One Buck Short is far from the archetypal Malaysian rock band. Energy fueled music, solid performances, nothing but rave reviews, catchy singles that have received strong radio airplay and throngs of fans around the region makes for a very good formula for success. A recording deal with both Homegrown Records and Universal Music has seen them launch an album that was a heavily anticipated release countrywide in 2007.
Their debut single "That Day" secured them a spot on radio music charts and led to a Best Newcomer nomination at the AstroHitz.FM awards in 2004. One Buck Short, better known as OBS, was nominated again in 2006 at the same awards show for Best Live Act and Best Rock Act. Power charged expositions at Rock The World and the Asian X Games led to more high profile gigs,notably opening for Fall Out Boy during their Infinity On High World Tour in Singapore, as well as Good Charlotte during their concert in Kuala Lumpur last year.
They then went on to become the only Malaysian band invited to perform alongside groups like Sugar Ray and Gym Class Heroesat SingFest in Singapore.
OBS's feather in their collective caps was supporting My Chemical Romance during their December concert in Kuala Lumpur ; a performance which rounded their year off appropriately. With some serious buzz.
I was able to get in touch with Rahul Kukreja, the lead guitarist and sometimes vocalist of OBS to gain a little insight as to the whys and hows of what makes this band truly stand out. And with Munzir on vocals, Izal on bass and Imran behind the drums, OBS is truly a fun force to be reckoned with.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO FORM A BAND AND WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST PERFORMANCE LIKE?
Well, it was because of the music we were listening to at the time. Hafiz our former bassist had tons of CD's from the States - all the Fat Wreck compilations and bands like Ataris, Blink 182 and Jimmy Eat World which no one here heard of at the time. We got hooked on the tunes and started jamming quite often. It didn't help that there was a jamming studio within walking distance of our old high school and we spent lots and lots of hours there.
The first performance was for our high school graduation, then if I remember correctly when Imran joined the band we played an event for HELP college and just took it from there.
WHO ARE YOUR MAIN MUSICAL INFLUENCES?
Everyone in the band has different influences I would say. Imran is into a lot of jazz and pop, Izal's a huge Weezer and Incubus fan. Mooky, for some weird reason happens to be in love with Mariah Carey. I personally like a whole bunch of stuff. Right now I'm listening to Panic!At The Disco's new album and I think it rocks.
INTERESTING NAME FOR A BAND. THERE HAS TO BE A STORY BEHIND IT.
Actually no. We always wished we had a great story to tell but honestly back when we were in school we had a long list of paper with possible names on it. Somehow One Buck Short stood out and we've never turned back.
YOU'VE OPENED FOR SOME MASSIVE CHART-TOPPING GROUPS. WHO WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE AND WHY?
Wow, I would have to say My Chemical Romance. Reason being is that we spent the most time with them. That was three days of just taking them around KL, hanging out, drinking. We got to know them as friends and they still email on and off. The boys from Good Charlotte were kind of cool as well.
ANY UP-AND-COMING MALAYSIAN BANDS THAT WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF?
There are so many actually, a lot of radio and media are starting to take notice of these acts. Some names: Estrella, Bunkface, Bittersweet, They Will Kill Us All, Ask Me Again, Stonebay...the list goes on.
WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM A TYPICAL OBS SHOW?
Fun and a lot of energy - thats for sure. Thats about the only exercise I get so I try to make the most of it in those 20 - 30 minutes. Also we like to try and make everyone dance and move.
HOW DOES OBS'S SCHEDULE LOOK FOR 2008, GIGWISE
We're playing a lot of shows around Malaysia now. In June we'll be playing in Hong Kong. Then in August there are quite a few events like SingFest and also the MTV Music Awards, so we hope to be a part of that in some way. The band just did an advert for Jack &Jill Rollercoster Potato Chips so we're actually planning our very own rollercoster tour and we have Sabah on the list as a location we definately want to check out.
TELL US ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM
"Halal & Loving It" is an album the whole band is proud of. It took us a while to get out but its finally here and in stores so we're happy. There are 9 english tracks and 3 malay tracks on the album. Songs range from topics about corruption - ("Kelibat Korupsi") to the bands idea for a back to the future theme song called "10:04". We cover quite a few issues about life on the album, its just our experiences so far.
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