What better band out there, right now, in Malaysia, to talk about if not the rising Pop-Punk-Alternative-Rock-Post-Emocore-star, An Honest Mistake. That's just the way I describe them for the lack of genre classification I could give to these guys. They're young, talented, energetic and most important of all, awesome.
Some compare them with the mellowdramatic-ness of Paramore (not even close) and the spiky arrangements of Taking Back Sunday, but still, they stand in their own league. I say that with solid reasons and those reasons are the precise drumming that we don't seem to see a lot in today's scene, the more-than-funky bassline (which is usually very very much rare in these kind of music), spiky guitarworks, ingenious formula applications, catchy chorus and verse, and the over-the-top counter harmony arrangements. Not to mention they have a violinist. Extra points and if you thought "Yellowcard!" when you heard violin, think again.
An Honest Mistake released their self titled EP somewhere around October 2010. The CD consist of 7 tracks, each with damn long titles which are;
- Welcome to 1994
- I have a Hole In My Skinnies And That's How We Roll
- This Song Is So Random, I don't Know Why
- We're Set on Collision Course
- I'm Down With You, If You're Down With it
- Light A Match, We Gotta Start A Fire
- The Snake With Limbs
If you're just getting to know An Honest Mistake, I'd reccomend their single, 'I have a Hole in My Skinnies And That's How We Roll' (which have a video clip on YouTube). A very much energetic over-the-top pop-punk inspired tune with a personal post-hardcore touch by An Honest Mistake. You'd be suprised as I am on how easily digested this song is (which also applies to most of the song in their EP).
While songs like 'The Snake With limbs' (also have a video clip) and 'I'm Down With You, If Yu're Down with It' seem more melodic and heavy at times, these tracks are where An Honest Mistake really shine with their non-chiche compositions and killer arrangements. I swear, the bassline in 'The Snake With Limbs' could murder any funk fan. Bassist Kevin Tan, really knows what he is doing. Same goes to former drummer, Kevin Theng, with flawless fills and beats that never fail to amuse me. I personally love the sound of this guy's snare.
Violinist, Danny New, have his own role in an An Honest Mistake's song; filling many spaces while ocasionally harmonizing the lead guitar. Same goes to female vocalist, Sheryl Goh, which voice sometimes serve as the main vocal other than her main task of providing harmony and counter harmony to An Honest Mistake's main vocalist Darren Teh ...which is 'The Man' of the band if you ask me. You'd love him if you see him live with his energetic vocals and performance as a whole.
Some may say that the only thing An Honest Mistake needs is a better guitarwork by guitarist, Leonard Chua and frontman Darren Teh himself. I say it fits their style rather well. Less is sometimes more right. I guess it's just a tradeoff with An Honest Mistake's formula application which really emphasis on their radio-friendly-ness. And yes, that would be the other thing I love about An Hones Mistake; their easily digested songs and catchy tunes. Their EP, I gotta say, is simply a sing-along heaven.
Personally, I think An Honest Mistake is a band with a good musical taste. They may play what they like and want to play, but they do it so well. And yeah, if you read this before the 23rd, you might like to see them live at Rock The Youth gig on said date. Who knows you'd be interested after seeing them live. Just check my last post on Rock The Youth.
So in conclusion, if you haven't heard these guys, you might as well do. I can't make you do it but hell, I'm telling you, you're missing something if you don't. An Honest Mistake is a diamond in the scene.
An Honest Mistake's Links:
Website
