Category Archives: Music

Four Moonshines In 2011

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Here’s a combo breaker: The last 4 Moonshine gigs I shot in 2011, at Laundry Bar, The Curve! This is Reza the organizer.


Starting off the 11th August 2011 Moonshine was Az Samad, fingerstyle guitar maestro.


Gabba Gabba in the band lounge area.


Then it was their turn!


A keytar, or at least held as one.


They did some funky disco…


…and some rock and roll.


Pedalboard, whoa!


Pump your fists and dance to the music.


Then came the groovy Bassment Syndicate.


Keyboards, not of the neck-slung variety.


These guys did a bit of Edgar Winter Group – Frankenstein!


Then it was the cheery, happy Bihzhu!


What key is happy in, again?


Major!


The band. Interestingly, the band I first knew Nicole Foo Bih Zhu for, Rhapsody, was just her and Ywenna on keyboards. Her band here has a lot of instruments but no keyboards!


Oh, and her harmonica!


She’s got one heck of a voice and a lot of emotion.


29th September 2011 was when the sound engineer decided to bathe everybody in one color at a time. Here’s Reza getting a healthy dose of gamma radiation.


Dzamira Dzafri has this power hippie girl voice.


I know this is unrelated, but her expression in this picture reminds me of Dave Mustaine a bit.


Melina watches on in the crowd.


Liyana Fizi!


She gets a rare bit of color thanks to the transition between lights.


If not for shooting in RAW and changing the white balance later, I’d have to do a fair bit of white balance setting on the job.


A cast remains mostly because that’s as far as I can pull it.


Zalila Lee and her band!


Melina with an electric double bass.


Rashdan Harith!


Kevin on drums.


Julian on bass.


20th October 2011, with Amir Jahari!


This young fella writes some very catchy and memorable songs. He was also in Akademi Fantasia season 9.


Supporters/promoters for the next band…


Post-rock band Silent Scenery!


This was a time when Kit was still in town…


…to bring the full wave of sonic mayhem.


Ivan and his Jazzmaster.


The crowd.


Then after the post-rock was post-punk…


…no, wait, new wave.


Enterprise!


Dancy electronic-tinged music.


Long time no see Ham, but this time he was playing for…


…OJ Law.


His songs remind me of many things – Stopgap, for example, is a Weezer-like classic.


There are also electronic bleeps (I bought his albums online at his site. Gotta dig the digital-only extra content!)


Then there is the irresistable Blur-esque pop anthem, Fantastic Adventure, that he did with Liyana Fizi (seen in the audience here!)


He then pimped a limited cassette tape edition of his album, Yesterday Is A Distant Dream. Any Chinese-looking guy with a British accent and thick glasses will remind me of Kai of DigitalRev TV.


Brisk sales!


Unfortunately, I had to miss November’s Moonshine because I had a dermatological emergency. So this is from the 15th of December 2011.


This is Aiqa Halim.


Supported by Aron Teo.


Here’s Adeline…


…and Joachim…


…and a surprise guest for electronic beats.


This would be the new Halfway Kings, one with an ever changing format, but always sticking to Adeline and Joachim at the least. By ever-changing, it could be an electric or acoustic guitar, Adeline or Joachim could be handling the delay/loop pedal, and there may be a drummer, or not.


I would call it angry poetic music.


Insert Japanese ten-ten joke here.


Clara and Narmi from the VIP area. Well I call it the VIP area.


Mia Palencia! She brings much needed Christmas festivity.


Zalila is looking cool, as always.


Kevin Theseira on bass.


Mia and Reza do their classic duet.


Ferns.


They play indie pop.


Often, when I focus on the instrument, the musician’s head is in the same plane of focus, but this is one such case where it wasn’t so. Nevertheless as long as either the face, instrument or whatever cool shirt they’re wearing is in focus, I figure it’s alright.


The night ended with jiwang king Narmi.


As always, supported by Remy J. on guitar. They both have the same Godin guitar!


Moe Joe on all sorts of percussion. In fact, he’s sitting on one such percussion instrument!


The soundman seemed to be missing, but he was really controlling the levels with an iPad app. Wicked!


I didn’t know it, but this would be the last Moonshine at Laundry for a while.

Konsert BERSIH 8T: Inside

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On the 13th of October 2012, I went down to Konsert BERSIH 8T at the Kelana Jaya Stadium. This would also be known as #BersihRocks on Twitter. Again, as an observer, I went incognito, not in yellow. I figure if they start carting away people in yellow, I should still be around to take pictures.


This is Part 2; Part 1 is here.


It was raining when I got here, and the guy on stage was James Nagason. I can see why it rained. Sorry dude you got some pitching to fix.


It was 6:15PM and the crowd was mostly at the back, where the stalls were – the action was all there.


His guitar wasn’t in tune either.


Garrison set the mood for the evening – proper, rebellious, punk rock.


Then it was random-noise-rock outfit Maharajah Commission.


Featuring folk guitarist Azmyl Yunor in a different mode.


The crowd was mostly up on the stands, next to the stage! So everybody was looking to the side instead.


I also sauntered backstage and found Adam Adli being interviewed and Mat Sabu being photographed with.


Soon it was dark, and a few short films were screened, including one amusing video about how to ensure your vote is secret via randomization, by Tindak Malaysia, featuring Annie Ooi (Aunty Bersih) and Patrick Teoh.

I can’t find the video on Youtube, but when I do I’ll update this.


Michelle Hoo, producer, composer and lyricist of the Bersih tribute song, Tears Of Malaysia.


Here with the group that sang the song.


Koh Jun Lin of Malaysiakini has a distinctive style that lets everybody know that he is a photographer, complete with kneepads. I guess he was ready for tear gas and water cannons. There was none of that, that evening.


Then, it was time for awesome acoustic fingerstyle guitarist Ray Cheong!


From above.


Check out the sea of yellow!


Click the picture for a full-resolution view.

Forget what Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat have to say about the attendance numbers – you can count for yourself the number of people on the field. Bear in mind that there were still many people seated on the stands to the left and right of the stage, not forgetting the people who’d rather be at the carnival-like atmosphere at the stalls behind! Of course, the BERSIH 2.0 committee, who gave out receipts to acknowledge donation, would know the exact number.


Fahmi Fadzil, emcee and learned scholar of the music performed that evening.


This rock concert allowed this mother to bring her kids in prams, a better outing for them than a sunny tear gassy day.


Dudes not in yellow. No biggie, just keeping a note on faces.


Dum Dum Tak, proper straight punk rock, gets a Chinese uncle skanking, and his wife slapping him on his shoulder. Real cute moment that was.


Atama, also on the BERSIH 2.0 Steering Committee, goes on stage and shows us hip-hop mixed with Sumazau. WOW!


Do the Sumazau, he tells us. Hishamuddin Rais and many others join along!


Nik Jidan, an excellent folk singer sings songs about (literally) fallen political aide Teoh Beng Hock and Asalkan Bukan UMNO.


He is joined by Vijay, Assistant Coordinator of Jom Pantau.


Azira Aziz turns a year older today! How old, I don’t know, but she can’t be a day over 16 from her cartoony ears.


Hui Se Di Dai usually plays Chinese rock but the guy who loves his Jaguar played a Rastafari classic.


Republic Of Brickfields with iconic Aru, sang an obvious cover – Get Up, Stand Up. Stand up for your rights!


Spotted in the crowd, following the instructions at the gate not to bring in any party logos, were Tony Pua and Teresa Kok. Apparently Fahmi Fadzil gets confused for Tony Pua sometimes. To add to that, I had to double-check if that was indeed Teresa Kok and not Elizabeth Wong, but that’s just me being not so familiar with how they look.


There is one unmistakeable man, though – National Laureate, Dato’ A. Samad Said, and co-chairperson of BERSIH 2.0.


He wrote a poem for this concert, and recited it that night.


Then came another familiar face, co-chairperson of BERSIH 2.0, Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan.


The other BERSIH 2.0 Steering Committee members were up on stage as well.


She gave a short speech…


…and also announced that the group would be singing a song!


Nik Jidan joined them on stage to provide musical accompaniment.


Random dude with flowers for Ambiga.


I can’t remember which cartoonist presented this to them.


Then it was time for the final act of the night – Ito, Julian Mokhtar & The Gang! I guess they didn’t want to call it Blues Gang because not the whole original lineup was there.


For example, on the right, on guitar, was Ito’s son!


Ito, of course, is a vital component, with his trademark raspy voice…


…and so is Julian Mokhtar, a blues shredder with his beautifully shaped, polished, and probably very custom guitar with scalloped frets.


Blues solo!


They ended the night with the classic, Apo Nak Di Kato.


Then, it was a big percussion jam session.


That was not all – they brought in BERSIH 2.0’s 8 demands, as well as fire eaters!


It all looks yellow to me. By this time I was shooting JPG, having run out of space from shooting RAW.

If you have decided you want to do more for Malaysia, be a Polling/Counting Agent!

Sign up for the training here. It is open to all citizens of Malaysia – you don’t need to be a member of any political party or the Election Commission, to participate in making sure the elections are free and fair! I’ve gone for the course myself, and learned so much about the electoral system.

More reading:
Konsert BERSIH 8T: Outside
Democratic Promise
Bersih 3.0
Vote For Cleanliness!

Konsert BERSIH 8T: Outside

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On the 13th of October 2012, I went down to Konsert BERSIH 8T at the Kelana Jaya Stadium. This would also be known as #BersihRocks on Twitter. Again, as an observer, I went incognito, not in yellow. I figure if they start carting away people in yellow, I should still be around to take pictures.


Here’s the TindakMalaysia booth. Although I went straight into the stadium to see who was playing, I realized the crowd was really at the back, where the stalls were.


Also note the rules at the entrance. Above is the donation box. Entry was with a minimum donation of RM5, and you get stamped on your hand with ink that seems pretty indelible!


Food vendors were having brisk business.


All sorts of shirts in yellow were sold.


The Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia booth. I was looking for the Cleaning In Progress one but they didn’t have it. 🙁


For those who want a break in color, there’s green and the classic black and white.


More, from SUARAM, among others.


All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. That is why I try to do what I do here, to document this. Neutrality and being free of bias is hard to expect of a human, though, so I’d rather have fairness.

If you have decided you want to do more for Malaysia, be a Polling/Counting Agent!

Sign up for the training here. It is open to all citizens of Malaysia – you don’t need to be a member of any political party or the Election Commission, to participate in making sure the elections are free and fair! I’ve gone for the course myself, and learned so much about the electoral system.


Remember the entrance rules above? Well these stalls are outside.


The stadium was being uncooperative, so they had to bring in their own power generator.


Clean Sweep, by Oon Yeoh, is a compilation of high-quality photographs from the Bersih 3.0 28th April 2012 rally. I have that book. It smells nice, too.


Balloons by Kill The Bill.


Phone casings! I didn’t have to look for one for my Asus Padfone because of the nature of my phone, sliding into a tight holder in the Asus Padfone Station.


You could register as a voter here, too! Not a very busy booth, which is a good sign – I assume everyone has registered!


These guys seem a bit lost. However there’s nothing with them peddling their wares here.


Mr. Ballot Box signing.


Nik Jidan is one folk singer/songwriter I’ve not heard of before, and it’s a shame – he’s great!


Alternative print publications. It’s a shame that none of the ruling component parties showed up – no UMNO, MCA, MIC, MDP, PPP, Gerakan, or their publications. What, don’t they want free and fair elections?

People will only have confidence in you, if you’ve won the election fairly. It’s a good move, politically, to show your support, to prove that you aren’t afraid to win fair and square.


A wall of expression.


Cartoony expression.


On the far side.


Mama Bersih. Interesting.


Their artwork.


It was still early, so the signatures had not filled up yet.


Ronasina, a cartoonist I’d never heard of before. I love his cartoon style and detailing!


More of his stuff.


It was getting dark, and I seriously almost stepped on this, which was on the floor.


Caricature artists.


Books!


The A. Samad Said corner. You could get your copy autographed!


Above: Zunar’s cartoon books (well it looks like the ones that were not banned…) Below: Johnny Ong, cartoonist for UMNO-nomics.


Left: Music CDs from various local acts. Right: I’m not sure if this is a PAS booth.


Sisters In Islam had a booth too!


This looks to be the DAP booth.


And of course, the Himpunan Hijau group.

Pictures from inside the stadium, and the event itself, will come after this!

This Is A Call, To The Bee!

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14th December 2011 brought many firsts – the first gig I would photograph at The Bee, Publika, Solaris Dutamas, for example.


Reza Salleh of Moonshine Productions, announcing this gig – This Is A Call!


First up was the fingerstyle guitarist Az Samad.


For those not in the know, Az entrances where his fingers dance all over the fretboard, often with percussive knocks to the guitar to make rhythm in the absence of a typical rhythm instrument.


The Sony Alpha 77 with the Carl Zeiss 135mm F1.8 gets a real tight crop.


Yin, his lady friend. The tripod legs aren’t offloading the best chi, though!


And then, a shot with the Samyang 35mm F1.4 UMC on the Sony Alpha 900. It’s a tried and tested classic focal length – just a smidge of wideness to give some context to your subject. Now I’d tell you that this is the classic focal length of point-and-shoot cameras and cameras on phones, but that is no longer true – newer models got wider, anywhere between 24mm and 33mm.


Next up, was Diandra Arjunaidi. Dang, she looks so different!

Last I saw her she was still sporting her signature red hair (okay, technically Hayley Williams’ signature, but her Paramore fandomship is no secret, having done a cover). Click here for previous Moonshine gigs she performed at:
Moonshine 11-2
Moonshine Turns 4!


She also had a full band.


It really escapes me how having a fringe or losing it makes a big difference in facial geometry.

Pardon my extra verbiage this time around – the words will look smaller, as an illusion, because my pictures are bigger. I hereby debut pictures that are 960 pixels wide in either dimension! The previous standard was the Facebook Standard, at 720 pixels. (And before that, 600 pixels, 400 pixels and 200 pixels.) Why not 1000 pixels? 1000 pixels in 3:2 would give an unevenly divided 1000×666.66 pixels. Plus, 960×640 pixels is just the resolution of the iPhone 4/4S, for those who want to set any of these pictures as your wallpaper. My Asus Padfone’s screen is 960×540 pixels. 640 pixels is a good number.


I have to say, I am digging her new look. She looks all serious woman, in a hot way. Plus I just realized she has a really nice nose!


Break seriousness.


Godin makes interesting-looking guitars.


Next up – Liyana Fizi.


I like how much space I get on the side of the stage to use a telephoto.


There is this thing about Liyana, her unassuming lyrics, the gentle, carefree voice, that just endears to many. Her music (and I assume likeness) has been described to be akin to cupcakes and pastel colors and that soft crumbly cake whose name escapes me.

Now I am fuzzily misquoting from memory, but I reckon, no worse than a Malaysian newspaper – I have been misquoted, misnamed, and wrongly aged by two major newspapers at least a decade ago.


Eee nak cubit!


Her fun band.


I also like how I can shoot directly in front (granted, with some perspective correction) with a telephoto lens, for this kind of perspective.


The last act of the night was Aizat Amdan, often suffixed with “AF5”, because he was a participant of Akademi Fantasia Season 5.


Reza recounts how a cabbie once mistook him for Aizat. I could see a glimmer of why.


Another 35mm shot. Makes me realize I need to bring it out more!

EPIConcerted!

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11th December 2011: EPIConcert, at The Stage, Publika Square, Solaris Dutamas. A throwback to the 90’s, with proceeds going to EPIC Homes – an outreach program to build homes for the Orang Asli.


Queenz Cheng, from Perlis.


You think you’re otai? Well these guys are more otai than you! (Otai = old-timer.)


I wonder where they usually play.


I then headed upstairs for lunch at The Red Beanbag.


I fell in love with the place and their burgers, and later their Fowl Luck meal.


The place is modelled after an Australian coffee house, complete with quirky name and decor.

It also probably keeps the spirit of The Pink Sage (that was also in Solaris Dutamas but had closed down), in that it had good coffee and lots of chicks would hang out there.


Meanwhile, as I had bought a ticket, I got a box of 90’s paraphrenalia.


Inside were classic snacks.


Long time no see Shervin!


Yi Ching shows us how to walk the dog.


Ewin Ee and I camwhore.


Thanks Ewin for taking this picture! Shot with the Sony Alpha 900 with the Samyang 35mm F1.4 UMC at F1.4.


Weiyein Leong and (then future) husband.


Josh Lim doing his thing.


Bubble blowing competition!


Stack them up.


Complex.


Sam Wong on stage.


Narmi, acoustic soulster.


The crowd dances along. I don’t remember to who.


Big-eyed Yi Ching.


Audrey Tan and sister.


Lainey Ying and Celeste Goh in the back.


A 90’s Baywatch run contest.


The sun was setting, for some cool hair light.


Yep, lovely hair light.


Leonard Chua of An Honest Mistake, on the left.


And then, it was Paperplane Pursuit on stage! Gotta love their band shirt (not pictured here.)


Darren Ashley plays bass for them and sings backup vocals.


Extreme closeup of the goggles.


Then, it was time for Darren Ashley and his band!


This electro-pop genius brings on the crowd.


He has quirky sounds and irresistably dancy grooves. I can’t explain it well. Click here to understand.


Contagious!


It makes grown emcees cry.


The final act of the evening – Busco!


Sam Oh! Spot the projected square pixels.


Later on that night.


Thanks to Waifon for taking this picture!

Clara C, In Clarity

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On the 29th of November 2011, I found myself attending a gig I was not likely to attend by myself. Which is still accurate, since I did not attend it by myself. Here’s Charles Jedidiah Tan, from Singapore, who decided to further his musical career in Melbourne. However, he was the opening act for…


Clara C., who rose to fame on YouTube – and that would be why I be unlikely to know of her, since I don’t listen to singer-songwriters and those who tend to cover songs on YouTube (primarily because I am still on Streamyx, and that means it often breaks to buffer music.)

Well mostly I don’t listen to their covers, since I can’t say I enjoy most covers, especially when they are typically acoustic, stripped down, Asian-ized, and lose a great amount of soul the original song had. Like Sabrina of The Philippines, who makes every rock song she covers, suck badly, with no dynamics, no grit, and no suffering. I’ve heard her album played in some restaurants in town, and remember revolting by the third song.


But hey, Clara Chung is none of that! She’s got sass, and she made us stand up for the first few songs. And then she told us to sit down. And then stand up again. She was kooky, a little loony, and all the way entertaining, none of that timid sweet-girl singer persona. Plus she has a whole lot more technical musicality and it showed in her compositions.


I don’t remember exactly how but 4 lucky winners got up on stage and this guy was the luckiest of them all, getting to play a song for Clara. He also had the pleasure of her tuning her guitar for him, like a tandem guitar.


Impromptu performance. Must be a luck-bringing mole.


I’m not sure where I read that she was a music student, as Googling now reveals that she is not, but I’d believe that she was a music student. There was a good amount of interplay and dynamics.


She calls her melodica a shisha piano.


End of the show. I’d never seen the auditorium in bright daylight before!


After the show was an autograph session. Hugs for everyone!


Posters and CDs for sale. Joanne K.K. watches them like a hawk. Note the carefully placed KK bottle.


She was very nice, even though we were at the end of the autographing queue.


I am not sure why but Charles looks adorable in this picture.

Rock The World 11: Part 3

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Rock The World 11, 10th December 2011, was a sunny day, uninterrupted by rain, down at Stadium Merdeka.


Ballad For Layla does melodic metalcore.


I have no idea who this photographer is but I’ve seen her around lately. Interestingly, most of my lenses do not taper forwards.


The wide lens for the day was the Samyang 35mm F1.4 UMC on the Sony Alpha 900.


Thy Regiment is hardcore.


Then came Monoloque with Atilia!


I’ve got a thing for battered sunburst Fender Stratocasters.


Dahlia.


Kadak, on bass (Loko on drums was also from seminal Malaysian band, Butterfingers.)


However, this band takes on a different creative stance – but then, Butterfingers did, too.


The telephoto work was shot with the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA.


Sekumpulan Orang Gila!


When you got your power stance like that, it goes without saying that they play some form of post-hardcore.


The Samyang 35mm F1.4 UMC proves to not have the best bokeh.


What a show!


Bittersweet, with Ryan Lee Bhaskaran…


These guys bring British swagger on stage.


Some days, I am not sure whether to crop…


…or to leave it as it was originally.


Akta Angkasa.


Space rock lives again!


There is just something very, very photogenic about Ned’s bass. It’s here to enslave us, and it gives me that Sentinel-of-X-Men feeling.


They do space rock, without the slow bits.


Hello there!


Sam of supergroup The Azenders!


In the background, their new music video for Livin’ Rock And Roll debuted.


This version featured my ex-colleague Tehmina Kaoosji!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lbi4o9SuHM
(This was the earlier one.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmBfoIlKxHw
(And this, the newer one.)


The stage lights got really nice by this time.


I dig the perspective here.


Sam brings a different style to the stage – far from his Bunkface days.


Izal was also from a punk rock band – One Buck Short, to be exact.


The next band set up flags, to bring the mood of impending doom up.


Impending, indeed.


They call this blackened death metal.


Yes, they have a uniform.


I really couldn’t figure out how to best crop this.


Then came The Padangs.


The crowd. Poor girl later got hit in the head by a crowd surfer, though!


I have to say, I really enjoyed Rock The World 11’s very metal/hardcore lineup…


…very serious business, legit and true, and free from the typical claims that Rock The World is a reunion of old bands related to the organizers.


Of course, these guys do metal/hardcore, too.


And to end the night…


Massacre Conspiracy!


These guys were decked out in Peter Says Denim wear.


Also a metal/hardcore band.


Admittedly, I am not well-versed in this genre, and they may sound the same to me, but it doesn’t stop me from headbanging. Not having much hair to headbang is a bummer, though.


The show ended before 11pm, allowing the crowd to get home before the monorail closes. Very solid, tightly organized show.

More here:
Rock The World 11: Part 2
Rock The World 11: The Crowd

Tweetyear 2012

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Here’s just a bit more than a year’s worth of Twitter posts, that do not include Tweets just notifying of a blog entry. The reason why I don’t like Twitter or any external content-storing site other than my blog is because there is always that risk that the content you have on whichever site will become inaccessible someday.


From 4th January 2005, Songwriters Avenue 2: @rezasalleh @Pheroxia
1st July

I get similarly confused after reading about GIT: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1409024/board/nest/199772907?d=200895418&p=9#200895418
1st July

@hikkichan don’t suppose you’re in the inner circle to get an early look at it? I like the idea of a public jukebox.
30 Jun


RM4810 for a double neck acoustic! Spotted at CK Music. @azsamad
30 Jun

Google IO 2012 Keynote, Day 2 starts in less than 10 minutes! @smashpop
29 Jun

RT ‏@Kamigoroshi Let me get this straight. Google is building an AI and integrate us with technology. I welcome becoming Borg with open arms. #googleio
28 Jun

RT ‏@tenoq Congratulations, Google. Now all the tech companies will call you scumbag.
28 Jun

RT ‏@Grg They told Sergey Brin he could be anything, so he decided to be Tony fucking Stark.
28 Jun

@gtp_roadmap I take urban public transport and would like a TT session. Not in Putrajaya though.
27 Jun

God prefers atheists. http://www.mrwiggleslovesyou.com/archive/477/
27 Jun

1 Juta Rakyat Malaysia Menyokong Kepimpinan DS Najib ada soalan ditujukan kepada anda, rakyat Malaysia! http://goo.gl/ubku8
26 Jun


Pretty intense.
26 Jun

Pemuda UMNO Malaysia has a question for you, fellow Malaysians! https://www.facebook.com/questions/10150865680487413/
26 Jun


crap Plume swallowed the attachment. @KayKayster @lynfunkstar @lslex
26 Jun

hay there.
26 Jun

Whoa, spitting image of his dad! http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/tunkus-son-joins-think-tank-to-revive-dads-vision
26 Jun

An Iranian made me a sandwich with spicy chicken ham. Dang it was good!
25 Jun

Ini kawan motiofixo dengan fixie. http://www.fauziyusoff.com/shadowfax/ @smashpop @jennihsurf @ramesstudios
25 Jun

I took the bait, but I have reservations about the completeness: http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=2300091&st=80 @Pheroxia
25 Jun

@rezasalleh hence you gotta alternate 3 Hiew pins with 3 Guild pins. 😀
25 Jun

@rezasalleh yup but before you go get the Hiew’s neck fixed and get a bridge pin, you’ll have one fully strung and functional guitar!
24 Jun

@rezasalleh fffuuuuuu! Transplant the bridge pins from the Hiew to the 1st, 3rd and 5th string bridge pin of the Guild. #inb4hipster
24 Jun


crap I forgot the attachment @logesh8 @krackiesmoke @amirazrael
24 Jun

Seriously, cool story bro! http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2391618
24 Jun

finally got to see a Mustang with my eyes! @logesh8 @krackiesmoke @amirazrael
22 Jun


I’ve set this as my ringtone, hoping that I WILL grow a fro from continuous exposure. @duuuhvina
21 Jun

@jfkjohan @paultantk oh man, we just need to railgun you to hear it! Somemore the way you say it is damn funny.
21 Jun


RT @dustyhawk: LOL RT @jason_mraz: The rules for tonight’s show. http://instagr.am/p/MDgH2BhpxM/ #fb
19 Jun

@SherylGSh no shiet.
19 Jun

Baru jer memberi maklumat ke @PDRMsia kat KL Sentral tentang penyeluk saku. Harap maklumat dapat membantu! @gtp_roadmap
19 Jun

@bulfog yes that’s what the Facebook comments say, that tickets are running out.
19 Jun

@bulfog then you better get tickets quick: http://www.facebook.com/events/404410386248613/428666363823015/ @Pheroxia
19 Jun

What I did for Father’s Day: Helped secure the ladder for my dad to climb up the ceiling to fix the water tank and pass a wrench and torch.
18 Jun

@gtp_roadmap I’d hope so. @ktmkomuter tweeted to inform of delays/disruptions for 15 out of 31 days from May 19 to June 18 2012.
18 Jun

@gtp_roadmap I’ll take your word on the KTM and crime rate, but I am still shit scared of taking the KTM. Do you take public transport?
18 Jun

@gtp_roadmap on 9 June 2012 KTM was delayed over 30 mins. Later that day somebody tried to pickpocket me as I got on a KTM (late 15 mins).
18 Jun

@imokman wow your memory power! This was where I got the book: http://glaringnotebook.com/?p=1592
15 Jun

@tenoq thanks! Yes they sold it here at XL-Shop Midvalley.
15 Jun


Vegan Black Metal Chef! @duuuhvina @adlinrosli @yungkhang
15 Jun

Don’t call yourself a bass slut unless you’ve played for more than the 38 bands/artistes that @Aldo_Tan has played for. #PrayForAldaEvanTan
14 Jun

Damn I can’t transfer the monthly pass or existing credit from my old Touch N Go which I lost although I have the last reload receipt.
12 Jun

RT ‏@1Obefiend since Jobs died it is harder for people to swallow the Apple propaganda. Its like when Madey stepped down Msian stop believing MSM
12 Jun

RT ‏@1Obefiend What no support for Bahasa Bumiputera on SIRI? They instead support mandarin n cantonese.Ini menghina namanya! #Perkasa #ibrahimAli
12 Jun

@mrkenhong er nope I am not. 🙁
11 Jun

Hi @flizzow can I use your picture of Alda on my blog entry here? http://glaringnotebook.com/?p=1586 Will link back and credit. 🙂
11 Jun

RT ‏@KayKayster He fought a great battle & he did not lose bcos much good came out of it. Not saying goodbye Alda, but See you again soon.
11 Jun

RT ‏@zaradevlin Dear friends & family, @Aldo_Tan’s funeral service will be held on Thursday, 14th June 2012, 10am at St Ignatius Church, Kelana Jaya.
11 Jun

Call me judgemental, but I initially had a feeling about this judge based on previous cases. Guess I was wrong. http://goo.gl/brZtB
11 Jun

@KayKayster @CollinCCH @aldo_tan if girl how? Evangeline?
11 Jun

Rest in peace @Aldo_Tan. I’ll see you at the wake service at St. Ignatius – seems to be the only reason I go there… #PrayForAldaEvanTan
11 Jun

@yungkhang those in Kota Bharu, Kelantan have gotta be the winner. @avrilchan @kamigoroshi Makes me wanna support their stall just because!
10 Jun

Saw a Malay lady with tudung selling nasi lemak at a Chinese kopitiam. There is hope for Malaysia after all!
10 Jun

@ktmkomuter awas penyeluksaku@ KL Sentral KTM pltfm5. Mamat tinggi baju biru cerah belang putih, beg hitam. Tangan dekat poket I, x naik KTM
9 Jun

@ktmkomuter lewat atau tak jalan langsung? Tengah tunggu di Segambut KTM ke KL.
9 Jun

@ArlyneK here’s where you can get involved in making sure elections are clean: https://sites.google.com/site/pacabatraining/
8 Jun


ordered at Rock Corner 1U RM21.90. @olied @chapree @yungkhang @jalijan @amirazrael
6 Jun

RT ‏@syazwinasaw Amazingly ironic when lackeys, who support any government’s decision to opress its people, fawn all over Aung San Suu Kyi. You KIDDING me?
1 Jun

Just realized that the mysteriously banked-in money 3 weeks ago was my tax return!
6 Jun

@EwinEe didn’t go as I had other plans and the average speedcuber solves cubes in half my time. Only my 11x11x11 at 40:34 is competitive.
6 Jun

@zekezakarberg I am back! @hikkichan been trying to call you – Alda got pneumonia and is in critical condition now.
6 Jun

Can’t decide which blows my mind more:

or

4 Jun

Glam rock = rock kangkang. Punk rock = rock bangkang.
3 Jun

#1MPadbenefit the 10

Prema Yin, Back

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Sometime back on the 2nd of November 2011 I headed down to good ol’ Sri Hartamas (not Desa Sri Hartamas) for the neighborhood pub/gritty rock venue, The Backyard Pub.


Who was on the bill? The electro-jazz-cat Darren Ashley. He cranked up his Kaoss pad for his electro funk dance rock goodness! He did, in a less common moment, veer a bit into his guitar-wielding history and did a cover of Raul Midon – State Of Mind.


However, he was just the opener, for Prema Yin! This funk/soul/rock-and-roll lass has stage presence, having been around the scene for ages (earliest I’d seen her was Aseana Percussion Unit and International Groove Collective!) This would be her farewell gig before she would embark on a tour of the United States.

Of course, in my true fashion, this blog entry is so backdated that Prema Yin had already returned from her tour and is back in Malaysia.


Moe Joe!


Random sexy back. No this is not Prema’s sexy back – which apparently was too sexy for some Malaysians, in her ‘Marilah’ video.


Broken guitar string downtime.


Here with her band, also known as Mordo Blasters in their free time, and also part of the Darren Ashley band.


The night ended with an awesome jam session, with Collin and Alda Tan (of Car Crash Hearts), Ryan and Prema (of the Prema Yin band) and Darren Ashley all on stage. At the very end of the jam, the power went out! I dub it the Backyard Blackout Jam.

Rock The World 11: Part 2

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Rock The World 11, 10th December 2011, had two stages – here on the big stage was soulful rocker Reza Salleh!


A minor variation of his band with Fook on bass and the usual Hanafi on guitar.


Then came Maddame. When I first heard the chugging riffs, and I saw this dude looking (and rocking) a hell lot like Marty Friedman, I knew I was in for a treat!


I was thinking they were some sort of thrash/groove metal band with Pantera/Black Sabbath influences, until they introduced themselves as a grunge band.


Even when he shreds he looks like Marty Friedman!


Moshpit activated!


Gabba Gabba bring on the disco rock, over at the smaller stage outdoors.


Azure For Janne is hardcore.


Some familiar members from the scene.


Statik, doing powerpop.


The Jespers…


…whose self-proclaimed genre is rock stylo.


Stubborn, a punk rock band.


As you might’ve guessed, it is harder to make a diptych of two pictures of a different aspect ratio.


Restraint is hardcore. Wider shots with the Samyang 35mm F1.4.


Pesawat, a high-flying band.


Modread does new wave.


Salam Musik, a ska band – you can always tell them from their necessary ingredients – a horn section, keyboardist and the occasional dreadlocked member.


Add a few more smiley faces for good measure.


Melodisaster.


They brought 90’s rock 2 decades ahead.


Monalyssa.


Corsets…


…who are emo hardcore. Pump your fists in the air!


Yes that is what the average emo/hardcore vocalist’s hair looks like when photographed – always in motion. Hardcore!


More to come after this!

More here:
Rock The World 11: The Crowd

I’ve also got pictures from various Pray for Alda Evan Tan gigs, but I’ll post those later as I still need to process them – these pictures above were actually processed before the blog entry before this, and I had just enough time to work out a blog post with pre-processed pictures. He has been moved to the High Dependency Unit from the Intensive Care Unit he was in, which is great news! Nevertheless, we can still help him out – hit the link below:

Pray for Alda Evan Tan