The Orient Express Invades MSPSBS

STUDENTS of Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College (MSPSBS) were given the rare opportunity last wednesday to learn music from members of the Orient Express, the US Navy's band of USS Tortuga, who are in the country as part of the CARAT Exercise.

The eight-piece group of professional navy musicians' visit to the college was to expose and educate students involve in the college band to various music genres, styles and rythm, which they have not heard before, and apply them in their music education.

"As music will be a huge part of the co-curriculum of SPN21, the workshop enables the students to have first hand exposure in a subject which they will soon have the option of taking up, especially for Year Seven and Year Eight students," said the College Band Coordinator Mohd Raymie Hj Othman, who is also a chemistry teacher at MSPSBS.

He said that the workshop and the special appearance by the US Navy band members also hoped to encourage more students to join the college band and promote the college's non-academic endeavours.

During the workshop, the Orient Express band members also took the opportunity to work one-on-one with each of the student with their different instruments to allow them to appreciate music more. "This workshop is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our music and culture to the Bruneian people, and to share our knowledge with the Bruneian students on our profession as Navy Musicians, in a way teaching them various integral points in order to transform from basic high school musicians into professional musicians like us," said Musician First Class Bradley Blanchard, the band's frontman.

The students were also treated to a live joint concert by the Orient Express and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) band. The Orient Express brings with them a diverse range of American music from pop to R&B, much to the delight of the audience.

Also present to witness the live mini-concert were Acting Principal Dk Sarimah Pg Hj Ahmad, Lt Col (Navy) Hj Osman Hj Suhaili and US Navy Rear Admiral Nora W Tyson.

As the highlight of their visit in the country, the band together with the RBAF band will collaborate to perform at the Jerudong Park Playground's Mini Amphitheatre on the evening May 8 as part of the park's Family Entertainment Night.

Yean

Epic Frequency Debut

Breathing New Air

The band is three years old this year, and we have evolved in our style and performances so much. Now that each of us have our own commitments, we've to really juggle up time between work and practices for gigs (which have also been pretty scarce as of late).

A Special Surprise Song For The Bride

Congratulations to Syazwan and Mala on their wedding last weekend.

Strobes On Epic Frequency

An attempt I've made last night with my DIY lightstand and wireless flash. No proper diffuser used on this shot (the stofen sucks anyway). But I just bought a new diffuser earlier today. Yay~! Can't wait to try it on.

A Night With A Band Once

It was pretty brief, but the mini-concert exclusively featuring our local entertainers A Band Once which lasted for only less than an hour was worth it. The mini-concert was held last night at the Jerudong Park colonnade (formerly the old simulator ride). The band performed their hits as well as a few popular numbers that entertain the crowd who came to watch their favorite band perform live.

Sunday In Business School

Apologies for the lack of pictures. I'm currently occupied with packing up my stuff tonight for my trip to KL, and my flight is tomorrow. Anyway, these were taken earlier today as I was invited as the guest vocalist for the band Epic Frequency to perform at the funfair at The Business School in conjunction with its 4th anniversary. More pictures and details will be updated as soon as I get back from my trip. Thanks to Es for taking over my camera while I was on the mic.




The Ex-Business School Students












With the committee

Fahmi On The Drums

1st Concept Album Artwork

No, we're not releasing an album. This is just a concept design. Needs a lot of work though. And oh yes, that's Iskandar gnawing the metal bar. Here's the original picture:


Hilang ganas mu es...hahaha

A New Place For Gigs and Live Shows

So where were you all last night? You missed a really great live band show at Jerudong Park featuring exclusively A Band Once and drum solo performances by 5 awesome local drummers. And I really like what they did with the old simulator chamber. The JP guys have done a very good job transforming it into a stage for live bands and gigs. With the sound and lighting systems all set up, I can't wait to see more live performances held there after Unplugged Undercover was successfully held.




The new stage and setup of the old simulator chamber in JP


A Band Once belting out an acoustic cover of their songs




Ciko and Kamaloko entertaining the audience


Cooperative Drum Solos between Fahmi and Paul




Group photo with the band


The 5 Drummers; Paul of Not Famous, Ciko of Aces, Zam of Flotzilla, Kamaloko of Loko and Fahmi of Odium Treason.


With the fans

Epic Frequency

I'm currently learning on shooting band images for portfolios and promotional materials, so I thought I'd use these guys from Epic Frequency as part of my experiment. That green chair kinda ruin the shots though. I should be more mindful of distractions in a shot in the future.

Unplugged Undercover at Jerudong Park

As I've said all these months, it has been a dry year without gigs, until now. Check these guys out tomorrow, with special appearance of A Band Once. Click here for more details.

Guess Who?

Hint: Weightlifting is his second hobby

UBD Talent Contest at The Mall Gadong

This was another one of those activities organized in conjuction with the UBD Public Outreach Programme going on this month. Its amazing how talented UBD students actually are. Hosting a competition like this sure brings out the best of them and the crowds just loved them, the dance, the band, the guitar solos, the vocals, the magic show and so much more. If you were there last night at the mall you'll be mesmerized seeing their energy and charisma on stage. Indeed, they were stars for the night.










The Champion. An amazing magic show!

Surprising Izzat

He really didn't see it coming. My juniors and I ambushed their class when the birthday boy was in the middle of their HRM job interview activity this afternoon, with a cake and a birthday song. Happy 21st Birthday to Izzat. Wish you all the success and happiness in all the years to come. And keep it up with the band. Keep on rockin!

The Monday Blues

Like every other people on this planet, I've been experiencing another dose of the Monday Blues yesterday. A huge pile of work to be completed in a week time, the terrible weather, and I wasn't even feeling well throughout the day yesterday (sore throat). Nevertheless, I've found the remedy for all that; I went jamming with the boys after work to clear my head off.

I guess I'll be very busy this week (work and personal errands), so expect some minor lack of updates. In fact, my camera deserves a little break. Well, I gotta get back to work. In the meantime, enjoy this theatrical trailer. Something I'm really anticipated to watch in theaters next month.

The Final Rehearsal

Boy am I so exhausted. I just got back from photoshooting for the Business School Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Teachers Day Celebration 2008 event at the Hua Ho Manggis ballroom. However, I will not post the pictures here for the time being until our photos are on sale for the Business School students soon. What I can do post are pictures taken during the rehearsals and preparations during the day at the venue. Here's a behind the scenes look at how the final rehearsals were held before the big night.






















We're gonna be very busy this week to finalize the photos to be made for sale in school. The Havoc Photogs will inform those interested to purchase their pictures taken during the function by the end of this week.