Saiful Idris - Guitar and vocals Khairyl Hashim - Bass Magdelene Han - Keyboards Fandy Razak - Drums Song - Guitar Mike See - Manager Huzaifah Yahya - Administrative Manager
For bookings, please contact Mike See at: m: +65 9748 7257 e : thegreatspyexperiment@gmail.com
Influences
The Killers, Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky, Franz Ferdinand, Sigur Ros, Donny Osmond, Metallica, Jamal Abdillah, Radiohead, Muse, Deep Purple, Tower of Power, Linda Ronsteadt, Mansun, Kent, Interpol, Ash, Suede, ...
To the following bands, you make us proud to be Singaporeans:
B-Quartet, Force Vomit, Stoned Revivals, The Observatory, Electrico, I am David Sparkle, The Pinholes, The Padres, Astreal, Plain Sunset, MUON, and too many more..
The struggle continues but we'll get there.. Eventually.
Sounds Like
A Class 'A' Love Affair: The Great Spy Experiment at the Esplanade Recital Studio, April 2008
Mosaic Festival- GSE Goes Acoustic, March 2008. Videos by Debbie.
The plan was simple. Get two guitars, a bass, a keyboard and a drumset. And rock. Five different people. One common goal: To change the face of Singapore music.
Drawing influences from musicians as diverse as Ash, Explosions in the Sky, The Killers, Underworld, Franz Ferdinand, Mansun, Metallica, Radiohead, Kent, Muse, Suede and Interpol, The Great Spy Experiment create music that is described as ‘a champagne-fuelled orgy of powerpop, indie, rock and dance, informed by everything except J-Lo’. As much guitar-led as it is beat-driven, with indie riffs juxtaposing irresistable pop hooks and dance textures overlaying dance-able rock-grooves, the music is created with the dancefloor in mind and the bedroom at heart.
In just over three years, band has gone from virtual unknowns to the nation’s indie darlings, on the back of incessant gigging and electrifying live performances, some of which include internationally renowned events such as the Baybeats, Singfest, Mosaic and Zouk festivals. In March 2007, the band travelled to the USA where they tore the stages at the South-by-Southwest Festival in Austin, as the first Singaporean representatives in the 21-year old event, and the San Antonio Indie Fest, and rocked the airwaves with live radio showcases in the two cities, garnering numerous fans along the way. In April 2007, the band travelled to the USA again, this time to perform at New York’s Central Park, making yet another slice of history as the first Singaporean band to take the stage at the renowned venue.
The Great Spy Experiment’s debut full-length album ‘Flower Show Riots’ was released on 3 September 2007. The album was recorded and mixed at Snakeweed Studio, Singapore by Leonard Soosay and Wayne ‘Thunder’ Seah (The Suns), and mastered at Masterdisk NYC, USA, by renowned engineer Howie Weinberg, who has made his mark on some of the most acclaimed albums in recent musical history, working with global superstars such as Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Aerosmith, the Beastie Boys, Franz Ferdinand, the Killers and Bloc Party. ‘Flower Show Riots’ garnered rave reviews from both the local and international media, with one reviewer touting is a minor tour-de-force that stands up easily to any modern-rock LP on the Billboard Album charts.
The band is currently working on new material for their second album.
Welcome to the flower show.
October 2008
As far as I’m concerned, this is one of the most eagerly anticipated local releases ever. Trust me. Based on what I’ve heard and seen from their live shows, listeners will be in for a good ol’ rocking treat. - www.trigger-ed.com
Flower Show Riots is a confident and assured debut and music fans everywhere should sample its varied delights. – Pop Culture Press
Flower Show Riots sounds really good and stands up easily to any modern rock LP you may care to point out on the Billboard Album Charts. Not a claim one can honestly make with reference to a Singapore band but I believe that there’s no exaggeration to declare Flower Show Riots a minor tour de force. – www.powerofpop.com
Singaporean indie music has never sounded this superb. - TODAY
A dance-rock killer that will slay both dance anoraks and indie scenesters. A keeper. - Life!
The Great Spy Experiment's album, “Flower Show Riots” is now available at HMV, Sembawang Music, Gramophone, and all good record stores!! Get it now!
To purchase the album from overseas, please email us your order at gseorder@gmail.com.
Brothers and sister of the gse its been awhile since we last met missing u guys alot and hope to see u guys again....wana wish you guys all selamat hari raya and i would like to seek forgiveness from each and everyone of you if there is any wrong doin...for being crazy at your gigs and who knows for hurting some of your fans at the mosh pits..hahaha...u guys have been a great company and i hope our bonding stay till we breath in our last gasp of air(raya must emo abit mah)haahaha...k guys see u on friday aite...its dancing time...hehehe...
haha fandy ah i wanna check with u too!so how many cars do u own?haha no don't clear the air let soo and i be amused by so many listeners or even your students saying fansy drives car a,fandy drives car b,eh i thought he drives car c no lah its car z!let people wonder about fandy and his cars!haha fansy u ah vey stylo ah!u are known in great spy for having so many cars!oh and i remember one student from your school say may fandy give me extra marks for my papers!haha DON'T U CLEAR THE AIR FANDY!eh you teach at damai sec aye?
this comment is specially for fandy!heh fandy ah how many cars do you own?you know so many 987listeners call soo!one say fandy drives car A another say fandy drives car B and soo will go no lah Fandy drives car Z...haha so funny fandy and his cars!
thanks for the comment and kind words man, really appreciate you coming down and checking us out :) love lah! looking forward to your secret show in oct, dearly hope i am able to make it. take care and best wishes!
love, jon maka
ps: i was driving earlier this week when i heard this girl requesting a GSE song and she was ranting about how cool your classic cars are!
