AZRIZAL Aziz, better known to family and friends as Ejai, grew up listening to homegrown rock music in the 1990s.
“Then (and even now), I was into the music of Mat Rock icons such as Iklim, Search, Wings, Kris, Lefthanded, Mega, Exists and Fotograf.
“I greatly appreciated their honest and heartfelt lyrics about life’s many challenges and sang along with their lead singers’ manly voices,” he says.
“I will always define 1990s rock music as the definitive rock sound, because the singers had macho voices and they were daring in their dress sense.
“To me rock is all about being manly, taking chances and going the distance in music, leaving all fears behind.”
Ejai performed many of his favourite bands’ songs at weddings in his hometown Sungai Buloh, Selangor back then. Joining him were Khairul Ameer Ahmad, 35, Khairul Anuar Ahmad, 36, Hairul Azhar Ramli, 29, and Afif Jamil, 28.
Azhar, who was Ejai’s schoolmate in Sekolah Menengah Bukit Rahman Putra, Sungai Buloh, says: “We didn’t just sing but we also played musical instruments. I played the drums while Ameer, Anuar and Afif played guitars and bass guitars. At first we were in different bands but in 2011, we decided to get together.”
That year, Azarraband was born, with Ejai and Azhar as founding members.
“Azhar and I were the lead singers, and Azhar also played the drums. The guitarists changed several times, but since last year, we found devoted members in Khairul Ameer, Khairul Anuar and our only full-time musician, Afif,” says Ejai.
The name Azarraband was coined by Ejai, who noticed that many of the band members had names which began with “Az” or “Ar”.
“The word ara also suggests that our direction (or arah) in life and that direction is to become a successful promoter of 1990s-style rock music,” says Ejai.
“Having a direction in life also implies that we are a wholesome bunch of musicians who do not party late and who avoid going to places with unhealthy influences.”
Azhar describes his band as balladeers and rockers who play old school rock which began in the 1980s and was a market favourite in the 1990s.
“Our music is rooted in traditional stories and personal experiences, especially about life in the city and the rural areas. We sing about people who have touched our lives, lessons we learn while growing up, and our hopes and dreams for the future,” he says.
“While rock is our favourite musical genre, we also love traditional Malay pop, especially songs performed by Datuk Jamal Abdillah, whose manly, yet comforting voice is legendary.
“Another of our idols is pop and rock hero Datuk M. Nasir, because he is innovative, creative and original in his music.”
Of the newer singers, Azarraband identifies with Sarawakian singer Hafiz Suip.
“He’s an honest singer who sings with heart and soul. He may not have the manliest voice but it is always refreshing to listen to him,” says Ejai.
The Azarraband is under the Kelarai Sakti label, owned by husband-and-wife composers and lyricists LY and Baiduri. Ejai says they are great teachers who demand high standards of musicianship from them.
“While they are not harsh taskmasters, they are perfectionists who always tell us to get out of our comfort zones and go to the next level,” he says. “Slowly, we are learning to compose and write our own music with their guidance.”
To date the band has come up with four songs: Berjuta Maafku, Rindu Padamu, Pendam and Buat Anakku.
Azhar says: “All have heartfelt lyrics accompanied by hard rocking sounds. Berjuta Maafku is about humility and the willingness to admit one’s mistakes and move on in life.
“Rindu Padamu is a straightforward love song, while Pendam is about repressed feelings and forbidden love. Buat Anakku is about a father’s advice to his children to not repeat the same mistakes he has made in his love life.”
Ejai says the band has come up with a fifth single Imaginasi, which speaks of the positive and negative sides of dreams.
“Dreams are a waste of time if we dream of nonsense. But if we dream of creativity and ambition that is reasonable and achievable with hard work, dreams can be a positive influence in our lives,” he explains.
Ejai’s father was a singer with the Malaysian Armed Forces’ in-house band. “I used to watch my father sing in several concerts organised for the family members of army officers. Perhaps that’s how I picked up my love for music, especially rock.”
Ejai’s late grandfather was award-winning actor Datuk Aziz Singah. “While I’m not into acting, I admire him for his versatility as an actor. He is a screen legend,” says Ejai who auditioned unsuccessfully for reality talent shows Akademi Fantasia (Seasons 4, 7 and 8) and Vokal, Bukan Sekadar Rupa.
Ultimately, Azarraband hopes to release an album with most, if not all of the songs composed and written by the members.
Ejai says: “We also want to expand beyond Malaysian shores, to Singapore and Indonesia. Our YouTube performances have received good feedback from Singaporean and Indonesian fans. We’ve promised them that one day, when we’ve established ourselves here, we’ll slowly branch out into neighbouring countries.”