Carburetor!

I had stepped out to escape the blazing sun on the stage of the Kelana Jaya Stadium and was trying to cool off with some icy drink when I heard some folksy tunes which was rather pleasant, to which I thought to myself, “Ahhh… finally some decent music during a rally…”. I only sat up when more excellent hardcore riffs drifted near the lake, to which i thought to myself,”Yeah!”

It was only much later I found out the godfather of Malaysian underground music, Joe Kidd, Bullet and the rest of Carburetor Dung graced our protest (and this time, not as protestors) and are now subjects of a media witch-hunt in light of having nothing better to report on. Let it rest, guys. It was a misunderstanding.

For the record, back in 2004 I was very honoured to have played with Joe and Bullet in a one-off experimental set, even sang and massacred a song with my non-existent vocal abilities – I think Joe forgot the lyrics or something so I had make up for the grinding and screeching. I recall the audience being stunned to silence. Then again, how many people in Malaysia can claim that they had shared a stage with members of CD? 😀

So after a couple of media calls this morning, I decided to state some of my thoughts on this whole issue so that I don’t have to repeat them:-

1. Carburetor Dung was and still is a band ahead of its time. They rarely perform these days, but if they do, I’ll try to catch them.

2. Joe Kidd and his mates are one of those rare thoughtful socially and politically conscious Malaysians trying to make a difference in their work, lives and music.

3. I didn’t see anything. But i was told the shorts were cobalt blue. I’ve seen much more during ceramahs when people wearing loose pants sit down and lean forward … (argh… my eyes, my eyes!)

4. If they get to perform again at a protest, I hope they will invite me to play with them.

5. I am grateful that the Youth Squad of KeADILan handled the situation very well and led the band to safety.

6. Some 60% of voters in Malaysia are and will be 35 years and below. Go figure. 

7. The events that ensued and ended as soon as it began had no bearing on the price of fuel. Sorry, but the stars of last night were Lim Kit Siang, Kamaruddin Jaafar and Anwar Ibrahim, not them and them.

8. I like my music fast and furious. Maybe I’ll mellow down when I reach the big four-O. But I doubt I’ll forget my roots.

On another note but still on the same subject of music, I hope I can get more spaces for our youth to play music – folk, metal, classical, whatever and help sponsor some music classes especially for kids from the lower income strata – most can’t afford lessons like the middle-class, and the select few learn from their friends. What holds us back is the lack of spaces for expression and creativity. Why isn’t music a compulsory subject in schools? In fact, one of my more satisfying part-time jobs once upon a time was teaching a couple of teenage girls and some adults electric guitar. Give our youths guitars and music lessons please, not more 24-hr cybercafes or National (dis)Service.

And the Home Minister should stop talking rot. Direct your preaching to the MB of Pahang first.