THEY may be named Old Automatic Garbage — after singer Radhi Razali’s worn-out car engine — but fans beg to differ on their status.
For the past 25 years, pop-rock band OAG has been associated with adrenaline-pumping performances and infectious tunes.
The band, famous for its hits like Generasiku, 60s TV and Akustatik, celebrates its silver jubilee today with a two-hour performance from 4pm onwards.
To be held at The Bee Publika in Kuala Lumpur, OAG’s 25th anniversary concert will feature established and promising artistes covering the band’s hits.
Drummer Qi Razali said it was on this date in 1992 that Radhi, bassist Lam, guitarist Ivan and himself formed a band after watching Datuk Zainalabidin’s Ikhlas Concert at Stadium Merdeka.
“It’s our double-25 celebration — we were formed on Day 25 and this is our Year 25!” said Qi recently.
“We didn’t plan to start with 25, it was a coincidence that we met on Christmas Day in 1992,” said Radhi, who is famous for his large sunglasses and tall songkok.
Since 25 is their “lucky number”, Qi said OAG and its guest artistes would perform 25 songs.
“Our guest artistes are pop-rock bands TheAlif, Frodo, Anavrin, The Rudean and Pita Hati. Each will deliver one or two OAG covers in their own styles.”
A new and more upbeat version of 60s TV will premiere at the concert.
Qi said the band would perform it with Mimi Norhisham of One Nation Emcees, Akademi Fantasia 2013’s Nabila Razali, Malaysian Idol 2’s Nita Hamzah and Ruffedge.
Primeworks Studios chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Izham Omar might appear as a guest musician on the piano.
OAG will debut its new song, Snowball, at the concert.
The concert will be a first for OAG, combining old and new members.
The band will feature Qi and Radhi’s new recruits Izmer (keyboard), Ammal and Nizam (guitar) and Yen (bass).
Radhi said: “Snowball will come in a special edition cassette, with 100 units. It comes in CDs with a souvenir courtesy of Yarnbombing MY.”
Qi said old and new members worked together on Snowball, and on its new album, Love, which will be out next year.
Qi said the band would go on a nationwide tour for three months in August to promote Love.
Tickets for today’s concert are priced between RM50 and RM100, and tickets valued RM70 and above come with OAG T-shirts and Snowball CDs. Call 011-6227 9964 for more information.