gig

Malaysia is comedian country

Dear all,

I have finally recovered from the New year's blue and after all the tears, anger and frustration about the Malaysian Goverment, authorities and Media. I have come to conclusion that Malaysian produces comedian to run our country instead.
I won't be mistaken if Chris Rock is half Malaysian.

Regards
Irene




Saturday, 31st December 2005: This Year’s Final Threat@Balai Polis Brickfields

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Overview
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Paul's Place was raided on New Years Eve, 31/12/05 at approximately 10:30. Police were acting on an report that the gig was allegedly a Black Metal gathering. Bands that performed were, Crystal Lake (Japan), Force Vomit (Singapore), Cassandra, Second Combat, Devilica, Uphold, The Falling Grudge, M.U.Z.E, Net Restraint and Crestfallen. It is interesting to note that none of these bands is a Black Metal band. (Note: I only caught M.U.Z.E's set which was damn brilliant).

Paul, Ben (Bitches) and I were in Sri Hartamas when the raid occured, we left about 15 minutes before the raid. Contrary to popular belief neither Paul nor I were aware that this raid would happen. Paul was filling in on drums for Triple6Poser.

When we were informed of the raid, we immediately sought legal advisory and contacted Sonia Randhawa from the Center of Independant Journalism who in turned brought in HAKAM and SUARAM.

Paul wanted to go to the police station but after getting legal advice and discussion amongst ourselves, I felt it would be logical for Paul to wait until the courts open on Tuesday. If he were to go then/now, there is a possibility that he may be remanded (and rendered useless). I felt it would be more useful for him to use Sunday and Monday working on a legal strategy to get the detainees released and organize funds for bail if it becomes necessary. We told him to go home and headed to the police station.

Ben and I arrived at the police station at about 2am. CK (Ben's Bitches bassist) arrived shortly after. Friends and loved ones waited outside the station compound.

Detainees were released at approimately 5am. David (Paul's Place staff) and an indeterminate number of others were remanded and shall be brought to court on Tuesday/Wednesday to face charges.

Some detainees, Crystal Lake included, immediately went back to the police station and lodged a report on what they believed to be an unlawful detainment.

Ben and I left the scene at 6:00 am in the morning. CK was still there when we left.

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Details
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It is estimated that 380 persons were detained without cause. Those detained included Paul's Place staff David, members of Japanese band Crystal Lake, Singaporean outfit Forced Vomit and a lawyer from law firm Edwin Lim & Suren Advocates and Solicitors. All merchandise and movable equipment at the venue were confiscated.

It should be noted that not all those detained were physically in Paul's Place. Some were in the stalls outside eating, hanging out at the kaki lima, others were there to drop off friends.

Detainees were trucked to the Brickfields Police Station and tested for drugs. They were made to sit in the compound, men were went single file to give their urine samples, I assume the women were given a little more privacy. Friends and loved ones kept vigil outside the police station. No one was allowed to enter and meet with the detainees until they were processed.

Those who tested negative for drugs were released at approximately 5:00 am, I was there until 6:00 am and people were still being released. Some of the merchandise and equipment was returned to the owners. It is uncertain now many persons (if any) tested positive and held for a second urine test and/or remanded.

It is *uncertain* what the detainees were/are being charged for. Detainees could not get a straight answer from the police. Anedectotal information includes:

a) Black Metal/Devil Worshipping ceremony (to quote a TV reporter "Menyambut Tahun Baru dengan Syaitan" - something I wish I had tradmarked)

b) Illegal gathering (for those caught outside).

c) Operating/being in an unlicensed venue for David, organizers Paul's Place.

d) Undecent public display (I'm assuming wearing black t-shirts)

From what I understand Paul's Place is a licensed cafe. He is allowed to sell soft drinks and canned/bottled beer and host private events (i.e., gigs). The authorities have never seemed to have a problem with this until now.

HAKAM/SUARAM/CIJ/Media
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Malaysian human rights organizations and watchdog groups HAKAM and SUARAM and the Center of Independant Journalism were present outside the police station demanding to speak with the OCPD and questioning the media.

N. Surendran from law firm Edwin Lim & Suren, lodged 3 police reports against Brickfields OCPD and 2 other high ranking officers within hours of the raid for the unlawful detainment of their staff lawyer who happened to be at the gig.

Media, newspapers, TV were present at the police station interviewing detainees and shooting pictures and footage. Some detainees were "asked nicely" to provide interviews with the TV journalists. Who were asked promptly complied.

Some detainees, approximately 15, who were released immediately returned to the station to lodge a police report against the Brickfields Police Station's unlawful detainment. Irene (frequent gig organizer and band nomad), Jay (Freelove) and Hana (Lucy in the Loo) were amongst those who took a stand and lodged the report.

In addition to that, Crystal Lake members too lodged police reports They had been advised to bring this matter up to the Japanese Embassy. I'm not sure if Forced Vomit submitted a report.

A young unidentified off duty cop came up to me and told me, "If I didn't have to work tonight, I would have probably been at Paul's catching the hardcore gig and with the detainees right now".

David and some other detainees have been remanded and will be brought to court to be charged on Tuesday or Wednesday since Sunday and Monday were public holidays. It will be impossible to contact them, bail them out or take any legal action until they have been charged.

We are working on a legal strategy to get David and the rest of the detainees out as soon as they get charged on Tuesday.



Post Mortem and Call for Action
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Kudos to you all who lodged police reports!

ALL THOSE WHO WERE DETAINED AND RELEASED ARE BEING URGED TO RETURN TO THE POLICE STATION AND LODGE A POLICE REPORT AND FILE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST THE BRICKFIELDS POLICE STATION.

What the police did was unlawful and amounts to harassment. One can't be detained for listening to music (no matter how bad) or wearing black t-shirts and having dinner at a gerai.

Failure to take action NOW will allow for the possibility for this to happen again. I realize it is difficult for some to contemplate lodging a report or complaint due to several factors; parents, concern that you may be further persecuted (which won't happen) etc.

If enough people get together, it will be possible to organize a class action lawsuit. Edwin Lim & Suresh Advocates and Solicitors contact details below.

I have asked Suren to provide information on how to file a police report and participate in a class action lawsuit for this matter. I shall post that up as soon as I get it.

What can you do:
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It is important to ensure that incidents like this do not happen again. The community needs to send a message to the law enforcement agencies and show that they are not little school kids that can be easily intimidated and pushed around. They need to show that they are aware of the law and what their rights as citizens are.

Please do the following:
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a) If you haven't already: GO BACK AND LODGE A REPORT IF YOU WERE DETAINED. For those who weren't: get your friends who were involved to return to the station and lodge a report. Some don't feel comfortable doing so as they were made to feel they were guilty when the opposite is true. Support them.

b) Go to your MP, DAP complaints bureau and lodge a complaint.

c) File a class action lawsuit. Suren can assist with this. But he needs LOTS OF YOU TO PARTICIPATE.


CONTACT DETAILS
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Edwin Lim & Suren Advocates
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Contact: Suren
Email: edwinlim_suren@yahoo.com
Phone: +60 (3) 2161-7003

Paul Millot
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Email: solarcon@tm.net.my
Phone: +60 (16) 276-8962

Daniel Yahya the individual that keeps on ROCKING

We all know that bands come and go, but it is the individual that keeps on rocking.

Daniel Yahya also known as Scrumgrief in the Malaysian online forum, I-Bands had showed that even though you are married with a kid, you never stop rocking, the moment you picked up the guitar.

His website paints the omminious scenario that surrounds him like a plague in every breath that he takes. Though his appearance looked very "Father Of The Year" whom has won many awards and also the most feared discipline teacher, i bet when he is on stage, his swings his imaginary hair around and also in the "legs spread" position.

Song review

1. Predator
The introduction of the song lights a match under your ass, as sign to sprint as fast as you can. But who is he running away from?
One thing i don't understand is the scripts? The song title misleads us thinking of a real godzilla like lizard running after you, but its actually about in battle of a war.
The song is pretty neat, just that the narrator or voice effects slightly takes the climax away from you.


2.Ghost of the Horizon
Now this is one of my fave, that i play it really often at work. I find it one to be the sexist metal song i ever heard. I bet Slipknot will pay good money to own such a song.
But theres a one thing though, Is the ghost male or female, or is it a bunch of zombies wandering around the horizon?


3.The Devil's Blues
My all time favourite. A very ingenious idea to collaborate both blues and Metal elements into the song. The title indeed will lure you to hell.






I would rate his overall music 9/10, because when it comes to his songs, he knows how to add the flavor into it. I wonder if he can cook?

Do check out his music at

Scrumgrief's Music



Over and Outty!

Poseidon Album Launch

Kuala Lumpur- The band Poseidon all the way from Penang had launched their album, ' Dawn of the Downed' at Paul's place on September 18, 2005.
Sharing the same stage with Poseidon was, A Pallid Sky, Infiltrated, Borange, Frequency Cannon, Moodbox, Heaven's A Dream, Vespertine, Polaris, Stonebay, Inverted Coma, Furion Escalada, Fuselage and many more gave their best performance as they played their heart out at the launch. This shows that the everyday the Malaysian music scene never die due to the strong support from the media and music lovers themselves.

About the Album

The arrangements of their songs avoid people like us to have the habit of skipping a few tracks and looping to the ones we like.
The Album, 'Dawn of the Downed' is more like a story book than just a normal lineup of their song, which made the album very creatively unique. It is about a journey of a man facing through the ups and downs of life, and the arrangement of Poseidon's songs fits perfectly as they described the heart aches of the character.
When I reviewed their album, I could feel that the laughter and sorrows of the band have been represented by that man in his journey.
As we all know it’s easy to start a band, but harder to make it up there, especially when you are in Malaysia.
The drawback of the album is that, their narrator can be really chessy and annoying. The fact is that its emotions sounded really fake.
I would suggest that they should a get a better voice actor than the ones they are using now.
I would rate their album, 8/10 because of their funky tunes.





About Poseidon

The band Poseidon is originated from Penang. There are 5 members in the band that consist of, Richard on lead guitar, Daniel on rythm guitar, Suren on bass, Kannan on drums and Tevan on vocals. They have been around since the late 1990's playing in various gigs. Furthermore, they were one of the finalist in the ASTRO Hitz.Tv Blast off competition in the first Blast Off competition this year, 2005. for more information about the band Poseidon, you can check them out at, http://www.earthshakers.cjb.net.



Vocals- Tevan
Lead Guitar- Richard
Rythm Guitar- Daniel
Bass- Suren
Drums- Kannan
-HuntressMoon-