one of our friends, jonathan went to singapore to witness the yamaha asian beat national finals. he was there with his friends to watch the annual event and was surprised that singapore materials were more showmanship oriented. at asian level finals, you will get to see very talented musicians (with good technical playing) and the only ones to stand out will be one to score at the showmanship category.
jonathan, thanks for the write-up. appreciate it very much.
I’ll just write what I remember.And the ONLY photo I took was this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/magnificent1986/Image529.jpg
Sorry, but I can’t recall a single band name, and some of the songs also escapes me, I’ll just list down some stuff that I can remember. The major difference in rules is each band is required to perform one cover and one original number, this is to make sure the band they picked to represent Singapore is an “all-rounderâ€. And two of the songs should not exceed 10 mintues.
Singapore’s Asian Beat final was held on the 25th of November at Plaza Singapura’s front plaza (outside McD’s). It started 6.30 sharp with last year’s Singapore Asian Beat champion, they did some covers of Rage Against the Machine etc.
7 Bands took part in the finals. A total of 80 (!) bands took part in this year’s Singapore Asian Beat Finals.
Different paragraphs denotes different band.
there’s this breakdown, where the vocalist sang small verses and duets with the sax, keyboard, guitar and the bass
The first band, if I’m not mistaken, they are called Jabbaholics (sp?). They had one guitarist, one keyboardist (sling around like a guitar one, what’s that called?), one drummer (duh…), one bassist, one vocalist, and………… one saxophonist (cool!). They all look very young (teenagers), accept for the bassist (looks 20-ish). The first song was Donna Summer’s Bad Girls, after that, their own song called Angel. The vocalist said that “I believe that there’s an angel behind every bad girl, so we wrote this song called Angelâ€. Nice showmanship and interaction with the audience and within the band, very tight too. There’s a part where each and every instrument had its own solo break. The sax is just so beautiful, and sits very nicely in the whole mix. Then there’s this breakdown, where the vocalist sang small verses and duets with the sax, keyboard, guitar and the bass. Very very very cool. Guitarist was ok, mostly consist of funky wah+clean rhythm strumming. One more thing, I think they played for 20 minutes! Why is this so? The rules stated only 10 minutes per band for 2 songs. Can anybody enlighten me?
Now, I absolutely forgot about the rest of the show, because most of the bands sounded the same to me. Only the first band really made an impression on me.There’s a band how played Jimi Hendrix’s Fire, I’ve never heard this song before, but according to my drummer, they revamped it, as in simplified it a lot. The original had a lot of complicated rhythms on drums and guitar, but all this band did was chugga chugga chugga, and not in a metal-chugga manner, more reggae-ish-chugga. This band was funny as hell though, their fans down the stage were just crazy, they danced and jumped a whole lot. The MC later gave them a few freebies, courtesy of Yamaha, for being great fans. The lead singer had a big afro wig on, and later took it of for the second song, I find it sorta lebih to do that.
There’s a band that was really really young, I think 18 or 19 only, and the only all-chinese band of the night. They played a little below average. Not tight at all, guitar not clean too, singing below par compared to other bands. And yes, we also thought why they were in the finals. Oh ya… The singer very handsome. After some discussion with my other band members, we think that the singer is why they got into the finals 
male vocalist was kinda “chubbyâ€, and wears some quite fitting shirt that showed his “assetâ€
This band played and R&B song as their cover, and a similar genre as their original. Forget about how they sounded, but something is worth mentioning here. The vocalist made me think hard when I want to up my antics on stage next time. I may offend somebody with my next comment, but please don’t take it too seriously, as I’m referring to some proper showmanship, read on. The male vocalist was kinda “chubbyâ€, and wears some quite fitting shirt that showed his “assetâ€. Whilst they were doing an R&B number, this genre normally is synonymous with SEXY, therefore (you’ve guessed it), the singer tried to be “sexy†on stage. Twisting and turning (think Usher), a bit over… I was laughing my butt off. I turned around and looked at the judges, all kept a straight face (how in the world can they keep a straight face?). Anyway, very entertaining to watch.
Then there’s this band that did a Rage Against the Machine cover. When the MC introduced them, he mentioned that this band had tried 3 times before. Everything about this band was RATM, guitarist used tons and tons of effects on his guitar, even the singing pattern of the vocalist. Not hard to see why they never won AB. It’s ok for me if they played exactly like RATM when they are covering their song, but the problem is they played exactly like them on their original. Sigh. Guitar solo also take out the input jack of the guitar, and scratch it somewhere whilst using the whammy pedal. BUT, he didn’t know how to jack it back into the guitar as the YAMAHA guitar provided had a more unorthodox jack position, he manage to have his guitar up and running after half a verse into the rest of the song. This is why musicians should be allowed to use their own instruments on stage, especially on a big stage like AB.
The next band is almost like a clone to the previous band. RATM all the way. Guitarist also did the Tom Morello styled solo and stuff.
All the bands are full of showmanship and interaction with audience, really nice.
After all the bands, the MC briefly told the audience there were gonna be BESTs awards. I was thinking, how are they gonna choose the best guitarist? I didn’t notice any guitarist that’s consistent and clean through out the whole competition. Plus, non of them played anything technical at all, really a very very sad thing for me, as I was hoping to see some great guitar playing. Really disappointed.
I think that’s about it. That’s all I can remember from the show.
My conclusion: Very showmanship oriented, very different from Malaysia which was very technical. Obviously Singapore is more into modern rock and stuff, less technical stuff. Nevertheless, very entertaining indeed.
19 responses so far ↓
Rossie // Dec 7, 2006 at 10:50 am
Quote:
“at asian level finals, you will get to see very talented musicians (with good technical playing) and the only ones to stand out will be one to score at the showmanship category.”
Erm… I don’t quite get it about “the only ones to stand out will be one to score at the showmanship category” part…
Does it mean that showmanship > technical ability?
taisuan // Dec 7, 2006 at 11:14 am
jonathan,
answer to your 2nd question: when you are competiting at asian level, all bands will practise their butt off and technical ability showcase will be about the same level. showmanship consists of 20 points and if the band stands like trees, they are very unlikely to gain points in showmanship area. at least, the song intepretation must be there or else audience can just listen to the band’s song on CD.
regarding your 1st question, i was there at the asian final in 2003. and singapore band B-Quartet was boo-ed because of some malaysian idiots trying to relate the band with the (at that current) water issue spat between malaysia and singapore. i got annoyed at the little nuisance as malaysians should show some courtesy when neighbouring countries were performing. that was a musical event not a dialogue between malaysia and singapore. and our malaysian band “high wired” poked fun at singapore as well (also with regards to the water issue), so unfortunate.
Rossie // Dec 7, 2006 at 11:22 am
Oh, so that’s why. Yeah, should just keep it to themselves.
Totally agree on the showmanship issue. A few days ago, we went to Singapore for an audition in a jamming studio there. They were 3~4 ppl there as “judges”, it’s a little weird to show case our showmanship in a jamming room, really weird. So we bandmates just kept on interact with each other. It’s just really weird…
fleaman // Dec 7, 2006 at 11:42 am
Suan, in this case.. u might want to bring in your friend.. the political band that swear onstage! they will definitely cool both ends! hahahahahahahaha….
Rossie // Dec 7, 2006 at 11:44 am
You mean NAO?
fleaman // Dec 7, 2006 at 11:55 am
Not too sure the band name.. but they really kick butt wth their words… but unfortunately when they sing.. i have no idea what he’s shouting about!
Rossie // Dec 7, 2006 at 11:57 am
Vocal with a mohawk at one point? Using an Epiphone Les Paul Standard? Their album got alot of toilet bowls one?
Silver Isle // Dec 7, 2006 at 1:07 pm
Yes, I’m 100% sure he means NAO. Kekeke. Cause I was there too when he had his first time experience watching NAO.
Silver Isle // Dec 7, 2006 at 1:09 pm
Anyway, very cool write-up too Jonathan! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us. Hope to see you in the Asia Grand Final.
So how’s your band audition going on?
michael // Dec 7, 2006 at 1:59 pm
Jonathan, thanks so much for sharing with us!
For the past years, Asian Beat has always been a competition to look out for unique bands that stand out from bunch of technically-fluent lot. However, we still see some silly resutls. That was bcos different views from different judges. For the past two years, i have been very lucky to be involved in judging 5 regional finals, of all the judges i worked with, all have different point of views. A champion band for judge A could be a non top-three for judge B. It was too subjective. But if i collate all my experience from these judges, i get the following conclusion:
1) Band with high techicallity is not certain to gain high points. You must be using your technical stuff to deliver your song. Many bands played very well (much action) with no purpose in the song. Sad to say one of the most techincal bands won Asian Beat Grand Final before (and i dont have to tell you who is that). Even if you played well, bad sound-balancing could kill you too. And lastly, like Suan said, if you practise your ass off just to be like some one else (for example Y Malmsteen, oh, i just saw not long ago a band tried ot be like Malmsteen so much, even the vocal, esp the guitarist althouh they sounded so so so bad, that really pissed me off, and i think everyone at the venue who knows music will agree with me) Its better i make a nescafe and sit at home watch Malmsteen DVD.
2. Bands with less teachnical fluency or bands with minimal techinal difficulties BUT full of X factors. Fancy costumes, humourous stage ethnics, looking confident, entice the crowd and judges with ease, song form which is out of this world, eye-catching CHOREOGRAPHY which i cant stress more here, decent presentation, nice arrangement (not necessary to be difficult, Lemon Tree, Summer of 69, Scar Tissue, All The Small Things, Take A Look Around, That Thing You Do…) These are very well arranged songs which you can pick up any time. But the execution of the songs must be perfect in order to deliver the taste and feel to the audience. This is what most of the bands I watched this year lacked off.
So, either a technical band with MEANINGFUL music lines, or a unique band with full of X factors, or a unique band with many teachnical difficulties…
you’ll be the judge. cheers.
fleaman // Dec 7, 2006 at 3:15 pm
Yeah.. i think its NAO.. i saw them in 20th Leigth St, Pg. Mohawk look! n look very stone 24/7!
And i won so many local indie music.. via Tiger Beer lucky draw.. n i gave all away.. as i have no idea who were they.. i think suan n mikey got the disc hahahahhaahah… i missed out the ipod.. KNN.
Must have consume too much ! to win so many time…! ;0
Rossie // Dec 7, 2006 at 7:25 pm
Silver: Our band audition went ok, organizers will let us know this sunday. We just took part in this competition for fun (again), plus our vocalist was too busy to help us sing because of her exams. So we did an instrumental version of Endless Sacrifice (with some bits and pieces from other DT songs to make it sorta like a medley), and John Petrucci’s Glasgow Kiss (the ending part of THE BLAZE’s number, remember Mike? Love this song so much). Not sure how they would think of us, went I was packing my gears, I overheard the cute girl, who was one of the auditioners, said something to the extent of “I never knew anyone could cover Dream Theater…”
But now the issue of originality and creativity worries me a little, just keep my fingers crossed.
Singaporeans DO have great gears, how they sound is another issue though. Take a look at this website: http://www.dyingtobeheard.com
Take a peek in the gallery section, look at the past year’s competition. Almost all of the gears are high end stuff. You have an Ibanez John Petrucci model (!), a Fender Jag, a YAMAHA JM2 bass etc. You get the picture. It will be so sad if the sound doesn’t live up to these killer intruments.
Mike: No problem at all. Singapore’s taste are very different from Malaysia’s.
About your last sentence:
“So, either a technical band with MEANINGFUL music lines, or a unique band with full of X factors, or a unique band with many teachnical difficulties…”
So you’re meaning if you want to play with technique, then must go all out la?
I really really hate choreography, is it still possible to still out without it? As in we spend all of our time in our music, and make it as unique (musically) as possible. And of course, interaction between band members and audience is a must. But seriously, no choreography…
michael // Dec 8, 2006 at 2:01 am
good point there Jonathan, making serious music is good, but what i was trying to state was, Asian Beat is looking for uniqueness like adding some choreograph, that does not necessary apply to other competitions or text book. Your band is a progressive band and i love to watch bands like Mr Big, DT, RUSH (not the malaysian rush)… and they dont have choreograph off course. But most Asianbeat judges just dont buy that. So next year, when your band enters Asian Beat, its actually good to put in some non-technical factors in order to get the ace from the other teams
well, at least that’s how Asian Beat works
Rossie // Dec 8, 2006 at 8:36 am
Thanks for the inputs!
About the word choreography… Erm… As in? Dance moves? Head banging? I’m now quite into an all-girl Taiwan band-CHERRY BOOM. Great songs and skills!
Here are some videos you can check out:
sheng1 ming4 yu3 ai4 concert part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzlv3miqVtI
part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_xQ9IbNcrI
Dear Prince:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQrubZ46rZw
I Wanna Rock:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xorKM6_Xi6Q
Check out Dear Prince, they did some movements together on stage as a band to accomodate the mood of the song. Is this what you ment by choreography?
Malaysia also got RUSH?
Silver Isle // Dec 8, 2006 at 5:16 pm
Yes, from soundscape. =|
michael // Dec 8, 2006 at 6:27 pm
thanks joanathan, saw the band before, i think silver_isle introduced to me some time ago, nice to watch.
Rossie // Dec 8, 2006 at 8:07 pm
Silver: why that face? I assume they are millions and trillions of miles apart from the real RUSH?
Mike: Did you mean like the choreography they did in their videos? As in there’s a certain theme in our movements on stage, some sort of a dance?
michael // Dec 8, 2006 at 9:51 pm
eh… its not easy to tell, but its not a dance really, its just a procedure or routine to make a certain phrase of music sounds and looks more powerful and more impact.
it can be just a nod of the head, sway of the picking arm, or even a head turn…
silver_isle face like that bcos we missed sondscape show a lot since not often to KL.
Yamaha Asian Beat Nothern Region Finals 2007 ~ my take | UGLYM3N - Hard Rock Band // Nov 3, 2007 at 2:06 am
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