16th April 2016: A whole lot of music going on at Publika! I bumped into Samuel Lopez busking.

I then headed to White Box where I saw South & The Lowlands.

The whole day I wandered around with just one lens…

…the Samyang 35mm F1.4 UMC, a lens I wished I brought out more often.

Meanwhile, at the neighboring Black Box…

…and outside. 35mm is great for that street photography feeling!

I went for dinner and returned to see Pistols99 from Thailand.

Fortunately, the drummer wasn’t too far for the lens.

Arlyne, outside, rocking ash-dyed hair!

On the other end of Publika was Psytrus.

The occasion? Rock Legend Tribute Night – “Stairway to Heaven”.

Wicked Garden!

The night was a tribute to rock legends who have since passed on. As such, they covered stuff like Queen – Stone Cold Crazy and Iron Maiden – Aces High.

There was also this awesome medley of Pantera – Cemetery Gates and Metallica – Master Of Puppets. Particularly notable since I didn’t get to see a Dimebag Darrell tribute ever since he got shot on stage years back.

Velan, boss of the venue, BullsEye Pub.

Endleaves.

Outside, posters by the organizer, Zazz Productions, adorned the doors.

It was also Zazz’s first birthday.

I whisked over to The Bee…

…for a little drum and bass.

No really it’s Tasha Aleia who slays in leather while adding R to The Bee to make R&B!

She brought up a friend, Aalex.

Meanwhile, back at BullsEye…

Rock and roll with Temjin!

They strictly stuck to the theme of tributes, which I think Rafique Rashid, if he was seeing this, would approve of. Nearly 4 years ago, he got angry that Temjin played their own rock and roll stuff after covering Pink Floyd at a Pink Floyd tribute gig.

They did Gary Moore – Still Got The Blues, complete with all the solos!

They also did a regular cover – the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers theme song, Aaron Waters – Go Go Power Rangers. Aaron Waters is really just Ron Wasserman, who is still alive. He also wrote the X-Men cartoon theme song, which explains why it sticks so well! I say it still counts as a tribute since Thuy Trang (Trini Kwan or the Yellow Ranger) has passed away.

Cats In Love end the night.

The younger cats.

Lohan channels Pete Townshend (though I don’t remember them doing a tribute to The Who.) They did, however, cover Stone Temple Pilots – Plush and a few David Bowie songs.

They also covered Cream – Badge. It is thanks to this exact bassline, on a fretless bass, that drove me to get off a bus and buy an acoustic fretless bass. Rest in peace, Jack Bruce – you showed us how to rock and roll with a fretless.

Sadly, BullsEye Pub is closing! They are going to have a farewell gig.

What: The Curtain Call: BullsEye’s Final Farewell
Where: BullsEye Pub & Restaurant, D2-G4-03, Solaris Dutamas, PUBLIKA, No.1 Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
When: 10pm Saturday 25th June 2016
Who: Pseudo Crescendo, Djezna’s Stalker, Infiltrate, Deumuseth, Wicked Garden
How Much: Free entrance!

12th April 2016: Feedback Open Mic @ The Bee Jaya One ft. Annatasha & Yinthong / April 2016 Edition. Here’s emcee and organizer Reza Salleh!

First up, A Virtuous Cycle.

At the tall table, we shot each other. Here’s the guy behind Sounds Of Kites.

Here’s the guy behind Happyfingers.

Here’s the guy behind… no wait, here’s Aiman.

Hello Luqman a.k.a. Loopman.

Atila who is so cute and pocketable!

Breis is a rapper.

“It’s the B to the R to the E to the I to the S to the!” Super catchy rap lines!

The next act, Reening Lau, was no softie either. He brought up the funk soul sister in the audience, and she danced to his groovy tune.

Sounds Of Kites. Can you hear it?

Riyal.

First featured act, Yinthong.

Happyfingers.

Second featured act, Annatasha.

She was really getting into her rap!

Reza Salleh on the community guitar of the night.

David Soh, too!

Chirin Chirin.

Amrita Soon.

9th April 2016: FAZZ at Rils’ bar. Here’s keyboardist Grace!

Bassist Farouque!

Drummer Jone!

Vocalist Kevin!

Tonight, they were a big band. Here’s Liu!

Kian Seng with the blue hair.

Ad in the horn section.

Eizaz does saxophone solos.

Patrick Terbrack, surprise guest.

High fives all around!

The bar upstairs at Rils’ Bar, Telawi, Bangsar.

Kevin is one of a kind, and it is with great sadness that he would leave the band to pursue his studies.

“Hey mom I’ll call you back, I’m in the middle of a bass solo.”
“K.”

It’s always been Kevin’s dream to hear Fazz as a big band, as some songs need that sound.

Here they are, doing a cover of Friend Like Me, from Disney’s Aladdin!

Guest vocalist Lyn.

She brings a different energy to the band!

Rils’ is dark so I brought my Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm F0.95 Dark Knight Pro Edition lens. I shouldn’t take my manual focusing skills for granted!

’twas a merry night.

Show closing!

Cheryl, everyone’s favorite bassist.

Albert, everyone’s favorite photographer. (Ha, I’d hope…)

“He’s not pining! He’s passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! He’s expired and gone to meet his maker!” What wonderful decorations Rils’ has.

8th April 2016: Jazzy Friday at Laundry (April 2016), with Melissa SaSa & Friends and Joey Tong, at Laundry Bar, The Curve! Here’s the effervescent Joey Tong. There is both the pop star Joey with a band, and a version with just a guitar.

I had no idea whether Jazzy Friday was outside or inside Laundry – usually for outside I’d bring just the 50mm, but I took a chance with the 135mm.

She was joined by a guitarist.

I like the lighting outside more – far more dramatic light.

I like her voice. It’s not gimmicky nor does it have a particular tone which is nice at first, but dominates in all songs until it wears on you.

I also like Melissa SaSa’s voice – not gimmicky either, and versatile.

This time, Melissa SaSa & Friends had more friends. That’s Laura on bass and keyboard.

Power!

I wonder if drummers secretly tune in to ticking watches to keep time.

Joelle on keys.

Wei Ming’s fretboard is shiny!

That iPad holder is cool – no need for a separate music stand!

7th April 2016: Duel Citizenship EP – Launch Party at Alexis, Great Eastern Mall Ampang.

First up, Talitha Tan!

The bubbly girl makes sure you get her name right.

She’s a rocket ship on her way to Mars.

Can’t stop her now!

Melizarani T. Selva speaks poetry.

Joe Flizzow! First time I’d see at least half of Too Phat – given that I’ve seen at least half of Poetic Ammo.

Omar on drums.

A guest vocalist.

An awesome phone case.

Awesome artwork accompanied each performer on stage.

Man of the hour, Q Sound. He launched his Duel Citizenship EP that night! I’d known him as the then frontman of Bassment Syndicate, but he left the band soon after that night.

He had a string section…

…and a horn section, with a dude who looked like Mike Einziger.

One half of the JUNY Brothers…

…and the other.

Yvonne Chong, backup vocals.

More horns.

Even more horns.

Joe Flizzow hops on!

Adil, the johan of saxophone.

Trombone time!

DJ Vin ends the night.

Camwhore selfie time with Ann Na!

My eyeshade is natural.

Glomper and the glompee.

1st April 2016: Crinkle Cut LIVE @The BAR°N, 1 Mont Kiara.

An occasional outtake, because outtakes can be cute.

Melvin Goh on keys, filling in for Vicky, who is filling in for Grace.

Ashley Choong brings fills with feels.

Frances Tsen brings feels.

Melissa SaSa (as she is branded) is the quirky second host.

While I was sitting outside guarding the band’s stuff in return for a seat, I overheard Sophia Andersen next door, at Taps Beer Bar.

24th March 2016: Indie Mix Up Vol. 6 at Laundry Bar, The Curve.

First up: Amrita Soon!

I… don’t know if they’re twins.

Darren Teh, emcee.

Ocean Of Fire!

Here’s the finger-tapping Jaime Gunter who got a lot of bass solo time.

Kelvyn’s guitar isn’t the only thing that’s scalloped – his cheeks are, too.

Fist Of Pain.

Adam is the subject of the focus assist light.

Metal AF Christian.

No, Camero isn’t just taking a picture with a fan – he’s also playing bass wirelessly.

Slyde is in Dragon Red with a bunch of these guys…

…like Brandon Gomez.

Mutesite.

Finally got to see this post-rock band.

The occasional saxophonist.

The amused drummer.

Jyo-rin on keys.

Jie Er on bass.

Anthony beats both Js at being the prettiest.

22nd March 2016: Feedback Open Mic ft Aina Abdul & Sid @ The Bee Publika / March 2016 Edition. Here’s Atila and host/emcee Reza Salleh to the side!

Isaac Ho.

One half of Joanne & Julia.

This is the one without glasses, so we know she’s Joanne. (Edited because I mixed them up anyway, referring to a jumbled up memory instead of a previous blog entry which correctly identified them!)

Hello Luqman.

Hello.

Feedback. Yes, that is their band name.

Reening Lau has company this time. This is a stitch of two photos.

Rasa.

Glass with a sexy bass.

Armand Tanzarian is an effect magician.

First featured act, Sid Murshid!

Jerry Lim on drums. If he looks familiar, it’s because he’s the younger brother of Eddy Lim of Rollin’ Sixers, who used to play drums back when they were called Triple6Poser.

Cheryl on bass as always.

Beevees.

Breaking the combo is Andy on guitar.

Beevees, because they are backup vocals, usually. They harmonized wonderfully, as BVs are expected to, and grooved to Little Mix – Wings.

Andy also played for the second featured act…

…the stellar Aina Abdul! Just when you thought she could not outdo her stage presence, she surprised us all with Led Zeppelin – Whole Lotta Love.

It was a hard act to follow, but Wicked Stone succeeded.

The vocalist brought such rock energy, with an appropriately over-the-top Guns N Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine.

They also started with a slow Innuendo – Belaian Jiwa. Were they going to crank it up? Sure enough, they did, and we cheered! We were hoping they would, anyway.

Sound Of Sit.

They did a lounge version of Guns N Roses – November Rain, just as epic. How coincidental!

Buncho is a rap crew.

This guy looked so familiar. I told Cheryl that he was really Keino Mess in rapper disguise, wearing the hat to hide his trademark afro.

Happyfingers ended the night like The Don he was.

17th March 2016: Open Mic at Timbre at The Row. It’s been many years since I’ve seen underground music (if we can call open mikes that) on Jalan Doraisamy, known to the yuppies as Asian Heritage Row. The Row is the latest redevelopment. To be exact, just about 11.5 years ago, I was there for the KLue 4th Anniversary. For scale, the KLue 1st Anniversary was also the very first Urbanscapes. I’ve been for every single Urbanscapes there is and have yet to break that combo!

First up, the rhythmically blue Reening Lau!

Kim Lim does her usual fingerstyle…

…and then surprised us (or at least me) with a song she’d sing!

Wong Aaron lifts, bro.

The F.O.I. fills up the stage.

Mystery Tapes, with Shaneil Devaser on bass (who is also the host and emcee for the event.)

Glowing drumsticks! I ordered non-glowing drumsticks through Timbre’s menu, which you’d access through an iPad. Cool stuff!

Later that night, Nick Yungkit would play, separate from the open mike.

They were all dressed in black.

Nick has this solid 80s R&B voice that hits the spot in so many of the inflections used in the genre. (Some other R&B singers would hit one or two inflections more, but he hits a lot more.) He also did a lot of Michael Jackson covers, with particular attention to all his vocal style, yet not being an exact carbon copy.

10th March 2016: Open Mic @ Barlai #21 at Barlai, Jalan Sin Chew Kee. Here’s Keino Mess!

I finally got to record his massive earworm, Busk. You’d hear it and know. Whyyy?

Ian Tai was hosting the night.

The F.O.I..

They covered Estrella – Stay. It’s always nice to hear it sung by a different timbre of voice.

Speaking of timbre, here’s Nicholas Sia.

Armand Tanzarian always brings something interesting to the table.

Ian Tai, well, just has songs about hipsters and boobs.

Lucy Smith and her enchanting ukulele.

Tan Soon Tiong Music is his own band.

Sounds Of Kites. Obviously, on a windy day, with a looming purple overcast.

Izzul Syafiq Mazlan wins the hat competition.