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Five bands, plenty of covers, multiple facets of local artistes at Bunyi Apa Tu!
THERE is something satisfying about a gig that knows when to moving. Five bands, little downtime and a crowd eager for live music made Bunyi Apa Tu! a quick, entertaining showcase of Malaysia’s young independent scene.
Held on Oct 17 at Live Fact, the event featured Pokok, Om!ssion, Spinning Rackets, For Your Safety and Panic Youth.
Organiser and Pokok frontman Rahmat Al-Aziz wanted to bring different sounds together.
“I love all kinds of music so I thought why not make a gig with different genres mixed together,” he told theSun.
An unusual opening
Pokok opened Bunyi Apa Tu! with a spirited cover of Kanye West’s Runaway, an unlikely choice that immediately caught attention.
Rahmat, drummer Aaran Noah, guitarist Akeel Johari and bassist Amirnarzery followed it with their recently released single Mummy Mummy and a rousing rendition of Lustra’s Scotty Doesn’t Know.
The quartet practically rocked the roof off Live Fact, with a set that valued fun over predictability.
Rahmat said the name Pokok was catchy and easy to remember, although the artistic explanation was that different genres formed the band’s roots.
He also encouraged his bandmates to defy expectations, noting that he had not seen other bands cover Kanye West.
No slowing down
Om!ssion followed despite a lineup change and several members feeling unwell.
Bassist Cate Yoen was omitted from the show due to influenza, prompting Ilhan Gomez of Sepak Takraw Shoes to step in alongside Kii Leong on vocals and guitar, Nick Tang on guitar and Ariff Zareen on drums.
The remaining members were also affected by the haze but showed little sign of holding back. There was barely time for the crowd to reset between successive performances.
Their originals included Call Me If, Drumasia Regulations, Prolly of Age and the amusingly long Semenyih Ain’t Big Enough for the Both of Us So I’m Moving to TTDI With All My Friends.
They also played Indo Mee Tanpa U, K?. An Oasis cover, Married with Children, and a surprise performance of Milo Christ’s Jetski Song rounded out a lively set at Bunyi Apa Tu! .
Dressed for the occasion
Spinning Rackets arrived to Bunyi Apa Tu! wearing Fred Perry polo shirts, sponsored ahead of its Oct 25 appearance at a Fred Perry DNA event in Ipoh.
Vocalist-guitarist Ryan Danial Kessler, guitarist Adam Aqil, drummer Amill Rykal and bassist-vocalist Allif Muqkris, known as Haru, delivered a stylish performance despite technical problems.
The set paired originals including I Get It, Passing Spark and Second Chances with The Libertines’ Time for Heroes.
A particularly neat transition took the introduction of Fictions’ The Sun in Your Mouth into Second Chances. They returned for an encore of Title Fight’s Head in the Ceiling Fan.
Kessler considered it one of its best shows, despite the absence of third guitarist Ikhram, who was preparing for his secondary school examinations.
Kessler and Rykal also had particularly busy nights. Ryan played additional guitar for Pokok, while Rykal doubled as Panic Youth’s bassist.
Heavy sounds
For Your Safety stood out with unique vocals, heavy drums and prominent basslines.
Frontman and rhythm guitarist Ariz Alirahman was joined by lead guitarist Johan Arief, bassist Leo-Wei Greiner and drummer Johanna Lok. Adrian Yeap handles the band’s management and design.
Their six-song set comprised Three Faces, Summer, Fall Sem, Never Remember, October’s Night and Colours I Saved From You.
Johan called it one of his favourite For Your Safety sets and welcomed the chance to play guitar again. Ariz was equally pleased with the genre-spanning lineup.
“From what I saw, I say it is a lot more diverse and vibrant. So many different characters and music at Live Fact. There was punk, alt-rock, post-hardcore and emo, you name it! If these kinds of bands keep popping up in the local music scene, I think we have a bright future ahead of us,” said Ariz.
One last explosion
Panic Youth finished the night at Bunyi Apa Tu! with the loudest personalities of the lineup.
Frontman Idzman, joined by guitarist Aqyl, bassist Rykal and drummer Jepp, carried himself with the flamboyance of a seasoned punk rocker.
Their punchy originals recalled Green Day in its heyday, particularly during Until I Die, Borderline, Wish It Was Ez and Bulan Aku Dunia Ku.
The band also covered Title Fight’s Symmetry and You Can’t Say Kingston, ending with Origami Angel’s Title Track.
“It was awesome! We always have good time playing at Live Fact. Good to see some familiar faces and some new ones too!” said Idzman.
Pokok’s Rahmat said the new collective had recovered its initial investment and hoped to improve future editions.
“More variety, possibly theatre elements incorporated as well,” he said.
Pokok also plans an album. When asked about AI-generated music, Rahmat was dismissive.
“People who make AI music are bums. Also, you could never enjoy AI music in a live setting.”
Bunyi Apa Tu! made a convincing case for the appeal of seeing young bands share a stage, mistakes and all.
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