INSPIRED: Members of Dogen are heavily influenced by Sheila Majid and The Cure— Pics by Salhani Ibrahim

Last Friday, Dogen had the honour of being the first new band to play at the National Press Club's (NPC) clubhouse at Jalan Tangsi, as part of a new initiative.

The first thing this band tells you is that if you add an 'O' at the end of their name, Dogen, it becomes Dogeno. Which, in reverse can be read as One God. What?

However, upon further prodding, the band members said they do not include any spiritual message in their songs. It's just one of those eclectic things creative people like to mention at times.

Naming The Cure and Sheila Majid as their main influences, Dogen's songs Haru and Chemistry (included in their newly-released single) feature some rock and bossa mix.

More or less the trendy sounds of today. "We also listen to L'arc-en-Ciel, some J-pop," said bassist Dede.

"It's Radiohead and Milli Vanilli!" piped in Ami the lead guitarist.

"Mine are the rock kapak bands — May, the early Search albums, Wings, etc," said drummer Wan Botak.

"Actually," said frontman Reza, who writes all the songs, "It's basically derived from our life experiences. We're not that spiritual, though we all believe in one god. Our songs are basically some poetry I jot down, focusing on the three 'Ls' — Love, Life and..."

Here, Reza trails off before his bandmate finished the third 'L' for him. "Lust!" said Ami.

The band was formed some time between 2008-2009.

Three of them were doing their degrees at Unitar, and then found jobs in the IT industry.

They decided to get together and a year later found Wan, who is incidentally the only Malaysian in the band. The rest are all Indonesians.

"The band is based in Malaysia," said Reza.

"We will play here as long as our fans accept us and our music."

Last year, they were discovered by an independent label and soon were performing regularly around town. "We do have plans to try and take our music to the regional stage," said Reza.

"Also, Japan!" said Ami. Interesting dreams, and the band has an idea to break through the market.

"We are using our Facebook group and hopefully, we can get people to pick up our music overseas," said Reza.

For now, though, they are content to accept gigs such as the ones at NPC. It was a laid-back affair, and the crowd — featuring some young, probably single ladies — lapped up their performances of Mencari Bidadari,

Where is Your Soul Now?, Saybie, Chemistry, Tina and Haru. "This is part of NPC's initiative to use the clubhouse as a launchpad for new, exciting, up and coming bands," said NPC exco member Arnaz M Khairul.

"Dogen is our first attempt at it. We will get another band next month and probably, if this project is a success, make it a fortnightly or even a weekly thing."