Recorded final entry with RTM

The band recently completed recording their final-entry song, Cerita Cita with RTM. Apparently that TV station will be producing a compilation album of all the original songs played by finalist bands for the recent Rentak Juara 2010.

Hmm, after that poor production of the finals event, I wonder how the album will turn out. No questions about sales, as we all are aware not too many artistes in this country is making a living out of their album sales.

But will quality be something left to be desired? Only time will tell.

Meantime, to band Superfriends, all the best!

Sigh

Sigh.

Sigh.

Sigh.

It took me a really long time to get into the mood to write on this blog again. It's just so crappy when you know you have to deliver bad news.

But I guess by now you guys heard about the Rentak Juara results. Superfriends did not come back with the RM200,000 loot. They got third place, but there's not much in store for third placing.

That part I'm not so bummed about. After all it is a competition and we can only do and hope for the best.

The part I'm truly tension-nak-mampus about is when Superfriends told me that they knew ahead (like nearly a week ahead) that they're not gonna win.

Here's what happened. It was less than one week to final when the band got an SMS saying, "You guys won't win but Zham will receive the best guitarist award."

At first they didn't believe it. But the person who sent them the text said that he found out from RTM folks themselves.

So the band decided, no matter what the outcome will be, they're not about to go down sounding like shit. So they brought their best ammo on stage, and as I watched them on telly that night, they did sound good, if not the best that night.

Of course there's the part where Syawal's hailer mic was not working initially and suddenly it burst out loud, same goes for Siti's melodian. I could not hear much of Nadzir's bass, but I was happy to see him move around in sync with Zham, Najuib and Syawal. Sabar ye Abang Roslan Aziz, kitorang kat rumah dengar boleh la tahan tak tau pulak kat dewan RTM yang baru dan hebat tu lagi teruk bunyinya.

I love their freepop song, Cerita Cita, though I did prefer their rockin' version of Takkan Ku Berundur better. But I did not expect a Feminin song could sound that current and concert-material-like. I bet the KRU boys knew deep down that their song really do have the potential to sound different given a few twists in the arrangement.

Of course there were other bands that sounded good as well. I mean the eventual winner, E-6's Gipsi Terakhir and Car Crash Heart's song were quite something to listen to as well. Enava also played a song from their album, which was OK but the first thing on my mind was, "Hey I've heard this song before."

The gang told me though they were in Seremban for four days, they did not get to do a proper soundcheck at all. Everyone simply bang away the shooed off the stage by RTM team so practically none of them got the chance to really do any adjustment to suit their performance.

I think the band who got the worse deal that night was Alternature, who went on first. What to do, with RTM I think it is always a case of "Let the first band play and we use them to adjust whatever. Who cares if they sound sucky on TV or in the hall!" which I think is so unfair for them. There goes the tidak-apa and nasib-engkau-la attitude government servants are always being associated with.

And who ever took care of the stage really did not do their job. I mean why was Pol lurking onstage when Anthem was still finishing off their performance gimmick? Is it a way to cut short their time? If it is, then that particular trick suck OK. It just killed their end note in a very perplexing manner. The same too happened when Muaz too did the same mistake minutes after another performance.

Another perplexing element was having the guest stars perform IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COMPETITION. Whaddaheck?

To top it all, Fenomena's vocalist could not be heard for a good several minutes! Who was the sound guy there? What? The guy did the sound for Usher's concert? Tipu kot....

As for the best keyboardist award, I believe the guy from D'Rough Mixture should've gotten the award. It's got nothing to do with his state, more of the guy is a damn good player la. My pick for best drummer was E6's drummer who had to sing to relief the main vocalist who was sick. I supposed that was also the reason why their first song was sang straight, hardly any new element added into the arrangement. Er Helen Yap tak kisah pulak?

Best song? Penyesalan. Seriously? I thought the song sounded quite familiar, can't believe someone like Helen Yap could not detect it there and then. Oh wait. Didn't everyone who got a band and did an album back in the 1990s have a tune that sound something like that? But have to give it to the vocalist - he really can scream the right notes. Maybe Malaysians still dig those kind of tunes... or it just sounded sort of fresh given the influx of Indonesian music in the scene.

Anyway. Prize giving ceremony bla bla bla. Afterwards, apparently Man Felda and Man Kidal went to band and told them that the both of them gave highest marks to Superfriends, but the judges did not get a chance to get together and discuss their marks - who would if the guest stars have performed in between the competition when the norm is they should play after all contestants have come out to give judges some time to coordinate.

Well thanks very much Mister Producer. It was one hell of a show.

Superfriends + RM200,000!

Let's pray for the RM200,000 success for our favourite band, Superfriends. Come 17 July, 2010, we'll know for sure if this time it is their rezeki to win the big bounty.

Tune in to TV2's Rentak Juara 2010 at 8.30PM that Saturday, and see the band perform live from RTM's newest auditorium located in Seremban. Even better, be there! Not that you have to be carrying banners and wearing mascot outfits, a thunderous applause will do.

So if any of you guys do end up in Seremban on the 17th, catch me a photo or two and a lil video too. I'd be happy to feature it in my next entry and credit you guys for your hard work.

Semoga Superfriends berjaya menang RM200,000 and more at this upcoming RJ finals. Aminnnn...

Superfriends preps for next RJ round

^ Someone gave me a screenshot of Roslan Aziz's FB status in which he noted "Roslan Aziz thinks Superfriends is a good band". Well there's room to grow guys!

It's quite an experience for the band to see rave reviews about their performance a couple of weeks back. To have one of the judges, Roslan Aziz tell last week's contender, Enava that they are the band that can give Superfriends stiff competition is also an honour.

Firstly that just goes to show that even after five rounds of RJ prelims, Superfriends is still one of the more memorable bands out there.

Secondly, Enava itself is a great band and its lead singer is one of the most seasoned and multi-talented performer.

So on both accounts I believe Superfriends should take note that they really need to gear up as judges, competitors and viewers' expectations are soaring high. No pressure guys - just have fun and give us your best arrangement, best sounds and best performance at the next RJ round!

Break a leg!

p/s: Friends, in case you guys are wondering where the new girl is, Tom has left the band to persue her music career that seems to have taken off just when she least expected it to. So the band is back to 6-piece...

Rentak Juara 2010: First round

So here's me providing you the backscene and frontscene stuff on Superfriends' participation in Rentak Juara 2010: Julang Jati Diri.

The pix above shows the band in casual outfit during stage rehearsals. I had to wait hours before it was their turn. But it was fun! I got to see what the Kristal boys are like, and same goes for the rest of the participating bands.

It was my first time hearing the band's fully revamped song, Takkan Ku Berundur. The band had injected their influences into the song as well as a rap piece in between to spice up the track. Recalling what it sounded when Siti cut the demo (then untitled), it's clear that the song had gone through a major arrangement process, which the bandmates said they had fun doing it.

Since I had the chance to watch each band for Round 3 live, I have to say Sons of Adam gave me a pleasant surprise with their rendition of Bunkface hit song. I thought Aweera's gang and Crash also sounded cool.

Anyway the band is working hard for their next outing on 26 June. So folks, stay tuned and let's pray for their success!

SF in RJ2010: Through to the next round!

Yes I'm late, but YES SUPERFRIENDS IS THROUGH TO THE NEXT RJ ROUND! Semis here they come!

Not finals but it is a big achievement as it is. Considering the band had to go through SMS round during their previous RJ journey, this year they sailed through.

In fact the judges had good comments for them, as well as a couple of constructive criticism for them to work on.

The good: Judges said the band's musicians did well. Our favourite keyboardist Korgian was also singled out as one of the more outstanding musician of the night.

The good: Judge Roslan Aziz even said compared to other bands that night as well as previous two weeks' rounds, Superfriends did good. (He even put it in his FB status, "Roslan Aziz thinks Superfriends is a good band!" - just how cool is that???)

The you-need-to-work-on-this: Performance of the vocalists. And the band is working hard to improve on this area, as well as up the ante on others.

Over RTM's Rentak Juara Facebook page the band also received both good and bad comments. But it was interesting to see RTM's key person Datuk Mokhzani defending the band against one particular bad comment.

So kudos Superfriends! I really hope your next outing will be just as mind-blowing.

Superfriends in RJ 2010 Top 30

Some of you guys prolly heard the news, some of you may even caught them on TV, but word is out and sure enough, Superfriends is in Rentak Juara 2010's Top 30 bands!

You can seek out the official stuff at Facebook (search for Rentak Juara RTM) and stay tuned to TV2 at 4.30PM for updates, or you can hear me babbling here.

Here's what I know:
1. Superfriends will be in the Round 3 week, where they will go against bands such as Aweera's Band. So tune in to TV2 on 15th May, prime time to see them in action!

2. They'll be playing their own song! It's a zap up version of Takkan Berundur, which Siti Korgian composed some two years ago. I've heard the track (original version), and I hope the new version which supposedly features heavier sounds will please the crowd, judges and most importantly, you guys who are their friends and supporters.

3. The band will go skeletal - they could not find a female vocalist in time. (Nadya mana?)

4. There will be awards for best drummer, best guitarist and best song. But no best vocalist or best keyboardist award! Too bad for Najuib, Syawal and Siti! Let's pray RTM will suddenly come up with those awards, just as how they came up with SMS round in the last minutes of Rentak Juara first season.

5. Superfriends would appreciate your good wishes, prayers and support! I hope they'll go through to the finals at first try, no need for SMS round or anything like that. It's too intense!

6. Let's hope Superfriends will win the RM200,000 bounty! Aminnnnnnnnnnnn.

Superfriends in RJROTC as...

Guys and gals, our friendly musicians will be appearing on RTM soon, they're giving Rentak Juara Rythm of the Champions another go. This time the line-up is down to only 6 of them due to lacking of main female vocalist. Oh I remember the good ol' Nadya days!

But let's wish em luck and enjoy their upcoming performance(s), hope they'll take top spot this time!

By the way, six-piece-Superfriends will be using a different name... and you'll find out as soon as the first episode airs next month...

Anyone care to guess?