Freeloaders Inc, our first song – PJs

What is your favourite song from your band that you like to play, that you identify with?

A lot of people have asked me that question. Looking back a few years at a worn, out scrapbook that I keep for writing my lyrics (old school, yes!) I have to say without a doubt, our first song together as a band- PJs.

What is PJs about?

Post-adolescent angst. Disappointment. Frustration of things and events which were taking place around me and the inability to control them. A sense of jadedness and latent anger engulfed my younger days, on several levels. I was disappointed with Malaysia’s political direction, that despite huge changes in 2008 you realise that very few politicians are willing to sacrifice their popularity and mandate to do what was needed to be done. Different camps, different factions but they all wore the same skin. They were all, at point of time our Personal Jesus (PJs)- promising change, promising grandoise dreams but without actually tackling the existing social-political structure that perpetrated this on-going discourse.

In that sense, PJs was a translation about my disappointment at political leaders and parties that say things they don’t mean or fully understand. A realisation that at the same politicians are not the ones to look for to challenge “truths” that institutions hold as self evident- they won’t go that extra mile, no sir not for you or me.

But as we started playing this song for years and years, it changed its meaning, and that’s the beautiful part about music, the ability to move beyond its intended meaning. I’ve had people come to me and talk about how they related the words and feel of the song to their failed relationships, how people they’ve cared about let them down.

So here it goes, one more time. I performed the song solo during last year’s Christmas eve. The lyrics are as below. Enjoy people. 🙂

Freeloaders Inc- PJs

Verse 1

I prayed for a cure for my pain

You came from above, cloudy skies of red

Whispering peace foretold tales of joy

Forget my sorrows, you laid them to bed

You had shiny shoes you wore a polished smile

Spoke the good word sold me lies

Poverty war turned me to you

Hope made me put my trust in you

Chorus

Would you be my personal jesus

Sleeping on a cross up high in the sky

The roads are paved with evil intentions

Verse 2

Sleeping in my far corner of solitude

You slowly crept into my waking dreams

From ashes to ashes my dreams never faltered

From dust to dust you never delivered

Chorus

Would you be my personal jesus

Sleeping on a cross up high in the sky

The roads are paved with evil intentions

You’ve hung me out here to dry

Would you be my personal jesus

Sleeping on a cross up high in the sky

The roads are paved with evil intentions

You’ve hung me out here to dry

Bridge

On the rocks all the time ring-ring-ring-ring

Let freedom roll with every rhyme ring-ring-ring-ring

On the rocks all the time ring-ring-ring-ring

Let freedom roll with every rhyme ring-ring-ring-ring

Won’t you be my personal jesus

Sleeping on a cross up high in the sky

The roads are paved with evil intentions…

Chorus

Won’t you be my personal jesus

Sleeping on a cross up high in the sky

The roads are paved with evil intentions

You’ve hung me out here to dry

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Jarle Bernhoft live at Union Chapel, London

Being a fan of singer-songwriter/ one-man band Jarle Bernhoft is pretty much a no-brainer. It isn’t too difficult to see why this Norwegian-born musician has found mainstream acclaim in quite a short span of time.

Born on June 27, 1976, Bernhoft became popular back in Norway being part of two now-defunct bands- Explicit Lyrics and Span. After the respective break-ups, he decided to go solo, and as they say, he has not looked back ever since.

One of the most endearing qualities about his performances is that he prefers his slows to be confined to within a smaller, more personal space between him and the audience. Unlike some other musicians and performers, Bernhoft has this uncanny ability to connect with his audience by making them sing-along to infectious hooks and melodies- so even if you don’t know the words to his song, you’ll still be singing along!

This is a typical stage set with Bernhoft: two acoustic guitars (one of which has an extra bass-string tuning), a keyboard, standard delays and effects board, and two microphones (one for his main vocal and one for back-up vocals).

Unlike most artists who play solo gigs, Bernhoft is literally a one-man band. He “records” all the parts of a song live via his delay and effects board- rhythm, main vocals, back-up, bass, beats throughout the beginning of the performance for each song, so much so that the song becomes “complete” by the time the first chorus comes in, identical to the tracks on his album.

“C’mon talk” is one of his more popular videos on Youtube. Check it out

Bernhoft performed a hour long set at the Union Chapel in London on October 15 last month, and as we were singing along with him, I couldn’t help but notice the choice of his venue: a church. Which is amazing, as the acoustics and lighting were top-notch and superb. You could literally hear him without a microphone.

But I was quite curious about Union Chapel, so I did some research.

The church (http://www.unionchapel.org.uk) describes itself as “a working church, an award winning venue and a centre for those homeless and in crisis in London.” It doubles as a place of worship and a place for gigs and events, and even has a bar for drinks!

Personally I like the idea. Its approach is inviting, allows people to utilise its space and is non-discriminatory. I think many of places of worships throughout the world, mosques, gurdwaras, temples and churches should do more to appeal to not just those their target audience of “believers” but also those who do not profess similar faiths. Better understanding leads to better relationships between peoples, and I think by making places of worship more accessible is a good way to start.

Shazwan M Kamal

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