REVIEWED: Indie Goodness Vol.3


I guess the joke is on me this time when I said in a comment somewhere that the Indie Goodness Volume 3 gig would not start on time as stipulated by the organizer on their flier, because of my somewhat incompetence in anticipating the traffic on a Saturday afternoon, I only made it to the venue at half past two. That is exactly 45 minutes later than the 'supposed' starting time of 1:45. So it's the first time (no, second, on a second thought) that I made it late to a gig, but I guess it's not a biggie since usually the opening two or three acts of a gig are reserved for the up-and-coming bands who are only just beginning to create a respectable fan base. All the big* names will only make their appearance right towards the end.


When I arrived, the second act on the billing, Lolila, was already halfway through done with their setlist and is getting to their final two songs. Nothing pretty remarkable from the band but enjoyable set nevertheless. Then, it was Romancesa's turn, and with the crowd still not quite warmed up, only a smattering few made it to the front of the stage upon the insistence of the lead singer, guessing that this crowd really are reserving their all (we'll see about that much, much later) for the later acts. But at least they still have everyone singing along to some of their more familiar songs, unlike the band that came on after them: Hello, is This the Band?; and the one after that as well: Bliz, a replacement act after Grey Sky Morning couldn't make it. Neither here nor there - some of the audiences are pretty indecisive towards them. But then, a regular, and a huge favorite came on next...

Joanna & Co. certainly is an interesting unit, largely due to their lead singer and the owner of one half of the band's name: Joanna, because if anything, sex sells, and Joanna is the only selling point of this band. I mean, just look at her...


Truth be told, their songs aren't all that remarkable. Their materials are the middle-of-the-road type, good enough that you can enjoy it, but not good enough to be memorable. Pretty much like Estrella or Liyana Fizi - nice, but rather bland. But still all eyes are on Joanna, so the band couldn't do anything wrong here. All the red-blooded teenage males with raging hormones on the floor sang along as she raise the temperature with semi-seductive moves, shaking her money-maker for a good measure. But singing along is not a guarantee sign of your status as a 'big' band because right after Joanna comes one of the heavyweights of the day, Skudap Skudip.


It was by this time that the crowd has grown large, and went absolute bonkers. This skinhead/ska/punk/oi! unit is quite a legend in the local underground scene, and judging by how well they interact and connect with the audience, it's quite clear that they are one of the few seasoned hands with live performances as their riotous (or boisterous) set overshadows all the previous acts, and some of the bands that came on after them as well. If I were to describe their set in just two words, they are: absolute havoc.


Next up was the band that I've been meaning to see live: Pesawat. It has been quite some time since the last time I hear anything from them so it's real nice to be able to watch them live. By this time, a large chunk of the crowd (at the back) has retreated to take a seat as only a handful few (in the front) remained glued to the floor. And I, finding a nice place to sit, right beside four large speakers, and enjoying their set, singing along to two songs, managed to only snap a few picture, and that one was the nicest of the lot. After doing an encore with "Mirage", the legendary punk rockers from the bygone era of Nirvana wannabes in torn-up jeans jamming at the 'also legendary' Black Widow studio, the Pilgrims, came onto stage.


First of all, it has been a very long time since I last hear anything about, or from, the Pilgrims, so not surprising to find that time has got the better of these young-at-heart 40 somethings. Punk rock, in its' core essence is the appeal of youth and and the rebelliousness of it, something that clearly have been lost ever since adulthood took over them. But in that out-of-shape facade still lies the essence of what true punk rock is - and it is something that the young generation of today is alien with as many of the audience initially looked stunned, not knowing how to react to the barrage of pure adrenaline blasting in front of them at deafening volume. Alas, towards the end of their set, some of the clueless kids got moving and madness ensued, again. Perhaps they have finally understood punk rock; or, because the Times was slated to perform next.


Of all the acts that has been slated to perform for the gig today (just now), the Times perhaps is the biggest name of all because, as I was seated very close to the stage for their set, the stage all throughout their set suddenly became smaller and smaller as many of them pushed close to the stage that some of them spilled over and onto the stage as they started to dance and mosh about, on stage, as if they are the ones performing. At one time, they even look like they are set to maul Naza alive...


Just look at... how hungry they are.


By the time the final band of the day, Couple, perform, I was already moving towards the back of the crowd. With my ears pouring blood left and right, and the air-con barely cooling down the heat that has gathered on the floor, resulted from all that massive pogoing and moshing, I could barely stand it anymore. I was thirsty, and my eyes are irritating from all the cigarette smoke. All in all, did everyone had a good time? Hell yes. This is the first indie gig that I am aware of for this year and with the fear of the death of the scene starting to seem reasonable, it is good to finally know that the scene is actually very much alive and thriving with the advent of this gig. And like how Skudap Skudip and the Times have proven in the gig, it can still create quite a stir.



A big thank you to the organizer for putting out this edition of Indie Goodness. What's important mostly is that yes, indie is not dead yet. Skudap Skudip has a point.



*supposedly

Exactly our sentiment as well Tyler. Thank God. (Kind of funny how NME promoted them as an 'anarchy', but then we came across this. Kind of makes sense.)

LINKED: Sodding Hell...


Well, looks like my weekend this coming weekend is booked solid, one for the road. If not for my dedication to keep posting in this pokey blog about music that no one hardly reads, then it's definitely about Akta Angkasa and Harmacy being in the line-up of performers.

And, speaking of Tampin hosting a noise pop gig? There is definitely something weird in Malaysia's air. Well, I wouldn't say it is outright weird, but just unusual. Tampin is about as fashionable a town to host a gig as A. Razak Mohaideen is a good director that is worth an Oscar. Just saying. If anyone is already not looking for me, I'll be in KL on Saturday, and Tampin on early Sunday morning. One photo-filled entry about Tampin (the town) is definitely on the card.

Thanks again to The Wknd for the tip-off.

LINKED: Here's Something We're All Can Get Excited About...


Well, the folks at The Wknd has said it: "Gigs for the indie pop and indie rock crowd are getting scarcer by the day this year", and we're nodding assent. But this showcase right here, called Indie Goodness Volume 3, has a stellar line-up that's enough to fill the entire William & Kate's VVVIP wedding invitation list. And, with the legend of KL's underground scene, The Pilgrims (they are from those '(g)olden' days of Hishamuddin Rais' Dari Jemapoh ke Manchestee), making an appearance as well, we say the organizer have struck gold with this one.

The only laughably unbelievable part of the whole gig is that brave statement from the organizer saying the show will start at 1:45 pm sharp, which us Malaysians being Malaysians, the Malaysian Time rule must at all time applies. And then, there's the venue as well. Which...

Where Aren't They Now? (Pt.1) - Movement Club KL


In this new part feature, we will be looking at establishments (places) that has colored the music scene in Malaysia, once upon a time. These establishments have played some part in the development of Malaysia's relatively young music scene (or for today's entry, Malaysia's nightlife scene) and we figure that they deserve a final mention as a tribute to their priceless contribution. And to inaugurate the first part of the series, we present to you what was among KL's first superclub*, Movement.

For the lack of a written record on the history of the club, we guess we don't have to beat about the bush and just skip over the history part on the beginning of the club. If we weren't mistaken, Tone magazine (r.i.p.) once used to run an article about Movement club, right after the tragic demise of the place. But since even the magazine itself has disappeared from our collection and got sold to the 'apek surat khabar lama', we guess you can pretty much take a gander at the situation that we're in. There is a Facebook group by fans and lovers of the long-gone club, but we just couldn't be bothered to contact them and uncover the beginning of the club.

Located at the junction between Jalan Pudu and Jalan Bukit Bintang, Movement was among the earliest clubs that sparked a great interest, and quite incidentally, gave birth to the thriving nightlife scene that the KLites of today are enjoying. They were at the front line of bringing big names to spin the deck for a special night out that is to be remembered, with internationally-renowned (and legendary) DJs like Richie Hawtin, Paul Van Dyk, Roger Sanchez, and John Digweed among those who have brought the roof down and entertained the 'lively' crowd. They were, at the time, as how one would say it, the bee's knees.


But alas, like how all good parties would go, the vinyl will have to stop spinning at some point as tired clubbers shuffle their drunk asses off back home; but on January the 5th, 2002, the vinyl deck stopped spinning for good as news has it that the club has burned down to the ground. It was a tragic demise for the fledgling two-years-old club because from the surface, things were looking rosy for the club as more and more KLites begin to embrace the clubbing culture. Not only that, the Electronic/Dance music scene was also just about to get off its' infant feet and with one club succumbed to the ground, venues in those days are not as abundant as it is today.


Perhaps, the really tragic part of this story is that today, after more than nine years after the club perished in a fire, what replaced it now on the very same spot is an open-air parking space. All the clubbers in KL have dispersed and converged in other livelier places like Jalan P. Ramlee, while the music, the crowd, the party, the life, and the movement that made this very spot the epicenter of KL's nightlife has died out altogether, in physical and perhaps, in memory as well.

Movement Club
Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
2000 - 2002

P/S: Thanks to the Movement KL Facebook group for the first two pictures

*opinion varies. Some will say it was The Backroom

LISTED: Goosebumps Vol.6 - Foo Fighters' Everlong


When we first decided to come up with this feature, the Goosebumps series, this song was one of the original tune that we had in mind when we tried to define what songs that gives us the chill, the goosebumps. When it comes to (an almost) perfect embodiment of artistry in a song, not many comes close to Foo Fighters' "Everlong". The words, though some still has us scratching our heads, is not a collection of random thoughts of the singer, or a tale of the singer in the form of the protagonist going through the trials and tribulations of daily life, but rather a carefully selected thoughts tailored together into one seamless tapestry that only surfaces to reveal its meaning if it is read and pondered upon carefully. And with that driving riff completing the experience, on a different day and on a proper listening with a proper understanding of the double serving of the tune and the lyrics, should move one to tears.

We'll leave it to you to interpret yourself what the lyrics could possibly mean because once you do, you'll see the magic of this song (and why it is considered as the greatest song Dave Grohl ever written, according to many fans). Because certain things is best enjoyed when you only truly understand it on your own accord.

And I wonder
When I sing along with you
If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again
The only thing I'll ever ask of you
Got to promise not to stop when I say when
She sang

Foo Fighters - Everlong from Tanya Andersen on Vimeo.

LINKED: Hujan's New Music Video - Inspektor Remos


In conjunction with Hujan's new album, Lonely Soldier Boy
, they have also came up with a video clip for the leading single, "Inspektor Remos". Well, pardon the opening line because the said album is not all that brand new anyway, having been released right at the tail-end of last year (and which the review for the album can be read here). Gone are the days of the 'bittersweet romance' sound of the old Hujan, which we have to say were sorely missed. Songs like "Kau Pijak Hatiku Lagi" and "Hiba" - you get the idea. But hey, "Inspektor Remos" isn't all that bad anyway.

No - they're brilliant. Check out the video below; very rarely do we get to see a slick video clip for any Malaysian artist/band.

Hujan can also be found here.

Thanks to The Wknd for the tip-off. Thanks as well to Life in KL for the Noh picture above.

LISTED: Goosebumps Vol.5 - Scanners' Lowlife


I have as of late been haunted by things that I have done in the past; things that especially involves other people. This I can probably attribute it to my failure at learning the gentle art of forgiving myself because I have always been harsh with myself. Especially what transpired in my Indian summer in 2007 - I have yet to forgive myself to what I have done to her...

This entry here today shall have very minimal word because sometimes we think it might get in the way of truly appreciating the art of a song, of this song in particular. It might seem like this probably more about me but we're going to end our entry here with this: we all surely have went through a rough patch in a relationship, and always, the hardest part is letting go. This song, ladies and gentleman, is about that.

Its like my skin, turned inside out
And there's no silver here in this cloud
It's like a love that's turning sour
Its letting go

Scanners - Low Life from Dim Mak on Vimeo.

LINKED: Record Store Day - What Was the First Album You Ever Bought?


In conjunction with the Record Store Day, which will take place on this Saturday 16/4 (and possibly only in the US), and in conjunction with this particular post at BuzzFeed, I thought I'd do my own post on it as well, here. What was the first album I ever bought? If I'm not mistaken, it's Green Day's Nimrod. Either that, or Savage Garden's debut. Or Backstreet Boys' second album. But I guess that doesn't make for a really good entry, so Green Day gets it. Booyah!

green day hitchin a ride from gudo2 on Vimeo.

LINKED: Holy Shit


Ah, finally back after going quiet for some time. First of all, a hello from the very serene, very peaceful, and very secluded (indeed) Felda Residence Tekam - it was a nice weekend getaway, if it is not for work. Second of all, the only new music that we have discovered all along this week and the last week - and the week before that, and the one before that as well - is Tyler's new album entitled Goblin. So a complimentary review should come along. Ever since the stereo in my car stopped functioning, I have as well as a result stopped listening to the radio indefinitely. Not that I care about the gobshite that they serve everyday but sometimes even they can strike a nice chord; i.e. a good song. Third of all, as luck would have it, I came across this video of a young, upstart band called... uh something. As how the poster of this video would describe it, if you liked your Avant-Garde Speed Trombone Death Metal bloody idiotic, then you're going to definitely dig this band. I really love the shouted comment coming from a member of the largely unmoved audience at the very end of this video. It's golden.