Beat the System (band)

Beat the System is a Malaysian/American pop band from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[1] Formed in Malaysia by lead guitarist Stewart Sellan, the band is currently based in New York City. The band consists of lead vocalist Shannon Gibbons,[2] lead guitarist Stewart Sellan, drummer/composer Gerald Sellan and composer Adrian Puan. Since the band's formation, there has been several line-up changes.

Beat the System
OriginKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Members
  • Stewart Sellan
  • Gerald Sellan
  • Shannon Gibbons
  • Adrian Puan

The band's debut single, "Gone", was on TraXX FM charts for 10 weeks in a row and 4 weeks at number 1. Beat the System has released multiple singles, including 2009's "Penipuan Berwaris", which was also selected as the single of Warner Music Malaysia compilation album "Indiestructable:Spirit of Freedom",[3] 2010's "Transisi" a track that was written and produced by Beat the System for Warner Music Malaysia/EMI artist Fiq for his second album 'Diagnostik',[4] and 2012's "Shine" featuring Malaysian Idol winner Jaclyn Victor.[3]

In response to their single "Shine", Beat the System won the Song of the Year Award, Best Collaboration Award[5] and Best Genre Bender Award at the 2012 Asian Voice Independent Music Awards featuring bands all over Asia.[3][6][7]

In 2010, Beat the System was certified with Tipped to Be the Next Big Thing by the Asian Voice Independent Awards committee.[8]

Diana Meltzer discovered and arranged their move to the US.[9]

History

In 2005, lead guitarist Stewart Sellan met Rage at a church in Johor Bahru and started writing songs. The duo realized that they needed a bassist to perform and Sam Seelan was introduced to the band by Rage. It was when Stewart Sellan decided to move to Kuala Lumpur, that he realized his brother Gerald Sellan was a drummer and offered him to join the band. Gerald Sellan was appointed as the band leader after a couple of years and the band was directed towards a newer sound.

After the departure of Rage, Gerald Sellan and Adrian Puan were appointed to be songwriters for the band.[10]

After composing 10 brand new tracks, the band recorded a 30-minute EP and begins to shop for label in the US in which it caught the attention of Diana Meltzer of Monster Hits Music.[11]

Diana Meltzer, upon hearing the Beat the System EP, flew to Malaysia and started developing the band.[12][13][14][15] In December 2014 the band was relocated to New York to work on their debut album, Journey, with producer Andy Anderson,[16] Grammy Awards nominated engineer Damien Page Lewis[17] and mastering engineer Chris Athens.[16][18] The band also acquired a new lead singer, May Leigh.[19] After her departure in 2019, she was later replaced by Shannon Gibbons, a former American Idol contestant.[20]

Band members

Current members[21]

  • Gerald Sellan – songwriter, drums (2008–present)
  • Stewart Sellan – electric guitar, acoustic guitar (2005–present)
  • Shannon Gibbons – lead vocalist (2020–present)[22]
  • Adrian Puan – songwriter (2011–present)

Former members

  • May Leigh – lead vocalist (2015–2019)[23]

Touring musicians

  • Mario Leong – keyboards, electric guitar, acoustic guitar (2011–present)

Discography

Extended plays
Title Album details
Beat the System EP
  • Released: 2007
  • Label: self-released

Compilation appearances
Album Song Year Album details
Panic in the Peninsula "Bring It On" 2005 Disarseter Records
Holocaust "Heighten Horizon" 2006 Sam Seelan and Rage was featured in this song together with Saer'ze and K-Town Clan
Possibly the Best Compilation Ever! "Penipuan Berwaris" 2008 Limited Edition
VOIZE : Possibly the Best Compilation Ever! "Penipuan Berwaris" 2008 Voize.my
Indiestructable - Spirit of Freedom "Penipuan Berwaris" 2009 Warner Music Malaysia
Diagnostik "Transisi" (featuring Fiq) 2010
A World Without Borders "Gone" 2010 VR1 Playtime Productions
"Insanity"
The Best of VIMA "Shine" (featuring Jaclyn Victor) 2013 Sony Music Malaysi

Singles
Title Year Album Details
"Be Your Own" 2016 Journey
  • Released: April 1, 2016
  • Label: Seismic Records
"Hero" 2016 Journey
  • Released: May 27, 2016
  • Label: Seismic Records
"Be Your Own" featuring Riddler 2017 Journey
  • Released: October 5, 2017
  • Label: Seismic Records
"Never Be the Same (Again)" 2018 Journey
  • Released: May 31, 2018
  • Label: Seismic Records
"Here Comes the Time" 2018 Journey
  • Released: December 5, 2018
  • Label: Seismic Records
"Chasing The High" 2021 TBA
  • Released: April 2, 2021
  • Label: AWAL Music

Awards and nominations

Asian Voice Independent Music Awards

Year Nominated work Award Result
2010 Beat the System Tipped to be the Next Big Thing[8] Won
2010 "Penipuan Berwaris" Best Rock Song[24] Nominated
2012 "Shine" Song of the Year Won
2012 "Shine" Best Collaboration[6] Won
2012 "Shine" Best Genre Bender Won

Asian Bite My Music Global Awards

Year Nominated work Award Result
2012 "Shine" Song of the Year Won
2012 "Shine" Best Collaboration[25] Won
2012 "Shine" Best Vocalist Nominated
2013 "Hero" Best Rock Song[26][27][28] Won

References
  1. "Independent Asian Music Television". I-AMTV. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  2. Team, Aipate (April 2, 2021). "Beat The System are "Chasing the High" as they share new single". Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  3. Tay, Selena (March 5, 2012). "Beat The System shines with Jaclyn Victor". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  4. "Fiq nafi tak berdisiplin". Bharian.com.my. May 30, 2010. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  5. Tay, Selena (February 8, 2012). "Vima Music Awards announces its early winners". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  6. "Facebook Comments - Showbiz". New Straits Times. February 17, 2012. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  7. "BERITA ARTIS - Anugerah VIMA Kembali Lagi". Gua.com.my. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  8. "Independent OPM Artists bagged 6 Golds at AVIMA 2010". Glamour Moments. May 8, 2010. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  9. "Monster Hits Music". Monster Hits Music. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  10. Entertainment (February 11, 2011). "Beat The System - Hard Rock Calling: Malaysia's Best and Brightest". MSN. Archived from the original on February 15, 2011. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  11. 13.42 WIB. "Dari Panggung Tanpa Bayaran, Beat The System Raih Sederet Penghargaan". Traxmagz.Com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  12. 13.42 WIB. "Beat The System, Distorsi Rock Negeri Jiran, Vokalis Bule dan Lirik Indonesia". Traxmagz.Com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  13. Egie Gusman (March 22, 2014). "Band Rock Asal Malaysia Ini Siap "Jajah" Indonesia :: Okezone Musik". Okezone. Music.okezone.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  14. "KapanLagi.com: Musik - Band Malaysia Ini Optimis 'Jajah' Indonesia Dan Amerika". Musik.kapanlagi.com. January 22, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  15. "Diana Meltzer | The Woman with the Golden Ear". Musiclive.co.id. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  16. Flavourmag Team (May 24, 2016). "Premiere: Beat The System Announce the Release of New Single 'Hero' OUT May 27th". FLAVOURMAG. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  17. "M'sian Bakat List #7: This Local Pop-Rock Band Has Been Signed to a US Record Label!". SAYS.com. May 26, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  18. "Beat The System Rock Band Invites Music Fans To 'Journey' On A Dynamic New Album". onlineprnews.com. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  19. Britt, Tabitha (October 21, 2017). "Beat The System's Lead Singer May Leigh Talks About What It's Like Being a Female in the Music Industry". Her Campus. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  20. "LI singer makes it to 'American Idol' top 40".
  21. "Beat The System". Facebook. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  22. "Beat The System – Chasing the High - Discover New Music & Unsigned Talent From The UK, USA and Scandinavia". Alfitude. April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  23. "BEAT THE SYSTEM". Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  24. "AVIMA Awards -2010". Indianmusicrevolution.com. April 4, 2010. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  25. "VIMA announces its early winners | the Malay Mail". Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  26. "2013 VIMA Winners". Hype.my. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  27. "Best Rock Song: Beat The System – Hero". Bite My Music. January 2, 2012. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  28. "VIMA 2013 FINAL NOMINEES LIST ANNOUNCED!". Bite My Music. November 20, 2012. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.


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