As more people dig live music, more clubs and pubs are welcoming bands under their wings. These acts in turn, try to deliver a jolly good time and get audiences grooving to their music. Here, in no particular order, are outstanding bands that have just gained club or bar residencies and those that are still rocking our socks off after all these years.

Addiction

Seven-piece act Addiction is made up of bassist Red, keyboardist Rommel, drummer Tox, guitarist Andy, vocalist Ryan and frontliners Ron and Dia. This act made DXO (#01-13F Esplanade Mall, 8 Raffles Ave., 6582-4896) its home last August. If you are into more commercial R&B, alternative, retro and a bit of jazz, Addiction is it for you.

Addiction is a youthful act that caters to a younger crowd. Dia quips, “The band’s members’ ages range from early to late ’20s. The street chic fashion sense that they possess contributes to the youthful and vibrant image of the band.” She adds: “We draw the teen crowd, and also the young-at-heart.”

So what has the response been like for Addiction’s sets at DXO? Dia says, “So far so good. The people are now beginning to like us and starting to dance to our music, unlike the first few days at DXO, when the crowd were just watching and giving us warm applause at the end of each song.”

Noize Gate

If you are up for a riotous show, then catch Noize Gate in action and down some beer. This act just checked into Vintage (#03-17/18 Cuppage Plaza, 5 Koek Rd., 9760-0885) about a month ago, and is made up of bassist Amree, guitarist Norman and drummer Hairul. Noize Gate changes its vocalist every once in a while, and its current singer is Acep.

The band members insist they are entertainers rather than just musicians. Norman says, “I would say we’re a ‘sight-and-sound’ band. We don’t just play music. We do all sorts of funny tricks on stage. We entertain. We like to crack jokes!”

Catch Noize Gate if you are up for grunge, rock and metal. But be prepared for a boisterous show. The band often invites someone from the audience to come up on stage to sing or play an instrument with them; expect crude jokes in between covers of Led Zeppelin, Metallica and Iron Maiden.

Energy

Energy is a familiar name in the local live band circle. Formed in 1987, the act has undergone lineup changes, and was the house band for Bar None, Hard Rock Café, 1NiteStand Bar and Comedy Club, the now defunct Sparks and more. Energy is now ending their stint at Club Momo and heading back to Bar None
(B1, Singapore Marriott Hotel, 320 Orchard Rd., 6831-4657) from October 3.

Energy plays primarily contemporary rock, and is made up of keyboardist Gavin, guitarist Mus, bassist Is, drummer Johan and lead vocalist Zoul. When asked about why they have been asked to go back to Bar None, Gavin explains, “The owner of Bar None, Jason Choo, wants to get the rock feel back in the place. Now they have Jive Talkin’, which is a good R&B and pop band. But he wants to change the music in the bar.”

Look forward to Energy dishing out lesser-heard songs. Gavin quips, “We try to educate the crowd. People often request the same songs from a particular artiste. For example, when you talk about Eric Clapton, everyone wants ‘Wonderful Tonight.’ But he has a few thousand songs. Instead of playing only the popular songs, we try to play other good songs by the same artiste.”

Douglas O and Satellite

Most of you know by now that five-piece band Satellite which is fronted by former frontman of Energy Douglas O, has gained residence in Le Baroque (B1-07 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St., 6339-6696) two months ago (if you don’t, you’re slow). Members include Sultan on keyboards, Misran on drums, Fred on bass and Azmi on guitars.

Satellite plays mostly contemporary rock covers, and is working towards a no frill kind of sound to set themselves apart from other acts. Douglas O claims, “We’re trying to go back to the basics. We’re not a band with lots of strings and brass, or complicated arrangements—our sound is more minimal. It’s simple and easy.”

When talking about the chemistry between Satellite and the crowd, he adds, “We try to get everyone involved. We’ll chit chat with the crowd on stage and people will respond. Musicians have to play and move at the same time. I’ve seen bands where only the frontman is moving, and the other members are like statues!”

Drop by Le Baroque for a good dose of rock ‘n’ roll. With 36 years of experience under his belt, rest assured Douglas O has still got what it takes to woo the crowd.

John Molina and Krueger

John Molina and his band Krueger have been whipping the crowd into frenzy at Rouge (Peranakan Place Complex, 180 Orchard Rd., 6732-6966) for some time now. The act is loved for its covers of modern rock and alternative numbers and has garnered a loyal following.

A house band they might be, but the act does not pander to every whim of the crowd. Molina says, “We may be a cover band, but we certainly have a style we work by. We’re not your typical pop or Top 40s band. We refuse to play boy band shit!”

If you just wanna let loose to familiar numbers instead of decking yourself up and gyrating at the dance floor, John Molina and Krueger will satisfy. “The crowd we draw is mostly laidback people like us. Real people with no sticks up their arses like most clubbers have,” asserts Molina. OK, so this act may not be new, but they are always a safe bet to catch if you want a hot and electrifying show.

The Blues Machine

Rocking Crazy Elephant (#01-03/04 Clarke Quay, 3E River Valley Rd., 6337-7859) for about ten years now is The Blues Machine. This band is made up of guitarist John, drummer Ray and bassist Kamal, and often rotates its lead vocalist. If you dig rock and blues and croon to tunes such as “16 Tons” and “Whipping Post,” drop by and get wild.

Anticipate infectious guitar riffs or innovative drum work created on the spur of the moment when you catch The Blues Machine. John says, “We like to play music spontaneously. We’ve actually not heard a lot of the songs that our singer calls out for. We just play them spontaneously and with our own interpretations. These songs will evolve and that is the sound of The Blues Machine!”

The UnXpected

The UnXpected debuted four years ago, with the feisty Shirlyn Tan as the frontliner of the band. Catch this house band at Wala Wala Café Bar (31 Lorong Mambong, 6462-4288) on Thursdays and Saturdays and Muddy Murphy’s Irish Pub (#B1-01/01-06 Orchard Hotel Shopping Arcade, 442 Orchard Rd., 6735-0400) on Fridays and some Sundays.

Rock numbers are the forte of The UnXpected, and its sound has already won the affection of many. Tan claims, “The crowd has definitely grown in size since we started. We’re a lot louder now compared to our easy listening beginning.” She adds, “You can expect to see people really letting go when we play the rock numbers. The energy is infectious.” If you love songs such as “Paint It Black,” “The Immigrant Song” and “Under Pressure,” don’t miss out on this band.

So there you have it—electrifying bands that are adding more than just some sizzle into the local live act scene. Although they play covers, they often improvise songs and try to cultivate a sound they can call their own. Hit these clubs and pubs for a good time, and judge how they fare yourself.

A transfixing array of over 150 art works just graced the walls of the National Museum of Singapore. Derived from the extensive art collection of the Deutsche Bank, these paper-based pieces tackle issues that range from consumerism to gender roles.

Deutsche Bank owns a wide and eclectic range of works, but the art pieces featured in All the Best: The Deutsche Bank Collection and Zaha Hadid are mostly drawings and photographs. Curator Joselina Cruz explains: “I was excited at the opportunity to create a conversation within the exhibition amongst the art works,” she says. “I have always been interested in drawing as a potent medium that has taken a backseat to the more spectacular contemporary art. This media has the potential to create thoughtful and powerful art in the 21st century.” She adds, “Its juxtaposition with photography shows that contemporary drawing can hold its own. The exhibition thus becomes the point of meeting for the exploration of two media; the site where artists are pushing, experimenting and using drawing and photography as important methods.”

Besides photographs and drawings, look out for an on-site installation by the esteemed architect Zaha Hadid. Cutting across the courtyard of the museum to the ceilings and walls of the main exhibition space, it adds a modern and contemporary feel to the whole show.

Check out All the Best: The Deutsche Bank Collection and Zaha Hadid for a visual tease. Don’t miss the works of notables such as Eva Hesse, Gregor Schneider, Joseph Beuys, Juergen Teller, Tracy Emin, Marlene Dumas and Thomas Ruff while you are there. And bank on this show to be an absorbing one.

Babes Conde, with Mario Lajarca Jnr., Erick Guansing, Robert Sunga and Mary Grace Arceno are out to deliver a smashing concert A Blast from the Past come Sep 29-30. Expect to hear familiar melodies such as “Just a Love Song” and “I Just Wanna Stop.” We caught up with Conde in between her rehearsals for a little banter.

You’re the voice coach for Singapore Idol hopefuls. What do you do when you think someone really can’t sing?
I will prescribe a reality pill, to be consumed three times a day.

Can you give us voice training tips?
Start in the bathroom. The four walls will give you instant playback of the quality of your voice. The more you sing, the better you sound.

Describe your voice.
It sounds naturally small, sometimes shrill and squeaky. It’s very girlish.

What is one thing you must absolutely do before you perform?
I pray and commit the project to the Lord. That’s how you make sure all things are covered. Then I’ll feel safe.

Do your friends always try to get you to sing for them? Do you find that irritating?
Oh yes, but usually everybody gets to sing. I’ve gotten used to the routine because since I was five years old, family and friends would always urge me to play the piano at parties or gatherings. From then on it’s kinda expected of me to do that—I’d be surprised if they didn’t ask me!!!

Do you lust for fame?
Fame is fleeting. I never hungered for that. If I had, I’d probably be living in New York. I was always an underachiever in school much to the frustration of my dean and teachers. Even now I languish in my mediocrity. Hey, I just want to chill, smell the coffee, travel and see places.

What turns you on?
Great music, great food and, OK, great eyes that smile!

If you need to take a break from everyday life and do something fun, catch the musical tick, tick… BOOM!. Starring Christian Campbell, Nicole Snelson and Jerry Dixon, this stirring production is inspired by the life of the late composer Jonathan Larson—the guy who’s responsible for musicals such as Rent. We chat with Artist Director Ng Chin Han to learn more about the show, and his take on dreams.

OK, tell us about the plot!
It is based on the life of the late musical genius Jonathon Larson and how he had to overcome many struggles before finding success and suddenly dying at the young age of 35. tick, tick… BOOM! is about the clock that starts ticking when we are born and stops only when we die. We never know when the BOOM! is going to come, and Larson’s death reminds us to live every day to the fullest and to follow our hearts and dreams.

What lengths did Jonathan Larson go to in hope of achieving his dream?
To be near Broadway, he actually lived an apartment that was so small, the bathtub was in the kitchen. He also worked in a diner for 15 years, where he met all sorts of funny and interesting characters before he became an overnight success with the musical Rent.

Where has tick, tick… BOOM! been performed? How did audiences respond?
It has been performed on Broadway, London’s West End, and is currently in Los Angeles. The responses have been great from both young and old because they can relate to the difficult choices that have to be made at every stage in life. The main thing is to have the courage to make them. Time waits for no one.

It’s a pity Larson passed away before his musical Rent premiered. Do you think the process of pursuing your dream is more important than achieving your goal?
Yes, that is so true. We never know what the outcome will be so we had better enjoy the journey. And if the outcome is favorable, great! If not, we learn.

How do you think one should draw the line between idealism and naivety?
It’s like courage; you are only brave when you fear something and still do it. Idealism is when you know the odds and still believe a dream is worth pursuing or a cause is worth fighting for. Naivety is when you decide to do something and are clueless about the obstacles ahead of you.

The performance lawn has won much acclaim. Brought to you by Splinter Group, a trio which is made up of renowned Australian dancers-cum-choreographers Vincent Crowley, Grason Millwood and Gavin Webber, the show speaks of the life of an Australian living alone in Germany. Webber reveals more about lawn.

What is lawn all about?
lawn is based in an apartment in Berlin during winter. It tells the story of an Australian coping with the alienation, claustrophobia and paranoia of being alone in a foreign place. The first winter is always the hardest to take and in lawn our tenant struggles with his own perceptions of Germany, with his past, with the unknown history of his apartment and with his neighbors.

So what can we expect the show to be like?
lawn is a theatrical experience where the characters and relationships are told through movement rather than text. It is a highly physical work exploring the nature of homesickness, paranoia and xenophobia. The question arises about who is real and who is not. It is like an episode of Big Brother directed by David Lynch.

What is its overall mood?
It’s darkly comic and surreal. Every action and every movement has meaning and refers to the plot and characters.

What are some challenges you or the other choreographers faced when producing lawn?
The highly physical nature of the piece is a challenge for us. There are only three of us in the show and we push ourselves to the limits of endurance. Also the challenge lies in confronting the audience while taking them on an accessible and dramatic ride with us. The biggest challenge of all is to move people emotionally with the work.

Has lawn been performed anywhere else, and where will the show travel to next?
We have performed in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Berlin, Stuttgart, and Townsville. After Singapore we will be going to Lisbon, Portugal and having return seasons to Berlin and Brisbane at some time next year. Heilbronn is also on our list.

What do you hope audiences will take home after seeing lawn?
We hope that the images and emotions will stay with the audience for some time. It has been our experience that it is a piece which people will have strong feelings about and leave with attachments that linger for quite some time.

If magic shows leave you awed, you will dig Jonathan Allen’s artworks. Intriguing, controversial and daring, they comprise a series of black and white photographs depicting Allen’s artistic alter ego, Tommy Angel. These bold visuals (which may be offensive to some) are speckled with references to theatrical magic, politics and Christianity, provoking the viewer to rethink religion and culture.

Allen explains the significance of Tommy Angel. “In the West, there seems to be a complete fixation on the face of Islamic fundamentalism, but there has not been any visibility of the Christian side of that same fundamentalism. Tommy Angel series is an attempt to find or visualize some kind of iconography called the Christian face of fundamentalism that is being shaped in art, politics and social life at the moment. Tommy Angel is a cross between the evangelist Billy Graham, magician David Copperfield and Donald Rumsfeld.”

Allen deconstructs religion by revealing the phoniness of Angel. “You can see the exhibition as visiting different chapels, or watching a magic show, one act after another. I want people to be compelled but also to see through Tommy Angel. He is a very transparent illusion. The main way you know he is a constructed fiction is that you’re in an art gallery, knowing this is the work of an artist. I’m trying to unveil the constructed nature of the face of fundamentalism in a way.”

So is he anti-religion? “I am not for and I am not against religion,” states Allen. “I’m just interested in stories. God is the most interesting fictional character there is. He is a great story and the Christian narrative is a great story. But they are stories, and the product of the human imagination.” Allen further adds, “The problem is when these stories start limiting rather than liberating the imagination. Unfortunately religion has made culture a bit like a haunted house—it’s a bit scary to be in. I guess, in the haunted house of life, art is the only stairs that don’t creak. You can be sure you’re on a solid foot.”

Allen’s photographs are thought provoking, and destabilize the conventional take on religion. It has been a long time since we’ve had a good conceptual show in town. And this definitely makes the cut.

If you are moved by real-life stories of human migration, check out the show Diaspora. Director Ong Keng Sen lets us in on its concept, the production process and his take on local theatre.

How will Diaspora be performed?
It’s an audio-visual show. There will be live music and video clips. You’ll hear stories. The actors Koh Pin Pin, Janice Koh, Lim Kay Tong, Nora Samosir and Rindu Malam will tell the stories—they’re like storytellers. I’ve included stories of people that I’ve interviewed in my four months of research.

And how do Zai Kuning, Ariani Darmawan, Dinh Q. Le, Navin Rawanchaikul and Tintin Wulla come into play?
The production begins from these five artists. They are part of diasporas. I’ve interviewed them, their families and their friends. I’ve invited the five of them to make short videos that will be screened at the performance.

So what’s the message behind Diaspora?
The message is of survival, dignity, the triumph of the human spirit and also about choice. We have a choice in how we want to lead our lives. And that is the most important thing.

Did you face any big obstacles in the production process?
There are a hundred artists involved. Coordinating all these different people, who are spread over Southeast Asia, Berlin, Tokyo and beyond, is the biggest nightmare. TheatreWorks has done a lot of international shows, but this is the first time we have a hundred people making a work together.

What you think of the current local theater scene?
The theater scene has been around since late ’80s, but our definition of Singapore theater is narrow. For example, is Diaspora a piece of Singapore theater? I think it is, because it’s made by many Singaporeans, even though the stories are not about Singapore. I think the scene has some issues such as weak professional training and an antagonistic press too. The scene is not there yet, but it does have staying power.

Blondie’s current lineup consists of drummer Clem Burke, keyboardists Jimmy Destri and Kevin Patrick, bassist Leigh Foxx, guitarist Chris Stein and vocalist Deborah Harry. Formed in 1974, this group disbanded in 1982, and made a successful comeback in 1998. Now the band is bidding farewell for the second time with one kick-ass gig.

Blondie draws its influences from punk to new wave and is loved for songs such as “In The Flesh,” “Heart of Glass,” “Denis,” “Sunday Girl,” “Call Me,” “Maria” and “Rapture.” Besides having toured with Iggy Pop and David Bowie, the band has also been included in the Hollywood Rock & Roll Wall of Fame recently. This cool act has been credited with influencing musicians such as Madonna, Blur, Shirley Manson and Gwen Stefani. Undoubtedly, Blondie has a long list of achievements under its belt.

But like every veteran band, Blondie had its fair share of downs too. The early ’80s saw the group declining in popularity, with the album The Hunter receiving mediocre reviews. Reports of tension within the band were rampant. After Stein was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease, Blondie split up.

The band was reformed in 1998, with the album No Exit. If you are a fan of Blondie, this gig is a must-see following their stint two years ago here at Fort Canning Park. Relive how far Blondie has come over the years with their music, and sing along to their very infectious numbers. It’s going to be a searing show. Catch the act before it disappears—again.

Since March, students of the SMU Arts and Cultural Fraternity have been busy preparing for the fifth installment of the SMU Arts and Cultural Festival. Now all set to awe, they invite you to pay a visit to their pet project. It’s going to be five whole days of shows that span various disciplines.

This year’s theme is the computer function “Ctrl+Alt+Del.” Leonard Lin, president of the SMU Arts and Cultural Fraternity says, “We wanted to restart the thinking process in SMU. The previous art festivals focused only on performing arts. This year we have shows that fuse different disciplines. So in a way, we’re trying to restart how we’ve gone about organizing the arts festival for the last five years. We’re trying to give it a new direction."

And that explains why this year’s SMU Arts and Cultural Festival comprises shows that defy easy categorization. In “Impromptu,” expect to see clothes designed by students of different clubs as well as dance segments. In “The Fourth World” (which calls to mind the recent “It’s All Talk” event in The Arts House), traditional ethnic instruments such as the Chinese flute and the Arabian oud will be played alongside contemporary innovations like the electric guitars and laptops.

And more is in store. Adding to the fun is a double bill by T’ang Quartet and the Folk Jazz Ensemble. There will also be an exhibition, a stand-up comedy, short skits, a musical, and fringe events such as competitions, games and band gigs. With the guidance of notable individuals such as Babes Condez, Ricky Sim and Zulkifli Mohamed Amin, these students might just put up a rocking good festival. Drop by and see how they fare.

No longer is art confined to the traditional gallery. Various factors such as the desire for more freedom, the ephemeral nature of certain art works and exorbitant gallery commissions are driving more and more young local artists away from the well-trodden art path. Instead of turning to a typical gallery, they set up or choose edgy, unconventional art places to put up shows or art-related events. We bring you a list of these alternative spaces.

Located in a bohemian street where several designers and artists live, ShowHaus Gallery (10 Kuo Chuan Ave., 6247-9347) is a work place, a living area and an exhibition venue for artists Nathaniel Walters, Nick Charnley and Mickey Koh. They last organized the show Kuo Chuan Lifestyles, featuring an eclectic range of eccentric art works. “We discovered that the street was full of artists and designers. We invited them to exhibit with us—whoever wished to participate could do so. We ended up with a wide variety of work, ranging from ceramics and glass to a sculpture and a video installation,” Charnley says. “Subsequent exhibitions will not necessarily be limited to residents of the street. The criteria for being part of these shows are as yet undecided, but it is likely that the range of artists and media will remain broad.”

Your MOTHER Gallery (91A Hindoo Rd., 9787-7874) is another exhibition area which also functions as a dwelling. The home of artists Lina Adam and Jeremy Hiah, this venue has had cutting-edge works from young talents such as Warren Khong and Hiah himelf. As its irreverent and wacky name suggests, the freedom to express is the owners’ guiding philosophy for the space’s uses.

Also straying away from commercial galleries is instinc (23 Emerald Hill Rd., 6735-9867), a studio as well as an indie exhibition venue by abstract artists Valerie Ng, Wyn-Lyn Tan and Yeo Shih Yun. Ingenious shows, such as Bag It which showed works ranging from collages to sculptures, fabric works to installations, have been organized here. “Some artists who are from overseas but who are residing in Singapore have participated in our group and solo shows. We also hold group and solo exhibitions by the three of us to showcase our works intermittently,” Yeo claims. “The people that come to the shows vary from tourists to art students, executives to designers, architects to other artists and art lovers or collectors.”

Another atypical arts area is the tunnel that leads to Esplanade—Theatres on the Bay at Citylink Mall (1 Raffles Link, 6238-1121). Three of the display windows located here are called tickleart, and often showcase innovative contemporary art. Located strategically in a shopping mall, the space allows artists to engage the public in their works. “To create the exhibition A Roomful of Old Ladies, artist Mithun Jayaram sat in the tunnel for over a month and asked people to help him sharpen pencils. Using the shavings collected, he produced this beautiful installation,” Susie Wong, co-curator of tickleart reveals.

Much like the Esplanade Tunnel, the wall opposite the display windows at Citylink Mall is also a hot alternative spot for putting up absorbing art work, especially photographs. These visuals change approximately every two months. “The objective of showcasing photographs in a shopping mall is to reach a wider audience, people who do not necessarily go to a gallery to see an exhibition,” comments local photographer Tan Ngiap Heng, who has unveiled works there before. “Hopefully, they will be engaged with the images and enjoy them and even desire to learn more about photography as an art form.”

Besides homes and shopping malls, art is also invading eateries. An outlet of tcc (The Coffee Connoisseur) (51 Circular Rd., 6533-9033) for example, features works of distinguished foreign and local artists. Painter Rajavelu and lensman Ray Ong are among the list of creatives who have held shows here, and this month, local photographer Charlie Lim is featured. “The artist’s creative flair and distinctive style has won him both national and overseas recognition. tcc will be showcasing his photography works that were created with a unique ‘painting’ technique,” states Abbey Chang, tcc’s assistant vice president of business development. “We try to feature art works that are unique and different; whose theme aligns with tcc’s brand statement of being bold and different.”

Another great alternative art space is the Indonesian café Warong M Nasir (69 Killiney Rd., 6734-6228). The shows here are organized by a group of street and contemporary artists who dub themselves Wunderspaze. “We want to expose artists from the regions, especially young artists, through the café’s wall and exhibition space, and to provide an alternative space for artists to show works,” quips Khairuddin Hori, Wunderspaze’s artistic director. “My focus is to showcase Southeast Asian artists, or people who have an interest in Southeast Asia. There is too much European and American stuff around anyway.” Look out for a game show, and avant-garde installations and videos soon to be disclosed in this little-known café-cum-gallery.

A group of local art practitioners who call themselves p-10 (10 Perumal Rd., 6294-0041) has a space which hosts a myriad of activities from workshops to discussions, talks to residency programs. Exhibitions are held in this rented area only occasionally, transforming the premise into a transitory alternative exhibition space. We believe that there is a lot more to art than just putting up exhibitions,” Jennifer Teo, a member of p-10, explains. “p-10 is interested in creating dialogue, networking, publishing and engaging the public, and we try to do these through various activities.”

No longer does anyone have to drag their feet to the archetypal gallery for a dose of art. Fast venturing into homes, eateries and shopping malls, partaking in art is fast becoming a lifestyle. These cool, casual and unusual exhibition spaces bring art closer to the public, and are also a testimony to the escalating creativity of local young talents.