WITH 37 years in the music industry, Wings broke into the scene in 1987 through its first album Belenggu Irama. Since then, the pioneering rockers have never had a frontman among its members.
But the vocalist, Datuk Awie, is often seen to be ahead in making plans for the band. He also plans to ensure Wings remains relevant and continues to grow its wings for the next 15 years.
"I am not the leader of Wings. I am also not the older brother in the group. I am nobody.
"I'm just a member of this band. But, I try to plan great things for my band members. They have been like my soul mates.
"I used to say to them, if next year or the year after we don't do anything, it's better to take a year off.
"I will try to get a drama series for them to act in and I want them to focus on acting that year. That's what I'm planning.
"I also want to take them to [take part] in musical theatre – where Wings will perform live while acting," he said in a conversation with Getaran.
The singer, whose real name is Ahmad Azhar Othman, 54, is quite enthusiastic about sharing his plans for Wings.
"I don't want them to be stagnant with one thing. For me, we have to develop our artistic creativity to produce other things.
"If people want to argue about Wings from a musical point of view, they can't because as long as we've been in this industry, we've done all kinds of albums and concerts.
"Wings have done theatrical concerts, musical concerts, monologue concerts, "rockestra" concerts up to traditional rock that featured traditional music bands.
"We have done everything. What else can be denied with our ability? So right now, the next focus is on acting," he said.
Remembering their roots and fun fair concerts
At the same time, Awie also did not deny that Wings' priority was through singing and stage performances.
In fact, he also understands Wings fans' expectations of wanting the band to return to performing raw and "rebellious" rock concerts, instead of the recent showcase style or seated concerts.
Which was what happened at the recent Wings concerts, namely the Wings Fabulous Thursday and Wings Fabulous Friday concerts at the Petronas Philharmonic Hall on July 14 and 15. Wings will also perform at the Showcase Wings One Night Only Live In Kuching on August 27.
"Wings never forgets its origins. But, performing in exclusive and international venues is an honour and recognition for Wings after 37 years in the industry.
"We will not forget the working class group. We never forget the fun fair concert style. We were also from the working class.
"In fact, we do have plans to tour on a large scale including in Jengka, in small halls up to medium and large-scale concerts.
"I don't want to promise the moon and the stars. But if next year we can do a concert tour, the plan for acting will be carried over to the following year.
"After the tour, we will rest. Because if we are always performing, people will get bored because they are constantly served the same thing.
"In sha Allah, the tour will be simultaneous with the release of our new album later," said Awie.
New album and sifu Datuk M. Nasir
During their time of championing rock music, Wings has produced 13 studio albums and a collection of other compilation albums. And, some of their earliest albums including Hukum Karma are always considered the best albums.
Awie admits that if he comes out with a new album, many will argue why it is not like Hukum Karma or why there is no song like Sejati.
"How can we get the same thing every time we make an album? The new album will be produced by Wings with our sifu, Datuk M Nasir.
"Before entering the studio, Wings had already discussed the direction of our music and we had also explained what we wanted.
"We finally arrived at the best solution. And what's interesting in this album is that the band goes into the studio with M. Nasir every day to produce new song materials together.
"In the past, the process of making songs together in the studio was common. But it doesn't happen anymore today. So, we get do this again.
"I believe this album will be more 'umphhh' and mature in all aspects and I hope the fans will like it.
"Among the reforms is to take songs created by new composers because we need their fresher ideas. They know more about the latest trends – and I even rap in this album," said Awie with a laugh.
Wings' umrah and retirement planning
One reason why Awie is planning various activities for Wings in the next 15 years is because he wants to see Wings no longer having to struggle when they retire from the music industry, one day.
Besides Awie, Wings also consists of Kamarullizam Kamarudin (Syam) – lead guitar, Edrie Hashim (Edrie) – lead guitar, Samsaidi Ulong Idris (Eddie) – bass player and Azmi Hashim (Black) – drummer.
"We want to find more work so that what we get will be enough to use in retirement. Our children by then will be grown up, already working and stable.
"And, we have agreed to share equally whatever income we get through concerts or album sales.
"So, everyone gets the same share. Everyone must be cursed at and scolded equally. Alhamdulillah, I see a very good compatibility between the five of us including Syam and Edrie Hashim.
"I always pray that our relationship will last forever. We will have many concerts together after being in Sarawak.
"And God willing, on November 16, we will go to Makkah together," he said. – The Vibes, July 23, 2022
This article was first published in The Vibes' Malay language sister portal Getaran.
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