DRUM CHALLENGE ASIA 2008

[12 & Under Finalists] [19 & Under Finalists] [20 & Above Finalists] [Percussion Duo Finalists] [Judges]

19 & Under Finalists

 
Byron Kaz Devanthiran
“Drummers are the heart and soul of the band,” says Byron. A fan of Mike Portnoy, Joey Jordison and Neil Peart, Byron plays all types of music but has a particular fondness for heavy metal drumming. For the semi-finals, Byron teamed up with his Psychotherapy guitarist, Bryan John Jacob, for accompaniment and impressed the judges with his speed and accuracy on the set.


 
Kong Wen Da
Wen Da is a fan of Jojo Mayer and Benny Greb when it comes to techniques. “I like rhythm and different ways to play them. Drumming simply makes me happy,” reveals Wen Da about his love for drumming. The 17-year-old picked up the drums at age 13 and although he’s not currently in any bands, Wen Da also hopes that he could meet new people through the competition for future possibilities. For the semi-finals, Wen Da roped in his friend Kenneth Mark S. Bane on bass guitar for some tight grooving as a rhythm section.


 
Er Chow Kiat
Inspired by the movie "That Thing You Do!", Chow Kiat picked up the drums when he was 13 and there’s no looking back since. Chow Kiat also mentions that he's mainly a pop drummer but with diverse influences such as Benny Greb, John Blackwell, Thomas Lang and Louis Santiago Jr. For the semi-finals, Chow Kiat teamed up with Stuart Wee on bass guitar for his accompaniment piece.

 
Raymond Goh Kee Hui
“Drums can create so many different types of rhythms but yet, one can enjoy a simple groove at the same time,” says Raymond. Inspired by drummers like Thomas Lang, Jojo Mayer, Virgil Donati and Marco Minnemann, Raymond says that showmanship is essential to please and entertain the crowd. For the semi-finals, Raymond once again chose a Thomas Lang tracked titled "Dog" and played it to perfection. Says the drummer who emits so much joy when he plays: “My goal is to make music that inspires the world spiritually.”