPN played their music videos and tracks off the album throughout the duration of competition.

In 2003, Pop Shuvit released “Take it & Shuvit” in Japan and became the first Malaysian band to hit the music chart in Japan. The overwhelming support from Japanese youth market ensured that all tracks of the album charted the top 20 on the Tower Records sales charts (even beating raprock luminaries like Linkin Park) without any promotion to back the album. The success of their releases in Japan led to Pop Shuvit touring the land of the rising sun in 2005 to support their sophomore release, ‘HERE & NOW’, leading to one of the most successful and talked about headlining tours for any Malaysian rock band. The album was a hard-hitting social commentary of urban culture and spurred hits like “Old Skool Rocka” and “Journey”, with the latter earning the band the 1 Song of the year on the Malaysian English Top Ten for 2005 and “Best Rock Act” at the inaugural Hitz.fm Malaysian English Top Ten Awards 2005.

Always one to go against the grain, the band released a dance remix album and a hip hop EP in 2004 and 2006 respectively. The remix of their track ‘Conversations’ from the “Shuvit Remixes” dance CD was hand picked by uber DJ Nick Warren for inclusion in pioneering UK dance music label Global Underground’s mix CD, Shanghai GU28 that peaked at 19 on the UK TOP 40 Dance Album Charts. The hip hop EP, a 4 track 12 inch vinyl release, featured collaborations with some of hip hop’s most respected emcees from around the globe including US emcees Big Pooh from Little Brother, L.E.G.A.C.Y, Cesar Comache, ZION from ZION I, Def Jam Japan’s DABO and Reggaeton duo Nitro Y Fanta from Puerto Rico.

Not resting on their laurels, Pop Shuvit’s eagerly anticipated third album, aptly titled “Amped & Dangerous” hit stores in Japan on 23 August 2006 with a later release date being planned for the Malaysian market. The 12 song set is a rollercoaster ride of crunching guitars, pounding rhythms and funked out hip hop beats and rhymes."This is essentially a guitar driven album that’s made for the mosh pit. Simply put, it rocks harder!” says skinman Rudy about the new material.Malaysian fans can expect something different as Guitarist/Producer JD hinted, “We had to think strategically this time around and only release tracks that cater for a specific market so the Japanese/Asian and Malaysian editions will be different.” The Japanese edition of the album will be released throughout Asia as an import edition so fans will still be able to obtain both copies.To top off a great 2006, Pop Shuvit walked away with the “Best Live Act” at the Annual Malaysian English Top Ten Aawards 2006.Being independent, the boys understand that there is a need to diversify and take the band to the next level as frontman Moots! Pointed out, “That’s the essence of Pop Shuvit, we always do things differently and love taking risks. We want to turn Pop Shuvit into a brand name and to do this we need to branch out and spread our wings be it in music or other facets of urban culture.”

True to their word, the boys have done just that by setting up Shuvit Management and Studio 21:05 to undertake the responsibilities of band management, marketing, music publishing and music production. Based in Taman Tun, Kuala Lumpur, Studio 21:05 is a fully equipped professional recording studio owned by Pop Shuvit and run by guitarist JD who is a qualified professional audio engineer. The next step for Pop Shuvit will be the world of fashion where Pop Shuvit have already sold out 3 limited edition T-shirt designs under its “Unknown Clothing” merchandising line and are in the midst of taking its clothing line to retails stores throughout Malaysia, a testament that the band is evolving and building itself into a successful business.

Info Source: Pop Shuvit MySpace Site

Meet Uncle Hussain: Fresh New Malay Rock


Free Sample Of Lagu Untukmu Audio File
Meet Uncle Hussain is a 4 piece Malay rock band with a refreshingly unique emotional edge. Roaring through the indie band scene in Kuala Lumpur over the past 3 years, MUH’s talent was recognized and hailed as the Best DIY Band of 2005 by ROTTW magazine.

Influenced by the likes of U2, Led Zeppelin, Killers, Doves, Bloc Party and the late Sudirman and Tan Sri P. Ramlee, MUH’s brand of melodic Malay rock heralds a new chapter in the history of the ever evolving local rock scene.

Such was the impact of their music, that MUH’s first single, “Lagu Untukmu’ has been chosen as the theme music for the soon-to-be launched 8tv-Red Communications television miniseries ‘Kami’ which features the growth and development of the local indie band scene in Malaysia .

Produced and arranged by composer producer Tassiq Saidi Hashim of AU District, and jointly composed by Tassiq, Taja (lead guitarist) and Lan (the inspirational lead vocalist), the distinctive, yearning vocals and heavily driven guitar arrangements in the bands’ debut album ‘Lapan Tahun’ combine to make MUH one of the brightest prospects of the local rock band scene in Malaysia today.

Now signed to progressive indie label Satu Music Entertainment, and with the additional talents of Afat on bass and Kudux on drums, MUH’s debut album is poised to thrill rock fans nationwide with anthems on everyday issues like work (‘Kerja’), affairs of the heart (‘Pari-Pari’ and ‘Hilang’) superficiality (‘Pura-Pura’) and even US intervention in the Middle-East (Hulu Malang).

Watch out for release of the ‘Lagu Untukmu’ music video which premieres at the Press Launch of the ‘Kami’ original sound track LP at Rum Jungle Kuala Lumpur at 3 p.m. on 19 th July 2007 and the upcoming release of ‘Lapan Tahun’, scheduled for the last quarter of 2007.


Info Source: Projek KAMI

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