Appreciate it, Malaysia.

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.

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With Love,
KL Mosher

Animosity Vs. Unity

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

Mosh Etiquette

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

Is Underground becoming a trend?

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.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Music scene or Hypocrite scene?

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

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.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

New Members = New Sound?

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.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Goodbye subcultures, hello fakecultures.

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.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

No Lovers Allowed

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

Does it matter?

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

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.

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

With Love,

KL Mosher

Dissing bands on the bands's pages

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.

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With Love,

KL Mosher

Korn will say you're "Hypocrites!"

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?

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

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.

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?

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...

Peraba issue

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?

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?

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

With Love,

KL Mosher

Trendsetters idiotifying our scenes

"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!

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

With Love,

KL Mosher

Organizing a gig: BE SMART

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

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

With Love,

KL Mosher