Latest news with #Muss
New Straits Times
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Barbarik rocks 2,700 fans in full-house Zepp KL extravaganza
THEY may sound "fearsome" with a name like Barbarik, but rock legends Jo Branko and Muss, formerly of Wings and MAY respectively, meet every criteria of "super rockers". Loaded with lots of attitude and energy, Jo's skilful guitar-playing put the packed Zepp KL concert hall in Jalan Hang Tuah, Kuala Lumpur under his magical music spell. Likewise Muss' soaring vocals, which filled every corner of the state of the art hall, and got fans screaming and cheering all the way. Joined by fellow Barbarik bandmates, drummer Ainol and bassist Rozaimi, plus guest musicians, veteran guitarists Shah of Slam, Ujang Tukimon, Muzza and Karl of Cromok, they entertained some 2,700 fans non-stop for two hours beginning 9pm during a recent concert. Barbarik's first solo show in Zepp KL was themed 'Konsert Barbarik: Pentas Peluru Cokelat' and was part of their on-going promotion of their debut album 'Peluru Cokelat' which has six songs. Jo's and Muss' evening kicked off with 'Nasib Baik', their band's original song about the negatives of the modern world such as dishonesty and selfishness. This adrenaline-pumping song which began with Muss appearing as a silhouette in the light, was followed by 'On My Side', a Wings song for peace and the energetic 'Handal', another Wings song about being tough in the face of challenges. GREAT "How is everybody feeling tonight?" asked Muss, as the crowd answered "great". "I can't hear you," added Muss, as the crowd repeated themselves louder. Jo said: "We're going to give you a rocking good time, so brace yourself for more power." The quartet then belted out 'Satu Titik Yang Kosong', Wings' song about missing someone dearly, 'Kasmaran Selamanya', their tribute to the love of one's life and the catchy 'Badan Belut Kepala Ular', a Wings song about sleazy people. CITY "City life is full of challenges, we must roll with the punches," said Muss, as he sang 'Ranggi Metropolis', a Wings song about the challenges and temptations of city life. The crowd burst into sing-along mode, and for the rest of the evening, this became the norm rather than the exception. The band then delivered '203', a Wings song about respecting the legacy of friends and loved ones, 'Sakit Bantal Empuk', a Wings song about keeping promises, and 'Marcapada' about not wasting one's life away. "You've heard Wings songs, now it's time for some from MAY," said Muss, as he sang 'Sketsa Sebuah Cinta', a poignant yet powerful MAY song about the essence of true love, 'Potret Monalisa', a Wings song about forbidden love, and MAY's 'Cintamu Mekar Dihati' about being devoted to one's partner. BOB LOKMAN Jo said: "This one's a monster hit, and we're dedicating it to our departed friend Bob Lokman." Fans screamed louder and chanted "Taman Rashidah Utama", and they were proven right when Muss belted out that haunting and iconic number by Wings about a first love that was not to be. Urban legend has it that Bob wrote the song with veteran actress Aida Aris in mind, back in the 1980s. MOVING ON Three more energetic Wings numbers followed, namely 'Watari' about moving on for the better, 'Rastali' which described one's actions and feelings in colours of red, yellow and green, and 'Satelit Puaka', a hard-hitting anthem against unscrupulous people. "It was a joy to entertain all of you tonight, ladies and gentlemen," said Muss. "We hope to go on a tour later, rocking all the major cities in the country," said Jo. They disappeared backstage for a jiffy, but soon returned to belt out five energetic numbers namely 'Didakap Pesona' about being infatuated with someone who does not love back, 'Golok Kayu' about second chances, Wings' 'Jerangkung Dalam Almari' about accepting differences, 'Peluru Cokelat' about heartless and merciless people, and finally Wings' 'Keris Tidak Bersarung' about honouring old friends. FULL-HOUSE At a press conference after the show, Jo said: "We were surprised that it was a full-house concert as there were two other rock concerts in town namely 'Konsert Rampas Akim And The Majistret' and 'Konsert Jiwa Kacau'. "Everything went smoothly and it was very satisfying. We could see that the guests were all enjoying themselves." Muss, 57, said that they had trained hard for three months for the concert, which was organised by Pentas Barbarik Sdn Bhd.
New Straits Times
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Jo Branko's Barbarik gives fans 2 hours of non-stop rock hits
KUALA LUMPUR: Local rock group Barbarik, led by guitarist Jo Branko and vocalist Muss, entertained some 1,500 fans non-stop for two hours at Zepp KL tonight. The rock quartet, which also comprises drummer Ainol and bassist Rozaimi, marked its debut at the popular concert venue along Jalan Hang Tuah here, in a show themed Konsert Barbarik: Pentas Peluru Cokelat, which began at 9pm. The concert was part of Barbarik's promotion of its debut album Peluru Cokelat, which features six songs. The quartet performed a total of 21 tracks, comprising their original numbers, mostly composed by Jo, as well as songs from Jo's former band Wings and Muss' former band May. Among the songs performed were Badan Belut Kepala Ular, Sketsa Sebuah Cinta, Taman Rashidah Utama, Satelit Puaka, Jerangkung Dalam Almari, and Peluru Cokelat. Jo, who also served as the concert's producer, said Barbarik was a platform to reunite two former members of Wings, Muss and himself, after they left the veteran rock group to "find their own voice". He said that since Peluru Cokelat, launched late last year, features only six new songs, the band also needed to perform tracks he had composed with Wings. "This is because there will be fans who want to listen to those songs too, so we'll give them a little bit of what they want to hear," he said. Jo, 56, formed Barbarik last year as a "replacement" for Prime Domestic, a short-lived band he formed in 2017 not long after leaving Wings. A founding member of Wings alongside lead singer Datuk Awie, Jo left the band in 2016 due to creative differences with the Sembilu star. In addition to performing as a guitarist for his band, Jo has composed and written songs for various solo artistes and groups, including Ito of Blues Gang, Def Gab C, and NRG. He has also appeared in six films to date. Besides Putera, he has starred in Pemburu Bayang, Amelia, Super Star, Awang Trasher, and Left Wings.
New Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Rock with a sweet bite
MALAYSIAN rock band Barbarik is set to headline Zepp Kuala Lumpur this Saturday, June 28, for their highly anticipated concert, 'Barbarik Pentas Peluru Cokelat'. The show celebrates their debut album, 'Peluru Cokelat'.This concert marks a significant milestone for the band, as it will be their first time performing a full set featuring entirely original tracks from their new album. Released in November last year, 'Peluru Cokelat' demonstrates Barbarik's serious commitment to establishing their presence in the Malaysian rock scene. The album comprises seven tracks: the title track, 'Golok Kayu' (featuring Karl Cromok), 'Didakap Pesona', 'Kasmaran Selamanya', 'Nasib Baik', 'Marcapada', 'Gelap Nan Terang' (an instrumental), and a radio edit of 'Didakap Pesona'. All songs were composed by Jo, with lyrics contributed by well-known writers including Nasir Jani, Muss, Bambino, Nuar Botak, and Jo himself. Mastering was expertly handled by Don Bartley at Benchmark Mastering in Brisbane, Australia. What truly distinguishes this album is its multi-format release. Fans can purchase it as a CD, vinyl record, USB card, or digital download via email, catering to collectors who still appreciate physical formats. Previously, Barbarik's live shows often included songs from lead singer Muss's time with the legendary rock band Wings. "We promise a high-energy performance that will test your adrenaline from start to finish," says frontman and guitarist Jo Branko, whose real name is Abdul Zamin Abdul Kadir. The 56-year-old rocker adds: "We want the audience so captivated they won't even want to take a bathroom break." Despite being formed only three years ago, Barbarik — comprising Muss (vocals), Jo Branko (guitar), Rozaimi (bass), and Ainol (drums) — has already headlined four major concerts. These include Pentas Keras 1.0 (in 2022), Double Trouble 2: Search X Barbarik (2023), Pentas Keras 2.0 (2023), and Pentas Keras 3.0 (2024).The band's formation can be traced back to their debut concert, Pentas Keras 1.0, in December 2022. This event reunited Muss and Jo — former bandmates from Wings — after more than two decades apart. The name Barbarik is inspired by the warrior character from the Mahabharata, symbolising immense strength and a fight for good — a spirit the band aims to revive through their music. At the upcoming concert, expected to run for over two hours, the band will perform 20 songs. They'll blend fresh material with nostalgic classics in a special segment called Retro Akustika, which pays tribute to the rock sounds of the 1980s and 1990s. The concert will also feature special guest guitarists Shah Slam, Ujang Tukimon, and Muzza, along with a string octet to elevate the musical experience. According to Jo, the upcoming concert will be unlike anything fans have seen before. "We want people to enjoy the show like they're watching a movie with popcorn," he elaborates. "The album 'Peluru Cokelat' reflects our direction as a band — one with purpose and identity." Jo also addresses the challenges of staging concerts in the current climate. "Our challenge today, besides the sheer volume of concerts, is technology. "Every time we do a concert, there will be fans who record the performance and post it on social media "They can watch the performance over and over again, so what more can Barbarik offer to encourage fans to come to the concert? We have to be more creative to showcase something out of the ordinary." He is grateful that despite the abundance of local and international concerts, most tickets for their show have already been snapped up by their fans. "Sales so far have been very encouraging. Tickets for the VIP room are already sold out. "Now, all that remains are tickets in the arena section for the standing category. Perhaps many of our fans are of a certain age group who prefer a seated area," he says with a laugh. "However, it's simply not possible for concert-goers at rock shows to be sitting throughout. So, that's why we've provided the standing section, and hopefully, we'll sell all the tickets for this section at the last minute," Jo adds, noting that a single ticket for this section is priced at just RM150.
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Barbarik to sing popular songs with Wings at upcoming concert
KUALA LUMPUR: The rock band Barbarik will also perform songs originally recorded by Wings at the upcoming Konsert Barbarik: Pentas Peluru Cokelat. Producer, composer, and Barbarik's guitarist, JoBranko, said that Barbarik became a platform to reunite two former members of Wings—himself and Muss—after more than two decades of being unable to move away from performing songs from their previous band. "Actually, at the concert, we can choose any songs to perform," he said. "And the songs we want to perform just happen to be ones I composed, so there shouldn't be any problem at all." He did, however, add that concertgoers can anticipate a fresh rendition of those songs at next month's concert. He further explained that as Barbarik's album, 'Peluru Cokelat', launched late last year, features only six new songs, the band will also need to perform songs he composed with their previous band, Wings. "This is because there will be fans who want to listen to those songs too, so we'll give them a little bit of what they want to hear," he remarked. "Some may not be familiar with Barbarik's music just yet and prefer those older songs." He made these comments at a press conference held yesterday.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: JoBranko's Barbarik to rock Zepp KL on June 28
KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with the birth of their debut album Peluru Cokelat last Nov 9, rock band Barbarik will rock Zepp KL in Jalan Hang Tuah at 8.30pm on June 28. Barbarik comprising vocalist Muss, guitarist JoBranko, bassist Rozaimi and drummer Ainol has been rocking Malaysians since 2022 in four concerts namely Barbarik Keras Stage 1.0 (2022), Double Trouble 2: Search X Barbarik (2023), Barbarik Hardstage 2.0 (2023) and Barbarik Hardstage 3.0 (2024). In a statement yesterday, band leader JoBranko said: "Every concert is bound to have a difference and there is an element of surprise at the opening, middle and closing of the concert. "We assure all fans, this concert will test your adrenaline all the way." JoBranko added that the two-hour concert will feature 20 songs, old and new. "It's going to be non-stop rock action from the word go." The concert is co-organised by Karri Talk Production and Pentas Barbarik Sdn Bhd.
