“In 1993 Stompin’ Ground’s
e.p “We Set The Pace” sold
more than 10,000 copies in
Malaysia, more than any local
underground or mainstream
local acts have achieved
under the Pony Canyon
Singapore label.”
The name of a group that has
built itself a household name
in our local underground
hardcore scene for 23 years
performed their swansong
show last year. The band has
over two decades, for reasons
that need not detain us now,
proven to be especially powerful, appealing and influential. The group that primarily
consists of Suhaimi Subandie,
Syed Mahdzar Al Shahab,
Mohammed Falmi Esman
better known amongst his
peers as Ayong “Al Sayf”,
Mohammad Hafidz and Imran
Wahid started an unassuming rich musical legacy that
strongly played a major part
in adopting/exposing
hardcore music in Singapore
and South East Asia when
they formed in 1988.
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music for the right
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the fame or
In an aesthetically or
politically appealing
historical moment, the
release of the cassette demo
version of GREY in 1990
ignited a whole new musical
youth movement heroically
named, Lion City Hardcore
two years later in 1992. A
style, depending on social
background and geographical
location boasts original and
unique nuances. A defining
birth of an idea through a
subculture that grew out of
teen gatherings at the Forum
Galleria; one of many mall
hangouts where hardcore
kids/punks/skateboarders/
skinheads gather in cliques.
Stompin’ Ground experienced
a step-by- step development
on the emergent of cultural
forms from the very
beginning.
introductory of the DIY
ethics in the late 80’s and
early 90’s, they pioneered a
pre-internet generation that
was connected to the larger
peninsular market by
performing for shows and
gigs that connects Singapore
to the Malaysian cities of
Johor Bahru and Kuala
Lumpur. These tours
maintained a bigger
regional fandom.
Of course with the ban on
‘slam dancing’ after the
Henry Rollins gig at the
Singapore Labour
Foundation gig in 1992, the
band’s performances after
were detailed with fake band
names and a statement to
Singapore’s authority with a
cause to be reckoned with.
The mosh pits got a lot
bigger. It marked a rebellion
movement with a new
identity for the face of local
music scene.
By 1995, they released their
first full-length album on Pony
Canyon Singapore,
“Measured By The Richter
Scale.” At its peak, made
history when it was listed no
2 in the Australian Metal/Rock
Billboard Charts just behind
Sepultura’s “Roots”.
But what deeper impact that
the band had was the social
catharsis between the
youths during that time.
An important influence that
marked the birth to various
street/music subcultures
amongst wayward teenagers
especially for the Malay
community. These kids
were rallied and guided
into positive and creative
lifestyles and now even after
the band has disbanded, the
community still regards them
of much importance. Stompin’
Ground has now belonged to
the people.
Thoroughly equipped with the
rise of independent record
labels along with the
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