Candy (Malaysian all-female band)

Infobox musical artist |
Name = Candy
Background = group_or_band
Birth_name =
Alias =
Origin = Kuching, Sarawak
Genre = Rock
Years_active = 1996-present
Label = [http://www.liferecords.com LIFE Records]
Associated_acts =
URL =
Current_members = Patricia Robert Mary Davd Connie David Nancy Gregory
Past_members = Jacqueline Chong

Candy are an all-female Malaysian rock band formed in 1996. [ [http://www.last.fm/music/Candy last.fm] #4 on last.fm's list of bands named "Candy"] They were entered into the Malaysian Book of Records as the first all-women band in Malaysia.

Candy found fame with their first album [http://www.muzikrock.com/album/candy_01.html “Candy”] , which went Platinum, when the hit single [http://www.muzikrock.com/foto/mv/akan_ku_tunggu_01.html “Akan Ku Tunggu”] was released in 1997.

Candy [ [http://www.muzikrock.com/candy_01.html Candy at MuzikROCK] Biography] is made up of Patricia Robert (lead vocals and guitar), Mary David (lead guitar and vocals), Connie David (drums, percussion and vocals) and Nancy Gregory (bass guitar and vocals). [ [http://headhunterasia.com/Candy.html Photos at Headhunter Asia] A couple of photos of the band]

History

Pre-Candy years (1988-1996)

In 1988, in her hometown of Kuching, band founder Mary David persuaded her younger sister, Connie, to bring together a group of friends to form a band. The original lineup consisted of Mary David (guitars and vocals), Connie David (drums), Magdalene Julita Thomas (bass guitar), Veronica (vocals) and Marilyn Ryne (vocals). They called themselves Sapphire Gals.

Though essentially they were an all-girl band they were joined by keyboardist Rodney Hughes who was the only male member of the band. Rodney left in 1989 and for a while the band was without a keyboardist. Marilyn Ryne and Veronica also left the band around this time and Meggry Gregory took over the vocal duties.

In 1990 keyboardist Yolanda Entika from the band D’Rozza joined Sapphire Gals. In 1991 Yolanda’s younger sister Melinda took over the keyboard duty but did not stay until the end of the year. Around the same time Magdalene Julita also left and was replaced by Nancy Gregory who is the younger sister of Meggry. Connie David split her time between playing drums in Sapphire Gals and recording a solo Iban album.

In 1992 Casaphia Studio took Sapphire Gals under its wing and the band changed its name to G-Saphia. The “G” stood for “Girls”. Keyboardist Danita Ng joined the band for a short stint. Within the same year her younger sister Janice took over from her but even Janice did not stay long and left before the year was over. Around this time Meggry Gregory also left the band and was replaced by Patricia Robert who was an Iban recording artist and a singer in the Sarawak State [http://www.kpsu.sarawak.gov.my/link1c.html Ministry of Social Development and Urbanization] .

In 1994 keyboardist Ophelia June joined G-Saphia. Ophelia is the younger sister of Rodney Hughes.

The band, under the names of Sapphire Gals and G-Saphia, performed in private and public functions around Kuching, and also in other towns in Sarawak. The functions included events such as the Malaysia National Day celebration and Malaysia Police Day.

Candy (1996-present)

In 1996 Ophelia June left the band, and the 4 remaining members left their hometown of Kuching and moved to Kuala Lumpur to record their first album. The band also changed their name to Candy.

Candy (now made up of Mary David, Connie David, Nancy Gregory and Patricia Robert) relocated to Kuala Lumpur in 1996. Patricia Robert took up the second guitarist role and continues to be the lead singer. Under the guidance of producer Edrie Hashim Candy spent 1996 recording their first album [http://www.muzikrock.com/album/candy_01.html "Candy"] , and released it in 1997. The single [http://www.muzikrock.com/foto/mv/akan_ku_tunggu_01.html “Akan Ku Tunggu”] became a hit. [ [http://www.muzikrock.com/album/candy_01.html Candy Album info at MuzikROCK] Info on “Candy” album]

In 1998 Candy recorded their second album [http://www.muzikrock.com/album/hot_01.html "Hot"] with producer Mat Noh Hendrix at the helm. Mat Noh was chosen for his experience in performing, recording and producing in a heavy metal band - he was a member of the heavy metal band [http://www.muzikrock.com/rusty_blade_01.html Rusty Blade] . Unlike in the first album Patricia Robert did not do all the lead vocals. Nancy Gregory sang lead vocals in the tracks "Warisan", "Emansipasi", "Puas Hatiku" and "Taufan Yang Kecewa", while "Resah" had Connie David singing the lead vocals. Singer [http://www.muzikrock.com/royce_sayan_01.html Royce Sa'yan] sang the backing vocals in the song "Emansipasi". [ [http://www.muzikrock.com/album/hot_01.html Hot Album info at MuzikROCK] Info on "Hot" album]

Nancy Gregory left Candy in 1999, citing personal reasons. Jacqueline Chong was roped in to do the bass duties. Jacqueline played bass during Candy's live shows from 1999 to 2004 but never recorded an album with them.

In 2004 Jacqueline Chong left Candy to pursue her studies and Nancy Gregory rejoined the band.

In 2008 Candy has just finished recording their third studio album called Candy:Absolute. It is expected to be released under the Warner Music label. The release date is yet to be announced.

Discography

Albums

* [http://www.muzikrock.com/album/candy_01.html "Candy"] (1997) Platinum
* [http://www.muzikrock.com/album/hot_01.html "Hot"] (1999)

References

External links

*
* [http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=543670686 Candy] at [http://www.Facebook.com Facebook]