Welcome message from Sarah Lam,
Assistant Manager (Applications Development),
Integricity Corporation

How time flies! It seems like just awhile ago that I joined Integricity, and was struggling to answer support calls which I constantly had to ask my seniors for help. In a blink of an eye, almost three years have passed, and now I have juniors turning to me for help.

As time passes, the technology advancements grows in leaps and bounds. The Mooncake Festival is approaching, but how many know the story behind mooncakes? To cut a long story short, mooncakes were once used by leaders of the Sung dynasty as a way to pass secret messages to each other during the rebellion. Now, we have much more sophisticated methods of secure communication that ensure total privacy for e-mailing.

However, with this technology wave, many cultural practices are lost along the way. How many children still buy lanterns to play with during this season? Not only that, many of the traditional paper lanterns in the shapes of dragon, carps, etc. have been replaced with battery-operated plastic Pokémon or Ultraman lanterns. I'm all for technology improvements, but please do not forget your roots!

I hope you will enjoy the September issue of Fanatical Voices, and our ears are always open for any feedback you may have for us.

Fanatically yours,

Sarah Lam
Assistant Manager (Applications Development)

Friends of Integricity : UNABASHED

UNABASHED is an upcoming independent Malaysian band. In alphabetical order, UNABASHED are Andrew Tan (Vocalist), Enoch (Bass), Jason Ding (Vocalist again), Judson (Drums), Justin Ng (Keyboards) and Raymund (Guitar). We had a nice chat about music, on being fanatical, and their ice cream flavor preferences.

Congratulations on making it to the Malaysian music charts! Let's start from here. How did UNABASHED come about?
UNABASHED : Thanks, we're very excited bout that as well! Original members of UNABASHED got together in mid 2003. To cut the long story short - Founding members were Andrew, Enoch, Jason, Jason, Judson and Justin. Soon after, another Justin joined the alliance; making us 7. Having same names was not the criteria to joining the band; that was just crazy coincidence. Some months later, one Justin (Yap) left for studies, Bryan filled in for awhile. Then Raymund came on board, Jason (Tong) left. So now there's 6 of us (each with our own unique names.)

You have an interesting band name. Why "UNABASHED"?
UNABASHED : Judson came up with it. I guess it reflects a state of being unashamed of our passion especially. Unashamed of who we are, unashamed of our music and what we stand for.

Do you write your own songs?
Enoch : We unabashedly do. Most of our songs so far have been written by Jason.

Jason : The band would like to think I write the songs; but in actual fact, I’m just recycling words from old 80s love ballads that never made it big. Google is powerful that way. It’s pure coincidence if the songs mean anything at all.

Sounds great. So how would you describe your music to people?
Enoch : We strive to be fresh yet relevant.

Andrew : Loud.

Jason : Our music is the soundtrack to the birth of a paramecium.

The birth of a paramecium... very insightful. What are your songs about?
UNABASHED : We sing about life and death and everything in between. We don't presume to know all the answers, but we hope to ask the right questions.

How's the website coming along? Has it helped you in anyway to promote UNABASHED?
UNABASHED: Definitely! The website has made it a lot easier to share with the masses our journey as a band. It'll always be a work in progress; and I'm sure it'll only get better with time and experience.

That's fantastic news! What other tools and features do you plan to have on your website?
UNABASHED : An extension of another 1 year free web hosting sponsorship from Integricity? Okay seriously now; we’re looking into setting up a proper mailing list, chat box, discussion board, photo gallery – the works. Much thanks to Sam and Kelvin; our official UNABASHED programmers who’s gonna help make all that happen!

Moving on, what's the biggest boo-boo you've ever made on stage?
Justin Ng : No thanks to a power failure at a gig, silence filled the air as I required a total of 4 long minutes to rearrange my setup …

Enoch : I had to sing "That Thing You Do". And that’s not the embarrassing bit. I actually started the song on the wrong key because I had trouble hearing the instruments …

Jason : There’s just so many! From the top of my head; I once performed a song where I forgot the lyrics to the chorus, so I kept doing the verse and pre-chorus until someone turned the page.

Good call, Jason. What are you keen to perform or record?
Justin Ng : A Progressive rock and a Fusion Jazz song.

Enoch : No Man's Land. I love the song!

Andrew : An UNABASHED acoustic album.

Jason : I’ve not written that song yet.

Which songs have been receiving a lot of air play recently?
UNABASHED : "Whisper to the Storm" on X-fresh FM and "This is Not a Drill" on Fly FM. (Accurate at time of interview).

Besides music, what else is important to the group?
UNABASHED: What’s really important to us are our friendship, faith, and people. We’re more than just bandmates. We’re brothers who share common beliefs. We’re on a journey and if our ride had a name; it’ll be called UNABASHED. It’s important we build bridges and make real connections with people along the way.

Definitely. What was the last piece of music you listened to?
Judson : Am I wry, No by Mew.

Andrew : Music by Trashcan Sinatras.

Justin Ng : Down South by Casiopea.

Raymund : Manhattan by Eric Johnson.

Enoch : Come and Listen by David Crowder.

Jason : Aurora Borealis - Pelican.

All good choices. What's your outlook on the Malaysian music industry of today?
UNABASHED : These are exciting days to be a Malaysian musician. There are those who have gone before us, fought the good fight, and it looks like it’s only going to get better.

The future plans for UNABASHED?
UNABASHED : Write songs. Do Gigs. Get an album or two out. World domination. (not necessarily in that order)

Oh, an album! Tell us about the development of that.
UNABASHED : At this point, even after 3 years, everything still feels new to us; But the plan right now is to take the money we’ve accumulated as a band doing small gigs and use it to record as many songs as we can that will end up being either an EP or our debut album. At this point; it could go either way.

Well good luck with it all. Who do you think is the greatest band of all time?
Judson: Oh, this is a tough one. I would say U2, because they evolve with time and blend through so many different music cultures.

Justin Ng : No greatest band in my dictionary. There are just so many good bands out there! I personally support all bands that promote songs with positive values.

Enoch : Delirious, Switchfoot and U2. Delirious is the epitome of simple yet profound music. Switchfoot has absolutely crazy music arrangements and smart lyrics. U2 has ever-relevant music and staying power.

Raymund : Just too many to mention!

Jason : Counting Crows! ‘Nuff said.

Andrew : Rubber band.

If you could put together the ideal band, who would be in it?
Judson : Everyone in UNABASHED including our ex-guitarists, Justin Yap and Jason Tong.

Justin Ng : I agree with Judson, definitely a band with both Justin Yap and Jason Tong.

Enoch : (nods) There is a reason why I only play the bass…

Andrew : Me… and my clones.

Jason : Adam Duritz, Corey Taylor, Mike Einzinger, and that dude from Stone Temple Pilots on bass… and at this point, I’d probably be the ideal water boy.

Just a few more questions. How 'fanatical' is UNABASHED?
Jason : Borderline insanity.

Andrew : Hmm, ‘fanatical’ about…? Generally, I am pretty laid back. Haha.

UNABASHED : On a scale of 1 to 10, we don’t register! Alright, it’s up to us to define this ambiguous question isn’t it? UNABASHED is fanatical about our music, and big on sharing songs with positive messages.

We like the sound of that! And finally, your favorite ice cream flavor?
Justin Ng: Chocolate Peppermint.

Enoch : Chocolate anything.

Judson : Rum and Raisin.

Raymund : Vanilla.

Andrew : Pistachio almond with chocolate and caramel drizzle.

Jason : I like to eat fried chicken.

Thanks for being a sport. Best of luck with everything, and keep us posted about how things are going.

Readers whose fancies have been tickled can find out more about UNABASHED at weareunabashed.com. You can also listen to UNABASHED at www.myspace.com/unabashedband.

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News and Updates

20 September 2006
7AteNine chooses Integricity again! Almost a year after we launched their initial website, Integricity now works to update and revamp their website's brand, concept and identity.

18 September 2006
Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur signs up for Integricity's interactive design services for its existing website as well as for its future microsites.

18 September 2006
Integricity is short-listed as a Youth Friendly Company of the Year 2006 Nominee at the AYA Dream Malaysia Awards. This award seeks to acknowledge companies that have believed, invested and made the difference in the positive development of youth in Malaysia. Vote for Integricity here.