Past Gigs 2005


Saturday, December 10th, 2005

AWESTRUCK

The Soft Touch Full Album was officially launched on Saturday evening December 10th at
KL Jam Asia in Desa Sri Hartamas (19-1Jalan 22A/70A, Plaza Crystalville, DSH).
The show was called AWESTRUCK and featured:

ETC from Singapore, Soft Touch, Duke, 13 Tribes, Blunt,
Ferns, Sheen, Xcited Screamers

Kevin from Broken Scar did the sound most excellently and Daphne and her brother manned the desk. All the bands played wonderfully and the music was positively AWESOME.

We thank the bands and those that helped and contributed their time and energy and skill and all the people who came to the show.

THE PICTURES

The first 30 paying entrants received a free copy of the Soft Touch full album. We hope you are all enjoying this album.

One correspondent from a national paper wrote back:

"Wanted to wish you a merry christmas and let you know that I really enjoy listening to your Full album. I have it in my car and have been listening to it on my way to work. I think you've done a great job."

 

Sunday, 25th September, 2005

Hi People,
A date to remember: 25th September (Sunday) is the date of the Arts for All Charity Carnival at Indoor Arena, Bukit Kiara Equestrian Resort ...and Soft Touch will be on at 2.30 pm ...and it's only RM2 to get in!!   So come on down on your horse or in your car and make merry on a fine (we hope) Sunday afternoon (bring the wives and kids and grans and grandads too).  The whole event will last from 10.00 am until 6.00 pm and will include:

  • 160 stalls, including Carlsberg draft beer
  • Music by Cultural Troops, Pop Bands (including Soft Touch and Cosmic Funk Express) and solo artistes
  • Comedy by Instant Cafe Company and Harith Iskandar
  • Celebrity appearances
  • Arts and Crafts presentation by Orphans and Orang Asli
  • Photographic Exhibition, Colouring Contests and Lucky Draw!

Well, you can't ask for much more than that.  The show is organised by Ti-Ratana Community Centre.  For more information contact Catherine Lai 0122318910

Well, this was a very well organised event and done entirely for charity - how wonderful it is that so many people are prepared to give up so much time and energy for others!  The audience were fairly indifferent to Soft Touch's performance - although we performed very well - thanks to Alex, Wong and Alda who is our present stand-in bassist, who helped us out on this gig and hopefully will be present at future ones.

We performed four songs Better World, Listen 2What U C, Lately and Wishful Thinking - the last three being from Soft Touch EP but Better World will be included in the FULL ALBUM.  Cosmic Funk Express played very well and were very well received.  Afterwards Markiza got off jamming with Paul Lau's percussion group.  Lots of fabulous works of art were auctioned at vamped up prices and all for the sake of orphans and children's homes.  Wonderful!

Sunday 7th August, 2005

CHARITY GIG - SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE
Last Sunday (7th August 2005) we teamed up with Azlan Ramli who used to be the bass player for Spunky Funggy, who was also a founding member of Soft Touch in 1999, and did a show with Eddy from Triple Six Poser and Mojo Pin on drums and Jack Nathan on lead guitar. 

We performed two of Lan's songs, Mr. Minister and At My Table both of which are punchy and upbeat and Lan showed that he had lost none of his touch after being 'away' from the scene for sometime.  We also did the song 'Child' from Passion's second album - as this was a charity gig in aid of Down's Syndrome children (you can find the lyrics of this song on the lemang.com website and can buy it off the musiccanteen.com - just type in 'Passion'), and 'The Secret' from my album 'Warm'  (also available from the Music Canteen under Peter Brown). 

Then we did a 'new' (actually written some time ago) song called 'Gotta Make the Music' which is a kind of rap song about our experiences in the commercial live music scene in the nineties.  This might be recorded later, we'll have to see.  Thanks to Jack and Eddy and Lan for their playing and enthusiasm and quick learning abilities.

This Charity show was organised by Saiful Azlan Freezailah of FYI Entertainment and featured many famous bands including Tempered Mental , Y2K , Dragon Red , Cosmic Funk Express , Furniture and many other excellent bands.  It was held at Paul's Place.  Although not many people turned up they still raised a few hundred for the charity.  Thanks to Paul, David, Ahmad and Saiful, the bands and all who came and gave their donation..

Saturday 2nd July, 2005

"When some people live in a mansion
  and own three or four BMW -
  while others they go hungry -
  don't even have a pair of shoes... "

Which side of the big divide are you?   A have a few pairs of shoes and I'm not hungry.  But I don't have the money to buy a BMW.  But if you do and you want one (or a Merc or a Ferrari) or you want to dream and oggle, you can always mosey down to NAZA SHOWROOMS (they've opened a brand new one) and choose your favourite.

But if you haven't got the dough to buy a big, prestigious automobile, you can still see (and hear) there this Saturday 2nd July (for no charge) SOFT TOUCH play.  They'll be on around 7.00 pm .  And there are lots of other fascinating things going on like sword swallowers, dancing bears and performing giraffes and candy floss...because it's Naza Showrooms Carnival. 

There'll be other bands playing.  So bring the kids and Granny and Grandpa too.  And have lots of jolly weekend fun (yes, well we did have fun and played a very good set and the sound quality was excellent (it being the Pan Global truck) but unfortunately there were only about 20 people in the audience (although they all stayed and enjoyed our music), which considering it cost NAZA RM38,000 to hire the truck and the bands (which included Thrown Away who also did a great set) to play on the truck (we each got RM500 - my God thanks guys - touch the ole' forlock) - (sorry about long parenthetical sentence) it sure cost NAZA deep in the purse (mind you they no doubt have a VERY DEEP PURSE!)

Sunday 19th June, 2005

We - this time the full authentic Soft Touch - performed at La Bodega at this acoustic gig called Troubadours which is magnanimously organised by Sei Hon and Jerome.  We and Lied (or two of them, a different guitarist from last time at Starbucks but just as crisp and harmonically  satisfying and Adlin on vox) did the main spots and there were numerous Open Mic artists - Amitabh (Tragicomedy) sung some songs from his latest high quality alternative pop album "Songs that Won't Sell" (let's prove him wrong).

Others were Lisa, Saiful, the mephistophelian Rafil Elias (who sang "Anarchy in UK"), Izzy, Sei Hon, Jerome, Az, Shelley and I can't remember who else.  As for ST I and other band members and others in the audience seemed to think we played well, but the owner of the joint didn't like us at all for some reason.  Except "Happy Sad" in which I strained to sing the high bits normally sung by Mar, we performed all songs that I sing lead, which meant some from my album "Warm" and we sold several copies of Soft Touch EP and one copy of "Warm" (still selling, huh?).  Markiza busied herself on k/bds and b/vox.  Gerardine and Sasha provided the equipment and did the sound - thanks - the sound was sweet and the atmosphere was great. 

Thanks to the organisers.  Next Troubadours same place on 17th July (Sunday).

FYI Entertainment presents FEAR NO MUSIC (click for larger view)

Featuring:

  • 13 Tribes
  • Dragon Red
  • Doze
  • Soft Touch
  • Y2k

June 17th 8pm @ Paul's Place, Entry RM10

The FYI Entertainment extravaganza FEAR NO MUSIC featured Dragon Red (who were excellent with new raunchy head-banging female bassist), 13 Tribes (who were excellent - a mix of World Music, Rap and Funk), Y2K (well these guys were awesome - fast track punk with lofty vocals intersperced with comedy), Broken Scar (the band this time - good songs delivered in an "in yer face" robustly optimistic style, and very tight), Peter Brown & Friends (rather loose, underrehearsed but thanks so much to Jack, Alda and Paul the drummer for backing my latest old-fashioned bluesy songs - you all played very well - and I managed to sing - well 90 per cent of the words - okaylah), and Doze and another band which I didn't get to see because had to drive folks back to their abodes and stuff. Thanks Saiful and Khai for the gig.

TROUBADOURS singer-songwriters live 19 June, Sunday 7:30pm 'til late

La Bodega KL, Tengkat Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang

FREE admission featuring:

SOFT TOUCH

Hassan Peter Brown, Markiza and band rock out with new and old songs full of heart and warmth.

LIED

Adlin Rosli and guest guitarist play stripped-down versions of songs from the new EP "Making Enemies".

PLUS SURPRISE OPEN MIC PERFORMERS++

On Sunday we - this time the full authentic Soft Touch - performed at La Bodega at this acoustic gig called Troubadours which is magnanimously organised by Sei Hon and Jerome. We and Lied (or two of them, a different guitarist from last time but just as crisp and harmonically satisfying and Adlin on vox) did the main spots and there were numerous Open Mic artists - Amitabh (Tragicomedy) sung some songs from his latest high quality alternative pop album "Songs that Won't Sell" (let's prove him wrong). Others were Lisa, Saiful, the mephistophelian Rafil Elias (who sang "Anarchy in UK"), Izzy, Sei Hon, Jerome, Az, Shelley and I can't remember who else. As for ST I and other band members and others in the audience seemed to think we played well, but the owner of the joint didn't like us at all for some reason. Except "Happy Sad" in which I strained to sing the high bits normally sung by Mar, we performed all songs that I sing lead, which meant some from my album "Warm" and we sold several copies of Soft Touch EP and one copy of "Warm" (still selling, huh?). Markiza busied herself on k/bds and b/vox. Gerardine and Sasha provided the equipment and did the sound - thanks - the sound was sweet and the atmosphere was great. Thanks to the organisers. Next Troubadours same place on 17th July (Sunday).

Too Far Gone - An extravaganza in many acts including:

with M.C. Aaron Mokhtar (of Rock the World fame) @ Paul's Place, 8, 2/137B Resource Industrial Centre, off Jalan Klang Lama, Kuala Lumpur.

Too Far Gone Photo Gallery

* * *

So how did it go? Well I thought, and judging by other people's comments (I don't think they were just being complimentary or polite) they thought too that it was (in plain language) a REALLY GOOD SHOW. Oh yes I know there were only about a hundred dudes and dudesses there including the bands, but quantity is not necessarily quality, and the quality of the atmosphere is a lot to do with the nature of the audience. People were enjoying the music and the scene in a very relaxed way, the sound was really good (we shall prove it soon with a CD because we recorded some of the numbers from each band on an 8-track digital tape recorder, so be patient until I get round to mix it).

First up was Saer Ze who brought along a five or six piece band including backing vocalists, and she and one of the vocalists were decked out in magnificent sexy colours (too sexy maybe-lah - that's the title of her latest single), like hippies from the 60s. Nicely folky but funky stuff - thanks Saer Ze we don't see you perform often enough because you are most of the time in Byron Bay Ossieland (studying audio engineering is that right?).

Then it was the turn of Lied - a solid and tight performance with the high-powered funky grungy guitar style of Meng, and a fine rhythm section of bass and drums, and what with singer Adlin's attractive dancey movements as he belted out a selection of aggressively arty songs, the show really started to move and generate some electicity.

Third up were Cats in Love, which it seemed most of the audience had come to see, being the latest outfit of guitarist N. Rama Lohan of Audiofile fame. Formerly of prog-rock band Samarkand this guy has changed his style to warm and fun rock 'n' roll music - reminiscent of Rolling Stones, Medicine Head and Status Quo, with a bit of bar-room reggae and studied instrumental thrown in (which went down extremely well). Guitars, three stack keyboards, bass, drums and Lohan himself on lead vocals made a potent mixture with some really catchy melodies. Thanx Lohan and Co for some unforgettable boogie.

Now D-Va had their turn to wow a diverse audience with their infectious Malay melodies (so refreshlingly different) and beautiful harmony vocals. These dudes are really professional, the songs arranged well and played with consumate ease and joie-de-vivre. The lady lead singer who is also a fine musician on both guitar and keyboards, has a lovely voice, full and expressive with none of the laboured perfectionism of so many Malay singers - she just naturally puts the songs over in an irresistable way.

Then it was time to launch the SOFT TOUCH EP and perform the songs from it, and a few others from previous Passion albums and Peter Brown album "Warm". There were a few boo-boos but we (Soft Touchers) were pretty satisfied with the performance and it seemed the audience liked it too. It is described as one appreciative person there that night as "sophisticated pop". As well as the five numbers from the EP, Listen 2 What U C, Happy Sad, Shelter, Wishful Thinking and Lately, we bashed and battered, howled, whined and hollered our way through Better World, Crazy Heart and Move On Down The Line from Warm, and Love & Music from the Passion album of the same name. Hope we can get some more gigs and Radio play too!

Now it was international time: UK performer Jamie Woon proved himself to be a rare talent, deliciously rendering some amazingly cool songs with a voice that compares to any international singer with his faultless cadences, but with the tenderness and sensitivity appropriate to acoustic music with just one guitar and voice - austere yet luxurious. Shame that there were not a crowd of the local acoustic artists to witness this real paradigm of the genre, who stands out even in the overcrowded scene in the UK. His first gig in Malaysia (although half Malaysian) will remain a treasured secret for those of us who were there (at least until we can edit the recordings!)

Finally Lunarin, who came by taxi all the way from Singapore specially for this gig (thanks so much people), put in a splendid performance of alternative rock pieces - rhythm shifting musical poetry with sweet and alluring vocals by bassist Linda who has a notable on-stage charisma, and well backed up by the bassist and drummer - they did not disappoint those who had stayed to the end.

Would like to thank Aaron who did a fine job on the mic MCing the show, Paul and David for just having this place so we can use it to create an atmospheric evening of satisfying music, all the musicians who played for nothing (or virtually nothing), All the folks who bought our EP for RM10, Lohan for lohaning (sorry, loaning) some equipment, Ahmad for taking the money and issuing the tickets, and all the audience who made the effort to turn up - for the effort was more than worth it.

Markiza and Peter Brown

* * *

SOFT TOUCH IN SINGAPORE - January 15 & 16, 7:30pm - 10:00pm

Soft Touch played in Singapore, at the Esplanade along with Pete Teo & Lucy in the Loo on Saturday and with Pete Teo on Sunday The show was called "Boleh" and intended to be part of a series of shows to present Malaysian talent in the city state. It was held on the Waterfront, where there is a specially built concrete amphitheatre with stone bench seating, and the stage faced land so you performed with your back to the most magnificent cluster of gargantuan and stately buildings, which at night was a montrous incandescent jewelled splendour.

The sound was finger-licking good - every small mistake could be clearly heard. So naturally everyone including Soft Touch made sure they played extra well. We were a little untogether on Saturday, having had adventurous experiences trying to enter this incredibly rule-bound society and fulfilling the criteria, but Sunday was significantly better. As well as our five originals for the still being tracked EP, Listen 2 What U C, Happy Sad, Wishful Thinking, Lately and Shelter, we performed a new rock version of Love & Music from the Passion album of the same name, Better World, Move on Down the Line and Crazy Heart from "Warm", and three covers, Return to Forever originally recorded by Minnie Riperton, with added bits written by Markiza, Hold On by Sarah McClachan and Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac from Rumours. Pete Teo never sounded so good with just his (new) acoustic and his voice with it's unique and inimitable vibrato, and Lucy in the Loo was awesome.

I was honoured to be invited to contribute a humble harmonica riff for "I Should Have Known Better". The other cover was "Please Mr Postman" which was positively rivetting, done in guitar-based alternative style. The rest were LITL originals - some of the finest songwriting in Malaysia. The Esplanade is an enormous complex of entertainment venues with a huge canopy roof (everything is larger than life in Singapore), including Theatre, Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall, with giant modern sculptures and appropriate technical and backstage infrastructure. The Malaysian acts were given a dressing room each, with air-conditioning, hot showers and multiple light-bulbs around the mirrors. On stage the monitors were so powerful and clear that the soundchecks in the burning sun took much longer than normal making sure the right mix was in the different speakers for each instrumentalist.

These are luxuries quite unfamiliar to underground acts (mostly you can't hear the monitors anyway so it doesn't much matter what goes into them) Many thanks to organiser Patrick (famed front man of Oddfellows), his assistant Chloe and stage manager Anabelle and the sound guys for contributing to such a good show, so satisfying for us humbly, struggling musos. Thanks to the Esplanade Company for having us. Hopefully Paddy will come up to KL soon for a return visit with his current band Typewriter (hint hint to u gig organisers).

Soft Touch In Singapore Photo Gallery

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occasional recording company and event organiser.

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