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Quintet alternative punk rock band

Panic Overdrive (now known as Six String Samurais) was formed in Penang in early 2002, with the line-up changing but the vocalist and band leader, Moe Nasrul (21) remains the same. Having met lead guitarist Kit Leon (18) at numerous gigs in Penang, the two joined forces and after adding bassist Roy Nair (21), Joshua (18) and finally Jean Louis (18) as the rhythm guitarist, PANIC OVERDRIVE was born.

The line-up of Six String Samurais emits fine example for future young musicians everywhere. Often, young musicians are thwarted as rebellious, involve in social illness or sings about how unbearable teenage life can be. But Six String Samurais has debunked all myths and refused to be stereotyped as such. Their signature grey ties and black shirts are Six String Samurais way of showing to the public that they embraced their change into adulthood and along the way, a way to distinguished them from other rock bands.

Musically, the band has identified the sounds of Punk, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal of the 70’s and 80’s as their greatest influences. But at the same time, Panic Overdrive wished to do a modern fusion of the best of the oldies and the best of present music genres.

Rock ballad “Better Than This” chronicles a man’s love for his beloved despite his shortcomings, modern post-nirvana punk single “Waiting For You” has generated strong local buzz at gigs and is poised to be a hit among the English mainstream music listeners in Malaysia. Heavier “Iron Man” and “My Friend” shows the band’s strong influence by Slipknot and will serve the underground niche market of heavy metal. In fact, “My Friend” is a surprise hit among fans of Six String Samurais.

Recently with their newly composed songs such as “Get down, with the word (peace)” the band is set to write songs that encourage world peace reflecting their desire to make the world a better place.

Six String Samurais (then known as Panic Overdrive) caught the attention of Deathstar Production founder, Allan Scott when performing for the Beautiful Junk gig in 2006. An audition was set into place. Soon, the band had moved from backyard gigs to shows up and down Penang and KL. The band was the opening act for PAKU’s album release in Penang and had participated in Deathstar Production press conferences for PAKU and will be interviewed by X-Fresh on January 2007. However the band had in the end decided to leave the record label over creative differences and is currently independent.

Musically solid, this young band with heaps of musical experience behind them and years ahead of them to make their craft and musicianship better are poised to take on Malaysia with their music, songwriting, musical arrangements and their clean, wholesome image.

At this moment, the band is recording their first self-released EP partially funded by Deathstar Production. Expect to hear their first single, “Waiting for You” riding high in the airwaves.

Written by: Emily Ismail