Hope I post this in a right section. I never post anything b4 in this forum. I tend to juz lurk around. Btw, I was contemplating on posting this topic here for the past few days, but I finally decided to juz get on with it.
Anyway, few mths ago I came a cross a thread abt X Japan and I was thinking, if Japan (& some parts of Asia) has this great rock band, I wld like u guys to check out this rock band from Malaysia. The band is called Search and they r considered the ?Guns N Roses? answer to Malaysia, eventhough they were formed earlier than Guns. They are considered to be a hard rock/glam metal band. This band is considered a legend in South East Asia, and they have a huge fanbase here, esp in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and prob Thailand (I myself from Singapore). They celebrated their 25th Anniversary last yr and had a huge concert in Malaysia that was attended by 50,000 fans. I know that the Westerners r not really that familiar with the band so that?s y I want to share this with u guys and check the band out.
Here's an OLD pic of them performing:
But, b4 I?m posting the myspace and youtube links for u guys to look at, let me summarize their history for u guys (I saw their biography on Wikipedia but unfortunately they are in Malay language). The original line-up were formed back in 1981: Zainal (vocal), Nasir (bass), Hillary Ang (guitar) & Yazit (drum). However, the original vocalist was replaced by Amy (a piano tuner) and they added a guy named Din as rthythm guitarist when they recorded their very 1st album called ?Cinta Buatan Malaysia? (translate: Love Made In Malaysia) under Polygram back in 1985. This is their first rise to fame. After this album, Hillary left the band and was replaced by the younger brother of the rhythm guitarist, named Kid, as the lead guitarist. This marked the famous line-up for the band:
Amy (vocal), Kid (lead guitar), Din (rhythm guitar), Nasir (bass) & Yazit (drum). Btw, I can?t really differentiate btwn the guitarists cos both of them look so much alike, since they r brothers. Kid is hailed as one of the best guitarist in the Malay rock music scene. Anyway, this line-up produced more albums till now.
The band reached their peak between the mid to late 80?s and early 90?s, and they still popular till now. Back in the day, they cause so much hysteria among the fans and teens and even controversies due to their image being portrayed and their onstage performance. Their most successful album is called ?Fenomena? (Phenomena) which was released in 1989. They even acted in 2 movies in 1990 based on the 2 famous songs (?Fenomena? & ?Isabella?) from that album. The ballad song ?Isabella? is a breakout song for them cos due to that song, they started to gain recognition in Indonesia & Thailand. (U know, juz like GNR with November Rain and Motley with Home Sweet Home). That song earned an award in Malaysia, which is equivalent to Record of the Yr for the Grammy. As u know, Malaysia is a Muslim country and this band is a Malay/Muslim rock band so that?s y the Malaysian government and media were like thinking the image they portray as a Muslim is not really good for the teens. (Btw, Muslim guys r not really allowed to wear jewellaries). But they are rockers, so they tend to wear tight leather pants, long hair, jewellaries, etc (juz like Western rock bands back in the 80?s). So the gov and the media decided to ban this band (and other Malaysian rock bands back in the day), in the early 90?s from appearing in national tv, unless these bands decided to cut their hair & dress appropriately. But they r allowed to appear on private tv channel, which eventually gave them even more exposure to the public. Anyway, at present, they r still active, but Kid was replaced by Hillary for lead guitarist and managed to call back Din to play the rhythm guitar (eventually both Kid and Din had a fallout with Amy few yrs ago which makes both of them quit the band. These 3 tend to have some kind of love-hate relationship over the yrs). Their latest album (?Gothik Malam Medan?) was released 2 yrs ago & had a short tour in Malaysia . Few days ago, they received an honorary award from a prestigious Malay music award show for their contribution to the Malay music scene.
Ooops?. Sorry for the long post?. But anyway, here?s their myspace (they haven?t really update the site much cos their rhythm guitarist pic is not there. He juz joined back earlier this yr):
http://www.myspace.com/gosearch (They have 4 songs in there. Of course u guys won?t be able to understand wat their song is abt since they r singing in Malay language. The 1st and 3rd songs on the list r from their latest album. The 2nd and 4th songs on the list (Pasti & Bencana) are from their albums in the 80?s. The 4th song has a dark vibe to it. Their album lists is on the left side of the webpage)
Here r some of the lists of their performances in concerts (& their movies)back in the 80?s and early 90?s. I want u guys to check them out & tell me wat u guys think. Crank up yr volume!:
1. This is taken from their 2nd movie they acted in called Fenomena. The footage was actually taken from a real concert back in 1990. The song is called ?Purnama? (Moon), but this only the short version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3PopJZz07g2. Full version of the above song. This is taken from a concert in 1992. (I love to see the brothers playing the guitar. See at the time 2:23. LOL!!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXT5Fv0DbrI&feature=related3. This is also taken from the same movie. Short snippet of the song ?Fenomena?. But the sound and the vid is out of sync.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT07Uro-a5Q4. Taken from the same movie. Also uses from the same footage from the concert. This is their breakout song ?Isabella?.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOfqeZ1bVs4&feature=related5. A guitar solo from the lead guitarist, later on join by his bro on rhythm guitar. Taken from their concert in 1989.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc-gwH2a9B46. Taken from a 1992 concert VCR. The short beginning features their manager at that time. Also have some short commentaries from the band members. Song is called ?Pawana?.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvmVCPolHBA&feature=related7. Taken from the same concert as above. Song called ?Pasti?. They band r really tight at that time. Juz check out at 1:18.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPrAKPVC-4I&feature=related8. Same concert. Song called ?Derap Komando?.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v3sP2cGRvA&feature=related9. Same concert. Beginning there?s the lead guitarist jamming for a while. Song called ?Pelesit Kota?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjInyxEsN1s&feature=related10. Same concert. Song called ?Langit & Bumi? (Sky & Earth).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7W1AnXZKm0&feature=related11. Taken from a concert in 1987 ( I think). Song called ?Songsang?.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lUpN44r-wQ&feature=related12. Same concert as above. Song called ? Musnah? (Destroy).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3MxJ2OVWMs13. From a concert in 1989. Song called ?Mentari Merah Di Ufuk Timur?.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umt14I7KJ4Q&feature=related14. If u wanna see some footage of them jamming taken 2 yrs ago, juz go to this website:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D08D746034EFB7DDThere r 7 vidz altogether. One of the song they jammed called Emmanuelle, I was told that song was written by the Scorpions for them.
Btw, sorry for the long post?.
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