EARLY YEARS : 1986
Malaysia Battle of Rock Competition - Federal Territory Champion
The band was started by vocalist Arwies, bassist Bard, drummer Dean, guitarist Zack and keyboardist Razak in February 1986. The five musicians form the band for the purpose of competing in Battle of Rock Competition in 1986. Both Zack and Razak are working full time at that time. Zack works for one of the statutory body; and Razak works for a local bank.
The band competes in Federal Territory Battle of Rock Competition (State Level) in September 10, 1986 and emerges as the Federal Territory Champion. This is enabling the SCANDALS to make it to the final representing Federal Territory. The decision to award the honour of representing Federal Territory was given by three judges, Nasser Abu Kassim of WEA, Fauzi Marzuki of EMI and T.Renganathan of Polygram. The runner-up is Hurricane and the third place is Maiden Child. Nine groups took part in the competition with the contestants tested on music arrangement, music combination, intonation, showmanship and attire.
The SCANDALS join eleven other finalists from other states for the Battle of Rock Final in October 1986 scheduled to take place in Stadium Negara. However due to authorities decision to ban the rock concert in the country, the contest was held at Hollywood East, Ampang Park, Kuala Lumpur. The other finalist are MAY (Perak), D’Febians (Johor), Metallion (Selangor), Desire (Kelantan), Hunter Five (Malacca), Power Kids (Negeri Sembilan), The Kids (Terengganu), Hezirath (Pahang), Black Fire (Perlis), Infra Red (Kedah) and Rock Gang (Penang).
MAY won the first place, the runner-up is D’Febians and the third place is Metallion and SCANDALS’ drummer Dean emerges as the Best Drummer in the final. Lokman Junid of Dewi Suhana Studio, Johor Baru and Peter Choo of Genesis Promotions, Kuala Lumpur are the main organisers for the Malaysia Battle of Rock Competition 1986.
Due to full time work commitments, both Zack and Razak decided to leave the SCANDALS after the contest.
THE RISING FORCE : 1987
Where Do They Go From Here...
The SCANDALS together with MAY, D’Febians, Metallion and Burnmarks (a previous years Johor Battle of Rock Champion) was offered by Warnada Records a contract to produce three compilation albums with each band to perform two original composition for each album. According to Lokman Junid and Warnada Records, the SCANDALS was also offered the contract is due to their unique tone and performance style. The albums were produced by Zainal Rampa.
Guitarist Hamdan Reko left Bloodshed after Bloodshed’s first full album in 1987 ‘Illusi Sebuah Mimpi’. He joins SCANDALS and recorded two songs. But soon after finishing the recording of the first Juara-Juara Rock album, Hamdan decided to quit for good. Guitarist Opie and Joe (both of them are left-handed guitarist) were later joined the SCANDALS. Opie was recommended by Hamdan as his successor, while Joe was handpicked by Arwies after seeing his potential of becoming one of the best guitarists in Malaysia.
Five SCANDALS band members: Arwies (Pahang), Bard (Kelantan), Dean (Kuala Lumpur), Opie (Selangor) and Joe (Johor) signed the contract with Warnada Records in 1987 at a very young age.
Bloodshed could not find a better guitarist to replace Hamdan and they are required to record their second album ‘Samarkand’ as per their contract with EMI Records. SCANDALS released Opie to join Bloodshed and left the band with four pieces.
Between end 1988 and early 1989, Arwies decided to take a break from music industry and disbanded the SCANDALS after too much restriction and regulation imposed into rock group from the authorities due to a few bad incidents (re: Penang incident) during an open rock concerts in Malaysia.
Joe continue his rock music career by joining rock group Wings. Upon recommendation by Opie, Bard joined Handy Black and few more bands after that such as Strangers, GET, EYE, Jump-P, R1 etcetera to name a few (what's next Bard?). Drummer Dean joined Pak Ngah Production as a session's drummer and percussionist for live show and recording of Pak Ngah’s protégé namely Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Noraniza Idris etcetera to name a few.
Opie quit Bloodshed somewhere in 1989 and joined M.Nasir (Luncai Emas) as a session's guitar player, co-producer and music arranger for a period of almost ten years and have recorded as a session's guitar player and produced/co-produced more than 300 songs for renowned Malaysian, Indonesian and Singaporean solo artistes and groups. Both Opie and Dean are music literate and able to read and write music scores or notes.
Arwies pursue his off campus studies in the field of computer science, then accountancy and then advertising at a renowned local universities after joining a multinational company based in UK early 1989. His studies was fully sponsored by his employer. He resigned on 30 April 1999 to start up his own business in IT and then switched to advertising business until today.
Irrefutable Hamdan, Opie and Joe are the best rock guitarists amongst legendary rock guitarists in Malaysia, respected and appreciated by Malaysian's rock fans and rock musicians of their ability to produce a unique tone of their own, great sounds, good skills and are very creative with their guitar works.
THE BIRDS THAT FLY : 2010
Where Are They Now?
Joe is currently a lead guitarist of a rock group Wings. Opie is currently a free-lance producer, music composer, arranger and a session's guitar player. Bard is currently performing at night clubs around Kuala Lumpur and also a session's bass player. Dean is currently attached to University of Malaya mini orchestra as a full-time musician/drummer/percussionist. Arwies is currently managing his own advertising business and a producer of animations TV series for international market. Hamdan is a full-time businessman and now he is back to relive Bloodshed (www.bloodshed.com.my) since 2008.
WHAT'S NEXT? : 2010
Special Project/Reunion?
In 2010 Bard, Dean, Arwies and Opie decided to make a comeback into the rock music scene. A special project is about to take off with Opie at the moment is re-arranging the music of the old songs into a modern and progressive rock as well as composing new pieces. Joe was also invited as a special appearance guest artist in this special project courtesy of rock group Wings.
ACHIEVEMENTS : 1986 - 1988
A Mark of Excellence
1. Federal Territory Battle of Rock Champion (State Level) 1986
2. Best Drummer - Malaysia Battle of Rock Final 1986
3. Hit Songs - Rindu (1987) and Penantian Yang Tak Pasti (1988)
MEMBERS : 1986 - 1988
The Players
1. Vocal: Arwies (1986-1988)
2. Bass: Bard (1986 – 1988)
3. Drum: Dean (1986 – 1988)
4. Guitar: Opie (1987-1987)
5. Guitar: Joe (1987 – 1988)
6. Guitar: Hamdan (1987-1987)
7. Guitar: Zack (1986 – 1986)
8. Keyboard: Razak (1986 -1986)
DISCOGRAPHY : 1987 - 1988
An Evidence of a Hard Work
1. Juara-Juara Rock 1 (1987)
2. Juara-Juara Rock 2 (1987)
3. Juara-Juara Rock 3 (1988)
SINGLES : 1987 - 1988
The Revelation
1. Rindu (Song/Lyric: Bard/Bard) 1987
• Arwies/Vocal; Hamdan/Guitar; Bard/Bass; Dean/Drum; Razak/Keyboard
2. Kuasa (Song/Lyric: Bard/Bard) 1987
• Arwies/Vocal; Hamdan/Guitar; Bard/Bass; Dean/Drum; Razak/Keyboard
3. Kuasa II (Song/Lyric: Bard/Bard) 1987
• Arwies/Vocal; Opie/Guitar; Joe/Guitar; Bard/Bass; Dean/Drum
4. Musnahlah Sebuah Cinta (Song/Lyric: Bard/Bard) 1987
• Bard/Vocal; Opie/Guitar; Joe/Guitar; Bard/Bass; Dean/Drum
5. Penantian Yang Tak Pasti (Song/Lyric: Joe/Dino) 1988
• Arwies/Vocal; Joe/Guitar; Bard/Bass; Dean/Drum
6. Gadis Kota (Song/Lyric: Joe/Dino) 1988
• Arwies/Vocal; Joe/Guitar; Bard/Bass; Dean/Drum
Lyricist Dino is a Singaporean and works as a reporter for a daily tabloid in Singapore.
Source:
This autobiography was written by Arwies Al-Edruce. All content in this autobiography are bona fide as it is a primary information and self experience of the author with all parties involved.
Note: This autobiography is a revelation of the true scenario of the Scandals due to few versions of biography about this group posted in the net.
