Hey guys,

I just got back from Acoustic Jam IV at the Commonwealth Club and i should say it was worth my RM10 with the performance and talented bands that came up to perform. Before i start on the playlist, i would like to thank Mr. Hassan and his lovely wife, Markisa for giving me an insight on this special occasion. The purpose of Acoustic Jam IV is actually to encourage musicians to play their own self-written music where bands that are performing and those who would to perform are put on a schedule to play live to a small number of audience and make their music heard.

This is somewhat similiar to that small gigs in the UK where new bands can show their talent and creativity (Oasis started out the same way). Due to a number of pubs that only accept bands that play covers, Acoustic Jam IV has opened a whole new world to the unheard. Besides that, people will be able to appreciate Malaysian music more with the exposure and attention given to these bands. Hopefully, in time to come, there will more of these types of small gigs that will eventually expose the current and future musical talents of Malaysia.

Kudos to all the bands that performed on Saturday!! You guys really gave 101% in your performance. Keep the spirit alive.

Let's get rolling with the playlist, shall we?

7.30pm - A crowd about 5-10 people gathered outside the entrance to the room where Acoustic Jam IV was held. No signs of band members yet but their fans and friends seemed to be there earlier. Mr. Hassan was preparing and doing the soundcheck. His album "Warm" could be heard playing in the background.

7.45pm - Mr. Hassan's wife, Markisa took her dinner while waiting for the bands to arrive. I was busy checking out the CDs, postcards, flyers and articles that were layed on the entrance table. By now, at least 14 people arrived there and was hanging around chit-chatting among themselves.

7.50pm - Zahid of Disagree arrived with other band members.Private Whizz's band members could be seen walking up and down. The Grouch walked in with their guitars. Qings and Kueens also arrived (2 of them).By now, the crowd was getting bigger consisting of close friends and family members. Remedy Anthems was being sold (both CD and cassette) together withMr. Hassan's album "Warm". People were buying tickets and finding their seats.

8.10pm - Fallen Leaves arrived together with 7 Collar T-shirt. Band members of Xcited Screamers were also around. Allburn (a new band) was seen loitering around the entrance. The number of people rose to a close 40.

8.35pm - Mr. Hassan officially started Acoustic Jam IV and he invited The Grouch to start things off.
THE GROUCH was seen grouching 3 songs which is:
- Dreamweaver - Shades - Bad Day (cover by Fuel)
They consist of Setyo(bass and vocals), Malcolm(guitar) and Lucky(drums).
They are all 16 years old and performed good due to their 'selamba' attitude and cool vocalist.

8.50pm - Xcited Screamers came on with Farid and Shafiq plus another guy.Quite mellow i would say but promising.
XCITED SCREAMERS screamed their hearts out with 2 songs which is:
- Life Cycle - (A cover song, not sure about the title cos' vocalist was a
bit soft..sorry guys!)

9.10pm - Disagree strapped things up and did their soundcheck. Took a while though before they started because Zahid wanted his guitar to sound louder.(if i'm not mistaken). You bet they sounded good with Hamka's presence and the smooth bassist.
DISAGREE agreed on 2 songs:
- Stay For - No title song (they haven't decided the song's name)

9.20pm - 7 Collar T-Shirt fired things up with the vocalist standing and giving all their best. Like they are, their sound is a bit different and sometimes you think they are all playing a different song at once. Good stuff and refreshing. They got the crowd to laugh with their Chicken song and the upbeat Porno track.
7 COLLAR T-SHIRT cracked 4 songs:
- Breathe -Happy Chicken King - Musical Guide For A 70's Porno - What Went Wrong

9.45pm - AllBurn was up and they introduced themselves and stated that they just formed a few days ago after knowing about this event. Eventhough new, they did quite well with their acoustic guitars and great vocals. One of the member had dreadlocks and the first impression i got was that their song was gonna be loud but no, they really performed great with their friends and supporters around.
ALLBURN burned up the audience with 2 songs:
- Greenish Land - Kindness Comes From Being (sorry guys if i had it wrong!!)

-INTERLUDE- Break for about 10 minutes. Everyone went out to have a drink and got refreshed.

10.00pm - Reza was front next with his fellow band mates and their guitars. Reza is actually the vocalist's name and they have been around for quite sometime. Great stuff and good riffs.
REZA razed 4 tracks:
- Need (for the little things that Reeza wants in life) - For Her (for his girlfriend) - Spain (song about pain with a spanish feeling) - Rest and Relax (like to title says)

10.20pm - Mr. Hassan's Band Soft Touch was up with his wife, Markisa on the keyboards, Private Whizz's bassist (Midi) and guitarist (Ijoo) plus 7 Collar T-Shirt's drummer. They rocked the crowd as usual with Mr. Hassan on harmonica and guitar.
SOFT TOUCH sped things up with 2 songs:
- Better World (banned on Radio 4 according to Mr. Hassan due to advertising in lyrics) -Vacant Eyes

10.55pm - Nora from Intoxicated came up front. She apologized that other bandmates couldn't make it. She solo-ed on. Touching lyrics and great vocal control. She cranked up the crowd with her "Baked Beans Song". Really great talent. She was not feeling well too but she did great. Give it up!!
NORA from INTOXICATED strut her stuff with 3 songs:
- Pieces - My Love (the baked beans song) - Goodbye (old but gold number)

11.10pm - Fallen Leaves was up next. They are from Melawati and Ampang and
their 3rd track is on the compilation album "Remedy Anthems'. Their demo or EP if im not mistaken is on sale too.
FALLEN LEAVES turned the leaf over with 5 songs:
- Filler No. 1 ( i got it wrong i guess) - Cup Of Tea - Drown With Me (on RA) - My Own Worst Enemy- Throw Those Days Away

11.30pm - Private Whizz was seen tuning and soundchecking. They had a great number of friends and supporters there including loved ones. The bassist and the drummer are either twins or brothers as they look alike.
PRIVATE WHIZZ whizzed the set up with 3 songs:
- Fortuneteller - Flat Plane ( i got it wrong again..sorry guys!) - Clumsy

11.50pm - After waiting for a long time, Qings and Kueens finally had
things going for them. Off stage, they seemed nervous but after coming up front, they really did good with Paul and his classical influence and Vima on vocals and guitar.
QINGS AND KUEENS played blackjack with 4 songs:
- We Gonna Rock You - You Are My Beautiness - Please Your Heart - Light

12.10am- False Opus came late and either they were outside or downstairs due to the packed room. A number of 50-70 people was recorded. Their song can be found on the compilation Another Boring Sunday with other acts such as Nitrus.
FALSE OPUS couldn't be false with their 2 songs:
- Sweet Dreams (song bout a girl who can't sleep due to insomnia and can't be awake cos she's paranoid)
- Off Circus ( see, i went wrong again..guys could you speak up a little when telling a song's title?? Sorry!!)

12.30am - Most of the crowd left as it was getting late but the grand finale was by Jungle Jam. A local Indian classical band that are performing in pubs right now. With their diverse musical talents and that includes a flute and a voice buzzer sort of instrument (i don't know what do you call it but it was something new to see), they certainly closed the event with their slow and relaxed instrumental tracks.
JUNGLE JAM jammed till the morning with 3 songs:
- Dancing In The Rain - Vasiraga - Continuation of Vasiraga (Sorry! You said so fast!!)

12.50am - LUCKY DRAW with Mr. Hassan (3 "Warm" CDs were given out)

1.00am - Acoustic Jam IV ended with band members seen loitering downstairs and petting their guitars to sleep.

Well, there you go. I actually lost my way back while driving but i managed to reach home safely. All in all, it was a good show with multiple great talents and good music. It was definitely a smooth and succesful event which brought Malaysian bands together and fulfilled their dreams off being heard and seen. I would like say all the best to all those who had gotten to know me just yesterday ( Vima, Paul, Malcolm, Setyo, Lucky, Zahid, Hamka and not forgetting Mr. Hassan and Markisa) and all the bands that performed, in their future undertakings especially in their musical talents. I really enjoyed myself and i hope everyone there enjoyed themselves too.

I would like to apologize if i had any wrong information written. Thank you for reading (although its a bit messed up). Do keep me informed on upcoming gigs will ya? Bye!

Regards,
Nigel Sia