[BAND] Sekumpulan Orang Gila

Sekumpulan Orang Gila (SOG) is an uprising Post-Hardcore/Metalcore band from Batu Caves, Malaysia. Consists of six talented commoner. They are Acap (vocal/scream), Adek (guitar/clean vocal), Nazrin (guitar/clean vocal/bamboo flute/cello), Lee (drums), Mel (bass) and Naz (keys/synth). Started their serious journey during mid-2009 with six enthusiastic teenagers ; Nazrin, Adek, Mel, Lee, Acap and Sam. They have big music influence towards post-hardcore bands such as The Devil Wears Prada, UnderOath and We Came As Roman. Now SOG is better than before after Nazhar replaced Sam due to some internal reason in mid-2010.

Since then, SOG expanded their music influences when Nazrin, Adek and Naz utilizing their music knowledge that they learned in their university into SOG, and then they also added some native world music such as African, Indian and Arabic beats + melodies, Malay traditional tunes and some classical elements like music from baroque and romantic period. As the result, SOG created a massive crossover/hybrid tunes that made them becoming more flexible to perform in any event such as total underground gigs, prom night, corporate events, acoustic session and even mainstream stages.

SOG became the champion of Battle Of Acoustics 2010 at Lepaq Cafe, Kelana Jaya and NAZRIN won 2nd place in KEYNOTE 2010 (a brand new ASTRO reality TV show searching for talented composer and producer around Malaysia). SOG also shared stage with lots of popular local bands and international bands such as USA's top-screamo-darling, EYES SET TO KILL live in KL last 10th July 2011. Recently, SOG won a high-profile Battle Of The Band, Celcom UOX Battle'11 that was held at Opera Sunway Pyramid defeating more than 100 bands throughout Malaysia.

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THIS IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE INTERVIEW

p/s We are only able to interview Nazrin Shah, guitarist, SOG.


Hello guys, how are you?

Hello, we are doing great here.

We would like to ask some questions about your band, if you don't mind? 

Hey, its okay. go ahead

Okey first, how did you come up with the band name?

All right, first of all, we are so sorry because we are not good in English but we'll try to make you understand what we will say and answer.

Okay, SEKUMPULAN ORANG GILA (a bunch of crazy dudes) is originated from the acronym of our previous name, SOG (sound of genocide). During mid of 2009, all of us (SOG) agreed to rebrand ourselves to a new direction hence we changed our name to SEKUMPULAN ORANG GILA.

People always asked why sekumpulan orang gila? We are not that 'gila' like crazy people who lost their minds because of stress etc, in malay, we are 'gila berkarya'. We have strong passion towards creating arts towards sounds and performances.

In other case, we think that Sekumpulan Orang Gila is quite a catchy and controversial name that can makes us to easily move forward. Heheh

Haha okey, how long you guys have been a band together?

We've been together since may 05, so now 6 years and 3 months.

Wow, you guys are strong enough.
How does it feel to be in a professionally signed band?

Hey thanks, actually we didnt signed in any major labels yet. But now we are in process of signing album recording contract with Universal Records, but we are still in process of signing album recording contract with Universal Records.

Owh, great!
Okey, where is your hometown?

Basically 5 of us are from Selayang/Batu Caves, and 5 of us are studying at UiTM Shah Alam.

Erm, do the people back at home support you?
I apologized for being asked personal questions.

It's okay, people back at home? Some of them are quite supportive, some of them takes time to convince them and proof them that we are heading north and some of them, haisshhh. Heheh

Okay, to the next question. Who is your idol and why?

System Of A Down, The Devil Wears Prada, We Came As Romans, Asking Alexandria, August Burns Red. These are our idol in terms of making music in SOG.

And what's your favorite song of all time?

Hm, thats quite subjective, because each of our band mates have different taste of music. For me, im a universal listener so its hard for me to choose which one is my favourite.

Haha, okey.
What's the most bizarre thing to happen while you guys were onstage?

Actually its not bizarre for us. But its quite funny during onstage, we looked at each others when one of us did a mistake and then we laughed out loud though during breakdowns etc.

Do you guys have any other hobbies, besides making music?

Because of we are SEKUMPULAN ORANG GILA, we like to do something bizarre in front of public like, prank one of our band mates in front of public by accusing him and shout aloud telling that he fart just now and it smells soooooo bad.

haha, fun!
Erm, You guys have a new album out soon or gigs coming up?

InsyaAllah, we will be releasing our debut material this coming october/november.Stay tune!

If you guys touring soon, Who was your favourite band to tour with?

We are really hope that one day we will share stage with TDWP. Other than that, We Came As Romans, August Burns Red, Architects, Asking Alexandria, A Day To Remember, Woe Is Me and UnderOath.

For last question, do you enjoy being a celebrity?

Ahahahahaha!We dont think that we are in that level to be called as 'celebrity'.

Who's know after you guys win U.O.X battle.

It's just a competition, just a battle band, not a reality tv show.

What are your hopes for the near future?

We are really hoping that people out there to check us out and support us and we are currently striving for mainstream arena, hope that mainstream listeners accept our tunes.

Alright, thank you for giving us a little time.

hey, no problemo!