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TWO HATS AND A ROCKING NIGHT
August 26, 2005, The Star (Metro/Nightlife)
Backyard Pub: Two Hats

Story and photos by SASHI AMBI

THERE was a time in the world when all men wore hats. It was the norm and any man without one was considered incomplete.

This was the on-stage scene at The Backyard Pub recently when the watering hole got local fun musicians Two Hats Gang to pay tribute to the King of Rock n’ Roll, Elvis Presley.

Held in memory of the King's death, the event received a fair turnout but showcased some of the best Elvis tunes ever performed. What was missing, however, was the on-stage presence of the impersonations of the star himself.

However, pub owner Jerry Chong was quick to note that the night was for the celebration of Elvis Presley’s music and not his stage antics. "We like to do things differently from time to time here and tonight is such a night," Chong said.

"We mix things up so that regulars and avid music listeners are always kept on their toes." Two Hats Gang, comprising of actor and comedy great Alan Pereira on keyboards, famed country band Os Pombos founding member Gerry Singho on electric guitar and multi-talented Errol De Cruz on folk and country guitar, went through two steady sets of Elvis Presley tunes.

The band also managed other evergreen numbers covered by Elvis at one point or the other.

The band started out its first set with fast paced hits like Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog and All Shook Up, which got the crowd really warmed up.

But it was not until the midst of the second set with tunes like Your Cheating Heart and Blues Suede Shoes that listeners began moving to the dance floor.

Two Hats Gang, who said they hated practicing but loved jamming, did not leave out Elvis' great ballads as they polished through with Are You Lonesome Tonight?, It's Now or Never and Surrender.

Sadly, the personal favourite Heartbreak Hotel was not covered.

"What we do full time doesn’t give us enough time to practice but we've been doing this for a long time and so we can just get up there, call the key and the music goes," said de Cruz.

"As you just saw, we work very hard on stage."

He added that the band kept things simple, impromptu and all was done in absolute fun.

A testament of this camaraderie was seen at the round-up of the night as band members discussed other Elvis covers that could have been performed for the night.

The band will be performing again at the Petaling Jaya Club on the Eve of National Day.

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