Singapore Night Live: Shaggies (Since 1986), a long time standing

To be true to my blog objective, and in all honesty to myself, I do visit the occasional bar with a cover band. My favorite thus far is, the no longer so new, Balaclava. The bar is some what oddly position on the outer perimeter of the 5th floor Ion Orchard car park. The owners however creatively put together a cozy bar with a stage that is the permanent home of Shagies. Shagies is a 7-piece band of all Singapore musicians, playing a huge variety of popular covers.

AJ (Saxophone/Flute/Conga/Vocals)

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Wann (Bass)

Daffy (Drums/Vocals)

Olynn (Lead Vocals/Percussion)

T. Ross (Keyboards/Vocals)

Hashim (Guitar/Vocals)

Yanee (Lead Vocals/Guitar/Drums/Bass/Timbales)

And they cover it all... from the lightest pop song to the heaviest metal. With two amazingly talented vocalists Yanee and Olynn, they manage to cover from the sultry soulful voice type of Amy Winehouse through to the highest pitch of Steelhearts Miljenko Matijevic.

Yanee and Olynn are often times vocally backed up by a variety of voices from the other band members, A.J. has a particularly remarkable role as a back up singer. This full harmony, on a lucky night, has it's apotheosis in a perfect rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody, where the full band burst out in a massive chorus. (for me, for me, for meeeeee)

I prefer Mondays, it's quiet, so the band gets few requests and plays the more classic hits that withstood the test of time. On occasion we can even hear a lovely Bassey Big Spender or a cool choice of Sinatra. And if by exception the song doesn't entertain you, keep a close eye on the stage.

Of course Olynn’s seductive moves cannot be ignored.

She can “break another piece of my heart” (Janice Joplin) and “Bring me to Live” (Evanescence) upon request.

More importantly however is that the whole band seems to be engaged in a bit of improvisation theatre. Gesturing, chatting, teasing, there is always something going on between these 7 lifelong friends that can put a smile on your face!