Potential Problem
Potential Problem is a 4-piece pop punk/indie rock music band based in Singapore.
The Beginning
Chin and Dubberke, being friends since St. Gabriels Primary and Secondary School, started playing together in bands since 1998. Shane Ong, a longtime friend of theirs joined them to play guitar and sing in 1999, and at that point, started coming up with songs of their own. Dawn Ong, a former classmate of Shane in Catholic Junior College, joined the band in 2000 the line-up was finalized since then.
Within the starting months of the band, they practised and played songs from The Get Up Kids, New Found Glory, Fenix TX, Sum 41, and Audio Karate. These bands eventually became their initial influences in their early song writing, which the older Potential Problem songs have much likeness to. Recent songs show maturement and more technicality in comparison, with a more indie sound.
The Story
In early 2002, Potential Problem started to write their own songs, and played their first show in that year. They played shows with local bands No Direction, Nothing To Declare (previously known as Gorbachev), Vertical Rush, and Plain Sunset.
In November 2002, the band did their EP “Better Plans for That Misplaced Tomorrow” at TNT Recording Studios, which was released in March 2003. The EP had 5 songs. Before the actual release of the EP, two tracks in the demo stages were distributed around freely in a “Two Track Sampler CD” for promotional uses. Both releases are no longer in print. They can be downloaded off their Purevolume page.
In mid 2003, Potential Problem played in Singapore's biggest indie rock festival Baybeats alongside bands Fonzie (Portugal), The Gloria Record (USA), and friends Vertical Rush (Singapore). In late 2003, Potential Problem played their most memorable show, opening for vetrans Plain Sunset at their album launch gig.
The band was also featured in a local compilation CD called Misinterpreted Original Singaporean Hits (M.O.S.H) Volume One.
By the end of 2003, the band went on hiatus for more than 3 years due to national service, studies and work commitments. In late 2007, the band started practicing again, and started playing shows again. Some bands they played with in 2007 included Amateur Takes Control, Duxton Plains, and No Better Than You.
Potential Problem has plans to release a full-length in mid 2008. The name of The Release is yet to be known.
Band Members
Fred Chin - Drums
Dawn Ong – Lead Guitar
Clement Dubberke – Bass, Vocals
Shane Ong – Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals
Discography
Album Cover |
Title |
Information |
Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
Better Plans for That Misplaced Tomorrow (2003) |
Track Listing 1. Hey There 2. How's Everything 3. Tannie 4. A Love Song for the Missing 5. A Glimmer of Hope in the Darkness |
March 2003 |
|
Misinterpreted Original Singaporean Hits (M.O.S.H.) Vol: 1 |
Potential Problem Track 9 - Hey There |
September 2003 |
Facts AbOUT Potential Problem
- Fred Chin is a of fan gloom-rockers Bayside (band)
- Shane worships Florida rock band, Further Seems Forever
- Dawn claims that the best band is Taking Back Sunday
- Clement is a fan of ska-punks Sublime (band)