-Stroll blows onto the Singapore music scene. They rock. To say the least. 

-The Blanks' webpage is created by Marcus Who Is Too Free. It sucked, to say the least. It is updated sporadically by Marcus and ignored most of the time. 

-The Blanks re-form after the exams, and start jamming in earnest. They plan to do recording at Myx studios in December, as well as audition for Youth Park opening gig. 

-Hendri informs band that he must remove steel rods from his leg. Right in the middle of recording. Recording is postponed indefinitely and replacement drummer for the audition is sought. 

-Hendri informs band that he will remove steel rods from his leg. Next year. Replacement Drummer is relieved to know that he will not be playing for The Blanks. Probably nothing to do at all with our pathetic standard of music. 

-Audition sucks. Everyone was pumped and ready to go, but poor sound mix (vocals not brought up properly whilst lead guitar disappeared completely from the mix.) and poor equipment (ONE miserable ride cymbal for the drums, no crashes) were the culprits, as well as an alternative-music-intolerant team of judges. Not to mention an inept organising committee who reminded the participants to come down at 1700h, only to turn up themselves at 1800h. So much for the NYC, eh? 

-The Blanks renamed as Blank 

-Recording settled for after Hendri's operation next year. Probably sometime in Feb or March '99. 

-Blank takes a break for Christmas. 

Chocolate Tiger @ TNT, 1999

1999: 
-Hendri goes under the knife to remove the metal rods. He recovers quickly. 

-After a month or so of not jamming, Blank gets together and starts jamming again. Recording is
planned at TNT studios this time (cheaper lah) for late Feb-early March. 

-Blank start recording at TNT studios, and progress is good so far. Shaun has caught chickenpox, however, so the solos aren't done yet. Blank decides to change name once again to Chocolate Tiger. Hopefully there will be no more name changes. The name was suggested by Hendri and Clement. 

-Chocolate Tiger finally complete recording of their 6-song mini-album/tape Parantica Melaneus and release it independently. 3 cheers for DIY! For your information, the entire recording and duplication was self-financed. 

-Chocolate Tiger gets on AudioLoad.com! 

-Marcus, Hendri, Pheng Huat and Clement enlist in the Singapore Armed Forces. Shit.

-Chocolate Tiger plays first gig at Roomful of Blues
to a small audience... which mainly consisted of friends. (050699) 

-OBITUARY: Announcing the death of one of Singapore's most promising indie-rock bands, Stroll. OK, so there's another band called stroll with the same singer and bassist, but Stroll will never be the same without Faizal's simple yet driving rhythms (better than that new guy's poncey jazzy fills) and Amran's imaginative textures and pounding riffs. Not to mention gargantuan guitar tone (unlike the new guitarist's weak and tinny tone) Will still watch Stroll playing live, but somehow... they will never be the same mind-blowing band and inspiration that they were to marcus and clement (and countless others). You guys will be missed. At least Andrew's bass is brilliant as always. (nice new bass man, but we still miss your headless hofner) 

Chocolate Tiger @ Kopitiam, 2000

2000: 

-Ok so the Tiger finally settles down somewhat. Reality check: Shaun is the only student of the bunch, he's in Jurong Institute now. CPL Clement is in the SAF Detention Barracks... as a guard there. CPL Hendri is the Personal Assistant to the Commanding Officer of Nee Soon Camp. 3SG Marcus is an instructor at the SAF Basic Military Training Centre. Jamming happens once a month and almost always at Boon studios. The amps suck, the mics stink, the drumset's falling apart and the cymbals never sound correct and are never in the right place, the bass amp farts, the PA crackles more than a box of rice krispies, but we still love the place :O) 

-EMO RULES!!!!!! marcus n shaun discover the power of The Promise Ring, The Get Up Kids, Braid, Jets To Brazil, Jawbreaker and countless more emo bands. New songs by marcus now have a definite pop tendency, not to mention more attempts at singalongable hooks. Even Clement cannot deny the power of The Promise Ring and Jimmy Eat World. Pop shall never die. 

-June: Chocolate Tiger is supposed to play a gig at Roomful of Blues for the No Apology event, but back out at the last minute as Shaun is tied down by his Student Council commitments (which he couldn't smoke out from, despite herculean efforts and expert advice from the King of smoke out, 3SG marcus). Hendri is understandably upset, since he fixed us up in the first place. 

-Livonia releases new CD album. Fairly fantastic, except for "Prototype". WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU GUYS THINKING MAN???? Play triumphant gig at Zouk, a job well done for the four. (geddit??) The band that has the name Stroll plays at Tower records. Amran Khamis, former Stroll guitarist, is mildly miffed to find out they had a gig and didn't tell him. They didn't play too well. 

-July: Suck-cess! Chocolate Tiger finally plays their first gig of the millenium at Roomful Of Blues for the No Apology event, held monthly @ ROB. They only practiced 3 songs but ended up playing 5, bluffing thru a laid-back blues-ridden cover of 'sunshine of your love' and a very old and almost-forgoten song, 'this one's for the lonely souls' after burning through 'soundtrack', '12 am' and 'AS if'. The band plays fairly well, but could have been much tighter. Average standard of playing, but the band definitely had a lot of fun onstage and were a whole lot more informal and casual than their previous gig. The crowd was really receptive (it helped that almost half the people in the audience were friends :OP) All in all, the best fun they've ever had whilst stone cold sober. 

-Achtung! Achtung! ORD COUNTDOWN BEGINS! ORD COUNTDOWN BEGINS!As of this date: 31 July 2000, Hendri has: 400 days to ORD; Marcus has: 365 days to ORD; Clement has: 368 days to ORD; Shaun: is still a civilian (sayang, sayang, your time will come soon!!! haha *evil grin*) 

-October: Chocolate Tiger plays gig at Aubrey's music bar (141000) Plenty of fun is had by all. Thanks to all our friends who endeavoured to locate aubreys and for coming down!

-December: Merry Christmas to all! (Last Christmas of the 20th Century) It's been four years already... and i'm still finding it hard to believe that me and clement have managed to stick together over these years to keep the band together! Sure, we had our differences (many) and line-up shake-ups (few, but fairly significant), but despite it all we've weathered the setbacks and the creative lulls and arguments and come through. its been four years and i suppose we're all four years older and wiser. Its been a fantastic ride and we've only just gotten the engine started up! Just want to thank our ever-loyal friends for their support for our various gigs and assorted shenanigans.
I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank a bunch of friends whose support, encouragement and dirty jokes have seen us through these years so far. I'd also like to give props to the guys who kick started my guitar playing and songwriting habit. Who knows? Without them i might still be stuck figuring out the solos to Highway Star and Bohemian Rhapsody. Though some might argue that it would have prevented me from inflicting my (bad) songwriting on them! Please, bear with me and allow me to (yet again) indulge myself... 
*Deep Breath* Guys who were there in the very beginning- God, Samuel Boy and Leroy (for Type 1 negative and anarchy in catholic high!), where are you now??? Foo Soo Hian "Ah Foo", without whom we would never have started our first incarnation. Ignatius "Perks" Leong, for being a friend all these years, giving us your unconditional support. Shayn Phua (yes, THAT Shayn Phua) for suggesting that i write my own songs in the first place. 

Mutual Friends of the band- Ang Pheng Huat (Need I Say More??? You're a brilliant friend and then some!), Tay Eng Wah (for putting our rubbish on the then-amplified.com.sg and the now audioload.com), Johanna, Yili, Melvin Muk, Audrey Ow and Geri (for the constant support), May Ann and Derek Low (for the wonderful photos and kind kind support), DJ edryan (for the early sessions with Imm), Imm (for doing the recording, photos, plotting to take over the world), maddy (still remember me?!??!) thanks for playing our song on radio, amran khamis (for the kind advice and agreeing to pinch-hit for hendri in dec '98), Terry Joe (for the no apology gigs), Mervyn Kong, Api and Keith Peireira (for the gig at Aubreys)and azzam (kind words, great music and the upcoming gig @ his cafe!) 

Assorted Friends of the band, you know who you are, too many to mention! Thank you for the kind words. 

The kind strangers who have emailed us, approached us after gigs and so on, thank you for your kind words and more importantly, a big thank you for the criticism, constructive or not. 

Most Importantly, i'd like to thank three very very special people... possessed of great musical talent and personalities, a good fund of jokes and a neverending source of friendship. Who have always been straight-talking yet easy-going, and most importantly, who have been extremely tolerant! 

Clement Lim, Hendriawan bin Selamat and Shaun Soh, A Very Big Thank You from the bottom of my heart for keeping Chocolate Tiger alive and kicking into the new millenium. Rock till we drop! Dead that is... I love you guys. Have a Blessed Christmas and a Brilliant New Year. Clem and Hen... say it with me now... ORD LOH! =O) -marcus, 251200-

Xodus live @ the Anderson Junior College Jam and Hop 1997

2001:

-A new year and new beginnings, and new revelations. Audioload.com has closed down due to problems with funding. A true tragedy for the scene. Marcus, Hendri and Clement are looking forward to ORD-ing and rejoining the civilian world once again.

- Return to Fall hit the stage with an amazing blend of emo, hardcore punk and psychedelia. Truly an act to be reckoned with, intense and beautiful.

-Another successful gig @ Aubrey's music bar (170301). Thanks to Api and Keith for their unflagging support. And thanks to Eric for making more jokes about marcus' effects pedals. <One day i shall have my revenge!!!>-marcus- More thanks are in order to marcus' men for making the effort to come down and lend their kind and enthusiastic support. Guys from the ATGM platoon, support coy, 3 GDS Battalion, 10th mono BMT, you guys rock! 

- Recording of Traffic EP is completed, but unfortunately due to immanuel overworking his ears, the mastering is irreversibly screwed up. The EP is not for general release, but if requested can be duplicated on MD format. Another miss for the Tigers... we'll try again, for sure.

- Chocolate Tiger play live @ Mr B. Thanks to brian for the sage advice, it hasn't fallen on deaf ears. Thanks to api for helping organise this gig and many many more. Thanks to Md Noor and Wendy "Pastorius" for coming down to give a listen and the help during the soundcheck. Most of all, thanks to the friends who turned up to give a listening ear. Shouts out to Jillian and Farfetched, 

- Two words, eternal happiness: ORD LOH! (300701)

- Marcus plays first Chocolate Tiger/CT-Related gig in NUS. Acoustic set @ the Grinning Gecko Cafe for the NUS OMS' welcome tea. Thanks to the committee for giving the chance. Thanks are especially due to Hendri, Clement and Pheng for coming down even though it was just a solo gig by marcus. Thanks to Ah Tan for coming down and taking pics. "you're not bigger than this not better..." (^_o)---*wink* Alvin, your facetiousness is not lost on us! We jam together one day, ok? 

-18 August 2001 Azzam and marcus have successful acoustic gig at Mr B. marcus in particular gets very emo after playing his solo gig. Thanks are due to all who showed up, especially Martin, Gayle, Carol, Beng and gang; linda and 'crew', Gordon, Terence and Dex from Pension State. Hope to do this sometime soon... 

-19 August 2001 Marcus joins Ah Tan and gang to fill in Moderates guitarist Daniel's especially large shoes as the second guitar player in Pension State Not to worry, or sad to say, depending on your point of view, marcus will still continue with Chocolate Tiger. 

- Chocolate Tiger Live @ Mr B 28 July 2001-The aftermath- Well the dust has settled and another gig is over. Thanks to Brian Batie for letting us play, Api for organising the gig, to perks for taking pictures. Thanks to all who showed up. Shouts out to Jillian and Farfetched, Ray and Colin from Kate Of Kale and Randall and Martin for turning up as well. Merci Beaucoup! Click here for the Gig Pictures

- 29 September 2001: Marcus will make his debut as Pension State's new guitarist. They will be playing the Sonic Edge gig, with Outflow and the Sonic Edge band. The gig starts at 7pm, at the Boy's Brigade HQ. All Ages, Free Entry. More details at the Awakening Productions homepage.

- 29 September 2001: Pension State rocks the house at Sonic Edge, thanks to all who came down that night. Marcus thanks Shaun, Imm and Co, Kevin and friends for coming down that night. More rock to come! Marcus thanks Chocolate Tiger for their unending support in letting him indulge in his punk rock fantasies! Our turn is coming soon guys...

- Chocolate Tiger will be playing the NUS OMS organised Stasis 4 gig this year! The line up has yet to be confirmed, but it seems that a lot of heavyweight bands will also be playing that night... stress! Oh yeah, Pension State will be playing too, rock! The gig is set for 9th December, Sunday at the Substation. Don't miss it, you have been warned. 

- More Gigs! Chocolate Tiger is scheduled to play at the Songs 2001 event on December 1st at Youth Park, and do an acoustic gig at Borders on December 2nd. How we are going to pull all these gigs off three days after our last exam paper is beyond us right now but we will figure something out.