01/01/04 [0000hrs]
A rare press release from the reclusive rock/rap/pop/hiphop/country
band, the MATS.
Hello and Peace be upon all of our loyal fans here at home in Singapore and all over the globe. All of us at the
MATS would like to wish each and every one of you a very happy new year to each and every one of you. We are glad to announce
that, in spite of all the doomsayers and critics, the MATS are very much alive and well. Rayyan Toh has not jumped labels
to join taiwanese group F4 (if he did would it be F5?) and Imran Abdullah is not going to Australia to become the latest member
of Aussia girlband Bardot. We thank each and every one of our fans for standing firm and behind us all this while. A
new year is upon us and in our efforts to further our levels of education we will be going our separate ways for a while but
rest assured ladies and gentlemen, a new album is in the works, so stay tuned to your favourite website, the_mats.tripod.com.
Thank you.
30/08/03 [2325hrs]
A magazine reporter ponders the future of the legendary rock/rap/pop/hiphop/country band, the MATS.
The MATS, formed in 2000, have proven to be one of the most influential and versatile bands we've ever seen. They
are not afraid to take on new challenges and adapt to any situation presented before them, deftly switching from music genres
as varied as rock to country to hiphop. Of course, as we all know, the MATS are also highly sought after stand-up comedians
on the late night comedy circuit. However, this reporter wonders if the MATS might face the biggest challenge of their collective
careers; the establishment itself.
The MATS, although superstars in their own right, are still teenagers and have to go through the O-Level system,
after which they will likely be going their separate ways to various Junior Colleges dotted around the island. This will prove
difficult as the MATS have always had the privilege of having contact with one another on a daily basis. With separation inevitably
comes individual isolation.
Will the MATS be strong enough to bond together, or will they fall apart like President Bush taking the PSLE? Only time
will tell. -Hot M. Nayyar, Playbujang Magazine
02/06/03 [1944hrs]
London,
England- Speculation is rife in the land of the English that the MATS international representative will arrive
in London on the 7th of July at the Queen's demand. Her Highness has been keeping a close watch on the young blossoming band
ever since it first broke onto the music scene in spectacular fashion with their CD,"Born to Rain". It is also rumoured
that the one and only Toh Muhammad Rayyan might be giving a private concert at the Old Trafford stadium with celebrities
like David Beckham and Ozzy Osbourne attending. What is confirmed is that Toh Muhammad Rayyan will be meeting
up with Yusuf Islam, the British Nasyid singer who was formerly the immensely popular rock star Cat Stevens. The biggest
rumour flying around will definitely make MATS fans worldwide jump with joy. Rayyan might be flying back to MATS
headquarters, the city-state of Singapore to hook up with the rest of the incredible quintet known as the MATS. Details
are sketchy at this point of time but inside sources say that he will be taking British Airways, courtesy of PM
Tony Blair. -DNN
01/06/03
=BREAKING NEWS=
New York- The MATS, who are
rumoured to be making an appearance at the next Grammys, have issued an official press statement on behalf of frontman
Toh Muhammad Rayyan:
"I would like to thank all our fans for all the support they have shown
us over the months and hours and minutes and seconds (by the way my timing is exact because I wear Nike watches).
I would like to announce that from this day forth i will no longer be known as Toh Muhammad Rayyan, but will instead be known
as Ray.T. I thank you all for your time and attention."
This brings the number of band members who have changed their stage names in recent
months to two, the other being The Artist Formerly Known As Mhd Haikel Fansuri Bin Mhd Latiff Then As Fansuri Because
It Sounded Cool But Now Call Me Mr Wiggy. -PlayBujang Magazine
30/04/03 [2153hrs]
After going through weeks of auditions and interviews which rival the likes of American Idol and Britain's
Popstars, the MATS are proud to announce that they have found a new frontman to replace Toh Muhammad Rayyan. The revolutionary artist
is none other than Danial Zulkarnain, who leaped at the chance to head the singing sensation none other than the MATS. A talented
pianist and singer, Danial had this to say in a behind-closed-doors interview: "I
would like to thank the MATS for this exhilarating chance of a lifetime". However,
the band's former head, Toh Muhammad Rayyan, declined to comment as he expressed his anger by pushing our roving reporter
away in utter disapproval.
In other news, the Artist Formerly Known As Mohamed Haikel Fansuri bin Mohamed Latiff but Now Call Me
Fansuri Cos it Sounds Cool a.k.a Mr Wiggy, together with the band's lead guitarist/part-time drummer Imran Abdullah and the
beloh-er Mirza Mahmood have been invited to perform together with the talented group eccentrically called The 4.4 Manjens.
Together, they are presenting an item for Racial Harmony Day, much to the joy of Miss Ranjee Vijitha.
Will the MATS still reign after introducing their new frontman? Or will they shimmer out of the
limelight causing the breakup of the band? All this shall be revealed...in the next news coverage of the MATS.
