FHM Singapore - July 2015

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2015

S N E A K E R! S
GUIDE

SPRING CLEAN
YOUR LIFE
SINGAPORE’S BEST-SELLING MEN’S MAGAZINE! (LIKE A BOSS)
JULY 2015 $6.00

WAYS TO
SURVIVE SEA
DISASTERS

Exclusive

NARELLE &
SANDRA
(THE SAM WILLOWS)

THE PRODIGY WOMEN OF LOCAL MUSIC TAKE TWO


Spoiler
Alert!
07/15
LOOK AWAY NOW IF YOU
DON’T WANT TO KNOW
WHAT’S IN THE ISSUE.

She’s got it p06 One for the album p60

Be prepared for the big one p12 Famous five p86

Cool feet p16 Look as good as they sing p42 The Gunners are here p88

ACCESS GEAR FEATURES FILTER


06 TALENT 14 OPENER 42 COVER GIRLS 86 DVD
Kimberlin Cheng hopes to Wear your shoes like Sandra and Narelle of The Time to join da Club — The
travel the world. Before she leading Hollywood men. Sam Willows like you’ve Breakfast Club.
does, we got her to show us never seen them before.
her sensual side. 16 SNEAKERS 87 BOOKS
SPECIAL 54 MANIC DANCE Kiddie book for grown ups.
10 COUNTDOWN Your essential guide to the PREACHER
Topless calendars… and year’s hottest trainers. Face to face with electronic 88 MEN
eight other things no man music’s biggest punk, The staying power of
should have in his house. 23 MUSIC MAKER Keith Flint. celebrity legends.
The best store for guitars.
12 EXPERT 76 GIRL POWER 88 SPORTS
Professional tips from a 24 GROOMING The women who matter in Football fever.
former marine on how to Products to keep your hair local music.
survive different types of shiny and clean. 90 ONLINE
sea disasters. 70 POP PHENOM YouTube sensation.
34 HARDWARE Who is man they call
Stay super-productive with Emin Agalarov? Hint: He’s 91 MUSIC
the right gadgets. not a football player. Everybody Take Two!

07/15 001
GSS SHOP
CREATIVELY

nightlife One Fantasy

The Night is Still Young


START THE PARTY EARLY AT THIS AWESOME CLUB.

The struggle: it’s been a rough Tuesday at work and (rock & roll, Mandopop, K-pop), all happening Mondays
you’re already itching to let loose — but the weekend to Fridays, with doors opening at 6pm and happy hours
is still miles away. The 600-seat-capacity "live" till 9pm. We’re totally skipping dinner in favour of this
performance arena One Fantasy is a concept that’s part place. Partying early also means sleeping on time and
watering hole and part nightclub, set to the soundtrack still making that board meeting tomorrow morning. So
of its high-energy resident band. It’s a combination of raise your glass because your weeknights are about to
affordable drinks, raving dance floor and solid tunes get a whole lot more exciting.

One Fantasy is located at #01-02 Central Mall, 5 Magazine Road. Call 8383-6513 for reservation or more information.
EVERYTHING
A MAN NEEDS.
Managing Director Jessie Sng
VP, Business Development & Operations Lesley Ngai

Editorial
Editor Dennis Yin

AND MORE.
Writers Janine Lee, Timothy Wee
Assistant Editorial Admin Manager Farlinzah Mahmood

Art Desk
Art Director Alvin Leow
Senior Designer Pyron Tan

Creative Services
Editor Michelle Bong
Senior Writer Chin Chih Lin
Senior Designers Karen Chng, Lindy Tay

Photography
E D ITO R’S LETTE R... Chief Photographer Aik Chen
Executive Photographer Ealbert Ho
20 15
SN EA KE RS Air, Alice in Chains, The Avalanches, The Senior Photographer Kelvin Chia
GU ID E !
Beatles, Beyond, Billie Holiday, Black Photographers Hong Chee Yan, Mark Lee

SPRING CLEAN
YOUR LIFE Sabbath, Breakbot, Brian Culbertson, Contributors
SINGAPORE’S BEST-SELLING MEN’S MAGAZINE!
JULY 2015 $6.00 (LIKE A BOSS)
C2C, The Carpenters, The Clash, Concave Cheryl Tay, FHM UK, Avenue, Mannequin, Looque, Diva Models, Upfront
WAYS TO
SURVIVE SEA Scream, Corrinne May, David Bowie, and Eleganz.
DISASTERS
Darkside, Delerium, Dick Lee, Dimitri Advertising
From Paris, Earth Wind & Fire, Eminem,
201

Head, Group Sales & Marketing Irene Lim


Enigma, Europe, Faith No More,
J U LY 2 015

Vice President Stephanie Tay


Assistant Vice President Derek Tan
Flosstradamus, Flume, Force Vomit, Senior Account Directors Priscilla Lim, Sarin Wee, Xylia Lim
WOMEN OF SINGAPORE MUSIC

Frank Sinatra, Gingerbread, Gojira, Account Director Celine Sim


Exclusive

NARELLE & Heritage, Humpback Oak, Infected Senior Account Manager Tan Mui Kian
Account Managers Jamie Low Yan Ling, Mandee Tan,
SANDRA Mushroom, Jamiroquai, Jeff Buckley,
Porter Christopher Andre, Wee Ping
(THE SAM WILLOWS)
Jeremy Monteiro, Jimi Hendrix, John Associate Account Managers Christine Lin, Tsai Wen Jun
Coltrane, Joy Division, Kraftwerk, Linkin Senior Admin Executive Tristan Phua

Park, Mastodon, Max Sedgley, Megadeth, Admin Executive Elaina Poh

Metallica, Mew, Miles Davis, Milo & Otis, Ad Admin


Muse, Nan Vernon, Nat King Cole, Nina Vice President Angela Chia
Simone, The Oddfellows, Opeth, Senior Manager Anne Hong
Assistant Manager Brenda Chong
THE PRODIGY WOMEN OF LOCAL MUSIC TAKE TWO
Opposition Party, The Padres, Pantera, Executive Eileen Khng
Pendulum, Placebo, Portishead, The
Postal Service, Quincy Jones, Radiohead, Brands & Partnerships

#201
The Ramones, Richard Marx, Ronin, Assistant Marketing Manager Celine Tan
Marketing Executive Chong Lilin
S.E.N.S, The Sex Pistols, Sigur Ros,
Soundgarden, Stevie Wonder, Stompin’ Events
NARELLE WEARS CARRY-OVER LEATHER Ground, The Stoned Revivals, The Senior Promotions Executives Anson Lim, Wilson Tan
JACKET, BY OFF-WHITE AT SALON BY
SURRENDER. BRALET AND FAUX LEATHER Strokes, Tokyo Police Club, Tokyo
SHORTS, MODEL’S OWN. SANDRA WEARS Square, Tycho, The Used, Washed Out, Circulation
RIPPED SHORTS, BY TOPSHOP. GEOMETRIC Senior Managers Claire Sze, Elizabeth Low
Watchmen, White Lion, Zeds Dead,
BRALET AND ACCESSORIES, MODEL’S OWN.
ART DIRECTION: PYRON TAN. PHOTOGRAPHY: Zircon Lounge. Production
JOEL LOW. PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANCE: Manager Garis Chua
ALFIE PAN. STYLING ASSISTANT: KEEFE TAN. Enjoy (re)discovering the acts
HAIR: GREGO OH USING LOREAL For enquiries:
PROFESSIONAL TECNI.ART. MAKEUP: ELAIN mentioned above — with our “Music Editorial
LIM, USING NARS COSMETICS. Issue” in hand, of course. E-mail: info@fhm.com.sg; Fax: 6254-5116
MediaCorp Advertising Enquiry: 6333-9888 or
MAE@mediacorp.com.sg
Subscription: 6357-5001 or mpbsubhelp@mediacorp.com.sg

FHM INTERNATIONAL NETWORK


Dennis Yin, Editor International Publisher Gareth Cherriman
International Content Executive Kam Sekhon

Singapore FHM is published by MediaCorp Pte Ltd, Caldecott Broadcast


Centre, Andrew Road, Singapore 299939, under licence from Bauer Consumer

GET IN info@fhm.com.sg facebook/FHMSingapore


Media Ltd. MCI (P) 045/11/2014. Copyright © is held by the publisher.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is

TOUCH!
prohibited. Distributed by MediaCorp Pte Ltd. Printed by timesprinters, www.

@FHMSingapore @FHMSingapore timesprinters.com. Prepress managed by timesprinters. MediaCorp Pte Ltd


also publishes I-WEEKLY, 8 DAYS, STYLE:, STYLE:MEN, STYLE: WEDDINGS,
HIGH, TIMEPIECES, MANJA, IHEALTH, HEALTH WEEKLY, BABYCARE
BOOK, and MOTHER & BABY under licence from Bauer Consumer Media Ltd,
ELLE SINGAPORE under licence from Hachette Filipacchi Presse S.A.

004 07/15
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IT’S
GREAT
TO BE
A MAN

W H O ’S
SHE?
Name:
Kimberlin Cheng
Age: 20
Nationaily:
Singaporean
Likes: Freedom.
Dislikes: Insects.
Instagram:
@kimberlincheng
Twitter:
@kimberlinsmiles

MAKEUP: HONGLING/9455-8681
USING MAKE UP FOR EVER; HAIR:
GABY TAN/BYGABYTAN.COM .
Talent

I BELIEVE
I CAN FLY
She might be only 20 years old, but polytechnic
graduate Kimberlin Cheng is all ready to spread
her wings and fly the coop.
Words Timothy Wee Art direction Pyron Tan Photography Kelvin Chia Styling Arthur Tan

07/15 007
You’ve just graduated
with a diploma in
hospitality and tourism
management. What’s next?
I hope to become an air
stewardess.
What is it about flying that
draws you to the profession?
My mum and several of my aunties —
and uncles included — were ex-flight
attendants. Hence the interest.
You’re currently working in the
airport. Do you know where the best
make-out spots are?
I’m always late for work. [Laughs] I
don’t really have time to find out about
such things. But the view from some of
the toilets is pretty good. You can have
an overview of the runway and planes!
You can try going there at midnight
when there’s nobody around. At your
own risk, of course.
Are you a wanderlust kind of girl?
I don’t know if I enjoy travelling; I just
want to be out of the country. But
because I’m bad with maps and
directions, I know I’m going to get lost,
for sure. But it’s nice to see the world.
What sort of guys do you go for?
I like inked guys. My boyfriend is
covered with tattoos. Oh, they have to
be caring and fun, too.
Why inked men?
Growing up, I was always told to stay
away from tattooed men. But now that
I’m grown up, why not?
You were crowned Miss Popularity in
the 2013 Miss Singapore World
pageant. What is it about you that
makes you a popular person?
I don’t know. Perhaps I’m an ugly
duckling story come true? Everyone
loves rooting for the underdog.
What’s your best quality?
I’m a playful person who doesn’t take
things too seriously. Generally, I tend to
laugh things off whenever I’m angry.
So I keep things free and easy. But
sometimes, it can be a bad thing.
Tell us your most sensual dream.
I dreamt about roleplaying in the
bedroom. But I’ve yet to try it.
Maybe soon?
What’s the craziest thing that you’ve
done at a music festival?
I sat on a stranger’s shoulders at
Zoukout. He approached me and I
thought he was joking considering I’m
not the lightest person around. I’ve seen
it in music videos, but it was the first
time I’ve actually done it.
Was that the highlight of that
Zoukout experience?
I lost my T-shirt after using the toilet. I
don’t remember how. Thankfully, I had
a bikini underneath. I walked around in
my bikini the entire night. FHM
“I DREAMT
ABOUT
ROLE-PLAYING
IN THE
BEDROOM.
BUT I’VE
YET TO TRY
IT. MAYBE
SOON?”

BRA, BY TRIUMPH.
SHORTS, BY AEROPOSTALE.

OPPOSITE: BRA, BY TRIUMPH.


CARDIGAN, BY AEROPOSTALE.

07/15 009
ACCESS

sophisticated now, with


your platinum card
and your sensible haircut.
The only thing you should
need for a good time
these days is a little LSD.
9 THINGS NO MAN SHOULD HAVE IN HIS HOUSE. (That stands for a “Lovely
Scotch to Drink”).

06
Topless calendars 02
You’re not Howard Stern or Novelty pants,
Wong Jing circa 1998. socks and ties
You’re also not the sort of With the exception of
bloke who tells women on Christmas Day — and
the bus to “cheer up” or assuming even then
pinches bottoms in public. you’re wearing them
So ditch the ’90s lads’-mag against your will —
poster and put a nice print novelty undercrackers
on your wall instead. do wonders for pissing
on your masculinity

05
Your ex’s possessions
and maturity. Anyone
who has “sex machine”
plastered on their boxers is
Pull yourself together, man. almost certainly lining
Is having the odd glance at themselves up to be a
her Instagram feed middle-aged manchild.
acceptable? Yes. Is pulling
out an old hair brush of
hers for a nightly sniff as
you wear a pair of her
01
A mankini
tights and weep into your Men are inevitably judged
A PET TARANTULA pillow a normal thing to do? by potential suitors on their
Jizz, look at the thing... Is that tank sealed? Absolutely not. Get it all humour, so if yours is still
Are you sure? Because if movies have down to the recycling bin. reliant on gags from 2006,
taught us anything, it’s that having any then you’ve probably got a
form of arachnid, reptile or creepy crawlie
in your house will inevitably come back and
bite you on the butt. Quite literally. At 3am.
04
Alcohol-free beer
bit of work to do. You can
always claim that
screaming “Wassssap!”
In your bed... Being able to down 12 cans down the phone was an
of 6.6% Pilsnershitter ironic thing, but that’s only
certainly doesn’t make you going to wash once. Ditch

08
A microwave
07
Any Now That’s What
any more of a ruddy dude,
and nor does scoffing at
sobriety. Our main beef with
the fluorescent ball
hammock and throw away
your Ali G skull cap.
What kind of person I Call Music album sans-alcohol hooch is that it Right now. FHM
has ever used a plastic The lights are dimmed, tastes like wet, eggy dog
radioactive box to flame- you’re on the leather couch farts. When there’s so much
grill a wedge of cow or beat with your lady friend, beautiful craft beer about, Erratrum
the hell out of an egg? finally about to lean in it’s a sin to put this teetotal The name of
There are some things a for that long-awaited shit in your fridge. this hot
WORDS: SI CUNNINGHAM, PHOTO: TPG IMAGES/CLICK PHOTOS

microwave just can’t be smooch… then Lou Bega’s model, as


used for, and knowing your
way around the kitchen
feeds the most primal of
Mambo No 5 kicks in,
dousing out the nascent
flames of desire. The lesson?
03
Old university
featured on
FHM 200
(June issue),
urges to cook something Have a taste in music, any drinking props is Jessica Liu
with your hands. Even if it’s taste in music. It might not Chugging out of a vuvuzela — not
inedible, at least blood, be everyone’s cuppa, but it’ll was ace during World Cup Donminique
sweat and tears went into save you from an iPhone- season. In 2010. But it’s Nguyen.
making it. shuffle shame. 2015 and you’re all

010 07/15
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Type “JULY PROMO URBAN
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participant who has won any prizes from MediaCorp in the past six months. n Participants who have entered more than one contest in this issue shall be entitled to win only one contest.
n MediaCorp Pte Ltd reserves the right to use entrants’ information for future promotions and to amend the terms and conditions without prior notification. n Prizes are non-transferable
www.urbanhommeformen.com and non-exchangeable for cash or any other services. n The service cannot be combined with other ongoing promotions by Urban Homme. n Only 18 years of age and above are qualified
for this contest. n Participants may send only one e-mail entry per contest. Multiple entries will not be accepted. n Winners will be chosen from correct entries on a first-come-first-served
www.facebook.com/UrbanHommeForMen basis. n Winners will be notified via e-mail by Mediacorp Pte Ltd.
SURVIVE
THE KILLERS
OF THE SEA
Shirk sharks, dodge jellyfish and
save your breath — here’s how to be
the savviest skipper on the waves.

02

F
rom exploring underwater
caves to discovering lost 01 YOU SWIM INTO
shipwrecks, former A POOL OF DIRTY
marine-turned-explorer and YOU GET THE FULL SEA POLLUTION 03
British TV presenter Andy JAWS TREATMENT “The sea is
Torbet is one of the toughest FROM A SHARK actually quite YOU’RE DIVING
men FHM has ever met. This “Statistically, more clean. The really AND YOU RUN
is his guide to avoiding a people are killed polluted places OUT OF OXYGEN
watery grave… by fridges every are usually rivers “In shallow water,
year than sharks. and lakes, which you could just
That said, people could give you swim to the
do get attacked. nasty illnesses surface. Exhale
Those most at like the hantavirus as you surface
risk are swimmers disease (spread to avoid your
on the surface; by rat faeces). lungs expanding
divers are usually Your best bet is and ultimately
fine as sharks to avoid water exploding. If
attack from that looks like a you’re diving
beneath. If you’re toilet if you don’t deep, then you’re
attacked, hit it. Go want a dodgy in a bit of bother
for sensitive stomach, and get and will likely die
areas like its gills, immediate of decompression
snout or eyes. medical attention illness on the way
But if it wounds and antibiotics if up. The solution
you, you’ll likely you do get stuck.” is to not run
bleed out in out of f**king gas.
minutes. Your It’s that simple.
priority is to get Professional divers
to shore as always bring
quickly as multiple supplies
possible before of oxygen
that happens.” with them.”

012 07/15
MOST
5
TERRIFYING
05 MYTHICAL
SEA BEASTS
04 YOU’RE
SWIMMING IN A
YOUR SURFING LIGHTNING
IS RUINED WHEN STORM
YOU’RE CAUGHT “If lightning did 06
IN A RIP TIDE strike the sea
“A rip tide is a next to you, it YOU’RE STUNG BY
sudden current could kill you. JELLYFISH
that goes straight Depending how “Most jellyfish 07 01 SEA BISHOP
A sea monster that
out from the close you are to species are not looked like a bishop and
shore. It pulls you the strike point, life threatening YOUR PLANE HAS would cry salty tears
out rather than the electricity can and it’s little CRASHED INTO when caught. On being
under the water, travel anything more than a bee THE SEA set free, it would sing
which can drown up to a few sting type of “Your chances with glee, do the sign of
the cross and plunge
you. Your best hundred metres. pain. … There are dependent on into the sea.
option is to swim That said, are more your location. In Allegedly found:
parallel to the electricity travels dangerous the Arctic Ocean, Poland
beach. You’ll still more efficiently varieties like the it’s so cold you’ll
02 EACH-UISGE
get pulled out by across a surface. Portuguese man be dead in 30
Shapeshifting spirits.
the current (for It will go down o’ war, but most mins — and that’s They’d leap out of
about 100m) but but it’ll meet adults would if you survive your the sea and transform
it’ll reduce the more resistance, survive the sting. initial contact into demon horses or
distance so it won’t go as What you with the water. handsome men and lure
people to their deaths
somewhat. So far. Your best shouldn’t do is Many victims
before tearing out
just wait it out till bet is to get out pee on the sting. drown from the their livers.
it’s over to return of the water. That does convulsions Allegedly found:
to the beach.” Just don’t nothing other caused by the Scotland
shelter under than leave you cold. In warm
03 FINFOLK
something stupid covered in pee. water, you could Depressed sorcerers
like a tree…” You’re better off last anything from that lived under the sea,
using ice to hours to days. occasionally coming to
soothe the pain, Your main threats shore to steal people
then using hot are exhaustion, and make them their
wives for all eternity.
water to break exposure to the Basically, Papa Lazarou
down the poison.” sun and the from The League
wildlife. You could of Gentlemen.
survive maybe a Allegedly found: Orkney
day. Best to make
04 KRAKEN
a swim for it or The granddaddy of
make yourself all sea monsters, the
visible by staying perpetually pissed-off
near wreckage Kraken is a giant
octopus capable of
and hoping for
crushing a ship with
rescue. Neither its tentacles and
are great.” FHM devouring it with its
creepy beak mouth.
Allegedly found: Norway

05 CHARYBDIS
A great big horrible
creature cursed with an
insatiable thirst,
causing it to drink the
sea three times a day,
thus causing
WORDS: FHM UK

ship-eating whirlpools.
Allegedly found: Italy
GEAR
THE SMART SNEAKER THE WORKER BOOT THE DRESS BOOT
STYLE WORN BY: STYLE WORN BY: STYLE WORN BY:
KIT HARINGTON RYAN GOSLING ROBERT PATTINSON

Pristine white shoes are where it’s at. Your staple everyday boot has arrived, so say Also known as the Chelsea boot, these
Go for an all-leather lace-up without “hello” to these guys right here. The perfect suede beauties are officially lady magnets.
a ton of branding, and you’ve got the balance of all-American craft and timeless Throw on some dark-blue jeans and
smartest sneakers known to man. style makes them our winners. a checked shirt for a killer combo.

Trousers, by Mishka NYC. Chinos, from Topman. Jeans, from Topman.


Trainers, by Lacoste. Shoes, by Redwing. Boots, from River Island.

THE SHOES OF LE
THE STATEMENT BROGUE THE TASSEL LOAFER THE MONK STRAP
STYLE WORN BY: STYLE WORN BY: STYLE WORN BY:
JACK O’CONNELL GEORGE CLOONEY MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY

Petrol-style, rainbow-sheened patent shoes Tailoring of any kind will Going straight to a date from your office desk?
are big news. Get ahead of the trend and go down a treat. Only the slickest of shoes You’ll want a pair of kicks that suit
PHOTOS: TPG IMAGES/CLICK PHOTOS

bust them out now with a simple pair of will complement your sartorial look, earning both situations. These leather monk strap
smart blue trousers. you tons of style cred. shoes are perfect for all occasions.

Trousers, from newlook.co.uk. Trousers, from newlook.co.uk. Trousers, from newlook.co.uk.


Brogues, from office.co.uk. Shoes, by Russell & Bromley. Shoes, by Dune London.

ADING MEN
Put your best
foot forward
with the
dapper footwear
fit for a
movie star…
GEAR

’S
ANNUAL

TRAINER l a r
Spe 2015
cta c u
The must-have brands, freshest trends and most
exciting collaborations for the season.
PHOTOGRAPHY: MARCO VITTUR

016 07/15
TREND #1

PRINTED
STEEZ
There’s a fine line
with statement
shoes — you can
either be screaming
for more attention
than you deserve, or
you can team them
with a simple yet
stylish outfit for an
effortlessly on-trend
look. A printed pair
of trainers is just
the answer.

Le Coq Sportif R 1400 Flowers


Floral trainers?! We can practically hear
you recoiling in disbelief. But give these
beauts a chance. With flashes of old-
school Hawaiian shirt-style print, it’s
a brave move that will definitely pay off.
lecoqsportif.com

THE BEST OF THE REST


Ransom Strata Clarks Originals Trigenic Flex Stone Island Basketball Sneakers
Whatever your summer beverage-consuming The term “wearing in” doesn’t apply when Guaranteed to withstand numerous
activity, this feather printed set of sneaks it comes to Clarks. They provide long-lasting romps through the outdoor terrain and maybe
will see you through till bed. cushioning and an instant foot hug. even a few festival bashings.

urbanoutfitters.com clarks.com stoneisland.co.uk

07/15 017
GEAR

TREND #2

TENNIS
WHITES
Summer means one
thing: All-white
everything. Crisp
white kicks come
round year after
year for a reason —
they’re a timeless
classic that always
look shit hot.

Gola Harrier 68
The 110-year-old brand Gola have been
around so long that we’d trust them with
just about anything, and when it comes to
providing us with a credible pair of tennis
whites, they exceed expectations.

gola.co.uk

THE BEST OF THE REST


Ellesse Anzia K-Swiss SI-18 International Boxfresh Spencer Leather
With the likes of Boris Becker swearing by The label that brought you the original court A set of all-white sneakers will get the office
the Italian heritage brand, these plimsolls shoe has added some ’90s style go-ahead if they’re low-tops, leather and
won’t fall apart when they hit the astro. to its notorious Gstaad classic. have as little logoing as possible.

ellesse.com kswiss.com boxfresh.com

018 07/15
TREND #3

SKATE
SHOES
On the days where
you give absolutely
zero f**ks about
what you’re wearing,
the skate shoes
always seem to slip
on your feet. Luckily,
they go with pretty
Nike SB Blazer Low GT much everything in
Inspired by the insights from skateboarder your wardrobe and
Grant Taylor, this suede style is a step look rad.
up from the ’70s hoops classics. As well
as looking dope, they’ll last the impact
of a kick flip that you didn’t land.

nike.com

THE BEST OF THE REST


Adidas Busenitz Supra Ellington Puma Uber Suede
The result of an ongoing collab with Dennis Even skate shoes that properly do Everyone from Jason Derulo to tiny infants
Busenitz, these kicks are topped with suede the job can still be stylish. Camel rep these classics. They look dapper with
and have recessed eyelets. hues are big this season. stone-coloured chinos on date night.

adidas.com www.suprafootwear.com puma.com

07/15 019
GEAR

TREND #4

JUST
DROPPED
Collabs aren’t just
for sneakerheads
who know their gum
sole from their tred
outersole. Every
man is invited into
the cool club of
collaborations.
You can almost
guarantee that
each pairing will
look kickass
with your staple
chino shorts.

Saucony Originals x
Play Cloths Grid 9000 – Motocross
Saucony Originals are serial collaborators and
its Play Cloths turn their look to a Saucony
style we all know and love. Drawing inspo from
the off-road racing circuit, they have nylon rip-
stop materials and a classic motocross colourway.

oki-ni.com

THE BEST OF THE REST


Reebok Ventilator OG Adidas Originals x KTZ x Clot Men’s Vault by Vans x Taka Hayashi OG
x Kendrick Lamar Superstar 80S 84-LAB Classic Slip-on 59 LX
The king out of Compton puts his name and Adidas have teamed up with designers KTZ Vans premium label Vault and artist Taka
brain to the infamous ventilator style. for a new take on Adi’s Superstars Hayashi spawned these sweet kicks.

reebok.com oki-ni.com vans.com

020 07/15
TREND #5

TECHY TRACK
RUNNERS
As soon as the sun
has got his hat on,
you’ll be lacing up
those kicks, out the
door and doing laps
round the park
quicker than you
can say “daytime
drinking” So make
sure you don’t fall
victim to the classic
“nerd” tech trainer
and add some style
pep to your step.

Nike Free 5.0


Nike’s go-to running shoe has some oomph
behind its stature. It’s the brand’s most
cushioned, natural ride with an engineered
upper layer and an 8mm offset. Basically,
a cuddle in a tech trainer.

nike.com

THE BEST OF THE REST


Reebok ZPump Fusion Asics 33-FA New Balance Fresh Foam
Not just for running (though their pump Swearing so much trying to shove your gym These mega comfy creps are the
technology is enough to blow any man’s kit in your bag that your neighbour thinks perfect mix between New Balance’s
mind). Throw on with some black jeans. you’re a psychopath? Chill – these Asics fold. techy and trendy styles.

reebok.com asics.com.sg newbalance.com.sg

07/15 021
GEAR

TREND #6

BLOCK
COLOURS
When Kanye West
dropped the Air
Yeezy Octobers
in all red, the
sneaker world were
sent into a frenzy.
One shoe, all one
colour — how could
this be? Well, thank
the trainer lords, as
the high street have
now tapped into the
trend and you too
can be cool Adidas x Pharrell Supercolor
like Kanye. Bright Orange
Last year, Adidas Stan Smiths were reigning
champions of the trainer world. This year, pop
legend Pharrell Williams has put his spin on a
Superstar – creating a range of shell toes is
50 different block colours.

adidas.com

THE BEST OF THE REST


Ransom Field Lite Converse Hi Rubber Nike Blazer Mid Metric QS
No-one wants sweaty old trotters. With a These all-red-everything hi-tops virtually If you’re feeling brave, team with a suit
mesh-fused upper layer, Ransom’s Field Lites work as wellies and look fricking a la Tinie Tempah. If you’re not, chuck
are the hot month’s must-haves. well good. ’em on with jeans and a turn-up. FHM

urbanoutfitters.com converse.com nike.com

022 07/15
GET PERSONAL

MUSIC SPACE
THIS BLACK BEAUTY IS A
GIBSON B.B. KING
LUCILLE, $5,199.
WORDS: DENNIS YIN; PHOTOGRAPHY: HONG CHEE YAN

The “by appointment only” Swee Lee Bukit Timah Showroom is


the absolute store for all your six-stringed needs and then some.

Like a playground for melody makers, Swee music lovers themselves, so they know
Lee’s sixth outlet here is an expansive what it’s like to shop for your axe in
two-storey boutique with a dazzling privacy. Along with attentive one-on-one
selection of premium guitars, keyboards service, you are assured of the best
and other musical instruments. But unlike shopping experience money cannot buy.
a typical playground where anything goes,
this intimate space is “by appoinment only” Located at 142 Bukit Timah Road. E-mail
— only because the Swee Lee folks are byappointmentonly@sweelee.com.sg.

07/15 023
GEAR

GROOMING

MANE
02

EVENT
01

Everything you need to


clean, treat and maintain
your crowning glory.

03

01 SVENSON BIO PROTEIN PRE-


SHAMPOO, 250ML, $60
Designed to enhance the
benefits of your shampoo
and conditioner, adding this
step into your shower routine
deeply cleanses and detoxifies 02 HAIRPRO HEAT ACTIVE
hair, removing excess oiliness. SHAMPOO, 520ML, $15.90
Massage into unwashed Heat activates the NanoRepair-
WORDS: JANINE LEE; ART DIRECTION: PYRON TAN; PHOTOGRAPHY: HONG CHEE YAN

scalp and leave for 2 minutes El, an ingredient that delivers


before rinsing. restorative and protective
benefits, in this shampoo, 03 BILLY JEALOUSY SLUSH FUND
resulting in smoother and STYLING MUD, 2OZ, $29
shinier hair even with heat This mattifying versatile clay
styling and blow-drying. pomade with an elastic texture
keeps hair in place without
rigidity. The added lanolin wax
moisturises and protects hair
while castor seed oil hydrates
and adds shine and texture.

024 07/15
MAGIC
TOUCH
04 This easy three-step
head massage by
haircare expert,
Svenson, relieves
tension and increases
05 circulation to facilitate
better absorption of
haircare products.

STEP 1
Place two fingers on each
point of your scalp, a little
above your temples and
massage in a slow circular
motion (10 circles). The
pressure should be strong and
yet comfortable. After the
10th circulation, press the
points harder for five seconds
before releasing.

STEP 2
Move further back on the head,
place two fingers on each
point and massage in the same
slow circular motion (10
circles). After the 10th
circulation, press the points
harder for approximately five
05 L'OREAL PARIS OLEO THERAPY seconds before releasing.
OIL INFUSED CONDITONER,
230ML, $15.90
This conditioner, infused with
six flower oils, provides deep
nutrition and restores lustre to
04 POETREE UNE OLIVE EN even the most dull, damaged
PROVENCE 2-IN-1 SHAMPOO & hair. Apply after shampooing,
SHOWER GEL, 500ML, $48 and work through the lengths
Use up less space in the shower of your hair without rubbing
STEP 3
and save a few extra bucks with into scalp. Use one hand to
this shampoo that doubles up support the forehead and two
as a shower gel. Enriched with fingers on the other hand to
the moisturising properties of massage in an anticlockwise
circular motion, with the
olive oil to add a healthy glow
same technique and pressure
to hair and skin. as the previous steps. After
that, repeat step 2 and then
step 1 to complete the
head massage.

07/15 025
GEAR

BLAZERS AREN'T JUST FOR FORMAL OCCASIONS.


AMP UP YOUR RESORT STYLE WITH A SMARTLY CUT PIECE .
Photography Fabio Lorenzo Styling Randolph Tan

LIGHTWEIGHT BLAZER, BY SCOTCH


& SODA. PATCHED TROUSERS, BY
MCQ AT CLUB21B.

PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT: AJENG


AND UPIQ. STYLING ASSISTANT:
MELISSA CHEONG. GROOMING:
SHA SHAMSI USING MAC
COSMETICS AND SEBASTIAN
PROFESSIONAL. MODEL: ROBSON
BUCHELE/TIME MODEL INT.
LOCATION: HACIENDA BALI AND
VILLA NATALIE.
GEAR

MARBLE JACQUARD JACKET, BY


DEBONEIRE. PANEL DETAILED
PANTS, BY COS.

OPPOSITE: SUIT, TURTLENECK


TEE AND SANDALS, BOTH
BY COS.
07/15 029
GEAR

CHIC BLAZER, BY SCOTCH &


SODA.COTTON SHIRT AND
SHORTS, BY CLUB MONACO.

030 07/15
VELVET JACKET AND WOOL
BLEND TROUSERS, BOTH BY
DEBONEIRE. SHIRT, BY COS.

OPPOSITE: DOUBLE-BREASTED
BLAZER AND FLORIAN BLANC
TROUSERS, BOTH BY DEBONEIRE.
COTTON TEE, BY SCOTCH & SODA.
HARDWARE

GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER


We’re halfway through 2015. Time to start putting into place all those
resolutions you came up with in January. Spring clean your life with
FHM’s guide to being super productive…

Aside from causing the usual insomnia, irritability


and headaches, too much caffeine makes hard
workers slack off, according to a 2009 study by
the University of British Columbia.

Keep the amount of devices on your


desk to a minimum to avoid
pointless procrastination.

Take some proper


time out for lunch.
WORDS: JORDAN WALLER; PHOTOGRAPHY: DAN MATTHEWS

Eating at your desk


means you take less
actual breaks and
never really stop
working, increasing
fatigue and stress.
If your desk is
stuck in a dark
corner, consider
a desk lamp to
raise your cortisol
levels and keep
you working at
your peak.

Make sure your


to-do list is legible One or two cups of
so you can keep coffee is good, but
track of it — not don’t exceed more
scrawled and than four a day.
scribbled or Instead drink
covered in doodles. more water.

Hide the face of your phone while you’re working


to resist the urge to check it. Better still, stick it STATIONARY, FROM A
SELECTION AT MUJI, MUJI.EU,
in a drawer. NAC WALNUT DESK TOP,
HABITAT, HABITAT.CO.UK
03 WAKE UP TO A WORKOUT
How does Richard Branson stay so
annoyingly energetic and positive all the
time? He gets out of bed early and hits
the gym before work. It seems counter-
intuitive but exercising early increases
your energy for the rest of the day. A 2008
study from the University of Bristol found
that workers who did some morning
exercise took 25 per cent less
unscheduled breaks than those who
didn’t. Stop hitting the snooze button and
go for a run.

01
GO HYBRID
04 GET OLD-SCHOOL ORGANISED
Sure, there are a million gadgets that’ll
keep your day in order with minimal effort,
but nothing’s more satisfying than holding
a diary and pretending you’re Don Draper.
It doesn’t need a Wi-Fi signal, it won’t
beep at awkward moments and you can
The idea is simple. One device that fits any situation — home, office, just stick it in a drawer rather than
meetings. The problem is, it’s never as portable as a tablet or as powerful procrastinating over it all day. And you’ll
as a laptop. Times have changed. Slick hybrid tablets such as Microsoft’s look dead important with it tucked under
Surface Pro 3 is also a fully functional computer. It has more juice than your arm.
most desktop machines, a detachable keyboard and zero reliance on
flimsy apps that don’t work as well as their full-size versions. And, spec
for spec, it’s cheaper than an iPad. Your dice, Apple.

02 BLOCK IT OUT
There’s a reason lots of CEOs aim to work from home at least
one day a week, and it’s not so that they can sit around in their PJs.
It’s to eliminate distraction. Offices are loud places and it’s 05 EMPTY YOUR POCKETS
important to cut yourself off occasionally. For most, it’s not really Nobody has ever looked at a man with
feasible to work from a quaint Tiong Bahru cafe, but a good pockets bulging like the eyes of a bullfrog,
alternative is drowning out your colleagues and inbox with some fishing out three years’ worth of receipts
noise-cancelling headphones. and points-redemption cards whenever he
pays for anything, and thought, “That’s
who I want to hire.” Clean up your man
purse and slim it down so you’re carrying
the bare essentials. You’ll feel more
organised and on top of things and, as an
added bonus, you’ll look better in
slimmer trousers.

036 07/15
06 DON’T OVERHEAT
Working in a sweatbox distracts you. It
makes you want to curl up into a foetal
08 DODGE THE
position and snooze away like you’re in an
office-shaped womb. Control your stress
fever with a quiet office fan that has
enough settings to keep your
COFFEE ROUND
temperature consistent. We waste approximately four
days a year making brews at work.
What’s more, most of them aren’t
even for you — they’re the drinks
of your piggybacking colleagues
jumping on your round. Take the
upper hand and get a desktop
coffee machine. If you’re really
clever, you could even make a
small profit charging your
workmates for using it…

09 CLEAN WHILE YOU WORK


When most of your week is spent earning your keep, the last thing
anybody wants to do is head home and start cleaning. Luckily we live
07 SORT YOUR SOUNDTRACK in a world where actual robots exist that’ll do it for you – sentient
Listening to music you love releases beings that exist only to serve you and your filthy floors. The
dopamine in your brain, the unsupervised Scooba will scrub and mop your home into face-
neurotransmitter that regulates pleasure. reflecting greatness. Sure, there’s the chance it could eventually evolve
Ordinarily this fills you with positive and attempt to kill you in your sleep, but look how cute his little
energy, but at work it makes you easily flashing, spinning face thing is…
distracted. The key is listening to
something that’s still pleasant, but that
you’re unfamiliar with. Enter streaming
website Focus@will. Working with UCLA
neuroscientists, it curates playlists that
work with your brain’s limbic system to put
you into a hard-working, happy trance —
boosting your attention span by around
400 per cent.

07/15 037
10 STOP CLOCK WATCHING 12 STAY CHARGED
Our smartphones may have evolved
to levels previously only seen in sci-fi
films but their batteries definitely haven’t.
Staring at a clock and One of the largest complaints about our
begging it to jump mobile devices is lack of charge when we
forward means you need it most, causing us to miss e-mails,
don’t want to be at your calls, texts and that crucial Tinder match.
desk and puts you in a Portable energy reserves such as the
negative mindset. The ultra-thin Monster PowerCard carries
Click Clock puts time out enough juice to
of sight and out of mind charge your
by hiding its face unless phone for an
prompted by a snap of extra five hours
the fingers — at which — and it’s slim
the small cube will spring enough to carry in
to life like a time- your wallet.
conscious wooden butler.

13 GET CONNECTED
If you travel a lot for work, you’ve probably

11GET LIT
been hit by the woes of expensive and
hard-to-find Wi-Fi connections. The MiFi
dock is a wireless WiFi signal, so you can
jump online anywhere without having to
worry about the security risk of some
hacker going all North Korea on your ass
because you’re using ropey
public connection.

When you constantly


sit under basement-like
office lighting, your
cortisol levels drop,
forcing your energy to
plummet and, as a
knock-on effect, 14 TURN YOUR WRIST SENTIENT
increasing stress. Try The concept of yet another smart device
to sit near a window might seem ludicrous, but it could
for natural light, or get seriously boost your productivity. Having
a decent desk lamp a wrist tuned into all your important
with a dimmer switch updates lets you check what’s important
you can adjust quickly and prioritise what you need to
throughout the day. act on, without relying on distracting
dual screening.

038 07/15
MAKE YOUR HAVE A ZERO
INBOX POLICY

SMARTPHONE
In danger of being GOOGLE-ISE YOUR
crushed by a toppling CONTACTS
tower of unread e-mails? Humin has completely
Mailbox helps you blast

SMARTER
revolutionised the way
through them by either you’ll look at your
trashing messages or address book. Rather
archiving them to be than scrolling through

WITH THESE
read at a time of your alphabetical lists, you
choice, when they’ll be search by moments.
re-sent to you. Want to find someone

SUPER APPS
you met last week?
Type “met last week”. OPEN ANYTHING
Your buddy who sells Don’t get stuck with an
cupcakes? Search e-mail attachment you
ALL FOR for that. can’t open. It sounds
basic, it even sounds
MAKE TIME FOR a little bit dull, but the
BAD HABITS GoodReader app will
Organise your time so make life easier when
you’re able to do what you least expect it.
you need and what you
want. Simply tap in your SCAN ANYTHING
workload and all the Turn your phone into
stuff you probably a high-quality document
shouldn’t do and STREAMLINE scanner. TinyScan turns
Timeful will suggest KEEP SOME JUICE YOUR TIME whatever you aim it at
timeframes for each. Avoid the pain of The key to serious into an easy email-
Like having your watching your phone success isn’t working ready PDF. Just point
own PA. battery drain into extra hours, it’s learning and click, then choose
oblivion right before how to get more from whether you want a
your eyes. Battery less. 30/30 helps you
THE ULTIMATE Doctor estimates your skyrocket productivity
full colour or
PRODUCTIVITY APP current battery life and with a time-based task
greyscale scan.
Evernote is the most tells you how to make it manager that
comprehensive note last longer based on works like a stopwatch, BE A PLANE SPOTTER
and file management how you’re using your Flying somewhere?
managing expectations
app available. Evernote phone – from how many Get “live” updates on
and gamifying
lets you type, record, more YouTube videos your plane and how
your workload.
take pictures, grab web you can watch to how long it’ll take to arrive
pages, annotate much your emails are through Plane Finder.
images, set up to-do killing power.
GET MULTILINGUAL Not flying anywhere?
lists and everything in Along with the usual Simply point it at the
between — and then type and translate, sky and get an update
orders it in an easy and GET A FORT KNOX-WORTHY Google Translate has of what’s flying above
intuitive format before PASSWORD an augmented-reality you. Unless you’re a
syncing across all your 1Password generates option, translating globe-trotting James
other devices. It’s a complex, unhackable foreign words you point Bond character, you
computer in an app. passwords for your camera at. It’s won’t need it on a daily
everything you use, probably one of the basis, but you’ll find it
then lets you create a most magical things weirdly addictive…
universal password of you’ll ever see. Never
your choice to struggle to order a beer
unlock them. abroad again.

5 THINGS 01 MAKE SIRI YOUR 02 HIDE YOUR 03 TURN YOUR 04 FIND A SPECIFIC 05 GO STEALTH
YOU MUSIC SCOUT DODGY SELFIES COMPASS INTO A WORD ON A Ignore iMessages
DIDN’T Want to know what Avoid your own SPIRIT LEVEL WEB PAGE without anyone being
song you’re listening to Fappening leak by Load up the usual Load the page you want tipped off that you’ve
KNOW YOUR without resorting to selecting the dodgy compass app and, in Safari and type the read them. Simply go to
IPHONE space-hogging apps snap and holding your once you’ve calibrated word you’re looking Settings > Messages >
COULD DO like Shazam? Just ask thumb down on it. You’ll it, swipe right. The for in the search bar. Send Read Receipts >
Siri to ‘name that tune’. get an option to ‘hide’ whole thing will turn Before hitting search, Off. You’re officially off
it that’ll make it vanish into a highly accurate you’ll get a choice the messenger grid.
from all main folders. digital spirit level. of Google Search
or ‘On This Page’
Choose the latter.

07/15 039
HARDWARE

HUNGRY
Fast &
Very
Furious

FOR SPEED
Drive at 1,600kmh across the desert — for no reason
at all — on a Bloodhound Supersonic Car.

TOP SPEED:
1,680KMH.

The brainchild of ex-Royal Air Force pilot Andy


Green, the British-designed and British-built
Bloodhound SuperSonic Car is set to crush the
current land speed record of 1,227kmh. Ten
thousand people are expected at the Hakskeen Pan in South
Africa in August to watch Green break the sound barrier
and world record in this brilliantly insane vehicle which
— at top speed — travels faster than a bullet fired from a
Magnum revolver. Green explains what the hell he thinks
he’s doing.

How does it feel to go really, really fast?


Speed has no effect on the body, as anyone who has flown
in an airliner will know. It’s acceleration that you feel. In
the Bloodhound, 2G acceleration and 3G deceleration (the
equivalent of 60mph to zero in one second — don’t try this

040 07/15
HORSEPOWER:
135,000.

ENGINE:
THE EJ200 — THE SAME
FOUND IN TYPHOON JET
FIGHTERS.

WEIGHT:
7.5 TONNES.
ACCELERATION:
0 TO 1,600KMH IN
55 SECONDS.

in the family car) is physically uncomfortable and highly precisely balanced, the car needs to survive the huge loads
disorienting, as the inner ear suffers from an effect on it, and the whole run needs to be precisely controlled to
called the “somatogravic illusion” which makes it very hard keep the car in a straight line and to stop it exactly 19km
to concentrate. away, just 2 minutes after setting off.
What would happen if mere mortals tried to drive Just how powerful is the EJ200 engine?
Bloodhound through the desert? If we could chain the car down, wind the engine up to
They would be unable to get it started. Even if they did, the max and let it go, it would do 0-97kmh in less than three
ear-splitting noise and violent acceleration would seconds — not bad for a seven-tonne vehicle. Of course,
overwhelm their senses, making it impossible to keep it that’s only using the jet engine. If we add in the Nammo
straight when approaching 563kmh. At this point, the rocket as well, the 0-97 time would be just over one second.
WORDS: FHM UK. PHOTO: BLOODHOUND SSC.

novice driver would also fail to fire the rocket, as the firing Why are you so addicted to speed?
warm-up sequence needs to start about 30 seconds before I’m not. My favourite sport is sailing. Bloodhound is not
going. Overall, it probably wouldn’t go well for them. just about speed, it’s a chance to work with the world’s
What are the risks of going 1,600kmh? best engineers and the world’s best technology
Extreme speed is not inherently dangerous, just very companies, to build the most remarkable straight-line
unforgiving of mistakes. The aerodynamics need to be racing car in history. FHM

07/15 041
THE SAM WILLOWS

SONG
SISTERS
Narelle Kheng and Sandra Riley Tang, female
members of local indie-pop outfit The Sam
Willows, are ready to rock our world.
Words Timothy Wee Art Direction Pyron Tan
Photography Joel Low Styling Randolph Tan

ON NARELLE (RIGHT): COTTON SLEEVELESS


SHIRT, BY MCQ AT CLUB21B. BOXER
SHORTS, BY PUBLIC SCHOOL AT SALON
BY SURRENDER. MAGNOLIA BRA,
BY LA PEARLA.

ON SANDRA (FAR RIGHT): RIPPED DETAILED


SHIRT, BY MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA.
CROSS-STRAPPED LEATHER CLIP BRA,
BY DSTM AT SALON BY SURRENDER.
ACCESSORIES, MODEL’S OWN.

PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANCE: ALFIE PAN.


STYLING ASSISTANT: KEEFE TAN. HAIR:
GREGO OH USING LOREAL PROFESSIONAL
TECNI.ART. MAKEUP: ELAIN LIM USING
NARS COSMETICS.
THE SAM WILLOWS

W H O ’S
SHE?
Name:
Narelle Kheng
Age: 21
Nationality:
Singaporean
Likes:
Passionate people.
Dislikes: Fakers
Twitter:
@narellekheng
Instagram:
@narellekheng
WE TIP OUR HATS TO THE MANNER THE SAM
WILLOWS HAS ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS
SINGAPORE’S LEADING ENGLISH POP ACT.
WITHIN A YEAR OF ITS FORMATION IN 2012,
THE BAND HAS RELEASED AN EP AND TOURED
SIX MUSIC FESTIVALS AND CONFERENCES.

B
and mates Sandra How did you get into music? double for a movie! I’ve also picked up
Riley Tang, Narelle Narelle Kheng (NK): Music is mixed martial arts, acting on Channel
Kheng, Jonathan Chua something I really love. I’ve known 5, and might be involved in a musical.
and Benjamin Kheng Sandra since 14, about 8 years ago. The Sam Willows’ music has a
also had a chance to We’ve been jamming with my brother, hippie, folksy vibe to it. Do you ever
work with Grammy- Benjamin. My family is musically feel restricted by the labelling?
winning record inclined; my parents met in the choir SRT: We’ve never written for a specific
producer, Steve and I grew up having jam sessions. genre. The four of us are so different;
Lillywhite (U2, The Music has always been at the back of we have our own music influences.
Killers) on the song my mind and I’m happy to be living When we released our EP, people
Glasshouse (Lillywhite the dream. couldn’t place us into one genre. We
Edition), which Sandra Riley Tang (SRT): I grew up couldn’t either since we didn’t write
remains The Sam Willows’ most- playing music in church. I played the for any.
viewed YouTube video with over organ as a kid but switched to piano. NK: Our direction has changed a lot
175,000 views. Along the way, I picked up singing. for the new album. Change came
The band is showing no signs of That’s when I met Narelle and about because of our individual
slowing down. Besides dropping its Benjamin, and we started jamming musical progress and performing
latest single Take Heart in late May together. It started with YouTube experience. With more “live” shows
and an upcoming performance at the covers and it kind of exploded. As a under our belt, we’ve realised it’s fun
National Day Parade, the band etched result, I took up new skills like to have a “pumpy” song that audience
its name in our music history as the percussion along the way. can clap to. As you perform, you’ll
first local band to perform at NK: On stage, Sandra’s the one who’ll find elements you like and put it in
renowned music convention, Musexpo, be playing different instruments and our new material. We don’t feel
as well as the only act to have three singing at the same time. restricted at all.
songs (four if you count Benjamin’s Remember your first mixtape?
solo number) on the official 2015 Sea NK: I can’t but there are a couple of
Games album. With a new album out
soon, the music world is theirs to
songs on it that keeps coming back to
me, such as Counting Crows’ A LOT OF KIDS KEEP
TELLING US THEY
conquer. FHM sits Narelle and Sandra Accidentally in Love. Then there were
down to get the inside scoop and be The Backstreet Boys and Westlife…
shamelessly serenaded to… SRT: Narelle and I grew up listening
to the same songs (mainly ‘90s pop)
but she also listened to a lot of metal. CAN’T AFFORD OR
What do you do outside of the band?
NK: I’m still in school and will be MAKE IT FOR OUR
SHOWS, SO THE
starring in a Channel 5 drama and an
Okto series. Everyone does a bit of
acting and “influencer-type things”, as
FRINGE BRALET AND
RIPPED SKINNY JEANS,
well as spending time writing songs.
SRT: I’ve just opened my own yoga BEST WAY IS TO DO A
SCHOOL TOUR.
BY TOPSHOP. CHAINED
BRACELET, BY MAISON studio, The Yoga Co, and joined a
MARTIN MARGIELA. stunt team; I’m going to be a stunt
BOMBAY BIKER JACKET, BY
MAJE FROM NET-A-PORTER.
COM. CROPPED SILK TOP,
BY MICHAEL LO SORDO AT
SALON BY SURRENDER.
RIPPED DENIM SHORTS,
BY TOPSHOP.
ANKLE BOOTS, BY H&M.
IT’S FUN TO HAVE A “PUMPY” SONG THAT THE
AUDIENCE CAN CLAP ALONG TO.
THE SAM WILLOWS

What is The Sam Willows’ biggest SRT: If I were to marry Dick, I’d sleep
contribution to Singapore’s music with Charlie and slap Manson.
scene so far? What’s the craziest gig you’ve
SRT: The very first time we felt a played in?
sense of Singaporean pride was when NK: Last year’s countdown show.
we went overseas for our first tour. We
went to LA, Austin (SXSW) and WE’VE NEVER SRT: That wasn’t crazy; shit just
happens onstage. During the final

WRITTEN FOR
Toronto (Canadian Music Week). There rehearsal, we were supposed to spin
were many local artists before us who and walk towards our microphones at
played at SXSW. But for such a young the start of the song. But when we
band like us, it’s cool to be one of the
few Singaporean bands there. A SPECIFIC were spinning, Narelle held her bass
higher than she should and it caught
NK: After we played, people would
come to us and ask how we learned GENRE… WHEN my eye. I blacked out for 3 seconds.
NK: The performance was being

WE RELEASED
English. That was when we told them filmed. So, for three minutes, Sandra
more about Singapore… And we just went on singing and smiling. I
realised all we talked about were car could see actual tears… When we were
prices and food.
What sort of musician do you OUR EP, PEOPLE done, she said it hurt when she
blinked. She took out her contacts and
find sexy?
NK: It’s not about the instrument, but COULDN’T there was only half a lens left! I must
have really swung that bass.

PLACE US INTO
all about the person. I’ve seen bassists SRT: If I weren’t wearing lenses, my
who are really sexy, like David Siow cornea would have been cut. Best part
from local band, Take Two. was no one would have guessed it
SRT: He’s such a hipster bassist that
he is the epitome of hipster. ONE GENRE. from our performance.
The band caused quite a stir when
NK: But growing up, I loved
guitarists — so sexy! WE COULDN’T you visited a school earlier this year.
Why school visits?

EITHER.
SRT: There is a certain type of NK: School invasions are fun! The one
musician I go for. There’s the this year was part of the *Scape
drummer, acoustic guitarist and Invasion Tour. We do it for our fans. A
percussionist. lot of kids keep telling us they can’t
Listing them in order of preference? afford or make it for our shows, so the
SRT: This is going to sound so wrong, best way is to do a school tour. If we
but they are good with their hands. want our fans to support us, we have
They are rhythmically sound. I to give them something to support. We
resonate a lot with rhythm. When you also want to give hope to young
have rhythm, it’s damn sexy. aspiring musicians.
NK: A bassist can go deeper, too! Tell us something we don’t know
Who would you slap, sleep or marry: about you.
Marilyn Manson, Dick Lee and SRT: I make really good pancakes and
Charlie Lim? eggs. And I flip them really well.
NK: Slap Dick, marry Charlie and NK: I’m terrified of mascots — even
sleep with Manson. Did you know the the Sea Games’ mascot, Nila. FHM
latter removed his ribs so he could
suck himself off?
SRT: He creeps me out. MESH JACKET, BY JONATHAN SIMKHAI AT CLUB21B. CROPPED SILK TOP,
NK: Then you can marry Dick Lee- BY MICHAEL LO SORDO AT SALON BY SURRENDER.STUDDED HIGH-WAIST
SHORTS, BY H&M. STUDDED HEELS, BY KURT GEIGER. ARM BANDS,
he’s quite rich. [Laughs] STYLIST’S OWN.

048 07/15
WHO
SHE?
Name:
Sandra Riley Tang
Age: 24
Nationality:
Singaporean
Likes:
Music; yoga; crossfit;
MMA; food and art.
Dislikes: Clowns
and ghost stories.
Twitter:
@sandrarileytang
Instagram:
@sandrarileytang
THE SAM WILLOWS

LEATHER BRA TOP, BY T BY


ALEXANDER WANG. DISTRESS
BOYFRIEND JEANS, BY R13 AT
SALON BY SURRENDER. BODY
CHAIN, MODEL’S OWN.
I RESONATE A LOT WITH RHYTHM.
WHEN YOU HAVE RHYTHM, IT’S DAMN SEXY.
THE SAM WILLOWS

SAKURA EMBROIDERY MOTORCYCLE SKIRT


AND JACKET, BOTH BY CHRISTIAN DADA AT
SALON BY SURRENDER. FISHNET LEGGINGS,
STYLIST’S OWN. LACED-UP BOOTIES HEEL,
MODEL’S OWN. METALLIC JEM RING, BY
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FROM WWW.SWEELEE.COM.SG

OPPOSITE: CROSS-STRAPPED LEATHER-


CLIP BRA, BY DSTM AT SALON BY
SURRENDER. RIPPED SKINNY JEANS, BY
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STYLIST’S OWN.

052 07/15
PRODIGY

MEET “MAD KEITH, THE ASYLUM


ESCAPEE”, FRESH OFF THE STAGE AT
SONOSPHERE FESTIVAL.

054 07/15
Not our words, Keith Flint’s – The Prodigy frontman who, as we
found out, won’t stand for being called a firestarter*.
*(or you owe him $10)

Words Matt Blake Photos © Mike Van Cleven and instagram.com/keithflintofficial

07/15 055
PRODIGY

here’s a no-smoking sign on the wall eith Flint has come to


of the London studio where we meet this interview dressed
Keith Flint. Still, The Prodigy’s pierced as Keith
and punk-plumed wildman is rolling Flint. Apart from the
a fag. He crams a wad of Golden shades, he’s wearing a
Virginia into a crumpled Rizla, licks pork-pie hat and a
it, lights it and takes a long, merciful drag. blue-and-white-striped prison uniform shirt. A
“I f**king hate this nanny state we live bolt bores through his upper ear and tattoos
in right now,” he exhales, filling the room with cover his arms and chest. He bursts with
smoke. “It’s like being back at school. energy and ideas, pogoing between topics as
I cannot be told what to do. As soon as they come into his head, and he swears like a
I’m told not to, I will. It’s the death of life, trucker in a jackknife. He’ll often call
the nanny state. And it kills everything. someone, or himself, a c**t, apologise, then
It will turn us all into zombies.” use the word again. Can one man really
We are talking about the controlling exude this much passion all the time? What
influences of the music industry. It was only happens when the music stops and the lights
while making The Prodigy’s new album, The go up? Who is Keith Flint, really?
Day is My Enemy, that he says he had a Born on 17 September 1969, Flint
staffing cull to kill the “maggots” feeding off was raised in Braintree, Essex. He admits his
the band. wasn’t a particularly happy childhood and his
“When you’ve got people telling you to do parents split when he was young.
this and that, you can feel like meat,” “I hated being at home so much that I’d go in
he blasts. “So I now only directly deal with for dinner — which was statutory — and if it
[bandmates] Liam or Maxim. I’ve never had a wasn’t ready for three minutes, I’d go out
personal manager; I’ve always looked after again and come back three minutes later.”

“I HAVE GROWN UP KNOWING


ME, SO IF I DON’T, WHO IS?”
myself. That’s why I dress myself, that’s why I At the age of 15, Flint was thrown out of
speak for myself, and that’s why I remain school. “I was quite disruptive and out there,”
myself. I’m quite willing to f**k things up for he remembers. “Then I found myself in a load
myself but I’m not going to have some c**t do of remedial classes being told how to use a
it for me. Not for something that’s so ruler. But when they tested my IQ, they found
precious. Would you let someone come into out I was quite intelligent. Trouble is, I’m
your family and tell you how it should be run? definitely on the spectrum somewhere —
I never have, and right now, I’m using that there’s a dysfunctional side. That probably
history to be even more of a c**t.” sounds like I’m trying to back up mad Flint
A conversation with Flint is not unlike one — but if you want me to be honest with you,
of his gigs. It is unpredictable, visceral, and that’s as honest as it gets.”
raw. It can be angry at times, scary Flint undertook various jobs as a butcher, a
at others, but entrancing throughout. But he roofer and an investigative driller. But a thirst
is not the four-letter lady-part he just singled for adventure had infected his soul. So, in the
out. Not today, anyway. In fact, he is rather summer of 1988, he left Essex to roam the
charming and funny. Eloquent, too. And he Middle East and Africa.
laughs a lot. “When I got back, someone was telling GETTING A TRIM BEFORE THE BIG
“I am kind of a court jester meets asylum me about the acid-house rave scene
SHOW AT SONOSPHERE.
escapee,” he says. “I sometimes describe and I thought, ‘F**king hell, you’re talking
myself as a hallway in a house: You think about something with as much passion
you’re inside, but there’s another as I would be talking about hitchhiking
door to the real me. I’ll sit and wait like a to Israel.’ I wanted a piece of that.”
predator and then I will cut you down. I will The spring of 1989 led him to an outdoor
f**king cut you down to the ground.” rave in Essex where little-known dance DJ
He seems to be looking us dead in the eye, Liam Howlett was playing. “I loved his music
though all we can see is our own reflection and boom, I was in,” says Flint. “I was never
staring sheepishly back at us through his big, the brains behind the band — that was always
purple sunglasses. Liam. But together we were a complete

056 07/15
package. It was the outlet I was looking for.”
Music became Flint’s medicine. “As a kid, I
was always fighting to be who I was,” he
says. “Then suddenly, I no longer had
to fight. I just was.”
The early ’90s saw The Prodigy burst
from the chest of the underground rave
scene like strobe-lit aliens on ecstasy.
Melding breakbeat, jungle and hardcore into
a bludgeoning wall of sound, its second
album, Music for the Jilted Generation,
spawned a jagged new genre of pop. Then,
in 1997, Fat of the Land reached No 1 in
the UK and US and they’ve topped the
British album charts with every record since.
They’ve got two Brits, three MTV VMAs, two
Kerrang! Awards and five MTV Europe
Music Awards. They’ve been nominated for
two Grammys and today, they’ve sold more
than 25 million records worldwide. Not
that Flint cares.
“We never gave a f**k about making
money or what people thought,” Flint says.
“All we ever wanted was to play our music.”

andmates and flunkies have come


and gone, but controversy has been
a lifelong friend to
The Prodigy. Over the years, they
have been accused of everything
from inciting arson (Firestarter) to
condoning domestic violence (Smack My
Bitch Up), leaving middle-England’s papers
and parents dry-heaving on the taste of
their own outrage.
“I went out with a girl who was a bit
lah-di-dah,” Flint recalls. “She was cool and
grounded but her mum one day opened The
Guardian and there was a picture of me
with green hair, draped over a monitor,
dribbling – the full f**king Monty Flinty. The
headline was: ‘What Would You do if Your
Daughter Brought This Home?’ Her parents
f**king hated me with a passion.”
But as its currency in music grew,
so too did the members’ pay cheques — and
their appetite for drug-addled
abandon, though Flint says he rarely got
high on stage.
“I did half a pill at Labyrinth (legendary
East London venue) at our first proper
gig and I thought my head was going to
drop off. I realised I didn’t need a false
rush when on stage — it was already there.”
Then, in the early 2000s, Howlett’s
creative flow – that had buoyed the band
for so long — ran dry for the first time in 20
years with a bout of writer’s block. No
new material meant no gigs with which
to sponge up Flint’s rampant energy.
“Yeah, it was a dark period,” he says.
“I was drinking and taking too many drugs.
The problem is, you’ve got shitloads of cash
and shitloads of time and all you’re looking
for is a buzz. I did f**k all really, apart from
being a jerk.”

07/15 057
PRODIGY

“I AM KIND OF A
MEETS ASYLUM

y the time Howlett finally found hooligan snarl he employs on Firestarter. tire of being the Firestarter? “When I go away,
his mojo, Flint had unravelled. He’s still smiling… but you never quite seem I’m always the Firestarter,” he reflects. “I carry
“I got to the point where I had to know with Flint. We try a different tack. that everywhere I go. Nobody sees a
to stop. I didn’t want to be a Something safe. Flint’s other great obsession musician… Oh, sorry, bigging myself up there.
jabbering wreck.” But coastal walks is motorcycle racing. He owns a race team They just see me. [But] I am determined not
and solitary Saturday nights in never and, at weekends, can often be found with to let The Prodigy overrun every aspect of my
much suited Keith. “I was heading for wife Mayumi at a motorbike grand prix life so I can still live it.”
complete vanilla-ism,” he says. “Being sober, somewhere in Europe. We are nearing the end of our time
my obsession became being fit and focused, “It’s about challenging your bravery and together. While we’ve seen fleeting glimpses
but I like to leave the planet now and again. I your balls,” he says. It is a metaphor for life: inside Flint’s mind, we’ve only peeked into
decided to have the odd joint or a few beers If you don’t go into a bend without that sharp some of those back rooms that lurk behind
to keep a bit of psychedelia in my life.” intake of breath then you ain’t going fast the hallway. Some of them, we’re not sure we
And here we are now, sitting with Flint enough. The sooner you become aware that even want to enter.
in this London studio, five albums and 26 you’re mortal, the sooner you start living.” Suddenly, he tells us a story. “My dad,”
years since he and Howlett first met in that Flint lives in his rural Essex mansion with he says. “He was a c**t. I had this
muddy Essex field — two lost boys drawn Mayumi — a Japanese DJ who plays by the mohawk as a kid and I remember he
together by a shared love of hardcore and name Super Megabitch — and their nine once dragged me up the hairdressers.
a burning problem with authority. dogs. He also owns a pub called the Leather But because there was only a strip of hair
“I think Liam is the only person I’ve ever Bottle in Pleshey, near his home. “We’ve got to cut, I ended up with a little quiff at
loved,” says Flint, with genuine affection. “He an open fire, and I’ve got about $125 in a the front and I looked like Tintin. The
and Maxim have actually taken time pint pot on the mantelpiece because every humiliation of going back to school
to get to know who I am. It’s probably to do time I light it, the Firestarter jokes come out, with that was mental cruelty.
with not having a good family background. and boom, I’m like, that’s very funny, you owe “[Years later] I saw Liam and the way
The band became my family.” me a a dollar. The money goes in and then that he put in with his father and I thought
We feel for a moment as if we’re breaking off to charity.” that maybe I hadn’t made enough effort.
through. But when we joke that we’ve made it I thought perhaps the downside of my
inside the hallway of Flint’s mind and can see s Flint approaches his 46th birthday, childhood was a product of who I was.” So, in
he’s left another door ajar, he flashes a faux it’s clear he’s lost none of his edge. a bid to “see what a family looked like”, Flint
glare. “Tread carefully or I will cut you to But does he ever feel trapped by reached out to his father one last time. “I
shreds,” he bites, turning out that football- his hell-raising reputation? Does he opened that door and he let me down again,”

058 07/15
“When I took over the pub, I found
this piece of rotting meat behind the
fridge and it sums up how I felt by
the time we finished the new album:
The story behind his uncaptioned — and Rotten inside. There were too many
often weird — pictures on @keithflintofficial maggots trying to get their piece of
The Prodigy.”

“That’s Cyrus and Bonnie. You can “Aside from music, my other great
trust a dog more than you can trust obsession is motorcycle racing.
a person because you know what I own a race team, and this is James
they’re about. When they f**k up, you Rispoli, one of the riders in Team
don’t have to cuss and lift rolled-up Traction Control. Racing’s like life: If
says Flint. “So I rung him and said, ‘You newspapers. Respect them in a you don’t go into a bend without that
will never see me again. You will never disappointed way — ‘Ah, f**k’s sake, sharp intake of breath like you’re
speak to me again. And if I see you, I will you’ve just eaten my phone,’ and going over a roller coaster, you ain’t
beat you.’ From that moment on, I was a they’re like, ‘Yeah f**king hell, sorry going fast enough.”
man and I was free.” about that’.”
It would be easy to attribute his rage to
a troubled childhood. And perhaps he has
spent his life yelling back at some echo
from his past. But now, free seems the
word that best describes Keith Flint. He
seems, more than most, to take life by the
testicles and genuinely doesn’t care what
people think of him.
“I’m not saving up for anything,” he
says. “I’m cashing it all now. I’ve always
had this thing inside me that, when I’m
done, I’ll kill myself. I swear to God that’s
not suicidal — it’s definitely a positive
thing. The moment I start shitting the “The Monster girls are the bollocks. “That’s me and Liam. We are true
bed is when you’ll see me on the front They’re down, intelligent, good fun brothers. We argue like brothers but
of a bus.” and good partiers. No, my wife he is about the only person in my life
Then he smiles, rather sweetly, and doesn’t mind — I don’t have to be who has taken time to understand
adds, “I think I’m very generous of spirit around girls with a view to shag who I am and accept who I am. He
with the people I love, but I can also be a them. I enjoy their company and they doesn’t always like it, but that love
very selfish person too. I’ve grown up enjoy mine.” will never die.”
knowing nobody is going to look after me,
so if I don’t, who is? I’m not frightened of
who I am; I just want to look back and
know that I’ve lived what I consider a
fulfilled life. That’s all. Happy days.” FHM

07/15 059
JERI LEE
R I C A N
M E

Y
- A

T
ALL

BE A U A N Y T H I N G S — DA NC
O
E R
N
,
E
M
O
O
F
JERI LEE IS MBUT ABOVE ALL, SHHEA’SD THE PRIVILEGE
LOVER — EOPLE WE’VE EVER TS OF CALIFORNIA.
D
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,

SWEETESFTRPOM THE SUNNY COAS mayan


ti

TO MEET ling Leia Da


ong Sty
Marcus W
graphy
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Marcu
Words

TANK TOP, BY KITSCHEN.


SHORTS, BY ZARA.

HAIR: DYLAN BOON.


MAKEUP: YU TING.
JERI LEE

BIKINI, AND HIGH HEELS,


MODEL’S OWN.
T E N D E R AGE
N S AT T H E HE
D T H E L E I O N A L . T
E R L I F E B EHIN A T E P R O FESS A DE
N I N G H N S U M M R I G I N M
BEGIN I L E E I S A CO D M E X I C AN O G O-
R E E , J E R P I N O A N L A N D A
OF TH A U T Y O F FILI S H O W M ODE O RE
E 5 ’ 2 ” B E U S C A R - B S , B E F
PETIT T O F A M E A SA
O M I N E N T CLU
I N G A
C L A I M MO S T P R G R A C
HER I N L A ’ S E R S E A S AND
ER V
GO DANC HER INFLUENCE O AGAZINE COVERS.
M
E X T E N D I N G S O U T H E A S T- A S I A N
F
NUMBER O How was the shoot? remember what I did. I did the Oscar
The shoot was absolutely fun, I loved Mayer Wiener ad [She proceeds to sing
all the props — especially the whale… the Oscar Mayer jingle here]. I did a
that I molested. Barbie commercial and a Pepsi
You live in California, you must be commercial — this is all when I
at the beach all the time. was little.
Well, yes, I live in Southern So when did you have time to pick
California, Orange County and I do up dancing?
live by the beach. So whenever I’m As with modelling, I’ve been dancing
home, I try to go to the beach or I since I was a kid. My mum put me in
swim in my own backyard. ballet, tap dance, hip-hop — when I
Can you surf? was in middle school, I was in the
Um... I know how to surf the web! dance team; and in high school, I was
[Laughs] I know how to body board, a cheerleader. I’ve always liked to
swim, jet ski and do other water dance.
sports, but surfing, no. I don’t What is it like being a cheerleader
know why I didn’t pick it up; I guess in LA, is it like Glee?
my mum never enrolled me in It’s more like Bring it On actually.
surfing lessons. That was my favourite cheerleading
We read that your mum encouraged movie. It was really fun; I was the
you to get into modelling at a really only Asian girl, or brown-skinned girl
early age. on the team where everyone else was
Yeah, I started modelling and acting white. I was a flyer on the team.
when I was three. I’ve loved it ever
since, you know, I was practically born
with it. My mum was the only one who
“I’M A BIG FO
WHEREVER ODIE.
was taking me from Orange County to
LA for my auditions and agent stuff. I

IN THE WOR I’M AT


was in elementary school and she was
still working, so she had to stop for a

WHETHER I’ LD –
bit and told me I could pursue it again
when I was older. When I got a little
older, I fell into the whole import
scene at 17, practically right out of
high school. M
HOME OR OV AT
I’M ALL ABO ERSEAS –
Do you remember your
first audition?

UT FOOD.”
When I was a kid? Oh my gosh, I don’t
remember my first audition, but I

07/15 063
JERI LEE

, I STA RT E D
“YEAH G AND ACTING
MODELLIN AS THREE. I’VE
WHEN I W VER SINCE, YOU
LOVED IT E AS PRACTICALLY
KNOW, I W H IT.”
BORN WIT

BIKINI TOP, HIGH HEELS, AND


DENIM SHORTS, JERI’S OWN

OPPOSITE: DENIM SHIRT,


FROM PULL & BEAR. BIKINI,
JERI’S OWN
JERI LEE

W H O ’S
When did you get into the SHE? and I shot with FHM Philippines. From
import scene? there, people came to me or through a
Age: 30
I just… got discovered I guess. My From: Orange
friend and that’s how I started doing
first photo shoot was with — Oh my County, California international stuff. My friend who
Likes: Working out,
gosh, it’s so old — Finest Models or travelling, cooking,
booked my car show in the Philippines
Finest Exposure. I had no boobies, no eating (when actually set it up with FHM to shoot
she can)
tattoos… I wasn’t even wearing fake Dislikes: Body
us. I got to know the editor and the
eyelashes or anything; I was plain odour, bitter melon, photographers, and I’ve done a lot of
hairy men
Jane Jeri Lee. I went to my first HIN Instagram:
shoots with them.
(Hot Import Night) and that’s how @mama_lee When did you get your first tattoo?
Facebook:
people saw me. I was with my facebook.com/
My first tattoo was the two stars that I
girlfriends and we were like, “Oh let’s theREALjerilee have; I was 18. I have 35 now. My best
go to the car show, and dress all friend and I were supposed to go get
pretty and walk around!” That’s tatted at some shop in Anaheim. We
something to do back then; just to go were both nervous like, “Is it going to
out and see all the cute guys — who hurt? Am I going to pass out? I hate
cares about the cars you know? That’s needles!” So I went first and the guy
how we were around that age. told me to relax. The machine turned
What about as a dancer? on and I thought this wasn’t so bad. I
I started go-go dancing about the turned to my friend and she was just
same age I started modelling; I met shaking her head, and when I was
someone who was a party promoter. I done, she just said, “Okay, let’s go!” To
was just out dancing with my friends, this day, she still has no tattoos. And
and he noticed me and asked me to look at me, it’s all her fault.
dance for them. I started dancing in What’s the latest tattoo?
Orange County, then LA and then The one here on my chest, “You light
around the US. up my soul.” Me and my girlfriend got
How did you make your connections it for her birthday. My other girlfriend.
in Asia? How do you choose your designs?
I went to the Philippines in 2006; it I’m really random; when I travel, I’m
was my very first time in Asia. I did a like a walking passport. I have all
car show there; I did go-go dancing these different languages on me. I’m a
little bit unique with my tattoos. I
always liked drawing on myself as a
kid, and I’ve gotten tattoos from
Hawaii, Korea, Thailand, Japan…

M Y F I R S T We have a question about the work


you’ve done. In the chest area…

R E M E M B E R A T I
You mean my boobs? Yeah, they’re

“...I D O N ’ T E M B E R W H totally fake! They’re 10 years old; I

E M
have to get these redone. I got them

I O N , B U T I R R W I E N E R when I was 19, I’m 30 now.

AUD I T S C A R M AY E Why did you decide to do it?

. I D I D T H E O E R C I A L A N D I don’t know. Well, I wanted boobs! I

DID
wanted to look like a Barbie; I had

A R B I E C O M M A LL
small little boobies and wanted big

AD , I D I D A B L — T H I S I S boobs, so I got boobs. I was a full A

M E R C I A and now I’m a D.

A PEPSI COAMS LITTLE.”


Were your parents okay with it?
My dad already passed away, before
I turned 19. My mum had a boob

WHEN I W
job before me. We were fighting
over who’s gonna go first; who’s
gonna take care of each other. So
she had hers done first and then I
did mine. FHM

066 07/15
BIKINI,
JERI’S OWN
JERI LEE
BIKINI TOP, MODEL’S
OWN. DENIM SHORTS,
FROM ZARA
THE RUSSIAN POP KING

EMIN AGALAROV, HEIR TO A $2, 000,


000, 000 FORTUNE AT CROCUS CITY
HALL CONCERT VENUE. WHICH HE
BUILT. AND SELLS OUT
THE POP STAR

WHO’S
RICHER
THAN
BONO
(AND YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF HIM)
Vodka, million-dollar deals, sell-out album tours and more vodka.
Welcome to the wealthy world of Emin Agalarov.

Words Joe Mackertich Photography Glen Burrows

07/15 071
THE RUSSIAN POP KING

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMIN!”


BARKS BILLIONAIRE DONALD TRUMP.
“I can’t believe you’re turning 35. Boy, can you entertain people!” From the outside, Emin apparently lives up to the stereotype of
Robert De Niro is next to pipe up. “Happy birthday, Emin,” says the a rich kid who has silver spoons plugging up his every orifice. The
Academy Award-winning actor. Then he sings the entire Happy world is a very different place when you’re in his company. People are
Birthday song. constantly sprinting ahead of you to open doors. Beautiful women
The man they’re addressing is leaning across the desk in his make eyes at you as if to say, “I am willing to flirt like this if it means,
Moscow head office, showing us videos on his smartphone. Emin in time, I might get access to him.” Plates of exquisite food are
Agalarov turned 35 a few months ago and had an enormous party. A plonked down in front of you and then immediately replaced by new
few invitees, including De Niro and Trump, were unable to attend so plates with new cutlery and new food the moment you finish. At one
they sent personal messages instead. point, Emin remarks, “I never used to like sports cars. And then my
“Robert De Niro doesn’t need to sing Happy Birthday to anybody,” dad bought me a Ferrari.”
he says. “You can’t buy that. It’s about friendship and respect. These Once we’ve all eaten and drunk our way through a few thousand
are things you can show off, be proud of. Not boats, cars and planes.” dollars worth of food and vodka, his friend and assistant, Roman,
Chances are, if you’re reading this in Southeast Asia, you’ve not stands up and honours him with what might be the most emotionally-
heard of Emin Agalarov. Say “Emin” to anyone in Russia or large charged toast we have ever seen. “Everything I have,” he says voice
chunks of Central Asia however, and they’ll immediately think of three trembling with sincerity, “Every memory… I have because of you.”
people: A platinum-selling, heart-throb pop star who sells out arenas;
an ambitious property tycoon who’s built, among other things, the
country’s two largest luxury malls; and a politically connected socialite, It wasn’t always like this. Born into a relatively poor family in
son of one of Russia’s richest men, husband to Leyla Aliyev, daughter Azerbaijan, Emin moved with his parents and sister to a tiny one-room
of the President of Azerbaijan. apartment in Moscow in the 1980s. A few years later, the Soviet
All three of those Emins are, in fact, the same Emin. And he’s invited Union — the communist super-state which regulated how its citizens
us to the Russian capital to spend a few days in his company. Which lived, earned and spent — collapsed. Men who had ambition and
begs the question: What could the man who has everything possibly entrepreneurial spirit were free to pursue the path of profit, no longer
want from us? impeded by a rigid, dogmatic government.
Emin recalls how the daily queue for bread and milk was suddenly
replaced by a queue for something quite different. “These kiosks
Rewind 15 hours and we’re a few blocks from Red Square, standing appeared in the street with colourful logos: Mars, Coke, Snickers. I
outside a door leading to a dimly-lit hallway and a single elevator. Winter remember standing in line for five hours for my first McDonald’s. My
nights in Moscow are nose-numbingly cold: The streets surrounding friends and I didn’t know what anything was so we bought one of
Red Square become patchworks of concrete, ice and snow. The everything.” What did he think of the food? “I remember it so clearly,”
doorman’s black suit jacket and polo-neck look is astonishingly meagre he says, eyes closed. “It was the most delicious thing I’d ever eaten.
considering the climate, but his pale, shaven head and serpentine facial My dad thought it was disgusting.”
scar suggest he’s tough enough to cope with the chill. While Emin’s father, Aras, wasn’t impressed by the US’s
We tell him we’re here for Emin and are ushered towards the lift. A flavoursome bun-based exports, he wasted no time in capitalising on
television in the hallway is showing an advert for an all-terrain vehicle, capitalism. He threw himself headfirst into the world of business, first
one which — just by chance — stars the man we’re here to see. There importing computers, then arranging trade fairs and finally moving into
he is, tucked into the driving seat, smiling, navigating some kind of property and construction. When the dust finally settled he was one of
assault course. And then, 30 seconds later, there he is again, in real life, the richest men in Russia.
flanked by a suited and booted crew of friends and business associates It’s worth pointing out that during all of this, Emin wasn’t sat at
at the head of a glass dining table, eating, cracking jokes and throwing home mooching off his dad. He was in New Jersey, studying, chasing
back shots like a cross between Henry VIII and Justin Timberlake in girls and earning his own money by working a series of reassuringly
Social Network. normal jobs. “I never wanted to join his company,” he says. “I was doing
“Guys!” he yells. “Welcome to Moscow!” We say our hellos but it’s well by myself in the US. Unlike the other kids,
difficult to keep track of who’s who, due in part to the constant stream I didn’t get any pocket money. I didn’t want to live in his shadow.”
of vodka being thrown down our necks and also our host’s habit of That formidable shadow is one that hangs over us the whole
introducing everyone to us as either “the sexiest man in Russia” or time we’re in Russia. Aras stares out from the cover of Russian
“Russia’s most famous sex machine”. Emin is a big, cheerful, busy guy. Forbes magazine and framed photos in which he is stood, unsmiling,
One minute he’s telling anecdotes about his pals involving kidney alongside President Vladimir Putin. Whereas his son projects an
stones, anal sex and a hotel room in Boston (they laugh it up, but you affable, transatlantic approachability, Agalarov senior has the concrete
would too if your best mate was capable of buying and selling your ass); glare and unbreakable jaw of an unyielding empire builder. When
the next, he’s taking the manager of the restaurant aside to tell her how we ask Roman, Emin’s faithful assistant, about the latter’s father, he
he wants the tables set up. He’s allowed to do this because he literally hesitates, considering his words. “His dad is… how can I say it? You
owns the place. feel his presence.”

072 07/15
WITH HARD-AS-NAILS DAD ARAS — ONE
OF THE ORIGINAL OLIGARCHS.

JEEP TERRITORY : ONE OF THE MANY


COMPANIES EMIN ENDORSES.

MUHAMMED ALI’S ACTUAL THE TIMES SQUARE REPLICA


GLOVE AND HANDPRINT. IN EMIN’S VEGAS MALL.

THE GOD SCREEN (EMIN ACTION


FIGURE VISIBLE IN FOREGROUND).

EVEN BILLIONAIRES OCCASIONALLY


MAKE DICKS OF THEMSELVES.
“I NEVER
LIKED SPORTS
CARS…
THEN MY DAD
BOUGHT ME
A FERRARI.”

VENTURING INTO THE BOWELS OF


ONE OF EMIN’S BUILDING SITES.

07/15 073
THE RUSSIAN POP KING

VODKA AND PICKLES: EACH OF THESE BOTTLES


THE BREAKFAST OF IS WORTH MORE THAN
(RUSSIAN) CHAMPIONS. YOUR HOUSE.

AN INFORMAL JAM AT

“PEOPLE IN HOME — WITH THREE


BACKING SINGERS.

ORANGE
LAMBORGHINIS
DON’T NORMAL-
LY HAVE THAT
MUCH MONEY.”
PROBABLY THE NICEST
PIANO WE’VE EVER SEEN.

ADMIT IT: IF YOU


WERE HIM, YOU’D
HAVE ONE, TOO.

Eventually, Aras succeeded in getting his son back into the family of Emin’s office. A menu runs down its left-hand side, allowing you
fold with a cheeky offer. He owned a mall in Moscow that contained to choose between one of the many projects his company, Crocus
about six failing shops. If Emin could take the stores and turn a profit, International, has on the go. There’s the 62,000 square-metre Crocus
he could keep the profit. He took the bait and five years later that City Mall; a 6,000 seater-concert hall; the 549,000 square metre
handful of shops had ballooned to 75, with an annual turnover of international exhibition centre Crocus Expo; the country’s largest ‘retail
$160 million. entertainment centre’, Vegas; the Agalarov Estate golf club, 15 pricey
You might look at that and say, “What a lot of money! Good job!” An restaurants and even a luxury residential complex in Azerbaijan called
oligarch looks at that and thinks, “It’s a start”. Sea Breeze on the Caspian. Click on any of them and “live” video
footage from the site immediately springs up on the screen. We watch
someone fiddling about in a kitchen for a while, oblivious to the fact
If you want an idea of the scale of the Agalarov empire these days they’re on camera. It feels a bit like being a god, if god’s omnipotence
you only need to look at the massive computer screen on the wall was limited to upscale boutiques, restaurants and night clubs.

074 07/15
We push Emin to disclose how much revenue is generated by the type to bully underlings for kicks. But it must be at the very least
whole operation. He tells us. It’s a lot. startling when a fly-by-hi from your employer also involves multiple
Surely the sprawling business commitments interfere with his pop photographers, personal assistants and a journalist.
career? What would happen, we ask, if his record label asked him to
tour for two years to promote an album?
“I don’t need to tour,” he states. “My music is financially That night, we travel to a block of flats (a block of flats built
independent. I chose a business path because I knew that if could and owned by the Agalarovs, obviously) to find out where Emin lays
learn how to make money, I could make my other dreams come true. his head at the end of a busy day oligarch-ing. Despite the jaw-
Music, motorbikes, whatever I like.” dropping views of downtown Moscow, the signed Elvis memorabilia
Emin’s dream at this point in time is to crack the British charts. and immaculate marble surfaces, his penthouse apartment is
He’s been releasing hit albums for 10 years and, having become a surprisingly modest.
massive star in Russia, he’s got his sights set on the UK pop scene. Then, on the top floor, we discover an eight-piece “live” band
The guy’s already had a measure of success there — a few singles and two sound technicians. Emin changes out of his suit and
from an earlier album, Wonder, were playlisted on British radio — and joins them to rattle through a few of his songs while an enormous
he’s clearly hungry for more. We ask him why he’s so obsessed with man named Pavel (“I am band… manager?”) gives us vodka, more
the UK. vodka and pickles. The guitarist with a goatee beard tells us they get
“Because it’s a world-leader for music,” he says. “Look how many to go home at some point, but we prefer the idea of the band trapped
famous song-writers are from Britain. Not France or Germany. up there like caged birds, forced to play Emin’s music on a loop for
Britain.” all eternity.
Roman asks us who is currently the most famous Russian music The songs are catchy, smooth and polished; the equivalent of Chris
act in Britain. We struggle. Tatu, the lesbian-themed pop duo, Rea and Enrique Iglesias purified in a Eurovision blender, and fed to
perhaps? Although, now we come to think of it, that was over a you through a straw of purest melodrama. It’s not for fans of death
decade ago. Maybe, simply by default, it might actually be Emin. metal, but if you enjoy emotional ballads and big choruses, then why
Roman looks pleased at this. We like Roman. They say that behind not give it a whirl? Emin really does give a shit about his music and it’s
every great man there stands a great woman. And that may be true. clear that his career as a performer, while made possible by money, is
But standing behind the pair of them, existing on two hours sleep, only feasible thanks to a lot of hard work on his part.
doubled-over with anxiety — there’s usually a person like Roman. The last time we see Emin is at one of his nightclubs called Rose
Uncomplainingly and repeatedly allowing the steel-toed boot of life Bar. He’s still a gracious, generous host, but he looks a bit knackered.
to kick the shit out of them. But then again, so would we if we had two careers to hold down. Still,
his slightly frayed edges do nothing to deter the clusters of
terrifyingly attractive, lithe-legged women in the room, trying to pout
We want to see at least some of “Emin World” with our own eyes, and smolder in his general direction. Does it bother Emin that a
so the man himself agrees to gives us a walking tour of Vegas, lot of people won’t look beyond his personal circumstances when
the above-mentioned mega-mall that makes VivoCity look like a considering his music career?
half-furnished branch of Popular bookstore. The place is gloriously “It was always the first question I got asked,” he says. “‘What does it
bonkers: Huge ferris wheels, ice-skating rinks and a scale replica feel like to sing when you have so much money?’ What they really mean
of New York’s Times Square rub up alongside hundreds of luxury is, ‘You’re just doing this for fun, because you have nothing else to do’.”
stores. Emin is a helpful, ever-modest guide but attracts attention That’s the truth about Emin Agalarov: It’s tempting to pigeonhole
wherever we go. Photographers, both professional and enterprising him as an overgrown spoiled kid who once yelled, “I want to be a pop
amateurs, buzz around us, snapping away like piranhas. Star-struck star!” and, lo and behold, became one. But, after spending time with
mothers push their toddlers towards him for photos and hugs. The him, it’s clear to see that it’s not actually the reality. He’s a sweet guy
two beautiful women at the information kiosk jump up and look who has no truck with pointless extravagance (“Usually, people who
like they might actually soil themselves in fear as he approaches to drive about in orange Lamborghinis don’t actually have that much
say hello. It’s a bit like being given a walking tour of Resorts World money”). He works bloody hard at his day job so he can afford to
Sentosa with Michael Bublé. If Michael Bublé also owned Resorts make music on his own terms.
World Sentosa. He admits that when he and his father built the top-of-the-range
We accompany Emin, as he storms at pace through the gloomy Crocus City Hall music venue, he didn’t dare play in it for six years.
building site of his new multi-storied Nobu restaurant. Squat, middle- “I felt very uncomfortable,” he says quietly. “I could imagine all these
aged construction workers, drawn from all corners of the Central people looking at me, thinking ‘He’s only doing this because he has
Asian regions, scuttle out of his way so he can show us what will money’. And sometimes I felt it too. Maybe if I didn’t have money, I
soon be the banquet hall and the private dining room. A lot of them wouldn’t sing.”
stare at him, stupefied as he goes by. It’s not clear if their petrification It’s oddly touching to see this world-conquering alpha-dude,
is due to him being their boss’s boss’s boss’s boss or to the fact he’s the good-looking billionaire’s son, ‘fess up to feelings of inadequacy.
a massively famous pop star they’ve watched on television with their We tell him self-doubt is normal.
wives back home. “Yeah,” he says, perking up. “And if I really was a shit singer
During the mini tour, Emin introduces us to the architect I wouldn’t have 15,000 people paying to see me. So I must be okay.
(who seems a bit scared of him), the site manager (who seems Sort of.”
a bit scared of him), and the guy responsible for the lighting Don’t worry, Emin. You’re doing just fine. FHM
(who seems terrified of him). Not that the big man doesn’t appear
to be anything other than a nice guy. He really doesn’t seem the Emin’s album, More Amor, is out now.

07/15 075
MUSIC FIGURES

MUSIC
FIGURES
FROM THE SWINGING ’60S TO
MODERN TIMES, SINGAPORE HAS HAD
NO SHORTAGE OF FEMALE MUSICAL
TALENTS, WITH THE LIKES OF SHIRLEY
NAIR AND INCH CHUA WORKING HARD
TO PUT THE LION CITY ON THE WORLD
MUSIC MAP. FHM PAYS TRIBUTE TO
THE CURRENT LEADING LADIES
DRIVING OUR SCENE — AND FIND
OUT IF THEY TURN THEIR AMPS TO 11.
Words Timothy Wee & Janine Lee
Art Director Dannii Choo
Photography Hong Chee Yan
SINGER-
SONGWRITER AND
C R E AT O R / H O S T
O F G E A R G AW K

INCH
When I was 14, a guy whom
I had a crush on, invited me
CHUA
THE FORMER FRONT WOMAN OF
to a gig to catch his band DEFUNCT LOCAL BAND ALLURA,
perform. By the end of the
show, instead of going out with IS NOW A SOLO MUSICIAN WHO
him, I ended up in love with
music. BLENDS ACOUSTIC FOLK WITH
Once you’ve been to enough
music gigs, you’d want to be ROCK, JAZZ AND ELECTRONICA.
in a band. I’ve been attending
gigs since 14 and joined a band
when I was 16. It seemed like a There’s been a change
natural progression. in the attitude of local
There is something magical audience towards
about regressing back to local music. A lot is
the past. I’ve been writing pegged to education;
new material on Pulau Ubin. we need to work on
The experience got me thinking creating value for
about what it means to be appreciating the arts.
a Singaporean, considering A lot of the population
Singapore was born out of was not given the
Ubin’s [granite] mining, and its opportunity to understand why
community has been there since art is important in their lives.
the ’50s. A partner and I founded
It was mind blowing the first the School Invasion Tour
time I was given a “green programme in 2008 to go into
room”, with our own sofa and secondary schools and spread
water. It was at Singfest 2010 the gospel of local music. This
and I was just starting out. year, we’re working with *Scape.
Back then, it wasn’t unheard For a lot of kids, it’s their first
of for promoters to ignore local time experiencing “live” music.
opening acts. Luckily, that has Some remember it well after
changed now. graduation as the catalyst for
them to check out more music.
I released my first book,
Between The Devil & The
Deep Blue Sea, last year.
I curated and published my diary.
It wasn’t an intention to diversify
but I’m a prolific person with
many interests.

MESH TOP, BY ARMANI EXCHANGE. SHORTS, BY TED


BAKER. NECKLACE, BY BANANA REPUBLIC.

HAIR: BOSCO/HAIRLOOM USING GOLDWELL. MAKEUP:


HONGLING/9455-8681 USING MAKE UP FOR EVER;
AND GABY TAN/BYGABYTAN.COM.
MUSIC FIGURES

CHRIZ
DUBBED THE “QUEEN OF THEME
SONGS”, CHRIZ TONG HAS SUNG
OVER 10 SONGS FOR LOCAL

TONG
MANDARIN
POP SINGER
MANDARIN TV SERIALS.
My first gig was recording
demos for other people.
I didn’t mind as I just wanted to
be in a recording studio. It was
very good training.
After working on over 50
demos, I had the opportunity
to record my own material.
It was an “indie” project with
hardly any money available… But
out of that came my first album,
Wei En Xazz.
I tried the work-full-time- I don’t have a favourite
and-sing-part-time thing. But drama theme song; they are
I was doing both things half- all so different. When you
heartedly and couldn’t excel in do an album, your songs might
either. So, I told myself to choose have a uniform thread or style.
one and give it my 100 per cent. For theme songs, the genre is
If I fail, at least I know I tried. dependent on the drama serial.
It was my producer who But I always find it interesting —
landed me my first drama you can be singing rock, pop or
theme song. MDA and even lounge.
MediaCorp had a grant to People may not know my
produce and promote local songs face, but they hear my voice
for TV, so he submitted my songs. every night. Slowly, my name
One of them got selected for got out and I was invited for
Kampong Ties. It’s a special song musical auditions. I landed a part
considering that the drama was a in last year’s Innamorati. It was
collaboration between Singapore based on the cast’s own personal
and Malaysia. stories and used famous local
‘90s Chinese songs.
You think you’re good but
there’s always something
to learn. Every step of the way,
there’s always a new challenge.
For example, when I first became
a “live” performer, I had to relearn
my singing techniques because
it’s so different from singing in a
studio.

DRESS BY LAURA JASMINE, FROM ECLECTICISM.


When I started out, music journalism
was practically unheard of in
Singapore. There wasn’t much to build
on, and little effort to promote the local
music scene.
I didn’t want to just report music
news; I wanted to produce
interesting, informative content.
Hence, Bandwagon adopts a friendly
editorial tone — like having a conversation
with a friend.
The media is very important. As the
first line of tastemakers, we determine
what our audience read, hear and watch.
It’s also essential to have a supportive
network to help quality local art and
talents.
Bandwagon's main challenge is a
shortage of staff. We are a very small
team, and everyone has to juggle multiple
roles. Besides leading the editorial, I
double up as photographer, designer,
marketer, social media and project
manager. The hours are long and very
stressful, but I learn a lot.
My dream local music festival
would comprise of local bands
from yesteryears playing alongside
musicians of today. Imagine Electrico
on the same bill as The Quests! It’d show
how vibrant Singapore music has been
throughout the ages.
When people say Singapore lacks
culture, I disagree because there is
so much going on even in the ’60s.
My grandparents told me how they used

DELFINA
to “club” — it was called tea dance then.
When they told me what went on during
LEAD EDITOR those tea dances, it sounded like clubbing
O F B A N D WA G O N
to me.
My secret music indulgence is Get
Low by Lil Jon. It’s a song I revisit so

UTOMO
often I can even rap like him. In fact, the
song was stuck in my head throughout
this year’s Laneway Festival. While people
were watching indie bands, my mind was
on Lil Jon.

THE EDITORIAL PROWESS BEHIND ONLINE MUSIC SITE, BANDWAGON. DRESS AND NECKLACE, BOTH BY BANANA REPUBLIC.

07/15 079
MUSIC FIGURES

CONCERT PROMOTERS
AND FOUNDERS OF
UPSURGE PRODUCTIONS

MAE & LIZANNE


NG TEO
UPSURGE PRODUCTIONS HAS ROCKED
LOCAL ARENAS BY BRINGING IN ALT-
ROCK BANDS SUCH AS INCUBUS,
MAYDAY PARADE AND TAKING BACK
SUNDAY TO OUR SHORES.
Mae Ng: We’re concert promoters.
We oversee a concert from start to finish —
from booking the act to handling logistics to
marketing. It’s the rock ’n’ roll version of events
management. We focus on more niche bands
compared to other local promoters.
Lizanne Teo: We were frustrated music
fans who took matters into our own hands. LT: The craziest show we did to date
We were polytechnic friends and had the love was the Suicide Silence gig. It wasn’t
for the same kind of music. We felt that bands even one of our bigger shows, but we had
we were interested in were never coming to these hardcore kids jammed packed into a
Singapore. small venue and the power tripped twice!
MN: It’s for our local audience. We want MN: My most hardcore gig experience
to give them a chance to watch their favourite was Avenged Sevenfold’s Singfest set.
international bands “live” in their hometown. I remember the barricades collapsing and
MN: We had a lot of help along the way everyone was toppling over them. The heavier
and are grateful for that. I was interning at bands are pretty crazy because they tend to
local music venue, Tab, and my then-boss helped mosh and crowd surf.
a lot by giving advice on what to do, what bands LT: If we were to organise a SG50 music
to bring in and what not. festival, it’d be called SG50 Already
LT: You need to prove you’re not a scam Ah? It’d be an art-and-music festival with
artist before bands are willing to commit a comedic slant. We’d get international
to you. Initially, it was difficult just getting bands musicians to collaborate with local acts and
to reply to us. A friend hooked us up with our form one-off bands such as the Red Hot Chili
first act. From then on, we got to know more Crabs or Yong Tau Foo Fighters.
booking agents and that’s when we started MN: We always try to have a local
booking bands on our own. opening act at our shows. We believe in
LT: Most times, we don’t get to choose the giving local musicians a chance to perform
bands we want to bring in. If they happen and be heard. We had the Summer State and
to be around the region and we feel they fit the Caracal for our past shows. Hopefully, that’d
Upsurge profile, we’ll bring them to Singapore. help grow their local fan base.
MN: Our most rock ’n’ roll moment came MN: Local record labels should get
when Mayday Parade thanked us on stage. their day in the sun. I highly recommend
They weren’t obligated to and they weren’t the people to check out homegrown labels such
only band to have done so. This means we’re as KittyWu Records and Darker Than Wax.
doing something right. That’s how you discover more local artists.
ON MAE (LEFT): DRESS BY
MN: Our first Mayday Parade show LT: It’s extremely satisfying to stand at ARMANI EXCHANGE. NECKLACE,
launched us. That was the seminal gig that the back of the venue and observe our BY BANANA REPUBLIC.
helped Upsurge Productions to grow. The band gigs. I’m a quiet person by nature and usually ON LIZANNE (RIGHT): DRESS,
believed in us and chose us as its concert by show time, both of us would be so tired BY MARCIANO BY GUESS.
NECKLACE, BY BANANA
promoters on its return visit. that we just stand there and watch. REPUBLIC.

080 07/15
MUSIC FIGURES

AFTER AN EIGHT-YEAR HIATUS,


ALICIA PAN IS BACK IN THE MUSICAL
SPOTLIGHT WITH A SECOND SELF-TITLED
EP AND HER YOGA MOVEMENT BRAND.
I always knew I wanted to perform
since I was little. I took up classical piano
at the age of six, and started singing and
dancing around the same time. I was spotted
by an agency at 16. I worked my way into the
scene through gigs and public appearances.
There was no social media back then.
I don’t appreciate the dog-eat-dog
mentality, whether it’s between artists,
or artist and organiser. So I’ve never gone
against my principles to take up any job
just for fame. I don’t know if this [mentality]
contributed anything towards the local
music scene, but hopefully it helped to set a
standard in some ways.
To make it in the local music scene, you
need to conceptualise your onstage
persona and find your “sound”. It’s not

ALICIA
about being the best-looking
person or having the best voice,
but rather how you make use of
what you have and make it your
unique selling point.
Local audiences have grown

PAN
to appreciate homegrown
art a lot more in recent
years. It will only get better.
Take for example, the last Getai
Electronica organised by Carmen
Low (Taj). Despite being a last-
minute event, the rooftop concert
R&B SINGER held at People’s Park garnered over 1,000
AND FOUNDER OF people with a local music line-up.
YOGA MOVEMENT If we’re going to develop the local music
scene, it should start with “live” music
venues. They’ve got to stop hiring bands
that play what guests want to hear, but rather
book acts for what they want to play. From the
artist’s side, stop doing free gigs to appease
venue owners who tell you what to do.

DRESS, BY MISS
SELFRIDGE.

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HONGLING/9455-8681
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H I S B E AT I S
E R OF T SIC
UND KD
FO

JA
ND

CA D
CE A

EMY
ECTOR O F TR A

AN D LA
DJ C DIR

BEL
SI
MU

TINC
THE FIRST FEMALE DJ TO HOLD A ZOUK
MONTHLY RESIDENCY, NOW TRAINS RISING
TALENTS IN THE ELECTRONIC MUSIC SCENE.
I come from a classical background.
I’ve been playing the piano and violin since six.
I was also a dancer and painter.
DJ-ing is just a small part of what I do.
I have a degree in music technology and also
teach at my own DJ academy.
My academy grooms musicians and DJs,
and markets them to different clubs and
venues. I know how difficult it is starting out,
so I try to give them a head start.
Sometimes, I’ll deliberately dress more
boyishly, so I won’t be judged on my looks,
but my performance instead.
A guy once commented I wasn’t DJ-
ing because my hands were in the air.
I explained that since the song was three
minutes long, I could spare those minutes
doing something else.
Networking is very important. To break
into the scene, you have to go out and meet
people. You can be the best technical DJ, but
if you stay in your room, nobody’s going to
know who you are.
I’ve met many older DJs who told me not
to even try, because the industry is so tough.
I don’t think they tried hard enough. The older
generation can be very negative.
DJs in Singapore are one of the most
highly paid. In the US, even after working
for four years, you might still have to do gigs
for free; while DJs in Australia have to take on
the additional role of gig promoter and still get
paid peanuts.
A music career in Singapore is
sustainable but unstable. You must know
how to save money and work twice as hard as
everyone else.

DRESS, BY MILIN FROM OCCASIONAL GLIMPSES OF BEAUTY.


MUSIC FIGURES
ON AIR
A S S I S TA N T
PROGRAMME

VANESSA
D I R E C T O R AT L U S H
99.5FM & 98.7FM

FERNANDEZ
RADIO DJ, SINGER AND MUSIC TASTEMAKER — THIS MULTI-HYPHENATE HAS BEEN
PLAYING AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN SHAPING SINGAPORE’S MUSIC SCENE.
My Instagram profile description says, I understand what it’s like to feel that
“Slave to Lush 99.5FM and enabler mainstream media doesn’t support you.
of 98.7FM”. That’s pretty much how I’m It’s the role of media to set an agenda. You
contributing to the local music scene. need to create these levels, otherwise it’s like
I’m in charge of the overall creative local music doesn’t exist.
strategy for my radio stations, and also If you look at music purely to make
manage the DJs. money, I wouldn’t do it. You can make
I look at radio as a bigger picture, with money as a pub musician or a pop group like
regards to what is our place in the culture The Sam Willows, but it has to be driven by
— how we’re growing and developing either passion.
subculture through Lush; or mainstream pop My agenda is to make local music a
culture through 98.7FM. priority. Then people feel like there’s a
The most enjoyable part of my job is the chance to make it and there’s hope. And
people. The staff at 98.7FM is this super others who are trying to get better realise
high-energy, passionate bunch who love their they should be like these people.
jobs; and Lush has these super-opinionated It’s a fun and interesting time for local
and very knowledgeable people. music because there are so many people
Being away in LA for a year really creating music.
changed my perspective on a lot of The younger generation sees people
things. Overseas travel is good and it’s great like Gentle Bones and Charlie Lim, and
that a lot of local bands are already touring. they respect the art form. Five to 10 years
There needs to be some education ago, people didn’t like local but the perception
regarding the support system for our has changed. That’s the best thing that could
music scene. Local managers, agents have happened at this point in the culture
and promoters need to go overseas and where there are a lot of people creating — it’ll
be attached to international management just fuel it.
agencies, to see how they do things there. Weish from .gif is a local musician
We need more smaller-sized venues, people should check out right now. She
so artists have options and more places to is absolutely incredible. Sam Driscoll, too.
perform their music. Someone posted a random “live” performance
We also need more education on sound he did and I thought it was awesome. He’s
engineering — both on a recording and “live” really talented.
level. There’re only a handful of people here We have a project on Lush called 50
who are really good and they can’t possibly Songs in 50 Days. It’s 25 musicians who
do everything. each do one cover and one original song.
Following local musicians on Instagram
will get people excited about the scene.
Follow talents such as Shigga Shay or Inch
Chua — you get to see what their lives are
like; that’s how you get more excited and
TOP, BY MARCIANO convinced that it’s real. FHM
BY GUESS.

07/15 085
WHAT THE CLUB
MEMBERS DID NEXT
ALLY SHEEDY
Then: Played
Allison Reynolds,
the kooky, slightly

10 must-knows for odd one.


Now: After
the month ahead starring in a peppering of other
’80s flicks (with a cameo in
another Hughes classic, Home
Alone 2), she now does the odd
bit of stage and telly.

MOLLY
RINGWALD
Then: Played
Claire Standish,
the spoilt,
hot one.
Now: Stars in US sitcom The
Secret Life of the American
Teenager, but also writes books
and has a jazz album out (and
she’s totally still hot).

EMILIO
ESTEVEZ
Then: Played
Andrew Clark, the
misunderstood
wrestler one.
Now: Martin Sheen’s son went

THE
on to star in lots of classics,
including The Mighty Ducks and
Repo Man.

BREAKFAST
CLUB
JUDD NELSON
DVD Then: Played
John Bender,
You can enjoy this 30-year-old Breakfast anytime of the day. the off-the-
rails one.
Now: He now
“They were five total strangers with nothing in detention) opens with a monologue that you does a shitload of American telly,
common. A brain, a beauty, a jock, a rebel and a probably won’t be hearing on Tanglin, but is and is currently starring in Empire.
recluse...” It’s a premise that’s teed up hundreds more relevant than ever: “You see us as you
of coming-of-age movies and with the film want to see us, in the simplest terms and the
celebrating its 30th anniversary, The Breakfast most convenient definitions… That’s the way ANTHONY
Club remains the original and the best. John we saw each other at seven o’clock this MICHAEL HALL
WORDS: FHM UK; PHOTOS: TPG IMAGES/CLICK PHOTOS

Hughes’s quintessentially ’80s yarn did such a morning. We were brainwashed.” Aside from Then: Played
great job of summing up the mood of a the fact that it’s warm, funny, and a bloody Brian Johnson, the
generation of voiceless teens that it’s still adored well-observed comedy, it’s a film that stays geeky one.
today by people who weren’t even born when it with you, like an old mate you got drunk with Now: Was
was first released. once. And, as Simple Minds belt out “Don’t you recently in Foxcatcher, and also
The story of five very different students seeing forget about me” at the end, you strangely cropped up in The Dark Knight
out the same punishment (a Saturday in never do… as Gotham’s star news anchor.

086 07/15
FILTER

BOOKS

MUSIC

YOU
CHEATED
RAEKWON
Swot up on Sat in a swanky hotel suite with a stack of cash in front
geek culture. of him, Wu Tang Clan’s Raekwon gives FHM a lesson in
branding, housework and the one act you need to listen to.
We bloody love Belly Kids. (Spoiler alert: It’s him.)
They’re a bonkers arty collective
that caught our attention with a Your new album’s called Fly got it, it’s yours — it ain’t nobody else’s.
Bill Murray colouring book, International Luxurious Art (Fila) But I can’t tell you too much about that.
awesomely titled Thrill Murray. — does the title reflect you? I can’t tell you what I don’t know. You
Then, they dedicated a whole Absolutely. This [taps head] is my just got to stay aboard and stay tuned.
tome to top artists drawing The biggest tool right here. I can make this There’s a beauty in the mystery of it.
Simpsons’ Milhouse Van Houten be a weapon or I can make this be We read somewhere that one of your
from memory, and we loved them expensive. You think expensive, you get hobbies is, er, cleaning?
even more. Only a sticker book expensive. I’m rich in the heart and rich Absolutely. I always try to straighten up
crammed with more than 60 in the mind, and I always want to give and do the best I can do. I don’t have a
killer doodles of old-school video you the best of me. My music is rich, my maid or nothin’, but that was instilled in
game characters like Sonic, vision is rich, you know? I’m filled with me when I was a little kid. My mum was
PaRappa The Rapper and wealth when it comes to art. If art was big on keeping the house clean, taking
Spyro, could surpass their history money, I’m bigger than Bill Gates. the garbage out, all that shit a normal
of awesomeness. So Fila’s not about your love of the kid should have to deal with.
retro sports gear? You don’t actually enjoy it, do you?
WORDS: FHM UK; PHOTOS: TPG IMAGES/CLICK PHOTOS

You Cheated is available at Oh, the Fila thing. A lot of people Yeah! I’m just not big on dishes.
bellykids.bigcartel.com thought the album was gravitating Who’s your one big music tip?
towards that brand, but it’s just the We all look for who’s going to be the
acronym broke down is spelt the same next best thing, but the only one I can
as the brand itself. But, you know, they say is me. When you hear this album,
need to holler at me if they want to you’re going to know why I said it. This
make their brand go up. is going to be the epitome of making
The new Wu Tang Clan record is being another classic. Tell everyone:
auctioned to a single person and your Get ready for this one. FHM
pal, RZA, said he’s had an offer of $6.6
million. What do you think it’s worth? Fly International Luxurious
I’d say no less than six. Because if you Art is out now.

07/15 087
FILTER

MEN

OLD
ICONS
Five ageing legends and
their advice for staying alive
and kicking…

He’s still quite naughty and


he’s in his 40s… it’s Mike
Patton from Faith No More.
New project: Sol Invictus,
new album, out now.
Good advice, pops: “Revenge is good. It’s
healthy, too, if you can use music in that way.”

He’s over 50 and his hair is


still nifty… it’s Paul Weller,
modfather.
New project: Saturn’s Pattern,
new album, out now.
S P O RT S Good advice, pops: “I don’t
have the internet in my house. I think it’s the

BARCLAYS
devil’s window.”

He’s 65, and very much


alive… it’s the boss,

ASIA TROPHY
Bruce Springsteen, New
Jersey rocker.
New project: Untitled new
album, late 2015.
There is hope for all recovering football addicts this July. Good advice, pops: “Keep two contradictory
ideas alive and well in your heart and head. If it
Football fans rejoice! No more sad opportunity to see their football idols in doesn’t drive you crazy, it’ll make you strong.”
weekend nights of Barclays Premier action. After all, it’s not every day that
League (BPL) reruns. Come this July, you get to see football wizards Mesut He’s 74, and far from death’s
get your “live” football fix in the form of Özil (Arsenal’s talisman), Romelu Lukaku door… it’s Al Pacino,
the only Premier League-affiliated (Everton’s most expensive signing) and terrifying Scarface actor.
competition outside England. Peter Crouch (Stoke’s heading-goal New project: Danny
Taking place in Singapore for the first machine) in the flesh. Collins, film, recently ended
time, the pre-season fixture, Barclays Best of all, it does not cost you an its run in the theatres.
Asia Trophy, is eagerly contested arm and leg to catch the exciting Good advice, pops: “Money makes your
between tournament first timers, Arsenal, footballing action. Besides keeping life easier.”
Stoke City and our own Select XI. But match-day tickets affordable, the
WORDS: TIMOTHY WEE; PHOTOS: TPG IMAGES/CLICK PHOTOS

they are not be the only ones with their organisers have sweetened the deal by He’s 81, jeez, that’s old…
WORDS: FHM UK; PHOTOS: TPG IMAGES/CLICK PHOTOS

eyes on the biennial prize. Seasoned allowing fans to catch two matches each Willie Nelson, an old
BPL club, Everton looks to draw from its evening with any ticket purchased. Willie that still works.
previous tournament experience to hold New project: It’s a Long
off fellow rivals. The Barclays Asia Trophy takes place Story: My Life, book,
While tensions may run high among 15 and 18 Jul at the National Stadium. out now.
the players on the National Stadium Tickets start from $40. For more info, Good advice, pops: “The biggest killer is
pitch, local fans can savour the visit www.sportshubtix.sg. stress, and the best medicine is cannabis.”

088 07/15
FILTER

KIX

WHITE COLLAR
BRAWLERS
Here’s how to give your colleagues that knockout punch…

Why didn’t anyone think of this


earlier? Possibly the best reality
show to hit us in a while, this
Contender-meets-The Jerry
Springer Show-in-a-Bloomberg-
setting series is anything but a
pantry showdown.
Each episode sees two office
adversaries trading blows in a
ring — but not before doing a
Rocky and going through 10
weeks of gruelling training
conducted by some of US
amateur boxing’s best trainers.

The first season of White Collar A VETERAN TRAINER


TUTORS AN ASIPIRNG
Brawlers airs first and exclusively BOXER ON THE ART
on KIX (StarHub Cable TV Ch OF TAKING OUT AN
OPPONENT.
518) and KIX HD (Singtel TV
Ch 309), every Wed at 9pm,
starting 29 Jul.
PHOTOS: KIX & KIX HD

ADVERSARIES
GIVING THEIR BEST
SHOT IN THE RING.

07/15 089
FILTER

DJ
ONLINE MUSIC SPINBAD
LILLY Local nightspot
Cé La Vi has an
international
event and that’s how I met
him. We took some photos
reading the crowd
and determining what

SINGH
and he signed the record they want to hear to
resident DJ in for me.” make them feel alive
the house. Here at the time.”
are seven His most valuable
She might not have super reasons you possession is a guitar. He’s old school when
strength but YouTube’s should know “If my house was on fire, it comes to spinning.
superwoman is super funny. about the man. the first thing I’d save “I don’t like CDJs (modern
(aside from my kids) is an version of vinyl turntable).
The man has autographed Fender Even when I’m spinning,
a Starbucks guitar I got from Nile I’m still using Serato
mug collection. Rodgers. Besides being Vinyl Control.”
“I collect [Starbucks mugs] used by Rodgers for
everywhere I go; I have studio sessions, the guitar More importantly, DJ
over 100 mugs. There are also has Buddy Guy and Spinbad has, in his mixed
more Starbucks worldwide Stevie Ray Vaughan bag of tricks, credentials
than you care to imagine. signatures on it. That’s that include being the
They even have an outlet three iconic guitar legends most syndicated radio
Better known as YouTube’s Superwoman, in Beirut, Lebanon.” there. Actually, I might mixshow DJ is the world
sassy 26-year-old Lilly Singh is famous for take that before my kids!” (Twitta Mix); as well as
her vlogs (video blog) and comic-sketch He’s a selfie stick fan. being the official tour DJ
videos that have garnered over 677 million “I’m not ashamed to admit He likes to wing for renowned funny man
views and 5.5 million fans. Singh was in town that I have a selfie stick.” his sets. Russell Peters.
recently for her A Trip to Unicorn Island World “Every time I try to plan
Tour show. Check out these YouTube videos if His favourite vinyl a set, it never goes DJ Spinbad is expected to
you had missed her performance… record is B.I.G. according to plan. As soon spin four times annually
“My most prized vinyl is a as I get in front of a at Cé La Vi, located on
How Girls Get Ready signed copy of Notorious crowd, they might want Level 57, Sands Sky Park,
In this sketch, Singh shows guys exactly why B.I.G.’s first album, Ready something different. 1 Bayfront Ave,
our girlfriends and wives take so long to to Die. I went to a promo Part of being a DJ is Tel: 6688-7688.
freshen up. Her observational humour is at its
sharpest and strikes a chord with any
frustrated boyfriend or husband.

Types of Kids at School


Proving that she’s too cool for school, Singh
pokes fun at every school stereotype there is
out there. From the “Mr Know-it-all” to the
“hot player”, no one escapes the clutches of
the irreverent comedian.

Types of Parents
Taking inspiration from her own parents,
Singh creates a cast of memorable
parental archetypes every
Asian child will be
familiar with.

Check out more


WORDS: TIMOTHY WEE

of Singh’s videos at
www.youtube.com/
user/IISuperwomanII.

090 07/15
FILTER

OUTDOOR

WWE LIVE
Every pro-wrestler has a
finishing move. Here are
some to know before you
catch WWE’s only Southeast
Asian “live” show in 2015.

The move: Attitude Adjustment


The technique: Previously known as “The
MUSIC F-U”, this fairly weak move sees the wrestler

TAKE TWO
hoisting his opponent onto his shoulder like a
sack of rice, before dropping him sideways.
Used by: John Cena

The move: Zig Zag


The technique: From behind his
Fresh off flying our flag SGMUSO, we were travelling opponent, the wrestler jumps up
at the recent SGMUSO together with fellow local and locks his arm around the
Live Showcase in Beijing, musicians. It’s nice to see a former’s neck like a girlfriend
the five-piece indie band showcase of local culture. And scorned, before becoming dead
talks to FHM about the it’s comforting to see overseas weight and pulling his opponent
gig and debut EP, Pairs. Singaporeans coming together. down to the mat.
Did the band learn anything Used by: Dolph Ziggler
What prompted the band to from this China trip?
record Pairs? DS: We are in the infancy stages The move: Bull Hammer
Paddy Ong (singer): Naturally, of planning for a China tour. If The technique: Standing in a
as a band, we wanted to have our anything is going to happen, it’ll stationary position, the wrestler
own collection of songs. And be in the near future — say six winds his arm continuously three
Pairs is our way of recording our months to a year from now. After times, then runs towards the
first milestones. We have included all, we’ve still got day jobs. So as opponent and elbows him in the face. Like a
some old songs because we don’t we are assessing the feasibility of dirty tactic Joey Barton would use…
want to forget all the different such an idea, we managed to get Used by: Bad News Barrett
songs we created. In a way, Pairs insights from Chinese industry
can be considered the prologue to players and venue owners The move: Dirty Deeds
Take Two’s journey. during this recent trip. The technique: The wrestler bends his
Take Two was selected to be What do you want written on opponent forward, hooks each arm behind
part of the SGMUSO Live Take Two’s tombstone? the latter's head, then tucks the head under
Showcase in Beijing. How was Jeryl Yeo (drummer): I’d put a one of his arms, before falling back to pull
the experience? trolling message like, “I told you the opponent down flat on his face. Ouch.
David Siow (bassist): This is the that we were sick”. Use by: Dean Ambrose
first time I felt like a full-time DS: A link to our band’s website
WORDS: DENNIS YIN; PHOTOS: ©2015 WWE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

musician. In other overseas gigs, with the message, “Please check The move: Bella Buster
we still managed to hang out and out our music”. The technique: The ultimate catfight move.
get some sightseeing done. But PO: “Greatest hits collection now The female wrestler kicks the opponent in
this time round, it was a proper available!” or maybe a line from the gut, then pulls the latter’s hair with both
tour experience; we did sound one of our songs, “We will always hands and plunges her head down on the
checks in the day and played our be right here!” mat, while executing a spilt.
gigs at night. Use by: The Bella Twins
WORDS: TIMOTHY WEE

Jonathan Lim (guitarist): We Pairs is now available on Take


are usually the only Singaporean Two’s official website, WWE Live happens 2 Jul at the Singapore
act on our overseas gigs. With www.taketwosg.com. Indoor Stadium. Tickets from sportshubtix.sg.

07/15 091
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WOMEN OF SINGAPORE MUSIC

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NARELLE &
SANDRA
(THE SAM WILLOWS)

THE PRODIGY WOMEN OF LOCAL MUSIC TAKE TWO

MANLY
MUST-KNOWS
9 AWESOME RECIPES
4 WEIGHTLIFTING
MYTHS DEBUNKED

NICKSCORPION HOT-SHOT CHEF SHOWS YOU HOW TO COOK LIKE A MAN


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VOL
20 SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION
SPECIAL COLLECTO

THE GIRLS OF FHM VOLUME 1O


BIKINI & LINGERIE SPECIAL
THE GIRLS OF FHM VOLUME 20

THE GIRLS OF
N OT
S U I TA B
STUNNING WOMEN, VERY FEW WORDS LE
F O R TH
E
YO U N G

THE GIRL
SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION

THE GIRLS OF
SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S

EVIEWS. NO NEWS. NO MAPS. NO GADGETS. $9.80


STUNNING WOMEN, VE
S
S NO REVIEW NO STORIES. JUST HOT WOMEN.

J U S T S T U N S . N O F E AT U R E S
NING WOM . NO STOR
EN, VERY F IES.
EW WORDS
.

P Y N O W !
E T Y O U R CO
G
07/15

PULSE
05 NICK SCORPION
The Oxwell & Co chef
shares his love for
cooking, and shows us
why every guy needs to
rule the kitchen.

14 MAN-FOOD
RECIPES
Easy-to-cook and delicious
chow from the man they
call DJ BBQ.
This guy knows his stuff p05

HEDONISM
28 EAT & DRINK
The four hottest F&B
outlets you should check
out this month.

WELLNESS
29 WEIGHTLIFTING
MYTHS
What you need to know
about the sport of lifting
barbells and other
heavy weights. Try this at home p14 Eat out once in a while p28 Work out right p29

07/15 003
LOG INTO YOUR
SOCIAL-MEDIA
ACCOUNTS AND CLICK
“LIKE” OR “FOLLOW”!
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@ FHMSINGAPORE
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FOOD − THE WAY TO EVERYONE’S HEART.

NICK SCORPION
This young local chef shows FHM why passion is
the most important ingredient.
Foodie
at Work

HERE’S HOW TO
PAMPER YOUR
MEAT,

Words Janine Lee Art direction Alvin Leow & Pyron Tan Photography Hong Chee Yan

07/15 005
FOOD SPECIAL

THE
XW
O E LL
FORGET DAINTY MORSELS ON
FANCY PLATES. THIS IS THE
PLACE TO BE IF YOU WANT
CHEF
BEAUTIFULLY COOKED FISH
AND CHIPS, OR A REALLY
GOOD STEAK. YOU KNOW —
HONEST, REAL FOOD. AND IT’S
ALL BECAUSE OF THIS GUY...

006 07/15
FOOD SPECIAL

gastronomy have their to go to work in the kitchen


place in the restaurant — Scorpion has a track
scene, but with the help of record of taking
head chef Nick Scorpion’s unorthodox paths and
classic dishes, we’re tackling difficulty head on.
starting to appreciate the With that kind of mettle,
beauty in simplicity. we’re certain he’s bound for
It wasn’t always this way, great things.
though. A little over a year
ago, the young chef left a Your first head chef told
highly equipped kitchen to you to ditch cooking school
helm a less fancier one (“No in favour of experience,
ice-cream mixer or rotary what happened next?
evaporator?”), and I left that kitchen to work
consequentially discovered with Janice Wong at 2am
that passion, knowledge Dessert Bar for a year.
and clear direction trump That’s where I met Ryan
all when it comes to Clift — one of my biggest
cooking. “It puts you back mentors — and helped him
in a very humble position open Tippling Club. I stayed
where you create a menu with him for about six years
Remember the days when around what you have,” and he was graceful enough
seafood wasn’t reduced to says Scorpion, who spent to send me overseas to
flavoured foam, liquid more than half his career train. I’ve worked in New
nitrogen stayed in science training under the York, Barcelona, Paris, Italy
labs and your dessert wasn’t meticulous chef Ryan Clift and Melbourne. I took the
spherical? As advocates of of Tippling Club. But he advice from my first chef
real food, we relish the welcomes the challenge. and put myself in difficult
ethos at Oxwell & Co — From rejecting a spot at Le situations on all corners of
where the vibe is laidback Cordon Bleu in Paris, to the globe. There are so
and the steaks resemble, doing time in detention many things school can’t
well, steaks. Sure, fine barracks for going Awol for teach you in terms of
dining and molecular 26 days during NS — just emoting — it’s not just
about technicalities in the
kitchen, there’s a lot of
things people don’t quite see
that makes your food.
No regrets rejecting the
acceptance letter from Le
Cordon Bleu?
None at all; that was
probably the best decision
I’ve ever made. If I’d chosen
to go, I might have ended
up in a hotel somewhere
cooking a thousand muffins
daily for the breakfast
buffet or something. I’m
really happy where I am
right now.
How does it feel to be the
one calling the shots?
It was uncomfortable
initially. Sometimes, it puts
you in a position where you
don’t look like a very nice
person. The challenge is
finding that happy medium

008 07/15
“IF YOU’RE GIVEN A PIECE OF LUNCHEON MEAT, FISH BALLS AND
LEFTOVER WANTON NOODLE, AND YOU MAKE A GREAT DISH WITH THAT
— THAT’S FULFILLING BECAUSE IT’S 100% YOU.”

07/15 009
FOOD SPECIAL

TIP #1
FOLLOW RECIPES BUT JUST LOOK AT THE
INGREDIENTS, NOT THE QUANTITIES — BECAUSE IF
IT’S BLACK PEPPER AND YOU LIKE THINGS
PEPPERY, JUST PUT MORE.
to delegate and decide on constantly. If you’re not
things; also taking into focused or calm, you’ll just
account the emotions of the lose it. This happens to a lot
people around you who are of young chefs. Those who
receiving your orders. manage to go through that
Are you starting to see come out as super-strong
why your mentors were people — skin thick as a
hard on you? rhino, focused and
Gone are the days where mentally strong.
chefs are shouting at Where does Singapore
people, demanding things stand in the global
or verbally, mentally and food scene?
physically abusing We’re behind everywhere
someone. I’m trying to else, and work culture plays
change that culture as I a very big role in that.
move along. I’ve worked in People in Europe actually
kitchens that are run by want to cook and put their
fear and others that are run whole lives in it. New York
by respect. That’s the sort of is just really professional;
culture I’d like to implement people there take their jobs
and hopefully pass on to the seriously so there’s that
new generation of chefs. standard. Australia has the
Is the kitchen environment most passionate young
as crazy as we see on TV? chefs who are super creative
It’s hot and humid, there and work super hard. Then
are orders coming in there’s Singapore where
non-stop, and you also have people are asking questions
a head chef yelling at you like, “When’s my off day?”,

010 07/15
HOW
TO GRILL A STEAK
01 SEASON
Rub your meat generously with
olive oil, shower it with loads of
flaky sea salt and cracked black
pepper on both sides evenly.

02 GRILL
Let excess olive oil drip into the
grill causing flames to rise and
char the meat. We are grilling
600g of bone steak so two
minutes each side on the grill,
and two minutes each side in a
250-degree-Celscius oven.

03 REST & CARVE


Rest your meat equal to the time
spent in the oven to retain the
juices during carving. Carving
should be done with a very sharp
knife for water retention. Carving
into thick slices is better as it
preserves temperature.

07/15 011
FOOD SPECIAL

HOW PRESSURE COOK


TO
ROOT VEGETABLES
01 SMOKING HOT POT
Get your pot with olive oil inside
smoking hot. With caution,
place your root vegetables in.
Sauté them for 10 seconds on
EAT YOUR VEG
LIKE A MAN. high heat.

02 PRESSURE COOK
After sautéing, add just enough
water to cover the vegetables
and immediately lid it with a
same-sized pot or lid. Leave the
steaming spectacle to go on for
20 to 30 seconds.

03 ICE BATH
Dunk the contents of the pot into
a freezing ice bath to stop the
cooking process. “Shocking” the
vegetables also gives them
extremely vibrant colours.

012 07/15
whatever he wants to do —
people should be paying
attention to concepts
like that instead of going
to Marina Bay Sands
and eating at brand
name restaurants.
Are diners stepping away
from fancy dining?
People want something
simple but well done, like a
beautifully grilled piece of
leek or a nicely shucked
oyster. That’s what we’re
trying to do at Oxwell, and
I’m happy that being here
has brought me back to just
serving good, honest food.
What ingredients do you
always have in your
home fridge?
If I wanted to cook, I’d plan
“Is my break an hour or 45 restaurant is full three TIP #2 — it’s a very chef thing. I’d
minutes?” or “Can I not nights in a row, I know I’m get the appropriate quantity
come to work tomorrow?” doing something right. HAVE A REALLY of ingredients, cook it and
There’s a lot of that going
on in my experience. That’s
Can a good cook make an
epic meal out of simple,
SHARP KNIFE, A THICK- the fridge would be empty
after that. I spend 18 hours
why the scene can’t everyday ingredients? BASED PAN AND A a day, six days a week at
move forward.
How do you handle bad
If you’re given a piece of
luncheon meat, fish balls STOCKPOT. BECAUSE work; I can’t be at home to
check if the stuff in my
reviews?
Everything with a pinch of
and leftover wanton noodle,
and you make a great dish
YOU ALWAYS NEED TO fridge is going bad.
What are you most proud
salt. I’d continue doing with that — that’s way more MAKE BROTHS, SEAR of in your career?
what I do, constantly
asking for a second opinion
fulfilling than using fancy
ingredients because it’s 100
SOMETHING REALLY What this career has carved
me to become as a person.
from the people around me. per cent you. That’s what I HOT IN A PAN, AND DO Not where I am in terms of
If you consistently have
good service and food, don’t
believe in.
What do you think is the SOME KNIFE WORK. position or skill, but who
it’s made me today. And it’s
think about accolades and next big food trend here? all because of food, the
reviews, and you’re seeing Small establishments with people around me and the
smiling faces around the individual chefs putting industry. I’m positive it’s
dining room, that’s all that their names on the line. going to make me an even
matters. Organically, Like Oxwell getting a better person in 10 years
accolades will follow. If the young chef to helm and do to come. FHM

07/15 013
FOOD SPECIAL

T H E N O - M E S S I N G

FRYING-PAN PIZZA
Take Pizza Hut off speed dial; here’s a new path to instant cheesy gratification.

DJ BBQ SAYS…
“If I had my way, I’d wear pizza like a warming poncho. I’d bathe in its “Luckily, that can never happen. With this recipe, pizza is always right
molten cheesiness. I’d introduce its name into the English vocabulary around the corner with this assemble-on-the-hob circle of
to mean ‘rad, awesome, brilliant’ and use it in everyday conversation. radonkulousness. Okay, so you’ve gotta plan ahead a bit to get the
‘Hey, DJ BBQ, how was your weekend?” “Man, it was f**king pizza! The fresh dough ready, but that’s the hard part. After that, you’re seconds
weather was pizza!” I’m an inch away from shedding a tiny tear as I from greatness on a plate. These are my favourite toppings, but you
write this, thinking about a pizza-less world. know the score: Do what the hell you wanna do.

014 07/15
THE RECIPE

Preparation time
Overnight for the dough, 15 mins cooking.

Ingredients
For the Sauce Base
For the Dough
1 chopped onion Grated mozzarella
450g room-temperature water
Salt 1 crushed
1 sachet of fast-action yeast
1 crushed garlic clove
500g plain flour
garlic clove Olives
200g strong
1 tin of passata or A handful of sliced
White flour
chopped tomatoes mushrooms
2tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp of dried oregano 1 chopped onion
2tbsp honey
Freshly chopped basil Sliced pepperoni
Olive oil
Pepper
100g semolina
A heavy-based frying
(to scatter in pan)
pan/skillet
for the toppings

01
Mix the dough ingredients in a
bowl, turn it out onto a floured
surface and knead until smooth.
Place in a bowl, cover with a
damp tea towel and allow to rise
until it doubles in size.

FEEL LIKE A PROPER


ITALIAN CHEF FROM THE
TELLY AS YOU SHAPE
THE BASE.
03
02
For the tomato sauce, fry the
onion in oil for a couple of
minutes, but do not brown. Add
the salt and garlic for a minute,
Now you need to “knock it back” dough here for stacks of pizzas, then the tomatoes, oregano, basil
by folding it in on itself so divide into palm-sized balls and pepper for 10 minutes. Now,
repeatedly. There’s enough and allow it to prove again. whack on the grill.

PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMES BYRNE. FOOD STYLING: MARTA WOWJICK

04
Use your hands or a rolling pin to then place in your dough. Add a
mould your dough into a round. spoon of tomato sauce and your
Sprinkle semolina on the base of toppings until the base is golden.
the medium heat pan, Grill until cooked through.

07/15 015
FOOD SPECIAL

M O T H E R C L U C K I N ’

CHICKEN 101
DJ BBQ SAYS:
THE RECIPE
“Chicken is the meat king. It’s royal. Nothing else of beer. It was a f**kin’ revelation, my friend. A
takes on flavour like our little winged buddies. It revelation that changed my world, and will do the Preparation time 20 mins
absolutely loves herbs, sauces and sugar, so same to yours. What the beer does is keep it (plus three hours marinading)
chicken should be a canvas to throw whatever the mega moist. So say you’re too busy talking to a
Ingredients
hell you want at, y’know? A delicious, and cheap, chick and forget about your barbecue for a few
1 large free-range chicken
canvas you can cut into eight pieces and chew minutes, having soaked your chicken the night Hot sauce
right through. before buys you back around 10 minutes of Olive oil
“The best chicken recipes come from just overtime, goof-proofing your meat. It makes grilling Barbecue sauce
messing around with it. I used to live on a golf even more chilled, and that’s what barbecue 1 delicious beer
1 red chilli
course in the States, and always had my bros should be all about. That, and the meat, beer, fire
3 cloves of garlic
around for fajitas. I’d make a spicy rub, throw it into and tunes. Once you got that nailed, the chicks will Salt and pepper
a bag with meat strips, and then add a can come flocking.”

016 07/15
A SUPER FLAVOURSOME ALE,
LIKE THIS ONE IS PERFECT
FOR BREASTS.

01
Firstly, butcher your own chicken.
Cut through the skin that attaches
the thigh to the body. Pull the thigh
back until the joint cracks, and cut
around this area to keep as much
meat on the piece as possible. A
smack on the back of your knife will
separate the thigh and leg. “A
monster meat cleaver will make this
a bit easier,” says DJ BBQ, “but the
biggest knife you own will handle it.”
The wing is easier; pull back the
joint closest to the body, and cut
around it. For the breasts, feel for the
breastbone, cut tight up against it on
either side, under the meat, and out.

02
Time to prepare your flavours.
“You’ve gotta do hot wings, ’cos
nothing else will do!” says DJ
BBQ. Find your favourite hot
sauce and add a glug or two
to some olive oil and your wings.
Now your legs and thighs need
BBQ sauce. “Shop- bought stuff
is totally fine here,” he advises,
“but don’t add it to your meat just
yet.” Finally, treat your breasts
with love. Empty a delicious beer
into a bowl, with one chopped
chilli (seeds in or out), three sliced
garlic cloves and seasoning. Add
breasts and cover to marinade for
a minimum of three hours.

03
Add the lot to your medium-to- thighs go on for eight to 10
high grill until the juices run clear. minutes per side over the same
Put the breasts on the hottest heat. “These suckers need your
part of the BBQ and cook for six full attention,” DJ BBQ says.
minutes per side. Wings need six “Slather on the barbecue sauce
to eight minutes per side on during cooking as the sugar
medium heat, and your legs and burns off.”

07/15 017
FOOD SPECIAL

T H E B L O W O U T P H I L LY

CHEESESTEAK SANDWICH
Give the vegan diet the finger with the biggest, fattest,
greatest sandwich on God’s green Earth…

DJ BBQ SAYS…
“Diets are for suckers. Gyms are boring, diets are boring, not having or get it up on my Instagram, the thing goes crazy and my Internet
fun is boring. Man, life’s too damn short not to indulge in the radness starts to fry. Why? Because it’s the greatest sandwich ever. In its
food has to offer every now and again. You’ve got to enjoy your time hometown of Philadelphia, US, you’ll get it with green peppers, onions,
on this planet, and I never once met a happy guy that ate celery sticks and real cheap-ass cheese spread and slices. But because we can,
(unless they were on the side of a mountain of Buffalo wings). What we’ve kind of pimped it out with better ingredients and flavours. Screw
I’m saying is, eat great food, do great things, feel frickin’ happy. Just it, there are no rules to this. It’s one messy hunk of rad, so throw what
walk somewhere, man! Learn to surf! Have sex! Go for a skate! And the hell you want in there. This is my version, but if you change it
eat this ridiculous beast of a sandwich every now and again! up, I’m not gonna come and shout at you. Just as long as you’re not
“The Philly Cheesesteak trends, bro. Whenever I do it in my videos eating celery.”

018 07/15
THE RECIPE

Preparation time
15 mins

Ingredients
Onions
Peppers
Mushrooms
Salt and pepper
Skirt steak
Four types of cheese
(your choice)
A huge baguette/sub roll/
loaf of bread
Chopped tomatoes
Hot sauce
Full-fat mayonnaise
Chopped iceberg lettuce

01
Chop your onions, peppers, mushrooms and MIX HOT SAUCE WITH
add them to a medium-hot pan to soften. MAYO FOR THE ULTIMATE
SARNIE DRESSING.
Season them up with pinches of salt and pepper.

02
Oil and season your raw steak,
then flash fry it in a screaming hot
pan. When cooked, slice thinly,
cutting against the grain. “Always
cook your meat whole then cut it
— you’ll get a way juicer mouthful,”
says DJ BBQ.

03
PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMES BYRNE

Lay a pile of your cooked veg mix across a frying pan, then add slices
of steak and cheese until melted. Slice the bread, place it over the mix,
scoop it in and add the tomatoes and lettuce.

07/15 019
FOOD SPECIAL

T H E U LT I M AT E

GOLIATH BURGER
Thought you’d found the world’s greatest meat stack? Think again…

DJ BBQ SAYS…
“It came to me in a dream: the recipe for the most radonkulous high-five itself: a cheesy double patty, topped with mushrooms,
burger any mortal has ever tasted. Platters of chicken wings, shredded lettuce and, most importantly, a burger sauce so secret
t-bone steaks and pico de gallo salsa were flashing through my that I think the Gods of Rad may kick my butt for telling y’all. But
mind when, all of a sudden, the ultimate goliath burger shone screw it – here it is, in all its heavenly glory. Enjoy, and don’t forget
down on me from the clouds, and floated onto my dinner plate. The to Instagram it using #FHMManFood so I can see what you’re
beast had a halo, for Christ’s sake. What I saw made my stomach chowing down on.”

020 07/15
THE RECIPE

Preparation time
25 mins

Ingredients
Bone marrow (available
from local butchers, left
to soak overnight)
Minced chuck steak beef
1 diced red onion
1 tsp mustard powder
Cracked black pepper
Sea salt
Bacon
Sriracha hot sauce
Mayonnaise
1 diced tomato
Chilli powder
Mushrooms
Garlic cloves
Rosemary

01
Sliced cheese
Brioche buns/
burger rolls
A handful of sliced
Spoon the marrow out of the shredded iceberg lettuce
bone and chop it up. “You need

02
a thumb nail-sized amount,” says
DJ BBQ. Add to a large bowl
with your mince and mustard
powder, and gently combine the
lot. Delicately form two burgers Now for the secret sauce. Fry
(don’t squash them down). off your bacon until crispy.
Season well. Combine the Sriracha and mayo
in a bowl, then add the bacon,
tomato and a pinch of chilli
powder. Now fry up the onion
and mushrooms in oil, garlic and
rosemary until the edges start to
caramelise. Set aside.

PLACING A LARGE
METAL BOWL OR
CLOCHE ON TOP
OF THE BURGER WILL
PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMES BYRNE. FOOD STYLING: MARTA WOWJICK

03
HELP COOK IT EVENLY

Stick your patties onto a hot pan for 10 minutes, turning halfway
through. Two minutes before they’re ready, melt the sliced cheese on
the top. “Now, stack them!” says DJ BBQ. Start with a dollop of burger
sauce, then add both patties, mushrooms, lettuce and more sauce.
Close up, and get your jaws around it.

07/15 021
FOOD SPECIAL

S U P E R - S L O P P Y

CHILLI CHEESE DAWGS


Get these meaty game-changers down your pipe tonight.

DJ BBQ SAYS…
“Real men cook chilli. I feel kind of dumb even having to say it, but at any time — red veggie, red meat, green pork, green veggie and black
creating a big, bubbling pot of meaty radness to feed a ravenous crowd bean. That set me up to perfect my own recipe, which I’m passing on
is a skill that sorts the kids from the bros, the pretenders from the pros, to you. Every chef has his secret ingredients, and mine is a fat slug of
and the girl pants from the big dogs. When I worked at a 24-hour diner all-American bourbon. Oh, and a massive sausage to throw it on. Chilli
up a mountain in Colorado, we had five different types of chilli going on dogs rule supreme, and it isn’t going to get any radder than this.”

022 07/15
THE RECIPE

Preparation time
20 mins

Ingredients
Good-quality frankfurter/
kielbasa sausages
White hot-dog buns
Cheddar cheese
1kg beef mince
2 onions, chopped
Olive oil
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 red chilies, sliced
Coriander stalks, chopped
2 tsp of chilli powder
1 tbs cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 cinnamon sticks

01
A shot of bourbon
2 cans of chopped
tomatoes
1 tbs of tomato puree
Get a big pan on a medium 100g dark chocolate
2 cans of kidney beans
heat. Fry the onions in olive oil
Freshly ground black
until soft. Add the garlic, pepper
coriander and chillies, and then Sea salt
the spices. “Cook for two

02
minutes, then add the mince on
a high heatto caramelise it,”
says DJ BBQ.

Add a shot of bourbon. “Take one


for yourself, too,” advises DJ
BBQ. Add your chopped
tomatoes and puree, and dark
chocolate, then stir in. Fill your
empty tomato cans with water
and add to the mix. Whack in
some salt and pepper, stir, cover
and leave to get tasty. Stir every
20 minutes for at least an hour.

HAVE YOU
EVER SEEN
SUCH BADASS
HOT DOGS?
PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMES BYRNE. FOOD STYLING: MARTA WOWJICK

03
Twenty minutes before you’re done, add your kidney beans. Five
minutes before chow time, grate your cheese and add your sausages
to a medium pan to cook. “I always use cured sausages — they rock
my world,” says DJ BBQ. Place your dog in a white bun, dollop on your
chilli, sprinkle on cheese and create one massive delicious mess.

07/15 023
FOOD SPECIAL

T H E D O U B L E - H E A D E D

MEGA KEBABS
Load up a stack of wooden skewers with these stellar
ingredients and get your grill on...
DJ BBQ SAYS…
“Kebabs boss the grill: They’re simple, you get to play with your food marshmallow. Listen up: If you let your mallow go black, game over,
and you cannot screw them up. Meat, onions, peppers — these are that’s a barbecue cardinal sin. Tend to those mallows like they’re your
your basics. You always want those three basics on your sticks. After own trouser jewels.
that, no rules, dude! Go all out and make some rad sticks, or just clear “I’ve had some hella cool kebabs, but Turkish guys reign supreme.
out the fridge of leftovers. Mushrooms rock. Throw on half a corn. They know the importance of cooking over hot coals, and will sit there
Stick some fruit on there. Put a chilli on the end. Throw sesame seeds all day making sure their sticks of meat and veg are perfect. Respect
all over them. Hell, go nutjob bonkers and top them off with a to the Turkish, dude. They’re my kind of humans.”

024 07/15
THE RECIPE

Preparation time 25 mins

FOR THE LAMB


Diced lamb
One aubergine
Cherry tomatoes
Chestnut mushrooms
Corn on the cobs

FOR THE BEEF


Diced beef steak (use meat
from the leg, neck or rump)
Halloumi
Red chillies
Cherry tomatoes
Button mushrooms
Trio of peppers
Courgettes
Onions

HERBS
Sage
Rosemary
Thyme

01
Soak your kebab
sticks in water for an
hour or so before
prepping your meat
and veg. This will
stop them burning.
Then, reach for your
best knife and get
chopping. “Keep
everything chunky,”
DJ BBQ says. “Men
should eat big, not
dainty.”

02 03
Start and end each Your kebabs should
skewer with a big be full now, so oil
hunk of onion. “This is them up. Chop up
a pro tip for holding fresh rosemary and
the lot in place,” our sage and add to the
grill master says. “If a lamb kebabs. Add
piece starts to fall freshly cracked
apart when you put it pepper and sea salt,
on, slam another bit of too. Tear your thyme
onion on there to up and throw onto
hug it back into the beef with salt
place.” Arrange the and pepper. Add to a
other ingredients medium-to-hot grill
in any way you want, for around 15 mins,
depending on what turning regularly.
the hell you fancy on Consume, and
the day. feel like a hero.

07/15 025
FOOD SPECIAL

T U R B O PA R T Y

FISH TACOS
Fill your face with the best rave fuel known to man...
DJ BBQ SAYS…
“This is my pre-party food of choice. They taste incredible with naked dive-bombing into a pool with your hair on fire. A perfect taco
an icy beer and won’t throw a meat coma at you. Meat’s ace, but needs a non-oily, firm fish at its heart: One that’ll hold the rub hard
it takes a lot of blood to be pumped around the stomach to help and only let it go when you’re chewing. Some places bread them, but
digest it, knackering you out. With fish tacos, that blood can be used bread slows you down, and you can’t be slowing down when you’re
elsewhere in your body, for raving, boozing, chatting to chicks or dive-bombing, bro.”

026 07/15
FOR DJ BBQ’S RAPID GUAC, CHUNKILY CHOP
PLUM TOMATOES, AVOCADOS, RED CHILLIES AND
CORIANDER, SQUIRT OVER FRESH LIME AND SEASON

THE RECIPE

Preparation time
25 mins

Ingredients
Tbsp garlic granules
Tbsp sea salt
Tsp ground cumin
Tsp cayenne pepper
½ tsp chilli powder
Tbsp brown sugar
Tsp thyme
Tsp oregano
Tilapia fillets (or any
other firm white fish)
Flour or corn tortillas
Mango
Red onion
Lime
Cucumber
Coriander

01
First, add your fish to a tray of
cold water and set aside, then
start with your salsa. You’re
working to these ratios: Three-
fifths mango to one-fifth onion to
one-fifth cucumber. Chop those

02
three up finely, remembering to
remove the skin of the cucumber
first. Add to a bowl, juice a whole
lime into it and chop coriander
over the top. “Use the coriander Next up, add all the herbs and dry ingredients to a bowl
stalks, too,” DJ BBQ suggests. and mix. Take your fish (the soak helps ingredients stick
“There’s tonnes of flavour there.” to it) and pat it dry. Now sprinkle the rub on to your fish
Add salt and pepper to taste. and pat down.

03
Into an oiled, medium-high-heat pan, add the fish. “Fish is
the ultimate fast food, and will only take two mins each
side,” says DJ BBQ. Then put to one side and re-oil your
PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMES BYRNE

pan, adding the tortillas for 15 secs a side until they


bubble up. Take a wrap in hand, add a hunk of fish, a
squirt of lime, salsa, guacamole and freshly chopped
coriander for an epic taste bomb, so fresh and clean.

07/15 027
HEDONISM

2IT&DRINK

SUMMER This new Italian joint makes their pasta


in-house, so you know you’re in for something
special. It’s hard to pick a winner when all the
pasta dishes are so good, but the Linguine

TREATS
Vongole and Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese are
sure to please even the pickiest pasta
aficionados. Also, do yourself a favour and get
the life changing Tiramisu Nocciola (hazelnuts)
for dessert — the creamy, nutty concoction has
tainted regular Tiramisu for us forever more.

Opens Mon to Fri, noon to 2pm, 6pm to 10pm;


Hit up some hot meats Sat to Sun, noon to 3pm, 5.30pm to 10pm.
and cool drinks this month. #01-01 Valley Point, 491 River Valley Road.
Tel: 6737-3001, www.2itandrink.com

L O N G P L AY
Named after a phonograph
record, LongPlay is a hip bar that
plays exclusively vinyl records
from the ‘50s to the 70s’. Indulge
in some old-world charm by
ordering a Fred Ast’air’e, made
with apricot liqueur, Riesling and
gin. Just a gentle reminder,
though, the tunes might be free,
but the drinks are not.

Opens Tue to Thu, 6pm to 12 am;


Fri, Sat and PH, 6am to 1am;
Sun, 4pm to 12am. 4 Haji Lane,
Tel: 6291-3323, www.longplay.sg.

FYR WILDFIRE KITCHEN


In tribute to the days of yore when men
were manly and meat was roasted in
glorious hunks over a roaring fire, this
+ BAR
modern European restaurant whips up Tucked away in a quiet corner of Evans Road, Wildfire
all its dishes in a Josper Charcoal Oven Kitchen + Bar is a self-serve restaurant that offers quality
(grill and oven combo in a single burgers and steaks. With a variety of different meat
machine). This imparts a smoky patties on offer, you’ve never tasted meat between two
flavour and wonderful char onto their buns like this before. We recommend the premium
food, be it ribeye steak, lobster or dry-aged Angus burger that’s topped off
baked bone marrow. with a signature (secret) sauce.

Opens Mon to Fri, 11am to 11pm; Opens Mon to Sun, 11am to


Sat, 9am to 11pm; Sun, 9am to 4pm. 10.30pm. 26 Evans Road,
19 Boon Tat Street, Tel: 6221-3703. Tel: 6734 -2080,
www.wildfire.com.sg.

028 07/15
WELLNESS

Power

4 WEIGHTLIFTING
Packed!

MYTHS
There is a common misconception that
lifting weights makes one big and bulky.
National record holder for Olympic
weightlifting and Elite 2015 head judge,
Lewis Chua, sets the record straight.

01 Lifting weights makes


you shorter
Lifting weights is wrongly
03 Lifting weights means
eating 40 eggs a day
It’s true you need to keep your
perceived to damage growth protein up to maintain and build
plates and stunt growth. That’s large muscle mass, plus support
an overstatement; there’s no muscle repair. However, athletes
scientific proof that there is need not take more than twice
absolute risk of stunting growth the daily recommended intake
through normal weightlifting of protein for less active people.
practices. In fact, lifting weights Calculate your required protein

ENERGY BOOST
helps to strengthen bones and intake via macronutrient
improve bone density, percentage or by body weight.

Put the bounce back in your step with 02 Lifting weights is very
dangerous
Lifting weights is as dangerous
04 Lifting weights causes
you to get “rhabdo”
Rhabdomyolysis is a condition
Kinohimitsu Maca Men. as you perceive it to be. It is, that results in death of muscle
therefore, very important to get cells from overwhelming stress
Ever felt listless at work or sluggish throughout the day despite the right coach and proper on the body. You can get this
getting a good night’s sleep? We’ve all been there. But instead guidance so that you do not condition from any form of
of chugging another cup (or two) of coffee, you might want to pick up any bad habits and only exercise at highly extreme levels,
consider an energy drink that’s actually good for you. Here are learn the correct techniques. not just weightlighting.
three reasons to get your hands on the Kinohimitsu Maca
Men drink. The second round of Elite 2015 (www.elitesgfittest.com), an
inaugural sports series to find the fittest in Singapore, is focused on
Natural Ingredients pure strength. Participants test their limits in powerlifting and
The refreshing caffeine-free drink contains 500mg of Olympic weightlifting. Series-registered athletes will only be scored
Maca extract, clam extract and taurine to support vitality on powerlifting, but anyone is welcome to join both competitions.
and increase stamina and endurance. The lack of addictive
chemicals also prevents you from developing a dependency
on the drink.

Multiple Benefits
Aside from providing energy, the drink also relieves stress,
enhances exercise performance, improves
muscle mass and triggers the production of
testosterone, improving sperm quality.
That’s a whole lot of bang for your bottle.

Convenience
Maca Men comes in individually packed,
single-serving bottles — fuss-free and ready
for consumption. Pop one a day before a
meal to promote overall wellbeing (and
WORDS: CHERYL TAY; PHOTOS: ELITE SG FITTEST

READY FOR
possibly turn into Superman). LIFT OFF!

Kinohimitsu Maca Men Drink is available


WORDS: JANINE LEE

at leading pharmacies, supermarkets and


department stores. $86.90 for 20 bottles.

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