"... kira ... 1,2 ... 1,2,3 ..." that was the loud counting from the madman on the drum stool - Ainol, who stole the night with his madness and drumming aggression. In summary, 'Public Distortion' closed the year 2017 with a high note. The venue, though a bit far, was a good pick, and the sound system blew everything away. Both bands rocked the night !
We actually took our time off in 2017, having to put other priorities ahead of everything. But 'Public Distortion 2017' brought us back, and glad that we did.
Earlier, we reached Oasis Square Damansara when opening band - XPDC (V6) has already belted out a few numbers, and they were about to cover "Enter Sandman" (METALLICA) by then. Having seen them at 'Rentap Kasi Sentap 2016' (with MAY) in Johor Bahru, the band continued to impress the crowds. They were musically tight on stage, and Ali (vocal) was in control as always.
Yet, we came to see the highlight of the night - PRIME DOMESTIC. A super group that centred on 2 local guitar heroes - Joe and Hillary from the WINGS/SEARCH fame, along with the groovy veteran bass pounder - Fauzi (ex NRG/SEARCH). The line-up was made complete with younger talents - Ainol (drum) and Aweera (vocal).
Their night started with a poetical narration, accompanied with some keyboard plays which helped to drive the momentum. As soon as Ainol gave the cue '1,2,3 ...", the band started their opening set with a 5-tracks back-to-back.
It began with IRON MAIDEN - "Hallowed Be Thy Name". Fauzi did the first verse narration, but Aweera came in too early for the following verse but quickly did a 'say yeargh' gimmick to amend it. That cover song was the right one to showcase the brilliant fretwork plays from both the axemans, which where PRIME DOMESTIC really dominates. They continued with 'Kau Masih Berdegil" (WINGS) which went well, as anything from WINGS is definitely Aweera's forte. Finally next, their own track "Malam Berasap" that excelled with the guitar groove. As soon as "Malam Berasap" ended, the keyboard continued to play, marking the arrival of one of the biggest intro - "Fenomena" from none other than the man himself - Hillary. It still haunts us after all these long. To us, the song "Fenomena" was musically SEARCH's biggest track from the album, even bigger than "Isabella". Next to follow was "Nasib Kita" (WINGS) where the pounding bass was best felt. Fauzi was simply stupendous and he really had a great time on stage. Aweera again nailed it. While Joe and Hillary were casting spells from their guitars through out the night. The 1st set done, and the choice of songs was just brilliant.
The following set was simply the best for the night where the band delivered all their originals, starting with "2087" - a heavy modern track but still kept that rocking sway, followed by their own version of 'fast, faster, fastest' - "Tekno Dewata" that displays melodic riff speeding at full throttle. The live version appeared heavier and killer. While, "Kurnia" has the usual M. Nasir's blueprint on it, a good ballad nevertheless.
The remaining sets were dominated by songs from SEARCH and WINGS, until "Illusi Intonasi" and "Sedingin Pluto" came out later. Some have interesting re-arrangements done, obviously "Lena Diulit Intan" (WINGS) which has turned damn heavy. On the other hand, Aweera was no where to hit the high note in "Mentari Merah Di Ufuk Timur" (SEARCH).
The debut album 'Prima Domestika' featured 10 tracks and the band only delivered 6 tracks [inclusive of the baptized (literally) - "Illusi Intonasi"] and filled their more than 2 hours slot mostly with numbers from WINGS and SEARCH. If we are to take count of the songs in the medley, PRIME DOMESTIC delivered 8 tracks from SEARCH and 7 tracks from WINGS and that were at least 60% from the total 24 songs the band delivered that night. We understood that their (Joe and Hillary) times with those bands helped to shape who they are today. But moving forward, it is about time that PRIME DOMESTIC breaks away from those shadows. Yet, do continue with covers from WINGS and SEARCH in the setlist, but at much lesser.
Their night started with a poetical narration, accompanied with some keyboard plays which helped to drive the momentum. As soon as Ainol gave the cue '1,2,3 ...", the band started their opening set with a 5-tracks back-to-back. It began with IRON MAIDEN - "Hallowed Be Thy Name". Fauzi did the first verse narration, but Aweera came in too early for the following verse but quickly did a 'say yeargh' gimmick to amend it. That cover song was the right one to showcase the brilliant fretwork plays from both the axemans, which where PRIME DOMESTIC really dominates. They continued with 'Kau Masih Berdegil" (WINGS) which went well, as anything from WINGS is definitely Aweera's forte. Finally next, their own track "Malam Berasap" that excelled with the guitar groove. As soon as "Malam Berasap" ended, the keyboard continued to play, marking the arrival of one of the biggest intro - "Fenomena" from none other than the man himself - Hillary. It still haunts us after all these long. To us, the song "Fenomena" was musically SEARCH's biggest track from the album, even bigger than "Isabella". Next to follow was "Nasib Kita" (WINGS) where the pounding bass was best felt. Fauzi was simply stupendous and he really had a great time on stage. Aweera again nailed it. While Joe and Hillary were casting spells from their guitars through out the night. The 1st set done, and the choice of songs was just brilliant.
The following set was simply the best for the night where the band delivered all their originals, starting with "2087" - a heavy modern track but still kept that rocking sway, followed by their own version of 'fast, faster, fastest' - "Tekno Dewata" that displays melodic riff speeding at full throttle. The live version appeared heavier and killer. While, "Kurnia" has the usual M. Nasir's blueprint on it, a good ballad nevertheless.
The remaining sets were dominated by songs from SEARCH and WINGS, until "Illusi Intonasi" and "Sedingin Pluto" came out later. Some have interesting re-arrangements done, obviously "Lena Diulit Intan" (WINGS) which has turned damn heavy. On the other hand, Aweera was no where to hit the high note in "Mentari Merah Di Ufuk Timur" (SEARCH).
The debut album 'Prima Domestika' featured 10 tracks and the band only delivered 6 tracks [inclusive of the baptized (literally) - "Illusi Intonasi"] and filled their more than 2 hours slot mostly with numbers from WINGS and SEARCH. If we are to take count of the songs in the medley, PRIME DOMESTIC delivered 8 tracks from SEARCH and 7 tracks from WINGS and that were at least 60% from the total 24 songs the band delivered that night. We understood that their (Joe and Hillary) times with those bands helped to shape who they are today. But moving forward, it is about time that PRIME DOMESTIC breaks away from those shadows. Yet, do continue with covers from WINGS and SEARCH in the setlist, but at much lesser.
Apart from MAIDEN, it will be great if they added in a few more covers from rock/heavy metal legends like SAB ("Paranoid" please) / DIO / PURPLE etc as to offer new punch and variety. Yet, Hillary did gave us the intro of "Smoke In The Water" (PURPLE) before it continued with the last song of the night - "Pasti" (SEARCH). We are also okay if they cover SWEET CHARITY (definitely not "Kamelia" and "Teratai", but "Ribut 10.59 Pagi" sounds cool) / RUSTY BLADE / LEFTHANDED / BLOODSHED etc with intent to pay homage to local heroes. Perhaps, something out of ordinary like HELLOWEEN - "Future World" which will be interesting to see the twin guitars running wilds.
While, the guest - Amy (SEARCH) came out in the middle of the medley, during "Isabella" and continued to do "Langit Dan Bumi" and "Kau Pergi" in full. The crowds were at their loudest during that time. Seeing him reunited with Hillary on stage was nostalgic.
'Public Distortion 2017' was definitely a success, and an official live CD release is utmost welcome. Seeing the overhead camera at works that night, a DVD release might be possible. Bring it on ...
Setlists
Set 1
1) Hallowed Be Thy Name (IRON MAIDEN)
2) Kau Masih Berdegil (WINGS)
3) Malam Berasap (Prima Domestika)
4) Fenomena (SEARCH)
5) Nasib Kita (WINGS)
Set 2
6) 2028 (Prima Domestika)
7) Tekno Dewata (Prima Domestika)
8) Kurnia (Prima Domestika)
Set 3
9) Meniti Titian Usang (SEARCH)
10) Lena Diulit Intan (WINGS)
11) Mentari Merah Di Ufuk Timur (SEARCH)
Set 4
12) WINGS / SEARCH medleys
a) Biru Mata Hitamku (WINGS)
b) Rozanna (SEARCH)
c) Ranjang Mawar (WINGS)
d) Isabella (SEARCH) with Amy
13) Langit Dan Bumi (SEARCH) - AMY on vocal
14) Kau Pergi (SEARCH) - AMY on vocal
Set 5
15) Drum solo/battle (Ainol/Lola)
Set 6
16) Illusi Intonasi (Prima Domestika)
17) Ameringgo (WINGS)
18) Sedingin Pluto (Prima Domestika)
Set 7
19) Alam Barzakh (WINGS)
20) Sejati (WINGS)
21) Pasti (SEARCH) with Amy & XPDC (V6)
