Friday June 27, 2008 marked the annual KL Bar Young Lawyers Committee’s Charity Nite. Now into its 4th edition, the Charity Nite, an annual event in the KL Bar events calendar was once again organized to raise money for its chosen charity this year - the Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Klang. With an excess of 500 tickets already sold, and fresh from last year’s success featuring the KL Bar Idols, this year’s Charity Nite featured the 1st ever ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition and was fast promising to be entertaining night to remember. This year, 5 bands comprising mainly of lawyers stepped up to lay claim to the best band in the KL Bar and yes, raise money for charity. The 5 Bands (Taikor Tai & the Ringtones, Will Sing for Petrol, Malayan Borneo Grasscutters Ninja Union Quartet, Its OK to Adjourn and Joe Latex and the Rubber Tappers) had been practicing furiously, in the hope that they would not disappoint their fans and crowd.
Leading up to the battle, it was already 6 pm. Taikor Tai (Lai Chee Hoe of the Taikor Tai & the Ringtones fame) was pacing pensively across the stage. One hour before show time and his Ringtones were busy downloading the latest hits. One snap of the finger from the Taikor, and the Ringtones were quickly in action furiously fine- tuning their instruments and were ready to rumble.
Meanwhile and not far from the main stage, Joe Latex and his Rubber Tappers were heaving a sigh of relief having completed their sound check. “It was time for a smoke” muttered Joe Latex as he lighted up confidently. The Rubber Tappers and their groupies had sat in a cosy corner, all set to party well into the night.
Elsewhere, the Ninjas grouped together in the next corner and using their available Ninja tactics, they were busy checking out the competition whilst Will Sing for Petrol were silently hoping that the crowd would donate enough money to, well, ensure that they could stop by the nearest petrol station on they way home. Mark Ho from ‘Its Ok to Adjourn’, looked a happy lad singing away “Que Sera Sera, what will be, will be”.
7 pm. The early fans had arrived hoping to catch the best seats in town. Tickets were being snapped up fast and furious. The club started to buzz in anticipation of the showdown. Battle lines were being drawn and pride was at stake for the crown of the best band in the KL Bar.
Fans and friends alike started to socialize and hustle for donations. The Organizing Committee was in the thick of the action, ushering the crowd in, ensuring that the food and drinks supply were adequate and that the bands were holding it together. It was fast promising to be a fantastic occasion with the atmosphere brilliant, ambience enchanting and the bands eager to please.
Outside, emcees Xian and Alex were busy comparing notes and hoping to charm the crowd with their wit and splendor.
7.45 pm and the club was already abuzz. Lawyers were strolling in with some dressed to the nines. Old friends meeting again after many years begin reveling in the evening filled with the latest badinage over drinks. It was soon time for the curtains to come up. The opening act was ready and the stage was set for the battle royale.
Last year’s Idol winner Chryshantini Niles got the crowd all warmed up and about with her opening act. The first band to take the stage was Taikor Tai and the Ringtones. Setting the pace and tempo, the Taikor and his Ringtones belted out numbers like Bob Dylan’s ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’, ‘Hai Kuo Tian Kong’ and ‘Come Out and Play’ amidst the shouting of their loyal fans. “Taikor, Taikor ”, cried the fans, calling for more numbers. Clearly, the Taikor was not to be messed around with.
Immediately after, in came Will Sing For Petrol. The confidence of this band was all to see as the crowd screamed on when they played Gin Blossoms ‘Till I hear from you’, Maroon 5’s ‘Sunday Morning’ and the Killers’ ‘Mr Brightside’. The crowd was on their feet as the donation boxes started to make their way to the lawyers. Also enjoying the performances was the Malaysian Bar President Dato Ambiga, the Vice President Ragunath Kesavan, Secretary and Treasurer of the Malaysian Bar and many senior lawyers hoping to catch the latest talents KL Bar had to offer.
Next, it was the turn of the Malayan Borneo Grasscutter Ninja Union Quartet. The “Ninjas” as they are affectionately known, showed off the stern stuff of what they were made of with their laconic front-man leading the way in singing Pearl Jam’s ‘Not for You’, Maharaja Commission’s ‘the Whole’ and ‘Makan Gaji” and Neil Young’s ‘Rocking the Free World’. The boisterous and inimitable front man soon amused the crowd with his guitar riffing skills both vertically and horizontally, much to the appreciation of the die-hard rockers. It was a ballsy effort to say the least.
After a short break, the evergreen Its OK to Adjourn took the stage. Without the need for pomp, this band gave the crowd numbers like Republic’s “Stop and Stare”, George Michael’s ‘Don’t let the sun go down on me” and Santana’s “Evil Ways”, the patrons continued picking the beat and swaying in the air enjoying the mellowed tempo of the Band. The jollification of the evening continued as the box-handlers hustled the crowd for money- all in the name of charity.
Finally, it was time for Joe Latex and his Rubber Tappers to complete the battle. Taking the stage was its ubiquitous front-man M Reza Hassan who brought the crowd back to the golden years of the 70s with super hits like Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven’, Dylan’s ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’ and Deep Purple’s ‘Smoke on the Water’.
Time really flies when one is having fun. Soon it was time for the curtains to come down and the winner declared. With Ruth Maran closing the Battle of the Bands with her rendition of ‘Ironic’, the counting of donations begun and the amounts tallied.
Then, the time came and it was the moment everyone was waiting for. The winner, after raising the highest amount of cash of all the bands was ‘Will Sing For Petrol’ ! The band then entertained the crowd and fans to an encore well into the night.
The other bands, truth be told, were equally champions. Pride may have been in stake, it must be remembered that the overriding objective was to raise as much money for charity. On behalf of the KL Bar Young Lawyers Committee, I must add that the 5 bands deserve KL Bar’s utmost respect for their sacrifices, spirit and camaraderie in making this year’s Charity Nite and the Battle of the Bands truly an enjoyable and memorable event. They were magnificent and thoroughly entertained the crowd with super performances. Never can it ever be said that lawyers are not talented in the musical arts. My deep appreciation also goes out to the rest of my organising committee (Janet Chai, Choo Dee Wei, Seira Abu Bakar, Farez Jinnah, Benjamin Sathyanandam, the emcees Xian and Alex Netto, the box-handlers and the KL Bar Secretariat team led by Mary Tan). Without their support, sacrifices and hard work, this year’s Charity Nite and Battle of the Bands would not have seen its moment of fame and glory!
Also deserving tribute and a vote of thanks were those who dug deep into their wallets to contribute for charity. The goodwill shown by all lawyers will resonate for the months to come. With their performances, the bands, hopefully will achieve some degree of immortality among their peers. The night ended with all those present looking happy, warm and fuzzy.
H R Dipendra
Chair
KL Bar Young Lawyers Committee