
I was sitting at the “waiting area” at Muzik Sistem (the place where i teach music), kekeke, actually to say “waiting area” is quite funny, cause it’s not a clinic or hospital, but i cant figure out any other suitable words, “resting area”? certainly it’s not a place to let student to rest or sleep, so, i used the term “waiting area” la… Since it is just outside of the studios and students will have to wait there… kekeke
All right, enough of that crap. I was sitting there, then i over heard a few boyz (about 15-18 yrs old i guess), talking about the Hong Kong band BEYOND, they were talking about forming a band and playing songs. Certainly they were not my students, but i was not sure too whether they are other teachers’ students or just came here with friends…
Here’s roughly the conversation:
A: Play Beyond song lo
B: What? That band ah? NO want la, so lame, no taste one.
A: Then wat song ni?
C: Play la Simple Plan, Hoobastank, Greenday, Uglymen…
(ok ok…. the last band i added, they din say… kekeke)
then A, B and C went on blah blah blah…..
By looking at the way they talk, I doubt they can play a decent song.
So i kepochi started to lecture them, oh, by the way, i guess they are either new to Muzik Sistem or they never see me before, cause I was replacing classes on Thursday 2pm, (my classes start regularly at 4pm). So I thought they din even notice i am a teacher there, as i was wearing not like a teacher, as always (long pants with Uglymen T shirt, shirt never tug in, hair never comb and wearing the huge oval shape blue tinted spec, plus lousy slippers)
(Forgot which sentence said by A, B or C, anyway, it was from them la)
Me: Hey, you guys forming a band? great! When you guys jemming? can i come?
A: we are just preparing to start la, our frined learning here want to play band
Me: What songs u guys gonna play?
B: dono la, see, green day lo…
C: (this guy looked malu malu but the other two seemed quite confident)
Me: you guys heard of Beyond before?
B: Ya, we dont like that band, lame stuff.
C: beh eong la Beyond…
I asked each of them what instrument they play, and got to know their playing standard more.
Me: Playing in a band is for enjoyment but at the same time you need to improve, or else you will just be wasting time and achieving nothing, but playing at the same level even after 5 years.
They: How to improve?
Me: Well, to start off, listen more Beyond and play Beyond.
I stood up, as my student came and walked into the studio, by the way, i have posters of Beyond and Wong Ka Kui glued to the wall inside my studio

My point above was actually simple, i din mean to force them listen to Beyond, off course every one has their own taste and types of songs which they like to play, but that sentence “Beyond is too lame” really triggered off my appetite of “lecturing” them.

To me, no matter you like or not, Beyond is not lame, just one simple question, off so many Chinese bands outside (amature), which Chinese band has NEVER play Beyond before, how deep has Beyond influenced the music scene not only in Malaysia but all around Asia. I am proudly here to state that I picked up my first guitar note because of Beyond, Uglymen is Uglymen today because of Beyond. I am a music teacher today, well, partly, is because of Beyond. In a way or another, Beyond has “accompanied” most of the youths and teenagers growing up back in the late 80’s, early 90’s even to the mid 90’s. The wonderful melody, soothing vocal (i mean ka Kui), very meaningful lyrics and lastly, simple yet so sweet-listening guitar solo, all of these were a part of so many people when they were growing up.


Ka Kui RIP in Jiang Jun Ao cemetary.
I still remember one of my students had told be long ago, Beyond’s solo too simple and nothing to show off. What I answered was simple: Playing music is always about enjoyment, communication, celebration of humanity and way of touching yours and others soul. Not for showing off.
Beyond is not a band, Beyond is a culture, Beyond is a legend.
Well, since they already disbanded, they are now really “legend”, kekeke, u know what i mean, dont you? ![]()
26 responses so far ↓
taisuan // Feb 27, 2006 at 8:47 am
hahaha, beyond is certainly one of my favourite bands. eventhough i dont understand what they sing but i was related to them by their music, wild style and creativity. i may not be as creative as them but they have inspired me to play a lot songs and putting more hours in my guitar playing. when people say what is your music influence, i will say beyond and will still say beyond even if many disregard them as a true musicians band.
i learnt a lot from beyond in terms of song writing, guitar playing and visual presentation. i still remember i tried to transcribe beyond songs onto my “buku latihan” with chords and music notations which only i can understand
and i’m glad that the time was well spent having to learn their music. and together with mike (who has opened my music mind with other bands), we explored their playing style, life and IMPACT they leave to the chinese music world.
fleaman // Feb 27, 2006 at 9:42 am
Hey.. The kids just pissed u off eh Mikey!…
I still rememeber … lyrics written in english so that I know what songs to play.. else will be playing some other songs..! or Big head.. will flip the paper for me.. Nah.. we’re playing this song.. or even given an english name so I know what song to play! hahahahaha..
Beyond is definitely a cult back in the 90’s! You should tell those kids.. playing music.. is not just about how difficult a song is… technically…. C Am F G.. will get u an award.. if you have a nice lyrics and melody!
Anyway.. just ignore.. the “free will” comments.. they just have lots of things to learn..!
ABBA, The Carpenters… Kick ass too.. that’s in the 70’s la.. but all.. its in the generation! So u happen to be in a generation gap!
Later….
beh // Feb 27, 2006 at 12:34 pm
nowaday’s kids juz dunno wat music really is..
how to improve?? Play more other ppl’s music.
“The best rock&roll music schooling is Playing COVER” quote from metallica.
Beyond beh young a?? if BEYOND beh young a then how come they influence a lot of ppl in rock&roll specially in southest asia???
I won’t take this personally….
I right now start to understand why recent years got less
quality chinese rock band out…
okie enough for me, got to go now.
rockON!
beh
beh // Feb 27, 2006 at 12:43 pm
Forgot to add (not enough for me??)
Beyond thought me
How to appreciate MUSIC
What MUSIC really is
The Attitude towards doing things like never give up, working harmony-ly(team work), don’t cocky (songbong), patience and etc etc.
Wong KaKui’s spirit already running through me, a good piece of music is hard to come by. Good music should have be repected and buy original. etc etc etc
Those all from BEYOND or Wong KaKui…
Now you all understand why I start to undersand in this recent years got less good quality band came out and kick butt in the scence… can you get wat I mean??? can YOU??? CAN you???
really enough of me, have to go now..take care all
rockON!
beh
michael // Feb 27, 2006 at 1:25 pm
anyway, for those who cant read chinese, do you guys know what does the poster that guy is holding says? it says:
“I grown up listening BEYOND’s songs”
Metal // Feb 27, 2006 at 1:37 pm
Beyond is definitely a legend. Not much to comment here. I just think that we will never condemn on those successful people. And we learn from them.
fleaman // Feb 27, 2006 at 1:48 pm
Gay…. u sound diplomatic.. where’s your swearing…!
Hahahahahah…!
michael // Feb 27, 2006 at 2:42 pm
just bought BEYOND LIVE 2003 in Beijing, good show by Beyond but their mandarin speaking very funny kekeke….
fleaman // Feb 27, 2006 at 5:07 pm
Mikey…! Beyond.. will be the idol to Uglymen.. no doubt about it…!
Hey… i can still play… one song only la..! hahahaha… the rest i return back to u n Tai suan..! - “Cantik Ngoi Lei”
hahahahahahahaahhaah….
so.. when u want to jam wth flea!
michael // Feb 27, 2006 at 5:45 pm
any time bro, anytime, after jam can go kai si mee,
hey, you know i bought the Elk Amp from you dad?
cool.
Z-pig // Feb 27, 2006 at 6:56 pm
我也是听beyond的歌长大的….

they not only influent my mind, my spirit, my attitude towards the whole world….and oso how i should walk until last step of my life….
so no matter how ppls criticize about them,
i love beyond.
rei // Feb 27, 2006 at 10:40 pm
watever others say abt BEYOND, BEYOND is still the BEST in many ppl’s heart.
the ABC guys are just innocent ppl
good lecture on them, michael.
michael // Feb 27, 2006 at 11:36 pm
hai Rei… long time no hear from you, hope your study and life as good as ever..
haha.. most importantly you know Beyond why so great? bcos if not becond, we dont be playing music, if no play music, uglymen wont get together, if din get together, uglymen no perform in KL, if no perform in KL, sprite wil never know metal gay…
kesimpulannya, Beyond brings gays and normal people together!
Cheers!
Z-pig // Mar 1, 2006 at 11:14 pm
i am a peace minder,
won’t contempt on ppls,
no matter gay, lesbian, binatang, o bird…
all i treat them well …
kekekeke….
michael // Mar 1, 2006 at 11:56 pm
ya, i can see that.. we can see that actually. kekekeke (insert devilish face here)
michael // Mar 8, 2006 at 6:14 am
Chelsea FC suck
Rockers // Mar 13, 2006 at 7:49 pm
***sigh*** Young generations nowadays are not exposed to real quality music…..they are exposed to those “hao ke ai” stuffs..even the “hao ke ai horrr” have influenced rock musics…and rock music nowadays aren’t what they are used to be….
Beyond is not just a band…they are legend that so far, no Chinese or Asian band can even come close to what they have done.
Gone are the genuine rockers such as Metallica, Limp Bizkit, AC/DC, Black Sabbath etc…..
Sad for rock-lovers today….
Kenneth // Mar 14, 2006 at 6:58 pm
Just wan to say Beyond always the best..
Kenneth // Mar 14, 2006 at 7:03 pm
wanna thanx to my friend when he borrow me beyond song… but actually at that time i dont know who is beyond.. after i listen thier song , just like fall in love .. any way i quite regret that, i know beyond in 1997, that’s too late for me.. so the first album i purchase is surprise.. i really love beyond.. but i never go thier concert .. too sad.. but no matter how beyond i wish u all the best ..
Happy Birthday Wong Ka Kui 生日快乐 黄家驹! | UGLYM3N - Hard Rock Band // Jun 10, 2007 at 12:46 am
[…] Beyond is a Legend Feb 27, 2006 […]
koma // Jun 27, 2007 at 4:54 pm
FUCK U ALL, DUN SAY ABOUT BEYOND….BEYOND IS THE BEST BAND TAT I EVER MEET………….
michael // Jun 27, 2007 at 10:55 pm
dont get mad bro, they are just kids… kekeke…. modern kids are spoiled by modern music…
anyway, 30th June is coming… sad sad memory.
Dyerbreed // Dec 28, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Hi, I know a bit late in the game since this post is kinda old already, but I feel obliged to say something. I like Beyond a lot. My top 5 favorite Beyond songs are (not necessarily in that order): Hai Kuo Tian Kong, Amani, Bu Zai You Yi, Zhen De Ai Ni, and Zui Hou De Da An. I also like Guang Hui Sui Yue.
Hai Kuo Tian Kong is like sex. It starts slow, building up along the way before exploding into a huge wave of orgasm in the final guitar solo, haha!! It’s probably the best song from Beyond, with very meaningful lyrics, gr8 vocals. The problem is that it was used in a cigarette advertisement by Peter Stylversen. Shit. Such a good song about hope and chasing your dreams should NEVER have been used for a lung-cancer causing product, right? Ironic.
One gr8 thg about Hai Kuo Tian Kong is that it cuts across language and racial barriers. I’m from Kuching, Sarawak, and even the local native (Dayak ) bands cover Hai Kuo Tian Kong!! I swear to God. Just go to any pub or club with live band in Sarawak and watch the Dayak bands. At some point during the night, they will play this song for sure.
Amani is a cool song that speaks of peace in the Zulu / African language, and has an insanely good guitar solo. One of my favorite Beyond guitar solos.
Bu Zai You Yi i like because of its melodic guitar work, just like how I like Guang Hui Sui Yue because the of the use of the “Delay” effect for such a slow but sweet, melodic solo.
Zhen De Ai Ni is a good song becos of its lyrics and of cos the guitar is also gr8. Not many pop / rock songs that are as daring as this song, which speaks about the love of a mother and a child’s love in return to the mother. Most, if not all, rock bands would be afraid to sing about the subject for fear of being considered “sissy”. But Beyond tackled the subject and managed to even put guitar harmonies in it, hahahahaha!! So cool.
Zui Hou De Da An i like becos I find it catchy. No real reason. Just that it sounds good to the ears.
Norman
Disclaimer: This is just my opinion and in no way does it reflect the tastes and opinions of my band Dyerbreed.
michael // Dec 28, 2007 at 10:50 pm
good write up Normans… i like almost all of their songs, except those beyond Good Time album (1999), some are simply… eh… lost Beyond’s orignial feel…
Zui Hoi De Da An i oso like, but i prefer the cantonese version Khit Hao…
wait you come alor star lo Norman…
Emily // Apr 22, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Beyond is the best. Just started playing their songs, and the MTV two weeks ago. Brought back many super memories. Now, I am searching their songs to play it in my MP3 player. But dunno how to read chinese. So, that sucks.
Good to know that there are many TRUE Beyond fans around still.
michael // Apr 22, 2008 at 5:39 pm
agree agree… its always a good start to play Beyond’s songs
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