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JAMFEST2005 AT THE BACKYARD KICKS OFF
October 19, 2005

Press Release

Wed, Oct 19th -- The Backyard Pub & Grill is proud to announce Jamfest2005, the second annual music festival promoting young and upcoming bands alongside veteran musicians.

The fest kicks off this Thursday, Oct 20th and will be held over five Thursdays ending on November 17th.

Jamfest2005 will feature over 15 vibrant and dynamic bands on the local music scene including recently crowned grand champions for Astro Hitz.TV's Blast Off! competition Frequency Cannon, progressive rock band Tempered Mental, highly infectious fusion band Cosmic Funk Express, and cheeky electro-pop artiste Saer Ze.

Among the veterans sharing the limelight will be former Blues Gang members Julian Mokhtar and Jim Mandasamy together with drummer Suhaimi, formerly of Ella and the Boys, in a new band called Julian's Black Hammer; perennial slowhand Viji together with rising Maldivian guitar star Fasy; and rock and percussion act La Viva, featuring Alphonse Jerome.

"We are excited that this year's Jamfest will showcase some new and dynamic acts never before seen on our stage. This is a great venue for them to strut their stuff," said Jerry Chong, owner of Backyard Pub and organizer of the Jamfest2005.

"Backyard has always promoted homegrown musicians and we are proud to make this year's Jamfest equally memorable and entertaining."

Last year, Jamfest2004 attracted over 90 musicians and was held over seven weeks in October and November. The inaugural fest was in memory of late singer and guitarist Jairus Anthony, who played in pubs for over two decades but succumbed to pancreatic cancer in July 2004.

"We want to continue in the spirit of last year's event which is to encourage young and experienced musicians to come together at a single venue to perform and get the attention they deserve," said Edmund Anthony, the music director of the event and brother of Jairus.

He said all invited musicians were paid for their participation last year. "For some of the alternative and underground acts this was their first paying gigs and they never had such an appreciative audience."

"On the last night on Jamfest2004, an informal Jamfest fund was set up and RM13,720 in pledges was raised. The fund was disbursed to four deserving charities," said Anthony.

As usual in all Backyard events, there will be no reservations, no cover charge, no tickets, and of course no free loaders.

For more info on Jamfest2005, please check the website http://www.backyardpub.com.

ABOUT BACKYARD PUB & GRILL
Backyard Pub & Grill is your friendly, unpretentious, neighbourhood pub for live music and live sports events located at No.28, Jalan Sri Hartamas 8, Taman Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur.

There is live music every night from Wednesdays to Saturdays, two English pool tables, a big screen and four TVs for live English Premier League matches. The kitchen serves up great Western and local dishes and also caters to special functions.

View the latest goings-on at backyardpub.com or call 03-6201-0318.

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