Album Review: Projekt AK 'FUNKdeMENTAL' by meportal.net

Disiarkan Pada 12 Aug 2011 02: 39 Oleh one.barchiel di www.meportal.net

Komuniti underground tempatan pastinya sudah
lama mengenali Projekt A. K. yang ditubuhkan
pada 1995 ini. Mereka sering menyertai gig- gig
Hardcore di seluruh negara pada awal
pembabitan mereka dalam scene . Projekt A. K.
ketika itu merupakan pelopor trend rapcore dan
berbekalkan dua EP iaitu “Against
Kounterplot”(1997 ) dan “Prototyp”( 2002) ,
mereka telah berjaya membina satu reputasi
yang memberangsangkan dalam scene
underground lokal kita.

Seperti band- band lain secara amnya,
pertukaran anggota band adalah sesuatu yang
lumrah. Projekt A. K. telah beberapa kali
mengalami masalah sedemikian, namun dengan
semangat yang kuat mereka meneruskan
penglibatan mereka dan mencari idea- idea
baru. Transformasi yang paling ketara pastinya
arah muzikal mereka yang kini lebih kepada
irama funky- rock.

Album “FUNKdeMENTAL” ini amat ketara
elemen funky dan groove- nya. Muzik
sedemikian jarang diterokai oleh band- band
tempatan. Album ini jelas menampakkan
bahawasanya Projekt A. K. memainkan muzik
yang lahir dari hati mereka sendiri dan bukan
untuk pasaran semata-mata . Beberapa lagu-
lagu menarik termuat dalam album ini seperti
“Higher” yang turut mempunyai versi lain dalam
bahasa Malaysia iaitu “Inspirasi”, “Confusion ”,
“Tonite”, “Alright” dan “Angel ”. Keseluruhannya
“FUNKdeMENTAL” mampu menjadi duta muzik
funky bagi muzik lokal kita. Lagu- lagu yang
dipersembahkan mempunyai originaliti yang
kukuh dan berjaya mengalih tanggapan umum
bahawa muzik funky adalah seperti Red Hot
Chilli Peppers semata-mata . Funky yang
Projekt A. K. persembahkan ternyata berat dan
banyak diiringi gitar- gitar distortion.

Dua anggota asal Projekt A. K. iaitu Rudy
(vokalis ) dan Fyzal (drums ) masih kekal dalam
band ini sementara Syahmi (gitaris) telah
menganggotai Projekt A. K. sejak 1997 lagi.
Penyertaan Andy Flop Poppy selaku bassist
pada 2006 pula kekal sehingga kini. Line- up ini
dilihat agak mantap dan mampu membawa
Projekt A. K. ke destinasi yang lebih tinggi
dalam arena Rock- Alternatif kita.

Mampukah Projekt A. K. menjadi trendsetter
bagi muzik funky sepertimana mereka menjadi
trendsetter bagi rapcore dahulu? Marilah kita
sama- sama mengharapkan yang terbaik bagi
Projekt A. K. buat masa kini dan akan datang.
Seni mereka sememangnya berada di arah
positif bagi industri muzik tanahair .


---
Most fans like myself still do embrace the old rapcore. However we can't keep sticking our minds in the past. We have to move on and explore new things. Bad sign was when I went to an international gig (80s rockstars), our local 80s rockers were still stuck with their glam-rock image, whereas the international acts were already with modern clothing. Get where I'm going? We like to hold on too long of our past. I'm guilty too... chow!

Projekt AK Biography

courtesy of Projekt AK

Projekt A.K., one of the premier groups formed in late 1995, the original members consisted of Nazri and Rudy on vocals, Knox (of local hardcore pioneers Chronic Mass) on guitar, Zani on bass and Fyzal on drums. The band first made their mark on one of the first local hardcore releases ever, the Visionville Hardcore compilation released in 1996. The band issued the Against Kounterplot E.P. in 1997 to critical aclaim and the E.P did considerably well . Sometimes in '98, Knox left the band to concentrate on his own band, Chronic Mass. The band then added ex-Basic Right, Status103,Groundrule guitarist Amy and ex-Infectious Maggots guitarist P.E. to boost the line-up. Projekt A.K. gigged constantly throughout '98 and '99 but then took a break in 2002 due to the work commitments of various band members.

Blending the imaginative wordplay and rapping of hip-hop music with the stomping and funky rhythms of rock and funk, Projekt A.K.'s music feeds the head as well as the heart, rocking the crowd in the moshpit. The rappers and the musicians in the band constantly push each other to new directions. While Nazri subtly shifts his delivery to adjust to the unpredictability of live instruments, the other band members intensify their musical attack to avoid being drenched by the fury of Nazri's lyrical rainstorm.



Projekt AK have played blistering live sets to crowds from KL to Kuantan to Singapore and back. Hundreds of shows.Among the shows they've taken part in include the seminal Hardcore Matinee back in 1996 at Piccadily, the Kent Fresh Freakout at Sunway Lagoon in 1998 as well organizing and headlining Renegades : The tribute To Rage Against The Machine show and the Big show in Stadium Melawati in Shah Alam where they performed with Koffin Kanser, Blind Tribe, A.C.A.B, Gerhana Ska Cinta and others. The band has also performed with some of the best local hip-hop talent Too Phat, The Tarik Crew, Da Joint and many more.


On the Prototyp E.P. released in February 2002, the band worked with former Malaysia DMC runner-up DJ Ken from the reknown Playaz Universe who provided some fresh beats and scratches to give the songs an even harder edge.

2005 was the year when Projekt AK reunited with original line ups namely Rudy, Nazri, Knox, Zani, Amy, Fyzal... after a long slumber from the underground scene, did an opening with comrades Pop Shuvit @ Hard Rock Café.

In 2006, since Zani the original bassist of Projekt AK is in Langkawi with commitments, Rudy called upon Andy Flop Poppy to join Projekt AK as the bassist. Amy and Fyzal remained as the line up. Nazri, Knox and Piee left for personal matters.

Current members namely (L-R): Faizal, Andy, Rudy and Syami

My review:

This time around, Projekt AK brings you the funk eliminating the rap-core part. Why, you ask? Fans around question this a lot and some of them still want to listen to their original genre; rap-core. Well why not? We've all grown up so much, do we still need to listen to rap-core? (Though I did request them to create something more hardcore on their next album, for the sake of their fans, and me teehee..)

I must say Projekt AK FUNKdeMENTAL is suitable for all, young and old, girls and boys. Fresh new songs with fresh new ideas. You don't need something 'angry' to satisfy your ears and soul, do you. Jangan tipu la, kau pun dengar Jason Mraz kan? I'd pay more attention to the music, ie: drums, bass and guitars. It's not that you can catch talented local musicians all the time. They're out there but unfound. But this band is just right infront of us. Take this chance to appreciate our musicians. If you're a musician, you'd understand what I'm saying. If you're not, then it's time to learn to appreciate real music.

If you listen to FUNKdeMENTAL, I promise you it won't sound 'local'. Not to condemn local singers, but I must say the vocalist sounds really mat-salleh, y'all! Haha.. I'm not surprised if they have international fans, and they do, trust me. I've let some elderly English speaking people listen to the album and they were all surprised to know that it is a local band. I was proud to know that it raised brows.

What Projekt AK can offer, like any other independent band, is that they play as they wish. Own arrangements, self-produced, own masterpiece. There's no producer telling the bassist to slow down on the slaps, or telling the drummer to mute those ghostnotes, or telling the guitarist to go easy on the solos... nope... it's all in there. All in there! And I love it! It's my ultimate 'local band' satisfaction. So do we still need rap-core? Maybe in their next album. This time, give them a chance to prove their ability. You already know they can do what they did best before... :)

p/s: I only just hate the album cover. I asked them about and they said it was not Projekt AK's decision. So, no comment.

To listen to Projekt AK FUNKdeMENTAL, visit their website www.myspace.com/projektak and view their singles "Higher" and "Inspirasi".

If you browse youtube, you can find other songs like "Shadow Within" and "Alrite". Enjoy! :)

Projekt AK "FUNKdeMENTAL" Debut Album - OUT NOW!!

PROJEKT AK's latest album FUNKdeMENTAL
is
OUT IN STORES AND ONLINE NOW!!!

RM29.90
Purchase Online at projektak@gmail.com

Songs:
1. Higher
2. By the Beach
3. Groovin
4. Confusion
5. Tonite
6. Angel
7. Rendesvous In Rhu
8. Shadow Within
9. Inspirasi
10. Alright

GET YOUR COPY NOW!!

You can also order through me. Message me or projektak@gmail.com now!

Projekt AK LIVE: Pantai Chenang, Langkawi 2010

Catch Projekt AK at Langkawi this New Year's Eve!

Kugiran D'Tepi Pantai New Year Party

Venue: Babylon Batique, Pantai Chenang, Langkawi
Date: 31 December 2010
Time: 9.30pm onwards
Entrance: Free

See you there!!

Projekt AK LIVE: Fallen Heroes 2010

PROJEKT AK
LIVE AT ONE CAFE... AGAIN!

Band-band yang akan menggegarkan hari anda:
PROJEKT AK
Infectious Maggots
Spiral Kinetic Circus
Marlinspike
dan ramai lagi
(sila tengok risalah di bawah)

ANDA MAHUKANNYA??? ANDA MAHUKAN MEREKA???
Kecapilah nikmat bermuzika bersama artis kesayangan anda 11hb Disember 2010 ini. Jangan lupa bawa duit lebih untuk makan Fish & Chips yang lazat di One Cafe! Adios!

click to enlarge


Untuk yang buta, saya ejakan satu-satu:

Date: 11 Dec 2010 (Saturday)
Venue: One Cafe, KL
Time: 2pm and so on
Ticket Price: RM25

Projekt AK LIVE @ One Cafe 13 Nov 2010

JANGAN LUPA WOIIII!!!!


Tak nampak ke? Meh aku ejakan satu-satu..

***PROJEKT AK***
ROCKSTAR CONVENTION
ONE CAFE JALAN TAR
13 NOV 2010
ENTRY RM20
2PM TILL YOU DROP!

Other bands you might know: Blind Tribe and Subculture, plus many more..

Saya suka mengkritik maka tolonglah berikan show yang terbaik dari ladang dan perangai penonton yang senonoh ya... ganbatte ne! sekian.

entry reposted (3rd Oct 2010)

upcoming gigs for Projekt AK:
11 dec 2010 - one cafe
new year's eve - babylon langkawi

Projekt AK LIVE: Rockstar Convention 2010

click image to enlarge

Hey there, funksters! Told y'all that Projekt AK will be performing after Raya. I'll see you there!


***PROJEKT AK***
ROCKSTAR CONVENTION
ONE CAFE JALAN TAR
13 NOV 2010
ENTRY RM20
2PM TILL YOU DROP!

Other bands you might know: Blind Tribe and Subculture, plus many more..


***
p/s: personal dislike for the flyer. no offense, it's just me. aku kan paranoid sket..

***

UPCOMING GIG
FOR
PROJEKT AK

click image to enlarge

ORGANIZERRRR TOLONG BERENTI SIKAP SUKA SALAH TAIP NAMA BAND!
MACAM KORANG TAK AMBIK KISAH ISI HATI PEMINAT....
APATAH LAGI BAND-MEMBERS...

Projekt AK "FUNKdeMENTAL" Debut Album - Out Soon!

---------------
. P R O J E K T . A K .
----------------
FUNKdeMENTAL
2010 DEBUT ALBUM

COMING SOON TO FUNK YOUR MINDS
After Raya (2010)

My love/hate relationship with this band goes a long way. Can't wait for it to be out after so long. I mean like really really really long! All the best, guys.


For shows, contact Projekt AK
or through me also can one... (warning: aku extremely garang)

Projekt AK (Acid Trip - LIVE!): Underworld Screamers Penang 2010

Projekt AK - Acid Trip
LIVE @ Underworld Screamers Penang 2010

Projekt AK LIVE @ Switchblade!

It's been a long time since I posted anything on Projekt AK. Too busy to write my own shit. Too busy to even sleep!

PROJEKT AK

Catch Projekt AK LIVE @ Switchblade

Date: 6th August 2010 (Friday)
Time: 10 p.m.
Venue: Switchblade™ Kuala Lumpur (click for map)

It's a clothing store & diner.
No cover charge.
Suitable for family with children.

Projekt AK has been quite actively performing in small gigs. To name some; Penang Underground Screamers (17th July 2010) and lately at Yoko's, Changkat Bukit Bintang (23rd July 2010).

For those who've missed them, don't forget to catch their last show at Switchblade before puasa month! I'll be there!

Be their fan here! Listen to their single and view their latest pics!

(After Raya, more shows to come)

*******

Download Corner

Caller Ringtone: Projekt AK "Higher"

Maxis

"Higher" (Chorus) - Dial *131*133346#
"Higher" (Bridge) - Dial *131*133347#

or

1. Go to musicunlimited
2. Click Buy either on "Higher" Chorus or "Higher" Bridge

RM3 first purchase, renew at RM2 per song per month.

Digi

1. Taip GET 10100234818 dan SMS ke 2000 :: untuk Lagu Penuh
2. Taip GET 10100234811 dan SMS ke 2000 :: untuk bahagian Bridge
3. Taip GET 10100234810 dan SMS ke 2000 :: untuk bahagian Chorus


or

1. Go to DiGi Music
2. Click on the download icon for Full Song, Bridge or Chorus

RM5 for full song, RM4 for Chorus or Bridge

*******

Projekt AK : upcoming gig

Aku dengar (dengar lagi..) Projekt AK ada show kat Pulau Pinang bulan Julai nih.

Ni last nih... kalau tahun ni Projekt AK tak kuar material dia, aku seriously nak sabotaj show dorang. Cth: Potong wayar mikrofon vokalis. Patu aku passkan gunting kat anak aku, supaya tak dapat disabitkan kesalahan.

Projekt AK @ Lim Kok Wing 2010

(gambar EP lama)

I heard that Projekt AK will be performing at Lim Kok Wing on the 10th Feb 2010. Details, I'll get it soon...

See you there!

Projekt AK "Higher" - DiGi Caller Ringtone

And you said what? Not a Maxis subscriber??

No more reasons now! Download Caller Ringtone: Projekt AK's latest single "Higher" for Digi subscribers today! The best part is, you can even download their full song! pergh... jeles nih...

Cara-cara memuat-turun lagu Projekt AK "Higher" (DiGi sahaja):

1. Taip GET 10100234818 dan SMS ke 2000 :: untuk Lagu Penuh
2. Taip GET 10100234811 dan SMS ke 2000 :: untuk bahagian Bridge
3. Taip GET 10100234810 dan SMS ke 2000 :: untuk bahagian Chorus


or

1. Go to DiGi Music
2. Click on the download icon for Full Song, Bridge or Chorus

RM5 for full song, RM4 for Chorus or Bridge

Cepat download sebelum basi...

Projekt AK "Higher" - Maxis/Hotlink Caller Ringtone

Yiiihaaaa!!

I got myself my ever first Caller Ringtone: Projekt AK's latest single "Higher". Mulanya nak amik yang part Bridge dia, masa rap tu, tapi macam ganas sangat pulak kalau orang call pastu dengar lagu cam garang-garang. So, I decided to take the Chorus part.

It's easy. Follow these steps (Maxis only):

"Higher" (Chorus) - Dial *131*133346#
"Higher" (Bridge) - Dial *131*133347#

or

1. Go to musicunlimited
2. Click Buy either on "Higher" Chorus or "Higher" Bridge

RM3 first purchase, renew at RM2 per song per month.

Kalau anda seorang lelaki, amat sesuai part Bridge tu... mmm lazat!



Cepat download sebelum basi! hahaha...

Oh Humairah @ 4 months!

More to come :)

Sekarang Projekt AK dah nombor 4 kat Carta MET10 @ hitz.fm!

VOTE FOR THEM!

They need your support!

VOTE for Projekt AK @ hitz.fm MET10

Do you have friends who envy your success, or your work, or maybe just your EFFORT? Well I had friends like that, but now I don't... coz I don't consider them my friends anymore.

I don't know if it's just the MALAY culture, or are all races like that? Take this for an example: I know most restaurants have this thing called 'pelaris' which is some kinda black magic to make their business more successful, making people crave for their food, or somehow tend to always go back to that same restaurant although the food sucks. And if by any chance another rival comes, one of them will try to 'kill' their business using yet again black magic... yada yada.. I know some of you will disagree on this. I'm not dumb, okay. I've seen it with my own eyes. And it frustrates me to see other races joining hand in hand in bringing their business up together. Have you seen any Chinese restaurants unsuccessful?

Yes, there are some who don't use black magic. And I see Malay restaurants starting to get together to form 'food court' style, just like the Chinese do. More choices. More people. We all like that.

Same goes with our friends. I have good friends behind my back no matter what. We push ourselves to be the best, to go beyond our limits, to try new things. We'd give each other loopholes to go where we want to go. Give each other what we need to improvise ourselves. Proud to be part of it. But not some assholes I had before who will scrutinize and back stab me when I get to do something new, and they know that I could make it. They talk behind my back. Refuse to support. Refuse to help. And worst, try to bring me down. Pathetically they tried to do what I did but clueless of what they're doing. Just for the sake of competing. Thanks to these kind of people, some of us lose. Just like the restaurants. This is not envy, this is jealousy. They'd do whatever it takes, as long as we don't succeed. AS LONG AS WE DON'T SUCCEED. As long as we do not succeed... and they'll achieve victory, of what fuck.

What goes around, comes around. I still see them as pathetic as before. Good riddance.

---end---




new line up (pic upload by request... ok tak rudy?)



Vote for my (hehe) favourite local indie band:
VOTE! Projekt AK at hitz.fm MET10
VOTE! Projekt AK at hitz.fm MET10
VOTE! Projekt AK at hitz.fm MET10
VOTE! Projekt AK at hitz.fm MET10
VOTE! Projekt AK at hitz.fm MET10

Vote! Or you are not my friend... hahaha....... saiko.

I must have been a bad girl...

I guess God knows I am such a spoilt kid, he punishes me in a mild way.

I have eczema, not only on my hands.
I have a problem with my hip bone, or rather the whole of my lower body.
I have a painful bunion.
I don't have enough milk supply for my baby.

It may sound like nothing to some, but it does shatter my self-esteem. In a way feeling like a failure.

So if someone thinks I'm lavished in comfort, internally I suffer enough. If not physically, at least mentally. And if you know me, I'm easily depressed.

I can fake a pretty smile though. HAVE A GREAT DAY PEOPLE!! :D


IKLAN:
Tune in this Sunday 29th March 2009 4pm-5pm for Projekt AK's brand new entry single 'HIGHER' and an exclusive interview @ hitz.fm Malaysian English Top 10 with Uno & Moots of Pop Shuvit!

Projekt AK -- Latest Single-- !!

Ok, so Pineaplle must have heard people shouting... they've added KORN and Erykah ya? Still not going.. hehehe...

By the way, if you haven't heard already, Projekt AK has released its latest single Higher and Inspirasi. Their full 10-songs album will be out soon. Check them out at:

Projekt AK @ facebook.com
http://amp.channelv.com/projektak
http://www.myspace/projektak

I heard that they're already on air. I'm still checking out which station. Most probably Capital 88.9fm. Probably others too, I'm not too sure.

It's practically the same song, but in two different languages; Malay and English. Nope, it's not the direct translation if you don't understand Malay. Why two languages? Well you see, to capture the local market there's no other way other than singing in its mother tongue. How sad can that be, but that's the reality. I don't know whether it is the question of ego in us where we simply just don't want to accept local artiste singing in English or we have many locals who just can't understand English! Either way, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.. yup, create one Malay single.

Projekt AK is bringing out the funk in every one. I'm sure there are some other funk bands out there under the blanket or something but honestly Projekt AK can fulfill my inner crave in listening to music. I believe when you are in a band, each and every band member should play an important role in realising the music. That's what I can get from them. Take one out and you don't have a band. You get what I mean? Maksud aku, tiap orang tu kena ada talent la nak main betol2!!! Bukan setakat jengjengjeng je... camtu aku pun bleh main.

So go on and listen to our local act! I read in one of the comments from some other blog that we should stop idolising international acts so much. She's right... and wrong. We do have talents here too.. but then again, what's wrong with idolising others when they're really good? Timba ilmu sampai ke negara China.. heard that saying before?

Now go!!

Projekt AK @ facebook.com
http://amp.channelv.com/projektak
http://www.myspace/projektak

1 out of 10

I just realized someone has rated me 1 out of 10. Heh.. Thank you for even coming into this blog. For your information, I don't give a shiznit about that rating. For all I know, I appreciate the tendency for even giving this lame blog 1/10. I would have rated myself 0/10. Guess I'm not so bad after all.. yihhaa!

visit these instead:

my favourite indie band
> Projekt AK
my friend's blog
> Beauty in Darkness
> Mrs. Papi
artsy
> devianART

Projekt AK @ NTV7

My favourite local indie band would always be Projekt AK, period. They've been around ever since I started learning how to be street wise. Those were the days when we want to rebel, seeking for freedom, searching for your own identity... sigh... Those were the days... Gigs before were something to look forward to. And for a period, the gig scene kinda died. Now I see it rising again.

After the phenomenal era of the rock kapak, I seriously hated the local scene. Nothing beats the original rock kapak. Then came the rock leleh. Ok that's when I hated the local music scene. Alternatively, indie bands were the youth's choice. That's why at the time, indie bands were doing so great. You'd be surprised to know those youngsters play better than the mainstream artists. Indie bands make music. Mainstream bands just play, according to song producers and composers, just to hit their market sales. I have nothing against our local artists. I just prefer underground music. Baru feel...

Projekt AK's latest lineup are Rudy (Vocal), Faizal (Drums), Syami (Guitar), Andy (Bass) and Amy (Guitar). Though Amy chooses not to perform in gigs due to personal matters, he definitely plays a big role in the band, always. They are currently busy recording their latest album, title yet to be defined. Fans will notice the biggest difference is that there won't be anymore rapping in the album. They've all matured to a different approach but still maintaining the Funk genre. Agak kelakar la kalau nak tengok Rudy terkinja-kinja sambil rapping at his age la kan? I'm not saying that he can't, though. And I'm not saying he's old too.. hahaha... but I ain't saying he's young either. None of them are anyways. Whatever it is, true fans will want to listen to them no matter what.

So if you're a fan, was a fan, or wanting to be a fan, check them out tomorrow!

PROJEKT AK
Channel: NTV7
Show: 1...2...Jus! (Guest performing artist)
Time: 8.30 pm (I guess they will appear around 9.10pm..?)

If......... you missed the show, you can watch the reruns on Sunday I think (Astro) what time I don't know, or stream the reruns online at NTV7 website, but you can't forward or rewind.. which is a turnoff, plus if you're using Maxis Broadband jangan harap la nak tengok secara aman...



Enjoy!