Shows
Lion City RockEp133: First Beliefs with Dominic ChinDominic Chin has been singing ever since he was in his teens. His first original song, "You First Believed" – a tribute to Singapore's founding father and first Prime Minister, went viral. Now, 11 years later, he's back with a new single, "Needy" and plans for a new album drop at the end of the year. In between, he's performed thousands of shows – on his own and with the MDC – as well as collabed with some of the coolest name in the scene, including Jean Seizure, lamin and Marian Carmel. Oh, and he's co-written a song for National Day, called For Singap...2025-08-0943 min
Lion City RockHappy SG60!Can you believe that it was 60 years ago when Naomi and The Boys released their megahit, "Happy Happy Birthday Baby"? That same year, the Lion City decided to make its way in the world by itself! Coincidence? Maybe.But to mark SG60, we decided to do what all Singaporeans do best: go makan chicken rice – what else?Oh, and Kevin wrote a song for National Day too! Listen here--"I Love Singapore" performed by The Fast Colors.******LINKSFollow Lion City Rock: Facebook / Instagram W...2025-08-0804 min
Lion City RockEp132: The One with Leslie LowIt's been a long time coming, but we finally did it! We have Leslie Low on the show! Sure, it took us the better part of three years – specifically three years, seven months and 3 days – but hey, who's counting?Leslie one of Singapore's finest songwriters, and if there ever is a Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame for Singapore musicians, he should be in it! So we got him to answer all our crucial questions: How did he get started all those years ago? What did author Don Bosco and Lion City icon Chri...2025-08-0353 min
Lion City RockEp131: The LCR Ketchup EpisodeWE'RE BACK! Welcome to the new phase Lion City Rock, which is... pretty much like the old phase Lion City Rock, if we're being honest – but with more sprinkles! We've quite a few things in the pipeline, though, and we're going to do our best to make sure they all come to pass. Just what are they all about? Listen to find out, lah..."Nothing Is Real" and "Screen Scars" by K,Mat; "Finer Life (Cover)" by The Fast Colors. Episode image done by Olly Maguire. ******LINKSGet tickets fo...2025-07-2751 min
Lion City RockEp130: BigO 4-0 (a review part 2)Was there a better way to spend a Sunday than having your eardrums blasted and your face melted by some of the biggest bands of the 1990s? Well, if you're not into that sorta thing, then yes, probably. But for us at the Lion City Rock pod, Day 2 of the BigO 4-0 show brought the house down as six bands took the stage at The Blackbird! Disko Biscuit, The Oddfellows, Rudra, Astreal, The Pinholes and Opposition Party brought the two-day celebration of BigO magazine's 40th anniversary to a close the only way they knew how - with...2025-05-0554 min
Lion City RockEp129: BigO 4-0 (a review)As crowds throng the spaces to listen to political candidates wax lyrical about how they plan to improve Singapore, the LCR team look back on two days in April when crowds thronged The Blackbird Singapore to listen to veteran indie rockers who came together to wax lyrical about the 40th anniversary of BigO magazine, the pre-eminent champion of local indie music back in the late '80s and throughout the 1990s.What made the grade? What were the big surprises? And who were the candidates - er, sorry, Lion City Rockers - who rocked our boat? There's...2025-04-2439 min
Lion City RockEp128: Surath and Joanna (The Blackbird, Reverie)Where can you go to hear a live band play Steely Dan's "Reelin' In The Years" or the 11-minute opus that is the live version of "Sultans Of Swing", complete with sax solo? Well, The Blackbird at Gillman Barracks, that's where. The Blackbird's resident band, Reverie, plays songs that aren't always on your Spotify Top 10; instead, revelling in dishing out rarer tracks that you don't always hear on Singapore's live music circuit. But Reverie has a bigger stake in The Blackbird than you think: Singer & guitarist Surath helms the venue, while multi-instrumentalist Joanna helps coordinate...2025-04-1141 min
Lion City RockEp127: It's The Oddfellows! (BigO 40 Special)What a show we have for you! Yes, you and only you! Our featured guests on the podcast are none other than The Oddfellows!They helped spearhead the Singapore indie scene in the late 1980s and have garnered much acclaim and accolades through the years. But what exactly are they doing now?Well, they're part of BigO 4-O: 40 Years Of Counter-Culture, the music fest on 12-13 April at The Blackbird to celebrate BigO Magazine's 40th anniversary.For those who don't know, BigO was the music magazine of the 1990s and the music fest...2025-04-0451 min
Lion City RockEp126: The Great Spy Experiment (BigO 40 Special)We're continuing our Lion City Rock x BigO 4-O series for the 40 Years Of Counter-Culture music festival, which will be held on 12-13 April at The Blackbird to celebrate the 40th anniversary of BigO Magazine, one of the cornerstones of Singapore's indie music scene of the 1990s.The line-up features The Mother, Typewriter, Obstacle Upsurge, Force Vomit, Plainsunset, Opposition Party, Disko Biscuit, The Oddfellows, Rudra, The Pinholes, Astreal and our guests for this episode: The Great Spy Experiment!They're probably one of Singapore's best live bands of all time, and in this episode, the band tal...2025-03-2950 min
Lion City RockEp125: Disko Biscuit (BigO special episode!)It's the first of our Lion City Rock x BigO 4-O episodes for the 40 Years Of Counter-Culture music festival. Happening on 12-13 April at The Blackbird, it's two days of music remembering and celebrating one of the cornerstones of Singapore's indie music scene of the 1990s: BigO Magazine.Bands performing include The Mother, Typewriter, Obstacle Upsurge, Force Vomit, Great Spy Experiment, Plainsunset, Opposition Party, The Oddfellows, Rudra, The Pinholes, Astreal and our guests for this episode: Disko Biscuit!One of Singapore's earliest shoegaze bands, Disko Biscuit, has been returning to the scene in recent years...2025-03-2337 min
Lion City RockEp124: We Can't Believe It's Astreal!IT'S FINALLY HERE: Our monumental mega-episode with ASTREAL!As one of the key shoegaze bands here in the Lion City over the past three decades, Astreal has been going through thick and thin, releasing three albums and performing at every major gig you can think of. Ginette Chittick (bass/vocals) and Muhammad Alkhatib (guitars) share the ups and downs of Astreal's musical journey: What was it like for Ginette to join just before the launch of their debut album, which the band had already recorded with another singer? How do they feel about the music...2025-03-151h 26
Lion City RockEp123: No Excuse For Sexism ReviewHappy International Women's Day! To mark the occasion, we're looking back at an album that made a splash back in the day: No Excuse For Sexism. Released in 1998, it was the first album to feature an all-female line-up, with all-female or female-fronted bands: Clothes Peg, Flying Pills, Sideshow Judy, Psycho Sonique and Astreal. How does the album hold up after all these years? Was it an accurate example of what our female indie musicians had to offer? And where are Flying Pills and Clothes Peg today? (No, really - give us a shout...2025-03-0451 min
Lion City RockRewind Episode: Yuni & Kim of The SubstationWe're honoured to be part of No Finer Time To Be Alive, a music event on 15 March 2025, 6pm at Vertigo26 where The Substation will kickstart celebrations for its 35th anniversary.Featuring iconic Singaporean music curated and mixed live by DJ KiDG (Robin Chua), the five-hour non-stop set will take you through Singapore’s music history, with tracks from legends like Zircon Lounge and The Quests to Astreal, Humpback Oak, Plainsunset, Sobs, Subsonic Eye and more.PLUS: You'll enjoy special cocktails inspired by local indie classics, happy hour drinks all night, and a refreshed menu....2025-02-2059 min
Lion City RockEp121: TaledropsIt's a tale of Taledrops this week! One of Singapore's freshest bands has been rocking the Lion City with their very own "Drama Rock".In this episode, the female fivesome—Shan, Jingmin, Kiara, Zee, and Pearly—spill the beans on their journey. They reveal what made them form a band, how the name Taledrops came about, who the worst timekeeper in the band is, and when their new EP will be released (like, for real).--"Lion City Rock theme" performed by Kevin Mathews & Chris Toh; excerpts from "Kafka" and "Surr...2025-02-151h 01
Lion City RockEp120: Live At The Green Room ReviewWe travel back to 1998 to see, or rather, hear, what happened on 15 December of that year at the Green Room, a studio run by veteran Lion City Rocker Tony Goh. The result was an album recorded live and distributed by BigO magazine, featuring music by four young bands: Electric Co. (later to evolve into Electrico), Shereene's Closet, Steel Blue Skies (started by Lilac Saint's guitarist Bhaskar), and Satellite Blue (a trio with a lead violin!). Along the way, Kevin and Chris also ponder crowdkiller behaviour at gigs, who Parousia and Elmo are, and what it will take...2025-02-0852 min
Lion City RockEp119: Sanny Veloo's Brighter TomorrowFriend Of The Pod Sanny Velloo is back to share more of his continuing journey as a solo musician. Fresh from launching his latest single, "A Brighter Tomorrow", Sanny shares what it has been like going solo, what his new album is about, and the chances of becoming the world's only Rock 'n' Roll Guru!*This episode was recorded in Dec 2024Feel free to contact Lion City Rock, give us a shout on our social media, or even email us using the links below.--"Lion City Rock...2025-01-2846 min
Lion City RockEp118: New Year, New IdeasIt's our AAR episode! And then some! In 2024, we had over 2,000 downloads from more than 40 countries! That's not something we thought we'd ever achieve and we don't take it lightly! Thank you listeners for making it all worthwhile!But we aren't just patting ourselves on the back for a job well done in 2024. We're also on the lookout for new ideas, topics, and music to feature in 2025 on the only podcast about Singapore's pop music scene you'll ever need. Feel free to contact us, give us a shout on our social media, or...2025-01-1936 min
Lion City RockEp117: 2024 Wrapped (feat. Shye)Oh, what a year it has been! As we say goodbye to 2024, we thought we'd reflect on the year with our top five fave moments on the pod. Unsurprisingly - or perhaps, surprisingly - Chris and Kevin had four same items out of the five on their list. But what was the different one?PLUS! A special appearance by Shye!PLUS PLUS! Our wishes for 2025!--"Lion City Rock theme" performed by Kevin Mathews & Chris Toh; excerpts of "The Sun Will Cry" performed by Shye; excerpts from "If...2024-12-3054 min
Lion City RockEp116: The Return of Isaac ChiewYou know it's a fun day when Friend of the Pod Isaac Chiew returns to share more thoughts about the Lion City's music scene.How have his experiences working with record labels and youth organisations shaped his mindset? Which Lion City Rockers rock his boat? And when will his band, Cactus Cactus, drop their new album?The answers to all this and more are right here! In this episode! Really!--"Lion City Rock theme" performed by Kevin Mathews & Chris Toh; excerpts of "Cloud City", "Hammer" & "Life Is...2024-12-2258 min
Lion City RockEp115: Busking with Pat ChngWe’re so happy to have friend of the pod Patrick Chng, back for another episode!This time, the Oddfather of Singapore Indie Music spills the beans about his new journey into the world busking in the Lion City. What does it take to be a busker in Singapore? Where are all the hot busking spots? And is it really true that all buskers MUST learn to play John Denver’s ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’?--"Lion City Rock theme" performed by Kevin Mathews & Chris Toh; excerpts of "Unity Son...2024-12-1350 min
Lion City RockEp114: Iman's LeagueIt's punk rock like you've never heard it before! With fans from all over the region, power trio Iman's League have been rocking the stage with their high-energy performances and ballsy bangers. Iman, Bat and Lal got on the pod to share their thoughts about the best and worst gigs, what peeves them most, and where Iman's League will be in 2025! (Europe, anyone?)--"Lion City Rock theme" performed by Kevin Mathews & Chris Toh; excerpts of "Hati", "Lisa", "Forever In 7th" and "Hey Hey Hey" performed by Iman's League...2024-12-0659 min
Lion City RockEp113: The Story of Shanty with Henry Chua and Wee Guan (The Quests)IT'S ANOTHER BUMPER EPISODE!Lion City Rock legends Henry Chua and Wee Guan tell us the story of "Shanty", the song that changed the Singapore music landscape. Written by Henry and recorded by The Quests, it was released in Oct 1964 and became the first original composition by a Singapore band to reach No.1 – for 12 weeks! – knocking off The Beatles along the way. Sixty years later, you can still find people covering the song. So what do they really think of the song now? How did fame change the band? Why couldn't they go bowl...2024-11-301h 22
Lion City RockEp112: 1964 - 60 Years of Rock & Roll (Part 2)It's Part 2 of 60 years of maximum rock and roll!In July, The Beatles caused a minor riot as 3,000 teens flock to the airport to see the Fab Four's... plane. In Oct 1964, The Quests reached #1 with "Shanty", knocking The Beatles off the top spot! That same month, local and international bands took part in a charity concert, called the 8.30 Special, for the benefit of the victims and their families of the race riots that occurred in July and Sept that year. As the year comes to a close, the future looks bright...2024-11-1849 min
Lion City RockEp111: 1964 - 60 Years of Rock 'n' RollCan you imagine when Singapore wasn't Singapore, but Malaysia? We can't – but luckily, we read history books. In 1964, the Lion City hadn't achieved independence. The geo-political and socio-economic landscapes were still on shaky ground. But the pop scene was already making inroads. The Crescendos were consolidating their position as the top vocal group in the region, while The Quests were only months away from unleashing their magnum opus, "Shanty". Meanwhile, the clubs and tea dances were filled with teens wanting to hear musicians like Wilson David, The Checkmates, Julie Sudiro, The Cyclones, The Si...2024-11-0947 min
Lion City RockEp110: Dawn Parry and Joe Eades"It's a new dawn comin' round..." And she's right here on our podcast!Our guests are Dawn Parry, host and presenter on newdawn.fm, and Joe Eades, the A&R Coordinator of Jukebox Judgement, a show where some of the top producers in the world give their reviews about new music from around the world.Back in February, Singapore was the first Southeast Asian country they featured on Jukebox Judgement and they're all set for the next batch of Lion City rockers (episode drops 1 Nov, 3pm SG time).They both share what they...2024-10-3156 min
Lion City RockEp109: Yuni & Kim of The SubstationBack in the 1990s, The Substation was The Place To Be for many musicians, artists, actors, filmmakers, performers and well, just about anyone who was into the arts. But while the building may be gone, it's thanks to people like Yuni Hadi and Kim Dy-Liacco who ensure that The Substation is still A Home For The Arts.They share what The Substation is up to and how they continue championing artists in the Lion City and offer tips on what artists can do (psst: just drop them a DM, apparently)Psst! Look out for our...2024-10-2659 min
Lion City RockEp108: Tan Peng Sing (Club Mild)How can young musicians develop their brand? Should we follow what's trending in the music scene? What does it mean to "make it" as a musician? Find out the answers to these questions and more with our guest, Club Mild guitarist Tan Peng Sing.Peng Sing has worn many musical hats – not only is he a musician and a champion of local music, he was the music director on radio, the founder of the record label Where Are The Fruits, and now, if we read his LinkedIn profile right, he's the Senior Manager, Performing Arts (Music) at th...2024-09-291h 16
Lion City RockEp107: Benny'sWe're sorry this is so late. The past few weeks have been strange at the Lion City Rock pod. But we're back with this new episode featuring a chat with young singer-songwriter, Benny's.A true music fan, Benny's wears her musical heart on her sleeve and her songs reflect her thoughts about life, the universe, and well, just about everything.Benny's attracted attention sometime back when concertgoers took to social media after her performance at the Esplanade was interrupted by an unexpected guest. Since that incident though, she has been quietly putting together a new...2024-09-0647 min
Lion City RockEp106: Josh & Leonard of Tumbleweed StudiosIt's the return of Leo! Yup, Leonard Soosay is back! This time, he's joined by Josh Wei to talk more about their plans for 'Weed - Tumbleweed Studios, that is.The pair started Tumbleweed (conveniently located at The Esplanade) because they felt younger musicians needed a conveniently located jamming studio that's also affordable. And did we say it's conveniently located?*recorded at Tumbleweed Studios in June**also, check out our Lion City Rock playlist, which we want to be an introduction to the wide world of pop music from and made in Singapore –an...2024-08-0856 min
Lion City RockEp105: The Great Catch-up EpisodeChris and Kevin took time to catch up in this episode where they talk about the LCR schedule, money money money, our guitar-toting PM, Chris' new anime fetish – Bocchi The Rock!, and Kevin stacking up his Substack. They prattled on for so long we just had to cut it sho-******LINKSThe Lion City Rock PlaylistPower of Pop Substack Bocchi The Rock! trailer 1/ trailer 2Bellied Star SpotifyFollow Lion City Rock Facebook / Instagram Listen to Kevin Mathews' music******Like, fol...2024-07-2244 min
Lion City RockEp101: Time of Rebirth (a review)When The Observatory's debut album, Time Of Rebirth, was released in 2004, it was an eye-opening (ear-opening?) experience for listeners. Filled with rhythms and grooves, along with a smattering of the experimentation that the band would go on to do, it was lauded by critics. It was even picked as an album of the year by the media - well, one media outlet. But now, 20 years later, does the album stand up to the test of time? Kevin and Chris share their observations about this classic Observatory offering.*Recorded in March 2024.******LINKS...2024-05-1140 min
Tales From The CSAP FloorS6E1: From Military to Tech - Chris Toh's Unconventional Career LeapIn this season opener of "Tales from the CSAP Floor," host Joshua Recker welcomes Chris Toh, a remarkable individual whose unique professional journey defies convention. From a pivotal eureka moment during his military service to becoming a celebrated Club Cisco member and enjoying a well-deserved Hawaiian vacation, Chris's story is a testament to the power of divergent thinking. Live from Singapore, Chris delves into the fascinating world of augmented reality with the HRT-I device, sharing how these technologies enhance connectivity and collaboration in challenging work environments. His insights extend beyond technology, touching on effective communication with executives, the importance of...2024-02-2824 min
Lion City RockEp95: Must we always mention "original music"?It's a new year and a new series! Kevin and Chris are back with more about what makes the Lion City rock. Recently, there were several entries in the All Things New concert series that emphasised musicians playing original music. But why does it matter? What kind of music do audiences expect? And why is it only seen for music gigs and not others, such as stand-up comedy?PLUS! Lion City Rock Recommendation: Lim Yu Beng’s Notes To Self ******LINKSFollow Lion City Rock's Facebook and Instagram Liste...2024-02-1749 min
Lion City RockEp90: ABANGSAPAUWhen it comes to the Lion City's hip-hop scene, someone who's making a wave in recent years is ABANGSAPAU. He's one of the new breed of rappers that have inspired the young(er) generation of music fans in Singapore. In this special chat, he talks about his love for rap, and how one fateful gig changed his life forever.Kevin's and Chris' rant and raves this week include, commercialising X'mas, why they both could be stans of ABANGSAPAU and Kevin's new mix of an old Yuletide track, 4Christmas.******LINKSFollow ABANGSAPAU2023-12-0440 min
Lion City RockEp89: The Axean review (feat. Bas Linders)The Axean Festival last month featured 50 music artistes taking the opportunity to strut their stuff for the audiences at the Goodman Arts Centre, but did it achieve its goals? We don't know, we didn't organise it.But we can tell you what we liked and didn't like. Especially since we have our favourite gig guy Bas Linders in this episode to share his views. Meanwhile, Chris and Kevin wonder if such events are a good idea – and what could be done to make them better. Should the bands get together and use this as a platform to tou...2023-11-2557 min
Lion City RockEp81: Zircon Lounge's Regal VigorIt's been two years since Chris Ho left this world to join the great gig in the sky, but his legacy still remains, in the form of his music. Kevin and Chris hit the rewind button on his debut offering, Regal Vigor, recorded with his band, Zircon Lounge.Does it actually live up to its reputation as THE alternative album that started it all? Tell us what you think!Pix: Singapore Storeroom******LINKSCheck out Regal VigorListen to Kevin Mathews' music:KayMac...2023-09-301h 04
Lion City RockEp77: New School Rock III (Part 2)We continue our re-listening party with the bands featured in New School Rock III (pronounced "three" ... or "ai ai ai"), the compilation album that was given free with BigO magazine. This time round Kevin and Chris share their thoughts about Pillars of Faith, Swirling Madness, Rocket Scientists and Watchmen - with a bonus tacked at the end too!******LinksListen to New School Rock IIIListen to Kevin's music:KayMacRondo VitaleKevin's Time Flies albumNew remixes for My One And Only...2023-08-2844 min
Lion City RockEp76: New School Rock III (Pt 1)In 1993, BigO magazine released New School Rock III, the third volume in their music compilation series. Comprising 17 songs (including one hidden track) from bands like ESP, Band of Slaves, Silent Sorrow and more, this album was a microcosm of the music scene at the time. Or was it? Thirty years after its release, Chris and Kevin hit the playback button and give their reaction to the compilation. ("Ooh!" "Wah!" "Eh?")******Listen to Kevin's music:KayMacRondo VitaleKevin's Time Flies albumNew remixes for My One And On...2023-08-2141 min
Lion City RockRewind Episode - Pain-Stained MorningSinger-songwriter Leslie Low (Humpback Oak, The Observatory) has come a long way since he started making music as a teen with Twang Bar Kings. He'll be doing live performances of his music journey at The Esplanade Concourse on 17 and 18 Aug (see link below). This rewind episode sees Kevin and Chris review one of the key offerings in the Lion City's music canon: Pain-Stained Morning the debut album by Humpback Oak, Leslie's band back in the 1990s.******LinksLeslie Low's Esplanade gigPain-Stained Morning on YouTube.Leslie Low's solo music...2023-08-1157 min
Lion City RockRewind Episode - Dru ChenNot many people know this, but though Dru Chen's latest release, Slower Life, may only be a few weeks old, the idea for it was birthed when he first appeared on Lion City Rock ("that's not true" - ed. "That's our story and we're sticking to it!" - Chris)Find out what Dru said about the album in this rewind episode, and hear about his music journey, from learning to play and his early influences to blagging his way into joining a band, before finally emerging as a solo artist in his own right.******2023-07-0852 min
Lion City RockEp73: Looking back at Red Hot & Skin (disc 2)Kevin and Chris conclude their journey through Red Hot & Skin, the double-album that was released to create more awareness about Aids. While the premise for the album is a good one, does the "rojak-ness" of the tracks (yes, that's the technical term) put a spanner in the works? Along the way, they ponder Singapore's alternative music scene (Chris: "alternative to what?") and whether this album stands the test of time.******LinksKayMac's musicRondo VitaleKevin's Time Flies album******Like, follow and subscribe to Lion Ci...2023-06-1743 min
Lion City RockEp72: Looking back at Red Hot & Skin (Pt 1)In 1993, one album tried to encapsulate the wide world of music from the Lion City: Red Hot & Skin, the double-CD various artistes compilation album by Pony Canyon. Comprising 30 songs by 22 artistes, it was a genre-bending collection of songs that went from outrageous to meh. Kevin and Chris hit rewind on this album and along the way, they ask all-important questions like:Why do people say AI is stealing but they don't mind buying cover versions?Who thought adding a Bel Biv Devoe beat automatically made a 70s classic "modern"?How is Maizurah linked to Alyssa Milano?2023-06-101h 01
Lion City RockEp71: Got gig? (with Bas Linders)If you love going to gigs, you've probably seen our guest, Bas Linders, who has been checking every single concert on our shores (so it seems) ever since he landed on our shores all those years ago. He shares why he is a fan of local music, even as Kevin and Chris grill him about why he's always the tallest guy in the room.******LinksCheck out the Lo-Cal chat for SG gigsKayMac's musicKevin's Time Flies album******Like, follow and subscribe to Lion Ci...2023-06-021h 10
Lion City RockEp70: Looking back at Flower Show RiotsThis week, Kevin and Chris go back in time as they react to Flower Show Riots, the debut album by Great Spy Experiment. It received rave reviews when it was first released, but what do they think of it now? Along the way, they also discuss hard-hitting issues like: What if Siti in Siti In The City was related somehow to Siti in the Force Vomit song? And what would the album sound like if Chris had his way?******LinksKayMac's musicKevin's Time Flies album******Like, fo...2023-05-2854 min
Lion City RockEp69: We chat with Cosmic Armchair's Ben AngOur special guest this week has a resume that's as impressive as it is long: he's one-half of the electronic music duo, Cosmic Armchair; he's the Abyss Simian; he's the principal tutor at the NUS' Electronic Music Lab; he's also a certified Ableton tutor; he's a devoted dad; he's a loving husband; he's... Ben Ang!Join Kevin and Chris as they delve into electronic music with Ben, and discover why, for Ben, Music really is Life.******LinksCosmic Armchair's websiteBen Ang's websiteCosmic Armchair's videos2023-05-131h 06
Lion City RockEp68: Looking back at BumfuzzleBack in 2013, Inch Chua released her groundbreaking album, Bumfuzzle – an artistic sonic adventure that captured the imagination. To mark its 10th anniversary, Kevin and Chris dive into the tracks as they ponder...... why Chris gave this album a five-star review... whether an arts education is necessary to enjoy albums like this... why nobody has used this album for a soundtrack... if Bumfuzzle should be in the Singapore Album Hall of Fame... and the return of the KayMac ("the KayMac is back, baby!")******LinksLi...2023-04-2952 min
Lion City RockEp67: 30 Years of Democracy & Midnight In June (Pt 2)In this concluding segment of our discussion on the 30th anniversary of Democracy and Midnight In June, Kevin and Chris recall what was going on in the scene when they were making and promoting these albums.Along they way, they answer some hard-hitting questions like: Why was Kevin called Singapore's premier protest singer? Why did AWOL call their engineer "Passport"? And what did the band do when the audience was told by the authorities not to dance during the gig? (answer: they did nothing cos they were wussies)******LinksBuy Kevin's n...2023-04-2143 min
Lion City RockEp65: 30 years of Democracy and Midnight In June (Pt 1)It's the 30th anniversary of Democracy and Midnight In June, two local albums that made a splash in the scene back in 1993.Democracy, by Kevin's band, Watchmen, was the result of years of songwriting, demos and braving challenges that were thrown in their path. Midnight In June, by Chris' band AWOL (Artists Without Official Licence), came about after they won the New School Rock/Commitments band competition.In this first part, Kevin and Chris share their experiences on the road to Democracy and Midnight In June. How did award-winning filmmaker Eric Khoo play a part...2023-04-0545 min
Lion City RockEp64: Famous or Forgotten Music with Jake KussmaulWhat does a millennial from Florida know about Singapore's pop music scene? Kevin and Chris find out with Jake Kussmaul, whose YouTube channel Famous Or Forgotten Music has been giving shoutouts to Singapore musicians past and present.These include The Quests, Concave Scream, The Oddfellows, The Padres, Chris Ho and Jake has been collecting SG music for years, and he shares why he has a particular love for music from the Lion City!We also discuss ...... how music helped Jake cope with cerebral palsy... how a musical journey helps you cross...2023-03-2757 min
Lion City RockEp63: We review Alex Blake Charlie, Class Acts & more!It's a special review episode! Kevin and Chris share their thoughts about things they saw and did in the last few weeks. They spill the tea about...what surprised Kevin at the Arctic Monkeys concert?what made Chris tear up during the screening of Class Acts, the documentary about the Singapore pop culture scene?what did the guys find out about the "Blake" in the Alex Blake Charlie Sessions? (*spoiler alert!)what's coming up for Coming Up Roses?******LinksBuy Kevin's new album Time Flies hereGet tickets to...2023-03-1055 min
Lion City RockEp61: Creative coupling with Rae and CravisMeet Rae and Cravis, two young people from different backgrounds who met in the Music and Drama Company and began their life journey together. Rae currently hosts the show, Backstage Pass with MDC, which features Singapore's hot young music talents; while Cravis works with musicians and is a dancer too. If you think about it, they, it seems, have done everything, everywhere and (nearly) all at once: Rae has been on TV, on the radio, presenting and performing on stage; while Cravis has been performing with musicians both here and from overseas (most recently with France's Maya...2023-02-251h 03
Lion City RockEp60: Selling the Dream with Richard Khan (The October Cherries)When it comes to groundbreaking Singapore bands of the 1960s, we always cite The Crescendos or The Quests. But The October Cherries have often flown under the radar, much to Kevin's chagrin.The October Cherries' drummer Richard Khan joins Kevin and Chris to share his experiences, from joining them after a chance meeting to getting stuck in Belgium to making it big with World Hits, and reveals......what happens when you don't appease fans in Asia...how they ended up staying in a lady's house for four years...and why the...2023-02-191h 06
Lion City RockEp59: We look back at B-Quartet's seminal debut albumTomorrow Is Our Permanent Address may be a line from e e cummings, but B-Quartet's debut album is one of Kevin's and Chris' favourite albums of all time. At least Top 3. Definitely in their Top 10.The guys hit rewind on an album that is a no-holds-barred exploration of sonic landscapes – sometimes sharp as a razor, sometimes soft as a pillow, or sometimes, mellow like a, er, mellow thing.But how did the band come to B? And why does this quartet have six members? All these questions and more are answered in this episode. Or ma...2023-02-101h 00
Lion City RockEp58: Revisiting 1995 (Part 2)Kevin and Chris finish their excursion into 1995 as they look at the year's most important music-related moments, including......the rise and rise of Kit Chan and The Lizards' Convention...how Zouk got its groove back despite being closed after a drugs bust...why a 38-year-old businessman wanted Anita Sarawak's bustier...and why Kevin can't remember ever going to dance club Moondance or Pepper's, the Beatles-themed restaurant that maybe-but-not-quite-probably-didn't happen in Singapore******LinksPre-order Kevin's new album, Time Flies here******Like, follow...2023-02-031h 04
Lion City RockEp57: Revisiting 1995 (Part 1)Chris thinks 1995 was, musically, a special year for the Lion City. With more media coverage, more gigs, and more music, 1995 looked poised to be even better than the years prior. But was it really?In Part 1, Kevin and Chris look at what made 1995 special:Was it that local bands started opening for acts like Sheryl Crow and Bon Jovi?Was it that R.E.M. used the Singapore show for their Star 69 music video?Or was it that Mark and Don Richmond did a rap for the Perfect 10 Local Music Awards?******2023-01-271h 01
Lion City RockEp56: The last chat of 2022 with Nelson TanWelcome to the final episode of 2022! Our guest stepped in at the beginning of the year to fill in the bass slot for The Fast Colors, so we thought it fitting that he'd step in to help us close the year as well: it's the marvellous multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Nelson Tan!Fun fact: he used to be a Singapore Idol contestant! Another fun fact: he's the bassist for the instrumental rock band In Each Hand A Cutlass. Plus, he's recorded in Mandarin, Malay and English and is a fixture on the Singapore nightlife scene. So what does...2022-12-301h 33
Lion City RockEp55: Lilac Saints say Halo again!Rock never die! Just ask alt-rockers Lilac Saints, who've released a "best of" compilation called Halo Again, and are set to take the stage in Jan 2023 – more than 30 years after they banded together. The five guys have been friends since Sec 1 and although they've been through ups and downs, it's clear their friendship goes a long way.Kevin and Chris catch up with drummer Desmond, guitarist Bhaskar and singer Ric in this no-holds-barred episode, where they discuss...... whether doing original music is better because no one knows when you've made a mistake (Really? Surely not!)...2022-12-201h 05
Lion City RockEp54: Surprise, Surprise - it's all about TruckSTART YOUR ENGINES, it's TRUCK! Kevin and Chris react to this rarity in the Lion City's discography: Truck's one and only album, Surprise! Surprise! Truck who, you say? Truck was a spin-off – and one-off – band, made up of October Cherries' members Jay Shotam, Benny Siew and Richard Khan. Surprise! Surprise! was, in essence, a reworking of the October Cherries' album, Dreamseller. But with added keyboards and synths. Does this album of psychedelic-esque songs work? Why are the vocals like that? Find out in this episode!*Please forgive the sound – audio distortion inherent at source. Link...2022-12-131h 00
Lion City RockEp53: 30 Years of RudraJoin Kevin and Chris for a chat with the world's pioneering Vedic metal band – Rudra!Formed in 1992, the guys from Rudra – Kathir, Shiva, Vinod and Devan – have been rocking the world with their music, from Singapore to India to the US and beyond. The band share their musical journey and why...... they decided early on to play "Vedic metal"... hecklers don't bother them anymore... and why Vinod will never delete that NSFW fan picRudra's new album of originals, Eight Mahavidyas, will be out on 22 Dec.LinksG...2022-12-0659 min
Lion City RockEp52: Remembering Naomi & The BoysAlthough they had personnel changes through the years, Naomi And The Boys would be best remembered for its classic line-up of Naomi Suriya, her brother Robert, Moses Tay, Alphonso Soosay and Peter Thomas.Naomi And The Boys had hits with Happy Happy Birthday Baby, It's All Over, I Know and many more, and Robert proved himself to be a prolific composer, writing most of the band's songs. Kevin and Chris look back at the band that, together with The Crescendos and The Quests, made up the "Big Three" of Singapore 60s music.Links...2022-11-2850 min
Lion City RockEp51: Six degrees of separation: The Beatles' Singapore storyIt's 1964, and The Beatles are here in Singapore! They were on the way back to the UK after their Australia and New Zealand tour. Although their stopover was only 55 minutes long, they planned a meet-and-greet with fans. But 3,000 of them stormed the VIP area, so that event was cancelled. Once the plane refuelled, the Beatles went on their way.But there's more to the Beatles' Singapore story than that. And Kevin and Chris explore how Fab Four touched the Lion City's music scene. For example, did you know that ...... there are issued-only-in-Singapore Beatles albums and...2022-11-1857 min
Lion City RockEp50: We look back at Banned In Da SingapuraHey hey hey! It's another playback session as Kevin and Chris look back at Banned In Da Singapura by rock trio Boredphucks. Comprising Sanny Singer (vocals, guitar), JBoss (bass) and Wayne Thunder (drums) the album was a response to having the unique distinction of being the only Singapore band to be banned from performing in the Lion City (we think).Banned In Da Singapura is a landmark album that's filled with some great rock 'n' roll music as well as some funny skits interspersed among the songs. But the band would leave Singapore soon after and relocate...2022-11-1159 min
Lion City RockEp49: Writing about music with editor Andy ChenOur guest this week is Andy Chen (no, not that one!), the co-editor of No Finer Time To Be Alive, the only book that documents the indie years of Singapore music.What did it take to put that book together? Will there be a sequel? Why isn't there more being done to archive Singapore's pop culture? And guess what Chris and Kevin will be ranting about this time?The answers to all these and more in this episode of Lion City Rock!******Like, follow and subscribe to Lion City Rock on R...2022-11-0453 min
Lion City RockEp48: We look back at Concave Scream's Erratic1, 2, 3, 4! Kevin and Chris hit the rewind button on another iconic album from the 1990s – Concave Scream's Erratic! Released in 1997, Erratic spawned one of the biggest hits of the decade, Driven, and gave the band mainstream success.Formed by Sean (vocals, guitar), Pann (guitar), Victor (bass) and Dean (drums), Concave Scream were one of the bright sparks of the Singapore music scene in the late-1990s, showcasing a wide range of musical tastes and styles, while still keeping a very distinctive sound that is undeniably theirs.Kevin and Chris reveal their favourite tracks on Erratic, discuss wh...2022-10-2854 min
Lion City RockEp47: We visit the Home Grooves exhibit (first-time reaction)Kevin and Chris take a look at the Home Grooves exhibit about live music venues in Singapore – now going on at Esplanade-Theatres On The Bay – and give their unexpurgated review.What did they like? What didn't they like? Could it have been better? Or is this better than nothing? What is Kevin's idea of a good local music exhibition? And why is Chris living in fantasy land?All this and more in this episode of Lion City Rock!******Do Like, Follow and Subscribe to Lion City Rock on RedCircle, Spotify, Apple Podcasts...2022-10-2148 min
Lion City RockEp46: The Good, The Bad & The Weirdest GigsWith Singapore opening up it's doors to concerts once again, it's the right time for Kevin and Chris take a look at their favourite, worst and weirdest gigs they've ever been to.Who had the best production value? Which band bored Kevin to tears? Which gig did Chris walk out of halfway through? Where was the weirdest place they've ever gigged in? All this and more in this week's episode!******Do Like, Follow and Subscribe to Lion City Rock on RedCircle, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a comment...2022-10-1553 min
Lion City RockEp45: The Continuing Convo with Chang Kang of Typewriter (pt.2)GUESS WHAT? It's our continuing chat with Chang Kang, the lead singer of Typewriter AND an award-winning filmmaker in his own right!This time, we discuss...... whether having a music background helps when making movies... how to convince a band that a video with them slow jogging is the right choice...... and if Singaporean musos should sing in a Western accentAll this and more on #LionCityRock!LinksWatch the M1 adWatch It's Not EasyTypewriter tunes: Bandcamp & Spotify...2022-10-0746 min
Lion City RockEp44: We are One! feat. Chang Kang of Typewriter (pt.1)Can you believe it's been 1 year since we embarked on this journey with Lion City Rock? We're still pinching ourselves (not too hard though).To mark this anniversary, we have a special guest: Chang Kang, who sings and plays the guitar for the band, Typewriter; and is also a respected award-winning filmmaker and photographer. His music journey began in school with his band, The Ordinary People and he has since gone on to bigger and better things, including directing (arguably) the most famous telecom ad ever for M1; performing in Liverpool at the Cavern Club, and directing...2022-10-0154 min
Lion City RockEp43: Mee Pok Man, 12 Storeys and more movie musicRemember movie soundtrack albums? We do! Kevin and Chris look back at the Mee Pok Man and 12 Storeys original motion picture soundtracks –– the two albums that kickstarted a wave of local music soundtracks in the 1990s.Along the way, they also uncover mysteries like......how many times has Kevin's song, My One And Only been used in a soundtrack?...why can't Singapore music be heard in more movies or TV series?...what happens when you allow Kevin and Chris to go off-book and on a tangent?Links: Check...2022-09-2348 min
Lion City RockEp42: A look back at Humpback Oak's Pain-Stained MorningLOOK OUT! It's Lion City Rock! Join Kevin and Chris as they look back on one iconic album of the 1990s: Humpback Oak's Pain-Stained Morning.The album was a breakthrough for Humpback Oak, boosted by songs like Finer Life, Deep Door Down and Circling Square, and helped establish lead singer Leslie Low as one of the finest songsmiths from the Lion City. Kevin and Chris reveal their favourite tracks from Pain-Stained Morning; discuss the supposed controversy surrounding the album; theorise about its bleak cover and reconsider renaming these re-listening sessions the Talk Cock Appreciation Klub. (Thoughts, anyone?)2022-09-1457 min
Lion City RockEp41: Everything Is Coming Up Roses!In a space of four months, power trio Coming Up Roses released their latest EP, Everything Is, went to Canada and Indonesia, played their last show in Singapore for the foreseeable future, and are "opening a new office" in the UK.Comprising Emily Sera, Darius Oon and Lorenzo Mailum, Coming Up Roses has made a splash with songs like Waters, Glass Stained Eyes, Slingshots and Lies, wowing their audiences with their energetic live shows everywhere they go.But now they're at a crossroads: Emily and Darius are heading to the UK, while Lorenzo is pursuing...2022-09-061h 05
Lion City RockEp40: The Best Of Music CompilationsMusic compilations or playlists, as they're called these days, aren't just a great way to have your favourite tracks altogether.Singapore's music compilations offer a unique look at the musical heritage and history of the Lion City. From the 1980s Class Acts albums to the 1990s New School Rock series, from 2009's 100 Singapore '60s to 2015's State Of Rock, you can learn much about what Singapore liked just from the music featured in these collections.Because these compilations were put together by humans and not algorithms, they were less of an echo chamber and...2022-08-291h 03
Lion City RockEp39: 1965 - The Year The Lion City Rocked (Pt2)In Part 2, Kevin and Chris continue their trek through 1965 to see what were the major happenings in that pivotal year: What was up with the idea to have pop bands perform before a movie started? Who were The Teenage Comets and why hasn't anyone done a biopic about them? And why was Gina Lollobrigida making a live appearance at the Lido Cinema?******Like, follow and subscribe to Lion City Rock on RedCircle, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a comment or review, and get updates on The Fast Colors' Facebook and Instagram...2022-08-1545 min
Lion City RockEp38: 1965 - The Year The Lion City Rocked (Pt1)Since it's National Day, we thought we'd look back to the year when all began: 1965.Singapore has split from the Malaysian Federation amid uncertainty about what lies ahead. But what is certain is that the local music scene never looked brighter. The success of groups like The Crescendos and The Quests has inspired many singers and musicians to come forth. Shirley Nair, Veronica Young, Naomi & The Boys, The Cyclones, The Checkmates, The Silver Strings, The Trailers, The Thunderbirds, The Angels, The Teen Comets, The Dukes, the list is seemingly endless.In Part 1, Kevin and Chris...2022-08-0857 min
Lion City RockThe Lion City Rock new season trailer MARK THE DATE! (That's 9 Aug 2022, in case you missed it)The Lion City Rock podcast returns for another season of peeling back the layers on our local music scene. It's new content with a new format, but still giving the same Lion City Rockin' goodness!We check out key dates, events and releases in Singapore's musical history and do a deep dive into the wonderful world of Lion City Rock.In the meantime, bone up on Seasons 1 and 2 available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, RedCircle and wherever you get your podcasts!Get m...2022-08-0203 min
Lion City RockEp37: What's next for Lion City Rock?In this explosive SEASON FINALE, Kevin and Chris sift through the season, handpicking their favourite bits and rambling on about where the Lion City's music scene is these days.They also discuss what could be in store for the next season: Should Kevin do a special dance for Lion City Rock TikTok? Should Chris do a series of dad jokes? Or should they have a rant 'n' rave series just because they can?******Like, follow and subscribe to Lion City Rock on RedCircle, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a comm...2022-06-181h 06
Lion City RockEp36: The Ace of Bass: It's Joan Chew (Part 2)It's Part Two of our chat with Joan Chew, bassist of Lez Zeppelin, the all-female rock band that plays Led Zeppelin music 24/7.Can you really trust Craigslist to get a gig? How many Spinal Tap moments can you get in Lez Zeppelin? And why is Nite Bob such an institution? Joan shares what it took to move from the Lion City to the Big Apple, and more.******Check out Lez Zeppelin's videos here and see what they're up to on Instagram and Facebook.Check out what Joan Chew gets up to here.2022-06-0451 min
Lion City RockEp35: The Ace of Bass: It's Joan Chew! (Part 1)Nowadays Joan Chew is rockin' crowds in the US as the bassist of Lez Zeppelin, the all-female rock band that performs the music of Messrs Plant, Page, Jones and Bonham.But did you know that she started out playing violin in a string quartet at the Intercontinental Hotel right here in the Lion City?In this first of a two-parter, we trace her musical beginnings and how that helped get her ready to face the wide world of music.******Check out Lez Zeppelin's videos here and see what they're up to...2022-05-2741 min
Lion City RockEp34: Going a cappella with Amanda Ong!Meet Amanda Ong, a singer whose preference for a cappella music – performance of a polyphonic (multipart) musical work by unaccompanied voices – means she has all but stripped away any musical accompaniment in her recent recordings.But what does it take to be an a cappella singer in Singapore? Where can one readily find venues that will showcase such music? And will Benjamin Kheng really collab with Amanda?The answers to these questions and more in this week's episode!******Check out Amanda's music hereCheck out New Recording 47's music here...2022-05-2154 min
Lion City RockEp33: Hougang homeboy: It's Houg!How did Houg go from carting passengers in private hire cars to carting keyboards for gigs? Why is he his harshest critic? Why shouldn't you be afraid to ask for help? And how did a taxi driver help kickstart Houg's personal musical voyage overseas?We were excited to chat with Houg because he is one of Singapore's most exciting chillwave musicians today. He has gone from strength to strength, culminating in his latest album, The Biting Tempo, which was released earlier this year.******Check out Houg's music videos here, and buy The Biting...2022-05-141h 16
Lion City RockEp32: Meet the new breed: It's Causeway Youth!When Jazreel met Esther in school, it was a sure sign that they would start a band called Causeway Youth. At least, that's how we see it. But their journey has faced obstacles and challenges, such as naysayers who think their band has no direction. But time and time again, the girls have faced down their adversaries and cleared the challenges in their path.They share......what it's like to perform at the Geylang Serai pasar malam...how to deal with mentors who don't quite come up to snuff...whether or...2022-05-071h 03
Lion City RockEp31: Movies and music with Eric Khoo!Filmmaker Eric Khoo needs no introduction right? He's best known for films like Mee Pok Man, 12 Storeys, Be With Me, My Magic, Ramen Teh and more, but did you know he cut his teeth making music videos? Find out how his love for music affects the way he creates his acclaimed films.******Check out Eric's Zhao Wei Films here.Watch Eric's music videos for The Oddfellows' Lost My Head, She's So Innocent and Your Smiling Face, as well as The Padres' Radio Station, Angel and Freakout Frequency, and CU1359's Loving Laurie.2022-04-291h 00
Lion City RockEp30: Behind Snakeweed with Leonard Soosay!It's a long 'un, but a goodie! Producer extraordinaire Leonard Soosay has twiddled the knobs for both in the studio and at gigs for JJ Lin & Gentle Bones & Charlie Lim & INCH & Narelle & Neural Vibe & Ossuary & Electrico & Force Vomit & Great Spy Experiment & The Boredphucks & Caracal & Pleasantry and well... just about everybody.How did he and Snakeweed Studios come to be this juggernaut of the local music scene? Listen and find out.******Check out Snakeweed Studios here.Watch the new Snakeweed Sessions videos here. Check out Snakeweed's previous videos.******...2022-04-221h 18
Lion City RockEp29: Walk on the M1ld side with David Siow!A major part of David Siow's musical journey includes producing music – as a member of bands TakeTwo and M1ldl1fe, and solo as DSML. But he also hopes to get Singapore music beyond our borders. How can the Lion City's music make a bigger mark on the world stage? Answers in this episode!******Listen to David's music as DSML and with M1LDL1FE******Like, follow and subscribe to Lion City Rock on RedCircle, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a comment/review, and get updates on The F...2022-04-141h 15
Lion City RockEp22: Electronic music pioneer: It's Case Woo!Case Woo has been dropping beats for nearly 30 years, first with collab collectives like electro-punk trio Daze, and EDM outfit Quadmix, among others, and then as a solo artist. Along with Joe Ng, Jason Tan and Leonard T, Case Woo was part of the pioneering group of producers taking the big leap into the electronic music scene in Singapore, and later, around the world, working with the likes of Kit Chan, Chris Ho, Dick Lee, Sandy Lam and more.Here, he shares......why winning awards isn't that important...how meeting Depeche Mode affected...2022-02-2559 min
Lion City RockEp21: A new season with The Fast Colors!And we're baaaaack! It's a brand new season and Chris and Kevin return with more conversations about Singapore's pop scene.But first, it's a special performance by The Fast Colors, the only band covering songs from the Lion City. Recorded in January at the Festive Arts Theatre @ Our Tampines Hub, The Fast Colors took a musical journey, going through Singa-pop's history and heritage with songs from the 1960s to the 2010s. If this podcast was a musical, this concert would be it. Or perhaps not.Featured in the set:Radio Station (The Padres)Murder...2022-02-251h 08
Lion City RockEP14: Wait a minute, 2021 is nearly over?And so this is Christmas ... and what have we done? Another year nearly over, a new one just about to begin. In this episode, Kevin and Chris take a look back at the year and recount their Lion City Rock journey. Well, kind of. Mostly, they end up talking about anything and everything under the sun. This is what happens when you give them drinks and record at night.But they do answer some intriguing questions about being on a podcast, local music and why the Internet is mightier than the sword.******2021-12-2759 min
Lion City RockEp10: Making waves with The Analog GirlIt's our 10TH EPISODE!And we have none other than Mei Wong, a.k.a. The Analog Girl. To our minds, she the embodiment of the D.I.Y. spirit, ever since she put up a concert for her dad at home when she was a young girl so that he would agree to let her pursue a music career.Throughout her journey, she has shown that it's sometimes best to seize the day and make things happen for yourself instead of waiting for the world to change.Whether it's headlining a show...2021-11-291h 03
Lion City RockEp9: Rock steady with Ray AzizMusic educator Ray Aziz spends his days teaching children how to appreciate rhythms, melodies and the stories behind the songs they learn.But Ray's story behind his musical journey is worth noting: beginning with drumming for rockers Swirling Madness and later, joining Singapore's first full-on punk rock band, Opposition Party.His next stop was the US, where he honed his musical knowledge before returning to our shores, where he has kept the beat for various musical units including The Observatory, The Crowd and more.*****If you liked listening to this episode...2021-11-2253 min
Lion City RockEp8: Sonic capers with Saiful IdrisIn 2015, Saiful Idris and his band The Great Spy Experiment finally called it a day after 10 years of rocking the nation with their infectiously catchy brand of dance-punk-rock.But that wasn't the end of the road for Saiful, who has carved a new niche for himself putting out pumping dance/electronic music that seems a far cry from what The Great Spy Experiment was about, but really, it was the next logical step in his evolution as a music fan.In between being an educator, he created Surrender HQ and SRNDR Records, providing a platform...2021-11-151h 03
Lion City RockEp7: Sheena - we mean, Ginette - was a punk rockerAs the bassist of Psycho Sonique, one of Singapore's first all-girl punk bands in the 1990s, Ginette Chittick made young hormonal teens drool as they played their spitfire songs on stages in Singapore and Malaysia.They recorded several songs - along with an EP, We Can Do It - that showcased a "just do it" attitude better than any shoe with a swoosh. She later joined Astreal, a band whose ethereal music is a far cry from the frenzied sounds of Psycho Sonique.The punk ethos and can-do attitude helped Ginette learn to play bass...2021-11-081h 01
Lion City RockEp6: 25 years of ElectricoWith No1 singles and hit albums, Electrico were the band of the 2000s in Singapore. Formed as a quartet, they eventually settled on their classic line-up of Amanda, Dave, Daniel, Desmond & William in 2003, which led to one wild rollercoaster ride as they drove on to become the Lion City band to beat.But as the 2010s rolled around, the band - now reduced to the core trio of Dave, Desmond and William - took a back seat. But this year, they've returned with a renewed vigour and new music.Dave, Des and Will take stock...2021-11-041h 05
Lion City RockBonus: Commemorating Chris HoOn 27 Sept, 2021, Chris Ho passed away, joining the great gig in the sky. He was "forever 27", so in a way, he's also a member of the 27 Club.As the singer of Zircon Lounge, Chris Ho helped push New Wave onto our shores. As the columnist who wrote Pop Life and radio deejay, he introduced local artists to the mainstream audience here. As the author of Skew Me, You Rebel Meh? he bared his self and his thoughts to the public.A storyteller through and through, Chris Ho shared his thoughts some of which were biting...2021-10-2748 min
Lion City RockEp5: The goal is soul with Dru ChenFor most of his life, Dru Chen has turned to music for soulful expression.After graduating from university, he carved out a career as one of the bright young stars in Singapore. He's certainly one of the most hardworking: he has put out several EPs and singles since 2013, as well as a full-length album, Mirror Work (2019). By the time you hear this, his new album, Slow Life, would be ready to go.So how did a young boy from Melbourne plant roots in Singapore and make the Lion City his musical home?*****2021-10-2552 min
Lion City RockEp4: Progressively rockin' with Daniel SassoonGuitarist extraordinaire and furkid dad Daniel Sassoon jumps on the Lion City Rock bandwagon with us!Daniel Sassoon is not, as far as we know, related to Vidal, but he's no less talented. The legal eagle is one of the coolest guitarists we know.He lived through the '90s with rock outfit Livonia; he was rockin' out with 2000s pop-rock faves Electrico; and he later became the head honcho of rock instrumental group In Each Hand A Cutlass, whose two albums, A Universe Made of Strings and The Kraken have been critically acclaimed.2021-10-181h 07
Lion City RockEp3: What is SG Indie?In the 1990s, the Singapore music scene experienced a resurgence, with many indie bands dropping new singles and albums every year. After the dearth of material in the 1970s and 1980s, it was sometimes called the "second wave" of local music or "the indie years".Artists who topped the charts during this era included The Oddfellows, Watchmen, Kick, Livonia, Humpback Oak, Art Fazil and Daze, among others. But how did this indie explosion come about?Chris and Kevin take a look back at what happened with Singapore's indie scene and can it compare to the...2021-10-1148 min
Lion City RockEp1: 30 years of Teenage Head with Patrick Chng (Part 1)It's our very first episode!We're celebrating the start of Lion City Rock by marking the 30th anniversary of the seminal indie album, Teenage Head by The Oddfellows, with a very special guest - the chief Oddfellow himself, Patrick Chng!Singapore's indie scene owes a debt to The Oddfellows, a band that formed in 1988 and helped to shape the music scene in the 1990s. With influences from Husker Du, The Replacements and REM, The Oddfellows were the benchmark for young musicians back then. They continue to create music and have a new album out, What's...2021-09-271h 01
Lion City RockLion City Rock trailerJoin Chris Toh and Kevin Mathews in Lion City Rock, a brand new podcast about Singapore's pop music scene. Each week, we plug into important Singapore music moments in the Lion City, with special guests and much, much more!It's everything about Singa-pop that you never knew you needed to know. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/lion-city-rock/donations2021-09-1400 min
Talks With TohS1:E24 - Christopher Toh: Machine Learning on Genetic Information (ft. Austin Lefebvre)On this episode of the Austin Lefebvre joins the podcast as host! This time interviewing Chris about his research in Big Data, Genetics, and Machine Learning. We talk about Chris' own research on COVID-19, as well as his work on cancer and Schizophrenia. We also discuss work life balance, his perspective on why he chose the Biomedical field and also what he's learned doing humanitarian work overseas. To learn more about Chris' work check out the Brody Lab at UCI or find him on his LinkedIn Profile.
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Talks With TohS1:E1 - Ryan Donahue: Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School, & Scientific PublicationsChris Toh is a UCLA Graduate and is a current PhD Candidate at UC Irvine. In this inaugural podcast he interviews Ryan Donahue who works in Dr. Kyriacos Athanasiou's lab, specifically on tissue engineering solutions to address temporomandibular joint disorders. Discussions on grad school, scientific papers, and other related topics.
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/talks-with-toh/support2019-09-1857 min