12 and 13 April, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday) was a great two-day rock-out for Singapore’s alternative rock community in celebrating the 40th Anniversary of BigO magazine at The Blackbird.
The BigO tribute celebratory party was kindly and ably masterminded by Muhammad Alkhatib of gig organiser Neonpulse.
Muhammad also plays with the band Astreal. I love the BigO concert T-shirts that his company designed (above image).
You can see the roster of the cool bands that played on the two-day event on the T-shirt.
Muhammad Alkhatib of gig organiser Neonpulse (above image) making a heart-felt tribute and thank you speech.
I was invited to this “not-gonna-miss this” rock festival for two reasons – catching up with my rock tribe, after decades of not seeing the magazine’s founders and the rockers from those good old days and 2) seeing if the bands (old and new) still have the mojo. The answer is an affirmative Yes!
Before I Get Old or BigO magazine started in 1985, the year I graduated with my MBA degree to pursue a corporate life in management consulting. The respected magazine was started by three ardent rock-fan journalists – two brothers Michael and Philip Cheah and their buddy Stephen Tan. It was thanks to their passion that we had something decent and true to read, back in the day. Unfortunately Michael Cheah passed away in 2024.
I liked that it was positioned as “Singapore’s only independent rock n’ roll magazine”.
The magazine was akin to Singapore alternative rock central – a Beacon to the aspiring, lost, super-charged wannabees rock bands who need that crucial encouraging push to get started or carry on with the journey.
Whilst as a management consultant, I contributed articles (above image) solely on Beatles news specifically when the Beatles vinyl albums catalog was finally converted into compact discs for the first time. I was proud to have in a minor way, to play my part on the BigO journey. I also wrote under the pseudonym, “The Walrus”. Once I even helped them to photocopy their magazines,
Interestingly BigO’s last print issue came out in 2002, coincidentally the same official year I retyred from the corporate whirl to pursue my rock photography. The magazine’s website wound down in 2023.
Me with my (tongue in cheek) “After We Got Old“ (But Happy We Are Still Alive) buddies, Stephen Tan and Philip Cheah (above image) with my ACCESS rock photography books.
Attendees to the two-day concerts ranged from the old timers, the young guns to the toddlers (above image).
I caught up with my crazy buddies, the Pinholes, especially Famie Suliman (above image). Having not seen them for decades, it felt like it was only last week, as you can plainly see.
The Pinholes (above image). When I asked Famie for his permission to use this “posed shot”, he replied, “Maximum RnR”
The Pinholes in the boys room (above image). We have to stop meeting like this.
With the awesome Astreal band (above image).
Jonathan Chan of Plainsunset (above image). The Plant Hermit.
Francis Frightful of Oppositon Party (above image).
I include ALL the bands that performed for the awesome two-day extravaganza below.
Enjoy The Show!
Oppositon Party was, deservingly, the last band to close the two-day concert. I honour them by being the first band to kick off my series of b/w band performance images.
Francis Frightful of Opposition Party (above image). The earliest punk/metal local band. They remain true to their fiery calling.
Opposition Party (above image).
Francis Frightful of Opposition Party (above image). The fire within is still there after all these decades.
Astreal (above image).
Astreal (above image).
Astreal, Ginette Chittick (above image).
Astreal, Ginette Chittick (above image).
Astreal (above image). “Mother and Child Reunion”. That’s Ginette’s daughter in the foreground, proudly watching her Mom.
The Oddfellows (above image).
The Oddfellows (above image).
The Oddfellows (above image).
The Oddfellows (above image).
The Oddfellows (above image). “I wonder if the ‘bak chor mee’ stall is still open after this gig?” – Vincent.
The Oddfellows (above image). My buddy Vincent Lee. We went for dinner after both nights of the gigs, with his daughter Anais. First night – curry chicken rice, second night – bak chor mee.
Force Vomit (above image). Featuring Eddino Abdul Hadi of Straits Times, who graciously featured my rock photography journey in his juicy newspaper music articles. As I said before, I like people with alter-egos.
Force Vomit (above image). Still rocking after all these years.
Typewriter (above image).
Typewriter (above image).
The Pinholes (above image).
The Pinholes (above image).
The Pinholes, Famie and Didi (above image).
The Pinholes, Famie Suliman (above image).
Plainsunset (above image).
Plainsunset, Jonathan Chan (above image).
Obstacle Upsurge (above image).
Obstacle Upsurge (above image).
Rudra (above image).
The Mother (above image).
The Great Spy Experiment (above image).
The Great Spy Experiment – “Shoes” (above image).
Disko Biscuit (above image).
It was a great two days of sardine-packed rock and roll, honouring Big O magazine.
Everyone found time away from their busy schedules to converge on The Blackbird to celebrate “Singapore’s only independent rock n’ roll magazine”.as well as our alternative rock scene, old and new.
Thank You, Philip Cheah and Stephen Tan … and not forgetting Michael Cheah! (above image).
