Since October of 2006 to date, Uglymen have been heavily involved in both gigs or other music related activities. And personally, I have been travelling (exlcuding Penang), average of one time in 21 days… to Johor Asian Beat Final, back to Penang Asian Beat Final, Kedah /Perlis Asian Beat Finals, then to Malaysia Finals in KL, to Changlun, then to Singapore, then KL again, and now Taiwan, then Taiping, then Kampar, then Telok Anson, then Bukit …. I must admit the travelling, lack of sleep, too much work (but i love it), really made me a tired man. Ha, i almost forgot, starting from tomorrow, my second band “Hai Lang” will be performing for 2 nights of 3-hour shows, I am handling the task of lead guitar, and vocals on some songs. We just had our second practise just now ended 1.30am. Two sessions of practise to perform 50 songs for two nights. It sounded shocking, but the same happened in the February Hai Lang Reunion Show. So i guess i am not that nervous now… hehe..
From 2006 november the unFORGETable Autocity shows to Keat Hwa “S” 90 Years Anniversary (that was a great one), to January Band Act’s preparation and Students Recital, February Chinese new year show at Sentosa together with Hai Lang band. And the very successful Singapore Esplanade gig bar the stupid ailing stomach! and towards March in prepraration for Yamaha Asian Beat Asia Grand Finals…
Some times I really doubt myself can do so many things, handle projects and travelling to many places, at the expend of my classes…
I once sat down in my studio, completely blanked out and just thought of what i wanna achieve in life. All these years down the road, I have worked so many jobs, direct selling, web designer, sales man, lecturer, teacher, reporter, pc sales and repair… but finally, i came back to my first job in 1994 ~ teaching music. Many friends advised me to get a better job then anchoring my butt in music schools forever. Well, it seems forever though, 2007 is the 14th year i am teaching music. Close friends will know i am not making a good living in Alor Star and I never doubt i will one day leave here. I have got offers from music schools around KL, Johor and Penang which offer much better income range than in my home town.
If you read the Nan Yang Uglymen Exclusive back in December 2006, you will know that I gave up the chance of studying music in local U and a well acclaimed music institution (ASK) back in 1995. It was simply a reason, a very simple reason. If i were to embark on a 3-year study in out station, I may not be here already today writing this post. Probably i would have been a music teacher in secondary school (as my friend who got accepted together with me by the institution at that time proceeded to become a school teacher today). I did not go bcos, the reason is simple, because I love my band, I love my band more than anything else. I love Uglymen, and if you asked me to work out station for 3 years without playing with Uglymen, i will probably hang myself like Hideto Matsumoto (RIP).
I am tired, but I am happy with what I am doing, that’s my passion, and i will not regret continue doing this.
To be frank, i am not really excited about the up coming Taiwan trip, probably because of fatigue, financial issues, feasibilities and jobs allocations. Uglymen have confirmed to perform in a series of gigs after the Taiwan show, namely in Taiping, Bukit Mertajam, Telok Anson, Kampar, Sungai Petani, and in the midst of detail planning on Uglymen solo concert… more details later.
taisuan: michael, you forgot to mention that we are booked for Singapore this 26-May at GASHAUS.
Thank you for supporting Uglymen.
15 responses so far ↓
Gnap // Mar 22, 2007 at 8:12 am
Eh.. if you come to teach in Penang, you will still be playing with Uglymen what.. (feel like begging u to come and teach in Penang!)
Eh.. i thot if u so busy, stress, travel here and there, should be skinny like me what..
I respect your passion and loyalty in music. And because of that, you teach eventhough the income is not super attractive, .. and guess what, because of that, so many hundreds of children benefit from your music teaching. It’s not easy at all to find music teachers who feels passionate about what they do.
Salute!
And as a rocker…. YOU ROCK MAN!
So… jaga your health… and keep the music alive man.
Metal // Mar 22, 2007 at 10:51 am
Don’t worry man…Be happy….That is a good chance to play in Taiwan…even in future u have a lot of money, you might not have a chance to play there again too….About work? hhmm…work is never finish…..fren…cheer up !!!
angkong suan // Mar 22, 2007 at 1:10 pm
wah michael… this is the first time metal sow actually gave advice. you better appreciate it now man…
i’m still sick but working. no fever but some mild cough and exhaustion. not sure why la…
-Chun weI- // Mar 22, 2007 at 1:13 pm
thx for everything…
i’m happy that ur’re happy of what ur doing.
many people cant give up something important for their passion towards music. but u did!
and its going strong.
same goes to uglymen.
rock on!!
suckME // Mar 22, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Mike……i love you so much…ole ole…me alway support back of you, no matter how far u run for your music……arh arh …even from perlis pass kedah pass terenganu pass kelantan pass pahang, pass selang\or pass N9 pass melaka pass johor then go Singapore then fly to KK and SBH then fly back to KL then back perak then pass penang, then back alor star thean peng home, kekeke…alar…come ON SEXY…mike i also think when young, sure can go then just GO…non think so m uch…hehehe :D…shi bo, ang kao SUAN
fleaman // Mar 22, 2007 at 3:21 pm
What a writeup! passion is one thing la….
Work will never end.. like ah hooi says.. enjoy what you do and do reserver a lot for later stage..! u need that..!
But i just got to say this out…! like u said la.. sit in class n go blank thinking what u want to do next! - don’t be angry ya mikey!
My comments is, you are scared to move out from your comfort zone! i m no motivational instructor.. but that’s the fact! you can always give good advice wth your vast experience to ppl and other bands, but when you get some advice, you may probably brush it aside, or ignore it, coz you think you’re not up to it. Doesn’t matter if its good or bad!
One day, there will be a wakeup call, when u need to move out from your comfort zone!
Hey! we’re from the same lubang la..! we stay in no. 90… !
U take care man.. n we’ll give u support on what you plan to do..! just ensure you do a wakeup check.. once in a while!
SilverIsle // Mar 22, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Super agree with fleaman’s comment. =)
It’s not that we don’t understand you or whatever it is, but you ought to think for your own future, seriously. How FAR can you go with your current status (job, salary, lifestyle, attitude)? Life ain’t all about passion and interest, sometimes, we just have to be rational and make a change when it is needed.
Do have a SERIOUS thought about your FUTURE! Realise your dream but not forget about it the very next day.
Our support is at your side for sure. No matter what your decision is.
taisuan // Mar 22, 2007 at 7:05 pm
fleaman and silver isle, actually mike is working out on something or else he won’t be spending a lot of time and budget on his berklee course. he is planning on something and now is NOT the right time to announce anything yet. when the time comes, he will announce to all.
SilverIsle // Mar 22, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Yepz. I know. Regardless what is it, take care of your health is the most important thing to do now. Rock on! =D
fleaman // Mar 22, 2007 at 10:55 pm
wow.. secret weapon! i like suprises! ;P
and yes i know also la..!
all the best… !
kelvyn yeang // Mar 23, 2007 at 2:30 am
ugly men supports ocean of fire so ocean of fire supports uglymen kau kau
good luck man
seriously if u guys go it just means that we malaysian bands are really comin up,
pop shuvit…japan,
love me butch…thailand
couple…indo
paku…uk
ugly men..taiwan
ocean of fire…alor setar…..
Anonymous // Mar 23, 2007 at 8:32 am
kelvyn > u guys rocks dude ! sure will POp up 1 day.. Gud Luck Dude!
Long Live UGLYM3N !
taisuan // Mar 23, 2007 at 10:18 am
kelvyn… bwahahahhaha…. kekekeke… cin tulan loh… kekekekek…..
actually, we wanna go to HK but the rock-it organizer didn’t select us last year.
-chun wei // Mar 23, 2007 at 2:32 pm
oceans.. u people will sure come up one day
dun worry… haha
Ivan // Mar 26, 2007 at 12:25 am
UGLY MAN BOLEH !!!!!!
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