LAILA'S LOUNGE

Laila's Lounge were formed in Johor Bahru during the late 90's by vocalist Hadi, guitarist Bai and second guitarist IchamThey've later recruited bassist Bulat (Bai schoolmate) and drummer Sham Daging completing the original line-up.They've also joined by a Kluk-Kluk Adventure keyboardist Ajeep to support the band's live performances/gigs.

Led by singer Hadi and guitarist Bai, the band caused a buzz in late 90's for their ability to captivate audiences with their musical textures and sonic aptitude.Although the band has received a huge recognition by gig-goers/indie-lovers,they've never recorded a proper material due to their personal problem at that time.

To make thing even worse, in 1999 drummer Sham Daging whose mental health had been deteriorating for several months sent the band into a nowhere state.Later, their talented bassist Bulat left the band due to his personal problem.The band then recruited a new bassist, Anaz (Bai and Hadi house mate) with second guitarist Icham switched his role to drummer and stretched the band life span.In 2002, ex-Polythene guitarist David joined the band as a second guitarist.

A years later, due to a several frustrating event in his life, singer Hadi finally called it a quit and moved to KL where he joined a local theater group called Sanggar Karya and becoming a devoted stage worker/activist.His decision then led to the parted of newly recruited David and the band were in the verge of breakup.But not until their most influential member, guitarist Bai had to chose the same path as co-founder Hadi, they've tried to refill his role by recruited several candidates in order to save the band's life span.And they've failed.

But bassist Anaz whose love and passion for the band has made him refused to call it a quit, recruited a new guitarist Toya and succeed in persuaded Icham and Bai to reformed Laila's Lounge.In late 2005, they've began to worked on a new material and set a vision towards band's future.Half a years later, ex-vocalist/co-founder Hadi rejoined the band as they moving forward to a new era of Laila's Lounge.

Right now, they've been busy compiling on a new material for their upcoming debut album....

*Important (pls read this!!): This article made under a supervision by the member of Laila's Lounge.And it's not reflecting the band point of view.Any offensive material that can cause a complication later aren't the band responsibility. Author A Brief History...(by Mary The Princess)

HUJAN

Forget reality TV music idols or manufactured pop acts. Malaysia’s appetite for homegrown indie bands know no boundaries this year. It has been a long time coming, but the momentum, for better or for worse, is with the local indie music community as it continues to push into the mainstream and attract media attention.

Just Malay indie rock outfit Hujan, possibly the biggest buzz band since OAG in the early 1990s, made good on its early promise as the nation’s breakthrough indie outfit. Led by enigmatic singer-songwriter Noh, Hujan began the year with much expectation.

Hujan, blending an inspired mix of indie attitude and Malay pop smarts, made the news early in the year with a tour of England financed by its Malaysian student fan base there, before returning home to play a career-defining set at the inaugural Sunburst festival in Kuala Lumpur. After courting controversy for its brash attitude in the Malay media, Hujan’s debut album, delivered the final verdict that this was no flash-in-the-pan phenomenon.

ESTRANGED

ESTRANGED consists of five guys, Ken, Din, Andy, Rich and Adzrai.They are a band that plays modern rock with a slight twinge of dark elements. Estranged's passion is rock music and they just love performing.Their mission is to spread their music to every single Malaysian out.ICOM once again stays true to its philosophy of producing the'future'of Malaysian music.Estranged was formed in 2001 by ICOM students,Richael and Din,andnaturally went through a series of mandatory lineup changes and small-time gigging.The rap/rock, pseudo melodic/hardcore band's current lineup is RichaelLawrence(vocals),Din (guitars/back-up vocals),Mohd Adzrai Zainal(leadguitar), Chow Ken Chung (bass) and Azwin Andy Malik (drums, who's also Latte@8's Drummer Boy).Richael's experience with his former Sabahan band,Psyklone(who
managed to get a track on the Puteri Gunung Ledang soundtrack) has also helped in preparing the band for its debut outing.After being voted the second ...

BUNKFACE

The band, which was formed in 2006, has been receiving unpleasant write-ups on how it often snubs the media.Bunkface, which consists of Sam (vocals), Biak (drums), Youk (bass) and Paan (guitars), admits to still learning the ropes and handling fame.
We have no intention of ignoring anyone. In fact, we respect the media and understand their role in the entertainment industry,” said Sam.
Bunkface is not the only band that has been criticised for its treatment of the media.Hujan and even current Anugerah Juara Lagu champ Meet Uncle Hussain too have been accused of snubbing the media.There are a lot of differences between the underground scene and the mainstream. We had no exposure to the media during our early years. But we are learning,”said Sam.

MEET UNCLE HUSSIAN

Meet Uncle Hussain or is also spelled as meetUncleHussain is a progresive rock band from Malaysia. This band major achievements includes winning the prestigious Anugerah Juara Lagu in 2008.

Origin	Malaysia
Genre(s)	Rock
Years active	2001–Present
Label(s)	Satu Music Entertainment

Lan (Vocalist)
Taja (Guitarist/Backup Vocalist)
Afat (Bass/Backup Vocalist)
Kudux (Drummer)

THE HISTORY OF INDIE MUSIC

As an Indie Music fan I have been called everything from music snob to hippie. Although it doesn't bother me at all, I often wonder if the angry people calling me silly names really knew what Indie Music was. Most people probably hear a term like "Indie Music" and just associate it with certain types of music, but technically that is incorrect. To remedy that problem, I'd like to spend some time talking about the history and evolution of Indie Music and from the time it was born until today.

Indie Music is technically short for "Independent Music" and defines a category of musician that prefers to produce his or her own music rather than sign with a major record label. Although there are record labels that sign these musicians, technically Indie Music record labels specialize in small time productions that do not come close to rivaling that of the major record labels you are most familiar with. Often, these small Indie Music labels are collections of similar artist and form a network of aspiring musicians rather than a collection of random music artists produced in the typical cookie cutter fashion.

Indie Music is said to have its beginnings in the 1960's where most of the music was pop, Rock n' Roll, and R &B. A band called Velvet Underground emerged during this time that started producing all of its music individually. They tried to create their own style of music that branched out from the mainstream and although they did not sell many records, their original members still make music today.

As Indie Music progressed through the 70's and 80's it became known as progressive rock, which transformed into alternative music in the 90's. Although bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana brought alternative music mainstream, there were still hundreds of Indie Bands in the background producing great, but generally unnoticed music.

Today Indie Music has become a genre of its own that is generally a blend of rock, folk, and acoustic music. Raw and emotional music still seems to be the norm, which is why the Indie fan base is so attached to their music. In the days of bubble gum rock and cookie-cutter boy/girl bands, it is refreshing to still be able to find music that speaks to its audience rather than sells to it.

Unfortunately, finding good Indie Music can be difficult because the major record labels continue to subvert quality music by flooding the market with bad music. However, if you look hard enough on sites like Last.fm or Amazon (has a great recommendation service) you may find an Indie Band that suits your taste.

I like Indie Music because the Indie Music Artists aren't trying to polish who they are. You get to hear the music as it would sound in their room as they play to their spouse, siblings, or children. It shouldn't be this hard to find good sounding music, but maybe that's what makes it so rewarding to listen to.

Article Source:Nathan Hangen

OASIS

Oasis was formed out of a group originally named Rain, which was comprised of friends Paul McGuigan, Chris Hutton, Paul Arthurs, and Tony McCarroll. The schoolboys later added buddy Liam Gallagher to take over lead vocals, and the band soon changed their name to Oasis. Liam’s brother, Noel Gallagher, was involved with the work of other bands at the time of Oasis’ formation, and as the group was in need of a lead guitarist and back-up vocalist, Noel was asked to join the band. Noel accepted on the condition that he would be the bandleader and would oversee all of the band’s work.

Artic Monkeys

The Arctic Monkeys, who were voted the best British rock band earlier this year, said bass player Andy Nicholson has left the group after pulling out of a North American tour last month.

"We are sad to tell everyone that Andy is no longer with the band," the three other bandmates said on their web site (www.arcticmonkeys.com).

"We have been mates with Andy for a long time and have been through some amazing things together that no one can take away. We all wish Andy the very best."

The band said that Nick O'Malley, who stood in when Nicholson was absent from the recent North America tour, would carry on playing bass for their remaining shows this summer.

The bass player's initial departure last month tour was blamed on "fatigue following an intensive period of touring".

No further details were given for why he had quit the indie rock bank.

The young quartet from Sheffield, who are all aged about 20, have successfully ridden a wave of Internet hype to the top of the charts, stealing headlines at the NME music awards earlier this year with three prizes, including Best British Band.

The Arctic Monkeys' album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, this year took the record for the fastest-selling debut album. The band has been labeled the next Oasis and hailed as the first superstars of the iPod age through marketing their music over the Internet.