Strong but far from silent

Yes, our own little Dean's Lister WJ has been featured in the news:

http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2005/9/4/education/11874798

Their single Unspoken sounds really good... maybe coz WJ wasn't singing. Heh.

Sunday September 4, 2005

From schoolmates to band members of Silent Scream, these young men have successfully combined a career in music with studies, writes SHARMILLA GANESAN.

WHAT DO you get when you put together a recently graduated accounting student, two medical students, a law scholar and an engineering undergraduate? Well, in this case, a rock fusion band!

Meet the members of Silent Scream, a group of 21-year-old guys who are as serious about getting high-quality education as they are about making it big in the local music scene.

It seems to be a decision that is working for them, as Silent Scream is now recording its debut album produced by R&B sensation Reshmonu.

Good friends since their secondary school days at SMK Victoria (VI) – John Oommen, Andrew Yap, Yam Wern-Jhien, Tan Hiang Liang and Choy Sing Kin – strayed from the norm when they decided that their education warranted just as much attention as their band did.

“We don’t just focus on our music because we need something more stable to support us,” says Andrew, who is pursuing his medical degree at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. “The music business in Malaysia does not guarantee financial success,” he says.

Looking at their choice of courses, however, it is obvious that financial stability is not all these young men are after. John, who completed his Association of Chartered Certified Accountants course last year and is now a lecturer at Sunway University College, says all the band members believe in striking a balance.

“I feel that music on its own is not intellectually stimulating enough. While music is our creative outlet, we also need a stimulus for our minds.

That’s why each of us chose to study different and demanding courses to explore both sides of our brains,” he says.

Although serious in its goal,having fun is part and parcel of Silent Scream.

Seeing the band together, one is struck by their familiarity with one another; frequent jokes abound and jamming sessions are interspersed with easy conversation and laughter.

School band

It is a closeness that comes from a shared history. Although they finalised their line-up only last year, the origins of Silent Scream stretches back to 1998 when the boys, with the exception of Sing Kin, first decided to pool their talents and perform at a school function.

From this humble beginning, the band went through several changes before emerging as the champion of the 2002 Taylor’s CollegeBattle of the Bands. This was the start of their road to becoming full-fledged performers, as they went on to play at various events before being “discovered” by Reshmonu in 2003.

Despite being good friends, the members of Silent Scream are as diverse as their music. They draw influences from many sources and each person brings in his own unique style. This results in eclectic music with a strong emotional core. Ultimately, they also inspire each other.

“The most important element of Silent Scream is our friendship. We can’t say for sure whether we are going to be a success, but at the end of the day, if all we have to show is our friendship, that will still be great,” says John.

Silent Scream’s most recent addition, Sing Kin, says playing with the band is a great experience. “Being a musician is no stroll in the park, but being with these guys makes the stress and problems easier to handle. I’ve learnt so much since I joined,” says the engineering student from Multimedia University. The band prides itself on the fact that it is friendship that brought them together.

Their bond is evident from the support the members give one another.

Wern-Jhien, who is studying law at the National University of Singapore, asserts that they all try to work around each other’s academic calendars and educational commitments.

“I guess I’m lucky to have such understanding friends. The fact that we’re not expected to compromise our studies in any way really helps,” he says.

Parents' blessings

By proving that the band does not come in the way of education, the boys have secured their parents’ confidence.

“Our parents have a good point when they say music is not a dependable career choice. However, pursuing success as a band doesn’t mean we have to compromise on a professional career,” says John.

Hiang Liang, a medical student with the International Medical University, adds that he looks at all his endeavours as a learning process. “I don’t see why we should confine ourselves to just one field when there is so much to be learnt.

“Plus, I learn things that can be effectively applied in both my pursuits, such as professionalism, time management and commitment,” he says. They all agree that both education and music have each contributed to the other’s advancement.

“Our days at VI made us well-rounded individuals who take pride in our abilities. The emphasis on co-curricular activities taught us how to achieve a balance in our lives,” says John.

At the same time, being in a band has also indirectly contributed to strengthening their academic pursuits. Andrew says the group dynamics within the band has improved their communication and thinking skills. “We all have strong personalities, so we’ve learnt to compromise. We also have to be able to think on our feet as many problems crop up. These are skills that we can even apply to our studies,” he says.

So where does Silent Scream see itself in the future?

“I believe Malaysia deserves a stronger voice in the world and I hope to contribute to this through our music. I want to do for Malaysia what U2 has done for Ireland,” says Wern-Jhien. They would also like to encourage aspiring performers to expand their horizons.

“We hope to pave the way for other young people to think both ways,” says Andrew. “It is definitely possible to be serious in your studies while still following your passion.”

For more information on Silent Scream and their music, visit http://www.silentscream.biz