Fever Avenue

Most of us have probably tried out Guitar Hero, Rock Band or Band Hero (Yay! There’s Taylor Swift songs!) and oh don’t we derive such satisfaction when we are shredding those notes on the guitar. Infact some people love it so much that they practice it like mad till they can play some crazy difficult songs on expert mode and max out the score. For example, check out this kid who is only 9 years old and he has some wicked sick skills.

But one does wonder whether why don’t they just pick up the REAL thing? In fact, why don’t WE pick up the REAL thing ourselves since it is just so awesomely cool to be able to play an instrument. Come which kid is really cooler? Check out this Korean boy.

Of course these gaming platforms have their appeal because they are easier to pick up and it’s easier to find less talented friends to jam along on easy mode. But really, nothing beats the real satisfaction of creating your own music and I think we should just let the chicks do the talking on which they prefer.

However, there may be an issue with picking up a real instrument which is the cost of the instrument itself. And let’s say you’ve bought an instrument and realize you really have no affinity in it, how do you get it out of you room and get back some cash?

Well, thanks to the awesome folks at www.soft.com.sg, budding musicians and professionals have a place to buy and sell quality 2nd hand equipment with its classified ads. Ok, ok… I know some of you may have your doubts about 2nd hand stuff but seriously, for guitars (especially electrics) 2nd hand is the way to go if you have a tighter budget and still want to get quality gear. All you need is a friend who knows a bit about guitars to give you advice and you could snag a really good deal off soft.com.sg. Moreover, since almost every musician that ever wanted to sell gear online in Singapore would probably head down to soft.com.sg, this is the place to get your stuff or sell your stuff. I am a guitarist meself and have bought gear from soft.com.sg with no regrets.

Still unconvinced whether music is even the thing for you? Soft.com.sg also showcases upcoming music happenings around Singapore on its website for you to get inspired! For example it just had its Loudest Band Competition where Youth Bands rock it out to win your votes. And I’m not sure whether voting is over but apparently if you vote for the band which the judges agree with, you will get A PRIZE. Looking at the cool stuff they are giving to the contestants I am pretty certain that they won’t short-change the voters too. So go check out the videos and vote here.

Pictures taken from www.bandhero.com, www.soft.com.sg

So we were at Heeren last weekend and we caught a sneak peek of the contestants for the Miss&Ms Amazing Beauty Pageant, which is Singapore’s first beauty pageant for plus-sized beauties. To qualify, you have to weight at least 80kg and have an equally big personality to boot. The contest has attracted 40 females aged 19 to 43.

I must say that i was rather impressed when i went to Mcdonalds at the basement of the shopping center after the event, and saw the contestants eating at Subway. I felt so guilty and decided I should go for a healthier option instead!

Watch their strut their stuff on the runway at the finals on 17th July at the DBS Auditorium!!!

p/s: sorry about the video quality, i had to make do with my blackberry’s video function :D

Known for her provocative and sometimes, offensive, music videos, Lady Gaga is definitely a Fame Monster. Less commonly known as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, the 24 year old is the singer of chart-topping songs such as “Poker Face”, “Telephone” and her latest, “Alejando” and has claimed her glam rock musical style to be heavily influenced by the likes of David Bowie and Queen.

She dropped out of school at 17 to concentrate on her music career, only to be dropped by her first label after 3 months without any reason. Not long later, she found herself performing at a neo-brusque show and experimenting with drugs.

Things only started to take off when she sang a reference vocal for Akon, and caught his attention. She was later signed to his label, Kon Live Distribution. In 2008, she finally released her debut album, “The Fame”. A year later she was nominated for nine awards at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, whereby she won three. Later that year, she released her second album, The Fame Monster, which expresses her experience with the dark side of fame in the music industry.

Lady Gaga’s musical style and public image sparked off much controversy. Her performances which are unique and innovative, often includes blood, gore and her in tight leather. While some say this is a refreshing change in popular culture, others question her status as a role model and consider her to be bad influence to her fans.

Often under the paparazzi’s lime light, Lady Gaga has been rumored to be a hermaphrodite, an illuminati puppet and a satan worshipper.

While we are personally unsure about that, we do know that Lady Gaga calls herself Mother Mons+er and refers to her fans as Little Monsters.

She has also declared herself to be a bisexual and considers the gay community to be the turning point of her career.

Love her or hate her, you can’t deny her music is catchy and often ends up staying in your head after listening to it a few times.

Sorry this took so long to come up! But remember the mystery drawing in one of our previous blog posts and we asked you to guess who drew it? Well here’s the dude!

He is Kai Sheng! One of the co-founder of Flea Titan which is one of Singapore’s largest flea markets! This guy is really a flea market encyclopedia. Check out the video below to see him answer questions like:

How did Flea Titan start?

What are some myths about organizing flea markets?

How do I pick the right flea organizer?

How can I do well in a flea market?

What other upcoming fleas to look out for?

Can’t wait to attend the upcoming Flea Titan? Do check out their facebook page here for more information.

TGIF!

Image taken from I Love Gemma Ward.com

For the coming weeks, Fashion Flash Light will take a back seat on the happenings in the fashion industry and discuss issues related to the “dark side” of the fashion industry.

Once a top model, Gemma Ward ,22, was once ridiculed for having weight issues when she was snapped looking healthy (seen above) as opposed to being criticized for looking too thin.

While she was modelling, the Australian was the first model on Teen Vogue cover and the youngest model on American Vogue. She was even named ‘Top models of 2000s’ by French Vogue. Despite this set back, Ward will not give up modelling and hopes to make it big as an actress.

Image taken from Fashiongonerogue

For another, her size did not stop her love for fashion. Crystal Renn is a plus sized model and like many others, she was once a thin runway model. Scouted at 14, she was asked to drop 50 pounds which eventually led to a health crisis. And now, Renn has not let her body size deter the fashion model inside her.

A happy U.S Size 12 now, Renn exudes confidence and attitude enough to keep readers coming back. For one, I enjoy looking at her. My eyes were so accustomed to seeing clothes on skinny girls in magazines that initially, I was “grossed out”. But the fact is that Crystal and Gemma are all pictures of reality found in photoshopped editorals. It could possibly be the cure to our love of dieting and starvation, our obsession over Coke Zero and food that are low in calories.

There have been attempts to stop this industry from growing thinner. Milan put a ban on models with a BMI of less than 18.5. Then, in UK, knitwear designer Mark Fast put plus sized models on the runway. His stylist then deserted them 3 days before his slot at London Fashion Week.

How are the attempts to curb thin girls on the runway working? Will they ever work? Do we even need to bother?

Last night, I went to watch Toy Story 3 in 3D. *Spoiler Alert* Don’t read the rest of the paragraph if you don’t want to know what happened in the movie! The movie was definitely able to satisfy me on many levels: excitement when the whole gang of good toys tried to sneak out of Sunnyside Daycare, humour when buzz started dancing and flirting in Mexican Spanish  (thanks Hendripd for the heads-up) after being reseted, disgust when Lots-o’-Huggin Bear didn’t push the stop button to save the toys despite being rescued by Woody and Buzz, heartwarming when Andy played with the toys one last time and passed them on to the little girl who took good care of them etc.

But as nice as the movie was, one thing that bothered me whilst viewing the movie in 3D was the 3D glasses. I think the glasses are extra irritating for many unfortunate myopics like me who have to wear them over our own pair of spectacles. Perhaps this may only be true for us bespectacled-folk but the 3D glasses were uncomfortable (as if 1 pair of spectacles weren’t enough!) and they made the movie’s colours less vibrant for me.

So thank goodness that there is technology being developed to view images in 3D without wearing another pair of ocular enhancers. The latest piece of 3D awesomeness I’m looking forward come from those geniuses who brought you the Wii, Nintendo. If you haven’t heard they are developing the Nintendo 3DS allows you see 3D without the glasses. How freaking awesome is that!

To find out more about the features that this nifty device has check out http://e3.nintendo.com/3ds/ or just Google it.

One thing I am really keen to check out is the dual cameras installed in the Nintendo 3DS that allows you take your own 3D photos and videos. I bet any person with a decent amount of narcissism and curiosity would want to know how they would look like in 3D. Imagine popping out of the screen like one of those Blue Avatar dudes and you swing from tree to tree. Okay Avatar uses different technology for the 3D effect and we probably can’t tree swing as well but still, we can be in 3D!

Pictures taken from Nintendo

Photo by Fyunkie

Remember their chart topping hit “Kids”? A popular club track used to get the dance floor started (especially in a certain dairy product factory in Singapore hint hint), MGMT is no stranger to the electro-psychedelic-pop-new-wave-synthpop scene. They released their first album Climbing to New Lows in 2005, Oracular Spectacular in 2007 and now, their latest album, Congratulations.

The Brooklyn band consist of Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden and has been nominated the 2010 Grammy award for Best New Artist.

 Mgmt’s album Congratulations

Track listing below:

1.It’s Working / 2.Song for Dan Treacy  / 3.Someone’s Missing  / 4.Flash Delirium / 5.I Found a Whistle  / 6.Siberian Breaks  / 7.Brian Eno  / 8.Lady Dada’s Nightmare  / 9.Congratulations  

Songs we liked: It’s Working, Someone’s Missing, Flash Delirium, I found a Whistle, Congratulations

Enjoy!

The Full Monty is Pangdemonium! Productions’ first and only show this year. Seeing that I have not watched either the Oscar-nominated movie or the Broadway runs, I did not write a comparative review. With that in mind, here is my take on the local adaptation.

For those who came expecting a Chippendale’s revue, prepare to be disappointed. The only consolation you will get is George Chan’s Keno – a gay stripper who made the ladies (and I bet some gents) swoon as he bared all – save for the crown jewel. That’s probably the only sexually-charged scene in the whole play. But obviously I came with no such expectations (yeah, right). I was lucky enough to secure a front row seat. But the converse is also true, as little did I know that the main ensemble had been strictly instructed to NOT hit the gym, nor get in good shape. With the ensemble in various states of undress, I tried my best not to cringe at stretch marks and beer bellies, among other sources of insecurity. But that seemed to be the whole point of the play – to be comfortable with your physical self. Though initially skeptical and insecure, the main cast shed their inhibitions and bore all in the finale (albeit only for less than a split second before a blinding blackout).

For those who came for satirical jabs and localized humour, please also prepare to be disappointed. Despite its light-hearted interpretation, the play skimmed serious subjects such as unemployment, divorce, and suicide. Most significantly, the play explored relationships – those between men and women, men and men, father and son, husband and wife, as well as friends. In fact, attempts made at salvaging these relationships formed the very basis of the strip act. One such relationship is between Adrian Pang’s Jerry and his son Nathan. Nathan was portrayed by Xander Pang (who alternates with his brother Zachary Pang). Potentially a star in the making, he often stole my attention away from the main ensemble.

The bottom line: The Full Monty is a great choice for Girls’ Night Out (the ladies seated behind me were enthusiastically requesting encores). Noticeably, though, there was a substantial number of gents in the audience; whatever that may mean, worry not because your secret’s safe in our closets.

Here’s a hilarious video taken behind the scenes of the preparation of The Full Monty:

Written by Hendri P D Lee

Image taken from Pangdemonium.com.

Need we say more?

Who knew that model Jamie Bochert could sing well? I didn’t till I heard her at Haider Ackermann Resort 2011 Collection. Jamie walked in onto the runway, headed for the piano, sat down and started to sing as the string ensemble around her joined her as she played. With her music, she ushered in the Haider Ackermann collection seen on a mix of men and women.

Like a Resort Collection, this collection has loose fitting clothes (Palazzo Pants) along with tonnes of draping. I could imagine myself walking on the beach with all these layers (and possibly feeling very hot)! Tim Blanks wrote on Style that he could imagine the models in Middle East, riding away into the deserts on Arabic stallions. Isn’t it cute how designers often draw inspiration from the Asian culture? Alexander McQueen and India, Anna Sui and now Haider Ackermann.

I can’t help but compare this collection with Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2009 collection featuring Pyjama-like clothes. However, this collection does have a different look. The collection looks much more grand in nature, like clothes that royalty would wear.

How I wish I was at the runway show. Although it was short, the feeling to be in Florence, in Palazzo Corsini, watching the show accompanied by a live performance by Jamie Bochert would have been overwhelming.

Anyway, here are videos of the show:

Images taken from Style & Fashiongonerogue

So there you are at home watching the Korean and Argentina game. Argentina is pressing forward and being a nice Asian boy you cross your fingers hoping that the Korean defense will hold up. The pressure is mounting and just as Higuain is about to unleash a shot on goal your Mom robs you of the remote control and switches over KBS to get her fix of Korean Drama.

“Snatch back the remote control!”, your inner voice rages inside of you. But really could you bear to do that to Yo Momma, life-giver, breast-feeder, diaper changer, food-cooker, underwear buyer, toe-nail digger, ear-wax licker… …  I didn’t think so.

So you wise up and figure that you should go down to the nearby food court which is screening the games live and leech off it. But guess what, you’re not the only parasite wanting to peek at that teeny LCD TV.

This clutch your head in your two tremblings hands and cry out in despair,”Where can I watch the World Cup!?!”.

Thanks to the guys Resorts World Sentosa and Power 98, you can finally catch the game in its full glory! Happening at the RWS Atrium on 25 June 2010, 8:30pm, you can enjoy the Portugal vs Brazil on a large screen with your pals!

There will be some pre-match party with free-flow drinks and prizes going on and you can try snagging some tickets at either here or here. But really what other incentive do you need to catch this epic match on a big-ass screen with hundreds of other soccer fanatics!

Picture from init.sg

Our first interview is going to be out on Monday! Meanwhile, we asked out interviewee to draw himself in our lil’ secret book. Who is he? Do you think you can guess who he is?

Some clues:

1. He’s young (Aged 30 and below)

2. He’s related to something big in Singapore. You’ve definitely heard of it.

Remember to check out our site for the interview on Monday! Subscribe to us via RSS, Twitter or Facebook for latest updates. 

xx.

We are a week away from a year we lived without Michael Jackson. The world mourned the death of the great pop king and the court proceedings into his death is still ongoing.

For Edward Moss, it was his profession to impersonate Michael Jackson. And now that Michael Jackson is gone, the closest we could get to the King of Pop is his copy.

Moss has been in this for 16 years already. There have been accusations on him leveraging on Jackson’s death or misfortunes to make money. However, he denies it and has even been Jackson’s double, acted as Jackson’s decoy and went shopping with the star.

On June 26, come and see Edward Moss perform Michael Jackson’s greatest hits. This man of humble beginnings worked hard to get to where he is now, being one of best impersonators of Michael Jackson on the face of the Earth.

For a sneak preview, here’s a video:

Time, Venue & Ticket prices:

• 26 June, 4pm, Hard Rock Cafe, $40 (comes with one hot dog/popcorn and soft drink)
• 26 June, 8.30pm, Zirca MegaClub, $40 before the event day, $50 at the door.

xx.

Image from LAMC Productions

Bagaholic Boy (BB). We’d like to put up a picture on him, but we don’t even have one! (That’s not him up there) The question for the day is: Who is Bagaholicboy?

Started in 2007, Bagaholicboy’s blog readership has grown from 3 a day to 10,000 a month!  As you can tell from the name, Bagaholicboy.com is a niche blog on bags for men and for women and claims to be the only dedicated bag blog in Singapore.

If you have read his early entries, BB did drop hints on his identity. His nickname is most probably Olly (update: it is not!!) and he was a Sony Vaio W Brand Ambassador. If you’re planning to google that, forget it! I’ve already done the work and all we got was Kareena Kapoor from India. So, who is BB? Why is Sony keeping his identity under wraps?

Okay, let’s give this up for now. Guessing his identity will simply get us nowhere! So for now, let’s talk about the masked ranger’s blog.

BB started his blog driven by the love for manbags and bags in general. As you can see now, he does not only talk about manbags but includes bags for ladies in his discussions. The thing I admire the most about BB is his courage in talking about bags for women. I have seen comments to some posts that go “Isn’t that bag for a woman?” and thought, “Oh dear, that’s a bad comment.”  Despite these sensitive comments, BB has taken them in his own stride and has certainly not allowed his passion for bags to be held back by his gender or gender stereotypes.

Now regarded as an opinion leader in the area of bags as accessories, BB has been consulted for suggestions on bags to buy and not to. “Ask the Bagaholicboy” is an interactive section in his blog where BB would reply questions from readers on what else but bags! In the most recent question posted, reader Andrew Dorai took the words right out of my mouth as he praised BB on being a godsend guardian angel for women crazy about bags.  

So, would anyone care to spill the beans on this angel in disguise?

Image taken from Flickr.

Little did we expect that sunny island Singapore would be flooded on 16th June 2010. And if we didnt remember wrong, didnt the gahmen once said Orchard will never be flooded?!

Well, seeing is believing..

Outside Rolex building, beside Paragon

Liat Towers. Goodluck to Hermes, Massimo Dutti, Starbucks, and the yet to open Wendys’. Talk about Grand opening people.

Brave soul trying to cross the flood

I dont know whether to be excited or horrified.

I guess its a good day to stay indoor guys!

xoxo

Singaporeans love their food so much, Dick Lee was moved to write a musical for them.

Come 20th August, Fried Rice Paradise will premier at Esplanade with an all star cast consisting of Taufik Batisah, Sebastian Tan, Lim Yu Beng, Denise Tan, Darius Tan and Rahimah Rahim. 

Supported by the People’s Association, PA hopes that this musical will be a visual reminder of the importance of racial harmony.

Here’s a video to get you singing:

Bet you’re hooked at the ‘chao fan baby, chao fan!’

The musical will run from 20 August to 5 September with performances in the afternoon at 3pm and in the evening at 8pm. Tickets range from $50 to $100, with students and PAssion card holders getting discounts.

Picture was taken from pa.gov.sg.

So we were at Zouk last weekend and Designer Drugs seriously rocked the place. Apart from a couple of rowdy Caucasians, everything else was good, good, good. We’ve seen them and we’ve heard them, and for those who missed out, this one’s for you.

xoxo,