Let's get things straight before we begin; I'm not psychic; yet I have this strange feeling that 1997 is going to be a great year ahead for local indie music. Call it a premonition or call it due, it's been slowly simmering up again, after a long period of non-activity and a dry run for demos and releases. Suddenly now it's all swinging back again into full force, and I genuinely hope it won't just be another false alarm.
Newer bands and fresh faces started to surface over the last 6 months, surreptitiously taking up strategic positions to unleash their stuff onto an unsuspecting crowd of jaded listeners. Among these bands, the ones with the most potential to me seem to be Jade Adversaries, Jinx, Clothespeg, Residual Friends and Needles. It's no coincidence that 4 out of these 5 bands played at the massive open-air Anti Drugs Gig at Takashimaya around September, attracting a huge crowd who seem to proudly display their free T-shirt souvenirs until today. Guess they enjoyed it - I most certainly did. Success #1.
Then in November 96, BigO released it's 3rd volume of the Singles Club, showcasing Force Vomit, Suchness and Astreal. Hot on its heels came the 2 releases by Pony Canyon; an uneasy haphazard compilation which was Dazed & Confused, and the cosmopolitan but superb Flush After Use. The former was basically a failed attempt at rejuvenating the Kopi Kat Klan school of Singlish comedy crap with several throwaway numbers (notably the Michelle Goh gimmick which pissed all over poor Lou Reed's head). However it's saving grace was that it featured standout tracks from Concave Scream, Sugarflies and indie pioneers The Oddfellows; not exactly worth the price of the CD, but they're great tantalizers until their albums come out. The main course is always more value for money than an overpriced unfulfilling starter. Flush After Use was a benchmark on it's own right. I've raved about it enough, and suffice to say that I'd gladly buy it. If I lost it, I'd purchase it again. And then if someone I lent it to lost it, I'd make them buy one for me.
As 1996 expired, the Lilac Saints received a nomination for Best Band in the Perfect 10 Awards last year, and should have won if not for the Lizard's (yawn) Convention. In a surprise twist where the underdog really did triumph, Oddfellows lead guitarist/singer-songwriter extraordinare Kelvin Tan won the award for Best Local Song with his nebulously titled Freedom And The Tainted Cross. It's surprising that a song so devoid of the cliches of modern rock a la Britpop, post-grunge etc pulled off such a commendable feat on local radio. I mean, it must have taken a miracle to tickle the fancies of a bunch of musically pallid critics whose musical diet revolves around the likes of Alanis, Boyzone and Celine Dion. Or could it be that that generation has ceased to evolve, and a more tasteful breed of listeners have come to take their place? That people have finally begun to acknowledge that a well- crafted pop song breaks down all barriers, even the most resilient one - the dated and unfair prejudice towards homegrown bands?
And the next thing you know, there's this influx of gigs. The Pony Canyon/Sparks sessions every Tuesday until March and possibly beyond have drawn a respectable turnout and provided the bands with a live setting that truly enhances the mood and atmosphere of seeing a good band rocking out onstage. Tower Records, Hard Rock Cafe and a large-scale publicity gig for Women's Rights have been lined up to take place anytime from now until the mid year. These are essential for increasing public awareness of the bands and eliminating biases in a slow but hopefully rewarding process.
And finally, the releases scheduled for the year ahead are positively encouraging. Concave Scream has just completed their excellent upcoming album. The Padres have secured an impressive contract with Southeast Asian bigwigs Rock Records, and might just receive international attention. Scheduled for more studio work soon are Opposition Party, Oddfellows and Humpback Oak; plus there's talk of bands getting a possible album with Pony, and contenders are likely to include Sideshow Judy, Stoned Revivals and Lilac Saints. Pony will also be doing a compilation of bands to prove that the female of the species is more deadly than the male, to tie in with the Women's Rights gig. Noel from Suchness has a publishing deal, and might be the new Desmond Child (heheh, just kidding). He could be writing songs for musically talentless people worldwide to sing and get nominated with Grammies for. On the D.I.Y side, EPs and demos should be out soon or even as I write this by bands like Self-Portrait, Astreal, Psycho Sonique and Livonia (witness shameless plugging here). Check shops that sell local indie recordings, like Roxy Music, Da Da Records, Far East Plaza (who knows, you could get lucky at 1 of the 3 CD shops there) TNT Studio and MYX Studios. Or even better, order them here at Substitute! That's the convenience of modern technology for you!
The tasks ahead are staggering for fans, bands and casual listeners alike; each side has daunting steps to overcome and everyone has to reach out to one another. Bands have to prove harder than ever that they can play, write AND sing well to completely silence the ignorant overly critical ones who enjoy only putting others down. But hey, if radio shows like Paul Zach (91.3 fm), Ben & Gerrie's (internet), and John Peel (like only worldwide) can play OUR brand of music, I don't see why we can't. And everyone else too, for that matter.
- Daniel Sassoon
