27 February, Singapore

One would expect that when chart-topping band The All-American Rejects were to drop by to the remote (or otherwise) island of Singapore, much would be advertised and charged for.

But to the fans’ pleasant surprise, the Rejects promotional performance, consisting of a six-song line-up, was – and this is almost unheard of in a country known as ‘Fine City’ – absolutely free.

The show was almost a hush-hush in the beginning (“The Rejects? Free show? Singapore? No way!”) but the crowd turn-up proved that all the gossip and iffy information was worth trusting. All fans had to do in order to get in for free was don a striped apparel.

The band was flown in especially for the Nokia Music lounge on Friday, Feb 27, and came on at 10 pm on a stage set-up like no other.

With a less than cinematic backdrop of a beat-down construction site, the Rejects played an energetic albeit brief set on a raised stage, overlooking Zouk (popular night-club) carpark where the audience stood, necks craned to glimpse their idols. It was the one gig where it’s almost virtually pointless to score a spot in the front row.

The set-list was a toss-up between old and newer songs. Hitting off on the right note with the 2002 hit, Swing, Swing, the band brought the oomph back into old favorites, and got the crowd yelling for more upon performance of songs from their latest album, When the World Comes Down.

Vocalist and bassist, Tyson Ritter was more than an entertainment, oozing the kind of sexual confidence you see in the better front-men of modern rock bands.

“You might remember us best as the band who gave you dirty little secrets,” he drawled. “You might remember us as the band who helped you move along. But I forever hope, that every time we come back, we will be the band…that Gives You Hell!”

Ending of with a bang though a lack of encore (slightly disappointing for those of us who had been hoping for a repeat of their all-too funny and almost epic cover of Britney Spears’ Womanizer), the Rejects definitely gave some hell that night - though only the best kind of hell one could have ask for.

Don’t underestimate the power of an all-girl rock band. Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sick of Sarah, a five piece alternative group, may just about surprise you with their head-bopping and edgy tunes wrapped in a unique musical package – sans testosterone.

For fans of lyrical catchiness and a punk-rooted sound, this is the band for you. Tracks like ‘Bittersweet’ and ‘Not Listening’ will get you hooked enough to keep them on repeat for a good few days.

While ballads like ‘Paint Like That’ show a softer side of Sick of Sarah, tunes like ‘Daisies’ would get your energy back up a notch. Clearly their expertise lie in making sure the listener doesn’t get too relaxed.

Sick of Sarah is a band of five women whose diverse musical styles contribute to the group’s unique style – pop, plain old rock and a dose of punk.

Listen to them HERE.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Picture credit: http://insomniaradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/sickofsarah2.jpg

Since forming in 2004, A Vacant Affair has been making waves in the local music scene. Their live performances always deliver, sending avid fans into a synchronized frenzy and converting the cynics into believers. This time, they deliver once again in the form of their full length debut album titled “Reasons to Leave”. Our writer, Pretty. Odd. , caught up with frontman Matthew Lim to find out more about A Vacant Affair.

Q: Why the name “A Vacant Affair”?

When we first formed, we had our personal problems and struggles. In addition, we felt that there are a lot of relationships, contacts & establishments around us but sometimes when you look closer, many of these things seem really hollow and fake. A Vacant Affair was chosen because it best represented how we felt.

Tell us what your music sounds like.

I would like to think that we sound pretty bad ass.

What and who are you inspired by?

In regards to influences, everyone of us has our own preference. But in general, just to name a few, we are very inspired and influenced by bands like Glassjaw, Funeral for a Friend & Iron Maiden. In regards to lyrics, I write mostly on things that happen around or to me and how I feel about them.

Starting out is never easy, how did you guys manage to make it so far and gain recognition?

Determination, Belief and Friendship.

I think first and foremost, our inseparable bond as friends serves as a huge factor. We have our good and bad times but we are all grown ups now. We learn things along the way and we’re all very clear on how each other is. I would say the band is in a very healthy state in terms of friendship!

Also, we all believe in what we are doing and what we’re doing this for. And that is extremely important. We are always the kind of band who is willing to play to anyone who is willing to listen. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, how you dress, how old you are or what kind of music you dig. Our aim is to reach out to people, and connect with them.

But don’t be mistaken. Whatever that we’ve achieved now, isn’t much at all and we are not done yet.

Being in a band requires commitment, was there ever a dark period for the band? How did you guys manage to get through it?

We used to be a 6 piece band, with 3 guitars. Unfortunately, due to some indifference, one of our guitarists decided to leave the band. Most of us were very reluctant for him t go but we all decided eventually it was for the better. For a period of time, we were quite lost. Because we were just sort of perfecting our sound before he left.

How did we get through it? Reinvent ourselves.

The album “Reasons to leave” is said to be partly inspired by circumstances surrounding front man Matthew Lim at a trying point of time in his life”, was it scary or difficult for you to put yourself out there?

I don’t talk about myself a lot. In fact, I don’t talk a lot at all!

But through music, I’ve learnt how to express myself and say the words that are really deep down inside of me.

Was there an element of fear that people may not respond well to the album?

All the songs we write before, now and in the future, will always be for ourselves and hope that people will be able to connect with it. We don’t live on people’s expectations of us. But of course we are curious whether the album will be well received. But we are not too bothered by it.

Did you guys feel the pressure to create a more accessible sound in order to reach out to more people through this album?

Although this album is actually quite a varied sounding rock record, we did not feel the pressure to create an album with a more accessible sound. The pressure was on us, outdoing ourselves and coming out with the best songs we can come out with in this period of time.

Done anything different musically for this album?

Yes, definitely. In terms of song writing, we played around with different moods and tones. As for recording, it was less rushed. We decided to take as much time as we want in the studio to experiment with different equipment and also work closely with our producer Cedric Chew.

I think the end product is proof that we have moved on from where we left off in 2006.

Harshest criticism received? How did you cope with that?

“AVA is the still the same band I saw in Baybeats 2006.”

This comment was made by a friend of ours, who is also a well known producer in Singapore, sometime in September 2007. I don’t usually get affected by negative comments at all because I’ve long accepted that we never please everyone.

But this comment really shook me particularly because it made a lot of sense.

Then, we’ve already been thinking, planning and executing ways to improve ourselves. After that comment, we really woke the hell up and started pressuring each other and ourselves to get out of our own comfort zones.

A Vacant Affair’s performances are known for moshing, any memorable incidents?

If I’m not mistaken, every show we have at Youth Park and *scape, someone will be sent to the ambulance. While this is actually quite a bad ass record, it is not very ideal. So people, please be careful.

Any crazy fan experiences?

Nope. Our fans are very well behaved and we are glad that they are!

Would you guys date fans?

I can’t speak for the rest but for myself, unless you’re Ase Wang, no.

Why should we buy your album?

If you are into bands like Underoath, Glassjaw, or Funeral for a Friend, you will be able to relate musically to our album. If you’re looking for something out of the mainstream genre and don’t mind giving these 5 Singaporean guys a chance, get the album as well.We promise it will be more than what you will expect.

Check out their myspace for a listen: http://www.myspace.com/avacantaffair

Their debut full length album titled “Reasons to Leave” is available at all major music stores.

As part of this year’s musical event Big Night Out, British duo The Ting Tings had one night of entertainment with the pool of local fans – most of whom heard the band first on our radio airwaves. Held January 13 at Fort Canning Park, the duo made quite an impression on the audience with their catchy hits and dance-pop tunes.

It is not entirely expected for a British band relatively new to the mainstream scene and with only one album under their belt to make their way down to the shores of Singapore. But concert promoter LAMC Productions managed to make it happen.

The duo, consisting of lead vocalist-guitarist Katie White and drummer-vocalist Jules de Martino, came on later than expected after performances by local alternative band Force Vomit and grime rapper Wiley.

To part of the audience, The Ting Tings are the source behind the all-too-familiar musical repetition of denying a personal title, thanks to their hit ‘That’s Not My Name’. The song is a hit on local radio, and with peripheral singles ‘Shut Up And Let Me Go’ and ‘Great DJ’, The Ting Tings seem to be the new catch in the all-too big musical sea.

To others more quick on the update, the band, hailing from Leigh, Greater Manchester, have been the fresh buzz in the alternative music scene for a while now.

“They’re really different from other pop-sounding bands,” fan Oliver Teo said. “They have their own sound and don’t try too hard to be like other new musicians in the industry now.”

The audience club-danced their way through the performances, pausing only to scream for the camera while de Martino captured a video recording of the crowd “for the fans back home in Britain”. The show ended on a high note, with the crowd buzzing for more and Katie White promising yet another gig here in the future.

Photo from Dayana Noor