You guys have had tremendous success together as a group—why the decision to part ways after 20 years?
Gordon: Every good thing has its season.
KK: Exit while we are still enjoying it and not try to outdo our “best before” date.
Joe: We’ve had 20 good years. We’d like to say thank you to our fans while we’re still able to stand and remember lyrics.
What do you guys enjoy most about performing?
Joe: The audience’s reaction. We can feel when they’re having a good time.
Mike: Seeing an audience member perk up and realize that we are actually singing in ‘Mandaringlish’…
What has been the highlight of your entertainment careers?
Joe: I personally enjoyed that moment when Loretta Alabons and Douglas O announced Budak Pantai’s name as the winner of the Rollin’ Good Times’ Beach Boys contest on TV in 1994. As a band, our fondest memories have got to be the post-concert, meet-the-fans sessions. They make all our effort on stage—and indeed our journey as a band—so meaningful.
Mike: Walking by a Japanese bar while in Yokohama, hearing a song on the speakers, liking it, buying the CD and making an act out of it.
Gordon: Chicken rice.
Danny: Driving up the Istana front entrance to have breakfast with president Nathan. We had performed for him at a surprise birthday party organized by his staff, and he invited us back for breakfast! We had curry puffs and chatted—it was a very coffee shop experience .
KK: That there always isn’t a plan. There’s always a spanner thrown into the mix when we are on stage, and some songs just come out of nowhere.
What about the lowest point?
Joe: We would always know when we gave a bad show, and it made us feel lousy that we didn’t give our best.
Mike: Being mistaken for experts in A cappella.
How have you guys stayed firm friends for the past 20 years without any major fallouts—what’s your secret?
Joe: It helps that we remind ourselves that we all want the same thing, but in different ways. Oh, and food, lots of food. It prevents us from running into disagreements.
Mike: We check our sharp objects at the front door. Plus, not hoping that this is a ticket to riches does water down a lot of expectations.
What’s next for you guys after Budak Pantai?
Joe: Music will always be a key part of my life. Personally, I have lined up concert events to raise funds for charity, mostly with my other musician friends. I wish to use my voice to give back to society while I still can hold my note. Performing with a respirator doesn’t look comfortable.
Mike: For me, it is to finally memorize the Chinese dynasties.
KK: Shy… cannot say…
Gordon: Spend time with the missus. Go on a romantic trip to Myanmar.
Danny: Plan for “The Final Countdown 2: Revenge of the Fallen”. Oh, is that title taken already?
What should fans expect at “Budak Pantai—The Final Countdown”?
Mike: Er….you expecting something?
Gordon: No one expects the Spanish Inquisition.
Danny: All the fancy footwork, pyrotechnics and stunning stage sets that you would have come to expect from a Budak concert.
KK: Expect some of our favorite songs and well, we’ll figure the rest out when we get on stage.
Joe: We have 130 songs in our repertoire, but we have chosen 40 that we know our fans will like. We have one or two surprises, not too many because we want people to remember Budak Pantai for who we are—five ordinary guys who sing from our hearts to put a smile on the faces of people. You can expect another night of feel-good, made-in-Singapore entertainment, but it will also be an emotional one.
Catch the band’s swan song at Budak Pantai: The Final Countdown, which will be staged at the Esplanade Concert Hall on May 23 and 24.
