Cannon blasts of inspiration

AHMAD NAZRUL CAMALXAMAN meets the young members of a band who hope to dispel the myth that to rock, booze and drugs are a must.



IT is not easy to get a decent gig especially when nobody has ever heard of you or your band. And it is even harder when your chosen genre is not mainstream.

Realising this, five bright young lads decided to get their friends together for a concert which they hope will make their music known to the public.

The band Frequency Cannon was formed four years ago and is led by Kua Chee Seong (vocals). The others are Wong Yu-Ri, (lead guitar), J. Siva Shanker (rhythm guitar), Azril Dino' Malik (drums) and Azrul Farique (bass).

"Our music is very much a group effort. The end result is a combination of ideas and different styles. I think this is why some find it hard to categorise our kind of music," said Kua.

"Some say it is rock, while others argue it is modern pop alternative," said Siva.

Contrary to what most would assume, not all the songs are about anger and hate, although most of them are deafeningly loud.

Their songs are inspired by everyday emotions and feelings.

Raise Above was written when they felt that they were being denied what they wanted to do most. Second Chance is all about getting another chance in life, while Free Falling conveys a feeling of being liberated.

Girl is about a band member's girlfriend who died of cancer. It was an instant hit with their fans, along with their catchy Fame and Glory.

Yet, the members said that they do not play for fame or glory.

"At the end of the day, we do not anticipate getting a lot of money. We'll be lucky to break even," said Wong.

The boys' concert, Frequency Cannon and Friends, has a strict "no drinking, no smoking" rule.

"The public needs to be aware that we (rock bands) do have fun without drinks or drugs," said Kua.

The concert will be held at the Sunway Monash multi-purpose hall in Petaling Jaya tomorrow from 4.20pm, with tickets selling at RM10 prepaid or RM12 at the door.

It is organised in conjunction with the Sunway Monash Music Society to raise funds for a new piano.

Bands also expected to perform are Vespertine, Wednesday, Disagree, PopShuvit, Estranged, Y2K, One Buck Short, Flatline and Furniture (formerly known as Rush).

For more information or tickets, call Isabella at 012-267-8560. - NST 25/06/2004