Thursday, July 19, 2012

The Pest Infested

Hillview alive with the sound of music (2)

The Pest Infested band was formed in 1967 by Princess Elizabeth boys John Ali and Ernie Koh.
In the beginning, they had Francis Chan (lead guitar), Sng Cheng Chuan (drums), John Ali (Rhythm guitar) and Ernie Koh (Bass guitar/Vocals). This was the founding lineup and the band specialised in hard core Blues music.

In the early days, the band played gigs mainly in British forces camps and at 'Tea Dances' but soon had opportunities to play support at the Golden Venus Nightclub at Orchard Hotel.

Back in the late 60s, Golden Venus Nightclub was the apex for band boys. If you were somebody, you had to be playing at the Golden Venus. I guess the nearest thing today would be like comparing it to Zuok or St James today. They also landed a stretch at the London Scene at Hotel Malaysia - another happening place at that time.



As common with bands in the 60s, there were lots of lateral movement among musicians, back ups and vocalists. So it was not uncommon for band members to leave and new musicians joining the band later.

For Pest Infested, quite of number of estate boys played for the band and later moved on to others. Musician who did some time with Pest Infested included
Gerry La Chica (The Flybaits)
Robert Suriya (Naomi & the boys)
Richard D'Silva
Jack Elias
Lim Thian Soon (Straydogs)
David Ng, bassist
Chris Ong, lead guitar
Philip Hardie.

Even Rex Goh auditioned once for Pest Infested but found he wasn't compatible with the blues genre that Pest Infested played. Rex Goh later became the guitarist for the Australian group, Air Supply.


I managed to contact Tony Cheong, one of the final members, who wrote me as follows:-


Hi James,

Here is the pic of us (above photo), it was taken near our practise studio at Chestnut Ave in 1974. Before Chestnut, our equipment & studio was at a kampong house in PEE ..... remember the forested area at the fringe of the estate, beyond Kum Sung's block. 
We rented a whole kampong house with grass laid compound from a family who had moved out, for just $40/month. And we would practise & blast our rock music & no one would complain cos the  nearest kampong house was about 70 m away. Cool huh!

The guys you see in the photo are actually 3rd generation PI, except for Ernie(founder) & Shah(2nd gen). Well, we went on to play for another 4 to 5 years until our day jobs became too much of a commitment to continue the music. 
I think the last gig was at a club called Queen Bee at the Queens hotel at Mt Elizabeth.

I remember your dad Tann Yean, he used to hang out with my dad & Ernie's father, Koh Keng Kwee.

Cheers,
Tony

Tony Cheong (right), with members of the band Humble Origin.
L-R: Terry Tan, Bernard Koh(standing) & Tommy Tan.


Sadly,  most of these talented local bands slowly faded away in the early 70s in part due to clampdowns by the authorities. I guess band members found it hard going with all the restrictions and connotations with hippie culture and drugs at that time. Pest Infested disbanded around 1978.

If you wish to hear a sample of the music of the 60s, click here. (This is not the Pest Infested but I am still hoping I can find a recording of them somewhere)


5 comments:

  1. Can anyone help me to reconnect with Philip Hardie, he was my best friend in school.

    Victor

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  2. Hi Uncle James,

    Someone uploaded a video on the Pest Infested's performance during last year's Mosaic Festival
    Here's the link below. Hope this helps
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3gKMb4RUFc

    Cheers,
    Reuben

    ReplyDelete
  3. hi I am part of the first generation band, how to contact you? Juan sng

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Juan Sng,
      You can email directly to me at hjtann@mac.com
      I am sure you got lots to tel and I am eagerly waiting to hear your stories.

      Delete
  4. My family lived at block 23, till 1979 moving to Hillview. School was Princess Elizabeth Estate Primary. I remember Pest Infested jamming at block 24, the first house ground floor. I was a kid climbing on the back window rails of block 24 and watch them jam out. I grew up remembering, Ernie, Shah, Richard, Oliver, Jack, and Philip was staying at my block. There were others too, Sapuan, Zul and others I can't recall their names. I remember they played at "heaven" right at the top of Chu Tin Road/Jalan Dermawan, or as we called it "up the hill". I watched them play at the then National Theater during the "Rock On" festival sometime in the 70's. Sad that some had passed on, bless their souls. Some time ago, saw and waved at Ernie at Bukit Batok East Ave 3, he still has that hippie dress code and style. That's cool brother. Met Richard some years back too. I'm 63 now and wish all remaining brothers of Pest Infested and all of Princess Elizabeth residents that they will remain an unforgotten memory. Princess Elizabeth Estate was truly a beautiful place. The football field was the school's sports day venue. The surrounding kampong with all kinds of fruit trees, CC, pasar malam stalls, the market, Lam Soon Building, Kewalram, Mercedes, Camel Paint..etc, Castrol, Eveready, Chartered Bank, Fu Yong Estate, Boys Town...etc. We had footballers, drinkers, "tah kia's", the satay-man (who's son Moliano was my classmate and guitarist of the "Love Hunter's" band). The "tau sau pow" uncle, "egg-lady", "roti-man", and Anee the 4D guy. The list goes on..etc. Oh by the way, we had stoners too. Its where I learned about "sweet leaf" and later moved on to other genre. But the whole of Princess Elizabeth by itself was in the time that we all lived there was truly surreal and a beautiful living experience. To all who had lived at Princess, thank you for being a part of the shared memory.and my best wishes and good health for the remaining years. Princess Elizabeth would not have been what is was without all of you. "THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS IN OUR LIVES ARE NOT SEEN BUT FELT ONLY IN OUR HEARTS"

    ReplyDelete