A sarcastic song performed by Mr. Funnyman Robbie.



Interesting how very Bond he can be with the right haircut and outfit.

Interstate Love Song - Stone Temple Pilots

Alternative rock was probably created or propagated by this epic band. Scott Weiland is now singing for Velvet Revolver, but his best times (minus the rock star problematic issues) was when he was with Stone Temple Pilots.

Big Area - Then Jericho

This song is great. British rock music of the 80s is just great. Mark delivers it well here.

The Hoochie Coochie Man

If it ain't Muddy Waters, then it ain't Muddy enough.



The Hoochie Coochie Man. Live.

Never Let Me Down Again - Depeche Mode

I was fifteen years old when this song came about. A great fan of this legendary British band. Didn't know much about songwriting back then, but their lyrics have great impact on the way I write my music now.

Notice how black and white videos retain a certain "not attached to any era" kind of feel.

Say (All I Need) - One Republic

Brilliant song this one.
All I need, is the air I breathe, and a place to rest my head.



I'm going to go along this kind of alternative sound for Kickspace's upcoming songs.

Rio

Back in the 80's, the video quality and content were not as advanced or articulate as it is now. So you get things like what Duran Duran had in this video for their song, Rio.

Love this song, one of their best ever. John Taylor's bass line is just brilliant.

Quiet is the New Loud - An Acoustic Showcase

SKYE Music Centre in collaboration with Blackbox and Nemesis Arts showcased an acoustic jam at Ruai Tribal Cafe and Restaurant on Friday 13th June 2008. The jam featured four of Kuching's homegrown band, namely Mean Majesty, Daytime Drama, Saltwater Flies and Akur. Each band was given 40 minutes to do renditions of their own original compositions or covers. The show started at about 8pm and the place was jam-packed with enthusiastic fans and audiences. I didn't have a place to sit myself, I was just hobbling in and out of the venue with my camera trying to get the best shots in the rather dimly-lit but atmospheric lounge / bar set up area.

Congratulations to SKYE's team comprising the boss himself, Allie Robert and his band of merry men - Dwin, Billy Boy, Renay and the rest - and also to Blackbox and Nemesis Arts for the successful show that night. And a million thanks of course to all the audiences and supporters of the show, for without you, we'd never have been able to have any show at all.

Rock on, people!

Have You Ever Seen The Rain?

Creedence Clearwater Revival. Better known as CCR. Nuff said.

Seize the Day - Avenged Sevenfold

Seize the Day. Dead Poet's Society.
Seize the Day. Avenged Sevenfold.

Empty - The Click FIve

I'm not a follower of The Click Five's music, but this song seemed worth the extra listen I don't normally give some of the newer pop punk bands.

Good song this.

Bittersweet Symphony

Any song that survives torrentiality in the music world and have the masses claim it to be an infinite classic deserves a place in the history of music-making to be what it should rightfully be - an infinite classic. The Verve got this song out quite a number of years ago. Not exactly Sinatra, Beatles or Morrison material, but it cuts a deep chasm of cult followers that has managed to place this song to be a true modern Brit-pop classic. Possibly the best ever. Way better than what Oasis, Suede, Blur or the likes could have ever offered during that era, for any of their songs. At least that's what I think anyway.

Bittersweet Symphony.

Upcoming Acoustic Jam Event organised by SKYE in JUNE 2008

Fellow musicians and artists, SKYE is organising an acoustic jam session at Ruai Kitai, Rock Road, on a tentative date of 15 June 2008. So far we've got some bands already confirming their participation, one of them being Akur (see photo).

Ruai Kitai is located on the same side as CIMB Bank at Rock Road, just across the street from Twin Towers building, where Westmoore House is. A rather easy venue to locate, plus it's got ample parking space.

More updates to come.

Crossroads - Clapton and Mayer

When I first saw this I nearly fell of my seat and rolled over to faint in perfection. Fuck me left right and center, this is a legend and a legend-to-be together on-stage playing a legendary rock and roll song.

Enjoy this. Fuck.



Crossroads. Originally performed by Cream.

SKYE's Latest Promotion & Opening Hours

People of the world, listen up!

SKYE Music Centre is now open at 2.00pm onwards from Tue - Fri.

The rest of the opening hours still remains the same, i.e. 2.00pm onwards for Sat and Sun.

Also, SKYE is offering its latest promotion, especially for bands who've never played here before, and that is a coupon voucher worth RM10 for half-an-hour jam session.

If you want to get hold of these coupons, please drop by SKYE Music Centre at any of the opening times and ask for assistance from any of the staff on duty there. Alternatively, you can call the numbers on this blog's header for more info.

I'll now leave you to enjoy one very prolific rendition of My Chemical Romance's I Don't Love You from a Youtubber. Enjoy and rock on!

Kuching's Battle Blast, 29 March 2008

It was a hell of a blast at Battle Blast on 29 March 2008, held at Kenyalang Community Hall, Kuching. My impression of the venue was, well, rather generous on space and didn't quite compliment the compact arrangement of the sound system set up for the event. However this not hamper the enthusiasm and raw energy shown by the participating bands, about 20 plus in total. The event started at about noontime and bands plus their audience poured in to the venue non-stop after that. Band selection was arranged by having 5-7 bands play in one session consecutively, each band playing 2 songs, and a 15-minute break after each session.

I was there with the rest of SYKE Music Centre's personnel - Billy Boy, Peter and Edwin - and the boss himself, Allie Robert. SKYE helped out two bands, Fred and his band, and Acie and his friends, a.k.a. The Sludont. Both bands rendered out some covers during their session, which the crowd seemed to enjoy very much. Fred and his band played their alternative-rock version of the Indonesian line-dance pop song "Poco-poco" which really got the crowd going.

10 bands were finally selected to enter the finals, the date and venue I've yet to find out. Fred and his band made it, unfortunately The Sludont did not. To Fred, congratulations guys! And to the Sludont, it's OK guys, better luck next time. Most important, you had a good time and gained some exposure in the local music scene.

I praise the organisers for maintaining good crowd control during the event, which did not see any undesirable incidents happening.

Here are some images of of Fred and his band and Acie and friends/The Sludont in the Battle Blast event. Rock on and see at SKYE!

Autumn Song by Manic Street Preachers

One of my favourite bands of all time. The song starts with some slow groove which then builds up a-la Queen back in the 70s during the Bohemian Rhapsody era at the pre-chorus part. Enticing, that's how I'd describe the melody. Bradfield's crooning is erroneously marvellous.

New Operating Hours for SKYE

Folks,

We have revised our business hours once again. The jam room is now open as follows:

TUE - FRI:
7.30pm - 11.00pm

SAT & SUN:
2.00pm - 11.45pm

MON:
Closed

For public holidays, please call +6 019 895 1326 for queries.

See you at the jam room!

A Design for Life

I saw Manic Street Preachers perform at Wembley Arena in '96, they were phenomenal. A 3-piece performance that ripped through the crowd with melodic ammunitions and very little mercy to spare for those unarmed. This could easily be one of their classic hits, post the disappearance of Richey James.



Some lyrics do make sense. This is one of those.

New opening times for SKYE

Announcement, people!

The new operating times for SKYE Music Centre are as follows:

Tuesday to Thursday:
7pm - 11pm, advance booking only. Please call SKYE at 019 8951326.

Friday:
7pm - 11pm, open as usual.

Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday:
10am - 6pm, advance booking only. Please call SKYE at 019 8951326.
6pm - 11pm, open as usual.

Monday:
Closed.


The RATES are:

1 hour = RM 35.00 only
1/2 hour = RM 18.00 only

See you at the jam room and rock on!

Skills that defy natural reflexes

I like to believe I was born to play drums instead of the axe. When I write songs I always try to create a very filling drum arrangement in my head for each part of the song, even though I know there would be no hope in hell I could play any of those parts that I had imagined/arranged.

This vid shows Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta and Steve Gadd in a drum solo medley.

LATEST NEWS from Skye Jamming Room

Good news, folks!

The management of Skye Music Centre has decided to fix the price at RM35.00 per hour ONLY, from 17th February 2008 onwards. Half-hour rate will be RM 18.00 only.

Please spread the news around.

We hope to see our regular, loyal clients and newcomers soon at the jam room!

Great bands at the Jam Room

It's been a rather busy 2 days at Skye's jam room. Yesterday Friday 8th February, we had clients coming in since 6pm until almost midnight, with only an hour break from 9pm to 10pm. Our regular clients, Kevin and friends from nearby came to jam for half and hour, as well as Dominic and his friends who played for an hour. Another band who came for the second time to the studio, Chakwau Cyndrome, also took an hour's session. I managed to chat with the band's lead vocalist and leader who informed me that most bands who had jammed at Skye were very happy with the studio's equipments and room size. However he added the studio should provide a 4-string bass coz some players are not accustomed to the 5-string Ibanez we have. Also, a crispier crash cymbal set-up would complement the PDP 7-piece drum set better. Today's business is very much kicking as well; we had our first client for the day at 4.30pm and as I was leaving the studio at 10pm tonight, bands were still waiting their turn to jam.

That's definitely great feedback from the bands who've visited us. We thank all of you for your continued support of Skye's jam room and we hope to provide even better equipments and services to you in the near future. Once again, thanks a million to our clients Chakwau Cyndrome, Kevin, Dominic, Reynold, Danny, Acie, Fred, Justine, Tearju, NYMSKL, Cydric and the rest of the people and bands I've not mentioned here.

Support your local music scene!

Gilbert hammering at lightning speed

My favourite axeman doing what he does best - hammering an Ibanez.



When I grow up (as a guitarist) I want to be like Paul Gilbert.

The best non-blues blues tune I've ever heard - Blue

Only Yngwie can come up with something bluesy which is not blues:



It's after watching clips like these that you wished you had 12 hours a day to practise on your own axe to be this good.

Guitar Licks: Smooth Fretboard Surfing

Jazz is something I personally find intriguing to listen to, let alone play. Check out this girl jazz-rocking and hammering delicately on a Korean-made Dame guitar.



Makes you wonder how many hours she spends a day to play this smooth...

Special Promotion Rate for January 2008

The latest addition to the jamming scene in Kuching City, SKYE Music Centre offers probably the most spacious jamming room/studio in the metropolis to give true-blood musicians that extra creative atmosphere.

SKYE Music Centre is now offering, up until the end of January 2008, a special promotion rate of RM 30 per hour only to jam in their new studio. Check out the flyers that are (and will be distributed) around the City for these special rates discount coupons. If you can’t get hold of one, why don’t you just drop by the music centre and we’ll give you a coupon!

Refer to the flyers attached here for more information and directions to SKYE Music Centre.

Remember folks, seeing is believing. We only have ONE jamming room, and it’s got ample space to even fit three Hummers side by side.

For more information, please call +6 019 895 1326 or +6 016 889 6659.

SKYE Music Centre's jamming room/studio is now open

Good news to all musicians in Kuching City and the nearby areas!

There is now a new jamming room / studio called SKYE Music Centre which has just opened in the City. It is strategically and conveniently located on the 2nd floor, corner lot of one of the new shoplot buildings along Jalan Tun Jugah, Simpang Tiga. The address is Lot 11868, 2nd Floor, Block 16, KCLD Sublot 1, No. 109, Jalan Tun Jugah, 93300 Kuching.

What makes SKYE Music Centre's jamming studio different from the rest?

Size does matter – We do not boast to be the best in terms of musical instruments we provide nor the technology we use, but we do claim to be one that offers the most generous space, a comfortable and conducive as well as inspiring environment for any sort of musically-inclined activity.

Where it’s at – It’s located within a new and upcoming commercial area along Jalan Tun Jugah, which is part of the Simpang Tiga area. You cannot miss the studio; it’s inner walls are painted bright green and there is a banner with domesticated mice playing music on a gong with the title “Skye Music Centre”. This centralized location simply allows anyone to find the place with ease. If you’re still unsure of where it is, here is a quick guide: As you come from the Simpang Tiga flyover heading towards the traffic light to the airport, look to your left just before your eyes catches the Nissan showroom at the corner lot.

The jamming studio opening hours are as follows:
Tuesday to Friday: 2.00pm – 11.00pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday: 10.00am – 11.00pm
Monday: Closed

The rates are charged on an hourly basis of RM 50/hour, and RM25 for the subsequent ½ hour. This is only allowed if there are no subsequent bookings made prior to the previous one.

For safety reasons, only a maximum of 10 persons are allowed inside the studio room at any one time.

Advanced booking / reservations are preferred, please contact the numbers below:
+6 019 895 1326
+6 016 889 6659

We encourage and welcome professional or amateur musicians from all walks of life and from any musical background and influence to come and try out the studio. As long as you are serious about the music you play and you need what we consider as one of the best joints in town to express it, then you are most welcome to SKYE Music Centre.