Here’s one for all you Muse fans

Naturally, I spent so much time telling everybody about it, I forgot to mention it here and in the paper.

Then just now, the good folk at LAMC Productions and NTUC annouced that Hoobastank will be here for a New Year’s Eve party called Party On! Singapore. So this time, I’m making you read it here first.

Now, I know all you detractors are going, “Oh no! Not that band who sang that boring song called The Reason that’s been played ad nauseum since its release years ago!” 

I understand. I was once like that. But that was before I saw these guys kick out the jams at MTV Worldstage in Malaysia earlier this year. And now mine eyes have seen … well, not the glory, but at least I know they’re not as boring as detractors would have us think.

And I haven’t seen anyone who can get 15,000 people pogoing to the strains of Ray Parker Jr’s Ghostbusters since, well, Ray Parker Jr. Would be interesting to see if they can create the same effect here.

Party On! Singapore happens Dec 31 at Downtown East, 8pm. Tickets on sale now at all Tickets.com outlets. Log on to http://www.tdc.sg or call 6296-2929 for bookings. Early bird ticket prices till Dec 3 at $70 ($55 for NTUC members). Standard tickets at $75 ($60 for NTUC members). At the door: $80 ($65 for NTUC members).

Maid in Japan: The AFA09 brings the best of anime to our shores… and these chicks too (not that I’m complaining!)

As any anime fan will tell you, anime isn’t just about the story, the effects or even the animation. It’s also about those cool theme songs and music you hear in the background. I remember watching Vision Of Escaflowne and Lain and being blown away by their theme songs. (Yeah, the story was nice too, but I could not miss the opening credits.)

May’n: She’s hot – hence the lack of clothing

So you can see why I’m a bit stoked about having Yoshiki Fukuyama, celeb blogger/singer Shoko Nakagawa, May’n and the “big bro yo” of anime songs, Ichirou Mizuki trooping into town for the I Love Anisong concert during the festival. (Of course, it also helps that Shoko’s purty darn cute, and May’n is a babe.)

Oh, and to put the icing on the cake, “Virtual Idol” Hatsune Miku will also be making her formal international debut at AFA09.

For those who still don’t know, Hatsune Miku is a popular “vocaloid”, a virtual “person” generated from music software that can be tuned to create J-pop anime songs. Not surprisingly, Hatsune Miku is a big hit in Japan – and even performed “live” to 25,000 at Animelo Summer Live.

Anime music veteran Ichirou Muzuki

On Saturday, Nov 21, Hatsune Miku, Shoko Nakagawa and Ichirou Mizuki will perform, with Hatsune using the Vocaloid 2 programme. Organisers have also planned a “surprise”. Only one way to find out what it is.

Shoko Nakagawa will also be having an autograph session at 3.30pm at the Suntec City Convention Center halls 403 and 404 hall.

The very chio Shoko Nakagawa

On Sunday, Yoshiki Fukuyama and May’n will take the stage, with the latter featuring brand new songs from her upcoming album and the latest Macross Frontiermovie. Despite his busy schedule, we managed to get Fukuyama-san to answer a few questions.

Firing up the fretboard: Yoshiki Fukuyama

Why do you like anime?

I like animation because I saw it when I was young.

Which anime do you like?

I like Heidi, although if I had to choose among recent anime, I like Gintamal and Sgt. Frog.

Do you find that the theme songs for anime are sometimes bigger hits than the anime itself? Is that a concern of yours?

I don’t think so.

What do you think the most challenging thing is about singing animation songs?

Nothing.

And there you have it folks, the only person who talks less than Mando-pop singer Jam Hsiao.

The I Love Anisong two-day passes ($188) are selling out, the $108 single day tickets are still available. I Love Anisong ticket prices include entry into the main AFA09. Tickets available from Sistic.

General entry passes to AFA09 priced at $25 (2-day pass) and $15 (one day). Student concession available, children below 12 years, free. Available at the door. For more info, visit www.afa09.com.

But I’m back with our column featuring some of Singapore’s brightest musical sparks that we think will light our way into the future. (Thanks to our good friends at Walk On Music for their help.)

THIS WEEK: INCH CHUA

Inch Chua is a 21-year-old singer-songwriter who “indulges in cathartically expressing herself through music”. While not being an arts management student at LASALLE College Of The Arts, she fronts pop rock outfit Allura, but recently released her solo EP, The Bedroom, as a free online download. According to her, the music is inspired by “personal experiences and sometimes contains a message for the audience”.

Why did you become a singer? I always did enjoy singing while growing up, (but) I never thought of becoming a singer solely because I never thought my singing was anything special. When I was in primary school, however, I was very aware that I enjoyed performing. I didn’t care if I was good enough; I just really enjoyed expressing myself to an audience. Eventually, at 14 I discovered the local music scene and gradually grew to love doing music more and at 16 I started “seriously” singing when I decided to start a band.

Who are your influences? I basically grew up listening to my mum’s records, which pretty much are artists such as The Carpenters, The Bee Gees, Engelbert Humperdinck, The Beatles, Boney M, etc. Today, my influences are a combination that and music that intrigues me, such as Bjork, Aphex Twin, John Mayer, Electric Light Orchestra, Mutemath and Nine Inch Nails – a mix of electronica and folk acoustic. Folktronica, if you will.

Is Allura over? Allura’s not over. The guys are currently taking turns doing National Service. Matt went it last year, Aaron just got in and Han Quan will be enlisting next year. The band’s not completely stagnant because we still do write and meet up weekly to hang out and stuff. We’re friends and family, after all.

Why do this solo EP? It’s always been something I wanted to experience for myself but I never really had the confidence to do so. I guess you could say that I wanted the world to know that there’s a different side of me, other than that rocker chick persona most people associate me with. So now that the band is on a short hiatus because of NS, I thought this would be the best time to test the waters and pass some time. A lot of people usually assume that the guys feel upset about me going solo, but in reality, they were most encouraging and supportive about doing this. They helped me get over my insecurities.

Can you tell us more about The Bedroom? It’s named so because I recorded everything in my very own bedroom. The recording and mixing took less than two weeks. The biggest challenge was finding the capital to do it. I wanted it to be a proper release, well mixed and mastered; hence I had to play more shows to get the extra cash for it. But recording the EP was a relatively smooth ordeal for me – it was really fun. I think it was much more nerve-wracking waiting on the public response.

Even singers need to rest before they take over the world

So has the response matched your expectations? I really didn’t know what to expect. After all, it is my first time revealing another side of me. The download count is now above 4,500 – both overseas and local. I’m quite happy for now, but it wouldn’t hurt to have more! Ha-ha!

What’s your plan for world domination? Well, so far I’ve gigged in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, but I intend to venture more overseas. Till then, the Internet is probably the closest thing you can get to world domination, and it’s the best tool a modern day artist has for promotion. Nevertheless, another strategy I believe would be good old fashion talent. I don’t know if I have what it takes, but I’m sure as hell going to try!

Download Inch Chua’s album here http://www.inchchua.com/Wallflower/Downloads.html; and catch a video of Inch performing here http://www.walkonmusic.net

Apparently, only Paul liked it. John Lennon and George Harrison both hated that it took such a long time to record (because Paul wanted the vocals to be perfect), and George even made a barb at it in his White Album tune, Savoy Truffle, with the line, “we all know Ob-la-di la-da, but can you show me who you are”.

But even John and George would turn in their graves, and Paul would wish he was dead, if they knew that the tune would be the basis for a productivity song by the Food Drinks And Allied Workers’ Union of Singapore.

Watch the video:

Thanks a lot, guys. I’m just sorry about the people appearing in the video. Did they know what they were getting into? They should be compensated well.

I know, when the MDA released a rap video some time ago, they got flak for that too. But at least it RHYMED BETTER!

Really, sample this last verse:

“Happy ever after in the work place/ cheaper better faster is the way/We all work together to give quality/That only workers in Singapore can achieve…”

Sorry, that’s not going to win the award for Best Lyrics anytime soon. Heck, even I could do something like that. In fact, here it is, sung to the tune of Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da…

“FDA double-U U of Singapore/Got the thought to write this song/It started as an idea that could be all right/but at the end the song just came out sounding wrong…

Oh bloody, oh brother, hate this song, ah/La la how we hate this song (repeat again)”

See? That took six minutes, including corrections. I’m available for other songwriting services for Christmas, New Year and other major festivities. Thank you.

The world of rock has been, well, rocked this week with all sorts of news from Steven Tyler splitting from Aerosmith to Zakk Wylde coming to Singapore.

I can’t vouch for the truthfulness of the former (don’t people always say they’re leaving their bands and then don’t…?); HOWEVER, the latter is definitely ON!

Heard loads of talk about this earlier in October, but didn’t think much of it. Until last week, when the guys from Gibson called me, and then they sent this message: “No, this is not a joke. The man himself will be in town very soon!! Watch this space for details and spread the word!”

As some have accurately speculated, the dude is coming here to promote the new Gibson and Epiphone guitars including the new BFGs. PLUS, he’s apparently going to do a short workshop-slash-clinic at the Katong outlet of Swee Lee Music. So all who are Wylde about Zakk better get ready.

I know I will!

SOMETIMES people tell me: “Wow, you’re really lucky, because in your job you get to meet all these celebs!”

To which I always answer: Not really, because I’m not them – I’m not even friends with them. But then, I suppose those who don’t get to see their idols everyday, it is quite exciting.

So these exclusive, never-before-seen shots from the archives are for you… Alright, this is just my sad excuse to run eye candy of any sort!

COCO LEE

Although we weren’t supposed to take any photos during the interview, Coco was kind enough to take a few fun happy snaps, including this one I call Tea With Coco. Geddit? Geddit?

S.H.E.

After the “official” photo session (above), Selina, Hebe and Elle, aka S.H.E., decided to muck about with the “mascot” for the Osim uKimono belt that they were endorsing (below).

TOM CRUISE

After realising that we had been waiting for two hours to talk to him, Tom Cruise not only indulged our silly questions, but even took this picture to prove that he was still taller than me.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

She was visibly tired after her concert at Ion Orchard (”I’m still drying off!” she joked), but still gamely agreed to be photographed at the Ion’s art gallery. Okay, you can put all the “works of art” puns here. Thanks, Carrie, you’re legend!

WILLIAM PETERSON

Aka “that CSI guy”. We caught up with William in Cannes when he announced his new plans after leaving the successful crime drama. Here, he sports his famous look – the one he always gives on the show’s intro before The Who’s theme song kicks in. 

JEANETTE AW and QI YUWU

I was late for the photo shoot (because I was shooting William Peterson) but both Jeanette and Qi Yuwu agreed to let me snap a few anyway, even though they had to rush off for their press interviews. By the way, Jeanette was freezing her, uh, bits off because that Little Nyonya outfit just wasn’t made for 11 deg C temperatures!

CHOW YUN FAT

Despite his megastar status, Chow Yun Fat is still down-to-earth and friendly.  “I’ll see you on the plane home,” he told me, after our press interview for Dragonball Evolution. “We can catch up for a meal.” Didn’t happen, but it’s the thought that counts (at least, that’s my story.)

JOLIN TSAI

Seen here with her “co-star” for those “welcome to Taiwan” ads, I like Jolin simply because she’s shorter than I am without heels. (Her wearing the heels, I mean, not me.) But she’s also committed to her work and her craft. How else can she be allowed to be seen in that outfit? Haha, just kidding, Jolin!

JANET HSIEH

Speaking of Taiwan, not many people know the host of Fun Taiwan and Fun Asia is a competent violinist – she even performed at the White House! Here, she’s treating some of us to a Texan hoe-down.  

ELECTRICO

Speaking of hoe-downs, nothing gets the crowd going like a rock gig. Here’s a shot of Electrico debuting their (contentious?) National Day song, What Do You See, at the press conference earlier this year.

ADDY RASIDI

And lastly… trying for an arty shot here at Addy Rasidi’s gig in August. The idea was there, but I guess the execution left a bit to be desired… Oh well. Tune in next month for more NBS moments.

It’s a sunny morning here in Dubai, and I was doing usual morning routine – ablutions, email, breakfast (not always in that order) - when I saw this email that said The Killers will be in town! That’s in Singapore, and not Dubai, of course.

Yes, Live Nation is bringing in the guys who brought you Mr Brightside, Human, etc, etc, etc…

Listen to the Killers on their MySpace page

When? Jan 24, 2010.

Where? Singapore Indoor Stadium – like really, you were expecting somewhere else?

“We have been overwhelmed by the numerous requests by both the media and fans to bring The Killers in ever since they first came out and we are glad to be able to pull this one off for all The Killers fans,” said Luke Hede, Live Nation’s veep of international promotions – Asia.

Yay, Luke!

This is the first time that The Killers will be in Singapore, so let’s give them a rousing Singapore welcome! (Gee, don’t I sound like some National Day pep?)

Tickets from $128 to $168 go on sale Nov 23 at Sistic outlets.

Music for free: Now you can catch a full Daughtry gig without spending a cent

Perhaps influenced by U2’s YouTube webcast of their 360 concert, it’s been reported that a new website will allow fans to watch concerts for free, “choosing from five different camera angles as they watch”. Or so they said.

Called BillboardLive.com, it’s a site that lets you can watch Alicia Keys, Usher, David Archuleta, Daughtry and other artists “yet to be announced”. And you can select from five different camera views, too.

Furthermore, you can use Twitter or Facebook during the webcast without leaving the show. Plus, it’s available on iPhone too. Founder Michael Williams says the site is “reconnecting artists with their fans, for free,” reported AP.

Of course, this might pose problems to artistes who have to connect to their fans for a fee, otherwise they, their children and who-have-you will starve to death. But hey, if your name is Usher or Daughtry, I seriously doubt that you’ll be severely inconvenienced by this.

Here’s the deal: According to organiser UnUsUal Entertainment, response for the upcoming concert by Taiwanese pop diva Chang Huimei, aka A*mei, aka Amit, has been so overwhelming that they’ve had to open another show on Jan 29, 2010, so that all her fans will get a chance to see the concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Incidentally, the concert tour is dubbed Amit Live First World Tour after her latest album, which in turn was named after her Taiwanese aboriginal name, Gulilai Amit. But if her segment at F1 Rocks was anything to go by, then it doesn’t matter by what name you call her, the show will still rock.

Tickets from $88 to $168 are available at Sistic outlets. Hurry, hurry! Don’t say we didn’t tell you!

A day after publishing that the Australian do call St Jerome’s Laneway Festival wasn’t going to make a Singapore appearance, I got a message from a source that wished to remain anonymous, so let’s call him, or her, or it, Deep Throat, like that guy from that TV show that was popular last century called The X-Files, and not, you know, that notorious movie of the same name that every guy worth his, er, salt has no doubt seen.

No, that’s not true.

What actually happened was I received a comment  from someone called Michelle(http://blogs.todayonline.com/poparazzi/2009/11/10/no-laneway-in-singapore-never-mind-got-buzzcocks-etc-etc/#comments) that basically said there will be a Laneway Festival in Singapore after all, and they will announce it later this month on the website.

Well… WE’RE ANNOUNCING IT HERE NOW! HAHAHAHA! So, thanks Michelle!

And even though the line-up isn’t fully confirmed, I’m just going to say ”yay!” for those who wanted Laneway to happen.

Watch this space for more info, y’all.