KL Mosher: An Insight

Waking up

2011-11-18T06:05:00.003+08:00

Hello again!

It's been a while, I have been away from KL for months now and re-visiting in January. Not much of a KL Mosher now, but a KL Mosher in heart anyway.

I have been communicating with friends from the music scene back in Malaysia to update on what's been going on gig-wise and generally the movement and progress of the music scene. And to be fair, after all that I have heard; not much is going on.

It seems like the scene left with me. All the gigs seem to have lessened, the bands have dissipated, the gigs are all monotonous and generally uninteresting. When I was back in KL, we had local gigs that were the hype of the month, the must-go. Now it seems like the only ones people look forward to are the international bands coming over to Malaysia.

Aside from Shock & Awe launch parties and the usual Laundry nights, what exactly have the music scene been doing to progress itself? It seems like many of my friends have said "I haven't been to a gig for a long time" which to me, is a definition of "There is nothing worth going to."

I was hoping to see the scene sparkle from far and hear of it growing and better itself whilst I'm gone, but I don't think that will ever happen.

I wonder what it will be like when I go back in January.

----------
With Love,
KL Mosher

Gibson Les Paul Studio 1997 FOR SALE

2011-08-05T22:12:00.003+08:00

Dear readers,

I have now moved to UK hence the reason why I no longer update my blog. But don't worry, I'm not dead yet, every so often, I will get news about the scene and maybe you might just find a new post here every do often, like now!

Someone's looking to sell his guitar.

You can take a look at the pictures on this Facebook album (actually I hope it's not on private or anything): http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150742332980355.722801.553035354&l=076cf370ec&type=1

or below:

Information:
Gibson Les Paul Studio 1997
Selling for RM3500 (negotiable)
Original parts, good quality w/ Hardcase

Call 0122815361 (Moe) or FB contact @El Moe Hussaini / @Celine Belli

Serious buyers only.

-------------
With Love,
KL Mosher

Appreciate it, Malaysia.

2011-06-09T11:56:00.000+08:00

So this is where we are.

A deadbeat. A scene falling into ashes. Everybody's just giving up.
Giving up their bands, giving up their gig-going, giving up their music, giving up their passion, giving up the phase of their life that would be considered the happiest in their entire lifespan.
Giving up.

That's the problem in this country isn't it? The problem we never escape from because everybody just loses their initiative to make something grow. This whole music scene thing? It's a joke. It's a complete joke. Only a handful takes it seriously and the rest of these kids? They just come and go, but they don't do so in a way that's even worth respecting.
They come, find faults, pick sides, judge, criticize, boycott, get bored and then, they go.

What we need, is a change, a new movement of the OLD folks, who have been passionate all their life, to find the opportunities to make more worthy shows. Our scene nowadays is filled with shows that lack in catching the crowd's eyes. They have quantity (say over 15 bands for a day), but they have no quality.
They start late.
Over ambitious.
Pricey entries.
What do you expect when you see an empty venue?

Who went to my birthday gig in October 2010 at Noisy Studio? It was small scaled. It was cheap. I provided free food & drinks. It was accessible. I had a good line up - a little too many I suppose, but at least I canceled just a few than tire everybody out by ending super late. And most importantly, at least everybody enjoyed it. So many people came, the studio couldn't even FIT everybody.

My point isn't bragging. My point is: if you want to do shows, know how to do it.

There is also no point in doing a show that's meant to be exquisite, without a big budget to fall on when profit never shows. One thing, guys, for a fact, is that all the nicer places are usually inaccessible. Again, how can you expect more than a handful if you spend loads of cash on an event with nice sound and equipment and quality yet the atmosphere and choice of performers do not reach the standard?

It's all about knowing what you are doing - starting small before taking out the big guns. You cannot learn to run before you learn to walk.

Have people perhaps thought of joining all these low budgeted/no-budget-at-all organizers (say Dyslexia, UxF, Nervhous, Vokill, etc...) and make one BIG organizing community?
And don't go "ew, communities" because that's just the biggest bullshit I can hear. If you call yourself hardcore or punk or whatever you say you are, you think you're 'individual'? Don't be fooled, you're part of a subculture, which is part of a group and is part of a community.

All I am saying is, since everybody now tries to do good shows without much budget, then failing and losing even MORE money, why don't everybody collaborate, split the costs and share profits? The shows then become more diverse regarding genre, places, crowd, bands, concept. At least with every show there is one organizing label that takes the higher stool depending on what type of event it is (Concert / International / Punk / Post-rock, etc).

Sure, many of the kids nowadays think the real musicians are not materialistic and dedicate solely to music. But you still need to understand business if you're going to want your music to get OUT THERE. Do you think Butterfingers just sat around waiting for their luck to come? Or OAG, or Pop Shuvit or Love Me Butch or Hujan or Yuna? No. They went out there, strategically, to find ways of branching their music out and pulling their money in.

'Tapi diaorang mainstream la...' - Honestly speaking, not really. Not all. And even if the successful ones are mainstream, they deserve it because their effort is there. I honestly am not much of a fan of a band called Bunkface but I have my small respects to the boys for doing it DIY with effort until they reach the top, top enough to charge ridiculous amounts for booking them. And then Sam starts the Azenders which is a completely different story.

I've strayed off topic, haven't I? Anyway. I'm just trying to say, there are so many bands with potential to make it big and so many organizers that can help the bands. With bands by your side, the organizers can go from just organizing gigs to being booking agents and work with other projects. Opportunities are there when you seek it.

The important thing though, is for everybody to appreciate and accept all the different genres in the scene. You don't have to enjoy them but there will never be progress if we always condemn each others' efforts and work. 'Ew, band indie'. Padahal band2 macam Thy Regiment bukan indie? Punk bands like Carbon4teen isn't indie? They're all Independent right? They aren't Indie Rock, but they ARE indie. Learn your terms well and know your definitions, because you only look a fool.

The scene is not about canalising and separating. There are no protocols or rules to music. If organizers themselves jeer at bands from other genres, they will never be exposed or mature enough to understand the purpose of creating platforms such as gigs for musicians to showcase their talent, whatever sounds they originate from. It's not about what u can or can't listen to. In order for the Malaysian scene to stay alive, everybody has to start supporting everybody.

You diss a shuffler for wearing a trash metal cap. So what? A techno-lover cannot enjoy hardcore? Are we so anal we have the right to stop people from coming close to our genres and scene? Aren't we, as musicians, organizers, scenesters, suppose to open our arms to all who want to venture?

Sure, a lot of these kids aren't passionate and don't stay for long, but everybody has the right to put their share, however little.

It is time we start to slash out all the negatives, use our common sense and gameplan and proper plotting to set the scene back on its feet. I'm leaving the country for over a year. I'd expect good changes whenever I return for vacation.

----------------
With Love,
KL Mosher

On Print

2011-04-12T01:12:00.001+08:00

Take a load of this!

Petty minds of a petty scene

2010-12-10T14:16:00.005+08:00

The one thing that we still see a lot in the culture of our country, is unmistakably the lack of passion that leaves kids wasting a lot of time in useless pursuits, instead of focusing on a certain thing they want to thrive in and nothing else.

I've seen, witnessed, heard of and talked about a certain topic with a certain few of my friends who are unlike those that I spoke of above.

Sabotage;vicious mindless violence that offers nothing new" - (Crass)

Band to band:

Bands were once those people we look at and admire, people we looked up to, people we want to become. This value is slowly crumbling, not only because bands are now 'breeding like rats' (quoting Alak Knot Records), but also because bands don't seem to have enough respect for themselves anymore. They can't respect themselves, so they of course, are unable to respect others.

Such as a certain band, X, that comes from a similar hometown to another band, Y. The difference lies simply in the attitudes of the band members.
X is made up of a bunch of young boys who are ethically respectful. Y is made up of young boys who can be ethical, but instead decide to plunge into an immature feeling one cannot afford to hold while being in a band; jealousy.
SO as X starts getting shows, Y is chasing at their feet, calling up the organizers and backstabbing X, saying they (Y) deserve the slot a lot more. This had worked a few times because the organizers just don't want havoc and conflict, but dude... seriously?

Is this how you run a band, is this how you live as a band?
You can't even handle finding your way in the music scene without using spit-filthy tactics, you really think your band will reach the top, ever?

Being a band isn't just a group of friends making music, when you start being called for shows and start gaining fans, you're going to need a more mature behaviour. You're going to have to negotiate for your band in a decent, well-respected way. Sure, now you're getting gigs because you're sabotaging other bands, but sooner or later, through word-of-mouth by organizers you've bitched at, and bands you've let down, you're going to be nowhere, boys, nowhere.

******

Crowd to band

I've covered this before, and I will say it again. You don't like the band, get your face out of the crowd, don't stand there and make a shit face, don't stand there and laugh, don't stand there and jeer. Just walk away.

Especially if you're not in a band yourself and can't play instruments to save your life. How would you like it if one day you're laughing, and the band tells you to come up on stage and play something - since you seem to know better?

Bands play shows to give you entertainment, and if you can't appreciate that fact you're not a music-lover. Simply put.

Or being rude when they talk to you. Like when a boy was moshing by himself, in the back, behind the crowd, near a small kid. He was back-kicking, all that stuff. So later on, a member of a respectable band comes up and tells him, in a really loud voice "Hey you should be more careful, don't you see there were kids beside you, what if you kicked them?"
The boy stares at him, and goes "Yeah, yeah, I hear you, you deaf"

You don't want to know the rest of the story. Pahaha.

******

Crowd to Crowd

All this while I've been at crowds of different genres I have noticed and seen many things, from perverts grabbing to intentional backkicks at certain people you dislike, all the unethical behaviours, but never have I been as offended and ashamed by the crowd of KL as I was during Upon Arrival's set at MYMC Fest 2010.

There I was, unprepared to go for a gig; dressed in shorts and slippers, but enjoying myself to the max listening to Upon Arrival, the only band I went in for the event. Crowdsurfers, stagedivers, these people are all norms of any heavy gig you attend.
So there I am standing towards the front as people are jumping towards my head. I shove them backwards, I push them to other people - standard procedure.
But there is this one guy who stood behind me, who pushed a stagediver down onto the ground. The poor dude landed on his back, he bumped his head, he was in pure pain.
Then the guy behind me raised his arms in glee and shouted "WHOOO!", advancing towards the guy on the floor as if he was ready to kick him. I just pulled his shirt towards me and shouted at him, so loud, that almost everybody in front turned around. Berlagak giler, sial. I never felt such fury in the crowd before, ever since I punched a guy for trying to finger me in the crowd.

Bloody hell, this animosity is so strong in our scenes I don't bloody get it, people want to go to gigs to enjoy music! We want to have fun we want to appreciate the scene, but all these people kicking, fighting, laughing, mocking, hurting other people... why? What the hell do you gain?

Sometimes I wonder if these kids will always be this close-minded.

--------------
With Love,
KL Mosher

Get off the bandwagon (and put down the handbook)

2010-10-20T12:26:00.001+08:00

This has been talked about a million times at a million places
by millions of people,
but there is only one thing that remains
the lack of change and lack of awareness of this growing,
annoying, irritating habit.

One:

On one hand, you get avid fans of a band willing to travel
halfway across the world
or even halfway down a country just to see that one band perform
before their eyes because it's worth it, to them.

On the other hand you get 'fans' who pay a few hundred
to enter the venue and watch a band only to walk out halfway saying "I was not close enough, I couldn't connect"
and say to everybody else "Oh, yes I've seen that band!"

Or 'fans' who bloat about how big a supporter they are of the scene
but when there's a gig,
where are they?
Nowhere to be found.

Kiddo, if I can stand 20,000-100,000 TALL people away from Rammstein,
Muse or Iron Maiden and still bloody connect with their set,
and kiss the muddy ground after because I am so grateful to even SEE them before my eyes,
why the hell can you not connect with a band you're locked into a stadium with?

There are fans all over the world, real fans,
who look up to bands and are inspired by them
and really, really hurt when they slip a chance of seeing them perform, seeing them live
but shake it off by listening to them on their CDs/cassettes all night long.
And there you get others wasting their money, showing off, and not even showing an ounce of gratitude or appreciation of what the bands sweat out to give their audience.

If you can't connect with a band just because of the distance or quality of venue or sound... you're not a true fan, so why do you claim yourself to be?

Be honest with yourself and be honest to people around you, why do music listeners nowadays need to be so pretentious, and claim they are a fan of so many bands and buy band t-shirts but when they're put in a situation where they can prove what a fan they are... they bail.

If you're not a real fan, just say "I listen to them, but not much". What's so difficult about that? Shame? Street credit? You have to say you know them well too, because everyone else does?
You're not going to lose respect if you're the only one who doesn't listen to Metallica, or Paramore or The Ramones.
The loss of respect is if you promote your obsession of the band 24/7, when really you only listen to the band when it comes up on shuffle.
Believe me, shame is what you get when one day someone finds out what a phoney you are.

Two:

After my previous posts, people have been sharing their views about it and a lot about 'ideology' came up. All sorts, of all subcultures, of all ages, of all forms.

I only have this to say:
instead of forcing and pressuring
and controlling people to believe your ideology is right
take a look at what you're doing
aren't you being the exact same as the ones
your ideology's against (the big man)?
Control, Pressure, Force.

And you call yourself a real deal but
you spend your time dissing other people
well, instead of cursing at people on your facebook group
why don't i see you do something worth the time
start a riot or fight for your right,
not fight for your social pride,
why don't i see you do something physical to show what you stand for?

Prove to me your ideology holds strong
and I will salute you.

That is all I have to say.

-----------------
With Love,
KL Mosher

Left wing, right wing, you can stuff the lot

2010-10-18T13:41:00.001+08:00

It may be true that actions speak louder than words, but people forget nowadays that the real influences come from what we say. Lyrics, quotes from famous/favourite people, quotes from films. Jokes, riddles, stories, rumours... all these words that stick to our heads and stay because they left an impression on us. How many people have used, re-used, changed and edited the quote "To be or not to be", for example?
Words. Nothing more, nothing less. I do not care how many people read my lyrics, my poems, my prose on things that matter to me, but as long as I know I've managed to express myself, that's enough. Isn't it?

Violence? Forthright actions? What do you gain from it, except hurt, anger and enemies?
Many say they want to fight the oppression and injustice of the right wing, political, racist violence by fighting back with their own,
but hey, doesn't that make you the same as them?
You're lining yourself up in the same boundaries as the ones you hate and that makes you no better.
It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, when you act the way your enemies do, you're equal to them.
You call yourself a leader but you're just another carbon copy of the ones you despise,
because your actions speak no louder than the ones you victimize,
I'm not saying we should pity the ones who cause us all this headache,
I'm not saying we should listen to the politically minded who try to change our ways.

Sometimes it's true that anger takes a toll and you can't help yourself, but if you can't help yourself, do you think anyone else can? Do you think you can change?

When you read the news, you shake your head, but then you go and do something just the same,
and you're always the one pointing fingers,
like you do not dare to blame yourself for your own actions.
So who is the coward, you or them?

When you act with violence, you show a weak mind, and with a weak mind comes a loss of respect and pride from those by your side, and you end up standing alone with nobody to turn to.
Of course I believe in standing your own ground, but I won't want to stand my own ground if I did things I'm ashamed of.

All I am saying is if they fight us with control,
we fight them with restraint.

No use shouting profanity and ruining what they own,
when we can silently compile our thoughts and make a movement grow,
through speeches, through ideas we can rise against
not through violence, not through threats, not through physical provocation.

I believe strongly in determination, and if we are determined to change things, we can do it, but there is no need for all the hatred and all the angry actions that you will look back on and regret. We should start a sort of weekly gathering, where we can share our own ideas on an individual topic, and come up with ways to make it better. Without a rash mind, without irritation, just pure, civilized, sophisticated discussions.
We don't need to be part of a group, part of a class, part of anything materialistic and tangible to share our ideas, we just need to have the same minds, the same passion, the same determination.

Propagandas, zines, banners, poems, placards, flyers, blogs, websites, lyrics... all these form of expression we can use to get our words out there to the world, to the ones we want to attack, without physically attacking them.

As they aimlessly opress us, we stand and sing,
then we'll see in the end who's side will win.

-----------
With Love,
KL Mosher

You're The Only You

2010-10-15T11:26:00.001+08:00

This is not a song. I guess?
-------------------------------

Want to be yourself but too scared to strip down to your individuality.
It's alright to feel uncomfortable when people stare...
Penny Rimbaud felt uncomfortable, but did he care?
If you want to be different you're going to have to face a lot more shit
and tell those conforming scums "Fuck you, because I don't give-"

Of course people are going to laugh, of course you'll get crapped on,
stepped on, pulled down,
but what's the point of singing all the songs about what you stand for,
if you can't even stand your own ground?
Why would you sing "Hey Ho, Let's Go"
if you don't know where you're heading?
Why would you dress up in extremes if your mind is laden like the rest of normality?

What's the point of buying badges and pins and patches if you don't understand what it means?
What's the point of shaving half your head off just to look good in the mirror
yet blush red when people snigger on the streets?
It's your own fault for the lack of independence,
not the society's, because without you to feed to,
there will be no feeding of bullshit ideas and fake reality
so don't blame or point fingers at society's leaders
for brainwashing you and your mates
if you can't even handle going against their oppression and slick manipulation
and walk out with everything they stuff into you and on you.

You say you're an anti-capitalist, kiddo,
but if you live in the city
and just newly exposed to the concept,
it's very hard to be one, unless you live with nothing but your pair of jeans
and cycle and walk, and forget about your handphones
and eat from the bin,
can you do that?
well, then, stop labeling yourselves
and do something about it.

because you don't need to be part of any clan
any subculture
any group or community
to prove yourself differently
because when you join a hundred, you become a hundred things
so what happens to YOU?

you don't need to be an anarchist
if you dislike the government,
you don't need to be a liberalist
or part of the GAP to do something about the shithole of society
to give money to the poor or scratch rich men's cars,
just because you dislike racists doesn't mean you have to start attacking
racist punks, unless they are racist to you, of course,
but even violence can't solve everything
violent actions are violent minds
and war starts from the inside.

anarchy? anti-christ? anti-fa?
those are just labels of what the society gives to the
failures, the outsider mentalities,
because in reality, these labels mean nothing,
they never existed and at the end of the day
our words and actions are louder
and we are not failures
for we stand as ourselves, individual and whole.

you don't need to be part of anything else
but your own mind.

Believe it. Trust it.
You want to be yourself, but you're too afraid to show it,
so who are you showing, who do you see when you look into the mirror?
Find yourself, be yourself before it's too late,
or you'll spend the rest of your life
watching yourself fade.

Thank you.

-Celine Belli

The "Stagedive" Project

2010-09-15T04:18:00.000+08:00

A documentary.

Coming soon.

Stay tuned.

An education on unity

2010-09-15T03:47:00.000+08:00

Hello everybody, I'm back from the long break I needed.

Back to the scene, back to reality, and I'm opening my eyes and seeing nothing but conflicts. I feel I should take on this in a less aggressive tone. I want to talk to you guys. I want you guys, you music-lovers, you giggers, you musicians, to read what is in my mind.

"Where have all the kids gone?"

Ever noticed how the crowds in our gigs have minimized? A venue that used to be jam-packed now result in handfuls. Ever noticed? No, probably not, because you didn't attend the last gig.

I understand, going to gigs every week is a tough thing to keep up if you're busy and have another life to live. But there are many people who can juggle their personal and music life, even combining both together. Why? Because they love, truly love music.

I'm not pointing fingers, and saying those who do not attend all the gigs are not music-lovers. But the ones I'm truly disappointed in are the ones who claim to be "a total gigger" or "budak gig/hardcore/punk", but never bother to attend the shows. Those who say "I love you, (band name), I want to see you live!" but never attend the band's gigs.

Mahal la, jauh la, tak de semangat la... Hm. Is that really passion? Think for yourselves. I know a vocalist of a band *name disclosed*, who has achieved a masters degree, working, going into full adulthood and playing in a band. There are many like these. How do they manage it? Because they want the scene to survive.

without you, without us, the scene will not exist.

Come back, kids. Don't talk about "a music scene" if you're not contributing to it.

Another thing that has always lacked in our Malaysian scene: girls. I think girls only take up about 15% of the whole scene? Girls that rock out, I mean.

Yes, we see many girls, but those girls are usually girlfriends to artists or girlfriends of the guys that mosh. How many girls to we see going crazy in the crowd? Not many. To be honest, most of the girls in KL who appear in gigs often... are all my friends. And that's pretty pathetic.

I want the girls that read this to know that it is not something menacing, our music scene is not a threat, it's not dangerous. Don't be intimidated to go to a gig to see your favourite band just because you think you might get trampled. It doesn't always happen that way. If you have the urge to rock out listening to a band on Facebook, you can have as much right to rock out at their shows. Show your faces, ladies. It's time we relive the grrrl power.

"Different genres, different tastes"

The amount of endurance we give to those who say "I am a hardcore fan only/indie fan only". Stop with that. Are you saying you have never grown up listening to Backstreet Boys? Never once head-banged to AC/DC, or never sung to Hujan? Be realistic.

You can prefer a certain type of genre, or band, but that shouldn't stop you from supporting other bands, other genres. The scene is not about pick-and-choose. It's about unity. It's about sharing with each other the different sounds we can create for each other. It's not about discriminating or judging or disliking. It's not about fighting in the crowds, it's not about getting annoyed at people who are jumping around too much at a band you don't like.

It's about being there to support. If you don't like the band, don't be an ass. Just walk away from the crowd and sit out until the next band. Don't you hate it when you're enjoying a band and there's someone beside you talking shit about the band? Well, don't be that person.

"Too much of the same doses"

Another reason perhaps: everybody's getting bored of the same line-ups, same places, same people. Understandable. But then again, if we never support the scene, how can the scene move forward, and change? If no new bands sprout out, if no one organizes/attends gigs, how can the line-ups and how can the scene vary?

If you're really a die-hard music supporter, you wouldn't be fussy over who's in the scene and who's performing. You should support whoever it is that's playing, playing for you. Like I mentioned earlier, be there for the ones you love, and respect those that you dislike; they are still musicians.

"We need the unity."

We can't continue living in a scene where there are all these people and communities who are against each other, or trying to create trouble amongst themselves.

We need a mixture, a mutual understanding, a crowd that has a choice to sit out or be part of enjoying the bands that perform. A good example is this year's KL BIG PARTY.

It was a mixture of bands. Indie, hardcore, metal, ska, everything. On one side, I see sooo many people attending, and it's great. It feels like there's unity.... until you go into the audience, and you see hardcore kids getting annoyed or taking the piss of the indie kids.

Guys, don't label yourselves. You're just... people. Humans. The whole point of these type of gigs is to allow everybody to have a chance to accept one another's music. It's frustrating that it's got to the point where we have to be taught to accept, when it should be automatic.

These gigs are meant to allow everybody to unite together and enjoy together.

If there's a ska band, come and skank and enjoy. Or just sit out. Don't stand in the crowd and complain about being shoved around.

If there's an indie band, come and pogo and enjoy. Or just sit out. Don't stand in the crowd and complain about being around overhyper people.

If there's a metal band, come and headbang and enjoy. Or just sit out. Don't stand in the crowd and complain about being knocked in the head.

If there's a hardcore band, come and release and enjoy. Or just sit out. Don't stand in the crowd and complain about being kicked in the face.

It is mutual understanding we need. You know how the crowds work for different sorts of music. It's cool that you want to check out the band playing, but you can't expect to be listened to when you say "Dude why the fck did you kick me!?" when everyone else in the crowd is kicking around. If you want to be safe, if you want to watch the band undisturbed... move away a little bit. This is just how it works. This will help create peace, help create a happy atmosphere in the gigs we go to.

And those who do enjoy and pogo/skank/headbang, etc etc... if you get mad at another person for hurting you... that's just... wrong. Before, we would accidentally bump a person, and end up being friends with them. Now, it's automatically, "Eh, babi la kau!"... Why?

Or those people who purposely kick and hurt people? I understand hardcore moves, I do, people go crazy. But whoever they hurt, whoever they touch, they don't do it on purpose. They don't purposely look for someone to hurt. It just happens because everyone is doing the same thing. Those people who try to hurt a certain person in the crowd, just get lost.......

Readers, whatever type of genre you listen to, I want you to know that the importance of music doesn't lie in the differences but the similarities. Music is melody, all sorts of genres are the same melody. One melody. Why should we keep up the conflicts and disputes, when we should be busy looking for better gig venues, new bands and contributing to a living scene?

Put away those angry emotions, and just come together to keep the scene very much alive.

---------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

Goodbye, suckers.

2010-07-18T05:20:00.000+08:00

Went to a gig today and enjoyed the music but hated what was happening in the crowd.

What happened to moshing and having fun with the music? What happened to people uniting as one through music? What happened to true passion for music where people aren't paying attention to fucking people up in the crowd but to the people pouring their souls on stage for you guys to accept their music?

All I saw was people getting hurt because of idiots finding it funny pushing each other around. Some people fell onto one another and some people had their balls crushed and hips bruised against the stage because of that.

People getting hurt because of accidental mosh injuries is completely acceptable.

People getting hurt because of intentional actions to injure in the moshpit is wrong.

So I'm fucking glad I'm going to escape the scene for a month, because what I saw today really made me sick.

And I hate feeling sick about the music scene.

I still love our music and our music lovers though. Stay real.

See you guys when I'm back.

--------------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

Animosity Vs. Unity

2010-06-15T23:54:00.001+08:00

I recently went to a gig that was a mixture of genres, with a hope to enjoy the unity of all music coming together.

I came out disappointed. Not only were the crowds unsupportive of the bands of other genres, the crowds were unsupportive towards each other. I seriously do not understand why people want to always pick a fight or purposely hurt people in the crowd. It doesn't matter if you accidentally push or shove or kick somebody. But never, ever is it acceptable when it is intentional.

I was also disappointed because a person who frequently did that was somebody I knew.
I spent the whole gig scorning at the kids who sang to The Times' "Tunjuk Perasaan". 'Rasa Sayang/ Tunjuk perasaan'... there's no use singing those lines if you are hurting each other at the same time. Is it so hard for the crowd to just, jump around and sing along without having to feel the need to shove somebody in the ribs or elbow people in the head?

Then there are those people who purposely enter the crowd during a band they never really listen to, just to get annoyed at the kids actually having fun. I saw a guy standing in the crowd with a frown on his face, clearly not enjoying himself, and there was a boy behind him having the time of his life dancing and singing along. He accidentally repeatedly slaps the frowning guy in the shoulder. All the guy could do was move away, but no. He had to kick the guy who was enjoying, ruining the moment for him. Why?

We're supposed to support each other in the scene and strengthen our unity that Aaron from Bane once appreciated. What the hell is all this animosity for? What can you gain out of it, other than people with hurt feelings and anger? Is that what you want in our scene?Hate?
Then by all means, keep on ruining the scene.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

A Justification

2010-06-15T23:53:00.001+08:00

Friends discussed about my previous dislikes of the hardcore moshing/dancing, and compared it to my current active role in it. I sensed some sort of judgment that might have labelled me 'hypocritical' of my own beliefs, so here I write an explanation. You can read from my previous posts, one of the earliest, an undeniable dislike I showed once towards it. I won't deny it. I called the moves' kungfu moshing', especially the moves I disliked - but I still do, to an extent. I want those who read my blog and know me in person to not misunderstand my point of view.

I do mosh now in a way I once found weird, credited to my now expanded knowledge of the hardcore culture. But I want to make it clear that I do still find some hxc moves unacceptable (to myself personally). I am only active in the traditional two-step/pizzamaker and breakdowns, because those are all I need for release.

I don't do the continuous flying, spinning kicks, the flinging, windmill arms, because I still stick to what I believed two years ago; those intentionally and obviously will hurt people. I don't mosh to hurt, I mosh to release. I wrote before I do not understand why the crowd would move in synchronisation to free music, but I now realize it is not a negative thing; almost an angry dance of release.

I still shake my head at kids who 2-step and breakdown and all the wrong parts of a song. What I do now, is not what I hate, nor what I love. Just a release.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Noisy Studio debates.

2010-05-31T14:35:00.000+08:00

A stupid comment:

Those young punk rocker people were arrested because of excessive din and noise . The situation might be different if they attended an 'illegal" soothing sound of a jazz gig. Drugs are everywhere and all over the town. It is easily available in KL. Especially the eramine 5 . Even if they cant afford such drugs they still be able to get high by sniffing industrial glue which retails for a few dollars . Now more readers will know why the young punks are inhaling from a plastic bag and starts to hallucinate. That is glue inside the bag. And the situation gets worse when they ride their motorbikes. There must be a law for glue sniffers as the effect is same as drugs

my reply:

have you actually been to Noisy Studio? have you looked around? there are no 'residents' around there. and from the outside, you can hardly hear any noise coming from inside the place. whoever did the report did it with purposeful intentions to cripple the gig and cripple the image of the punk youths. the 'authorities' are frightened by the growing scene. it is likely, it happened before, it can happen again. Face the fact that drugs and abuse is found everywhere, not only amongst "these punk rocker people" and these guys are the ones highly blamed for it all. This is injustice for you.

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- Do they owe us a living? Course they fuckin' do. -

[Updated] Noisy Studio ratted on

2010-05-28T17:51:00.000+08:00

What was Noisy Studio ratted on for? What crimes? None.

Noisy Studio, a long well-known area for gigs (mainly low budget punk gigs) near the Ampang LRT was raided by police yesterday night during Berantakan's Album Launch.

Four trucks arrived and a total of 160 people were arrested and brought to the station. A few foreigners and mostly Malaysians.

Apparently someone ratted on the gig to the police, for reasons unconfirmed yet.

But that is such a fuck up thing to do. Why? No way in hell it could've been due to 'noise' because I've hung out outside the place many times and I can tell that the music inside the studio can hardly be heard and considered as 'noise' from the outside.

Because of this, the equipments might be taken away from the studio and the upcoming gigs might have to be postponed. (This might include Speak Out, Dance Punk Party and of course Whatever That Means & Kill The Apprentice LIVE @ Noisy)

What else is there to say?

What we do is not a crime.

Whoever it was who tried to make it seem like a crime;

rot in hell.

Thank you.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

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http://www.mmail.com.my/content/37929-123-held-illegal-punk-rock-gig#comment-19176

AMPANG JAYA: Police arrested 123 youths, including the daughter of a bass player from a famous mid-80s rock band, and crippled an illegal punk rock gig at a double storey premise in Kampung Baru, Ampang, yesterday.

The raid at 11.30pm was conducted by the crime investigation department and narcotics crime division of the Ampang Jaya police headquarters. The youths, aged between 15 and 35, were arrested after police received complaints from residents about the noise.

Ampang Jaya district deputy police chief Supt Amiruddin Jamaluddin said when police raided the place, some were found high on drugs.

Also nabbed were 11 foreigners, including six Australians, two Americans and three Indonesians.

"We found 20 under influence of syabu, ecstasy and cannabis and another 20 were underaged,” said Amiruddin.

“They did not have a permit for the gathering. We also detained the owner of the premise for further investigation,” he said.

My comment (whether they approve or not, it's now here for all to read):

It is obvious this particular arrest is going to affect a lot of the youths' already negative outlook on the agents of society (gov, police, etc) and worsen their perspectives even more. These concerts have been going on for a very long time, and rarely anyone have gotten into serious harm that requires police's attention. It is pathetic that whoever reported this event only chose to do it now, during an event that disturbed nobody, an event of youths enjoying themselves, an event youths went to for an outlet from reality. I am pretty sure police have been aware of all these shows up until now. So why act only now? Looking for drug and alcohol abuse at a gig is definitely a prejudiced move; punk gigs are considered delinquent and stereotypically bad. But if you compare the activities and intentions that are in a gig to a CLUB, you'd find out the police who did the arrest on this studio wasted their time, when they could've gone to a club somewhere and arrested a lot more who actually are out for trouble. As for the gig being illegal? Who's to blame? The society is so strict on the religious values and 'righteous' values, will it be easy for us to get a permit for events like these? No. And getting a legalized permit would enter the event in the government's system, which would most likely cause even more of unwanted attention from the police body, which the youths do not FEAR, but merely wish would leave them alone. Have you ever heard of people being arrested purely because of their outfit? It only happens here. Come on, you get more corrupt minds in suits than in extreme/young clothes. Organizing and attending these concerts are part of the youth body, don't tell me the government is intending on tarnishing this growing part of society. On a more positive outlook; concerts bring people from outside the country in. In the music world, our neighboring countries envy Malaysia's scene. It does us well. So if I were one of the upper men, I would just keep quiet and let things be, because the events bring Malaysians and non-Malaysians together, and it is the events that spark an interest in many youths, making them proud of their country.

A small scene with big dreams

2010-05-17T21:28:00.000+08:00

It kills me when I look at some things people who are completely unaware of our scene say (whether they are from or not from Malaysia). It's even worse when they are people who actually reside in Malaysia and perceive the place as their home. People who have been influenced so much into thinking "oh-my-god, international bands, awesome stuff, blows my mind, nothing can compare to these bands who are famous, these bands who are not your friends, these bands you need to go through security to meet!". These people who indulge in the intangible that they forget to appreciate those that are nearby and reachable. These people who look down on the things in front of them.

I have read somewhere of a person who has never received any promos, materials of any sort from Malaysia, but somehow manage to find a judgemental point of view, gutsy enough to say "releases from that area tend to be crap". Where's your proof? Where are you going to hide your face if you come down and witness a gig for yourself? Sure we do have crap gigs, but so do other countries all over the world. It isn't based on WHERE, as I have said once in a previous post. Sure, we do not have havoc similar to HellFest at our hardcore gigs, but the music is still good, the crowd is still devilish, the people still unite. Who gives a shit if the country is small and we are not known enough, when we have our own fun and we share our own happiness amongst one another? When will people understand, you don't need to be a colossal, rich and famous country like the US to have a strong ground of music? When will people realize that music did not just evolve from ONE place, but music found at one area can also be found in many others? You cannot say Asian music is shit, because Asian music can be similar to other music. You can't say Malaysians don't know how to produce, because it has been obvious that we have amazing music producers and bands around our country, some yet to be discovered, some already are.

We wouldn't have Restraint being compared to Sworn Enemy or Hatebreed if our music was shit. You wouldn't have Zee Avi being compared to Norah Jones, or Love Me Butch compared to Deftones, or big otais like our own Cromok being mentioned once in a Metallica interview as a "true meal band".

I also once came across a guy who rudely named our music scene as shitty, and compared our bands to Coldplay. When I asked him if he had even heard any Malaysian bands before, not those stupid songs you hear in a mini-market or whatever, he went 'no'. So who the fuck are you to judge? If I placed him in front of any random gigger, and told them to compare their music knowledge about international bands, he would've lost. No doubt.

Just because our scene is small, and hidden, and unexposed, it doesn't mean our minds are the same. The scene is our pillow to fall back on, but our minds are free to roam anywhere and everywhere. How would we get inspiration for music if we were unexposed to the outside world? Yeah, we do have jungles in Malaysia, but this does not make everybody living here orang kampungs. Fucking re-set your minds people. I have spoken to big acts like Shai Hulud and Buzzcocks, who were amazed at how active the scene was. I had a white guy attend a Buzzcocks gig in Malaysia and was completely blown away by the number of people in crust pants and mohawks and safety-pins he saw attending the show, unaware that there were even punks in the country. We have had overseas bands willing to come more than once because they loved the crowd that much. Our scene is our home, this feeling should be felt for every country with a local scene. Home.

We have Singaporeans loving our scene more than their own (though they should really support their own scene too) because of the pure unity and positive vibe they get from our scene. Okay, we're not a bunch of hippies, we have chaotic incidents too, but it's normal in a scene. It doesn't matter the size, it doesn't matter the place, as long as there's a scene, there's a dream and we fight for it.

You cannot simply judge music before hearing it, or judging the existence of a scene before attempting to find it. That just makes you an ignorant, oblivious and shallow person unworthy of being appreciated as a music-fan.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

FLAMES FESTIVAL Presale Tickets on sale!

2010-05-17T16:59:00.000+08:00

FLAMES FESTIVAL TICKETS ON SALE NOW: (read below for details)

Flames Festival - rm20 (promotion until 31st May)

Call/Msg CELINE @ 0172391096, leave your name and the number of tickets you'd like to book.

You can meet me on a compromised time @

Hartamas/Mont Kiara

Other damansara areas

Kelana Jaya

Ampang

KL - Bukit Bintang area

ONE CAFE

If you wish, you can collect the tickets on the day of the event as long as you have booked.

Thank you

Organizing a gig: BE SMART II

2010-05-06T15:47:00.000+08:00

An Addition to my previous post which I posted a while back, a year or two ago.

http://klmosher.blogspot.com/2008/12/organizing-gig-be-smart.html

Understanding the event:

You are the organisers. You understand who and what type of band you invite to play at your show. You would've, if you are a good organizer, listened to their tunes they have sent to you or available on their sites.

Be sure to get the right amount of equipment.

Bands that are willing to play won't be expecting Fender/Marshall equipments, or any of that sort, but they will be expecting a good enough set of equipments to allow them to play a full set. Experiences have led me to realize how a wrong set leaves the band feeling disappointed.

If the band needs 3 amps, get three amps. If a band needs a keyboard stand or 2 microphones, get them. It isn't difficult to get things like these right. You cannot expect a band to thank you whole heartedly if by the end of the show, they needed to change their set or minimise their sounds, use a mixer, or any of that sort. Think it through.

A good promotion:

Don't depend on people to just find out about the event. As organizers, it is your responsibility to promote the event to as much extent possible. If this results in you having to walk around the streets handing out flyers, do it. It is not difficult to create an event page, with full details, and invite friends, tell them to invite friends, etc etc.

And be smart about where you promote. Promote at places where you know your targeted age group or giggers linger. Bukit Bintang, Kota Damansara, Uptowns... all that. Shopping malls too.

A good location:

A lot of giggers are teenagers. This means they usually rely on public transport or their own minimal transport to get there. Don't find a place where people will have difficulty in accessing. Take MCPA Hall. It was easy. Monorail station right in front of it. One Cafe. Monorail station right in front of it, and a very famous road behind (Chow Kit). People know these places. Even if you decide to get a place that is unknown or new, you must keep in mind how the transport to get there will be. I've been to a gig where only a handful people showed up because of transport difficulty.

Think it through. There are a lot more things to consider when you want to plan a gig.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

BANE LIVE IN KL & FLAMES FESTIVAL Presale Tickets on sale!

2010-04-26T23:04:00.000+08:00

Get presale tickets off me now!

Bane LIVE in KL - rm35 (promotion until 10th May)

Flames Festival - rm20 (promotion until 20th May)

Call/Msg me @ 0172391096, leave your name and the number of tickets you'd like to book, you can collect the tickets on the day of the event or before if you arrange a convenient time. Thank you

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With Love,

KL Mosher

When home is where music is

2010-04-14T23:43:00.000+08:00

KL Mosher feels good about her life when things get tougher thanks to moments when she blasts her speakers up loud or have a sweaty crowd around during gigs, singing along wholeheartedly to songs that matter.

Places that rock:

One Cafe:

Everyone who are into the music scene should already know about this place by now. Booked with gigs from beginning til end of 2010, One Cafe is the hotspot for all underground and mainstream gigs to take place. The red stage, zebra crossing floor tiles, massage chairs at the back of the venue, who wouldn't love it?

Gallery Studio:

My jamming spot with my band, and also a place to meet and laugh with some of the AKD members :) I especially love the mamak-lepakings at Al-Mehraj, the busking boys at the hawker stall below Gallery (they are never the same, but the songs are always 'feel good'), and the pure colossal music in such a small environment.

Grido Studio:

Here is where everything is just chilled, where the kids who need an outlet from life to escape to and just talk about everything and nothing. With jam sessions that taste like hell (temperature wise - TRUST ME!) that occur in this place, this studio awkwardly feels like home and I can waste hours there without realizing the time.

Kitaro:

It's not really Kitaro and the annoying mamaks there, it's more about the moments when you're sitting with a bunch of friends laughing at the world, and the band that plays beside BB Plaza starts to play an old tune that melts your heart. And before you know it, you and others are just singing along to that distance, muffled music of a live band. :)

Sally Bum:

And finally, my beloved friend / partner in crime's car, Sally Bum. With a CD case titled "The Bum Soundtrack", there is never a moment in the car when you're listening to bad music... Unless you're switching CDs and the radio comes on.

Places beginning to rock up:

I've been, as you all already know, watching the music scene as closely as I can to find things to discuss and share views with. So here are a few gig spots to splash out to you guys!

Shah Alam, Sek. 13, Pusat Perniagaan Worldwide, Medan Budaya:

Okay, the name is long I know, but it's a new place which a music organization are starting to introduce to giggers. It is near Tesco Shah Alam, and is outdoors, with a shaded stage and a food + drinks stall. Could become something.

Upcoming event there: 25th April - Catastrophe, This Sunday and more bands.

Dragonfly/Orange Club:

This is an old place but recently gigs have been taking place there. With an awesome stage and awesome sound, this place is perfect to just blast heavy music.

Upcoming event there: 9th May - Typecast LIVE in KL

KL Live Center:

Okay I admit, NOT at all a new place, but it's only starting to become a regular gig spot. Big area, big stage, nice lightings, awesome bands that come to Malaysia and perform there. What else to expect?

Upcoming event there: 28th April - Stereophonics LIVE in KL

***********

It's not really about where you are, but as long as you have friends and music around you, that's when you're home.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Subculture is not a religion

2010-03-29T19:19:00.000+08:00

A short post.

Was living a normal KL day, jamming, lepak mamak-ing, taking advantage of public transport and walking... :)

I was with a few friends and we touched on the topic of subcultures (malas nak sebut yang mana), and my friend told me about a boy who not only dissed a normal lifestyle sans subculture, but also tried to preach people into joining his subculture.

Okay. Dude. Just one question. If you look back to your teenage years, were you even part of that subculture? Probably not. Probably you were still listening to stuff like Backstreet Boys, and doing things you would laugh at people for doing now. Doesn't matter. Push that aside.

I agak pening when my friend told me about him telling his friend to become part of the subculture, egging him on to doing the things he does. Mate. Why are you acting like a priest? Why are you acting like those people that walk around pushing religious books into people's hands, saying "Be part of us"?

Subcultures are not there for preaching. They are there to give you an ideology, to give you a lifestyle you yourself are comfortable with, to be the backbone you fall back on when you shatter. You do not abuse the subculture, and make it like a religion. You're supposed to live it, be it, and express, yes, what your subculture is. Leave the others to choose if they want to be part of it. Leave it to the others to make their decision about what they want to do with their life. Everybody's fighting for freedom, and you're doing it in your own way, but don't start banning other people's freedom of action. That just makes you one big hypocrite.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Mosh Etiquette

2010-03-22T23:08:00.000+08:00

Hahaha macam mosh ada etiquette pulak.

Let me take you on a stroll through the pushing bodies, flying kicks, circle pits, stage diving, pizza makers, two stepping, break-downs, windmills, air walking, crowd surfing and all these other things you see in a mosh pit and get to the facts I am intending to meet with this post.

If I was asked where is a place you can feel the best and most excited, one of my answers will definitely be "In a moshpit". But there are also times when I feel pissed off or completely laugh at those who make a fool out of themselves around or in the moshpit. They should seriously think about what they do and what their purpose of being at a gig actually is.

Dengar musik ke dating?

I definitely personally think dating at a gig... is super. I would love doing that. But that accounts for a few things. WHAT kind of gig it is, and WHAT kind of people you are. Do the both of you LOVE gigs just as much? Is the gig suitable for couples? Sumpah I tak faham people who bring their girlfriends along to a gig, dah TAU dah mesti chaos giler, but marah when they get pushed around. Look, if you reti bring gf to a gig, that would mean you've been to enough to know about them. You would know the kind of silly things friends do to each other in a moshpit and the regular heavy stuff others do. If you want to date, and don't want to get hurt, then just dude. Stay away. To the back, to the side. Indie gig ke.

Or even better, how about just not go and head to Times Square instead? We're all having fun and it's just not a nice sight to see someone pulling an angry face just because someone ter-pushed your girlie. Seriously man. Both of you should know what a gig is like, especially hardcore gigs.

Breakdown ke gaduh?

Yes, the heavier stuff do happen, as I justified in the upper column, but that doesn't mean one must take it too far and make it more about hurt than about fun.

I saw this. A guy having his fun moshing. Yeah, so what if he took the space? All you have to do is jadi berani sikit, go beside him and mosh until you get your space juga. There is no need, no need, to stand at the side, see the guy get closer to you, and suddenly do a huge kick to his legs or face. Seriously, that is horrendous. That is rude. That is barbaric. You don't go into a moshpit to create a fight. What's worse is people who usually do that tend to get PISSED OFF when the other person's friends marah dia. Cheh.

Think, man. We're here to have fun, not only you want to mosh, but everyone will get their chance to enter the circle. Or at least, why don't you just do a circle pit until you find a free space? Banyak cara, and gaduh isn't one of the best.

Freestyle ke ikut irama?

Some are even worse. They don't even follow the music. This refers to every gig. Some skank without the sound of ska, some pogo without ANY loud music, some two-step when it's the breakdown, some breakdown (this is the most annoying) when it's more for two-step. Aduhhhhhh.... dengar la musicccc... It's not about showing what you can do. It's about feeling the music. And when you look stupid just trying to show off your skills, that just proves you're not feeling the music at all, just using the music to get yourself out on the moshpit to show off your 'moves'. No need for that, it's not a dance competition.

Fashion show ke gig?

Senang citer. Everyone with a brain will know going to a gig will mean sweating and stinking. So if you don't want your clothes to get dirty, or your make up to smear or to stink... don't bloody stand in the pit!!!

Cari pasal ke cari fun?

This is quite similar to the first column, except it's not specifically about couples but more about one's own feelings. One gig tend to have many many fans. And many many bands. Bands that you love and bands that you're just okay with. And of course, during the gig your energy level may fluctuate and at some point you might feel quite tired and unwilling to stay in the crowd. Then... don't stay in the crowd. You staying in the crowd tired will lead to someone pushing you, and you getting angry, and then you not enjoying the set, and buat muka, so everyone who looks at you will just be like... "Dude, what's with this person, man?"

You know?

There is nothing wrong with walking out for a while to take a breather. Other fans from a band you don't like won't kill you for walking out on the band. In fact, they would be happy because they have the whole pit to themselves; people who are passionate for the music being played. It would, however piss them off more, if you stood in the crowd, making faces that suggests you don't like the band. Some guys in the pit are very sensitive, and cari pasal je. Doesn't mean you have to go out looking for it, too.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

No Need For Agression

2010-03-11T22:10:00.000+08:00

Alright, just a little hippie side of me taking control here. I came across a story today that made me ponder on the attitude that some bands have to endure coming from other people. Or simply put, how bands have to deal with haters.

The story? Well a boy, who used to like this particularly band, but suddenly does not (because he heard the band was 'sombong' when in truth he has never spoken to them in his life), was walking past a mamak when he came across the vocalist of that band. Note here that he dislikes the band because of rumours, not because of the music.

Anyway, he saw the vox there, and dia jerit "________ sucks!" really loudly as he walked past the vocalist. The boy found this funny.

Tapi kelakar ke? Let's think about it. I'm pretty sure people who play in bands that are quite famous are bound to be damn used to getting stuff like this on a daily basis. I'm pretty sure they will soon get unaffected by it. I'm pretty sure most of them don't give a shit. "Pfft, haters... biarlah..." will be most of their response.

So in a KL Mosher devised scene, the vocalist will buat bodoh, buat macam tak dengar. People who heard the yell will look at the 'idiot' who yelled that. And then the vocalist. Satu jerit macam sakai, satu playing it cool. Who's going to look stupid?

Who's going to be the one who looks like a fool? The vocalist or the boy? You decide.

What's the point then, of agressively approaching bands you dislike to diss them just for your own satisfaction, when really, what you do will not change any ounce of your life, except make a good story for friends. What's the point?

Disliking/liking a band is a personal thing. You can share it with friends, you can go "arghhhh!" when their song comes on the radio, but why is there a need to be so rude and so impolite to people who are making music, who are spending hours and hours recording and touring to satisfy those who care and appreciate their music?

Grow up, people. Trust me, you get nothing out of it.

And if I may add, having spoken to many, and knowing the vocalist of that particular band myself, that the vocalist is actually the one yang paling friendly who tries to lepak with fans and friends during their shows. So, as I have said in a previous blog post... if you tak kenal diaorang tapi you dengar citer je, and 'fuck' band tu because you got teenagedly annoyed... doesn't that make you a bit naive to just believe everything you hear?

Agression is only at its best when it is for the pure passion of music, when it exerts in performances, when it is in the lyrics of songs, the shouts of vocalists, the twangs of guitars, the pounding of the drums.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Local Pride

2010-03-11T00:43:00.001+08:00

Right, here comes a little Malaysia love from me. Not being patriotic or anything, but I was in the midst of a conversation with a new found friend who was into grindcore and we stumbled upon topics of Napalm Death and Suicide Silence (and the Suicide Death gig last week)

This was one of his comments about Suicide Silence:

"oky la suicide silence tpi byk retak sme la u try dgr btol2 cm sme je sume..tpi xbole kte ape la owg putih yg bwt sume gempak2..btol x.."

Well... Tak betul, my dear friend.

I believe that we, in order to support our local music scene, must fully and truly believe in our music, and the progression of it. Why do we have to be let down by the potential of the international bands? We aren't allowed to criticize the works of white people, eh? That mentality can't get us anywhere if we want to strive further with Malaysia's - in my opinion - increasingly amazing scene. Plus, criticism is not always negative. We can give good feedbacks, and learn from it, to build up on our own works.

Yes, I admit, we have crappy bands. But so does the U.S.A. So does England. So does France, Germany... whatever. If there are no crappy bands, how can there be good bands to compare with, right?

As a local, we shouldn't be afraid to compare our local music to international music. I can name more than ten groups from the U.S that can't compare with the likes of our own bands like Seven Collar T-shirt and Love Me Butch. Do you seriously think Boys Like Girls are better and more original than Seven Collar T-shirt? Seriously?

Think about it.

Every band is different, and I believe we should destroy, trash and burn that barrier that separates local and international bands, because the difference does not lie in the country or place we are from, but the music that inspires and the road we take in making music. We have awesome international bands, and awesome local bands, shitty ones from afar, and shitty homegrown ones. The thing is... it doesn't matter. Don't let the big world intimidate our own world to striving. Music is universal. There should not be a 'we' and 'they'. There should only be a 'we'. Us. Kami. OUR music. From EVERYWHERE. If we're always going to think 'We can never be as good as them', how the hell do you expect to kick ass? Many people escape from reality into music because it is in music where there is no superiority, no government, no power (except the power to make us feel good) and no differences (except in genres). So why should we feel like we are inferior even with music?

... Btol x?

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Cultural diversities

2010-02-11T01:30:00.000+08:00

Damn it. A thought came to mind, and I had to splurge it out. Unity shouldn't only come through the music, but also the opportunities given to the crowds to come together.

I just realized, here in KL, the gigs stop during puasa and Hari Raya... but not for any other festivals. Gigs should be put on hold during all festivals, including Deepavali and Chinese New Year, don't you think? I mean, it shouldn't be ethnocentric.

They only stop temporarily during Hari Raya/Puasa, but why not for other festivals? This way, it shows that NO ONE will be missing out on gigs. And that even the music scene supports the idea of unity within music - age, gender, race... all that.

It's a short post from me, but hopefully a food for thought for all you readers. Reason for this?

I have to stay out on some gigs (like KCHC!!!) because of CNY. Garrrrhhh.... tak adil.

---------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

Is Underground becoming a trend?

2010-01-24T14:20:00.000+08:00

It's an annoying element to see the numerous trends that emerge in and out of the music scene, but nothing can beat the stink when underground starts becoming a trend.

Take a look around. It's one thing to have a striving metal/hardcore scene. It's another to ruin it by making it a trend. What do I mean when I say that? Well, okay, look here.

Last year, we had kids going to indie gigs because the indie scene was at its peak then, splashed around with kids dressed in colour and scarves. There's nothing wrong with that. One thing wrong is, well, those kids used to bitch about underground music and bitch about metal or hardcore. They used to laugh and diss at hardcore kids. They never listened to a lot of metal or hardcore stuff.

Then you take those kids and look at them now. Those same kids who used to laugh at other genres and say "Aku budak indie" now are dressed up in "Underoath" or "Sick of It All" T-shirts. And now they are laughing at indie, the scene they used to love. So what exactly do you love? Or is your passion for music fake, changes with the season, changes with the motion? All these newbies who buy metal shirts just because indie has fallen and metal has risen... do you even know what these bands sound like?

Or are you just buying the clothes, and dressing up like hardcore kids just to fit into what you guys think is a 'growing trend'? Underground music has always been raw, rough and most importantly, real. We never worried about becoming mainstream, never worried about being a sell-out.

What if. What if, that's what its becoming? Because of the mistake the younger generation is making? It's fine if you want to explore the genres, it's fine if you follow the flow, but don't be hypocritical about it. Don't say you're all hardcore or all indie just to turn around and backstab what you used to be when it's fallen to the pits. Who says you have to hate another genre to love one? Who says you can't love all types of gigs, ranging from reggae to acoustic to hardcore?

I love how the hardcore bands are now striving to puncture through as many gigs as possible, by keeping it real, all these bands who've been around for quite some time. Then I look at the new kids who are all deciding to join the scene by starting a hardcore band, a screamo band, a metal band. Are they doing it just because that's the in thing now, or because they really want to do it for the passion and music?

Don't start making the underground seem fake, don't change the reputation of all the bands that have been working hard to maintain the purity of what music is all about.

Go to gigs because you love it, not because you love being seen there.

---------------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

Positive/Negative movement: Same thing

2010-01-14T00:57:00.000+08:00

I've rested for a while. Banyak orang dah puas kutuk I, but it's alright for I'm not writing because I want to be hated, I'm writing because I want to be heard. Before I start, though, I will apologize for one thing and that is to call anyone "stupid" or "smartasses", I believe to prove my point, I should've done so with a more mature manner. But other than that, I stand by my points firm. Hear me out when I say, I do not want to spend the rest of my time as KL.Mosher talking about race, because that subject to me is not important. I want to talk about music, I want to talk about how music can improve, how we can all improve together.

So my post on this, is about the hopes of our scene improving itself, and diminishing the racial discriminations, age discrimination, genre discrimination, subculture discrimination and unnecessary conflicts made against each other. Where we can all see each other as equals, as music-lovers, as a union. Here I choose two particular groups to vent about. Because I care about our music scene, and I want it to be a better scene, and I just think some people have to wake up and be real.

Negatives:

*a non-disclaimer: I'm sorry if you guys really want to shoot me now, but I have the right to speak, as a music-supporter, nothing else.*

Nazi racism; a short introduction:

I've covered this before, malas nak go through it again. Just think of it this way.

Nazi = a pure-blood ideology, simply put.

But the pure-blood ideology somehow translated to 'racism'. It's not only Malaysians, mind you, it's found everywhere. So that's what they are. Racist punks. But nazi also equals "germans". So technically, they are using the wrong word to spread their ideology of malay power (in malaysia), or russian power (in Russia) and korean power (in korea), etc etc.

To be honest, if Hitler was still alive, all these "Nazis" who wear swastika but speak their different mother language (not german), Hitler would hunt all these down and slaughter them. "You're not nazis, you brown-skinned swines". That would be what he would say. I hate Hitler.

So basically, if you're not blonde, and you don't have blue eyes, and you don't have white skin, how can you truly call yourselves Nazi punks? I think, for the malaysian ones who really want to show true malay power, they should name themselves... Bumiputra punks. This is not an insult, it's an idea, don't take me wrongly.

The hypocrisy & problem of nazi racism (I'm focusing on Malaysia):

As said, you're not white, you're not blonde, you don't have blue eyes. Calling themselves Nazi Punks but claiming to be strong Malay power-seekers, that makes them hypocritical, makes it wrong and completely unoriginal. If you want to show true Malay attitude, be original.

The problem with these guys, is they don't know how much they are destroying and separating everybody, including the Malays. They say they want all the Malays to unite, and banish everyone else, but they don't even respect their fellow people. Maksud I? Well, take a look.

Not all Malays are racist like them. Hell, maybe not all Nazi Punks are racist.

But those who are, they say they want Malays to get what they want. SO, basically, they should allow Malays to campur with other races if they want. Kan? It's not putting Malays as first priority, but the 'Nazi' ideology, their own little wants as priority. That isn't wrong, many people do that, but it's extreme to take it on this level.

Also, with these guys, people are starting to label bands, which is unfair for the bands. The music scene now do a lot of avoiding, a lot of choosing, and pulling away from the unity we should have. We get kids preferring to go to metal gigs, or reggae gigs, and so on and so forth. People who do not agree with the ideology of these punkers, they will automatically pull themselves away from any Rebelling Troops gig, or Malayan power gigs. In turn, the bands performing in those gigs will immediately be labelled as "racist". Though some of the bands aren't racist, but are just proud to be Malaysians. That is okay. Everyone should be proud to be Malaysian. But not to the point of wanting to be racist to others. People will start naming all the people who lepak/campur/play with Nazi bands as "Nazis". Wrong term, wrong thinking, misunderstandings. It's difficult for people to hang out without getting labeled, because others immediately place a person who's with a certain group as a similar kind of person. How unfair and misunderstood will people get?

Final hypocritical point? They say Malay power is first in line. But? Music influences are from? Whitebreads. Clothing style influences? Whitebreads. NAME of "Nazi" came from? Whitebreads. Tak nak cakap banyak la, tapi korang fikir je la.

The solution to making Nazi punks worthy of being in the scene:

One has to remember, from afar, everybody looks the same. When everybody steps into the big world, they are nothing, no matter how much you berlagak ke, buat hal ke. Everybody is NOTHING if they walk into the big world. Me, you, him, her.

Remember that, if you mix a Malay type-A blood and Chinese type-A blood... it's the same bloody blood type. They may not share same cultures, same skin, same language, but when we die, we all rot and burn in the same way. Our blood drips the same way. So how do you guys feel now? You're racist to people who have same blood as you. Meaning you guys share same blood with all the people you hate. So what? Do you hate yourself, too?

I accept that Malay power is not wrong. It's actually good, and should be supported. But the racism behind it, memang tak boleh blah. Just think about this. Kalau nak malay power, you have to make yourselves respected. If you've got a good attitude, act with the right idea, you're going to show that Malays are good, they are respectable, they are powerful. By being racist and violent, it will only make people want to look down on them, ignore them, and be prejudiced against them. So are you actually benefitting yourselves by doing all that?

Think.

Positives:

*a non-disclaimer: you guys have to find the strength to maintain positive. Don't hate me for pointing this out*

Straight-edge; a small introduction:

Welcome to one of the purest subcultures.

Simply summarized, they live by a rule: No alcohol, no promiscuous behaviour, no drugs, no ciggs..... basically a clean life. Vegetarians. Tame - no fighting, no violence.

But? Nowadays, we get the younger SxE followers who do not really fully understand the difference between brotherhood and gangs. They think that SxE brotherhood includes violence, if someone needs their help.

SxE bukan mafia la, bros... It's basically almost like a religion with music yang gempak gila.

The hypocrisy & problem of Straight-Edgers:

Okay, this is towards the younger, new born Straight-Edgers, who do it for the trend and don't fully understand what the ideology is all about. Kononnya SxE, tapi they are more towards Hardliners... heard of them? If you call yourselves SxE, you should know about these guys too.

Hardliners: The hypocritical side of SxE, simply said. They do extreme things, they fight, burn things up, and create havoc. Diaorang tak faham what the point of Straight Edge is. It's about living clean. It's about making right decisions, not sinning.

If you guys siap tak makan daging, tak hisap rokok, tak beromen dengan skandal2, then you guys fight, how does that work? If fighting is not sinning, then what is that? Bersenam? Exercise?

To be honest, we have a lot more Hardliners in Malaysia than we do Straight-Edgers, which is a pity because it makes people LAUGH at the subculture, and the true SxE followers are shadowed down by the newbies who are doing it all wrong. You guys always get pissed off and cari pasal when people don't understand about Straight Edge. But by acting so aggressive, and so violent, it shows that even you guys too, don't get it.

Okay, truthfully, many SxE's are aggressive, but they don't cari pasal. They are just... kings of the moshpit. But because of these Hardliners, who forget the true meaning of SxE, and in turn, the SxE bands are blamed for these influences. They are blamed for teaching the kids the wrong ideology, when really it's the kids who are not taking the initiative to learn about the subculture. You cannot say you're "positive" if you look for fights and talk about revenge and all that when somebody pisses you off. You JOINED SxE TO BE CLEAN, so buat ape nak tunjuk perangai rempit? If you want to be that way, why not just smoke, drink, and do shit you're meant to restrain from?

The solution to hypocritical Hardliners:

You guys should learn about SxE fully. Simple as that.

Understand that not a lot of people understand or accept the subculture, because it is weird, for it isn't the same as any other subcultures. Don't get pissed off when people say something wrong about SxE, or diss you guys. Just explain, just tell them, show the positivity of the subculture that should be respected.

Otai SxE people of the music scene should ajar betul2 about the ideology. I don't know. Spread blogs, write zines, write lyrics, make music about the ideology. Do what the Punks do. Spread your ideology through your music, but do it the right way. Talk about the positivity. No violence. You guys are basically the hardcore punk version of peace and love.

Kalau kata POSITIVE but tetap nak gaduh, you've got it wrong, kids. If you want to fight, take the X off your hands. Forever. Don't just sometimes be straight edge and sometimes break the rules. You want to be part of something, you have to commit to it and respect the ideology.

-----

Positive and negative don't differ much, they are filled with hypocrites and mistakes. It is the same with every other subculture. We have, unfortunately, a lot of hypocrites within our music scene, but if no one wants to step up to make that change, then that's how it's going to be like forever. They are so involved with themselves and their problems, and are way too impulsive to even think things through. They don't understand what morality is, they don't understand what respect is. They don't understand, most importantly, most sadly, what unity is about.

I don't think music unites anymore.

----------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

Leave our music out of social issues!

2010-01-04T17:56:00.000+08:00

http://www.hmetro.com.my/articles/mj608/Article/

KUALA LUMPUR: Setiap malam Jumaat, seorang remaja Islam mendakwa dia membentuk simbol 666 menggunakan kedua-dua belah jari tangan yang diletakkan di dada sebelum membaca kalimah zikir 'f...g God' 666 kali sambil diiringi muzik black metal.

Sukar dipercayai kenyataannya itu, tetapi itulah hakikatnya kerana menurut remaja terbabit fahaman black metal yang sebelum ini disangka berkubur ternyata meleset kerana ramai di kalangan remaja belasan tahun sepertinya kini 'menganut' ajaran songsang itu dengan melakukan amalan zikir syaitan atau zikir 666 yang dilakukan khas bagi menghina Allah s.w.t.

Mendedahkan perkara itu, remaja lelaki yang hanya mahu dikenali sebagai Syamri, 13, berkata dia menganggotai kumpulan itu sejak sembilan bulan lalu selepas dipengaruhi rakannya.

Menurutnya, amalan bidaah yang diamalkan berkenaan menyebabkan keimanannya kosong serta mengakibatkan dia tidak percaya kepada kewujudan Tuhan.

Dia yang kini menjalani pemulihan akidah dan akhlak di Rumah Iman, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Sahabat Insan Dan Iman Malaysia (Sidim) berkata zikir itu yang diamalkan bukan hanya bertujuan mengeji kewujudan Tuhan, malah bagi mengagungkan syaitan di dalam hati mereka.

"Mungkin ramai yang sukar percaya (zikir keji Tuhan), namun bagi remaja black metal di Perak, Kedah dan Kuala Lumpur, ia bukan perkara asing berikutan ia umpama amalan wajib bagi mendekatkan diri dengan syaitan," katanya dalam pengakuan ketika ditemui wartawan Harian Metro, baru-baru ini.

Dia mendakwa mula 'tersesat jalan' selepas terpengaruh rakan sebaya termasuk teman wanita yang terlebih dulu bergelumang dengan 'ajaran' muzik berkenaan.

"Mulanya saya hanya suka-suka menyertai persembahan 'gig' yang diadakan di sebuah stadium di Ipoh, Perak selain konsert 'jamming' di beberapa studio atau pusat latihan muzik di sekitar Ipoh.

"Kami biasanya membayar antara RM15 hingga RM30 untuk menyertai konsert band black metal berkenaan yang boleh dikatakan dianjurkan setiap minggu termasuk di ibu kota," katanya.

Menurutnya, minat mendalam terhadap muzik keras itu menyebabkan dia kemaruk hampir saban minggu untuk mengunjungi konsert apatah lagi selepas berkawan rapat dengan beberapa ahli kumpulan muzik black metal.

"Saya dipujuk memakai rantai leher dengan lambang salib terbalik, selain lambang bintang tidak ubah seperti simbol bendera zionis sebagai bukti menjadi sebahagian daripada mereka.

"Tidak cukup dengan itu, saya diajar mengamalkan zikir khas yang perlu dilakukan untuk menyucikan hati kononnya Tuhan tidak wujud sebaliknya perlu memuja syaitan," katanya.

Syamri yang insaf menyatakan mengamalkan ajaran zikir khas terbabit yang perlu dilakukan dengan beberapa kaedah tertentu.

"Saya perlu membengkokkan jari bagi membentuk simbol 666 (syaitan) sebelum ia dirapatkan pada dada. Sambil duduk bersila, saya kemudian perlu zikir 'f.....g God' di dalam hati 666 kali.

"Biasanya saya melakukan upacara ini dalam bilik tidur sambil membuka muzik kumpulan Suicide Silent atau Devil Wear Prada.

"Ketika itu hati perlu diletakkan penuh taksub hanya kepada syaitan yang didakwa mampu dijadikan sebagai pelindung," katanya.

Menurutnya, amalan gila ini sedikit demi sedikit menjadikan hatinya menjadi gelap selain mula tidak percaya dengan kewujudan Tuhan.

"Malah, sikap saya menjadi semakin agresif hingga sanggup memaki-hamun ibu bapa sendiri selain memusuhi ustazah di sekolah. Saya menjadi terlalu liar kerana amalan zikir syaitan itu bagaikan meresap sepenuhnya dalam sanubari," katanya.

Syamri dengan suara kesal mendakwa dia benar-benar menjadi sesat dan tidak lagi menganggap dirinya sebagai penganut ajaran Islam.

Menurutnya, pergaulan tidak terkawal menyebabkan dia melarikan diri dari rumah beberapa minggu sebelum ditemui ahli keluarga.

"Akibatnya saya diikat bapa sebelum dikurung tiga hari dalam bilik. Ketika itu saya tidak henti-henti membaca zikir 666 dengan harapan akan mendapat bantuan syaitan.

"Namun, akhirnya saya sedar, zikir karut berkenaan tidak bermakna apa-apa sebaliknya hanya menyebabkan jiwa saya semakin sesat. Zikir itu langsung tidak dapat membantu saya melepaskan diri dari dalam bilik itu. Kesedaran muncul mendadak menyebabkan saya mula berfikir sebelum dihantar keluarga ke rumah sahabat Sidim untuk menjalani rawatan kerohanian dan kembali ke jalan benar," katanya.

---------------------------

My reply (it was rushed and all blerghh because I dah naik angin haha):

Alright, dengar ini. Si Syamri tu seorang individual. Dia sendiri nak pilih jalan macam tu, biarlah dia buat, tapi jangan kata tu influence Black Metal. Kami semua ade hak dengar muzik2 dari semua genre, termasuk Black Metal. Banyak yang dengar black metal tetap hormat Allah, Jesus, Buddha, semua. Banyak yang dengar black metal and pergi gig metal pun ade sembahyang, tak f*ck God, tak cakap benda mcm tu. Sebab? Kitorang dengar muzik untuk enjoy, untuk jadi manusia biasa. Takkan saja sbb Tuhan, kitorang tak dapat ada hobby2 mcm dengar music? Kawan2 I semua ahli2 kumpulan black metal, tapi diaorang semua baik hati, pandai dan matang. Diaorang tak campur muzik dengan agama, muzik tu muzik, agama tu agama. Jangan salahkan musik kitorang kalau budak2 dari zaman ni dah tak hormat agama. Tu hal diaorang, bukan muzik. Bukan semua ikut cara si Syamri tu.

-----

So are they trying to say us as kids are not allowed to have our own freedom to listen to whatever genre we want? If that Syamri guy wants to fuck god after listening to Black Metal, he's the sad one. Many people who listen to metal or any other genres are still religious and respect god. It is a personal, subjective thing to believe in religion and god. There is no way one can blame music for influencing that path, unless the listeners are manic for the bands and perceive the messages that way. That is entirely up to the individuals. What the hell.

Dear Metro, if gigs start getting difficult to organize, I will burn your newspapers. (matter of speech)

It's bloody stupid that they are trying to blame our music scene for the immature lack of religious kids. Unbelievably stupid. Why are people starting to mix everything with music, why do people blame music for everything?

Racism starts appearing in music, if a kid fails in studies, it's the music, if someone is jobless, takes drugs, they're a musician, if people are not religious, they're musicians. What bullshit is this?

Leave us alone, we have our right to have our hobbies and passion to pursue and save our music scene, don't start interfering with all these unnecessary and false acclaims.

--------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

Music scene or Hypocrite scene?

2010-01-01T15:15:00.000+08:00

I am so disappointed.

I am so disappointed up to the point where I can't even TALK, I am that disappointed.

I can't believe that I could actually be so frustrated with the music scene until I feel like forcing it into a human body and slapping it.

Seriously. I have never actually EVER been this gutted by such CRAP we sometimes have around our music scene, consisting of people wasting more time shouting 'fuck you' about bands and on the other hand complaining about how the music scene is never equal or unified.

Bullfuckingshit, who caused that?

All the bloody peminat muzik. Korang nak tahu kenape our music scene is always fighting with each other because of genre, or subculture or bands or race or anything of that sort?

It's because of the giggers.

You guys.

Us.

The crowd of the music scene here, is the biggest moving body of hypocrites I have ever seen in my life. Let me let you in on a little story. It'll be like a little visual story, so watch carefully.

Peminat band A = PA Band A = A

Peminat band B = PB Band B = B

Bands : A B

Crowd: PB PA PA PB PA PB PB

PA PB PA PB PA PA

PB PA PA

PB PA PB PB PA

What do you see there? Fans from both band A and band B, campur2 masuk crowd. This is unity. The true unity, that have the fans of B near to band A and fans of A near to band B. If people don't like the music, like the PB at the far right, it's because they purely don't like the music. Bukan sebab vocalist buruk, atau guitarist sombong, or the band pernah buat hal with another band. Diaorang tak suka band tu saja sebab tak suka style music dorang. Itu la cara. That's acceptable. The fans of A and B mix together, they don't discriminate or judge.

This is how an ideal music scene should be like. You get those who love their bands but they mix together and accept other bands.

So, at first, I always believed the KL music scene could achieve this. It was true for a while, you'd get metal kids coming down to indie gigs, and vice versa, and gigs in KL tended to be very mixed up with genres, especially during the Meet Uncle Hussain/Bittersweet/Couple rise end of 2008 to mid 2009.

Then you get a gossip. Band A's vocalist sucks, he's so arrogant, he's cocky, he's homophobic.

Next thing you know:

Bands : A B

Crowd: PA PA PB PB PB PB PB

PA PB PB PB

PB PB PB

See the change?

All because a trend to start hating a band comes around, suddenly everybody who once claimed to be 'PA', stop being fans of that band. They all of a sudden can go from loving their songs, singing their songs everyday in the shower... to hating them and dissing them with their friends; though they still secretly sing their songs in the showers.

The people who always say they hate A, they seem to know all the lyrics to all their songs.

So why hate them? Following the trend. Because their friend doesn't like them. Because it's fun watching them sink. We always want unity but we let a band sink because of conflict.

Seriously, why? What do you guys want?

Then A becomes well missed by everybody and poof! They're well loved again.

But no, it's not good enough for the music listeners to live with merely a happy-go-lucky scene with good music. They want to be part of the bands' businesses. They want to be the bands' best friends.

So one day, A tells B something, jokingly. B takes it the wrong way, and got offended. Like... really offended. They were so offended they decided to tell it to a minor public, and the minor public so happens to be all the giggers (we are society's minority).

So.

This is what happens, and this is what fucking.pisses.me.off.

Bands : A B

Crowd: PA PA PA PB PB PB

PA PA PB PB PB PB

PA PA PA PB

PA PA PB PB

KNOCK KNOCK, HELLO? Where the fuck has the unity gone to? And why is it gone? Why is it gone?

Is it gone because the PBs don't like A's music?

NO.

Is it gone because the PAs don't like B's music?

NO.

Then why? Well it's gone because the fans of B, who always talk about peace and harmony within the scene keeps saying "fuck A!", "Boycott A!", "we will help you fight with A!".

Okay guys, here's how I'm going to lay it down simple for you guys.

A) It's none of your fucking business.

B) You don't know what happened between the two bands.

C) The bands are OLDER and more MATURE than you guys. They don't need your skinny asses protecting them. If they're really good bands, if they're really professional, tak payah sampai nak bermusuh, nak bergaduh.

D) You guys are throwing away the unity with other people, some may be friends, just because they listen to the other band. The 'enemy' band. You guys don't like that band only because they don't get along well with your favourite band. Not because you don't like the music. You like the music, but you still say "Fuck that band!"

Last thing: Do you guys realize, by doing that, you don't look any better? You don't make your favourite band look better either? In fact, you guys make it look like band A and band B, and all their crowd are a bunch of immature attention-seekers, who purposely nak cari pasal, and sorry guys, but instead of helping your favourite band by hating the other band, you actually get people to lose respect for your fav band.

Get it?

You probably don't. You guys are too busy commenting on blogs or band pages putting your ass into shit that ain't your own.

---------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

New Members = New Sound?

2009-12-29T10:36:00.000+08:00

It has been a time of the year when new bands have exploded up like popping daisies and also the time of the year where you hear "This band's changed singer" or "that band has a new guitarist".

But then you also hear two arguments that contradict each other so much, you wonder which one is the right one, and realize the bands actually do have a lot of pressure in decision making when coming to having new members.

Argument number one: They sound so different now, they aren't even the same band anymore!

Argument number two: The new vocalist sounds exactly like the old one: copycat!

But hey, some people change sounds, yet still sound good, like Butterfingers with "Kembali" and even Seven Collar's new album "The Great Escape". What's the magic to that?

Well:

a) Experience - If you guys don't have enough years of experience to give yourselves time to explore a range of music or have around you a solid fanbase to fall upon... Don't dare to change your style.

b) Keep the 'old you' - There's one thing about changing musical style, but there's another to be completely different until the point where you might as well change your band name altogether, you know? For example, there has to be a distinctive vocals for example such as like Seven Collar, or distinctive constant insertions of inspiration (with Butterfingers, it was very much the Malaysian culture). So when you change the genre, or the sound of your band, some part of your band remains the same. That is a key you can't teach, it's just part of being in a good band. :)

Some people diss bands who change their sounds, and it's not always because they sound bad. Fans sometimes just cannot accept when bands change their sounds to something different, which arguably, can be understood. A note to new bands: If you haven't released a full album and gigged enough places, DON'T think about changing your sounds if your fans love you.

Then there's argument two, when bands find replacements for those who leave (mainly a problem with vocalists) and the sound remains scarily the same.

Example: Meet Uncle Hussain.

Heard their new stuff? It's great. But it was obvious that some people would have problems with the AF dude and Black for sounding too alike Lan. "Copycats, lah", some say. "Not as good as Lan", others laugh.

However, guys, try taking a look from this point. How many people loved Meet Uncle Hussain because of the vocals when singing Lalala Kerjalah? Everyone. So would you guys rather Meet Uncle Hussain get a new vocalist who sings Lalala in a totally different tone or a new vocalist yang boleh buat sama dengan Lan? Of course people would want the latter. I know I would.

So why complain?

Take a look at Bittersweet, for example. They changed vocalist (and almost everybody else!) and started producing new sounds, not the Brit-rock inspired tunes like Capital E. Did people love it? No. Were the fans confused, and asking "Where did Bittersweet" go? Yes.

So think for yourselves and judge bands properly for the music they play, not as to who does it, or what style. If it's good, it's good, if it's shit, well... we can see the consequences.

-------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

The Music's Forgotten

2009-12-17T01:25:00.000+08:00

Okay, so, I've spent about a day thinking on whether I should post this up or not.

I guess you guys know what my decision was.

What this is about? Well, as the title is pretty self explanatory, I'll just skip the introduction and go into the details. Why are people starting to place preaching about subcultures and lifestyles before the music itself?

The music is where all these subcultures came from. But now people are placing the subcultures before the music. Ape benda tu, bhai? They pay so much attention to projecting their lifestyles and their outward behaviours that in turn, they're hiding their music away from the world because everyone are either annoyed or intimidated by them and are spreading word that these guys are not worth the listen.

Story?

Nazi Punks want to spread their lifestyle by getting more melayus to join them in the 'pure malays only' concept. Okay, other than the fact that they are living inside the stupid narrow-minded world of their own, and stopping other influences to broaden their music spectrum, let's stop and take a look at what you smartasses are actually doing.

Let's break it down and go step by step:

You guys want people to hear your music. Kan?

You guys want punk to live on. Kan?

But if you only allow your OWN Nazi Punkers to layan your music

- because your behaviour doesn't let any other subculture nak layan -

how the hell do you expect your music to be heard?

So in the end, whatever you guys are doing to create a scene, terpulang balik kat you, bros.

Oh sorry, I bukan your type, can't panggil korang bro. Lupa. Seriously, can you believe this kind of thing? You want music to live on, and you think music can keep living on, with you guys hiding away your own music? Come on lah, buka la minda.

Outro:

I'm going to name the Nazi punk bands because I believe their music is still music, and if people who aren't part of their group stumble upon their music, they too have the right to listen, so I won't post the band names up just to tell people NOT to listen, but I'm posting the bands up so everyone can have a listen.

http://www.myspace.com/spiderwar

http://www.myspace.com/brownattack

http://www.myspace.com/baldsyndicate

http://www.myspace.com/bloodybootsband

http://www.myspace.com/hujanacid

http://www.myspace.com/virusattackchaos

http://www.myspace.com/therevival98

http://www.myspace.com/jalanandistro

Listen to them, and show them what the universals of music is all about. You don't need to be a Nazi Punk to like their music.

No Dogs Body - http://www.myspace.com/nodogsbodyndb

Verbal Chaos - http://www.myspace.com/makihamon

Vixxen - http://www.myspace.com/vixxenkl

Steel Crescent - http://www.myspace.com/steelcrescent88

Revolt - http://www.myspace.com/therevolter

Huru Hara records - http://www.myspace.com/huruhararecords

Vetis - http://www.myspace.com/vetis88

Bintang Batu - http://www.myspace.com/bintangbatu

The Afflicts - http://www.myspace.com/theafflicts

Generation '92 - http://www.myspace.com/streetrockskin8

al azazhil - http://www.myspace.com/alazazhil

NSDM - http://www.myspace.com/448321025

Malay Power botherhood - http://www.myspace.com/malayanbrotherhood

JBH - http://www.myspace.com/399375788

http://www.myspace.com/spazzticcaoS

The Overdose - http://www.myspace.com/overdoseriot

Backlash - http://www.myspace.com/backlashattack

If you guys want to beat me up, it'll just go to show how extremely immature you guys are. I'm doing you a favour. Just criticizing you along the way. Nothing personal.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

The Theory of Conflict

2009-11-11T15:11:00.000+08:00

It's a funny little thing; conflict.

No matter how many excuses people come up with to fight with each other and shit like that, it still comes down to one thing: ignorance.

Come, come, let me share you a tale I've been conjuring up inside me for quite a while. If I get slaughtered after this, well, I die proud. HAHA.

Let me begin: The Nazi Punk Theory

So. You get Nazis all over the world now, not just Hitler's time. Sadly. So it roughly goes along the theory of 'pure-bloods' and only the best should be able to reside in their country. Example, only Russian purebloods can reside in Russia, only Malays can reside in Malaysia and only White Americans should reside in America. Yeah you get the point. It's like how Hitler thought only White Germans were allowed lah, kan?

I was just thinking then. If they succeeded in washing away the rest of the humans off the planet, and they had their country to themselves, what if the lack of humanity makes it a necessity to conjoin all the countries to make one big country as a whole? Which blood will be the purest for that country?

Or have you guys never thought that it's pretty hypocritical, that all of you are wearing the swastika on your jackets and hating other races when you have other races wearing the swastika as well? LOL!

So you're all part of this lifestyle that basically doesn't exist because it cannot be shared amongst other countries as a whole, because you guys only believe in your own type. That's my theory. So good luck with your work... and well, see you in hell. :)

Conflict in general

I find it a waste that we have all these different subcultures and lifestyles and ways of living, that makes everybody want to be different to be everyone else, and feel that it is a need to dislike other people who don't share your same views. Looking at it from a point of someone who's not part of any group in general, and is friends with people from conflicting group, it's a real pity.

People say music unites, and everybody who loves music is one big family.

Then we get people who diss other people's taste in music

or diss their clothing

or diss their way of life

and I go; what the hell?

There's so many loops to the things people say, how do we know what's true and what's right, if so many hypocrites are still standing screwing up the music scene?

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Stay out of the gig if you like fighting.

2009-11-01T13:41:00.000+08:00

SUMPAH BODOH SIAL. I am so fucking disappointed in the crowd right now. So disappointed. It's bad enough that we get a lot of annoying and rude kids in our scenes who have no respect for each other and the bands, but this time, things really ticked a nerve in me.

a) It is a complete disrespect to the music lovers and to the bands by just ditching a gig and ditching the music you came for in the first place to put your noses into people's businesses. To layan people who aren't even worth layan-ing. If people want to start a fight, if people want to cause trouble, you're not better than them by making it worse by joining in.

If people just learnt to ignore those trouble makers, then the gigs would go on, they would eventually just leave because they're bored, and can't pick a fight. Why must you guys sebuk2 go and join the anger? Join the nonsense?

Okay, readers, some of you are probably confused. Let me just set the story out straight. Two skinhead posers (I am going to talk about this in point b) came to a gig I went to this weekend, and they broke up the whole crowd to just make space for themselves. They showed us the middle fingers, they shoved us around. Then when the giggers decided 'lantak ar' and moshed, one of them accidentally kicked one asshole's face.

So what happens? They want to start a fight, because they're too damn pussy to just understand that these things happen in a moshpit. SO they start blaming every guy for kicking them, and then the next thing you know, everyone goes out. Leaves the gig. To watch the fight.

Look. Situation collision course: they want to fight. You watch the fight. This makes them feel cool. SO? The fight won't stop bodoh. Then the people watching say "jangan la!"

Well kalau korang tak nak diaorang gaduh.... don't watch in the first fucking place! -_- If everybody just stays in and IGNORES the idiots... sudah. Problem solved.

Which takes me to point b

b) A message to those two botaks a.k.a assholes... you guys totally trashed the meaning of skinhead subculture. You guys think by doing what you did, that's true 'skinhead behavior' ke? Suck me, man. So not true. A real skinhead won't go into a gig that isn't even a gig they enjoy. Lagipun skinhead minat punk, what the fuck were you guys doing in a metal gig? Saje je nak cari pasal kan?

What did we ever to do you guys? A real skinhead won't pick fights for no reason, because they don't have to prove that they're aggressive. Skinheads are known to be aggressive, they don't have to pick on random people over a SMALL pathetic, loser-ish reason like "kena tendang in the chin". Lagipun that kick wasn't even on purpose. It was a stupid accident.

You think by doing that, you seem macho? You seem aggressive? You seem hot and strong? My ass, lah. That just makes you guys:

- pussies

- kids

- and ouch! I know it hurts.... NOT a skinhead :D

So two messages for the giggers out there.

Next time there's a fight, don't fucking encourage it. Just ignore it. Just let the idiots have their fun and pretend they're not there. Don't tell me you guys suka ke, tengok your own friends and stuff get hurt by creeps like them? Tak kan? So? Stay out.

Second message?

Next time you guys decide to be part of a subculture, shave your heads and wear leather boots... actually KNOW what it is all about. KNOW the history of the subculture. KNOW what you're like.

Skinheads does not mean REMPIT. Okay? Tu benda lain. So learn your facts, dumbshits.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

"I have to see that band..."

2009-10-23T03:07:00.000+08:00

"..... even though I don't know them!"

or those people that say:

"I love that band! I love that song __________!"

Oh wow, loving a song that's currently playing on the radio ten times a day makes you SUCH a fan, man...

-_- Bapak xcool doh.

What triggered me?

THE BUZZCOCKS ARE COMING TO MALAYSIA!!!!!

WOOHOOOOOOO!!!

Okay, but how did that make me get all pissy and annoyed? I don't know really, but you know me by now, I find faults in everything. I'm like the mother of the music scene that never gives it credit, just criticizing non-stop.

Well, like any mothers, I just want what's best for them.... LOL. Mengarut je.

Enough crapping. Okay. So the Buzzcocks are coming, there's going to be a huge uproar, everyone's going to love it, loads of people are going to go... but out of the 'loads of people', how many would actually know enough about the Buzzcocks?

How many are actually familiar with the fact that they were the leaders during the Joy Division new wave period. Sidekicking with them were The Drones, Warsaw (pre-J.Division)... the places that stunk of punk and sex and music spots like Electric Circus.

Damn, I wished I lived through those times. But back on the subject, I just get very frustrated when people say the LOVEEEE a particular band, when they don't even know the roots, the base, and some people, even the goddamn music.

So I'm just hoping that everybody who's going to roar and thump their fists into the air singing along to "Ever Fallen In Love" and "Orgasm Addict" are really passionate with it, not just because they want to say "Yeah I've seen Buzzcocks, I love them soooooo much" (when really you don't).

And this applies to every single gig.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Goodbye subcultures, hello fakecultures.

2009-10-11T23:26:00.000+08:00

Geram doh.

I think if I ever get to rule my own universe, I will make everybody naked. I won't invent clothes. I People will have to go moshing and to gigs without clothes. Maybe then, they won't find things to laugh and insult, or try to show off.

So we're at the point where we have a lot of sprouting genres, some that don't even make sense, some that sounds the same as another but a twang of the guitar makes it different. This also means we're at the peak of where all the old, forgotten subcultures, are mushed with new, or resurrected to life. We look around gigs and perhaps we can see at least 5 different kinds of 'goth's, 3 different kinds of 'nu wave', and then you get the hip-hoppers, and whatnot. What happened to humans?

Straight Edge

What is with the sudden uprise about this long discovered genre? It's kind of funny for the Malaysian giggers trying so hard to be this, when the majority of them smoke like a chimney and can't live without meat, have hidden sex parties around town. LOL. Enough said.

EMO

It's a genre, not a style.

Terima kasih.

...

Even simple ones like hardcore genre and gigs, you find people who try to so hard to fit into the particular genre, to stand out, that you completely forget about the one important thing; the music. It is like they are selling the names of bands to prove their knowledge, and they hardly even listen to the band itself. It is like people are starting to put across this image of a huge music fan, just to gain some status. Come on guys, are you serious?

Worst thing is, you'd start dissing others about their subculture, and whatnot. You guys diss the people who actually, truly follow a subculture, like memang kaw2 pakai pakaian thats 100% and listen to music 100% that influences their subculture. Tapi they are the ones that kena dissed. Just because they are brave enough to go to the ultimate extremes? Uh, not cool.

At least they're living it real, not like you fakecultural people who SAY you're something, but just do it half-heartedly with intentions for attention.

----------------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

No Lovers Allowed

2009-10-04T19:13:00.000+08:00

Okay, this is a serious issue, despite the pretty erm.. 'humorous' title.

There's a certain obligation and compromise when you become part of a band. You have to divide yourself into two sections - Personal life and band life. You can't have people interfering with your dreams, nor can you have some lover/wife/boyfriend who is supposed to understand and adapt to the life of a rockstar in the first place, to tell you what to do with your band.

Unless, of course, it is good criticism that advices the band to strive.

This weekend, I hear of a band that recently had to switch members due to some wife's attitude. That is just absolutely unacceptable. The band's had a strong, tight line-up, not to say friendship, for about five years, and just because the wife of the vocalist had issues with jealousy and incapability to accept the band members and their lovers, (see what I mean by not letting 'personal life' kacau?), she tells the vocalist to kick out the guitarist and the drummer.

Okay, that's not the stupid part.

The stupid part is that he listened.

And who's playing the guitar now? Some kid who doesn't even know how to tune his guitar right and play the solos that once conquered the songs.

Piss off, I'm pissed off about this.

To musicians' girlfriends/wives/boyfriends/husbands/mistresses, etc:-

Look. You wanted to be with them because of who they are. So there's a compromise. There's a certain freedom a musician possesses that you have to accept the moment you hold their hand. You can't own them. You have to accept this. And their band actions should not have anything to do with you. If you have a problem with any of their bandmates, you just have to swallow it. That's what a supportive lover is. Not someone who tells your husband to kick out the drummer because you fell out with his girlfriend. Babi betul.

Musicians have a wild soul, they mingle, they socialize, they mix. They get famous, and people (both guys and girls) will swarm up on them. You can't even THINK about being jealous in this situation. If you want a guy who listens to everything you say and stay at home, marry a god damn business man. And even with them, you can't own them. So imagine a free-willed musician.

To the musicians with controlling lovers:-

You can let them control you on your TV programs, on the food you eat and the things you do, but never ever let them near your music life. You start a band, you love the band, you live the band. You don't suddenly give control of your band-making decisions to your wife/husband. That's just wrong. If they really are good lovers, they would want the best for you and want you to succeed. They wouldn't kick out GOOD musicians and replace them with background faces because they have stupid personal issues, that are half the time immature anyway.

If they can't accept that you have to have this part of freedom with you the rest of your life, I'm sorry man, you're going to be taking care of kids at home, cooking dinner for wifey in no time. If they respect you, they'd compromise, not hold your ball-sacks and expect you to obey.

Band name disclosed, by the way, I'm not a tell-tale. :)

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Welcome the ones we know, sudah!

2009-10-04T01:57:00.001+08:00

Mind the lame sarcasm of the post title, and let's get down to the real point I'm trying to make here.

Again, I went to a gig recently, and there's something I've realized about the music-followers of our country. It applies to their reaction to bands, styles of playing and people in general.

They just think it's enough to accept what they already know, and don't even bother to appreciate the new things. I'm not saying this applies to everybody, but when you attend a heavy metal gig, there are just so many faults to pinpoint on. And isn't that what I love doing, anyway?

New bands or new-sounding bands:

People go to gigs to support the bands they like, I get that, because I do it, too.

But why do they have to be so cold towards bands they haven't heard of or just don't really listen to? The crowd gets a little quieter, the people turn their backs and walk away from a band that's sweating their butt off to make a show work and to play for them. Where the hell is the respect dude? Worst thing, they start cursing and insulting the bands. If you don't fucking like the band or if you can't wait for the band you're looking forward to, keep it to yourself and shut the hell up. Everybody goes to gigs to play music, and if you memang seorang peminat muzik, you won't bloody disrespect people making music. At least they are doing something - what do you have to say about yourself?

A different genre thrown into a set genre-d gig:

This is so unbelievably obvious in heavy metal/hardcore gigs. SO obvious.

You get bands who play hardcore and hell, people adore it. Then a band comes on, and they play this fantastic piece of acoustic guitar solo, and everybody just gets bored.

Take Black Territory for example. During their album launching, they played this absolutely heartfelt tune, but we hear people talking and walking away, and giving polite, SOFT claps...

Look, this doesn't show you guys are metalheads or fucking hardcore. This just shows you guys no NOTHING about the magic and the passion and the chemistry of friggin' metal music.

Metal isn't just about screaming about hate and death and whatnot. Metal's about the works of the guitars, the passion put into the pieces played out, the unbelievable talent it takes for someone to move their fingers across the body of the guitar to release some absolutely wild tunes.

You find all heavy metal bands are bound to have some soft tunes at some point. It's like... a tradition. If you can't accept that shit, you're no metalhead, and you definitely don't appreciate music, if you can't even appreciate a genius work played live for you.

Cliques and discrimination:

You see a person who's dressed a little different, mixes with a different group to yours, and what's your first reaction?

Normally, I would shove it off, tick it unimportant. But NO, that's not the case with some people. They go to gigs and stare and laugh at other people, not even bothering about making new friends. They think they know it all, they're all that. But hey, if you really are that respectable and 'great', you would have the decency and integrity to actually know what's the real meaning of socializing. It's not just about putting on some image and pretending you're that cool.

It's time these habits stop, it's time we open up our arms to more than what we know. This is probably one of the reasons why our music scene can never strive. If no one's interested in what's out there, if no one's willing to accept new things, how the hell do you expect us to break through this barrier of obnoxious, self-indulgent people?

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Expect the Unexpected

2009-09-10T19:34:00.000+08:00

Yes, guess who's back? Me.

Lots of things to talk about, most about music but not much really that triggers the mind of KL Mosher. However, there are so many things one can expect in the music world but definitely the one main thing one should always be prepared for is... Unexpected things.

In the music world, you gotta be prepared for any sudden turn, change, a sudden wrong decision, a failure that you never saw coming, a surprise. You have to keep your hopes high, and low as well. Pening lah, kononnya.

Anyway, I'm just talking about that, because for the past few months I terhilang to England and France, I noticed and realized and found out a lot of things that quite honestly surprised me (in good and bad ways).

i) The Malaysian crowd gempak! compared to UK crowds! We can seriously fight! :) That's the good surprise. For the first time, I tak ada benda to complain about the KL scene. Hahaaaa, tau lah, I surrender. But hey, this is really something that blew me away. I headed to the Sonisphere Heavy Metal Fest at Knebworth, UK (Led Zeppelin pernah main di sana, so it's heavenground!)... I caught awesome bands like Metallica, Nine Inch Nails (their last tour), Lamb of God... the list goes on. But that's not my point. What my point is: the crowds were.... Crazy, YES, but hell, I'm sure if you threw in a bunch of Malaysian giggers into the crowd, it would've been chaotic.

Somehow, they were WHACK, but there was no real "WOARRGHHH!!!!" to their moshing and energy. Something was missing. I don't know. Maybe I've been too used to the rawness of us Malaysians that I can't fit well with the polished English. Not saying they are a bad crowd, but I think the English and Malaysian scene would mix very well together.

ii) Meet Uncle Hussain's breaking-up. I hampir kena heart attack when I was told about it. I was lost to England, the last song I downloaded from them was "Putihnya Lukisan", and I had that vibe of them being the band that would last forever. I expected them to last longer than bands like The Times, Hujan, Couple... I don't know.

They were never a band that was IN the spotlight. They were loved, yes, they were adored, yes, they brought the roof down when they performed, yes, but they were very subtle and never had those controversy and gossip piercing at them. They weren't rockstars. They were musicians. True, pure musicians. That's why I felt such a strong vibe from them, a sort of genuineness in the band. I was doting on them to last for ages. Tapi.

Sigh. A sad loss for the music scene.

iii) Hujan's new song Mencari Konklusi, sedikit disappointing for me. I feel like they are not the whole Rantai Rasa Cinta band anymore... I hope their new album can still connect with me the way the first one did. Looking forward to buying it. But the style in Mencari Konklusi was slightly surprising, everyone's been saying how Hujan's sound is unique and will never change, but... it has.

It's changed. Even his voice is a little different now, and to be quite honest, I don't care how many people used to say "I fucking hate his voice it sounds so dull"... I loved it.

Well, what can I say, moments that come and go, a tap on your shoulder and a BOO in your face... everything in the music scene is just like that. Just keep your eyes open and minds wide, and you have newer bands to look forward to and gigs after puasa. :)

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With Love,

KL Mosher

No one knows what MOSH is all about

2009-06-07T22:47:00.000+08:00

Alright, this is not about judging nor misinterpreting, I am just venting. So I don't really give a flying fart about whoever who wishes to point a finger at my blog or me (if you know me in person) to go "Hey, this chick knows nothing about moshing" because I can dare to claim that yes, I downright fucking know what a mosh is all about, and yes, I am right and you are wrong, and yes, I am a going to be stark stubborn about this naked truth because I am not the only who look at the way mosh has mutated nowadays, just like gothic music, just like emo music, just like indie, punk and all that, into some sort of a statement.

And it's fucking grossing me out.

There is no such thing as 'indie moshing', no such thing as 'hardcore moshing', no such thing, because only one bloody mosh exists. Just moshing.

Since the stone ages, since the time someone first knew how to bash the drum kit, since the time someone first decided to let oneself go to the sound of music, since before genres split, since before rock split, when rock was just rock, not post-rock, hard rock, classic rock, since before metal was metal, not death metal, heavy metal, trash metal, there has always been just one form of expression for the crowds in a mosh pit.

But now. You look at a gig, especially a hardcore gig, and see... I don't know, some sort of thing which they call "Hardcore moshing". Fuck that. All I see, is a bunch of posers deciding to form a sort of choreographed dance for hardcore listeners to replace moshing with. All I see is a sudden seizure on the shoulder to cause a flailing of a windmill arm, all I see is people acting out moves they see in kungfu films, all I see is a bunch of kids with penis cramps trying to get rid of the pain by swinging their legs in circular motions, all I see is people getting forcefully hurt, all I see is a bunch of kids believing what they do is cool, all I see is a bunch of kids separating the crowd to show off their actions, all I see is a bunch of kids wanting fucking attention.

That is all I see. And moshing is NOT about that.

Let me put it through clearly and simply. Moshing. Is.

Freedom.

Moshing is movement to the music. Moshing is not choreography; you can head to So You Think You Can Dance for that. Moshing is not a dance; you can't learn it, you don't follow people to do it, you don't have moves, you aren't taught moshing.

Moshing is you, you are moshing, you are moving to the music, you are trashing around with the music because you want to vent and you are moving around to the music, because you love the feeling of freedom and you love the feeling of music pumping through your veins.

That is moshing.

Moshing is not getting into the crowd with a group of friends and separating the crowd to create one big circle for you to show your moves in, because moshing isn't about showing off, you can do that in front of Maybank in Bukit Bintang with the shufflers.

Someone told me "Well, people are meant to get hurt in a mosh pit."

Yes, I know that. But what they are doing now, these hardcore moshers, are PURPOSELY kicking people, purposely punching people, purposely trashing people. Moshing isn't just about getting hurt, numbfucks. There used to be atime when real moshing was evident, where someone would get punched in the eye and know it wasn't intentional. Because they got elbowed in the ribs when someone else got in the way, because they too, were feeling the music, because when someone got hurt in a mosh, it wasn't planned. It just happened. There was a time when everyone had a chance to mosh, but now it's not the same, now, if you can't do what they do, if you can't spaz yourself the way they do, then you're not a mosher. What the shit is that?

Hardcore moshers intend to hurt people. They intend to get hurt. That is what fucking pisses me off. Then when they get kicked in the ass, they show some sort of bravery going "Oh I am so cool, I got trashed and I am still okay". DUUDE! Get a fucking life!

Yes, moshing is violent, but it's not intentional violence. You push around, you let your body go, you headbang, you go wild, but in a true mosh, you don't kick, you don't punch, you don't do any sort of shit with the intent to hurt.

Moshing is freedom, moshing is happiness.

Why are people starting to split that too into groups and regulations?

There should never be rules to moshing. Yes, one can argue "So why can't we do what we do?"

Well that's because what you do isn't freedom, what you do is what you observe and learn and is taught to do. What you do isn't following the music, what you do is following a trend.

Hardcore moshing is exactly one of those things that ruin the unity we seek in music scenes.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Does it matter?

2009-05-22T17:41:00.000+08:00

Does dressing up matter whatsoever in the music scene?

Is it supposed to?

Well, in certain perspectives, I believe that I have to myself admit that dresscode plays an important role to defining a band and recognizing certain genres.

For example; Bittersweet and their forever smart dress-ups.

Take Komplot with their vests and hat.

Going far back, even The Beatles had their own suit and tie dressing along with the bob-hair that made them stand out from the rest.

Yes, fashion, in a way, does set its ground rules in the music scene, and of course has to be respected. But I am starting to be quite concerned with the way some people start judging and insulting people by the way they dress.

Just last week, I attended an event that was held at Bentley's Auditorium; a well elegant and sophisticated hall, carpeted and dimmed to fit a very hotel-like atmosphere. So, I walk in with a scarf around my head and the usual skinny jeans, T-shirt and converse.

And then I was bombarded with:

"Eh, sini tak de mosh la, balik rumah la."

Dude, just a few things you might want to realize -

Sure, I may be dressed a little more rocked up for an event like this, but that doesn't determine that I was some person who was about to throw myself in a mosh.

Secondly, my dressing might not match the event, but at least my attitude did; what do you have to say about yours?

Yelling at somebody to 'go home' isn't exactly the kind of behavior you're meant to have at a place like that?

I could easily have said "Looks like you're the one who needs to go home, not me."

Seriously, he was both rude and hypocritical.

And also, this showed me that if one guy had that mentality, then surely so do a lot more others.

Is appearance really that amusing to pick and be used to judge people? He himself was dressed proper and well, but did he even possess the personality of a well and proper guy? NO.

So?

What I'm trying to accentuate is that you can walk into a hardcore gig wearing a skirt and still be a rocker at heart if you suddenly start headbanging and singing along to every word from Love Me Butch's songs.

You can walk into a moshpit wearing studs and chains and look like you're about to kill someone and be a total wimp when somebody knocks you in the head and you go "OWWWWWWWW... that hurttttttttttttt."

So no one has the right to judge what kind of person you are based on what you wear or how you look.

A music lover is a music lover. If you go to an event, and enjoy the right way, the way expected, the way you should, who the shit gives a flying fart if you decide to go in your boxers huh?

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Fakes and Originals

2009-05-02T02:23:00.001+08:00

I was browsing through the band pages on Myspace when I came across photos from The Times' merchandise photo album (www.myspace.com/timesmovement), and saw that they had uploaded a picture of a guy wearing a fake pasar malam The Times Tshirt.

Of course, we've seen loads for other bands like Meet Uncle Hussain and Hujan.

Now. A lot of people are of course against the whole pirated merchandise/CD, etc etc, but hey doesn't that make us all a liiittle bit hypocritical? I mean, how many of us can actually say "Yeah I've never owned a pirated CD of an indie band or downloaded FREE MP3s off the net?"

No one, man.

And I was thinking about this point, and decided that what's most important is the passion and genuine love for the music being produced by the band - regardless of how you get their music and what merchandise you wear.

For example, it is pretty difficult to actually get hold of an original merchandise of most bands in Malaysia because we are so widespread that some merch are in Ipoh and some are in JB and some are in KL, so people from other parts just cannot get hold of the clothes.

So wouldn't it be unfair if a major fan of The Times was to buy the fake shirt purely because he wants to have something that reminded him of the band and someone turns to him and say "Hey you, you're not a fan, you're buying pirated things, you're not supporting them."

But he's one of those huge fans that manages to go to many of the band's shows and gigs. Isn't that unfair?

What I really am trying to say is, we can have our own opinions on whether we wish to buy originals or fakes, but we shouldn't judge people by what they wear or how they get their music.

If people buy fakes and aren't major fans of the band, then yeah, lame. Hey if they buy the ORIGINAL and aren't fans, that's also lamer.

So you see, it doesn't really matter because what label you buy and what clothes you wear doesn't determine how much of a rocker you are.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Dissing bands on the bands's pages

2009-04-17T20:39:00.000+08:00

I'm back to attack, and this time it's a quick one.

You know how in every single video on Youtube, you're always bound to find at least SOME sort of war going on between the ones who like the subjects of the videos, and those who find reasons to hate it?

Yeah well, it's happening around our music scene, and to be quite honest, it's not exactly the most mature thing to catch on to.

Today, I was trying to find a clearer version of "Putihnya Lukisan" by Meet Uncle Hussain sebab my version is slightly cacat-ed, but what I came across were comments 'fucking' MUH, and saying how they suck shit and all that stuff.

I'm pretty much used to the whole idea of that going on by now, I mean, everybody has their least favourite bands, of course... but may I ask WHY someone would purposely:

-Take the trouble to go and SEARCH for Meet Uncle Hussain

-On a fairly unknown search engine

-... JUST to say they hate the band?

Honestly, ape point?

Are people actually that sad to waste their time looking up bands they don't like? Instead of sharing the love they have for other bands? If you don't like Meet Uncle Hussain, keep it to yourself, or talk amongst friends and other haters. There is no need to purposely grind down a band for your own pleasures, when the band really isn't doing anything to you.

Selfish gila. And not to mention, you look so immature and childish, and no respect actually goes to you. We want our scene to go forward, to be bigger, greater, but with people like you guys filling the crowds? What are we supposed to expect? You want people to respect us, show respect to others. It all starts from that. It's simple.

When fans look for videos or MP3s or lyrics by their favourite artists, they really don't give a flying fart about how much you hate that artist. They're there because they are real music-lovers, searching for tunes they enjoy, and aren't ready to spend hours crapping about a band they dislike.

Learn from that.

---------------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

Korn will say you're "Hypocrites!"

2009-03-26T16:35:00.000+08:00

Sunburst burned through everybody's bodies, leaving memories and even physical marks that the event did come and go. With superb performances by both international and local acts, there was nothing we could complain about, except perhaps the lack of food choices and stolen items.

But I am not myself if I don't find something to complain about, kan? You know. KL Mosher, the ranter. I keep disappearing for vast amounts of time, and I apologize, but things have been pretty hectic around here. Exams, semua.

You know.

So. What with the title? Okay, I admit, I was showing the lame side of me by using Korn's song title 'hypocrites' merely because they performed at Sunburst. But this post doesn't have to do much with them at all, to be quite honest. About Sunburst, saja. And of course, how it links to everywhere else.

Hypocrites. To make it clear apa maksud itu, a hypocrite is a name you would give to someone who tends to say he/she doesn't want to do something but does it anyway. For example, a guy scolds his friend about smoking, then he smokes himself. Or a girl says she isn't a bitch but in fact is very bitchy to people. Macam tu, lah.

My idea of 'hypocrites' this time, goes out to those who criticize a certain genre or band, but then heads over to watch them perform anyway. Don't you realize it's pretty pointless to talk about how much you dislike a particular sound or band but you just end up singing along - because you magically memorized the lyrics - to the songs? Why must some people feel embarrassed or are just not willing to admit to their true feelings about particular sounds? To follow trends?

Before Sunburst, banyak orang fck Hujan - this is something I know I talk a lot about, but this issue really does prove a lot of points, don't you think? Anyway, I head over to Livesounds stage at Sunburst when Hujan is performing and what do I see? A whole group of people listening and singing along to their songs. This is a really good thing, on one aspect; no one was rude to them. But on the other aspect, it makes me frustrated.

Who said you don't like Hujan? Pfft!

I had that kind of reaction. Similarly to this, I find this whole "I don't like ______" applying a lot towards Indonesian music, too. Suddenly, the whole malaysian indie scene clan seem to be part of some anti-Indon music movement, where people cringe at Indonesian songs, and radio stations consider Indon music as 'uncool'.

Oh, please, grow up.

The majority of those people who say 'fck jiwang music' seem to be the ones who knows all the lyrics to Peter Pan or Sheila on 7 tunes. Sometimes when I talk about Nidji, or any other Indonesian bands, I get weird stares and glares. But when Nidji performed at Sunburst, almost everyone who attended parked themselves in front of the stage, screaming "I love you!" and singing along to everysinglesong.

Again, what are us Malaysians trying to prove by always finding something to go against? Can't we just... accept everything? Sure, it's fine if you don't like a particular band/sound because you just don't enjoy the type of music, but come on, are you trying to tell me that all of a sudden, hundreds of people decide they no longer like Jiwang music, or singing along to Aku Scandal? Seriously...

Did you know XFresh used to play Indonesian music, wayyyy before they became the indie station? Talk about hypocrisy kaw2, weh.

---------------------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

Self Conscious?

2009-02-22T23:09:00.000+08:00

You know. It really sucks that after so long of not complaining on this blog, I was starting to believe there were actually starting to be improvements in the gig scene. Maybe KL Mosher can shut up once and for all.

But. Urgh.

What I see now is a weird mix of pogo/shuffle/mosh. It's actually very disturbing, if I may add... it's like, dancing gone wrong.

Literally.

These guys are being more conscious of the way they move than to the music. Which is pretty lame to be honest. When you go to gigs, you go for the music, you go there to let loose and just... be. You don't think about how you look, you don't think about what's the best way to shake or vibrate to the music to gain attention. It's just... sick, the way I see how some people just take up the space in the crowd to go all weird and epileptic-ish. They basically don't even GO with the music, they just... vibrate and act all spasm-ic.

It's disturbing.

What's the point? Just MOVE goddamit, you don't have to think about HOW. Just... MOVE that body. If you wanna shake, take pills and head to the club. Gigs don't hold spaces for people like you.

If this is going to be the new trend in our famous 'bad trends' in the local scene... er, call back the kungfu moshers please!

Not that I would choose either, if I had a choice. :\

----------

With Love,

KL Mosher

Sunburst KL

2009-01-31T19:14:00.000+08:00

As we all know, and are peeing our pants with anticipation over it - Sunburst KL is hitting our town again! Hell yeah. Excited as I am however, I haven't forgotten the few 'bad's I witnessed from the previous Sunburst in 2008.

Disastrous stuff, man. I mean, no it didn't cause havoc to Sunburst, but the little things that could've been met to make Sunburst a WOW concert (for me) didn't really happen... much to my disappointment.

I think I have mentioned in my Zombie Crowds blogpost pasal semua yang bayar banyak duit just to stand around and look cool. I swear, if it happens again this year, I am going to scream. Come on lah, do you guys seriously think it's worth it paying over RM200 just to stand around? It's not only a waste of your money, but it's also a waste of the bands' efforts for performing for you guys... you know?

So please, if you're attending Sunburst - or any other concerts for that matter - ... ENJOY IT! Jump around, love the songs, sing along, and make the bands feel appreciated.

Secondly, an issue I would like to strain on a bit stronger. Hujan might be making an appearance at Sunburst this year. They did last year, and are invited again to perform this year, much to my enthusiasm! Hujan, the band that's been MIA since last year, ever since the whole issues against them erupted. This makes me think of something, a few possibilities that might happen in Sunburst. Guys, if you want Sunburst to work, if you really are music-lovers... hear me out.

Sunburst has 4 stages. If you don't like the band performing at Stage One, kindly proceed to either one of the other three stages and support the other bands. If not, you can always sit at the shaded sections and have a cup of drink until a band you do like come on. You could visit the Silent Disco and dance with the wireless headphones. You could play games. But don't... don't think it is alright to be barbaric and decide to insult and degrade any bands you dislike. It's not a healthy sight to see someone purposely watching a band they dislike just to 'fck' them when the band comes on stage. Please. Keep a happy environment seriously.

Also, to all peraba's. Keep your hands to yourself coz' this time no one's taking the shit.

If you guys see a girl telling some guy to get out of the crowd, that'll probably be me. Hwar. So yeah, if you're going to Sunburst, bring some sun lotion or you'll get burnt. Get a towel for sweat, deodorant (for your stink), and MONEY for food or you'll starve. Bring a change of t-shirt. And of course... your ticket to enter :)

Tips for the girls who wish to mosh:

-Wear hoodies

-Tie up your hair

-Wear shorts only at your own risk

-Keep your head down when you mosh, not up and ready for people to punch you in the face.

-Don't wear jewels, dangly stuff, valuable things. We don't want it to be a bloodied ground now do we?

-Keep it simple; 12 hours under the sun, maybe under the rain... you don't need to dress to dazzle

Stuff for guys to keep in mind:

-Protect your girl

-Don't start fights, it just ruins everything

Okay I'm out of ideas right now. More updates on Sunburst as the time comes.

---------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

KL Mosher speaks out.

2009-01-29T22:43:00.000+08:00

A said:

i checked your blog

u dont like *band name hidden(1)* too huh?

KLMosher said:

aha

Anonymous said:

dude they get paid 4k in 1 show

wtf

KLmosher said:

they hav good stage presence but im not into their music

A says:

lol believe it or not

our band might make a diss song about *band name hidden(1)*

LOL

KLmosher says:

now thats not right

A says:

nah it is cool

but its gonna be unreleased LOL

KLmosher says:

if u read my other blog u'd noe wht i mean by its not right

musicians is about respect

A says:

hmm?

KLmosher says:

u want people to respect you and your band

you gotta respect people back.

people wont take you guys seriously

its like what i tell those ppl who fuck *band name hidden(2)* just coz they wanna fuck them, not coz they dont like their music or whatever

A says:

ah ha!

i heard alot of people hate *band name hidden(2)* now

KLmosher says:

u tink that makes them music fans? no fcking way.

i'd spit on people like that, but again, i gotta hold myself in a way thts respectable n not sink as low as them.

*band name hidden(2)* deserves the respect. they dont go fucking everyone who fucks them. they take it like real professionals. now that's the kind of thing we need more in our music scene which is currently, honestly, quite barbaric

A says:

i dont know i heard becuz

since their so famous

they tend to be cocky and shit

KLmosher says:

yeah la thats the problem

people "heard"

ever spoke to someone who actually SAW them cocky? i noe i havent. and even tho they were cocky, well, hell, how many celebrities in the world are cocky? shit loads. but jus coz the band members are cocky, does that mean we must forget about what the band is rlli about? which is THE MUSIC?

wht r they saying? we gotta boycott every band that has a cocky member, even tho their music might be kickass? they still r willing to perform for the crowds, is tht cocky? they stil giving music to ppl's ear. thts the least we shud be grateful for.

A says:

oh ok ok your right

but hye thats what my groupie said

im not into *band name hidden(2)*.heck never heard any of their songs too

and about *band name hidden(1)*

lol man..

KLmosher says:

well then that's fine. u dnt like them, so u can jus... not have anything to do with them. but if u fuck *band name hidden(2)*, thats NOT fine, coz well u never heard them.

A says:

i knw its disrespecting dissing *band name hidden(1)*

but hey as far as im concern we havent done anything wrong to them

its just thoughts

KLmosher says:

yeah. about *band name hidden(1)*. u want ur band to make it big then dont think about dissing *band name hidden(1)*. the fans u get r only gna b temporary.

if ur bands jus for fun

then yeah make it

their jus thoughts, sure, but that sound like an excuse ur bands gna make when someone confronts u about the song

n sumone is gonna say the same thing tht im saying. 'keep ur thoughts to urself, if its jus meant to insult'

A says:

is not my idea in the first place -.-

KLmosher says:

i didnt say its ur idea no need to cover up, ur part of the band, im jus referring to ur band

A says:

hey dude dont say someting like that

its just thoughts and we know what were doing

were not gonna diss *band name hidden(1)* eh

unless they fuck us up

then we'll consider

KLmosher says:

but i dnt see why *band name hidden(1)* would wanna fuck u guys up lmao. and if u guys make a song dissing them jus coz they fck u up, u guys r gonna look like the immature ones

u noe tht rite?

if u guys still remain steady and strong without giving in to wtv they might do to u guys, thts better than sinking as low as them but receiving lesser support

-----------------------------

Another thing I want you guys to think about... DO NOT for one second try to cover up for yourself if your band is at fault. Saving your own ass rather than getting into shit with the rest of your band members is a cowardly act. Pengecut. Don't.

I thought I would like to post this conversation up saja sebab it hits many topics that I covered. :) About respect, semua.

With Love,

KL Mosher

"New" Bands?

2009-01-20T19:35:00.000+08:00

Okay, listening to Jason Mraz's "You and I Both" while writing this does not exactly help me get into the 'garang' mood, but heck, here's a secret revealed - KL Mosher possesses a heart for soft tunes :)

Right, the real deal's here.

New bands. Fresh bands. Something different.

Er... really?

It's actually getting so damn hard now to find bands that can actually be stated as 'new' in terms of sound and the music they play. They're just new because they're young. That's about it.

Of course, who can argue the fact that every single 'new' genre leads back to an older one. It's inevitable. Music has reached its peak in terms of coming up with new genres. Now, if someone comes up with a new name for some sound of music, people just laugh and go "oh my god, that's the same bloody thing as punk"... yeah.

But this doesn't mean that bands that are recently forming have to narrow their choices to things that's already been discovered like... what, ten years ago? The amount of bands I see who do 'old school' rock dating from sounds like Dio, Amy Search is unbelievable. All these bands that could be coming up with something new, tasty, different, is just sticking to the old stuff and not daring to try anything new.

For example, I went to Youth09 two weeks back... giler siut! Almost all the bands who auditioned for battle of the bands were either metal or old school. Okay, kalau ada saja satu band yang punya satu power vocalist then of course, everyone will be like "WOW, SHIT!"

But not if the same voice is heard for the next 50+ bands. -_- Do people even understand what the hell Battle of the Bands is about?

It's about finding a new band with talent, fresh sounds, that can have a chance in giving the crowds something different to the same old "rock kang kang" sounds. Seriously.

I'm worried that bands nowadays are just losing their will to make things work and are just putting a band together and singing old tunes just to go 'hey check me out, I'm a rocker'.

That's not how you get things rollin' and if you don't get things rollin', it ain't rock and roll, dude.

----------------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

PS: For me, I seriously believe Meet Uncle Hussain earned the title of winners of the AJL... they are probable the closest to 'something new' I have heard so far in recent times. Along with, of course, Hujan, Plague of Happiness, Komplot...

2009-01-12T21:03:00.000+08:00

Doing what I can for us local rockers :)

I want to be a Rockstar

2008-12-30T22:48:00.000+08:00

Before I start the usual ramble, I would just like to wish everybody reading with interest towards our local music scene a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - 2009 came faster than expected. Talking about the New Year reminds me of resolutions... sangat sesuai dengan tajuk blog post ini don't you think?

"I want to be a Rockstar". Senang disebutkan, susah dibuatkan.

Or is it really that susah? Let's take a look at the changes of our music scene. Just a few years back, it was not easy to make it big; have that 'big break'. Sure, people did attend gigs, sure, people knew the words to some songs of some bands... but how many times did you hear about a big gig that people were saying "Oh we HAVE to go"? Big gigs happening perhaps every two weeks, every month? Not a lot.

And now? Every weekend, every flyer, it's an 'oh-my-god' for majority of people. Familiar bands like Couple, Bittersweet, Skudap Skudip are popping out in more than just one flyer per month. Familiar places like MCPA, No Black Tie, Giggers are offering gig spots. This entices, tempts, lures people into thinking 'damn I wish I was like them'.

And that's where the problem kicks in, isn't it?

Put aside the fashion trends, the attitudes, and just look at the music fans in general. Kadang2, ada orang nak start band. Everywhere you turn, you see someone, you ask them "are you in a band?"

Out of 10, 7 says yes.

Of course, why not? You might be thinking - what's wrong with that? Nothing. Absolutely nothing is wrong with that. Our music scene is open to so many genres, so many tunes, and more and more of local songs are being submitted into the radio stations. And really, it is amazing, and impressing me that new bands nowadays actually do have a high possibility of hitting the big break, getting the fanbase, EP launches and all those things a band needs.

Being in a band is just as normal as going to school or work everyday. Our scene is accepting new bands day by day, listening and placing them into categories of 'worth a listen' and 'forget about them'. And of course, starting a band is a great way to spend your time with friends, jamming, experimenting, building the friendship, the support.

But this also calls for my concern. Being in a band nowadays is becoming just a little too overrated. Overexposed, talked about too much. It is a good thing that being in a band is getting easy nowadays, but in a way... it's bad. Think about it.

Do the majority of those in the newer bands (post-indie break) actually know what they want? Are their reasons for having a band genuine? Are they forming bands to create new, interesting music? Or is it just the mere 'I want to be a rockstar'? "I want to be famous, I want to gig around so everyone knows who I am".

Heck that's the reason why people go to gigs to watch, too! People make themselves seen in as many gigs as possible, take pictures with loads of bands, so people will know them. Yeah. Posers, kan?

I am not saying the new bands are posers. The passion for music, wanting to be in a band to make enjoyable music... I am not saying that's dying. I merely hope it won't. Really, really, hope so. I hope people who make bands now are serious with what they are doing, and appreciate - menghargaikan - the fact that our scene is accepting many many new people.

I hope the new bands won't be just those usual one-hit-wonders, who play for a few months, are loved for a while, and then disappear because they've become well known enough. No. NO. My only advice to the new upcoming bands... don't place the word 'fame' in your minds. Just play for music, play for the people, play for yourselves. Don't play to be famous.

The most famous bands nowadays never spent much time thinking of fame when they started out. Being a rockstar is everyone's dreams at one point, tapi, in reality, you got to play by life's rules, too.

------------------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

What do YOU want?

2008-12-22T10:44:00.000+08:00

Whether we'd like to believe it or not, it is agreed that, heck, our gig followers sometimes don't know what they want. If not sometimes - it's all the time!

It is as if the confusion between what is expected & what is given never ceases. Our people are not passive to the extent of following every word of the bands, which sometimes is a good thing; something I am quite thankful for, as it shows we still have a mind of our own. But hey, the bad thing? They are passive to trends instead, to friends. If the trend says something, if the majority of a crowd doesn't like one particular thing, next thing you know a 100 other people don't like it.
I've talked about that issue countless times, but hey, I repeat myself.

So back to the confusion matter, yes. These guys always switch what they want with what they get. When Malaysian bands are overpowered by international acts, everyone suddenly turns patriotic.

"Eh bands2 Malaysia dah hilang ke?"

Fine, so we give them Malaysian bands lah, kan. User friendly music scene we have. Lol. Customer service. But then what happens to all the patriotism? Semua terbalik, and points out the negativity of our bands rising. Our giggers act like they are never happy with the lack of PROGRESS our bands are making, tapi, when bands macam Hujan and Bittersweet naik from the ground, what happens?

"Fuck lah, dorang, lupakan kitaorang, dah sombong"

Dude, did I miss something here? Was there some sort of contract signed that says "No Malaysian bands are supposed to leave the underground scene"?
Pehh, asal? Underground or not, a band is a band. And what do bands do (well, real bands anyway)? They strive to reach the best level they can get. So if kamu nak diaorang naik, tapi bila dorang dah naik sampai mainstream level (in terms of publicity, not music style), asal lak korang tak rasa bangga, but... angry? What is there to be angry about!?!?

Seriously...

You budak2 semua nak 'save our Indie scene'. But? You're doing it all wrong, kot. Indie, sure, it means independent production & performance, but eh, bangun lah, it does not mean "low quality and forever underground". Kalau ada bands2 yang produce sounds lagi gempak sikit, of course they will rise to 'mainstream' level. Because they are worth it! Because at one point of their performing life, they had all the support from the fans. From you guys. But as long as they deal with their own matters, and keep to the indie mode, fuck, stop complaining lah. Aiyo.

But another question... what exactly is wrong with mainstream, ah? Why are you guys STOPPING our bands from moving forward? How far a band goes, its up to them. How they look, how they wish to act on stage, biarlah.

This also makes me laugh, again another confusion sprouting from our giggers. These guys insult bands (for unknown reasons), tapi they are hypocritical. Damn hypocritical. If you want to dislike a band, dislike with good reasons, and remain disliking them. Don't on one hand say you hate them, but on the other hand I see you guys participating happily in the crowds to that same band. What are you trying to prove, exactly? You suka ke tak? Make up your mind. And, if they aren't hypocritical, they saja buat kecoh. Purposely insulting the bands on stage, with a gang of similar 'anti' people (because they are too damn scared to do it when they are on their own).

And when you're scared, it's because you don't know whether what you're saying is right. Simply tembak, but when asked to explain... otak kosong.

What do you guys want the music scene to become? What do you want it for? To hate it? To confine it under a certain level, which dislikes any band that climbs over it? To stop our scene from growing the way it should? Our scene has so much potential guys, SO MUCH, and without your support as an audience, how the hell are we ever going to be any better?

Right now, what are you doing?
Ruining our music scene.
-------------------
With Love,
KL Mosher

Peraba issue

2008-12-16T19:17:00.000+08:00

I reinforce this problem again.

It.Has.Got.To.Stop

I am getting so frustrated. Seriously, this is not a joking matter.

Now, a new way to continuously molest has just acted up on me, and it makes me so sick to the core.

These sickos actually follow you around in the crowd. They don't let you escape. This is the scary part.

Recently, when I was moshing, every time I felt a hand at an uncomfortable part of my body, tiap2 kali I pandang belakang... it's the same fucking asshole behind me.

He purposely has his eyes anywhere but on my face (they don't ever dare to look you in the eye), but I know where his hands are. And when I try to mosh over to the other side, he follows. Like... FUCK OFF.

I would just wish to repeat to everybody reading this blog;

DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Stop these dicks from itching. I actually was already preparing to kick him in the balls, but sadly (actually thank god) his attention was distracted when someone crowdsurfed our way, and he went off to push the crowdsurfer.

I really detest having to feel uncomfortable when I am moshing, it just completely ruins the fun of being part of the crowd. Not to mention those stupid rude disrespectful people and kung fu moshers already plaguing the crowd. I would just like to give a shoutout to the two kick ass boys who were protecting me throughout the recent gig I went to. They are exactly the type of people we need in our local scene. I pointed out some freaks to them and they actually went up to the dudes and shook their heads going "Eh, tak cool lah, henti lah."

Nik and Ijat, korang cool.

So again I repeat to the girls:

Don't be afraid to tell somebody to protect you. Don't be afraid to confront the asses - the rest of the crowd will protect you. And always wear more protective clothes - ones that don't show off your body curve too much.

And to the guys:

If you're the one doing all this shit, wake up and stop it.

Protect and surround the girls with your friends to make sure they are alright. Jangan malu, shout out to the peraba to cut the crap.

Just a thought:

Instead of anti-ing bands, why not anti-peraba instead?

-----------------

With Love,

KL Mosher

Respect?

2008-12-14T19:12:00.000+08:00

Okay, another behaviour yang buat I menyampah.

It is one thing to go to a gig to see one particular favourite band. Everyone does that. Having a favourite is the reason why people go to gigs! Right? :)

But it is another thing to go for one band, and disrespect the rest.

Okay, so what went wrong? Kenape KL Mosher tiba2 nak complain tentang ini? Simple la, UOX Play, lah. I cannot believe the amount of people who actually support the hurtful words being thrown at bands. Hello? Bands are made up of humans jugak, tau. If someone is telling YOU to walk off the stage, how the hell will you feel? Seriously, how the heck will you feel?

When I dislike a band, I either pull myself out of the crowd, or just wait for the next band. Or just miss that set until the next set comes on. Is it that susah to just shut up and be sensible?

There was this one particular band that went by the name of "Seven". They played very ambient, jazzy music lah, soft and mellow, kind of a very chilled version of They Will Kill Us All. I personally, found their tunes so damn creative. So damn sexy.

But dah agak dah lah, most people in KL who go to gigs only go to mosh senselessly. Okay, so what if they didn't make us jump, and mosh around like crazy? So what if we didn't know their songs and couldn't sing along?

Does this mean that we, as a crowd, as supposed "peminat2 muzik", have to be rude to them, and tell them to 'balik'? Just because they don't make music that is moshable to, that means they are not a good band(?); that means they are poor at performance, and that they should stop?

Please lah, it really makes me so sick to see people downing a band like this, just because they can't mosh to them. [And the people who are so kurang ajar are the same people who kungfu moshes without any sense of rhythm by the way... do you see the trend of annoyance linking? Coz' I do.]

Our local scene is striving to make it big, striving to make the scene a fun and sociable, acceptable place. If people are going to screw up the efforts by being so irrational and rude, then our scene is never ever going to be able to move any further than where we are, sorry to say.

We even had some stupid group of people sitting down in the middle of Seven's performance... NOT because they were tired, but just to hurt the band, and 'look cool', saying "Ah, we're rebels, we don't like your music, so we're going to sit down and show you we don't like your music. Eh, dude sit down with us! It's cool"

You know what? Fck that. You don't like the music, you get out of the crowd. Simple as that. Jangan buat kecoh, it really makes the real music appreciators sick to the skin. It took me a huge amount of energy to make sure I shut my mouth that time. Really.

Everyone is always talking about respect, but why is it that more and more respect is gained from "looking cool", or "being the rude and ignorant one"? What happened to respecting those who actually worked hard enough to get onto that stage to perform? Seriously.

What is our music scene becoming? A place for music, or a place for people to berlagak?

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Trendsetters idiotifying our scenes

2008-12-11T20:23:00.000+08:00

"Aku budak Indie"

Apa maksud itu? There are two answers; the real one, and the one everyone follows. Yes, sadly, no one actually follows the real one anymore.

The Real Answer:

"I am independent. I love, support, follow the movements of independent music scenes, where bands from different (I repeat different) genres, strive and work hard to please themselves, and the ears of the fans."

Budak Indie (the real ones) judge bands based on what they sound like, not how they look or act. They respect all bands in general, except those that really are not being bands to play, but to show off. They do not go all 'anti' against bands they don't like, but they just don't keep themselves updated.

Now... follow the trend. This is what people actually think:

"Aku budak indie. I wear skinnies, I have a camera slung over my neck, I go to gigs to chill with my friends, stand around and listen to the bands from afar. Fck emos, Fck hardcore moshing, Fck Hujan."

This just cracks me up. I laugh when I see this. I just point, and laugh. Sorry, kind of kurang ajar, but dude, I can't help it.

a) since when is Indie about clothes & the way you look?

b) since when is Indie about photos?

c) In case you 'peminat muzik's have forgotten, Hujan was actually one of the upholders of "Indie" music (Independent music)... along with OAG, Bittersweet and countless others throughout the times.

d) Some hardcore bands actually say "we are not an Indie band". Eh pandai, if you're not indie, then what are you? Signed band? You got a record deal ke? Kalau you tak de record deal you are still under an Indie label, you're still independent, and managing your own tracks and gigs.

I am not saying that real indie-goers like Hujan, or OAG or Bittersweet. That is not my point. My point is, real indie-goers just don't "Fck" other bands, just to follow trend.

Faham tak? Indie is not a style, it's not a trend. It is independence. Simple as that. A hardcore rocker with a mohawk and leather jacket can still be considered indie, because he supports the movements of unsigned bands. A guy with dreadlocks and marijuana in his hands is indie if he listens to Skudap Skudip - because Skudap Skudip is NOT signed with EMI or Universal Music. They are independent! HELLO!? Pop Shuvit, for example is not Indie... because they are signed with a record.

I have been trying so hard all the time to put into people's heads that INDIE is not all those retro clothing, not all those skinny jeans, not the short anti-emo hairstyle... its NOT. NOTTTTT.

LEARN THE DEFINITION OF INDIE BEFORE USING IT, GEEZ!

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Organizing a gig: BE SMART

2008-12-01T19:13:00.000+08:00

Before going on financial issues, and confirmations... have a self analysis first:

- Are you committed?

- Will you give up easily if you are faced with a sudden problem?

- How well do you take rejection and unreasonable negotiations?

- Are you good at solving problems?

- Are you spontaneous?

- Are you willing to sacrifice time and effort?

- Are you good at teamwork and cooperation?

- Are you careful with what you say and how you work?

- Can you make things work?

There you go. If it's a yes for all, you're ready to go.

It is not an easy thing, judging from observation and a bit of experience in the business of organizing events like gigs.

After knowing yourself and what you want to do with the gig, you have to know your status:

- With or without dependency on ticket sales, food sales, or any other form of profit, do you have enough money to foot the bills, the payments, the fees if anything goes wrong?

- Are your ticketing prices set right? Will crowds come?

- Is the place right? Convenient? Well known?

- Will there be any way to solve problems if things are delayed?

Man, the list can go ON, but I sekarang macam malas sikit, don't feel like putting them all down.

Step One:

Before the gig, it is vital for you to remember that whatever happens, you're responsible. Therefore it is important that you, as an organizer, figure out the budget before even confirming any bands. Will you have enough to pay refunds if something goes wrong? Recently, I ada pergi dekat satu gig, and diaorang bagai organizers, tak buat baik, so in the end, performances semua terlewat sangat, and some bands kena pull out. And the organizers cannot even pay them the price they promised. This is just bad planning, bad predicting. Seriously.

Also, ini sebab ticket price pun terlalu mahal. Think about it. Which gig will attract more people? A gig with just-okay bands, and low price, or a gig with great bands but high price? Honestly, for the KL crowd, people will choose the cheaper gig! Memang.

If you want a gig to work, and you want a lot of people to attend, you have to come up with a price that will suit everybody. So everybody will come. And the profit will be amazingly successful. But no, just because the gig had an international band coming to perform, they shoot up the ticket price, so very little people came... so very little money was earned. Mana boleh jadi lah? Think AHEAD. The problem with the people nowadays is they don't think properly. They just organize gig to promote their name, promote the bands, but if you want to promote, promote well. Don't end up promoted as the-city's-suckiest-organizer.

Some people make gigs just to "get to know each other". Yes. Fine. Get to know each other, but shit, there is no use in making a gig without profit. You have to make sure you get some money back from those that you pay the bands. Just in case something goes wrong, at least you can use ticket money to pay for whatever costs. Organizing a gig is not something you can simply tembak with. It's either gain or nothing.

Okay, so after the finance thing is cleared, get the bands.

Step Two:

BE FRIENDLY! But not too friendly sampai macam kurang ajar. Like "EH WHATS UP! I WANT YOU GUYS TO PERFORM". Please... it is still a professional transaction, despite how easy-going and friendly our music scene is, lah... :)

Keep the common manners like Please and Thank You's. But don't be fake. If you are a "I love your tunes, really hope you guys think about it!", don't try to be a "I await with utmost impatience for your reply on this matter". Kan? You need to be in your comfort zone to be able to converse properly with the bands. And by being informal but polite to them, it makes them know you are human, and if you have any problems with budgets, tell them, so they will see you as an honest peminat muzik, not just a dude trying to make it big by organizing gigs just for show.

These bands will be performing for you and for the crowd. You got to be real and honest with the bands. Negotiate. If there is a problem with technical stuff, apologize to the bands, and explain and discuss what to do next. If things have gone wrong in your hands, maybe it's time to listen to what other people have in mind. Do not blame anyone else but you. You are the organizer. If you blame someone else, keep it to yourself, or for after the gig.

Step Three:

The scariest thing in gigs is the time management. The bands lined up to perform, the soundchecking, the sets going to be performed... everything you can imagine! As an organizer, you must know how to switch tactics, change plans within a click of a finger.

For example: The gig is supposed to end at 12am, but the gig started 3 hours late, due to technical problems. So instead of putting the best band last, put them on 5th last, so at least you are sure they will perform the set they agreed on.

But honestly, to even make that bit successful, you got to get crowd. And to get crowd, step 2 has to be fulfilled.

Alright, here is me trying to pretend like I know everything about this business, but I'm just speaking from common sense, and what I feel were the main errors in some gigs I go to... SO. Take it or leave it :D

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Why choose Music?

2008-12-01T17:00:00.000+08:00

Hello again from the other side of the screen.

Subjectively, after going through a pretty rough week, I would like to share with all of you the wonders of music. I'm sure most people reading my blog.. dah tau lah, apa yang sangat hebat tentang musik, yeah? :)

MUSIC:

The one way you can let go of your emotions - well, this was how it originally is meant to be, lah, don't know about how people 'express' themselves now through music. Showing off body parts, cleavage in music videos or just completely ruining music by going "I slit my wrists to *band name*" is just a big NO NO for me.

Personal therapy: Pernah tengok August Rush? I recommend that movie to you all, it's so damn nice. Like they say in that movie, 'You never quit on your music. No matter what happens. Cuz anytime something bad happens to you, that's the one place you can escape to and just let it go.'

After a break up or a fight? You listen to sad songs, or maybe happy songs, or maybe angry songs. Music is there for you to make you feel better (or worse).
Stressed out from work? You listen to music.
Having a nice night at home with your lover? Turn on some seductive, smooth music.

See, music does the tricks.

Like Bob Marley once said, "One good thing about music; when it hits you, you feel no pain." I couldn't agree more. Unlike relationships, unlike 'love', music does not hurt you. Yes it is amazing to have someone who cares for you, at that moment, but hey you got to admit, every time there's a break up, or something worth celebrating about, it's the music you turn to for help.

Music is eternal: It won't die. Ever. Especially now, we are now living in a world where everything seems to be going wrong. The rights have been made, and we are now just screwing it all up. Technology is now causing less socializing. Cars and transport, machines, factories have caused pollution. Fastfood is causing fat people. So really, again I quote JoJo from the movie Across the Universe: "Music's the only thing that makes sense anymore, man. Play it loud enough... it keeps the demons away."

After everything that has happened, all the differences, all the discrimination, hatred, love, etc... Music still managed to maintain universal. An Australian could be listening to a Malaysian song and still say "Hey I like this, though I don't understand it!". Or a Chinese boy listening to a French song... same thing. Music keeps everybody as one. (Cheesy, I know!)

True? Yeah.

Where's my complain?

Here it is.

I'm so glad to have found such passion within music, and everybody else who are into music, so what pains me is when people start to insult each other over music tastes?

"Ew you like rap, you're a nigger."

"Hardcore metal? Eurghh, so rough."

"They go to gigs? They must be poor and messed up."

"She listens to Ashlee Simpson... what a bimbo."

Do we need all these stereotyping? Why is it that people find so much pleasure in finding hate withing everything? Here we are trying to raise awareness over racism, bullying, labelling, etc, but what do we get? Hypocrites saying "I love music, but yuck I hate *put in a genre*, that isn't music!"

Well, you know what, f*ck you. Right now, even superstars and bands are downed for insulting each other's music, so who are we to think we can get close enough to them to even say irrational things like that?

Are you the one who made music? Did you create music? Take heavy metal, or rap for example. Who are you to say, "heavy metal/rap is not music"? If it is not music, pandai, then why would they be er... under "music genre"? Seriously, think before you talk, unless your aim is to get people insulting your intelligence... like I just did.

Like I have probably mentioned in my previous blog posts... If you don't like a certain type of music... just keep quiet, or just go "Aiyo..." or "Tsk". Don't start going "Ew, what the hell is this sh.t, why do people even listen to this crap?"

Okay, if you say it once or twice, fine... but if you start saying it like as if you alone know what good music is... then shut up. Seriously, no one's interested.

Instead, you could go "Oh, you know, you should really check out *band's name*, they're a lot better, in my opinion." At least macam tu, you don't offend sesiapa, you make friends, and you allow your thoughts to be shared. Kan?

Stop the Anti movements, stop the hatred, because music isn't for that. Unless you're writing a song.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Zombie Crowds: menyampah!

2008-11-24T23:46:00.000+08:00

What makes a crowd GOOD:

- ENERGY! lotsandlotsandlotsandlots.

- A little bit of "Boo"s and A LOT OF "WHOOOO!!!!!" :)

It's always funny to hear what we have to say about each band, but don't go over the top in being rude... I mean... a band is made up of people, so everybody has to respect everybody on OR off stage.

- People who are there for music and music only.

I speak with purpose! I cannot stand moshing and suddenly crashing into a group of people (usually girls, sadly), and they get all ANGRY at me for pushing. And I am just like... "If you don't want to get pushed around, get the hell out! Why are you just standing here, getting angry at people trying to have fun? Buat kitaorang takde mood je la kan...

What makes a crowd BAD:

- Standing still

Again, I repeat. Why go to a gig if you're just standing there?! Posing? For what? Sini tak ade photoshoot la, sorry.

- Rude crowd; 'Boo!', 'Korang suck!', 'Balik rumah la!'

Please. Bands are people, too. Jangan sangat kejam. Everybody in the music scene is like family. Respect, people... respect...

- Peraba + sesiapa yang kurang ajar

If you want girls, go out and find them. Don't take advantage. And if you nak cari pasal, go find mat rempits at night around KL. Don't find it here in the crowds when we're having fun.

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Yes, I am back, with another thought in my head.

I remember Sunburst Festival (March 2008), where one ticket costed RM200, or something like that. I remember going, thinking "OH MY GOD THIS WILL BE KICKASS HEBAT!" only to end up going home thinking "what the hell is wrong with the crowd?!"

Aku tak dapat faham - sampai sekarang! - kenapa semua yang ada pergi kat Sunburst, rela bayar RM250 untuk berdiri2 saja.

Dude, what's the point!?

I don't see the point in people getting all dressed-up and 'lawa' to a gig. It's only for show? And it annoys me a great deal more when they just stand there and look cool. They don't mosh, they don't pogo, they don't sing along... they just... stand around.

When Meet Uncle Hussain performed, NO one danced, except me, my three friends and a group of guys behind us. That was it. They only moshed to Lagu Untukmu, tapi I kena raba pulak. How are we supposed to stand this type of behavior!?

Then for Hujan and Love Me Butch, because it was raining, everybody was holding umbrellas. OH MY GOD korang dah mati ke pe!? I was just like.... "HELOOO what happened to the action? The singing along? The pogo/moshing?" Oh my god, geram!

The same thing happened for the majority of the bands that day kat Sunburst. Memang buat I menyampah je!

The Boys:

Usually seen with a group of similar looking people, wearing the same jeans, same shoes, same type of clothes. Why?

The Girls:

This really frustrates me, every time I see a girl go to a gig clad with make up and dangly earrings, bangles, bracelets, skirts, tight shorts... hello!? Look where you are, missy. You want to get raped? You want to just stand around and look pretty, and then naik darah kalau seorang cuba berkawan dengan you. Come on... Be realistic.

This is a GIG not a shopping mall or a fashion show... -_-

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It's not only Sunburst, but even every minor indie, underground gigs jugak. What's the point of going all the way to a gig, and not be part of it? Why go to a gig and stand away from the crowd, looking in from the outside? Where's the fun in that?

Gigs are described in three words: Music, Sweat and Smell.

You go for music, end up sweating, and going home smelling. Setuju?

Gigs are made with efforts from the best, so make the best of the gigs you go to.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

SERIOUS ISSUE: Girls and moshing

2008-11-23T15:54:00.000+08:00

Remember that era when Malaysia was dominated with a sudden spurt of all-girl rock bands?

When the riot-girls flooded the crowds at gigs?

Korang dah pergi mane!? Well, the answer is simple...

Peraba.

This is a problem that's been bugging the Malaysian Indie scenes constantly, over and over! Girls fear to enter crowds, sebab diaorang takut diaorang kena raba.

Why?

WHY.

Why must the boys find such delight in touching a girl rudely, and/or calling names?

People say "Eh, dalam scene ini, kitaorang kena respect sesiapa."

Tapi? Where is the respect in girls' bodies?

Fikirlah.

When girls go into crowds:

- They get grabbed either at their boobs, butt or worse.

- They get harassed by men. "Eh, awek, kamu masih single, tak?" Blah, blah, blah. Are you guys there for music or for some action!? Seriously!

- Girls can't actually move around when crowdsurfing, because all the guys just hold on to them to get some skin. This is sick.

Now, because of the lack of experience the girls have when coming to moshing, girls worry about getting punched, getting bruised or scratched. They worry about getting trampled to death. They can't enjoy music the way everybody in the crowds are, and that is such a shame.

This issue is a big mind-poker and I cannot just let it go unnoticed.

Everybody who is reading this, pass this on to all your friends!

Help Malaysian music become the most respectable one, even in terms of moshing.

The word is : CHANGE.

Ways you can help at gigs:

- When you see someone grab a girl, LET PEOPLE KNOW. Shout to let everybody know of what the person just did, and let people know it's not acceptable. Jangan malu, jerit dengan kekuatan, bagi semua tahu mamat tu adelah peraba.

- Help girls in defending themselves. Get trustworthy people to mosh around her. You and your group of friends. Kalau dia tak ada boyfriend, kamu cuba jaga dia, jangan biar peluang kat semua peraba yang sedang tunggu masa dalam crowd.

- If you're one of the rude ones, stop. Doing things like these to girls is just not right. It makes you look like an idiot, makes everybody want to kick your ass, and decreases the chance of you having a girlfriend. Why the hell do you think you're still single? -_-

For the girls:

- Pakai hoodie. Seriously. Wearing a hoodie reallyyyy helps in disguising yourself. Setiap kali I pakai hoodie, I mesti tak kena raba. The last time I took my hoodie off, I got molested about ten times.

- Don't be afraid to fight back. If you know who touched you, SHOUT. Point at him. Push him away. People around you will help you because they know the guy who did that was in the wrong.

- Go in groups. It is always safer to go with some people you know.

- If you get punched, or kicked, don't get angry. It's better than being grabbed. At least getting bruises from moshing shows the crowd was treating you as an equal, not a girl.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

KungFu Mosh

2008-11-23T14:49:00.000+08:00

Some call it hardcore moshing. Some call it the new moshing.

I call it stupid.

Sure, sekarang dah ada banyak orang yang buat moshing macam tu. A lot of 'hardcore' gig-goers are doing it, together, same actions, like a dance tribe. But honestly, it just seems like another way to fight without getting into trouble for it.

You punch someone, and it's not wrong, because it's all part of what 'you are supposed to do'.

Apalah merepek ni?

Let me make the term "moshing" clear....

It's free movement.

It's not windmill hands, not punches, not swirling kicks. NO.

Moshing wasn't made to hurt people. But now, moshers are hurting people. Sengaja, pulak.

Dulu, kalau you pergi gig, and you get a bruise, everyone goes "Yeah, that was kickass gig!"

Now? You come out with a bruise, people say "Oh, you kena pukul, kan?"

-_-

That has completely ruined the art of music, the freedom everyone is supposed to have. There's no freedom in entering a crowd, worrying you're about to get your head slammed.

After a huge amount of stress, all you want to do is vent it out at a concert, but you end up getting more pissed off because you're getting punched and kicked intentionally.

Think about it.

I know it's all about trying out something new, but there is limit. This is just a no-no. To connect this to moshing does not make sense, because moshing is in no relation to 'hurting people'.

Sure, the people doing it are having fun. What about those who just want to mosh normally?

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With Love,

KL Mosher

The 'Anti' movement: true music lovers?

2008-11-22T16:50:00.000+08:00

Things I have learnt:

1) A frontman/vocalist of a band has to be very careful with how he speaks or acts, because people can pounce on his mistakes like vultures but forget the good things he did.

2) A band, no matter how good their music is, will be hated just because of their 'attitude'.

- People who used to like a band, now say "Ew, I xlayan." Why? Most of the time, itu bukan sebab musik diaorang tak best. No, most of the time, it is because "vocalist dari band tu punya perangai macam babi, doh"

3) We have a lot of unoriginal budak indies. They follow trends, not their own liking.

- Why do you get a group of friends liking and hating the same band? That isn't because all of them hate that one band, it's just because they feel stupid being the only ones liking the band everyone hates.

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People are confusing MUSIC with musicians. Real musicians and real music fans will not hate a band because of attitude or because of following a trend, forgetting completely about the actual thing: MUSIC.

REMEMBER: Without respect, there will never have been the togetherness that made the music scene we have today. So don't break the respect by being disrespectful towards musicians or music in general. Here's what we must know; just because a band might have done disrespectful things, or made mistakes, itu tak maksud kitaorang kena kutuk diaorang. Kita selalu cakap tentang 'RESPECT' tapi I selalu nampak semua 'peminat indie' macam punya hati dendam je.

But that's the problem. People love making a band feel or sound like shit the moment the band has reached stardom.

I will use Hujan as an example, because I can actually refer to them with actual information.

Hujan started out and worked hard to get to the top, to the position they are at now. They created music well loved by the crowds, music that even those that don't layan Hujan can sing along to.

They created a sound so many bands, like Hijau, Bootsy Ruckus and The Hujans (yes, there is a 'The Hujans') have been influenced by. What does this mean? This means Hujan was/is something.

Then the 'ANTI's began:

What went wrong?

Some say it was the Akademi Fantasia issue.

Some say it was the issue of Noh's utterance on homosexuals.

Some say it's just Noh's attitude in general.

WHY the ANTI-ism is pointless, especially coming from those who call themselves "budak indie"s.

On Akademi Fantasia:

Hujan is not, and will not be, and was not, the only band that had been difficult in terms of people using their stuff. Many bands before had sued other musicians for copping, for stealing, etc.

A question untuk korang:

Is it the fault of Hujan; who rejected the use of their ONE song without publicizing it... or is it the fault of the media, and those who judged and insulted; who made it such a big oh-my-god thing?

On Noh's 'homophobic' issue:

I don't want to comment much on that, I am only going to put this reminder:

Even if Noh is homophobic (something that no one really knows), he is NOT the only one.

He is not the only frontman that commented, joked or offended homosexuals. Again, he will not, he wasn't and isn't the only one.

On Noh's attitude:

Then there is the issue of Noh's attitude offstage.

"Dia ni sombong, tak layan orang lain, ingat diri sangat hebat"

This is a repeated line I hear. But you know, aku selalu dengar orang bagitau "Kawan I cakap, Noh sombong."

Tapi I tak pernah dengar orang cakap "I pernah jumpa Noh, dia ni sangat sombong doh, dengan I".

The only person I talk to who actually talks with Noh, says Noh is feeling so damn stressed because he feels responsible for causing so much trouble untuk Hujan. So, kepada semua orang yang Anti-Hujan: Congratulations, korang dah menang. -_-

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WHY the 'Anti' Movements piss me off:

No true peminat muzik will really, truly hate a band. I am not just speaking as a Rainger, tapi bagai seorang yang sudah menyampah dengan perangai semua poser "budak indie".

If you do not like a band because of their music, that is acceptable.

If you don't like a band because of the members, that just looks like you don't care about the music at all, just the people. Itulah perangai peminat muzik ke? I tak rasa doh.

Remember Johor? How Hujan had to leave the stage with broken spirits because of the major group of Anti-Hujan people throwing objects and words at them? The middle fingers, the bottles, the sharp objects.

Ask yourselves... is that the acts of true music fans? Is it? Would a true peminat muzik/budak indie purposefully destroy the works of a rising band just because they want to 'fck diaorang'? The fact that people think it is okay to be so rude makes me sick.

A true musician will not "ANTI" any band, musician or genre. Why? Because music is universal, and every type of music was built upon hard work and determination. A true budak indie will not hate, but only say "I tak layan diaorang". Remember that.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

PS: Again, I repeat: I did not write this because I want to SUPPORT Hujan.

Imagine this:

Now everybody LOVES Meet Uncle Hussain.

What if one day, Lan tiba-tiba cakap dia 'gay'?

An Anti-MUH will form, NOT because of the music, but because of the member. This is what I mean. It is a sick movement. It should stop.