“Nothing comes as easy as it seems” by Jassem Darkvain

There is not much to add after the great words my brothers have added into the conviction. But I would certainly would like to put the light on a specific spot. First of all, no matter what we do, we still have to struggle, not just because of the society, the audience or the musicians. Lets say its like a train each part of it pulls the other parts along the trails. Speaking of Society, The laws and regulations have been put to make an order.

An order that is believed one day would put people and things in pleasant times. We all know what Kuwait is like when it comes to the traditions.

So the society is rejecting what is different in order to survive an ancient method used to be taken, to be protected. Without forgetting the different points of views to religious icons who might find music as a path to wrong social experience.

And from the audience side, I think here comes the most struggling part musicians would face. It is how audience defines the word “fun”, I have been in a couple of live shows in Kuwait, where we did Industrial Metal/Melodic Death Metal. I would stand right there noticing that alot of the audience would define “having fun” with “lets make it a chaos” Having fun can come in alot of forms. If the audiences themselves would respect the rules and regulations in first place, things would have been smoother. I went myself to the ministry that takes care of shows and such activities. I have found out there are seemingly acceptable rules, but knowing we have such audience I would not be able to pass those rules. Finally The musicians, I would say there is two kind of musicians, the musician who does it for the music, and the other type is the one who does it for a different reason. As one of my brothers have said, bands are fighting to get the spot since the spot is very tight. and only be able to host few names. What I wanted to clear here that, If there was a balance between those three sides in a general level, things would go better for sure even though it will require alot of time and effort.

KISS, the international band faced the same social rejection in the U.S. itself. I have been doing music since 10 years, and been in the Kuwaiti Metal Scene since 5 years now, and never thought once that those struggles would ever stop me as musician who loves doing what musicians do, writing music. With all the struggles we face we still go at the end of the day, playing a record of ours, and smile the end of the day. I believe all the musicians in Kuwait regardless of their genre or style, they share the same feeling as I do.

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Exact exerpt from Conviction:

I’ve got so much in my mind that i don’t know where to begin ? Are they serious with what they are playing ? Over the past years I’ve witnessed a lot of musicians “that’s what they call themselves”, pick up an instrument and start “hitting” (not playing) random things ! what I’m saying is that they don’t know how to play and unfortunately they’ve got people telling them how awesome they are. And that it a big mistake in my opinion, that’s why they don’t improve themselves, and it’s really unfortunate that many of these so called musicians use the instruments to pick up girls…DISGRACE ! Closed minded much ?

A lot of people bug me about the music i listen to, they say things like this is not music and they insist that what they listen to is the ultimate music (Iraqi modern shit…sorry but it is) i mean fine, you like that kind of music then go listen to it and leave me be, there is a reason why there is so many types of music in this world just like there is a reason why there are so many types of animals in this world, so don’t be such a closed minded person and always think what you listen to is the best!….DISGRACE! Is that all what you’ve got ?

Another thing that is on my mind most of the time is the lack of musical equipments options, for example, everybody knows the 5 main guitar brands that you can find in Kuwait and you can really count them! Squire, Ibanez, Yamaha, Jackson, a couple of underground brands and of course the 2 Fender guitars that you can find at AlDiwaliya store once every two years. Why cant we have more options? Fender, Gibson, Dean, G&L, Taylor…etc. Not mentioning amplifiers and Guitar effects and equipments…DISGRACE! Is there a future ? A lot of people have already talked about this subject so i won’t bore you and make it short. it’s about the music scene itself, no concerts, no gigs, no events…etc. oh and i heard about this new law that no band is allowed to play live unless it’s in a 5 star hotel and WHOA WHAT A SHOCK ! we don’t have any 5 stars hotels in Kuwait…DISGRACE!

What should we do what should we do what should we do ? 1. start telling the so-called musicians how bad they are and tell them that your little sister can play better than them. 2. when a closed minded person starts dissing what you’re listening to shut him up and/or leave, you don’t wanna hang out with an ignorant. 3. get rich so you could open the ultimate music shop, or talk to the local dealers. Should we start to protest ? A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything. -Malcolm X If it’s illegal to Rock N’ Roll, throw my ass in jail! -Kurt Cobain

About the author of this conviction:

Oh let’s see, I’m 5’9, 22 years old, Geology student at Kuwait University, I play the guitar for Reset String and Airtrap (formerly known as Bikes N’ Daps, other instruments i play are harmonica, bass and the flute, shoe size 9 1/2 and i love waffles. I’m open to all and every single types of music, to me music is a way of expression, i don’t have a problem with any artist, i just have a problem with you if you liked one artist and dissed the other, because it’s really hard to write something and i think it’s our duty to pay a little respect.

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“Between a fan and a hard place…” by Gaser El Safty

I remember when I first found out Kuwait had a music scene.  I must’ve been 13 at the time.  I hadn’t even started playing guitar yet but I had just started using Guitar Pro and getting into the software end of making music.  I remember it was Terminus playing on the rock hour on 99.7 that was hosted by Kitsune.  From then onwards I learned about a battle of the bands gig, and then several different shows in Sha’ab Park and Green Island.  I used to see bands like Terminus, Infernal Age and Silent Scream.  I think many who read this can identify the period I’m talking, and I wanna say that’s probably when the music “scene” in Kuwait went from difficult to intolerable.

So yeah it’s been blamed on the authorities, it’s been blamed on the posers and it’s been blamed on the musicians too somehow.  I think people should stop blaming it on other people and start pitching in to make the “scene” active again.

One of the simplest things to do is use the internet.  Web forums need more members, more discussions.  A much MUCH needed element in Kuwait is a studio for rent where musicians can rehearse and there would be boards where other musicians can put up ads to buy or sell equipment, advertise needing or offering a member and put up posters of shows.

Guitar lessons and other instruments could be a regular thing at the studio or booked from the studio, it could be done through contributions through the older musicians.

The change has to first start with the scene itself, promote participating and taking part, so you’re not dealing with difficult authority on one side and passiveness on the other.

 

Even if playing a live show is difficult, while they are a huge aspect, they’re still not everything there is to it.  Bands need more support than what they receive in Kuwait.  Being a musician in Kuwait makes no money at all, takes a whole lot of effort and time, and more often than not goes to waste when the show gets cancelled.

While this is frustrating for musicians and fans alike, it’s wrong to channel that frustration at each other.

It’s much better to buy merchandise from your local bands than it is to spend more money buying a t-shirt that has a picture of an international band you like on it, but the money doesn’t actually go to that band.  Small things like that can make a hell of a difference because well, recording isn’t cheap, and remember I said you make no money?

Like the bands’ pages on Facebook, promote them, participate in forums, have get togethers like the old days when you’d see a crowd of musicians you recognize hanging around the same spot.  It’s a great way to connect with other fans and musicians.  And it makes it a hell lot easier to get anything done.

From there you can then make a big deal about authorities making shows.  There is an international eye on the entire region and if there was ever a time to make a fuss, it’s now.  I’m not suggesting it has to involve protesting, but when push comes to shove, it shouldn’t be this difficult to let two guys play acoustic guitars on a stage.  I swear that’s the kind of shows that got cancelled before I moved out of Kuwait.  It’s absurd.  Totally fucking ridiculous.  It’s getting easier for older bands to pick up their gear and go to Dubai where there’s MUCH better exposure.  We shouldn’t have to pack our shit and go anywhere.

I’d LOVE to play a show in Kuwait again.

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“Bludgeoning the beauty of music in Kuwait ” By Kareem Chehayeb

Kuwait is a very unique place, and there really isn’t a place like it…the way trends and followed and the way social trends fade in and out are really like no other place. Unfortunately, music has turned into one of them. I started Voice of the Soul with a friend, Ademi, in 2007. Once we had a full line up, we found out that BSK was hosting a Battle of the Bands in 2008. We were surprised by the number of bands that signed up, since I’ve only heard of 2-3 bands before then (Depth, Silent Scream, and Freefall). After that Battle of the Bands tournament, that had over 15 bands making it to the finals (after handing in audition videos and making it through the semi-finals), only Black13Angelz and VotS still exist to that day. Many of the people involved just lost interest, simply because it wasn’t active anymore. Music, or art in general, is definitely not for everyone, but if that’s how most people follow it, then that’s absolutely pathetic. I never was motivated by music because of 120 KD gift card from Al Dawliah; I just really enjoyed playing music.

I think people take themselves way too seriously when they get into music. Here is essentially how to make a trendy band in Kuwait: 1. Make a Facebook and Myspace pages (remember Myspace?) before writing any music. 2. Dress up, fix your hair, and take pictures of yourselves. Don’t forget to have one carrying your guitar with a missing string. 3. You’re officially a band now. This bullshit absolutely has to end. I’m glad that there are less bands than before, actually. It really makes a huge difference. At least most of the bands here have a reality check – they understand that music is not easy, it isn’t about money or fame…it’s about reaching your inner self and expressing what can’t be expressed in words (excluding the lyrics of course). Let’s not get side-tracked, though. The trendy kids who play in “bands”, or boy-bands with guitars, as I call them, are the ones who make the other people look bad. Every time I walk around the Marina Waves area (or wherever they hang out these days), I look at one of those so-called musicians, and wish I could just blame each and every one of them. Those are the idiots who listen to Linkin Park, put on their dark nailpolish, their dark clothes, and spray pentagrams on walls…only to make some stupid statement about themselves.

All they do is harm musicians who have a reality check – most are in college or working full time and balancing a passion with a financial security (or potential one). It’s like these trendy music fans or so-called musicians are (excuse my vulgarity) puking at all the efforts of local musicians. These are also the same people who are not in the mood to download or spread the word of local musicians and bands, even if it’s free, or spend some cash for their merch, because they’d rather spend four times as much on a Linkin Park t-shirt at Virgin Megastore. I hate to say it, but this is something that is more or less unique to Kuwait. Last summer, I wrote for LebMetal.com during a very active summer for bands, as Lebanon registered into the Global Battle of the Bands again. The scene is definitely divided between the progressive elitists versus the classic rock/metal (erm)…elitists. One thing is for sure though, there is a solid fan-base. There are less and less venues, and the authorities are starting to tighten up again, but people are still making effort and actually buying stuff for the most part. The same goes with Dubai. I was surprised by how many different fans came together to support local bands…of course, that being said, I did meet some whiny little freaks in both places who reminded me a lot of our lovely little environment here. I think we have to realize that it’s not just the authorities who are holding us back, but it’s the environment here. Kuwait never had a proper music scene. People don’t understand what a music scene is. The only people they follow are what they hear on FM 99.7, which is a radio station that shouldn’t exist because of its redundancy.

I’m more of a FM 92.5 kinda guy. In conclusion….I don’t really care what you listen to, or what you look like for that matter. I don’t care if you like Linkin Park, Slipknot, Kesha, Lil Wayne (though his music is dog shit), Slayer…whatever. Fact of the matter is, the music scene won’t exist with your useless and counterproductive crap. It’ll simply move elsewhere. The sad part is that I’m sure most bands would rather have a good and active artistic environment in Kuwait rather than have to fly to Dubai or Egypt or wherever to play their shows and be properly exposed. I think nothing hurt more for Voice of the Soul than the fact that more people in Dubai bought t-shirts than in Kuwait…and that the least downloads for their new EP on a global scale came from their home-base: Kuwait. I suppose this is what happens when the only idea of music you’re exposed to is through MTV.

It doesn’t happen like that, music fans and trendy musicians. Believe me, if music was like that, I’d give myself a manicure and a pedicure…I’d put a tattoo of each member of Slipknot on my body, I’d have a fringe like some Anime character, and I’d change my name from Kareem to D@rkAngelMetalzRuleHardcoreYeh. Now that I think of how annoyed I am with the environment in Kuwait, I think it’s time I write some music! -K

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Who is Kareem?

Though I currently don’t live in Kuwait anymore, I have from 1999-2009. I’ve been involved in Kuwait’s music scene since 2007, when I founded Kuwait-based death metal band, Voice of the Soul. I am still active as ever with VotS and I also write album reviews and interviews on Metality.net. Over the summer, I wrote some interviews for LebMetal.com

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“Variety of Music in Kuwait or lack there of” by Fawaz Noman (Fazzy)

Hard to find new house and trance tracks here in the record shops or even on the radio stations, As i have traveled to other middle eastern countries and i find everything there in the record shops and radio stations. They(tracks or albums) sometimes arrive a year later of the release date which sucks.

My name is Fawaz Noman & my DJ name is Fazzy. I am just new to the DJ/Producing scene here in Kuwait or anywhere. I Have been living in Toronto for many years and just moved to Kuwait.I have been learning the art of djing and producing for the past year. you can find my latest mixes on mixcloud.com/fazzy and new tracks on soundcloud.com/fazzy_

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“Passion” by Mathew Vickland

As a citizen of the US I’ve been blown away by passion I see coming out of the Kuwaiti music scene. I’m embarrassed to admit it is the only window I have into Kuwaiti culture (or any in the region, for that matter).

Where I come from anybody with the slightest whim or the laziest dream of stardom can pick up a guitar and demand instant success. The market is flooded with talented musicians, but without vision and passion these talents waste away or battle on in obscurity. On the other hand, musicians in Kuwait seem to have a cause. They have fresh ideas for an audience that might not be ready for them. What would my friends and I give to be in that position! Our audience is jaded and unimpressed by even the best bands we have to offer.

If a scene kid doesn’t “get” a band they will pretend to because that’s what’s cool. We’re all busy trying to out-smart and out-cool each other, tearing each other down so there will be more room for our name on the marquee. Don’t lose your sense of community and don’t give up on your dreams!

I’m one of the founding members of the Sacramento band 2 or 3 Guys. I mostly play bass but dabble in keyboards and saxophone. I love all genres of music from jazz to punk to hip hop to rock and pop.

Visit the 2 or 3 guys profile on ENGAGE >>

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“One for All & All for One Cause…” by Kenny

Super concept of new awareness and discussion through core-convictions that I see once again from Kuwait Music. Brilliant step yet again… I can go on and on with the challenges and the scene that I personally have been with and in for over a decade. In the early phases, I’d seen, organized and arranged and played underground and public gigs up untill 2003. Then onwards there seemed to be a drastic drop in the graph of gigs mainly public and the underground scene seemed to have fallen apart.

I’ve played venues that are considered quite public that included the Annual Raft race in Messilah Beach Hotel and even the entertainment city and Virgin megastore in its prime days. Rules have always been there and yes even then I was able to arrange the first ever RockFest that took place in Virgin Megastore. Unfortunately last minute glitches were there and even though they were allowed to host it, there was a condition that it would only be instrumental. However, it did happen. 2005 onwards I witnessed a rise in the scene where new bands were popping up and the ones already there came back up with a fresh zeal and energy.

I think that was mainly because of Shamal Battle of the Bands in UAE that was offering the opportunity to the winning band to open for the Desert Rock Fest which was gaining tremendous ground and popularity. One thing I witnessed being constant. The bands could never get together on one turf to make things happen for the bands by the bands and it seemed (For obvious reasons) that local bands had given up on the local scene(whatever was left of it) and started looking beyond the borders.

Well, I see the awareness part and gathering up a community totally taken on by Kuwait-music and brilliantly handled. However, with the tightening of certain rules further the community falls short of coming up with support and encouragement to get their heads together to make things happen. I’ve seen bands come up and go down and vanish from the scene just for the mere reason of not being able to stick to and feed their passions that they gave in and gave up. Most bands I see today, might talk about supporting each other and helping where required, I hardly see any two in total agreement when it comes down to it. I hear words of support but honestly on practical grounds it’s just not there; unfortunately. Go a venue? why not include a few other bands in the gig? Bad idea? Well maybe if the thought pattern is focused on the limelight factor. How much of it is there around here anyways? I cannot call the Kuwait music scene even quarter of the mainstream or even underground. Conviction is the passion that drives us to make music despite the odds. Feed the passion and it’ll grow.

When it grows it turns into a solid wall that stands in the face of any oddities that it might be faced with. There are venues that still can be played as there still are ways to do and pump up the gigs. It needs resources and heads and some right heads to be part of the picture.

Convictions? I encourage the heads of the bands to get together and be part of what I call a board of music club made for the bands by the bands! Evolution was never an easy process but with it comes phases of revolution that can turn the pages. So keep at it, don’t give in, know a bit of your history and there’s no way you won’t make it. Ingredients: The only ingredients missing are the knowledgebase, of how things work in the music business, levels and processes of production and how to go about them in the right way and in the right order. One for all and all for one cause- develop a local plan with global impact! Awareness? I think we’re in pretty good hands

Kenny, Founder of Earsplit

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“Nothing will change unless the youth of Kuwait demands it.” , By Dejan Nikolin

I would like to comment on the subject, as well as some of the things that Ali Sleeq mentioned in his piece on the same subject.

” I have objectively been able to conclude that Kuwait’s music scene is young and inexperienced” – Ali

Scene in Kuwait is much older than people think. Back in ’74-76 (yeah…I AM that old), I played in a band in Kuwait – The Eclipse. We played regular gigs at various venues around Kuwait – The Pearl Restaurant at Marzouk, Salmiyah, Sheraton, various schools, etc. We played Rock (now called ’Classic Rock’), reggae, blues (sorry Ali, we beat you by 35 years <grin>), rock’n'roll etc etc. One of the most popular songs to do live in those days was Born To Be Wild- and we were not the only band around. There were 3 very good shops selling instruments (much better selection than today), and scene was very lively – a band played somewhere in town almost every night.

“However, just as things started to look rosy, more laws were put in place to stop licenses, general drop in activity, and lower expectations have hindered the progress that started.” – Ali

Actually, this ‘trend’ of putting laws and restrictions has started long time ago, and every year it gets worse and worse. At those gigs back in ’74, 75, 76, everyone danced, and entrance was free - band was paid out of increased revenue for these places. There was no requirement for a ‘license’, or to make it a ‘private’ event.

New Year’s Eve 74/75, I played with a visiting Italian Band in Sheraton (their bass player got sick on arrival, so I jumped in). Yes, New Year Parties were allowed, and were happening all over the city. Alcohol was served openly in all 5-star hotels, including the Sheraton, and we ended up playing until 4am (these days all events have to close by 2am). Basically, Kuwait of 35 years ago was Qatar of today…almost Dubai of today. Interestingly enough, at that time, nobody ever heard of Dubai, because there was NOTHING in Dubai in 1974.

Restrictions started n 1978 and it’s been downhill ever since. So, I must be a real sucker (or painfully dumb) to still play, still be

with a band (SWITCHBACK), but I have most certainly become a pessimist about the whole scene (Definition of a Pessimist – an Optimist, but with experience).

Also, note that I am careful not to use the word ‘industry’, because there isn’t one, as much we all would like for one to exist. As I posted on Kuwait-Music FB wall recently, nothing will change unless the youth of Kuwait demands it. But, they are too busy doing other things…

Dejan – Bass Player for SWITCHBACK, Kuwait’s #1 Party Band

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