The Emo Band

I was Form 5 at that time. I was still immatured. And immatured boys usually commits themselves into making bands and music stuff. We were lazy to make music, I admit, but everyone of us have dreams to become a rockstar. Funny, I know.


I settled in as a bassist and a backup singer in a band which we named Perhaps Single? Yeah, notice the question mark on our band name. It's really cool. Not much band have this kind of names. It was a last minute decision to pick this name before we signed up to join the battle of the bands in Bukit Jelutong. Big pressure were on us. We were just a bunch of kiddies that dreamt to compete with those grown ups who might have picked up guitars before we even learn to spell.


There's a big name-calling wars among my school bands that time. Indie bands were at war with emo bands. And I was the outnumbered emo band. Everytime those people responsible passes by our class, name-calling will start. We call them the 'Skunks', as their original band name were 'Skinks', and they called us E.M.O.


Just about few days before the battle, we finally decide on which song to use. It was 'Famous Last Words' by MCR followed up by 'Starlight' by Muse.


After a few meetings in the jamming studio to discuss our choreographies and the vocal training, we're ready to go. It was then our drummer decided to join the indie band that were also competiting in the upcoming battle. You can feel the anger of us that moment. We were disappointed, angry, and frustrated because it's hard to even find a drummer those days.


On our desperate decision, we brought in KL drummer and a bonus guitarist that never seems to get tired with searing solos. One last jam, and we said our prayers. We can't lose, because our reputation is at stake. We were betrayed, and he won't get away with it that easy.





On that big day, everyone was sombre. We haven't had enough sleep the day before. It's not that we were too worried, but it's just that we played the PS2 till late at night. Our slogan: "Tomorrow we fight, tonight we party!" They were all appointing me as the sacrificial band leader. And so we stood up on the stage, I have even changed the bass twice. A bit of sound checking, and we're on. Started with the 'Famous Last words' and right on the second the song ends, we made the audiences surprised by jumping straight into 'Starlight' before they even blink an eye. It was like only one continous song, which makes it pretty cool to listen to.


The hellish 9 minutes ends. And we were happy with what we've done. We waited until the night comes when they started to announce the Top 5 winners. It started on Number 5. It was not our name. We have a bittersweet feeling because we may be on the higher rank, or maybe we weren't even listed.


The name for the number 4 winner startled us. I have to hear that again to make sure. It was us! The Perhaps Single! How happy am I that time. Those indie enemies looked at us as if they were hoping to end up in the higher rank. But no. They were one sad band on this night. I ran up to receive the prize. I don't care about the prize. All I care about is redeeming myself and my band. From their insults and discrimination.


Those indie bands then started to make progress with their first EP, named "The Judges Are Blind". I know what they mean. But those judges are not deaf, that I'm certain. And it seems that they became an emo band themselves. Revenge fulfilled.



And we said to each other, "We gave the performance we will never forget tonight".





24 March 2007. The day we will never forget.