Old boys keep it in the groove

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LIFE begins at 50 for a group of Malay College of Kuala Kangsar 1976 graduates who affectionately call themselves FT@50.

By day, the 100-odd members are CEOs, engineers, architects, doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs; but on Friday nights, they catch up over jamming sessions, chats and casual gaming.

“FT@50 refers to the First Thoroughbreds of the college, most of whom are aged 50 this year,” Dewarisan Holdings Sdn Bhd CEO and Fat Cat Studios founder Datuk Mohd Nasir Abu Mansor (inset pic) said.

Fat Cat Studios was established by him in January 2009 to realise his dream of providing an alternative venue for young musical talents wanting to establish themselves.

“We hope to scout for and nurture young, undiscovered talent, and provide these budding musicians with an avenue to develop and refine their skills for the local and even regional markets,” Mohd Nasir, who is FT@50’s honorary president said.

Reliving the era: (from left) Earl Grey @ Engku Ahmad Kamel, Count Dwayne @ Zainal Azhar Ahmad, Prince Ray Gunawan @ Raja Mohd Azmi, Kenny @ Muhammad Amin Zainuddin, Soul McLaughlin @ Mohd Nazari Khalidun, Jacques @ Kamaruzaman Azhar, and Mark Rabane @ Ahmad Fahmy Mohamad Omar.

“The studio is also aimed at providing a platform for developing Internet Protocol (IP) TV and radio content as a complementary activity to my company’s business in the telecommunications industry.”

In addition, Fat Cat Studios serves as the unofficial clubhouse for the FT@50 batch.

One of the highlights at their weekly gatherings is the jamming session by the music enthusiasts of FT@50.

Their band is named Slow Speed Broad Band, a moniker that pokes fun at their ages and physical sizes.

Band producer and Aldwich Infotech Sdn Bhd CEO Engku Ahmad Kamel recalled the fun he and his former classmates had singing and playing the recorder back in their college’s music classes and during performances.

“To mark our 50th birthdays this year, one of our pet projects is to record an album with 12 tracks from the 1970s and 1980s — songs that we can relate to our schooldays.

“We’ll be distributing the CDs at our upcoming annual dinner,” Engku Ahmad said.

Slow Speed Broad Band primarily comprises five members and focuses on rock, blues and acoustic.

Among the activities held to commemorate FT@50 members’ landmark birthdays are golf outings to several destinations including St Andrews, Scotland (the birthplace of golf), a bus trip to their alma mater, and an umrah pilgrimage to Mecca.

Engku Ahmad said the studio welcomes musicians from all sorts of genres and is looking at setting up its own recording label to help market potential acts through the alternative media.

Mohd Nasir stressed the importance of the studio’s sustainability, and said it would not be a commercially-driven venture.

Plans in the pipeline for Fat Cat Studios include setting up a database for the music industry that comprises a directory of performers based on speciality and genre.

“We welcome collaborations with local artistes and are looking into the possibility of setting up an Internet radio station,” said Engku Ahmad.

Mohd Nasir added that they are working on upgrading the website to offer booking services for company functions based on the directory, and downloading content like ringtones, music and short clips.

The studio presently features a lounge, recreation room with Wii and karaoke equipment, sound engineer’s room and studio.

A video production room will be built soon.

Special discounts are offered to students for selected services.

Fat Cat Studios is located at UG06, Plaza Emerald Perdana, Jalan PJU 8/3A, Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya.