Raja Kumbang. My Theories, Thoughts and Practicalities…

Watched Anugerah Band the other day. Didn’t see all the bands play, though. Saw some that were good, some that were bad, and some that were just plain ugly.

I received some flak about my supporting the band Cucu Datok Merah (henceforth known as CDM) from readers and friends alike. Seems like they’re not happy with the band and since I have an affinity for CDM (I like them. I just do. So what can you do about it?), they take it out on me.

I listen to all the criticism, the comments on the vocals, guitars, drums, the bass, the song choice, the costumes, even the features of their faces.

I nod and make some noncomittal sounds. Then I say,” Yup, but I still think they’re good.”

That usually starts off another round of criticism, some even citing references to the members of CDM’s current occupation or previous achievements and such.

Another couple of nods and a few more noncommital sounds later, I’d say something like, “You like tomato, I like chilli, tak kisah lah, yang penting heppi” (doesn’t matter, the important thing is to be happy).

Some have also argued that CDM’s members are all professional musicians and shouldn’t be in the competition even. A very arguable point.

It’s not valid though.

It’s an open competition. So, it means that it’s open to all, be you a king or a street sweeper, as long as your identity card is pink. It doesn’t matter if you have an album or not, if you work in a factory or a club, if your hair is pink and green, it’s open. Though the rules regarding the age limit is practical. We won’t want a fellow rocker to have a heart attack on stage.

Maybe people just don’t like Cucu Datok Merah because they’re too well known? I’m not sure.

I’ve seen Anis (CDM Bassist) play at House of Rock with Ministry of Rock. Admittedly, he’s good. And yes, MOR’s vocalist is actually Jatt Ali, one of the judges for Anugerah band, but if you watch closely, you’ll see that Jatt’s sometimes very harsh on CDM.

Eddy Kecik (CDM guitarist) is quite good, from what people say and from what I’ve seen myself. My neighbour, Jas (formerly from Nalo, now with Six In The City @ One Night Stand) vouches for his guitar playing, so I can safely say that he’s fairly good (come on Eddy, where’s that alternate picking and sweeping ala Malmsteen that I’ve come to know and respect?). The drummer is tight, and the vocalist has got the flair, it’s just 3 piece and 1 vocals, and they play that well, can your band play any better?

And then there’s the talk about them being artists or professional musicians again.

Oh bother.

I’m not defending Cucu Datok Merah because of my preference for them, well, maybe partly it is that, but there’s a saying (that’s wrongly attributed to Voltaire) that goes like, “I may disagree with what you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it”.

I’m speaking out because it’s a matter of principle.

If you want to take a look at it that way, then X-tech shouldn’t be in because, if I am not mistaken (forgive me if I am) they have an album too. Fatskunks have had their time making albums too. Even Knightwings have their own album (no offence my friend A’an, you’re band is really good, but it’s for the sake of argument). And Helven, with Romey at the helm, didn’t he win the “Best Guitarist” award at Asia Beats? Even though he did drop his guitar pick and went scuttering after it, and then further sent his guitar flying into the crowd in a pale imitation of Yngwie James Malmsteen, he did win (speculatively because no other bands in the finals had guitar solos) that award. And last, not least, these four bands have already participated in numerous competitions and have a distinguished reputation amongst themselves. Sheesh, I should be promoting my own band but here I am, boosting up other’s reps. Well, I’ve always supported the local scene.

All this talk about unfairness is boring me.

Life’s not fair, but it’s got rules.

They played by the rules, so by all that is good and holy, let them PLAY!

I do notice that quite a few of the SMS comments made during the show are quite childish. Then again, most of the bad comments I’ve heard are very.. exuberantly youthful in their negative aspect.

Most probably they’re from the mouth of adolescents, if not babes.

That’s the thing about adolescents. We’re talking young adults.

Yes, teenagers.

Not a child, but not quite an adult.

They seem to think that they know everything in the world, and that they’re smarter than any adult.

I know. I’ve been through that phase before.

Taking myself so seriously, all puffed up with self importance. Proud of what I’ve achieved, rubbing it in other people’s faces, but at the same time, wanting my peers’ attention and approval in every little thing I do, afraid of losing ‘face’ and standing in the complicated teen power structure at school. Thinking that I’m the smartest person on earth, that my parents are dumb, and all other parents are dumb too. That adults are so full of it, trying to do the impossible, which is having unadulterated fun and taking myself seriously. Always laughing at others, but never laughing at myself.

I think that’s the key.

I think that people only really grow up, when they are able to laugh at themselves.

Yes, you have to be practical, and stoic even to get thru hardships, trials and tribulations, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a few laughs along the way. It’ll be a very long and lonely journey to the end of the road if there’s no happiness during the travel.

Life is serious, but it’s also meant to be fun.

Think about it. And grow up.