Newspaper Article in the Star (Metro, 14th June 2010)

Students wow the crowd at Battle of the Bands
By SUAN ONG and BRENDAN VIVE
newsdesk@star.com.my

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JOHOR BARU: Five-man rock band One Chapter topped 12 other bands to emerge champion of Battle of the Bands competition.

The band, which walked away with a trophy and RM300 in the event organised by SMK Sultan Ismail (SSI) Music Club, where they performed cover-versions of ‘Plug in baby’ (originally by Muse) and ‘Revolusi’ (originally by Bunkface).

Frontman Amirul Asyraf Abd Aziz, 17, said that it was the first time One Chapter had competed in a battle of the bands showcase.

“To win a competition the first time competing is unbelievable. We are completely speechless and thrilled,” he said, adding that the band would take part in more competitions and work on more original songs in future.

The best: Five-man rock band One Chapter clinched the first place in the Battle of the Bands

A crowd favourite, One Chapter also won the ‘best band support award’ thanks to their bevy of cheering, banner-waving fans.

Another instant sensation at the battle of the bands was 11-year-old Rainnie Ong, a female drummer from a band called Music Soul.

“I feel lucky to have had the chance to perform for a crowd considering I have only played the drums for six months. I think I did alright,” said the shy girl from SJCK Pei Hwa.

Undoubtz, the winner of the best original song, were overjoyed when they won the award for their original song titled ‘Blue Sky’.

The third place winning band Cyber5’s Nur Sabrina Azman, 17, said that her band had done their best during their performance of Lady Gaga’s hit ‘Bad Romance’.

“We are a young band, only two-months-old, and this is our first competition together,” said the bubbly lead singer, adding that her brother and bandmate Azizurrahman Adli, 16, was her greatest source of support.

SSI Music club teacher-adviser Chong Lee Cheng, 52, said that this was the third time the Battle of the Bands was being held and it took about six months to organise.

“I am very proud of my students for the hard work they put in and the excellent results they achieved,” she said.

SSI senior assistant in charge of co-curricular affairs Rosli Bahrom, 54, said through the focus on the arts, the school hoped to produce students who were accomplished in not only academics but also co-curricular activities.

Competition judge and RTM Johor Baru combo drummer Hairul Hafizi Hasnan, said that most of the bands did well but they could get better with more practice.

“It’s a great idea to have this type of competition for students to express their creativity and talent,” he said.

The audience were also entertained by performances from dance team the Dancologists, Star Singing Competition finalist Sarah Wong, 15-year-old beatbox sensation Jacky Tan and rock band Black Lace during the competition.




*Taken from the Star Online