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| Loudness has survived changing trends, dwindling fortunes, personnel changes and the death of its original drummer to remain on top of its game. |
THEY’RE no storm bringers, but come June 30, Japanese rock veteran Loudness, Malaysia’s very own Search, Indonesia’s pride and joy Slank and Singapore’s favourite sons Rusty Blade will shake the foundations of Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur in the Thunder In The East concert experience.
It’s a no-holds-barred rock show that brings together Asia’s hardest hitters for a mouth-watering serving of heavy music, like it was the 1980s all over again. The spandex, fishnet stockings, guyliner, hair mousse and boots may be more optional than obligatory today, but the high voltage on display will be – like it always has – straight outta the guitar strings and things.
Loudness leads the pack of hungry rock hounds in this extravaganza, having singed the Asian rock scene since the 1980s, what with seminal albums like Devil Soldier, The Law Of Devil’s Land and Shadows Of War. But it was 1985’s Thunder In The East which took the band to the big time with its American breakthrough, having signed to Atco Records.
Since 1981, the band, headed by guitarist extraordinaire Akira Takasaki, has influenced Asian rock music with a sense of virtuosity and verve that’s rarely been seen before or since, going through everything from personnel changes to the death of original drummer Munetaka Higuchi in 2008.
And taking a leaf from its pages is homegrown heroes Search. Amy and gang have always referenced Loudness, and like in 2011 when the Japanese quartet shared the stage at KL Live on its King Of Pain World Tour, the Johor-raised band will not only get to pay tribute to its source of inspiration, but give it a run for its money.
Expect to hear stadium staples like Mentari Merah Di Ufuk Timur, Isi Atau Kulit, Fantasia Bulan Madu, Fenomena andIsabella, If Search’s shows at Stadium Merdeka through the years are anything to go by, this is going to be rip-roaring fun, particularly so since the band is expected to roll back the years, focusing on material from its 1980s heyday.
Indonesia’s export Slank, also rooted in 1980s rock consciousness, hit the big time with 1990s debut Suit Suit ... Hehehe, before embarking on a whirlwind career which saw as many highs as there were lows.
But through 20-odd albums and counting, vocalist Kaka and drummer Bimbim have remained the torchbearers for the band’s brand of tuneful rock, churning out radio-friendly hit after hit. And the band’s live performances in Indonesia have drawn anywhere between 10,000 to 100,000 fans.
A headbangers’ ball at full tilt might be a bit much for the faint-hearted, though, which is where Slank’s melodicism comes in as the perfect antidote.
Rusty Blade’s stageside mayhem is not to be outdone though, and sticking closer to the programme, the Singaporean band will be expected to unleash cranium-crunchers like Ikrar Perwira, Langsuir Liar and Taming Sari. While the band, with members in their mid-50s, is capable of writing heart-wrenching ballads like Penantian and Kehilangan, to watch a Rusty Blade show is to get your rocks off. Just ask the band’s guitarist Mat Nor Hendrix.
A show of Asia’s rock royalty? But of course ...
Tickets for Thunder In The East, presented by Clockwork Events, range from RM138 to RM888 and is available fromticketpro.com.my. For more info, call 03-7880 7999 or visitclockwork.com.my.
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