April 16, 2009

Well, its-a 1 for the money, 2 for the show, 3 to get ready ... now, go, CJ, go!

WHAT would you get if you put one of KL's hottest deejays, Sasi the Don, Malaysia's top country group Os Pombos and groovy latin rock specialist La Viva together? Why, the opening night of PJ's latest oasis - Ceejay's Place - located at 27-29 Jalan 11/2, its entrance just opposite University Hospital, Petaling Jaya, of course.
CeeJay's Place opens tomorrow (that's Friday April 17, 2009) and we hear that the action begins at whatever time you get there after work and the opening offer is three jugs of beer for the price of two at RM33 per jug, making it a cold RM66 for three jugs of the frothy and some pretty hot vindaloo to go with it.
Christopher Joseph who jukes the joint says that he's going to give every pubowner in PJ one for the money, two for the show once things get going.
The new joint will showcase live entertainment every night and so far, CeeJay's lights are on Carlsberg Top of the Pubs winners Pieces of April with Tom Rizal Jones on Sunday, Colin Jansen (Monday), Alvin Fletcher (Tuesday), Jason Noa’s Retro Edge (Wednesday), wild rockers Bala and and Jerry Felix (Thursday), Os Pombos (Friday), and a new setup called Jay’s Cee Band with Alvin (guitar), Clinton Fernandez (keyboards), Matthew Charles (bass) and Sivam (drums) on Saturday nights.
Other featured acts would include Lil’G from Raga Club Mix on Wednesdays and Thursdays, every week, and DJ Skeletor from the Hits FM Music division on Saturdays.
Pass the word around and stay tuned for more. If you need help for your gigs, email themusicdetective@gmail.com. Keep the music live!

April 15, 2009

Bards At The Yard

Malaysia's hottest Babba publican Jerry Chong was taken aback, some time ago, when he got an email from an Australian guitarist named Peter Dickson. Dickson, who was on his way to perform in India, had google-searced "live music pubs in Malaysia" and found the Backyard website (www.backyardpub.com) at the top of the list!
"Was just wondering if you have onstage for night on my way back to OzzieLand," was Dickson's humble request. Before he could 'Rolf Harris', the Backyard honchos - Jerry Chong and his entertainment director Edmund Anthony - said yes and had a band, spearheaded by Farid 'Mr Gambus' Ali formed to accompany him.
A well-placed notice in The Malay Mail got everyone's attention and the Backyard in Sri Hartamas was packed and rocking that night with quite an eclectic crowd.
That superb show will be repeated a little after nine, tonight, when Peter Dickson and Farid Ali are joined by just-back-from-Berklee bassist Rozhan Raman and wife Rie Tsuji on keyboards and Steve Jordan on drums.
That's quite a lineup. Rozhan was a highly sought-after bassist who cut his callouses and played some really great, high-chemistry gigs with drums doyen John thomas at high-flying jazz joints like Nishi's Place at Pantai Plaza, KL), Bangkok Jazz at Chulan Square, KL, and Groove Junction in Desa Sri Hartamas.
Steve Jordan on drums is the son of Malaysia's 'George Benson', Ananda Jordan Rivers, and he's been for some really rabble-rosuing solos.
Backyard Pub is located at Jalan Sri Hartamas 8, Taman Sri Hartamas, KL. The other acts during the week here are Raymond Cheah (Sunday), Mark Renesh (Monday), Gerard Singh and Simon Justin Leo (of Carefree fame, Tuesday), Amizan, Mark Felix and Simon (Wednesday), The Strollerz2 (Friday) and Bonga Bonga (Mark, Sherman Tan and Arab, Saturday).
Now, how's that for a live music lineup at what everyone says is Malaysia's most happening live music pub. For more info and reservations, call (03) 6201-0318, (012) 201-6333 or (017) 368-0644 or visit www.backyardpub.com
Keep the music live!