UBIE’s PROFILE



UBIE was formed in 1998 by four experienced musicians and has been together since then. In the band, we have vocalist Hisyam, guitarist Jefri, Qatam on drums and Ram on bass.

The band boys had been in other bands before coming together and are all experienced in terms of recordings and live performances. Aside from being friends, what brought them together was their interests and inclinations for pure rock and blues music; and naturally the jam sessions they had led to the birth of UBIE. Aside from being experienced musicians, members of UBIE are also technically capable and have a specialty for tube amps and classic and vintage musical instruments. All these aspects will be reflected in their music.

Through the years, UBIE maintains itself active by doing some recordings, live shows and as backing band for the local artists.
In recording, UBIE contributed to the album ‘Spirit of The Underground – Tribute to Wings in November 2000. UBIE also produced an album of its own in 2003, titled Satu Hati Satu Jiwa under the label of Music Valley. A song from the album, stayed at the charts for 14 weeks and even got to no 2 position.

The name UBIE is derived from the word ubi which is yam. This is an important plant and food source for the Malay community and the word appears in many Malay sayings, idioms, poetry, literature and songs. Ubi implies experience, knowledge and wisdom. This is the Malay contribution to the music of Rock and Blues.

The band operates out their own studio, which has the capacity for recording and has other groups practicing there as well. Aside from that the studio also does repairs and service work on guitars and tube amps. With all these background it is only natural that the band gave much focus to their creativity and sound. Being a Rock and Blues band, with the pure basics of electric guitar ,electric bass, drums and harmonica, the band’s main influence are the classic 60s and 70s blues/rock bands with a strong emphasis on guitar. In fact the band’s music can easily be converted into English without modifying either the music , melody or arrangement.

It is the band’s objective to promote the sounds of the blues and rock locally by producing a quality musical product on par with international and accepted musical standards or at least stamp Malaysia’s influence in the Rock and Blues music genre.