The Union
A Sojourn To The 80′s: The Union
With special guest appearance by Jaya – Michael Jackson of JB
Photos of actual event held on 17th July 2011 at Bukit Timbalan:
THE UNION is a combination of 2 very popular pub/club bands, BIG GAME and S.W.V. Both bands have performed for many corporate and private events. All members have also held regular nightly gigs at various well known outlets in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Both BIG GAME and S.W.V are in fact 2 of the better known live acts here and have enjoyed an exceptional run in the local club circuit.
From left : Ridzwan Hamid (Wan), Seen, Raymond Chia and Gerard Singh.
Outlets they have performed at include; The Backyard Pub, Uncle Chilli’s at PJ Hilton, Hard Rock CafÈ, La Bodega, Bojangles, The Bulldog, Waikiki bar, Bernard’s, The Royal Selangor Club, PD Royal Yacht Club, Ol’ Skool Bistro, The Social, Karma, National Press Club, Souled Out, Mojo’s, Titus Blues Avenue etc
THE UNION is currently doing nightly gigs at THE MANDOLIN ( Kelana Jaya) and MIRACLES (PJ8) on Fridays and Saturdays respectively! All band members have garnered years of musical experience (both in and out of the recording studios) and each brings his own ideas and experience to the group.
Wan
Wan has been singing professionally for the past 15 years with bands such as Lost Souls, 9 Lives, S.W.V and Day se7en. Wan was the lead singer for Lost Souls when they became the first Malaysian band to reach 70,000 record sales for an English album. Also, Lost Souls were the first Malaysian band to play in front of 55,000 people as the opening act for Bon Jovi in Kuala Lumpur in 1995. This led to touring the country for 14 months to promote the debut album.
He has performed in many of the top venues in Kuala Lumpur i.e The Hard Rock Café, Planet Hollywood, Uncle Chilli’s (PJ Hilton), The Emporium, Modesto’s, The Shangri-la Hotel chain etc etc. His three piece band, S.W.V, was crowned Carlsberg’s Centrestage Champions in 2003. This competition was to discover the best pub band nationwide.
Gerard Singh
Gerard is a renowned singer, songwriter, and musician with many highlights in his career, including winning the 1st prize in the acclaimed “Carlsberg Top of the Pubs” competition and being extensively involved in jingle production for radio and TV.
His debut solo album, “A Slice of the Pie”, which was launched in June 2004, garnered a lot of attention from the local media and was also nominated for two awards in the local Anugerah Industri Musik (AIM).
Raymond Chia
Raymond was the keyboard player with Southern Reign before deciding to perform as a soloist in the local pub circuit. One of the better solo performers around, gaining a lot of popularity with the pub and club community for his unique brand of music!
This multi- talented performer not only plays great keyboards but is also an excellent singer in his own right. He is also the 2nd runners up in the group category of the “Carlsberg Centerstage” competition in 2003. Raymond and Gerard Singh have recently released an album of original English material as the duo BIG GAME. The album entitled SOCIAL ANIMALS was launched successfully at the Backyard Pub on the 22nd on November 2009.
Seen
Seen has been a professional guitarist for the past 18 years. Was the lead guitarist with Lost Souls. Together with Wan they form a singer/songwriter combination. He has played for many artists in Malaysia. Also a versatile musician as he can sing and play the bass guitar.
Played at over a 100 clubs, bars and concerts around the country. Recognised as one of the best young up and coming guitarist by his peers. He has been featured in many local guitar magazines.
Arul S. C. Devadawson
Arul started a club career in a reggae band called X’odus in 92 and played in various clubs around the capital and later other states. The next project was a local recording band called Lost Souls in 94, which saw the opening of Bon Jovi’s concert at Shah Alam Stadium. At the end of that he pursued other ambitions until a recording project, Amigone, came along in 2001.
In 2004 he went back to the club scene with LaViva, that covered mostly Latin American rhythms. After which he pursued the DIY recording scene with bands like DUKE(rock) and Tragic Comedy(commercial rock), alternating with function/show bands such as Blues Treats (blues) and Flame Throwers (Motown/RnB). 2008 he saw to the revival of John’s Mistress through a string of concerts and live appearances over radio and television, which finally brings us to… The Union.
Bringing energy and verve that are a welcome respite and his myriad of experiences injects into the band intense musicianship and gruff passion, spurring The Union to rapturous response.
