3rd & 4th January: Debut showcase for 2009!

030109 | BACKLASH! @ ONE CAFE

030109 | WHAT’S THE FEST @ NOISY STUDIO

040109 | PULP! MUSIC @ MCPA HALL

2008 – the “Scene” In Review

2008 seems to be the most unforgettable year for Malaysia Hardcore scene. We have tons of international acts came here, such as Bleeding Through, Comeback Kid, Miles Away, FC Five, Sick Of It All (even though the show got cancelled for the very last minute, but the legends actually come here to KL), Walls of Jericho, Ignite and Caliban; pay their visit and rock the house. It’s an honor for me, especially, as being one of the participants for all the showcase which involve all the abovesaid bands and for me, to share the same stage with them is unforgettable and of course to watch them is like a dream come true. Eventhough the ticket price is quite high (notable it’s RM90 to watch Bleeding Through or RM65 to watch Comeback Kid), the kids still make their way to the venue and watch the bands who become their idols since then, mostly we thought there is a possibility that we can’t watch them again in front of our eyes again in future, so this is kinda a chance of lifetime.

In 2008 also seems there are tons of mix genre showcase, especially the organizer like to mix the hardcore and indie in one show. It is great to see the effort by the promoter and the organizer try to “unite” the scene in one show, but from my observation, most of the show ends up with a fight. Notable the incident where there are kids who brought the small knife during our show early this year and the most recent incident when a kids brought a small mechanical devices and hit the kids who mosh during Rock The World. What I’m trying to say is, the kids overhere is not ready yet to “unite” with other genre, eventhough how many times all the band vocalist (which includes me) try to emphasize the importance of being respectful during showcase, but still, we can’t avoid this incident. It is actually sad to see, but however, by mixing up all the genre in one show is still look a great idea for me, because from the show we can actually watch the other band’s performance, get new friends from different scene and we can basically exchange idea with each other, especially in marketing strategy and all that stuff.

Another notes about shows, 2008 seems to be THE MOST shows ever had in Malaysia scene history. There are about almost every weeks there’ll be a show, sometimes both Saturday and Sunday, and even there are 4-5 shows in one day itself. No wonder my band played like more than 30 shows this year, and I don’t know how many shows for bands like Second Combat and Black Territory played this year, coz it seems I saw their name almost everytime in myspace and bulletin. This is actually a great trends, and hopefully this great trends will continue to next year and upcoming years to come. Who knows in future, all the hardcore bands can live up their life by being a full time bands? That would be a great accomplishment.

How about fashion? It seems 2008 seen some notable fashion or style that the kids start to wear, and you can even notice it almost everytime of the hardcore shows. Somehow, I feel so lost, but it’s still something interesting to watch. Shoes brand like Vans Era suddenly become so popular this year, Macbeth shoes, Nike SB/Dunks, Saucony Jazz, checked shirt (thanks to Verse, Have Heart), half-cut jeans, skinny jeans, slip on shoes, tshirt with weird-cartoon full design, full cap, faux hip hop style, buckle belt, various hair style etc. For me, I dont have any problem with all these fashion, eventhough I think I’m a bit “old fashion” – in term of style, still wearing band tshirt, short cargo pants and sport shoes. AGAIN, I don’t have any problem with it. So, please don’t make any issue here, like “ohh ijam think he is so old timer, bla bla bla, he despise our fashion bla bla bla”, etc… bullshit! Just to let you know that this is just what I observe and I don’t have any problem with what you wear, unless you wear a wings.

Music? What is so “in” things this year of 2008? Follow by my observation, there are 2 main style which really caught the kids attention. (1) Deathcore – it seems to be a year of this genre/style, not only here in Malaysia, but everywhere else in the world. Bands like Bring Me The Horizon, Job For A Cowboy, Carnifex, Despised Icons, All Shall Perish, As Blood Run Black etc now become the main interest for almost all the kids in the scene, seems the combination of death metal and hardcore breakdown (trust me, the breakdown part is truly truly amazing) is trully a “IN” things today. To be frank, I love this type of music too, and no wonder how this music become everyone’s favourite of 2008. (2) Modern hardcore. Modern HC is not something new, since Eleven already did it like 3 years ago, follow by the fellow SXE bands, Kids On The Move last year. But the reason why I put it here is because the craziness over this style basically on it’s peak in this year itself. Seen bands like Escape, Burnout, Starting Fight, even the legendary Second Combat now can be categorized under this genre. The composition eventhough is predictable, melodic verse then breakdown part, but the energy level shown by bands and crowds make this genre another favourite for this year. Other than that, the kids still love the metalcore style, brutal hardcore style, post hardcore etc

Crew? It seems that there are a lot of crew in Malaysia HC scene nowadays, not only the town represent crew, but now we got our own dance/mosh crew. I got no problem with all this mosh crew thingy, but from my observation, the final quarter of 2008 seems to be like this crew have been segregate with the other crew. The fight they had today do remind me like the famous “shuffle hardstyle” trends which I’ve seen almost fade from day to day, which I believe none of you want it to be happened like that. So, it doesn’t matter what dance crew that you represent – SB, GK, DK, DP, DS, MW, KJRM, or what so ever you might called yourself, please try to remember this quotes – “RESPECT EACH OTHER”. I had enough with all this unnecessary fight, coz in the end, there is no victory, only scar.
The scene is not only belong to you, but it’s ours. Please do not forget that.

This is just my observation towards what happened through all the years of 2008, hopefully things will be much more better in 2009 and years to come. Wish all of you the best and together we can make this scene a better place for all of us. Again, respect each other and keep this scene alive. Last but not least, Happy New Year 2009!

What do you plan for new year’s eve?

It’s December 28th, and it’s about 3 more days before the year end.. so u got something to do this New Year’s Eve celebration? If you got nothing to do, please do consider to think some of this option, maybe your new year’s eve won’t be so boring. Come on, it’s one in a year, baby!

a. BBQ – gather all your close friends, penpal and organize a BBQ party. very casual one, nearby your house, poolside, it should be fun!
b. club – get wasted all the night. u dont need to know anyone to chill, grab a drink and party all night
c. go to local’s new year’s celebration eg bukit bintang, klcc, dataran merdeka – be there and watch all the nice fireworks
d. gig – just organize a small gig with your friends and have fun
e. chill @ mamak – what is better than mamak if you live in Malaysia?
f. chill @ house – held a small party, play PS2, and get wasted all night long. weed might be a bonus!
g. go to other state/country – travel! what is better than be a tourist and see how the other country celebrates their new year’s eve?
h. karaoke – sound boring? not so if you know how to chill. karaoke can be very very fun, trust me!
i. try to find chicks – hmmm… should I explain more?
j. spend a time with your girl/boyfriend – hehehhehe that will be most beautiful night then.

other than that, u decide it for yourself, there’ll be tons of way for you to enjoy yourself. anyway, get ready for the new year celebration, i can’t wait for it

YOUR SCENE SUCKS?

Look familiar with all these style? I bet you are. In fact, this is how most of us dress (at least we can spot kids nowadays) when they go to the show, and when you are in town, it’s almost easy to spot the “scene” kids. If you visit www.yourscenesucks.com, you might find a lot’s more sarcastic (or jokes) by the author, but I find the cartoon is quite cool, and perhaps, there will be a cartoon series on scene kids, who knows, aite?
I’m so sorry if anyone might be offended by this, coz I felt the same way too when I view it for the first time, but then, this guy do really make a homework here. You can view what the author said about all these character (and a lot more character like emo kids, black metal, rudeboys etc in the site) at: www.yourscenesucks.com

Playlist:
pharrel
throwdown
lcd soundsystem
norma jean
jay z

Playlist:
job for a cowboy
waking the cadaver
killwhitneydead
see you next tuesday

Playlist:
dillinger four
american steel
none more black
the loved ones
the falcon

Playlist:
bane
minor threat
good clean fun
ten yard fight

Playlist:
madball
agnostic front
hatebreed
throwdown
terror

2008 FINALE WEEKEND SHOWCASE! BE THERE

6 showcase all over in this weekends, make your choice and come to any shows you’d wish to. This is the final weekend for the year of 2008. BTW, I hope it is not so early to wish you guys a Happy New Year 2009!

27.12 AS SAHAR ALBUM LAUNCHING (MCPA)

27.12 MYMC ROCKBAND SHOWCASE (ONE CAFE)

27.12 YEAR END SAUNA (NOISY)

28.12 COUPLE RELEASE PARTY (MCPA)

28.12 FINAL CHAPTER (IPOH)

28.12 TIME TO DISASTER (PAUL’S PLACE)