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news update + media
Interview with Shock & Awe! magazine, issue number 3.
Interview with Shock & Awe! magazine, issue number 3.
“Where do we draw the line between tolerance and ignorance, are we stupid enough to hide behind our metropolitan facade?”- Pazahora, Fallen Society
It’s an ordinary things happens when you walk in a city that is covered with CCTV almost in every corner and accessible to almost everything that only metropolis could offer, you feel perfectly all right but it doesn’t mean that everything is absolutely complete for a human being. Something always felt amiss, amidst the consumerism and retail gratification in a sea of faceless sheeps.
If you feel punk is no longer relevant is such a city, well think again.
I think this is what happened in the so-called most developed country as well, the United States. As a result we have Tragedy, From Ashes Rise, His Hero is Gone and Remains of the Day. If we are the product of the stimulus that we are exposed to on a daily basis, then the music of our creation is a manifestation of the state of our countries and the place we live in.
It’s an ordinary thing that happened when a band take those influences and mix them up with some other influences before finalizing it to be something of their own, but unfortunately not all band could find a fine ingredient and mix it to be a perfect bomb, ticking and spelling our very own destruction. However, our featured band is one with the exception.
If you want your well-blended epic crust armed with socio-political awareness,
May we introduce you (if you have been living in a box your whole life) Singapore's very own Pazahora; Hafiz: vocals, guitar/ Hamima: bass/ Hood: drums/ Zhafran: vocals, guitar
S & A: Hafiz, this is a non-related question but a fan called Real Mokujin wishes to have it answered by you. How do you maintain your hairstyle?
Hafiz: (laughs)...Since it’s non-related, I won’t answer this question at all.
S & A: Hood, honestly sometimes do you feel tense of looking at Hafiz while you're performing (I'm talking about the new hairstyle)?
Hood: (laughs)... No. Not at all...
S & A: Pazahora has toured some few countries in the South East Asia and we heard rumours that you guys will be playing Japan soon. If that happens how much will you guys allocate for the tour, knowing that you will normally play for free..
Hafiz: For the past 4 years, we've played in Malaysia (a couple of times), Mini Java tour in 2007 and Philippines tour in 2009. It was all great and we had an amazing time. The hospitality in these places has always been unbelievable. Our Japan tour will kick start at the end of April 2011. I personally haven’t bought my plane tickets yet but I know it will cost me about $600-$800SGD. I know Japan is expensive but Kazu from Anode, the one that is organising the tour said that we don’t have to worry about money that much because we will get funds from selling merch at shows to support the tour. I hope everything will go as planned. Because I don’t think I can afford to bring lots of money. It gonna be a whole new experience for us, it’s our first time playing shows outside of Southeast Asia too.
S & A: Tell us one memorable, preferably the worst moment you’ve had while on tour.
Hafiz: I can’t remember any worst moment we've had while on tour, all I remember is that it was all fun and smooth. When we were in Philippines, we were given the best hospitality ever. Our good friend Emman from Delusion of Terror was the one handling the tour, while we were in Bulacan we stayed at his family's awesome house, the whole compound was huge and beautiful. His family just build a new 3 storey house unit in that same compound and we were the first bunch of people to sleep and hangout in that house. The whole house was ours for a couple of days. His mom cooks for us and we tried balot, a fifteen day old duck egg with a nearly developed embryo inside it. I almost vomit but it was not as bad as it looks. We are totally grateful for everything they've done.
Hamima: I've really really enjoyed all the times we've been on tour, it’s quite hard to think of a worst moment. Hmm ok maybe when the head of my bass got chopped off by a ceiling fan in Penang. (laughs) It was a very sad moment for me. But other than that, being on tour has always been awesome.
S & A: Even before this you've had numerous involvement relating to the hardcore punk scene; playing with the likes of Obi Wan Kenobi, Hudud and Under Attack, just to name a few. What made you actively participate in the movement?
Hafiz: It’s simple, because punk is a declaration of an individual's right to choose their life. I fell in love with punk because of that, I can be myself and express myself through punk. Hence, playing in bands, writing songs and performing in front of other likeminded individuals who thinks the same way. People in the community is the main reason why I’m active in the scene because we all had fun doing what we love. Anybody can play in bands and start a new band after your old band starts to get bored, because there’s no strings attached. There’s also a self-development and a learning process when comes to punk, your ideas might change or your ideas might turn very radical through the years because you are constantly expose to new ideas and new people in your community. Same goes with punk music, you are constantly expose with new punk bands and new sounds. I don’t see how punk can be monotonous, if so I would probably be a hipster by now.
S & A: What do you work as? You used to run a space called Blackhole 212, tell us more about it.
Hafiz: I do freelance work as a sound designer/operator mostly for theatre drama plays. I put in the sound/music in the storyline. Sometimes I create the sound effects/music, sometimes i just rip it off from the internet. Depends on how big the production is. It’s kinda fun sometimes because i can use any kind of sound and music on my own discretion according to the script given. If it’s a show for kids, I would normally use poppy ska tunes.
Blackhole 212 was a big part of my life. It was an all ages, not for profit independent punk run space promoting the alternative lifestyle and the DIY ethics. It is mostly volunteer run and nobody really gets paid at Blackhole 212, although in some cases some money that we got from the show is use to buy food for the people who help out doing the sound, the door or just cleaning up. Blackhole 212 was mostly recognising by the youths and the non-mainstream society that supports independent music and arts. It also has an indirect stance to create awareness about opposing the industrialization and modernization of Singapore. But Sadly due to financial difficulties and negative pressure from the state, cops and landlord, our physical existence of Blackhole 212 came to an end on September 2010. During our existence, Blackhole 212 did bring the whole community together. Punks have a place to call their own and punk travellers from all around the world have a place to crash to make their trip here worthwhile. I hope Blackhole 212 did create a reaction for the people to open up a place of their own. Blackhole 212 now still exists as a collective doing shows and stuffs, but our project to open up a new space is still uncertained.
S & A: Do you think it is worthwhile?
Hafiz: Of coz it’s worthwhile, like I said it’s a learning process and it keeps me sane. It’s fucking empowering and teaches me to respect each other. I will probably go to heaven because of that. (laughs) The only thing that is making it not worthwhile is that it’s getting too expensive, from doing shows, buying records to printing flyers. If it’s weren’t for punk and Blackhole 212 I would probably have saved enough money to travel the whole world and rent a fucking house. I would blame all that crap on the social and economic structure of my country. Lack of support and resources from the punk community itself. It’s kinda depressing sometimes but I know there’s still a bunch of people who will try to change it, including myself. Fuck Singapore, you always disappoints.
S & A: What happened to The Scuds?
Hafiz: The Scuds is a band that I formed a couple of years ago, the last time we played was in January 2010. I have no idea what happen to it, ask the other members of The Scuds. I think I’m tired of calling all the shots. This band has no initiative at all; I need to start another retro punk band soon.
S & A: Back to Pazahora, so Hannah left and got replaced by Zhafran. Will he do the half the vocals like Hannah did?
Hafiz: I suppose you will only be hearing Zhafran's vocals during our live performance only, because during recording he did try out singing some of the parts. But he doesn’t like how he sounds on the recording. So he chooses to not sing at all in the recordings. (laughs)
S & A: So Zhafran you're the latest member of Pazahora now, how do you feel being a part of band that consists all the members that having name started from H (laughs)?
Zhafran: Yeah been pretty comfortable being the latest member. The guys have been cool and fun to work with maybe because we were all close friends even before I join the band. Having 'Z' as the first letter of my name makes me stand out and am the coolest! (laughs) .
Zhafran: What kind of question is that dude???
S & A: (laughs) that’s a serious question.
S & A: Paz Ahora means Peace Now in Spanish. Did you guys pick the name because it hints the band's musical direction, since it is more suitable for crust punk bands..
Hafiz: It’s just a name that suits nicely with our lyrics and ideas that’s all, nothing special about it. I wouldn’t say it’s a suitable name for a crust punk band because we don’t have any DIS- in front of our name I suppose. Pazahora was formed in 2004 as a 3 piece band; I don’t think we were playing 'crust punk' back then.
S & A: Hood, does this band have a chance to play any other type of music beside this that you're doing currently?
Hood: Well the answer is no. This band was formed because we wanted to play punk music, d-beat / burning spirit inspired bands like Discharge, Tragedy, From Ashes Rise, Ekkaia, Deathside and more.
S & A: This may not to be exact, not unfortunately now Singaporean scene seems to be a bit slow moving compared to the last few years. You have ideas why is this happen?
Hood: To me, I think the punk / DIY scene here is good. It is not stagnant like the other scene here. Labels like Epidemics Rex and Prohibited Projects releasing local band and booking shows, bands doing tours and playing in Malaysia. As to why it is slow is maybe because most of us / all are working and pursuing other interest at the same time.
S & A: If you could recommend one band from Singapore, what would it be?
Hood: I would say MAGNICIDE - Grindcore at its best, awesome live set. Not to be missed also THIS IS ATLANTIS - Instrumental. Intense live set / music check it out.
S & A: Burn the Gavels could be considered as the collection of Pazahora’s work so far, and obviously we could catch the progression of song structure that has been made. So besides crust punk hardcore bands, do any of you listen to any other type of music besides those mentioned above?
Hafiz: Our song writing did progress through the years because of constant exposure to new bands and new music all the time. I seriously listen to everything under the punk umbrella. Hood is always listening to Japanese ska like Miceteeth, Zhafran listens to Russian Circles, Red Sparrows and all that kinda shit while Hamima favourite band is Mars Volta.
S & A: My Chemical Romance (laughs)?
Hafiz: (laughs) they would sound great if they down tuned their guitars.
S & A: Tell us some of the musical influences that help to shape Pazahora since day one.
Hafiz: Bands like Econochrist, Yaphet Kotto, Envy, Tragedy, His Hero is Gone, From Ashes Rise, Amebix and Rudimentary Peni.
S & A: Zhafran, you play with Subtle Revenge before , which I think may differ from the music that Pazahora offers so how do you occupy that?
Zhafran: No difficulty actually as I do listen to the music that influences Pazahora as well and we can just be honest and connect with each other when writing songs, choosing artworks and themes for the band. We come from different musical background but when we get together everything just flow and fused well..(laughs)..That’s utter bullshit.
Basically we are friends who enjoy hardcore punk music and love doing this together.
S & A: Your lyrics talk about society's illness(es). Are your writings basically a reflection on how it feels to live in the most developed country in Asia?
Hafiz: I can say yes, as most of our songs are about social consciousness that revolves around the judicial fundamentals of the state. Living in Singapore can be depressing; everything here is controlled by the state. From the education system, media and even in churches and mosques. It’s a modern totalitarian country which everybody lives in fear and in subjugation. The government has restricted the freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Any form of protest is illegal here in Singapore and you are charged for unlawful assembly. The song Burn the Gavels is about Singapore's government using the death penalty sentence extensively. Singapore is one of the countries that has the highest execution rate in the world for a small country. Most of the people that got executed are drug traffickers. The death sentence is mandatory for importation of more than 500 grams of cannabis. It’s ridiculous and I seriously think that the death penalty should no longer be practiced in such a sophisticated country like Singapore. Our lyrics are viewed in a personal level where everybody can relate to locally and internationally. It’s about what we think and what’s happening to this place we live in. We are not an anarchist band or trying to prove something. We do support anarchism and try to practice the ideas and lifestyle while adopting it in a conscious way as a coherent philosophy.
Hamima: Yes. We may be "the most developed country in Asia", but at what cost? There is no freedom here. You know that you're constantly being watched so the people develop this fear and paranoia about the government even when they have done nothing wrong. Our lyrics serve as a critique of the social conditions in Singapore and its constitution in general, among other things
S & A: How do it feels living in Singapore? Will you agree that living in Singapore makes you have less to complaint compared if you live in Vietnam?
Hamima: It’s like living in a Panopticon, a model prison which allows an official to observe all the inmates from a central tower without their knowledge. Personally, I feel that the govt uses this panoptic approach to gain control over the people so that they will discipline themselves and adjust their behaviour because they know that big brother is watching. The uncertainty of not knowing exactly when one is being watched but that there is always a possibility, will lead the people to monitor their own actions thereby allowing the government to assert its power automatically. By instilling fear in the minds of citizens, the govt controls the way the people think, the way they behave and the way they live. Living in Singapore is very stifling. Compared to Vietnam, living in Singapore may be slightly more comfortable, safer and cleaner but beyond that, we face a different set of problems such as the rising cost of living, lack of affordable housing and an overly authoritarian government. We have our fair share of problems but they are not obvious problems such as poverty, ours is a struggle for freedom.
S & A: Isn’t that strange but so far no punk could be found in Cambodia and Laos..
Hamima: That's true. But then again, there may be some kids over there who believe in the same DIY ethics and ideologies as we do here. They earn a living by selling their own artwork or handicrafts, build their own tuk tuks or even grow their own food. Who are we to say that they are not punk?
S & A: OK next, the cover artwork in Burn the Gavels was courtesy of Nils Brazzola. How did you guys manage to get hooked with him?
Hafiz: We were looking for an artwork, so Zhafran somehow bump into his website; saw his art and he contacted him straight away. We seek permission from Nils Brazzola and he was cool about it.
S & A: Knowing that vinyl culture is dead in Asia, do you think that it is still relevant to get your releases pressed in vinyl? Won't it make them inaccessible to fans since the vinyl players are no longer available in stores? Please comment..
Hafiz: I think all formats are relevant. CDs, tapes, vinyl or even digital, as long as there’s sound coming out from the player it’s all fine by me.(laughs) It’s about getting the message across and it makes you feel good listening to it. The reaction should come from the music/lyrics itself, not from the material used. I don’t know about Malaysia but in Singapore there are still a lot of shops selling record players, some are quite affordable. I don’t owe a record player anymore; I gave it away to a friend because I’m lazy to bring it back during Blackhole's moving out period. I think I will probably get a new one when I find a new place of my own.
S & A: What’s next after the split with Ghaust?
Hafiz: We've just finish recording songs for a full length which will be release for the Japan tour.
S & A: If you have a chance to pick any band to have a split with, what band that would be?
Zhafran: Godspeed You Black Emperor.
vi.
news / media
Interview with I Remember Helloween zine, issue number 1.
This interview was taken from the first issue of IRH. I’m sure by now almost all of us here know this band since they played a number of shows on their Philippine tour last March of 2009. That was a blast. I remember hanging out with them and chatting ‘till 5am after their show in Quezon. We were simply talking about coffee shops and cigarettes and just about anything that we could think of. Hah. Fun. To those who weren’t able to get a hold of the #1… here’s something for you.
IRH: Hey Hafiz, how's it goin' lately?
PAZAHORA: hey Dane, Yes its been going good lately despite being busted in Malaysia last Saturday by their fascist Muslim cops. They raided a house where we had an after gig party. I think we make too much noise and there's a lot of alcohol and they found cannabis in the house. There was a gig earlier on that i play not with Pazahora but I was sessioning drums for a d-beat band call Distrust. There were like 29 of us including 12 Singaporeans. It was really fucked up and they check all our stuffs. We're brought to the station to get our urine check. It was kinda hilarious as they thought we're like black metal group or something. And yes Malaysia is a conservative country; they have been tracking down 'underground' groups for the past years.
IRH: Why? Wasn't there a permit for that show? I hope everything and everyone there are okay now.
PAZAHORA: No there was no permit on that show and they found out about it. It was in a studio, like a small gig. It's hard to get permits for shows in Malaysia unlike Singapore. They didn't raid the show. They just raid the house that we were hanging out. They get piss when they see alcohol, and the issue of religion was brought up.
IRH: I see. I'm sorry to hear that pal. So do you think getting permits for shows there has something to do with the country being a conservative one and also religion?
PAZAHORA: Yes, of course. In Johor (the place where the gig washeld), gigs got raided a few times before back then.
IRH: Why was the issue with religion brought up on that incident?
PAZAHORA: Aha, because it's a Muslim country. As you know Muslims can't drink. They were asking us like "Are you all Muslims, why the fuck did you drink?". And they were shock to see 12 Singaporeans there; we were like telling them "I don't call myself a Muslim because I don't practice it at all" The cops can't do shit to us because there's no 'religous law' in Singapore at all. They are just stupid cops. But ya.. after some mindless talking with them we still need to get our urine check.
IRH: Okay. Sorry I am not that well versed when it comes to their culture. I guess we can't do nothing about that then since it's how they live it. But normally it should just be a simple noise issue with the neighborhood of that place and they should have a search warrant right?
PAZAHORA: Yes, it was just because of a complaint and noise issue. It was just bad luck I guess aha. And yes they didn't show us a search warrant or whatever fuck. It just caught us by surprise and most of us was too drunk to think.
IRH: Haha. Sounds like you're havin' fun there! Anyway how did it end after the urine shit and all?
PAZAHORA: Yes it was fine after that most of us was clean but 5 was positive on cannabis. After hours of bullshiting everybody was release after a warning. Aha how surprise and how nice.
IRH: Well that experience sounds like one hell of a night for you guys.. So you play drums aside from vocal duties on Pazahora? That's nice. What are the other ones that you do aside from that? Other side bands or projects?
PAZAHORA: Yes, I play in some other bands like Under Attack which i do vocals and we play some fast hitting thrashcore. I play guitar in a grindcore band call Hudud. I also have a new band called The Scuds playin 77-80's style punkrock which I play guitar with. And I recently also help to play drums for bands like Deviator Landing, Distrust, Blinded Humanity.. only when their drummer is unavailable aha.
IRH: Hmm.. I'd say you're not into forming bands that much haha! Interesting.. How do you manage your time with rehearsals and all with 4 bands and some drum duties?
PAZAHORA: It's really not that hard because I don't have a job and I'm not really busy most of the time. I'm doing some freelance work to get some money but ya it's hard not having a full time job. I need to get a real job soon and I hope it doesnt affect my hardcorepunk lifestyle aha.
IRH: Going back with Pazahora, what are your main influences as a band when it comes to your sound and song writing?
PAZAHORA: Since the day the band first started we were really influenced by bands such as His Hero is Gone, In//Humanity, Tragedy, Econochrist and a lot of Scandinavian crust bands. We also love Envy and Isis. Ya I think those bands really influence us alot. We dont even care when people say "oh it's just another dark d-beat band" Well there's not much band here that is playing this kinda style and we all agree. That this is the most beautiful music that come out of punk aha.
IRH: What about politics? I've read on your page that Pazahora is a political hc punk band? What is your stand on religion? God?
PAZAHORA: Pazahora is a political band from the start. Our lyrics are inspired by the socio/political state of the palce we live in and how fucked up the world is. Our lyrics are mainly viewed in a personal level that anybody can relate to locally or internationally. But now most our lyrics are mainly focus on our local current political situation from immigrant issues, discrimination, free speech or the right to protest. As you know Singapore is a modern totalitarian police state. I know our lyrics can't change the world but at least it can make people think and aware about what happening to our world and our home. and who's the enemy and what were fighting for. Despite a lot of fucking restriction in this shithole called Singapore I try to do my part in any form of activism even though its hard. There are still lots of people that are still fighting here. About religion, I just don't represent any and I don't give a fuck if god exist or not. I just live my life the way i want to not by some being or thing that I can't see at all.
IRH: You'll be doing a split with Kah-Roe-Shi on a vinyl 7" right?
PAZAHORA: Yes, it will be out pretty soon maybe before new years. The vinyl is already done but we need to get the artwork finalized. The artwork is done by Raven from Bandung, Indonesia. He plays for a grindcore band Rajasinga. Kah-Roe-Shi from Malaysia is also another great band and awesome friends. We're glad to be in s split with them.
IRH: Do you think you guys can come down here in Manila some day for one night gig?
PAZAHORA: Yes we would love to! I really wanted to play in the Philippines and I bet its gonna be awesome. Yes maybe sometime next year. Actually depends on the money. Time is not an issue for me though aha.
IRH: What can you say about the thrashcore scene here in SE Asia in general? Don't you think there's like 70% of the new groups now a days form a thrash unit? Haha!
PAZAHORA: Aha, I don't know man. I still think its pretty awesome to see tons of fast bands at shows but sometimes its just too much and most of them sounds the same. I can say some of them are awesome. But most of them are just a waste of time. There's tons of thrash bands in Indonesia I just cant believe it aha it can be in their hundreds! Ok not aha. There's only like 4 'thrash' bands here in Singapore. Like Secret Seven, Under Attack, Voces Innocentes and Yogyakarta. Check them out! Some of those fast bands that I like are Domestik Doktrin (Indonesia), Taste of Flesh (Indonesia), Tanpa Batas (Indonesia), Weot Skam (Malaysia), Sarjan Hassan (Malaysia), Suara Anak Muda (Malaysia). Yes.
IRH: Yeah it's indeed a good thing! Thrash fever! How did the previous Thrash Fest go?
PAZAHORA: Yes, the previous thrashfest went pretty well, it's great to see those Malaysian bands like Apparatus, Weot Skam, Sarjan Hassan performing here in Singapore for the first time. And yes 'Straight Answer' from Jakarta is also awesome. They are like the first hc band from Indonesia that I listen way back. It was great! And it was held in a new venue..some semi-abandoned school. We went though alot of work to get that space. And finally we succeed. I hope we will still have that space for gigs and shit till then end of the year because the state will be making that place into some corporate art shit space I don't know.
IRH: Nice. Sounds fun! Any more projects in the future?
PAZAHORA: As for Pazahora after the split 7" Kah-Roe-Shi we will try and record new songs for future releases like splits and shit with Crux (Australia), Lead 2 Nitrate (Singapore). I don't know some labels approached us but nothing is concrete right now. We hope to Tour Japan next year with Anode. There will be a Japanese version of our album also on CD and a tape version by a German label call Contrazt Records.
IRH: Cool! Looks like there's a lot of things lined up for you. Good luck! I guess that should be it! Thank you for your time in doing this little chat interview. Any last words for anyone who'd be reading this one?
PAZAHORA: Hey thanks alot Dane no problem at all. Cheers to punks and avtivists from all over the world that is still fighting the war against oppression! Email us at paz_ahora@hotmail.com
