Set for a showdown

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XPDC lead singer Ali Mohd Ismail is raring to rock in the Loud Speaker Y2K 11 Mega Concert on Dec 25Set for a showdown

Ali Mohd Ismail

IT is every singer's dream to sing at a big venue.

For Malaysian artistes, before Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil, the dream venues would be Stadium Negara where big names like Anita Sarawak, Datuk Sheila Majid, Zainal Abidin, Ella, Wings and Search have no trouble filling up.

Then there is Stadium Merdeka where Roslan Aziz Production's Ikhlas concert featuring Datuk S.M. Salim, Datuk Sheila Majid, Zainal Abidin, Afdlin Shauki, Amir Yusoff and Azman Warren became one of the most successful local concerts ever held when it attracted more than 40,000 fans.

This Dec 25, legendary rock bands Wings and XPDC look to repeat history at Stadium Merdeka when they perform at the "Loud Speaker Y2K 11 Mega Concert".

Aside from the two bands known for their hard rock metal sounds, it will also feature Azlan & The Typewriter, Faizal Tahir, and The Royale FT Force.

Tickets are priced at RM77 and RM222.

For XPDC lead singer Ali Mohd Ismail, the experience would add another feather to his cap. In 1998, he had performed in "Konsert Raksasa XPDC" which was held at Stadium Negara.

"There is nothing like performing in a stadium. The atmosphere is electric. The sound is louder.

"And to see a sea of people in front of you ... well there is nothing like it!" said Ali when met recently.

Naturally, the 40-something singer is preparing himself for the big showdown as he is not planning to let anyone down.

Ali, who became the lead singer of XPDC when its original vocalist Mael quit the band, will be sharing the stage with Mael. Both are expected to render an equal number of songs that evening.

Born Oct 23 in Klang, Selangor, Ali's foray into professional singing began in 1990 when he became lead singer for Terra Rossa.

The band's first album, Epigoni, released in 1991, received good response from the fans when it sold more than 25,000 units, earning it a gold disc.

After releasing two albums, he went solo and released his first album in 1995 titled Ali Terrarossa.

When Mael quit as lead singer for XPDC in 1994, it paved the way for Ali to join the band a year later.

Ali performed with the band for almost 10 years. In 1999, the album titled Ali XPDC earned the band a double platinum disc when sales of the album breached 100,000 units.

Fans would remember some of his hits which include Bunga Angkasa, Sakinah, Gering, Terjemahan Cinta, Kita, Jujur, Angan Angan, Permata Cinta, Kau Yang Pertama, Perjalanan, Segala Yang Ku Impikan, Penggoda Kotaraya and Kasih.

XPDC also became one of the busiest bands around as there was hardly a weekend when the band was not performing in a mini concert somewhere.

What is the difference between XPDC and Terra Rossa?

"XPDC music is keras. It is all about hard metal sounds whereas Terra Rossa is much softer in comparison. Some songs of Terra Rossa can even be categorised as pop rock. That is why songs like Bunga Angkasa made it to TV3's Juara Lagu.

"But whenever I feel a need to release myself and really let my hair down, I can do that with XPDC," explained Ali.

Ali, whose dad and uncle are musicians, does not smoke. He says not smoking helps him take care of his voice, and "I couldn't smoke even if I wanted to".

"My mother will never ever allow me to drink or smoke but she doesn't mind me playing music."

It is not easy to keep a band together, what more with the ever rapid-changing market. The advent of technology and music piracy forced adjustments to be made to ensure survival.

XPDC was no exception and so in 2005, Ali quit the band and formed his own band, Mpire.

Mpire however did not quite take off the way Ali had wanted it to so he is now back on his solo outing and has just released his latest single, Sepi Rindu, under Life Records.

Not many rockers would jump at the chance of acting, what more if it was for a telemovie. When XPDC was offered an opportunity to act, the band members cringed at first.

But after much persuasion, the band relented and decided to give it a try.

It proved to be a worthwhile effort. After appearing in two telemovies, Apa Nak Di Kata which revolves around XPDC's band members and their journey to stardom and Sakinah which is about XPDC after it had achieved stardom, Ali and the band's following grew.

"I usually get stopped by fans who are mostly teenagers and rock fans.

"Now I get asked for pictures by the demurest of makciks! They even call me by my character in the telemovies! It's fantastic," said Ali.

Still, although he has his legion of fans, Ali still gets excited seeing stars.

"Yes, I can remember the first time I met Amy Search and Nash Lefthanded and feeling absolutely excited!

"These are rock legends and now to have the opportunity to share the same stage with another legendary rock band like Wings is simply awesome!"

ALI TRIVIA

• Favourite local band?
Lefthanded & Search

• Favourite international band?
Metallica

• Favourite local singer?
Jamal Abdillah

• Favourite international singer?
Malmsteen vocalist Joe Lynn
Turner

• Favourite local actress?
Fauziah Nawi

• Favourite local actor?
Eman Manan

• Favourite local movie?
Bukit Kepong

• Favourite international actress?
Angelina Jolie

• Favourite international actor?
Shah Rukh Khan

• Favourite international movie?
Indiana Jones movies Raiders of the Lost Ark & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

• Favourite song of all time?
Songs made popular by the late and great Sudirman Arshad

• Dream holiday destination?
Dubai