What seems to be like an ordinary breezy Sunday turned out to be a worthy day for local music lovers in Penang. Here’s why.

Khottal
This 11 piece band from Melaka made quite an impression when all 10 of them (a guitarist is absent) stormed the stage of Soundmaker Studio and made it look like they were about to start a riot with their instruments. In a good way of course! All eyes are on them as everyone is curious as to what kind of music that they will be playing and how they will maneuver themselves around. More so when there are so many different kinds of instruments are involved – synthesizer, keyboard, xylophone, accordion and melodica among others. With their unique mix of instruments, indeed the music that they deliver makes you feel like jumping onto the stage and sing along with them. The crowd came alive especially when they played their infamous single – Woo Song.

It’s easy to dub them as our local homegrown Broken Social Scene but I think it could be something more than that. Maybe it’s because of their raw vocals, roaring thumping drums and their diverse array of sounds which makes them stand out. They made me feel like I was back in my band geek days with my unmistakable pinafore. I think it is great that they finally arrived on our shore to play and expose their music to us Penangites as they seemed to know a lot about us and our pioneering Penang bands like DDA and My Pet Alien. But on the other hand, we have little or no knowledge of them.

Ozona Sonora
I was not in the hall when Ozona Sonora took over the stage as I was having a light chat with Khottal since they were about to head home to Melaka. However, in the midst of the chattering and bantering, I could hear high velocity of beats incorporated with serious riffs that could literally blow up a room. It was a tad heavy for the crowd and I think some of them left the hall and hung outside for a little before heading back. Truth be told, I was secretly hoping that they would play their featured song on their myspace, which is Morning Dew but they didn’t. I’m sure it would draw attention to them instead of the opposite. The song is so much easier on the ears! Can’t say that I am disappointed but this Kedah band surely brought their edge with them and put on a good show to impress the crowd nonetheless.

Coma
Don’t ever… Ever believe what the name suggests as they will not only make you wide awake with the mix feelings of soft silent chills and intense weariness. They will somehow makes you tilt your head to the side for a bit and wonder like a puppy. The end of the 15 minutes only song that they played made me wonder why it sounded so familiar… and then it hit me, that it is the sounds of Buddhist monks chanting. Weird but it works(wonders). Two guys on bass guitars, two guys on guitars (one lead, one rhythm I presume), two guys on drums(one on drumset, one on floor tom-tom) and a guy on violin. It did make an impression and their music left the crowd oozing with mysteries and ambiguity. Unfortunately, this will be their last gig for the time being as they will be on a short hiatus. I do hope when they return, they will produce more materials and do Penang proud!

Hui Se Di Dai (HSDD)
Non conforming Penangites that doesn’t really categorizes their music and if I had to, I would say grungingly screamo, experimentally indie and post rockishly psychedelic. It is quite evidently so with the music that they produces thus far. 3 out of the 4 band members are from Coma and for a split second there, I eloped with confusion. However, these guys have been around for years now and they still manage to capture the attention of gig goers and with their dynamic music, who wouldn’t right? This is a band that I see them continuing their non-conformity and bringing us music with respectful implicit meanings for a good cause and a matching eccentricity in melody.

I Am David Sparkle (IADS)
It is without a doubt that IADS is the highlight of the entire gig. I Am David Sparkle – the closest thing that we can get to Mogwai here in Asia. Also dubbed as the pioneers of instrumental post rock in Singapore, they have some strong fan base both locally and internationally since they played at some amazing international music festivals worldwide and the most talked about – SXSW 2009 in Austin, Texas.

Personally I was quite excited to finally see them perform live as I’ve just recently stumbled upon them virtually (somehow!) and when they announced that they will be playing in Penang, I was elated. For IADS to play in Penang for the first time, they were as psyched as me wanting to watch them live. Regrettably, they had just arrived about 3pm in the afternoon from KL and didn’t have much time to explore and discover Penang. They got down to business and went to Soundmaker Studio a lil later afterwards.

Their music can only be described as an escapade of steady solid beats followed by luscious sexy bass lines and intense yet psychedelic guitar riffs. Leaving the audience to whole heartedly feel their music and stripped down to reach for their own hidden emotions.

There’s no way to describe the feeling when you listen to post rock bands live. It’s in the atmospheric experience. Although what I’m about to say could be out of context but I remember feeling that I was being teleported to a luxurious dreamscape where it is just me and the music, no one else. I felt like I was resting on the lush green pastures of paddy fields with clear blue sky and breeze in my hair. Pure bliss.

Even though the crowd was a few people short but they definitely impressed the crowd with their tight and solid performance. Not to mention that they even indulged the crowd when they encored and played Everybody Loves Somebody, a righteous end to the show. No fancy interpretation could best describe this band, but just a (hidden) gem from Singapore that sparkles!

The Setlist of I Am David Sparkle:


Fear of Heights
Ghostfuck
A Bad Corpse
Dance of Death
There’s No Time for Love, Only Chaos
Time to Light Fires
Snarling Dogs
Everybody Loves Somebody (Encore)

All in all, for those who came and supported the gig, it was an excellent one and a great chance to meet and have a little chatter with the bands. However, for those who didn’t, you don’t know what you’ve been missing! My advice is, if there’s a gig next time, get out of the house and head on down to the gig, pronto!



[PS - We took some videos during the gig and we might be posting it up soon. So watch this space!]