Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Local Punk Bands On RadioWaves?
I am going to make a guess here, that you, like millions of people around the world, listens to pop rock music. It is hard not to listen to pop rock these days, when it is making a full-frontal assault in your lives, be it from the radio, the television (*cough cough MTV cough*), downloaded contents in your MP3. Pop is practically everywhere in Singapore! Just ask anyone on the streets if he/she listens to MiLuBing or watched Electrico, he/she would probably give you a nod or two. But ask if they have ever heard of bands like Back By Monday or 20 Discharger, they would probably give you a blank stare and say ‘...Hah?’ And why is that? The answer is that these bands are punk rock bands.
Punk rock is fast, edgy and short in comparison to most pop songs which can go on about four minutes apiece. Political and anti-establishment lyrics found in most songs had led most people to believe that punk rock is dead in this governmentally-controlled country. Freedom is what differentiates punk from any other genres. Voicing out discontentment in view of politics is the norm in punk rocker’s everyday lives. These bands have the guts to actually say what most people fear to say in face of discrimination and, at times, hostile reactions from the government. Of course, local punk rockers do not fit in to some of the stereotypes put against them. These people do have brains, and good brains they are too. They are not afraid to lash out at the vital points of the political structure of Singapore, instead of just generalizing it as ‘bad’ or ‘lousy’ as some people do. Intellectuals grouped and form bands that not only aim to tell the masses of their dissatisfaction, but they also encouraged others to join them in their cause. Nuclear destruction and economic depression are just some of the topics punks sing about in their songs. Some may call it rebelling against authority, but that is just what it is. Everything done in your liking, being your own kings of your own lives. Dictation is a taboo in the punk community.
So why are we not listening to what they have to say? In my opinion, punk local bands do earn the right for their songs to be played in local radio channels. In contrast, overseas radio stations play some of the well-known punk songs from time to time. Where are the democracy people?! Local gigs reaches out the to gig-goers, but it’s the radio that can help them spread their message to the masses. Events backed by corporate powerhouses banned punk rock to be played on their shows. Not that punk rockers want to play at corporate events anyway. Melodious love songs are just the only ones heard in shows and radio alike. Give these guys some props, why don’t you? Their songs make more sense than the ramblings of love and other pop culture icons.
Punk rock is fast, edgy and short in comparison to most pop songs which can go on about four minutes apiece. Political and anti-establishment lyrics found in most songs had led most people to believe that punk rock is dead in this governmentally-controlled country. Freedom is what differentiates punk from any other genres. Voicing out discontentment in view of politics is the norm in punk rocker’s everyday lives. These bands have the guts to actually say what most people fear to say in face of discrimination and, at times, hostile reactions from the government. Of course, local punk rockers do not fit in to some of the stereotypes put against them. These people do have brains, and good brains they are too. They are not afraid to lash out at the vital points of the political structure of Singapore, instead of just generalizing it as ‘bad’ or ‘lousy’ as some people do. Intellectuals grouped and form bands that not only aim to tell the masses of their dissatisfaction, but they also encouraged others to join them in their cause. Nuclear destruction and economic depression are just some of the topics punks sing about in their songs. Some may call it rebelling against authority, but that is just what it is. Everything done in your liking, being your own kings of your own lives. Dictation is a taboo in the punk community.
So why are we not listening to what they have to say? In my opinion, punk local bands do earn the right for their songs to be played in local radio channels. In contrast, overseas radio stations play some of the well-known punk songs from time to time. Where are the democracy people?! Local gigs reaches out the to gig-goers, but it’s the radio that can help them spread their message to the masses. Events backed by corporate powerhouses banned punk rock to be played on their shows. Not that punk rockers want to play at corporate events anyway. Melodious love songs are just the only ones heard in shows and radio alike. Give these guys some props, why don’t you? Their songs make more sense than the ramblings of love and other pop culture icons.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Merry Christmas and happy new year to ya'll chinks and non-chinks alike. christmas wasn't the usual blast, neither was new year. At least i got some quality time with my dad and mom, something I haven't been doing for the past few years. went to get a guitar pedal with my man Kelvin at Swee Lee. Le 'Hot Head''s the name, distortion's the game. It's awesome. No other word for it. I don't care about them neighbours. Playing my guitar never felt so good. Went to apply for a job at a bar down at Rendevouz hotel with him too. Crossing my fingers to get short-listed so as to earn some extra dough.
I NEED IT. BAD.
life in singapore is getting more and more expensive, as ya'll know.
And i still don't know how much that teddy bear cost. damn the nett price.
I NEED IT. BAD.
life in singapore is getting more and more expensive, as ya'll know.
And i still don't know how much that teddy bear cost. damn the nett price.
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