Anugerah Band 2008 Episode #8

Episode #08:

http://www.tempfiles.net/download/200806/19399/AB_08_Full.html

1. Cucu Datok Merah - Kembali Berdansa
2. Rancour - Ceritera Awan Dan Banjaran
3. Trabo - Sang Penghibur
4. Putra - Permintaan Hati
5. Fatskunks - Manusia
6. X-Tech - Bila Dengan Kamu

There's quite a number of Cucu Datok Merah haters judging from the comments on their Youtube videos, but to give 'em credit i feel they're one of the more creative bands left in the competition...they're more willing to try different styles of music as compared to the rest.

Rancour stuck to what they've been doin' since the start of the competition, and what they've been doin' really isn't too impressive.

Trabo delivered a solid performance again, the guitarist employed more electronic sounding effects this time.. using the arpeggiator(?) (kinda reminds me of muse) The only thing i don't like 'bout this band is.......... the vocalist's hair, i think he's hair doesn't go with the face :P

There's many rumours sayin' that Putra only got through to the semis 'cause they know the judges personally, i feel they got through 'cause they've been improving since their 1st performance...the vocalist sings alot more in tune now..

Fatskunks produced another enjoyable performance, but the backup vocals from the guy playin' congas was off...

If you've been reading my previous posts, you'll know that X-Tech is my favorite band in the competition, and they didn't disappoint...another powerful performance!!

Foreigners producing badly needed babies in Singapore..?

"Non-Singaporean fathers accounted for 25 per cent, or slightly more than 4,000, according to figures published in The Straits Times from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's Registry of Births and Deaths.

Non-Singaporean mothers accounted for 36 per cent."

read more:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=128494

Reservist Part I

There havent been any updates 'cause i was in camp for my 2week reservist training, got another week to go...

finally got to leave that shitty place yesterday evening, back for 2days of civilian life...

30 of us were squeezed into a bunk meant for 16, needless to say it wasn't a very comfortable experience..


NS SUX!!!!

Effect Pedals - 2 - Zoom GFX-8

My 2nd pedal was a multi-effects pedal, Zoom GFX-8.

It basically has all(or almost all) the effects you'll need in one pedal, multi-effects are handy cause you are able to store many presets of different combinations of effects together, and recall 'em easily by selecting from one of the many patch banks.

BUT a drawback of these multi-effects is that a lot of 'em sound "digital", especially the distortion effects, modulations are usually acceptable....but some distortions are just plain horrid!

I believe the only good use for the distortions is for Industrial music.

The Zoom GFX-8 is no different, i sold it.. 'cause i hated the distortions...

Dismember LIVE in Singapore!

After their Jakarta gig, Dismember will be heading down to Singapore as well!

13th July 2008, Guinnes Theatre, at The Substation

Time: 7:30pm

Tickets: Pre-sale $47 (Limited to 200 tickets only available tmr at LaVanita, Straits Records and Muzikbox JB), $60 at the door.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Dismember, Mono LIVE in Jakarta

July 11-13:

Jakarta, Indonesia:

Jakarta Rock Parade.

Acts include Yeah Yeah Yeahs(USA), BMX Bandits(UK), Dismember(Sweden), Mono(Japan), Silly Foods(Thailand), Cannaris(Malaysia) and Young & Restless(Australia).

Tennis Indoor, Tennis Outdoor, Senayan, Jakarta.

Daily tickets: IDR 200.000 (regular); 400.000 (special performance).

Visit www.jakartarockparade.com for more info...

New Toy! Korg padKontrol

Got this Korg padKontrol midi controller the other day, haven't had time to really utilise it yet just had time to learn some basics...

It comes bundled with these Software:
Ableton Live Lite4
Propellerhead Reason Adapted
IK Sampletank2
Ultimate Sound Bank UVI
Korg MDE-X

there's also the demo version of Korg's:
LegacyCell
MS-20
Polysix
WAVESTATION
[there's an annoying static noise every minute(i think..), so you can't really use these...]


The pads are touch sensitive (feels quite nice actually..) & can be easily assigned to the different drum sounds or you can also program a certain scale to run down the pads....

Anugerah Band 2008 Episode #7 [Wildcard Round]

Episode #07:
http://www.tempfiles.net/download/200806/18262/AB_07_Full.html


1. Putra - Sementara
2. Knightwings - Nyalakan
3. X-Tech - Yakin
4. Viruz Cinta - Sayang Sayang


I personally consider this to be the finals, as i like the bands in the wildcard round more than the ones already in the semi-finals ;P

4 great bands here, unfortunately only 2 can go through to the semi-finals, Putra & X-Tech.

All of 'em put up solid performances, X-Tech should definately go through(i don't even think they should be in the wildcard round in the 1st place..) for the other spot, its really a toss-up between Knightwings, Putra & Viruz Cinta...all have their own strengths..

Anugerah Band 2008 Episode #3

There was a repeat telecast of episode #3, so for those who missed it, get it here!

http://www.tempfiles.net/download/200806/18340/AB_03_Full.html

1. Knightwings - Seksa

2. Rancour - Untuk Mu

3. Keigo Sphinx - Panggung Sandiwara

4. Trabo - Pintu Syurga

5. Putra - Goda

6. Silksutra - Mimpi Laila

[#2] Jamming @ OdioCrib

Decided to try out Odiocrib studios located in Waterloo Center opposite the NAFA campus on Sunday....booked the largest room Studio1

Waterloo Center looked rather ulu & somewhat abandoned....as most of the shops there were not open.....

We were very pleased with the studio, it is of reasonable size.....unlike other places where their largest room is equivalent to maybe 3 toilet cubicles....seriously not very "large"

Plus they've got really nice stuff inside, a couple of Marshall half-stacks AVT series if i remember correctly....Marshall Bass Amp......not sure 'bout the vocals monitors & stuff but my vocalist likes 'em, so i guess they're decent..

Closer look at the half-stack & Vocal pre-amp/mixer..?

& here's the Marshall i was playin' through, one thing 'bout Odiocrib, they do not leave the guitars/bass & cables in the studio, so you'll need to request for them.....that also means that they take care of their equipment....

Pictured above is my Les Paul & a Fender Tele (the house guitar, its very new.. strings still fresh! also saw a Fender Strat there but took the Tele cuz i've never tried a Tele before...)

Anyway my 1st experience playin' a Tele isn't good, i particularly did not like the bridge....the screw was sticking out & made it extremely uncomfortable when palm-muting, & it was also neck diving alot...didn't know Teles neck-dive, i thought it was only SGs & Vs

Here's the TAMA Drumset, well......still can't compare to VelvetJoint's set but its good enough....One thing 'bout this Studio, there are 2 monitors, one of 'em is just beside the Drums, so the Drummer can hear what's goin with the rest...very nice touch!

My Bassist having a go at the Drums during smoke-break...
Odiocrib Studio1 is great! one of the better studios in SG, we've decided to jam there till VelvetJoint's back in business....

The Day i got an Electric Shock

So i got an electric shock today....yes a real one, not those small tiny ones that you feel on your fingertips when you touch.. something like a DVD-Recorder which has some static electricity on it...which i had unfortunately also experienced....

No this shock i got today was very real, i felt the current going through my body....fortunately the current was rather mild, i didn't feel any heat at all (lucky unlucky me....) though i did vibrate like a dildo for a couple seconds before all the current cleared my body (and into the ground..?) and my colleagues did comment that my hair kinda stood...damn!

Guess i'm lucky to have come away without any injuries...

Kahler vs. Floyd Rose Comparison {For the Guitar Nuts!}

Youtube user dmometalguitar recorded some videos camparing the 2 bridges....

Part-1

According to the video:

Both systems are comparable for dive bombs, no major problems - {ME: Agreed}

Part-2

According to the video:

Kahlers consistently go out of tune with big bends, no such problem with Floyds - {ME: Agreed}

Floyds sustain longer than Kahlers - {ME: I'm not so sure 'bout this one.....it depends on the overall construction of the guitar, not just a matter of more or less wood}

Kahlers are alot easier to setup & adjust to your personal preferences - {ME: Agree fully, its amazing how customisable the Kahler is}

Part-3

According to the video:

Kahlers have smoother feel compared to Floyds - {ME: Yes, definately! this is the best feature of the Kahler as far as i'm concerned..}

Floyd's locking nuts are stronger - {ME: Agreed}

Floyds' flutter better - {ME: Yes, because the Kahler is smoother so it flutters less..}

Floyd broken strings can be reused fairly easy {ME: Yup}

Kahler can be blocked easily {ME: Yes, but why installed a Kahler in the 1st place..?}

Metallica at Rock am Ring 2008 MP3s

For all 'tallica fans....

MP3s are available for free download here:

http://www.bigozine2.com/archive/ARrarities08/ARmetrock.html

Disc I

Intro (1.3MB)

Track 02 Creeping Death (9.7MB)

Track 03 For Whom The Bell Tolls (5.9MB)

Track 04 Ride The Lightning (10.0MB)

Track 05 Harvester Of Sorrow (9.2MB)

Track 06 Bleeding Me (12.1MB)

Track 07 No Remorse (6.8MB)

Track 08 Devil's Dance (7.1MB)

Track 09 ...And Justice For All (13.1MB)

Track 10 Fade To Black (11.3MB)

Disc II

Track 11 Master Of Puppets (11.8MB)

Track 12 Whiplash (6.4MB)

Track 13 Nothing Else Matters (8.1MB)

Track 14 Sad But True (10.3MB)

Track 15 One (10.7MB)

Track 16 Enter Sandman (9.7MB)

Encore

Track 17 Princess Of The Night Tease (Saxon) (1.8MB)

Track 18 Die Die My Darling (3.1MB)

Track 19 Motorbreath (5.2MB)

Track 20 Seek And Destroy (17.1MB)

EURO 2008 FREE ON MALAYSIA'S TV3

For brudders who do not have cable(like me..), you can still catch some EURO 2008 action on Malaysia's TV3, which is telecasting the following first round matches for free.

June 13 (11.30 pm): Italy vs Romania
June 14 : Netherlands vs France (delayed telecast)
June 15 (2.30 am): Greece vs Russia
June 16 (2.30 am): Switzerland vs Portugal
June 17 (2.30 am): Poland vs Croatia
June 18 (2.30 am): Greece vs Sweden
June 19 (2.30 am): Greece vs Spain

Effect Pedals - 1 - Marshall Jackhammer

Since i've covered Guitars & Amps, guess i should cover the pedals too...

My 1st ever pedal was the Marshall Jackhammer distortion pedal, at that point in time i was learning to play with my Squire Pak...but there wasn't enough gain & wasn't "heavy" sounding enough.. (since my strat didn't have humbuckers & the amp distortion was crap..)

So i decideded to invest in a distortion pedal, i didn't know much about pedals at that time...what motivated me to get the Jackhammer was largely the name & looks (well.. it has the Marshall name on it & its called the Jackhammer, sounded heavy enough for me)

I guess the trick to using this pedal is learning how to use the "contour" knob, i had a hard time getting the sound i wanted as i just didn't know how the "contour" knob worked....& if i recall correctly it always sounds too "middy" to me (i do not like the boosted "mids" sound..if that makes any sense..)

Anugerah Band 2008 Episode #6 (Wildcard & Semi-finals)

No file for download, since #6 was just annoucing the results....

You probably already know, but for the record....here's the results...

Semi-final:
Cucu Datok Merah
Fatskunks
Rancour
Trabo

Wildcard:
X-Tech
Knightwings
Virus Cinta
Putra

I'm bewildered X-Tech didn't make it to the semi-finals (issit because they play heavier music..?), since those in the semis aren't that "heavy"....in terms of overall performance i feel X-Tech has been the best band so far....

the rest i can understand..

Knightwings slipped-up in their last performance, Putra's vocals never really impressed me...Viruz Cinta maybe not as good as some other bands in terms of musicianship.....?

But its good to see Fatskunks made it to the semis!

i'm surprised to see Rancour & Cucu Datok Merah in there.....guess they got strong support...


[can anyone enlighten me on how the wildcard round works.....?
since i don't understand a thing they say on the show.....]

Mat Roker..?

"Mat Roker" always hear this term but never really understood what it meant or how the term came about...

if you're curious too...the article below may offer some insight:

http://www.zexus.net/mat_rokers.html


Quoted from article:
"In Singapore, the government tried to stem the tide of "western decadence" by campaigning against long hair. Men with long hair were cautioned that they would be served last in government offices. Music, like the Beatles' Sergeant Pepper's album, which was deemed to promote the hippie lifestyle and anti -establishment attitudes, was banned. Despite these attempts, the cult of heavy metal music still managed to penetrate certain quarters of Singapore society."

....didn't know the government had a "No-Long-Hair" campaign in the 70s......uniquely sillypore....

[#1] Jamming @ X-Jamming

Went jamming at X-Jamming today.. no make it yesterday since its already 12.13am..after a long layoff due to studies...

Anyway found out my usual studio, VelvetJoint is moving to another location so had to source for a temp substitute....decided to go to X-Jamming since its convenient for the rest...

X-Jamming is located near Chinese Garden MRT, its owner is X-Tech guitarist, Mr. Rizal

We booked the largest room, but when i got there i realised the largest room really isn't that big at all (maybe i'm too used to VelvetJoint's spacious studio..?)

The amps in there are pretty good Marshall & Fender Half-stack, i played through the Marshall, some valvestate model.. i actually like it more than the Laney at VelvetJoint...

Took some bad-quality pictures, if anyones interested....

the drums:


My drummer says that it sounds too "bright" (Hartke Bass amp in the background)

The Marshall Half-Stack i was playing through:

View from behind the drumset:

(picture edited to keep my vocalist mysterious....)

& there's a sofa beside the Drumset:

for better quality pictures of the studio equipment, head on down to X-Tech's multiply site: http://xtech.multiply.com/photos/album/25/New_Jamming_studio_in_town...._X-JamminStudio

Guitar Amps

Can't remember the name of my 1st amp but its the one that came with the Squire Strat Pak, it sounded just like any low-budget beginner amplifier...bloody awful..


My 2nd amp which i still own today is the Tech21 Trademark10, solid little amplifier....great versatile tones..good for late night practise..




i got my 3rd, a Marshall MS-4 mini-stack on a wimp, what can i say it looked cute :P





4th is Ibanez's budget tubeamp, The Valbee...the cleans of the Valbee are pretty decent, but i couldn't stand the sterile distorted sounds...

insides of the Valbee..

5th is a Vox AD30VT modelling amp, comes with several presets...some are ok.. others plain suck, again the cleans are decent but distorted sounds really "digital"....if you get what i mean...

My 6th is a Reverend HellHound 40/60 combo which has been discontinued, as Reverend boss, Joe Naylor decided not to make any more amps & also outsourced he's lower range guitar-line to Korea..


Only 1000 of these amps were produced...but i doubt these will become collectors' items...as they're are not that "famous"..

Electro-Harmonix tubes are used throughout:

-two 12AX7's in the pre-amp

-12AX7 reverb driver

-12AX7 phase inverter

-two 6L6 power tubes

There's also the Wattage switch that goes from 40 to 60 watts for extra headroom..

SHIZO switch, i mainly use the "US" (fender) setting..

Cowboy-cool, tooled-vinyl covering....very nice..

Joe Naylor designed 12" Reverend All-Tone 1250 speaker

Since its called the HellHound, i decided to make it look a bit more menacing! ;D

LameAss Questionaire....

1. What time did you get up this morning?

7.55am

2. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

Indiana Jones Crystal Skull (give it a miss, if you're not a hardcore Indy fan....)

3. What is your favorite TV show?

Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, Californication...

4. What food do you dislike?

Green stuff.....

5. What is your favorite CD at the moment?

This is tough......maybe.. Alamaailman Vasarat's Maahan...but it'll probably change tomorrow...

6. What kind of car do you drive?

None, cars are too expensive in singapore..

7. Favorite sandwich?

Anything without veggies…

8. Favorite item of clothing?

erm..dunno, i can tell you what's my least favorite though....my army No.4 :P

9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?

Europe

10. What color is your bathroom?

White.

11. Favorite brand of clothing?

No favorite brand

12. Where would you retire to?

New Zealand maybe..

13. Favorite sport to watch?

NBA

14. Favorite word?

Dumbass.....i just like the sound of that!

15. When is your birthday?

6th August 19**

16. What is your shoe size?

10.5

17. Pets?

None, would like to have a cat someday...

18. What was the last thing you ate?

Pizza

19. Hair color?

Black

20. Siblings?

Sister

21. Favorite day of the year?

Christmas

22. Chocolate or Vanilla?

Vanilla…

23. When was the last time you cried?

When i was in the bloody smoke chamber!

24. What is under your bed?

Jackson RR5 & a Gibson LP HSC filled with guitar junk....

25. What are you afraid of?

losing hope...

26. Plain, buttered, or salted Popcorn?

Buttered…

27. How many keys on your key ring?

4 & a Thumbdrive

28. How many years at your current job?

5-months

29. Favorite day of the week?

Saturday

30. Do you make friends easily?

No.

Randy Rhoads's Tomb

Pictures of Rhoads's Tomb in San Bernardino, California.






Randy Rhoads (Guitarist)


Born: Dec 06, 1956 in Santa Monica, California
Died: Mar 19, 1982 in Leesburg, Florida


Best known as the original guitarist of Ozzy Osbourne's band, Rhoads only released a couple of major albums in he's short-lived music career but remains one of the most respected guitarists...


1980's Blizzard of Ozz, i believe is one of Hard Rock's greatest releases of all-time, songs like "Crazy Train", "Suicide Solution" and "Mr. Crowley" are considered the classics of hard rock/heavy metal...


Rhoads was killed in a freak airplane accident while on tour in Florida on the morning of March 19, 1982.


He was well known for playin' Les Paul & Flying V guitars..


notably a Cream Gibson Les Paul Custom...

Karl Sandoval "Polka Dot" Custom Flying V

& Jackson RR Signature Model

i own a Jackson RR5 too! :D

Anugerah Band 2008 Episode #5

i know there's some Putra fans waiting for this so here y'go!

Episode #05:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/n9fhfk

1. Trabo - Jikalau Berkasih
2. Knightwings - Aku Dan Duniaku
3. Rancour - Melissa
4. Putra - Si Gadis Ayu
5. Silksutra - Pawana


As far as i'm concerned Trabo performed the best in this episode, solid performance.

Knightwings vocals abit off, maybe cuz he dancing abit too much..?

Rancour, to be honest there's nothing too outstanding 'bout this band..but because of that they also don't make too many mistakes....

I feel Putra's guitarist is one of, if not the best in this competition, but i don't really like the song they played...

Silksutra were quite experimental in their arrangement here (they actually kinda reminded me of Mercyful Fate & King Diamond....) although i'm a fan of experimental music, their performance didn't really do it for me...plus i think the guitars were slightly out of tune...

My PE teacher goes to Jail...

Ms Chee Siok Chin & Dr Chee Soon Juan were charged and found guilty of contempt of court some days back....

The judge felt that their behavior in the cross-examination of PM Lee Hsien Loong and MM Lee Kuan Yew obstructed the delivery of justice...

They've decided not to appeal against the decision...

"Their lawyer, M Ravi, said the Chee siblings have decided to surrender to the High Court as they have not been able to raise S$1,000 each for the appeal before the deadline on Thursday.
Dr Chee was sentenced to 12 days' jail on Tuesday for contempt of court, while his sister received 10 days. These are believed to be the longest jail terms for contempt in recent years.
The sentences came in the wake of the Chees' conduct during last week's three-day hearing to assess damages to be paid by the siblings for defaming Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. "

[More here: http://www.channelnewsasia.com]

What has this got to do with my PE teacher..?

Ms Chee used to teach in a secondary school i was goin' to....she was my PE teacher for awhile...i believe she also taught english & math...

Exam results out!

Did pretty well this sem... anyway onward to 2nd year! yeah!!

Bass Guitars

My 1st bass guitar was a Hamer Cruise 5-string, got it just to try out bass playin'...but found out i couldn't really find time to play both guitar & bass....

2nd was a Fender Jazz 5-string, got it cause i was playin' bass in a friend's band at that time...sold it after i left the band....

3rd, current & very likely the last bass guitar i'd acquire, is the OLP stingray copy MM2...
used primaryly for recording...after gettin' this i realised i preferred the feel of the Jazz bass...