dangerously hanging to static life

RISE OF NEW WAVE BANDS GOING TO MARK 2008 AS A HUGE YEAR FOR UNDERGROUND MUSIC

The underground music scene is receiving attention more than ever before. After so called metal raid in some spots in Peninsular Malaysia in the mid February 2006, the scene surprisingly but slowly increase the visibility; thanks to various media in internet and also from the press themselves. The main press nowadays didn’t  hesitate to write about indipendant bands anymore, as it is proven, being indipendant didn’t mean the quality is compromised. The rise of bands, like Hujan, Bittersweet, Meet Uncle Hussain, and others would prove Malaysian music is full of potential and foreign country’s raid of our music market could well be balanced.

Take a look at Hujan, currently the biggest indipendant band in Malaysia. Being young (22 going to be 23 this year) and full of surprises in his lyrics, Noh the hero on the mic had been inspiring other musicians to continue writing songs and believe in what they do. One who look at the story of success in Hujan version would think they had been a fairytale fortnight success. However, the loud applause of critics didn’t come in easy. AG for instance had been in under-rated Bhumiband before he got to the top of attention nowadays. The band had 2 EPs in their bag, 123 Go and Check2 Rock2. While simplicity and captive Malay tunes are their ingredients of success, the bands properly defined strategies are also becoming major parts of their image. Their EPs, can only be bought during their gigs, giving the people much needed live version of what actually the band sounds. Semi-poetic lyrics and flavour of The Stroke’s scram are actually helped by the close relationship with arts culture mostly operative in Myspace, hence making Hujan distinctive from other peer bands. The band could be one of major icons in Malaysian music, if they continue to write more addictive songs for the future!

Let’s not forget Bittersweet, the more upbeat band is currently boasting their latest album ‘The Perfect Match’ and had their all-around Malaysia tour in their sleeves. The band which hails from Ipoh, had been around for quite a few years (2004). The band evolve from sleek and relax indie tunes as in ‘distance to far’ to far more dance beats in ‘Simone’, ‘Kucing Hitam’ and current sensation ‘Capital E’. Bittersweet comprised of 5 mid-20s Pijie, Herri, Hafiz, Dinie and Emai. Their image on-stage definitely one of their main elements, with cool shades by most of their members, the band goes extra miles by having London-attire coats and mufflers. Their new video of ‘Capital E’ are quite a video and strong of indipendance feel. The band which goes into the spotlight of mainstream music after featuring in KAMI soundtracks, brief appearance in Muzik-Muzik TV3 and 8tv Concerts around Malaysia is a definite must in your playlist to lighten up your day.

Meet Uncle Hussain, which currently in studio for their first debut album – 8 Tahun got their much needed breaks into the main leagues after years. The band had been tagged Best DIY Band by ROTTW Poll in 2005 and 2 original songs ‘Lagu Untukmu’ and ‘La la la Kerjalah’ featured in KAMI soundtrack. Their main attraction is unsurpassed high pitch vocal thrown by their leader-in-chief Lan. The band starts as 5-piece band with Lan focuses on mic before grabs the guitar to be voc-cum guitarist. They usually have other friends on keyboard during recent live shows. Their album would be much anticipated album of the year and hopefully those high pitch vocal would never let us down!

Apart from these three bands, there are countless list of indipendant band varying in all genres of music. Bands that had been around for long like Couple, Plague of Happiness, Muck, Love Me Butch and They Will Kill Us All would be thriving to continue to impress local music scene. There are also numerous new bands just waiting to be discovered by the masses such as discotheque Komplot. 2008 would be a year of good local music, I bet!

ilham, www.myspace.com/ilhambro