In this page, there are a total of 16 Bands which concludes from late 1960s all the way to 1990s.
The popular songs of the past are an interesting and exciting subject, sometimes an
intriguing and enigmatic one. I have long been interested in songs that are variously
labeled folk songs, traditional songs, ballads, broadside ballads, street ballads,
ballets, slip songs, psalms and hymns. I am particularly interested in the views of the
world and of life that the songs reveal and the textual and musical ways those views
are expressed. The perspectives, attitudes and values that popular songs articulate
fascinate me. These are often different from the perspectives shown in what we
might call elite, approved or official culture. In addition, popular songs have their
own conventions and styles that set them apart from other cultural products. I hope
that in this section, I can show something of the discoveries and pleasures I have
experienced in pursuing this interest.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
-1990s Bands-
Band: The Padres
Formed in 1991, Padres is Joe Ng's vehicle to realise his musical ambitions. Comprising of friends from other bands, Padres remains more as an ad hoc rock outfit. Previous members include Abdul Nizam and Jong Aik (The Nonames), Patrick Chng and Vincent Lee (The Oddfellows), Francis Frightful and Ray Aziz (Opposition Party), Ben Harrison (Electric Penguin ETC), Adam Yusop (Global Chaos) and Idham 'Budi' Budiman (Cracked Healer), amongst others. Even the moniker was a case of last minute name picking. During their first gig at Marina Village four years ago.Joe chose 'Padres' simply because that's the first thing he saw - drummer Abdul Nizam t-shirt of the US baseball team.
Since then, Padres have released one mini album, What's Your Story (1994), one single, Radio Station (1993) and they have contributed tracks to a few compilation albums (two of which were played by legendary UK DJ John Peel on his BBC World Service, John Peel Show). Joe Ng has even found time to dabble in some acting, landing the lead role in Eric Khoo's highly acclaimed movie, Mee Pok Man.
The current line up of Nigel Hogan (ex-The Mother), Evan Tan (ex-Opposition Party) and Dean Aziz (ex-Silent Sorrow) was partly a result of a need to nurture a cohesive permanence; an element that was lacking in Padres' earlier line ups. As Joe puts it," All the previous members have an understanding with me that their primary band have the priority over Padres. In that sense, I could maintain a very creative unit with all the different influences coming in to shape the music". With Nigel (who fronted and co-wrote for his former band) in the team, the new game plan will feature more collaborative songwriting.
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Band: THE LIZARD'S CONVENTION
Souce: http://rockinthefinecity.blogspot.com/2009/03/lizards-convention-heres-funny-fish.html
An instant favourite in the local music scene back in the mid 90s, this group makes pleasant and carefree happy-go-lucky music at a time when bands were busy professing how much they hated themselves. Lizard's Convention sounds like the nature loving pixie smoking dandelion and daffodils playing irresistable bright pleasant pop rock music, appearing both innocuous and quirky, down-to-earth and surreal, honest and ironic. Led by four good looking graduates (with Kristin Oehlers and Sol Foo being centre of attraction), the band put out their highly acclaimed debut album “Here's a Funny Fish, Hurrah!” which garners them fame as amiable hippies, charming silly smiling besotted fans. The debut album has been heavily featured in the media, even winning themselves a top place, ironically on the Philippines radio charts with an Elvis cover called “Wooden Heart”. The heartfelt, rustic delivery of this version tastes like aromatic coffee set in the dusk of tropical beaches.
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Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/humpback-oak
Humpback Oak are Singapore's best-known rock band, playing indie guitar-pop reminiscent of R.E.M. or Crowded House. Comprised of schoolmates Leslie Low (vocals and guitars), Vincent Chin (guitars), Daniel Wee (bass) and Stanley Teo (drums), Humpback Oak formed in late 1990. In the first few years they released a number of demo tapes (The Mojo Sessions, The Songs Will Always Be There, and Moth and Bagpipes), but it wasn't until 1994 that their debut album, Pain-Stained Morning, appeared.
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Band: Concave Scream
Formed in 1991, Padres is Joe Ng's vehicle to realise his musical ambitions. Comprising of friends from other bands, Padres remains more as an ad hoc rock outfit. Previous members include Abdul Nizam and Jong Aik (The Nonames), Patrick Chng and Vincent Lee (The Oddfellows), Francis Frightful and Ray Aziz (Opposition Party), Ben Harrison (Electric Penguin ETC), Adam Yusop (Global Chaos) and Idham 'Budi' Budiman (Cracked Healer), amongst others. Even the moniker was a case of last minute name picking. During their first gig at Marina Village four years ago.Joe chose 'Padres' simply because that's the first thing he saw - drummer Abdul Nizam t-shirt of the US baseball team.
Since then, Padres have released one mini album, What's Your Story (1994), one single, Radio Station (1993) and they have contributed tracks to a few compilation albums (two of which were played by legendary UK DJ John Peel on his BBC World Service, John Peel Show). Joe Ng has even found time to dabble in some acting, landing the lead role in Eric Khoo's highly acclaimed movie, Mee Pok Man.
The current line up of Nigel Hogan (ex-The Mother), Evan Tan (ex-Opposition Party) and Dean Aziz (ex-Silent Sorrow) was partly a result of a need to nurture a cohesive permanence; an element that was lacking in Padres' earlier line ups. As Joe puts it," All the previous members have an understanding with me that their primary band have the priority over Padres. In that sense, I could maintain a very creative unit with all the different influences coming in to shape the music". With Nigel (who fronted and co-wrote for his former band) in the team, the new game plan will feature more collaborative songwriting.
-----------------
Band: THE LIZARD'S CONVENTION
Souce: http://rockinthefinecity.blogspot.com/2009/03/lizards-convention-heres-funny-fish.html
An instant favourite in the local music scene back in the mid 90s, this group makes pleasant and carefree happy-go-lucky music at a time when bands were busy professing how much they hated themselves. Lizard's Convention sounds like the nature loving pixie smoking dandelion and daffodils playing irresistable bright pleasant pop rock music, appearing both innocuous and quirky, down-to-earth and surreal, honest and ironic. Led by four good looking graduates (with Kristin Oehlers and Sol Foo being centre of attraction), the band put out their highly acclaimed debut album “Here's a Funny Fish, Hurrah!” which garners them fame as amiable hippies, charming silly smiling besotted fans. The debut album has been heavily featured in the media, even winning themselves a top place, ironically on the Philippines radio charts with an Elvis cover called “Wooden Heart”. The heartfelt, rustic delivery of this version tastes like aromatic coffee set in the dusk of tropical beaches.
---------------------------
Band : HumpBack Oak
Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/humpback-oak
Humpback Oak are Singapore's best-known rock band, playing indie guitar-pop reminiscent of R.E.M. or Crowded House. Comprised of schoolmates Leslie Low (vocals and guitars), Vincent Chin (guitars), Daniel Wee (bass) and Stanley Teo (drums), Humpback Oak formed in late 1990. In the first few years they released a number of demo tapes (The Mojo Sessions, The Songs Will Always Be There, and Moth and Bagpipes), but it wasn't until 1994 that their debut album, Pain-Stained Morning, appeared.
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Band: Concave Scream
Source: http://www.last.fm/music/concave+scream
The band was formed in Dec ‘94 by Sean and Pann. At that time, both members were serving NS. The two have known each other since junior college and both have a common interest in music. It was this common interest that bonded them even though both of them have different musical tastes. Pann for one, likes death metal and he was originally from the local death band Silent Sorrow.
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-1980s Bands-
Band: The OddFellows
http://blogs.nlb.gov.sg/epcl/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/oddfellows.jpg
Formed in 1988 by Patrick Chng (guitars, vocals), Stephen Lee (bass) and Casey Soo (drums), they were credited for spearheading the indie wave in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
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http://blogs.nlb.gov.sg/epcl/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/oddfellows.jpg
Formed in 1988 by Patrick Chng (guitars, vocals), Stephen Lee (bass) and Casey Soo (drums), they were credited for spearheading the indie wave in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
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-1970s Bands-
Band: Heritage
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Band: ZIRCON LOUNGE
Source: http://rockinthefinecity.blogspot.com/2008/06/zircon-lounge-regal-vigor.html
Zircon Lounge plays on the aesthetics of decadence; a deconstruction of the plebeian Singaporean fable. By their poetic prose and pose, they built a post-modern consciousness in their doomed romantic backdrop of Singapore as Dystopia, with soundscape of very cold and bleak nature and its equally dire album context. “The vigor of the deepest despair, where despair was strength itself...”, a statement that harbours the “way of life, a regal vigor” in all essence which is this very album that transcends local music to a whole new level of expression. “Regal Vigor”their debut LP, released in 1983 became the first drop of ink to smudge the clean slate of Singapore music and tainted it forever ever since. Their New Wave sound is a new creative pastiche of art in the higher order and their gut-level catharsis exorcising pain, angst, ennui, and celebrating joy, triumph and desires, causing a reaction to an otherwise sterile machine and setting off a chain of successive “waves” that touched the hearts of many a then young Joe Ngs, Pat Chngs, etc. Chris Ho's dejected visage on the red (= revolution) album cover speaks of subtle subversion that sees him becoming the Singapore Rebel.
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Heritage, formed in the early 1970s, is considered one of the most unique and respected bands on the Singaporean music scene today. This group has represented Singapore twice at international jazz festivals and headlined numerous blues and rock concerts here and overseas. Often experimental in spirit, this eclectic unit is influenced by diverse musical styles - eastern and western - fusing them into its own unique and original sound! |
Band: ZIRCON LOUNGE
Source: http://rockinthefinecity.blogspot.com/2008/06/zircon-lounge-regal-vigor.html
Zircon Lounge plays on the aesthetics of decadence; a deconstruction of the plebeian Singaporean fable. By their poetic prose and pose, they built a post-modern consciousness in their doomed romantic backdrop of Singapore as Dystopia, with soundscape of very cold and bleak nature and its equally dire album context. “The vigor of the deepest despair, where despair was strength itself...”, a statement that harbours the “way of life, a regal vigor” in all essence which is this very album that transcends local music to a whole new level of expression. “Regal Vigor”their debut LP, released in 1983 became the first drop of ink to smudge the clean slate of Singapore music and tainted it forever ever since. Their New Wave sound is a new creative pastiche of art in the higher order and their gut-level catharsis exorcising pain, angst, ennui, and celebrating joy, triumph and desires, causing a reaction to an otherwise sterile machine and setting off a chain of successive “waves” that touched the hearts of many a then young Joe Ngs, Pat Chngs, etc. Chris Ho's dejected visage on the red (= revolution) album cover speaks of subtle subversion that sees him becoming the Singapore Rebel.
----------------------
-1960s Bands-
Band: The Billy Cotton
Cliff Richard with the Shadows in 1961 on BBC, They were one of the guest acts in the first programme in the new series of The Billy Cotton Band Show. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/musictv
Singapore's pop scene began in 1960, when the Blue Diamonds performed, and really launched after Cliff Richard & the Shadows arrived a year later, thus launching the beat boom, with bands which were strictly instrumental. Most times, singers were an adjunct to the band.
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Band: The Beatles
The Beatles US album
Yellow Submarine was released, 1969
Source: http://raymondorado.files.wordpress.com/2007
Like much of the world, the British Invasion began with the arrival of the Beatles in 1963. It changed the emphasis from the instrumental band scene to self-contained units with singers and instrumentalists.
Strictly instrumental bands still flourished for a long time yet in Singapore – as there was a need for instrumental music in many situations. Groups were formed, signed, with records being released weekly.
Furthermore, in multicultural Singapore bands were playing music but singing them in English (which was the major language), Malay and Chinese. Therefore fans had three streams to choose from.
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Band:Naomi And The Boys
Source: http://www.tofu-magazine.net/
Pop stars of the 1960s influenced by British R&B included Naomi & the Boys, D'4 Ever, Antarctics, Mike Ibrahim & the Nite Walkers, Swallows, Ismail Haron & the Guys and Les Kafila's.
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Band: The Quest
Band: StrayDogsSingapore's pop scene began in 1960, when the Blue Diamonds performed, and really launched after Cliff Richard & the Shadows arrived a year later, thus launching the beat boom, with bands which were strictly instrumental. Most times, singers were an adjunct to the band.
----------------
Band: The Beatles
The Beatles US album
Yellow Submarine was released, 1969
Source: http://raymondorado.files.wordpress.com/2007
Like much of the world, the British Invasion began with the arrival of the Beatles in 1963. It changed the emphasis from the instrumental band scene to self-contained units with singers and instrumentalists.
Strictly instrumental bands still flourished for a long time yet in Singapore – as there was a need for instrumental music in many situations. Groups were formed, signed, with records being released weekly.
Furthermore, in multicultural Singapore bands were playing music but singing them in English (which was the major language), Malay and Chinese. Therefore fans had three streams to choose from.
-------------
Band:Naomi And The Boys
 |  | |
 |
Pop stars of the 1960s influenced by British R&B included Naomi & the Boys, D'4 Ever, Antarctics, Mike Ibrahim & the Nite Walkers, Swallows, Ismail Haron & the Guys and Les Kafila's.
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Band: The Quest
 The Quests picture taken in 1967 is of them on the steps of the Goodwood Hotel in 1967. Source: http://60spunk.m78.com/singaporean.html The Quest was touted to be the most successful Singapore group in the 1960s, having No 1 hits in Singapore, Malaysia and in Hongkong. Formed in 1960, the four members includes Raymond Leong as the lead singer, Jap Chong on guitar and Henry Chua on the bass, and Lim Wee Guan on the drums. Keith Locke joined the band as a singer in 1965. And in 1967, Sam Toh replaced Henry Chua on the bass. The band went defunct in 1970, with members going their separate ways. --------------  Source: http://60spunk.m78.com/singaporean.html The Jets formed in October 1963 with a line-up reading Edward Tan (lead), Alan Poh (bass), Harold Chiang (rhythm) and Bertie Lim (drums). Thomas Ang sang with the band. The band signed to Philips and went to record their first EP, Aurora . It was released in May 1965, hit the Philips sales charts and was No 1 for three weeks. In July they released their second disc with Blues Away/Express Train/The Big Beat/Alice In Dreamland. Their third and final EP was released in August 1967 under the Lee Chong Record Company on the Blue Star label. The band broke up in 1968 but had a good and long run with three EPS under their own name. ------------- Band: A Go-Go Craze
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![[straydogs2.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVGG9KKNmSiH0LbKciEyILqIjJC0_WUG17D-XhkKCE4qyMp3dV7NqpZm-c_S78xZjZOzD_SWUEzhqA6YuURZs4DBPrIYFmCy_NTm7y0SGIIV2NCaye7dniGdQl3rLTo7fq4xsTfcpCHUK/s1600/straydogs2.jpg)
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