Lovesick Avenue champions heart songs

“We started playing music because of the ‘Boo Hoo Clapping Song’,” says Khairi Anuar, guitarist for Lovesick Avenue, the latest indie pop sensation to come out of the rustic, largely industrial landscape of Shah Alam in Selangor, Malaysia.

For those not familiar with the bastions of Malaysian underground music, the aforementioned song is the trademark cut from now legendary Malaysian punk pioneers Carburetor Dung. “We are largely influenced by local underground bands back in the 90s,” adds Khairi. Not unheard of though it might be (Bodysurf bands from Ipoh like Free Love and Harmacy literally make a musical living out of the tail-end of 90s alternative rock bands), it’s perhaps refreshing to see a band that’s not so urgently mindful of being a hip magnet.

In many ways, Nawwar Shukriah (vocals), Akram Jamil (guitars), Mohd Nasrul (bass), Faisal PAE (drums), Khairul Fatin (keys) and Khairi’s journey together has been a long and retrospective one–one that has taken them from the playgrounds to where they are today as UiTM degree students and employees in the working world (one of them is an engineer). “We shared the same interests and passions such as our love for music and teh ais (Malaysian milk tea),” adds Khairi. “The idea to start a band came much later.” 
 
But as a musical unit, Lovesick Avenue appears to display less of a cohesive mindset. Not that it is a detrimental thing, of course. In fact, it provides a fresh musical insight into the increasingly predictable indie music scene. The two cuts released by the band officially so far do have fairly contrasting properties. ‘Purple Bracelet’, the earlier cut from the band, sees them in full 90s flight with dirty guitars, lazy drumbeats and Nawwar in full Tanya Donelly sneer mode. But the latest cut released by the band, ‘Euphony 2009’, sees them updating their sound somewhat, merging 90s indie melodic sensibilities with a driving disco beat and midi-blipping synth lines. Even Nawwar’s lost some of the earlier sneer, replaced by a confident sheen that’s very radio-friendly. Perhaps that’s what makes the band special: their ability to merge constituencies from two fairly contrasting periods of music to call it their own. Or maybe it’s their incessant need to sing heartbreak songs, perhaps an overenthusiastic tribute to their name. “Chicks dig heartbreak songs,” notes Khairi coyly.   

Being fairly new kids on the indie block can be a wondrous thing. No burdening need to conform to expectations, no politics; just brazen rock ‘n’ roll and big dreams, with one of them being asked to score a film too. “A Yasmin Ahmad film, of course, because we love her work,” says Khairi without hesitation before offering a typically Lovesick Avenue-like contrast by adding, “Or a teen movie too.” Ah, the beauty of youthful enthusiasm.

WORDS THE GEEK PHOTO LOVESICK AVENUE
www.myspace.com/lovesickavenue

*Taken from Junk's May 2009 issue

Lovesick Avenue will be performing at KLue Urbanscapes 2009! Click HERE for more info!