Anyone Remember The Alleycats?
Published by simon on April 20, 2006It was led by David Arumugam, with his Afro bigger than that guy from Boney M. Then there was his brother Loga, who was pretty much a thinner version of David, with a slightly smaller Afro (but still bigger than then-Malaysian striker Zainal Abidin Hassan’s). I never understood what Loga did in the band, the only thing I ever saw him do was sing back-up and occasionally play the tambourine. Then there were a few Chinese dudes with short names like Ah Hock and Ah Sin or something like that. I believe the aforementioned Ah Hock played bass.
Alleycats were old pros on the pub circuit, in their Penang hometown and in KL. Back in the 70’s and 80’s they had dozens of Bahasa Malaysia albums, with evergreen songs like ‘Sampaikan Salam Cintaku’, ‘Kerana’, ‘Sekuntum Mawar Merah’, and many more. Every time David Arumugam finished a song, he will shout his trademark ‘Terima kaSIH!”. Every time, without fail. There was one time I was at my Malay friend’s wedding kenduri, this wedding singer belted an old Alleycats ballad ‘ditujukan khas buat pengantin’, and he ended with the exact same ‘Terima kaSIH!”, to which the crowd cheered vociferously.
When I was growing up, my neighbour a funky Chinese dude, was their biggest fan. He had cassettes of every single album they produced, and his obsession rubbed off a little on me.
One time many about 9 years ago, me and my pal Dave were out very late in town, when we heard that the Alleycats were rumoured to be playing in PJ Hilton. We rushed there, only to be disappointed to find out that it wasn’t true. We stayed anyway to hear this so-so covers band with two lead singers, one pretty Indian girl and a fat Malay guy. Can’t remember the name of the band…
Alleycats are still around, no doubt it, although they are no longer headlining HMI on Saturdays, but still powering the pubs across the nation. In the age of indie bands like Love Me Butch and Gerhana Ska Cinta, Alleycats inhabit a different world of Malaysian music, pandering to a different generation of Malaysian – Malays, Chinese, Indians and everyone else. Along with old guns like Kenny, Remy and Martin, Francessca Peters and the ilk.
I googled to see if they had a homepage, but didn’t find much, but found this interesting blog entry regarding them (and even gives Ah Hock’s full name!)
Hey, does anyone remember Man Bai and Gersang? Perhaps another day, then…
Technorati Tags: Alleycats
My dad loves them!
Yup, Man Bai, but I only know that ONE song only - Kau Ilhamku. HAHA.
Alleycats, I loved their hair when I was a kid.. and that one super hit song, can’t remember the title though.
Saya peminat Alleycats! Saya boleh nyanyi mnaykkkkk lagu lor. Also watched them in pubs b4.
The moment I read the name AlleyCats, Sampaikan Salam played in my head. Heheheh. I’m with eSSeNtRiC, I only know ManBai’s Kau Ilhamku. Love that song too. It’s funny I don’t have these songs in my collection.
I laughed so hard, I have tears rolling…thanks for the good laugh when I need it.
My teacher from primary school brought me and 2 sisters to a pub in Penang, where Loga and Zainal Abidin (of Headwinds) performed. Didn’t know that Loga is the teacher’s friend. He sat with us and we got to shake hands…so excited hehe!
Yup saw em perform at PJ Hilton sometime early last year (my parents dragged me along) - The Alleycats still sound great.
yes! i remember alleycats all right. they were great!
once long long ago, some of the members used to go to one of our church to play billard and sometimes i will run into them, esp. arumagam
when i hear the name alleycats, the song i remember is rindu bayangan. how come nobody remembers it? isn’t rindu bayangan their orginal song? or maybe it is original by someone else? but i love rindu bayangan sung by alleycat. as a child, used to like to hum it and sing it.
man bai has a really nice solo song.. can get it from here
http://www.tabulas.com/~musicblog/reply395295_710888.html
inevitable - did your dad grow an afro too?
essentric & bawangmerah - i remember that song was used by for the malaysian hockey team in the olympics…remember that one? about the 2 brothers? “Apa itu passport”?
jee - do you hv any of their mp3?
lilian - wah, you oso kaki pubbing hor? r u the ones that sit at the high barstool drinking club soda?
mama23beas - wah, you should have gotten their autographs! i was never much of a Headwind fan.
shan - i think PJ Hilton is one of their regular haunts.
lucia - rindu bayangan… dun remember that one. must go back and check all those old TDK90 cassettes!
rijac - whoa, that’s cool, thanks!
Rindu bayangan is originally by Jay Jay when he was still part of the group “Carefree”. Many years later David Arumugam rerecorded the song with a female artist. I think Camelia (not sure ).
Terima Kasihhhh!!!!
My uncles nickname is ‘ahNgiaw’,he told me that duno mr.Loga or mr.David tu,they were his old schoolmates before.
That was before I shiok much to ALL of their songs,too bad the ALLEYcats dont have a website of their own (yet).
OKLah,selamat tinggalllll,ku meng-undur-kan dirii,…MarSeyyy!!!
a bit of nostalgia.. Karunanithy or Karu for short was the youngest of the brothers and studied to be an engineer in India (IIT Madras).. He was an accomplished lead guitarist and had his band there (amateur).. He never was part of the Alleycats but had their poster with him.. Talented family.
sriram - i dudn’t know that. did you know them personally?
Alleycats are currently performing at Royal Bintang Hotel, Mutiara Damansara; been there quite awhile now. Loga seems to be taking a more prominent role now as David seems to be a bit ‘lost’ at times. They are just as great as they were 20 yrs ago, voices still strong. Go watch and and show yr support!!!
thanks for the heads-up, jezzie, i’ll see if i can drop by!
The Alley Cats were playing at the Holiday Villa in Subang Jaya as recently as Dec 2005. I just received a text message from a dear friend on Jan 2nd, 2007 that Loga has a very serious throat problem and is unable to perform. It’s too bad, the group did a great version of Deep Purple’s Perfect Stranger.
Alley Cats!
I grow up (still growing up) with Alley Cats. When I moved to England June 2006, the first thing that I packed up was my CDs of Alley Cats. Love you guys….
Ma Kasih!!!!!!
would like to know where the alley cats are performing now, thanks-nanda
no idea. maybe in penang.
Hi! Nanda,
Alley Cats now is performing at Lavida Pub in Holiday Villa Hotel-Subang Jaya from May 2007 to Jul 2007. I’d watched their GREAT performance on 05.05.07.
Can anyone give me alleycats contact no? tq
can anyone pass me the contact no of alleycats? tq
Loga Died!
Cancer of the lungs!
Stop Smoking guys!
May Loga rest in peace
I got a message that Loga passed away today. What a waste… I have followed the Alleycats for many years and have seen them perform at the PJ Hilton. Loga was the silent one but when on stage. I always watched him due to his stage presence. He seemed in a world of his own and his flute and sway to the rythmn of the music always kept me captivated. This may signal the end of the real Alleycats…but they are the true champions of Malaysian multiracial beat… Thank you Loga…may you finally find peace as you always wanted
Sorry to read about this.
Been away from Malaysia for a long time, hence could not recall.
Are their CDs available?
Can we download with itunes?
my condolences to david and family on the great loss.
RIP, Loga.
He fought the cancer at Mt. Mirium Hospital from 2AM till 11.20AM. And then .. he had to let it go.
Its sad to know Loga has passed.
Last saw him performing at Uncle Chilli’s PJ Hilton last october ..incidently his last stage show .
He was not his normal self, sang very few numbers and was drinking lots of water. Since i am sort of groupie ..i know that he normaly drinks beer
Met up wih David in a bar next to Talking Heads (PJ) and David said Loga was improving but didnt want to try any alternative medicines..
Very sad to know such a jolly and affable guy has passed on ..
One of the most beautiful song i have ever listened Loga sing was “Nota Terakhir ”
Whenever i hear that song I get goose bumps.
Loga ..May your soul rest in peace ..thank you very much for all the wonderful memories you gave us ..
you will live forever in our hearts and your songs …
Thank you ..
Sad to hear Loga has left us so soon to be with GOD.A vaccum he left in the music industry.Malaysians of all walks of life missed his golden voice forever.May your SOUL REST IN PEACE
LOGA and BROTHER DAVID to carry on your wishes and ALLEYCATS to the UTMOST.
Hi guys…actually love me butch stayed at Uncle Loga’s place before in penang. we are good friends with his brother in law and son, vignesh…what can i say, they are the warmest people around, and all that memories remain. will always remember uncle loga. rest in peace uncle…you will always be our inspiration…
Aloha,great page. Congratulations and keep on the work good.i
alleycats!!!!! they are evergreen
nothing comparable, rip loga we luv u
Oops… I’ve found your beautiful site using SE. It’s great.
saya sebagai peminat pertam kumpulan ellycat ingi mngucapkan takziah kepada kepada ahli keluarga beliau.
saya harap mereka semua dapat meneruskan kehidupan untuk masa akan datang.
terima kasih…………
HI ,THANX FO SUPPORTING THE LEGENDS…
U are invited to visit Alleycats Websites at :
http://www.geocities.com/alleycats358
KEEP SUPPORTING THA ALLEYCATS.
im one of ur hearteast fan… Alleycats is a living legent group….cant be forgotten.. ’sampaikan salam’is the best song..take care
My name is James (Scotty) I would really appreciate being put in contact with David & A Hock.
I used to jam with them 1970 to 1974 whi was based in Butterworth. Merlin Hotel, Captains Bar Mandarin Hotel, Gypsy Caravan Rasa Sayang. Ming Court Singapore.
We did a benfit concert in Penag in 1973!
The last time I saw them was when they came to one on my gigs in Wetern Australia I ithink it was in it was 1975 or 76.
MIssed them when I came through Singapore on 2001.
If you can help it really would mean alot.
I am now living in Scotland but planning to come through Malaysia?Singapore 2010 and would really love to catch nup with them.
hi james, so good to hear from a fan all across the globe. i haven’t seen much of David and the band since the recent tragedy, but let me see if i can contact the band or their management, ok? cheers.
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