The Style Council

In the city there’s a thousand things I wanna say to you.

Part 1

I was at the Pan Pacific hotel attending a dinner, a complimentary by my uncle after his son’s wedding not too long ago. But I couldn’t keep still, I was anticipating and eager to get home, to get changed and put on me Sunday’s best. We, the Squires will be having our own Mod run that night, followed by a special invitation by the head of SOG (Scooter Organizing Group) to escort the mayor of the North East CDC (Community Development Council) the following morning. It was our first invitational event since our establishment.

I met the lads at half past twelve outside Topshop at Orchard Road (don’t ever mistaken us as the sods who call themselves mods and frequented there almost every Saturday evening aye) and it was sheer pandemonium as it has been a long time since I last met them. Spirits were flying high. Fleint, Spud (Zul), Scoot, Keith and Cliff were there. (Did I mentioned Spud is now a member of us? Forget Nev. Spud will be the last.) Generally, everyone was dressed from top to toe, looking well off and sharp. Expensive shirts, and creaseless pants and smart shoes, with tailored suits topping it all off, we definitely stole the limelight and awed the many passers by. Altogether, there were five scooters, Scoot just got his, an amazing turquoise Sprint V, decked with bars and mod lights and it is a real beauty just like the other scooters. However, it is not the scooters that we are going for; one can have peacock scooters but have a pseudo concept in the ideology; it is rather disappointing really. Scooters play a small part in the Mod concept. After catching up on what stories I had missed over the past weeks, we decided to make a move to Spud’s.

(Praises to Keith and Bondzo on obtaining the long awaited and well deserved riding license. It is just a matter of time before the tally of scooters reaches seven.)

Riding in a staggered line, the run to Spud’s was purely ecstatic, we caught constant stares from anyone on the road and on the walkways. Fifteen minutes past one, we were at Spud’s (he’s got to attend to his prayers) void deck in Eunos, breaking the pin drop silence in the neighbourhood by the constant clanking of the scooters. But, we were considerate enough to not make a fuss by waking them residents up. While waiting for Spud, we were busy chatting among ourselves. Johnny was as usual busy repairing or should I say modifying his Sprint’s headlight.

Well Johnny, we are proud to have you in the crew. He’s our mobile mechanic, always on hand to remedy any problems with any of the scooters. If there is any scooter parts need repairs or modifications, Johnny’s the cognoscenti in vespa mechanics. He also sees the island in a map view and no doubt, he is our appointed road navigator, or shall I say, the Routemaster. And Johnny’s scooter doubles as our mobile store as well. You might never know what you could find under his seat. Well, kudos to you Johnny!

After Spud’s, we went off to the East Coast Beach, and unfortunately, Cliff mysteriously left the pack, probably he went home. Well Cliff, if you are facing any problems, we can help o’aite mate? Upon reaching East Coast, we got some take away food at MacDonald’s and found a nice spot on a grass patch along the beach. We lay down the canvas sheets, ate, jabbered and slept. Well, that’s for Johnny, Keith and Scoot, they slept smartly just like the deceased whom you find in coffins at Christian funerals, but amazingly, they woke up still neat and their shirts creaseless. How did ye do that, lads?

The next day looks very promising for us.

End of Part 1

It’s another Saturday night…

It has been a while since I last went out with the lads. Everyone is being busy lately with school, accidents, girlfriends, ‘fraternising’ with the traffic police o’er the state of their scooters and whatnots. Keith and Bondzo failed their Traffic Police tests again and Misch is rapidly advancing in his motorcycle practices, catching up on ‘em fast. Well, all the best to you lads. You lads know when the date due is. I’m not too keen on taking up a riding license right now as I had to engage head on with exhaustive tests, exams, week after week. I am not going to botch up my educational experience that’s for sure.

Donning a Casual attire, Lacoste polo on and with a mohair Milford jumper in hand, I met Keith (anyway, sorry Keith if I had to abandon tutoring your brother half-way, school mate) and headed off to Orchard. No City Hall this time round in tandem with the National Day parade rehearsals which brought about almost an entire half of the police force to that area. However, I despise going to Orchard on weekends as it is always jam packed with masses of different classes and often inviting indecent acts with ‘em. Met Johnny, Fleint and Misch there, as well as Martin’s friends whom I am not to sure of their names (sorry lads) before heading off to the same old Turkish café on Arab Street. As usual, our orders came in late. We spent almost a quarter of the night there engaging with conversations amidst constant ‘pass-bys’ by Simply’s members on their scooters (hinting us that they were probably having a meeting that night, but who cares). After Martin and his ‘gang’ left, Zul came with his Super followed by Bondzo moments later. Zul, a police officer (NS) is someone whom we are keen to let him be a part of us. This rather rare opportunity only comes to individuals who are always conspicuous for the mod ideology and we think Zul is up to the reputable standard we are at. I am especially fond of his character which is to be able to juggle work, fashion, minds and scooters in an egalitarian manner. That simply it reflects us Squires (right Lads?). Well, I am not going on and on eulogising him as there are more important issues on hand to be addressed.

Through me conversations with the Lads, I learnt that Singapore is slowly turning into a ‘mod mecca’ with more shops selling mod gear. Previously, there was only Top Shop, regarded as one of the many places to gain mod fashion but now, more shops are selling Ben Sherman’s and Clarks desert boots (they were previously extinct species in Singapore). However, I do not see this as an applaudable move by the retailers, especially on the impact of the culture here, but rather, an apocalyptical one as what you would get is some sort of a photocopy-cal effect. That is, most of these kids will be wearing the same thing from top to bottom (even down under!) to a certain extent and thus defeating the Bohemianism ideology (the emphasis to be different). Where is the sense of rarity in fashion goin’ then?

Another problem I foresee is that, as these kids were eager that these brands is being sold at retailers ‘near’ them, they would save or work and buy as many as they could. Wow! Doesn’t that sound like the original Mods over the past many decades? But, oh blimey, they would rather go for the brand name rather than quality, style and the design on the products will not be suited for them and make e,’ look rather ugly. Hence, you would get colours and designs being mismatched and maybe the sizes and measurement of the apparels does not look nice on them. The results you will get are top clowns rather than top mods. I wonder where the fashion sense will be heading in the near future….

Well that’s up to them wannabes to decide. Martin and friends told me that a pathetic lad probably copied words from me Friendster account. That is a disdainful attitude to possess as I think; Mods have a sense of originality. Immature lad he is, I guess. Checked his profile today, and he changed it completely. That’s the latest.

The Mod Scene

Decca Originals

Deram

A PolyGram Company

The Mod scene is notably the best album I had bought (it’s been 3 years) and I think it is appropriate if I eulogise this album. It cost me £8.99 for this brilliant compilation and I think it is rather value for money, considering the rarity of this album located here. The Mod Scene compiles both released and unreleased tracks by unknown and unheard Mod bands of the 60’s all over Great Britain (the Eyes of Blue is from Wales). It featured the likes of The Quik, Hipster Image, Chris Farlow, Graham Bond Organisation, Jimmy Winston and His Reflections, Graham Gouldman, Steve Aldo and the Mockingbirds, et al. These rare artists were the best of their time considering the fact that their songs managed to be compiled in this album and I think the only artists which I would consider mainstream in this album are The Small Faces and Tom Jones with ‘Grow Your Own’ and ‘Dr. Love’ respectively. Other than the danceable, sleek, modish tracks, this album comprises an informative mini booklet on the bands featured on top of the rather brief introductory of mod and the scene accompanying it. It also comprises of pictures of the bands and the Faces in it which provides good pictorial examples of the real mods. Old Lambretta advertisements and other mod accessories are also pictured in this mini booklet. This compilation is a must have for all mod aficionados and do not bother to search for the tunes at popular free music downloads as I don’t think it’s there. It’s rare!   

I am writing this to reply to Fakhrur Rozi’s post, under my London entry.

Good at least we are all thinking!

Jews do perish in the incident as they are everywhere. Unless they are communicated by a special device which pin points to them where the bombs are and then they are able to avoid the place. This may seem slightly unfeasible though but never underestimate the skills and wealth they all have. They even have the support of Jewish lobbies all around the world. What I think is that, Jews are being used as a sacrificial lamb in the ongoing ‘War on Terrorism’ or shall I say, War on Islam. What you see in the news, in the media has a shallow value of what really is going on. Try further research, read articles written by Muslim professors and read articles written by Jewish professors and contrast them.

It is a pity that London has been wounded by bombs long before this so called war started. By the IRA infamously. But why don’t these Londoners ‘attack’ the Irish citizens there? People were dead in these attacks. Why the act of vandalising doesn’t become rampant on Irish bars and clubs?

I think we have all been brainwashed by the media, by globalisation and by propaganda. People do not have the skill to evaluate what the see and hear and digested it blindly. I give you something to ponder on. Do you think the number of Jews killed in the Holocausts fixed? I think it is exaggerated and the tally differs from sources to sources. It is because of these, every terror attack committed these days were blamed on Muslim extremists. Every bearded Muslim is being eyed suspiciously on trains and on busses. These became worse when they are seen carrying bags. But these people are just your ordinary citizen who contributes to the economy. Isn’t it unfair to them?

To my point of view, if people are not easily influenced and has the ability to think deep and reflect, none of these could happen. Muslims all around the world will not be blamed either. Unfortunately, if we do think, our views will never be heard. Maybe the views of our children?

For those who are evaluating my entry, you may think my views are invalid as it may not be backed statistically and you may think I am writing this under emotional influence. Some may think this work of mine is kind of extreme and I am sorry if I happen to offend anyone in this article but what I am writing is the voices of thinking Muslims all over the world.

Maybe you should too?

I want to hear your comments too. Please feel free to write. Thank You.

London

Firstly, I would like to congratulate London on their successful bid in being the host city for the 2012 Olympic Games. However much euphoria and jubilation of the success has been dampened by the series of bomb blasts which rocked the historical city. I, on behalf of the chaps of Kirbston Squires would like to express my deepest sympathy to the Londoners who are deeply affected by the London blasts. Many perished, scores were injured.  All of us here felt the sorrows and we condemn the attacks. London being one of the places, close to our hearts has become the victim of this vicious unacceptable behaviour. Much to our dismay, these blasts took place near financial districts and fashion districts such as King’s Cross, near Oxford which is close to Soho where the reputable Carnaby Street is.

After discussing this incident with Fleint online, he reckons that these blasts were the acts of ‘globalisation idiots’ such as the anarcho syndicalists. People who are against globalisation and against any conference aimed at maintaining globalisation such as the Group of 8 or the G8 summit. They also hated the Multi National Corporations as the MNC’s are one of the driving factors behind Globalisation. Being asked to explain on how they look like, he said that they identify themselves as ‘ninja punks’, wearing black bandannas covering their mouths and most are university under graduates and art school students. Flient’s view is that, these ‘ninja punks’ had probably planned these attacks well before hand to coincide with the G8 summit in Scotland and is wondering if the government had been anticipating these attacks by them. Well, we’ll just wait and see the outcome of the investigations which I believe will not take a time too long as I’ve read reports on the effectiveness of the Scotland Yard.

I may agree with Fleint as I do see the link in what he says but a gut feeling of mine tells me that the IRA has got something to do with this disaster. Maybe I am just paranoid after reading countless books on the Irish Republican Army. Knowing that their expertise in explosives and organising well planned crimes is infamous throughout the world and there is no doubt that they may be behind this attack. I reckon that the purpose of the attack is probably to dampen the spirits of Londoners after their win to host the Olympic Games in 7 years time, on top of their dreams of a reunification of Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland of course.

However, who are we to decide on who were the culprits. The investigations are ongoing and I am going to anticipate the outcome of the investigations. Maybe the Al Qaeda will be blamed but lets put Muslim extremists away from the table of suspects at the moment. It has always been Muslim extremists from day 1. Nevertheless, if they are to be blamed, I would like to apologise to my non-Muslim friends for the acts of this extremists. I would like to stress that extremism is a far cry from our norm which is to practice the religion in moderation. I would like to end this by an excerpt of what the Mayor of London, Ken Livinston, have commented about the attacks from a report from Channel News Asia.

"This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful; it is not aimed at presidents or prime ministers; it was aimed at ordinary working class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christians, Hindu and Jew, young and old, indiscriminate attempt at slaughter irrespective of any considerations, of age, of class, of religion, whatever, that isn’t an ideology, it isn’t even a perverted faith, it’s just indiscriminate attempt at mass murder, and we know what the objective is, they seek to divide London. They seek to turn Londoners against each other and Londoners will not be divided by this cowardly attack.”

Well, if you have any comments on me article, do not hasitate to post ‘em. Thank You.