KUALA LUMPUR – Instrumental rock band Maverick has recently released a timely and intense single called 'Vaccine'. It marked a comeback after going dormant in late 2014.
The Kuala Lumpur-based band launched the song earlier this week (June 6) on major streaming services. They are slated to launch a music video for the track in August.
While relatively an obscure band, its members consisted of musicians from other more well-known groups such as modern rock band Iqbal M and pop-punk quartet Johny 23.
The single, as the name suggests, was also heavily influenced by the unprecedented times faced by the world, and the need to inoculate populations as the disease spreads.
Reminiscent of progressive rock groups such as Chon and Polyphia from the United States, Maverick had used the single 'Vaccine' to showcase their technical prowess and mastery of their instruments.
The composition, the band noted, was also not an instant affair, as guitarist Fazli took a year to complete the work of art.
“The idea for the song 'Vaccine' did not only emphasise the need for a cure to the current pandemic but also, (it) figuratively emphasises the call to eradicate hypocrisy and toxicity in our society that hides behind organisations and social media by spreading hateful intentions and words,” the band said in a press release.
Despite limitations by the Covid-19 pandemic, Maverick – which comprises its original members, guitarists Fazli and Shah, as well as drummer Nas and newcomer bassist Ikram – pushed ahead and reformed the group amid movement restrictions.
With limited studio time, the band said they improvised their practice sessions and planning through online platforms such as Telegram. It was a way to communicate with each other as well as to exchange song ideas.
"Fazli would draft songs and we will come up with our individual parts for the track. All the input and ideas would be discussed on Telegram," Shah told The Vibes in a follow-up interview.
"We have not had the opportunity to jam online because some members of the band do not have stable Internet connections and work until late at night, even from home. So we practised during our free time."
On the rare occasions that they were able to hit the studio, the band maintained social distancing and wore masks, apart from keeping hand sanitisers as their "sidekick".
"If there are new materials, we all can practice and improvise our parts quickly so that we can record. This is because it's not very often that we get a chance to enter a jamming studio during the MCO."
Recorded at Studio Pekanmaya Records, ‘Vaccine’ was engineered, mixed, and mastered by seasoned musician Ojoe, who is the former bass player of the veteran indie rock group Couple.
The band said their upcoming music video, is produced by Msyafiqikhwan, while the artwork for the cover of the single was crafted by artists Futurosak.
Maverick originally formed in 2012, and released two tracks 'Villain' and 'Get Away' back in 2014 with former vocalist Tajrin and bassist Shiz on Bass.
However, Maverick has now decided to chart their own new sonic territory as an instrumental rock quartet. The band eyes opening more doors in the local music industry and beyond. – The Vibes, June 13, 2021
