Author Archives: 2konbla

Feedback Open Mic @ The Bee Publika February Edition


Feedback Open Mic @ The Bee Publika February Edition, 26th February 2013. Sweet Ibanez Iceman bass!


The Milkmen, I think.

Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find any notes on who some of the later performers are – I usually save them in Google Calendar as an event, but for some reason I have nothing in February 2013. I do vaguely remember these guys rocking out.


Aice.


Not sure who these dudes are…


…either.


Shaneil Devaser.


Brian Gomez, first featured act of the night.


Stanley Oh.


Ariff AB.


Sufiz.


Dasha Logan.


Her merry men!


Doing the Egyptian.


Just doing her thang.


So that’s what stickers are for!


Rashdan Harith.


Kevin with a player T-shirt.


David on guitar.


Here’s one of my typical shots of Rashdan, full of sustain.


Remy J..


Teddy bear on top of the front entrance of The Bee, drunk after a can of beer.


Rendra Zawawi, second featured act.


This time, with a big band.


His siblings back him up.


String section.


Horn section.


Nope, don’t know this guy.


Mahani, who appears in Rendra’s music video for Faceless!


Yet another name to be filled.


Perhaps, as I progress through later open mics where I have ascertained their identities, I shall go back to this and edit their names in.

Construct-Bots!


Transformers: Construct-Bots! I have to say, I love the line, despite all the flak it gets. Once you get past the notion that you’re only supposed to assemble it as per instructions, you can get some really cool alternate modes. Here’s Blitzwing, using all parts that came in the box, forming a more stealth-bomber-like plane.


Once you get past the notion that it must transform from robot to alternate mode without detaching parts, it gets even better. Bumblebee is a truck!


I first bought Blitzwing and Bumblebee, because I have a thing for triple-changers. Shame that the instructions tell you to detach parts to go from one alternate mode to another. For the others, you don’t need to detach parts to go from robot to alternate mode. I think this particular configuration doesn’t need detaching, though it will be calf-heavy; not a problem as it adds to stability.


All the triple-changing Blitzwings for scale.


My colleague didn’t like the hollow look either, and he didn’t understand the appeal of it, until he fiddled around with Blitzwing. Here’s an awesome alternate mode, that doesn’t transform, but uses all the parts in the box.


More angles of this masterpiece.


I was fiddling around with both, when I realized I could have a gestalt! I just needed to buy 3 more Construct-Bots.


I then bought the Optimus Prime Versus Megatron set, and make a gun entirely from all the pieces from Megatron’s box. Yes, it has a moveable trigger and safety lock.


Please pardon that the plasma cells are not symmetrical.


Non-transforming Huffer! Only Optimus Prime pieces.

All pictures above from my phone and processed by Instagram. Now for some serious camera action!


When stripped down for hands-on battle, you can stow away the pieces as a suit on wheels.


Megatron’s broken C-shaped wrench. Go easy on these.


Now, I had 5! Notice that Bumblebee who is normally short is taller because of his feet.


My first attempt at a gestalt, with the conditions:

1) use all the parts in the box
2) parts from a robot don’t cross over the merge points (I accidentally used Blitzwing’s machinegun on Bumblebee, so this is imperfect)
3) have modern-day articulation

I managed to use all parts for Soundwave and Blitzwing (the legs) but adding more to the upper three would make it imbalanced.


The wings of Soundwave and Blitzwing were used as giant rear braces. The wings on Megatron and Bumblebee can fold out for a wide-winged gestalt form.


My second attempt at a gestalt, Menasor-style. It balances a lot better and is more playable.

If you recolored Optimus Prime to Motormaster, you could buy the Stunticon limbs and make a proper-colored Menasor!


I didn’t use all parts this time, even removing Optimus Prime’s feet.


The limbs are simple, too; detach the arms on the leg limbs and put them behind, and detach one arm from each arm limb to attach to the underside. The cannons add stability. Originally, Megatron’s black cannon was in the left arm, keeping to no-crossover-rule, but it didn’t match in color so I swapped them.

I also made a jet wing attachment, but that made him fall backwards.


In scale to Transformers Fall Of Cybertron Bruticus (with non-destructive flamethrower mod).

Open Mic @ The Venue #5 – Hosted by Az Samad


Open Mic @ The Venue #5 – Hosted by Az Samad, 25th February 2013! Here’s the first featured act, Shelly Leong & Seth Lael! This is Shelley, jazz singer/pianist/guitarist.


Seth, the husband, on banjo.


I somehow can’t find the list of performers that I usually write on my phone, so this guy will be unlabelled unless I get a hint.


Khaimano returns! The witty multi-disciplinarian Khai is the head of this ska-punk-funk band with hilarious lyrics. He posted a gig flyer back in the Xfresh forum, that led me to catching my first gig ever, with his band playing songs like Backdoor Man, Cannot Get It Up… just as they did this night.


Ariff, used to be this skinny scrawny drummer, but he’s now buffed up.


Bahir wasn’t the original bassist.


Az Samad, organizer and emcee, introducing Shaneil Devaser, himself an open mike gig organizer. He played a cover of Foo Fighters – Razor.


Amrita Soon and a friend.


Anna Chong, second featured act!


Fung Chern Wei, on violin.


That metallic object ringed out, adding to the atmosphere. Anna’s music envelops you and makes you feel, in a transcending otherworldly way.


Relent!


These guys bring back good ol’ rock.


There’s that infectious rock-and-roller tune Save Me


…and a cover of Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way.


Next was another band from a while back – Ziel.


They have that early 2000’s vibe, where rap and metal fused again.


Rudy!


They played Riot, from a time that flangers were in fashion – I first heard the song nearly 9 years ago!


Rendra Zawawi smiles at Yin, videographer and organizer of the organizer. He did a cover of Bob Dylan – Make You Feel My Love by himself…


…and then Hameer Zawawi joined him for the second song, Faceless.


The incredible Dasha Logan!


This shot, and the one before, were taken by Prakash Daniel, who gets killer shots!


Ash on drums.


Adil Johan.


Dasha is a load of energy on stage! She’s a most entertaining entertainer to watch…


…with the vocal prowess to match, going from a silky purr to a hearty rocking growl!


Her brother’s in the band as well; both children to Loganathan of Alleycats!


Hameer Zawawi, this time not traditionally the last act.


I did not catch the name of this band, that played hard rock and sang in Malay.


Super hard-rocking guitar! I remember asking the musicians how he was making that hot lead guitar sound. It was scorching, molten, sticky syrup.


Liam Callan.

Universatile

According to Spiritual Belief System Selector, my belief is most likely:

Unitarian Universalism

My Complete Results:
1. Unitarian Universalism (100%)
2. Secular Humanism (92%)
3. Taoism (90%)
4. Liberal Quakers – Religious Society of Friends (86%)
5. Mahayana Buddhism (80%)
6. Theravada Buddhism (79%)
7. Non-theist (75%)
8. Mainline – Liberal Christian Protestants (72%)
9. Neo-Pagan (67%)
10. New Age (66%)
11. Jainism (65%)
12. Reform Judaism (56%)
13. New Thought (54%)
14. Sikhism (54%)
15. Hinduism (47%)
16. Christian Science Church of Christ, Scientist (44%)
17. Scientology (40%)
18. Orthodox Quaker – Religious Society of Friends (39%)
19. Bahai (31%)
20. Mainline – Conservative Christian Protestant (17%)
21. Islam (17%)
22. Seventh Day Adventist (16%)
23. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (13%)
24. Orthodox Judaism (9%)
25. Eastern Orthodox (6%)
26. Jehovahs Witness (6%)
27. Roman Catholic (6%)

How ironic, considering I was raised a Roman Catholic!

Moonshine: A Homemade Music Show / Feb 2013


Moonshine: A Homemade Music Show / Feb 2013, 21st February 2013, at Laundry Bar, The Curve! Here’s Reza Salleh, organizer and emcee.


The first act of the night was Amrita Soon!


A young talent who has an unmistakeable guitar.


She sings of chasing raindrops and paper planes.


Brian Gomez gives you a sermon in the funniest accent!


An excellent parody-maker, he’s got witty lyrics and humorous stories for all.


He’s also a writer, with an awesome novel – Devil’s Place.


He also runs Merdekarya, an awesome music venue/bookstore. You should click on the link and read it.


Bihzhu, sitting in the upper area, just before going on stage.


This jazz-soul cat has been in the scene for a bit!


David Ling on clarinet.


Bokeh is okay!


Faz on guitar.


Nicole, as I’m used to calling her, is a hugful of sunshine.


On harmonica for Xiao Bai Chuan – a first for me as I’d not seen her sing in Chinese before!


Back to upbeat stuff.


Finally, Saturday Afternoon.


Acoustic folk folks.


A pinch of female vocal harmony.


Just a cool shot of the drummer.


Fariz broke a guitar string, so his brother came to the rescue with a replacement.

Yes, the G string broke.


I like how their expressions were synchronized, probably unintentionally!


Sound guy vapes on.


Fariz then used Melissa’s guitar, to find trouble with the strap.


I can’t deny that since this was the first time I’d see Reza’s brother perform, I was watching to see how they were similiar or not in musical style and vocals.

Farewell, Silent Scenery


Kontakt #8, at Laundry Bar, The Curve, 7th February 2013. Here’s Phang of Citizens Of Ice-Cream!


Azam!


I processed the entire series in monochrome in protest of the one-color-at-a-time lighting that was employed throughout.


The bar.


Man Under Zero Effort. I don’t see many guitars with pickups like these.


Lefty bass!


Alang on drums.


Silent Scenery.


I came, for they dubbed this their farewell show.


Post rock riffage!


Seikan on drums.


Kit on vocals.


Ryota Katayama gets on stage to sing a song with them.


Kit’s funky dreads.


Makes for expressive headbanging.


The pedalboard took over.


A big group shot, and I had the wrong lens on!


Nevertheless I could make do with two shots.

I missed Reset To Zilch, unfortunately.

Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron Bruticus Non-Destructive Flamethrower Mod

Yup, you can make your Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron Bruticus look (more) like the one in the game by flipping Blast Off’s jet/flamethrower around, without unscrewing or hacking the toy! Here’s how:


Detach the hands at the shoulder ball joint.


Transform the legs like this. The guns should go into the holes on the side of the arms, then into the holes on the legs.


Like so!


Okay, so he’s still a little hollow, but at least it bends at the elbow.


An alternate mode. (Yes, you might’ve caught me forgetting the chest ‘wings’.)


How it works from the other side.

Now if you refer to the game you’d realize I have the flamethrower with the boosters on the wrong side, but the underside of the boosters don’t look great at all. You can swap Blast Off’s guns and turn the flamethrower the other way for a third mod.

Debauch To KLPAC


2nd February 2013: Mull; Debauch to Kuala Lumpor (Component Three) at KL Performing Arts Center.


This large band is Walloped! Showcase Ep.2.


They played… some scary shit.


Spooky.


Medinee, from Johor Bahru.


They Will Kill Us All.


Super cool Thunderbird bass.


Worn out Telecaster.


Khottal, another big band.


This is how you make yourself heard without a mike.


Old boys Man Under Zero Effort.


They’re instrumental, and their rock ranges from sounding Foo Fighters-ish to other genres.


Alang, drummer for many.


Deepset, a post-rock band.


One of the closest in style to Damn Dirty Apes – coincidentally, my favorite style of post-rock.


Shizuka (Ben Aman), from Ipoh.


They play fun rock and roll.


The stage was adorned with all sorts of antiques.


Meanwhile, outside, Bob and Pedram of Damn Dirty Apes jam on the piano.


Fikri, emcee for the night.


The unforgettable 90’s band, Nice Stupid Playground! Playing since the 90’s, that is, not playing 90’s music in a today context…


…where moshpits weren’t regulated terribly, I assume.


You could even swim in a sea of supportive hands!


Every song was a singalong, and they invited this dude, who I guess is Big Show.


Ending the night was the long-awaited Damn Dirty Apes.


Every song starts slow and melancholic, then builds up and bursts into distortion. Just the way I like my post-rock.


Drummer Bob.


The show was interrupted, as Bob was not feeling too good. As it turns out, it was gastritis. Not a nice thing to have at all!

Moonshine: A Homemade Music Show / Jan 2013


Moonshine: A Homemade Music Show / Jan 2013 at Laundry Bar, The Curve, 24th January 2013.

A DigiTech RP355 guitar multi-effect processor! I have the RP255 and made an app, DigiTech Patch Viewer, for it. This was the first time I’d see a musician with one of these DigiTechs – they don’t seem very popular in the KL scene.


Reza Salleh, emcee and organizer.


Dish, a alternative rock team with a theme!


Gotta dig their uniform.


This adorable audience member adores the adorable audience member.


This audience member sings along.


This band was a side project of AG Coco…


…who has a cool pedalboard with a mighty volume pedal. You can’t miss it.


Meliha Faisal was next.


Barista with a sweet voice.


She performed an interesting cover of Elton John – Your Song – if you didn’t know the lyrics, you might not recognize it.


Rather interesting chord shape.


Then came another young barista!


Christian Palencia.


A guitar, vocal chords and a loop pedal to mix it all with.


The carry case. Smart!


Spot the guitar pick.


Guess which band this is!


You win a Backstreet Boys cover if you guessed that it was Rashdan Harith.

I normally post pictures of Rashdan singing with his mouth wide open as he does that expression better than anyone else. Thus I took it as a challenge to post other poses of his!


This is what bright prime lenses that cannot zoom are for.


Rashdan rocks out even without an electric guitar.


David, who always has a hot guitar lick up his sleeve. This is probably the first time I’m seeing a Telecaster with a Bigsby bridge. I like how it looks matched with the hot pickup at the neck!


Ash’s mohawk cannot hold up.

Feedback Open Mic @ The Bee Publika January Edition


Feedback Open Mic @ The Bee Publika January Edition, 22nd January 2013. Here’s Jojo (Jocelyn) of Juju And Jojo.


That makes this Juju.


Keira And Rachel.


Azim.


Hameerudin Zawawi, making a slanty face, as first featured act. This is why he was not at the end of the set!


Remy J. dressed down.


Stonebay, second featured act, brings the grunge back.


Gotta love them Hofner bass guitars!


Rendra Zawawi, quite melancholic musically like his brother, injected a double dose by inviting his brother to sing with him.


Reza Salleh, emcee and organizer, ends the night. You could consider it a game to figure out how many guitars were borrowed!