10 Local Underground Bands You Need to Know

I have been fortunate to see a few amazing talented Malaysia underground bands performed for certain concerts and gigs (live musical performance). If you haven't been exposed to the music of Malaysia's local bands, this list is a good excuse for you to start. Time to add some local flavour to your playlist. Here are some local underground bands you need to know:

1) Bunkface

Formed in 2006, the band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Sam (Shamsul Anuar), bass guitarist Youk (Farouk Jaafar), and lead guitarist Paan (Ahmad Farhan). They release their first Malay debut “Situasi” in 2007. Bunkface is a Malaysian rock band that is based in Klang. With the rise of the entertainment scene here in Malaysia, Bunkface has been performing together for 13 years. Bunkface popularity soared when their hits “Silly Lilly”, “Through My Window” and “Revolusi” were played on local radio.

2) Hujan

The band began forming in 2006 and known as a Malaysian indie alternative rock band named HUJAN. Consisting of five members, Noh Salleh, Hezry Hafidz, Azham Ahmad, Hang Dimas andIzzat Uzaini, the band recognizes one of the leading alternative music acts in Malaysia. Although they considered themselves as an alternative, they tend to perform a variety of styles and genres. In 2009, Hujan won the best “Rock Album Band” and “Best Rock Song” categories in the local award, Anugerah Industri Muzik.

3) OAG

OAG or known as “Orang Asia Genius” (Genious Asian) or “Old Automatic Garbage” is based on Kuching, Sarawak. The band has been in Malaysia music industry for 26 years that formed since 1992. OAG also is the first English language alternative rock band in Malaysia that received attention from numerous music listener. However, the band went through many changes to its line-up. The current line-up of the band are Muhammad Radhi Razali (vocals), Qi Razali (drums), Muhamad Nizam (guitar), Nazrin Zabidi (bass guitar), and Izmer Khasbullah (keyboard).

4) Gerhana Ska Cinta

Gerhana Skacinta is a Malaysian band that specializes in the musical style of ska (a music genre originated in Jamaica). The band influences from the pioneers of the genre, idolizing bands like the Skatalites and the Wailers. Their first album released in 2002, entitled "Boss Sounds". Prior to their debut, Gerhana Skacinta appeared on the 2001 Tribute to Sweet Charity album and a compilation in 2002 entitled Skali Skale.

5) Salammusik

The band is famous for the new rhythm and the musical mix of cultural elements with modern rhythm such as rock, reggae, and hip-hop. The band established in 2006 and their first album entitled “Salam Music” received the best album reward in local award 19th Music Industry Award. In Malay “salam” means “safe” and “musik” means “music” which to deliberate music as the harmonic music.

6) Estranged

Based in Damansara, Kuala Lumpur and consisting of Rich Gimbang, lead guitarist, Nor Enha Hanafi and rhythm guitarist, Din Hormatov. The band has released four full albums, In Hating Memory (2004), Remain Unknown (2008), Anugerah Hidup (2013) and Sepenuhnya (2016). Estranged is one of the local band who get to perform Asia's very first MTV World Stage Live In Malaysia concert that was held in Malaysia on 15 August 2009.

7) ACAB

Formed in 1994 and led by singer/guitarist Megat 'Magskin' Hafiz, they were one of the very first Malaysian skinhead bands. The name ACAB was converted to The ACAB in 2003 after Megat returned to Malaysia and fought a new genre of rock indie, music that attracted him while in London. In March 2009, they released an album titled “This Is The ACAB” which featured new line-ups; Max, Eddie, Irfan and Mono.

8) Estrella

Estrella is a jazz indie band which originally consisted of three members, Ashraf, Syariful Adzwan (Yob), and fronted by Liyana. To make it sounds poetic, they came out with the name Estrella meaning “stars beam” in Spanish. In 2006, they made a very first performance at Troubaganger acoustic gig while their first self titled debut album was out in 2008.

9) Pesawat

After 3 years retirement from music industry, Pesawat returned with latest single titled “Luluh”. Consisting of five members, they were known for their bilingual brand of indie rock with a post-punk edge across Malaysia and South East Asia. In 2008, they released their first album entitled “Mirage” while their debut album “Take Off” consisted of seven hit singles in 2011.

10) Couple

Couple was one of the earliest band in Malaysia that still active until today. The band has already released 3 albums and has over 338,000 fans on Facebook up to date. From humble beginnings, this band has taken KL by storm with indie genre music. The band includes Hana Abdul Aziz, the lead guitar, drummer Ihsan Ariffin, bass Ojoe Azizul, guitarist Idris Taufiq.