Friday, February 27, 2009

Scene Report: Sound Off!, February 20, 9 Mile

For our first "guest" article, here is a report of last Friday's gig courtesy of Jan of Shuffle Union. She also provided us with some photographs. Hana has tipped us off with her own set of pictures which she uploaded in her Multiply account; two of these pics appear in this post. Also, do check out Hana's album of pictures of the Louie Louie gig here. Thanks to Jan and Hana for their inputs.

Aside from articles, you may also contribute mixtapes and playlists
, too. Just send them in mp3 format to trashradiomanila[at]gmail[dot]com or hand over a cd copy. Snail mail will do, too: P.O. Box 2999, Quezon City, Philippines. Ok, I'm done, you people now read on.


SOUND OFF!
by Jan Bautista
Photos courtesy of Jan and Hana


The night was inexplicably hot and humid, and with the season being indistinct of late, it was a sure sign that summer has finally arrived. Still, this did not stop people from trooping over to 9mile Bar in Kalayaan Avenue last Friday for SOUND OFF. Featuring bands from the ClubSka Manila scene of old, “Sound Off” was an effort to simply gather bands, play music, and have fun. This explains why, once inside, we noticed that most of the people and the bands themselves knew each other. Inside, a small crowd has gathered, chugging beers and mopping off sweat by the bucketful. It was the usual mixture of casuals, skinheads, and rudies as well as a few brave souls who dared go out that night.

First up was Rocket Punch who did a fantastic set of skinhead reggae covers. From being a 3rd wave ska act, these guys have undergone transformations and line-up changes, eventually settling into the heavier groove of early reggae. As always, this reviewer enjoyed their bass-heavy set.

Next up, delivering something from the other end of the skinhead musical spectrum was The Mighty Contras, promising to bring back the attitude that has brought them some degree of fame or infamy, depending on who you are talking to. Despite the line-up change, the in-your-face attitude has remained, as they played a blistering set of covers and originals.

Touted as the next best band to have come out of the local ska scene, the lads of SteadyMovinBeat next took to the stage dishing out 2Tone gems. Don’t let their boyish demeanor trick you into thinking they cannot play well because they are technically good. Their first attempt on an original demo was quite decent. In fact, I look forward to more original songs from these guys.

Last but not least, Shuffle Union played their set of covers and originals, with their “crowd sing-a-long” version of “Dance With Me” ending the night with heavily sweating (and heavily drunk?) attendees, enjoying music and the company of friends.


Frozen moment: Rocket Punch, Steady Movin' Beat, Contras, Shuffle Union

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Come, Tell Us What You Have To Say: Trash Radio Manila Now Accepts Articles!

To be persistent is good, but being consistent is better. It has always been our goal to keep this blog teeming with fresh inputs and ideas that are, well, off the beaten path so to speak. But, as history will prove over and over, one brilliant mind is not enough, while a marriage of minds can make all the difference.

Oh, to heck with lame metaphors. We would like to invite you, yes you, to contribute your articles to Trash Radio Manila. Your pieces may cover events, album reviews, and just about anything about your scene, either in or out of Manila. You may send your articles, preferably with photos, to trashradiomanila[at]gmail[dot]com.

You may ask, what will you get out of this? First, let me say that we at Trash Radio Manila do not have money perpetually flowing out of our wallets, so don't count on it. However, I would like to believe that this site is slowly shaping into a community bulletin board. Trash Radio Manila has had more than 10,000 unique page views since its inception according to Sitemeter, which means that our site has so far been gaining readership from practically all around the world. We definitely want to know what you, and the rest of the 10,000 or so readers have to say and share to the community, and for sure you would like to know what others have in mind as well.

So, to the brazen ones, hop right in and join us in our roller coaster ride.

Captured by PowerShot: Jon Fishbone of Bad Omen

Friday, February 13, 2009

Ditch The Roses, Sweety. I Want My Balaw-Balaw

If romance to you means balaw balaw, minaluto, and itik, then I think I've got something for you. Angono ska specialists Neighbors (yes, they're back) will be playing on THE V-Day at Hajime along Angono Highway. Unplugged, that is. If you think that sounds romantic (or erotic, since I heard that balaw balaw makes a good aphrodisiac), then head to the east tomorrow and catch them live.

Also, do check out our siderail for some gig announcements, which are constantly being updated. Stay tuned, and have an interesting Valentine's Day.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Cum Give Me MORE Luv...

Here's more luv from the Louie Louie gig. On our player right now are t.R.A.'s Caveman and Throw's version of Dead Ends' (Ano Ba Ang) Kalayaan. These are some of the songs that you should have heard if you attended the said event. Intense you say? You bet. You sure missed a lot. Pero di bale. Is there any chance that a full-length release of the Louie Louie session will be forthcoming? Keep your ears clean, hunnies.

Special thanks to Monopond Studios and Long Island Dub Studios for the tweaks. Shall I say, Happy Valentines Day? w000t!

Eto Naaaa! Louie Louie Photos Up

So what if it took me some time to put up the pics? Haha! There are more than 35 photographs showing how fun it has been during the Louie Louie gig over at Mogwai at Cubao X last January 17, 2009. If you weren't present, pity, but this collection of images is probably the closest thing to being there.

Again, again, our profound gratitude to everyone who lent a hand or two (or three or four more) in making this event a success: bands, supporters, venue, equipment, promo. All the bands, t.R.A., Tether, Steady Movin' Beat, Throw, Against man, End Of Sanity, Juan Isip, Nu Militants, Beatdown Boombox, The GoSignals, Wayfarers, Shuffle Union, and Coffee Break Island (who gave impromptu performance a whole new meaning), were fantastic. Twice The Panic and Soundblasters played some great music in the middle of the gig.

For me, the most scintillating performance of the night happens to be that of Juan Isip (aka Bobby Balingit of The WUDS). His music, transcending borders, never fails to entrance me, and it left the same effect on the audience, who stood and listened the whole time. No flash, no show-off profanities, and definitely no rock star posturing. Bobby's music has withstood the test of time, evolving into a beautiful artform that escapes further description. Amazing.

I also thought that Tether gave a superb performance, and End of Sanity was likewise good. Just hope the latter will eventually write original songs because the boys seem to be promising. Shuffle Union claim to having done their acoustic set for the first time, but they did sound sparklingly fresh. Of course, we got electric sets from the reliables like Throw and Pink Cow. Bunek (of Nekbu) sang with the rest of The GoSignals a song which is Weslu's, and probably everyone's, favorite love ditty: Madness' It Must Be Love. Sweet.

Music front's Arnold Morales sang a couple of songs with the Nu Militants.

The smashing sound system was courtesy of Romel and the boys of PMX. Sa uulitin po.

Lastly, two thumbs up for Mogwai's Squash soup (nyum!), Lyle Sacris, and the friendly staff. Thanks too for the cool heads in the audience, who kept signs of unruliness under considerable control. Mabuhay kayo.

So there. It has been a great send-off for our friend Louie. Til the next gig folks.

t.R.A.

Tether

Steady Movin' Beat

Throw

Against Man

End Of Sanity

Pink Cow

Juan Isip

Twice The Panic vs Soundblasters

Nu Militants

Beatdown Boombox

The GoSignals

With Bunek (of Nekbu)

The Wayfarers

Shuffle Union

Coffee Break Island

The crowd

More photos here