The Bing Austria Show on a Very Very Wet September Night

The rains had been pouring in torrents the whole day yesterday, which was such a bummer because, really, non-stop rains can put anyone's spirits down the gutter. Especially so perhaps when you live, or have to report to work in one of those places notorious for flooding up at the slightest downpour. España, the location of Sazi's Bar and the current home of The Bing Austria Show, is one of these places.

Thus, it was quite a miracle that the affair was still decently attended. Not jam-packed, it's more like being in a dingy (pardon the term, it was the first term that came to mind when I entered Sazi's last night - their aircon was out of order!) jazz bar with a sizeable crowd of regulars on a weeknight. Except that the music playing on the stage was a combination of ska, rockabilly, hiphop, mod, and punk.

Unfortunately I missed the performances of Bembol Rockers (wow, labo, how could I have possibly missed these guys?) and AMPON (wow, ang labo talaga, isa ko pang na-miss). Also missed Coffinride, which I was told gave a solid performance. Some bands did not show up: Gut Reaction, Tango Bitoy, Steady Movin' Beat, Skies Of Ember. Pity.

Neighbors did perform (haven't seen these lads for so long, though I expected the line-up changes), as well as The GoSignals, who at present have been regularly including their original, "ELISA", in their set. Also saw Life Without Francis (with the Umble Uno horny guys), Earthlings, and Pusakals. Ojie of TSA (occasionally donning the "Pharaoh" look), was likewise present.

Some photos here. [In order: Pusakals, Neighbors, Earthlings, The GoSignals, Life Without Francis]

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Coming Up!

The boys of T.S.A. are playing this weekend: Friday at the Leprechaun Bar, Saturday at Ten02. Something to look forward to. Watch out for updates. have a good week ahead, and don't let the rains get you down.

Lagare Nights Part 1: Coffee Break Island, Shuffle Union, and Earthlings, Leprechaun Bar, July 10 Friday Night

What can I say?


This gig was by no means a product of massive information dissemination nor was it supported by some megalomaniacal sound system, both of which oftentimes are very crucial ingredients to the success of a gig. No big stars here, though CBI and Shuffle Union by now are respected names in their own circuits and Earthlings are beginning to carve their niche as well. But it has been a very very good night, in spite of the usual hitches.

Some members of Shuffle Union and Earthlings were sick and as such Jun and Raffy of CBI pitched in. Mae, January, and JR of Shuffle Union jammed with CBI, and the audience was either drinking or dancing or both. And just when everyone thought that the music had ended, JR and Paul of CBI (aka Pineapple Jam) took the stage and did acoustic renditions of The Jam's "That's Entertainment" and a few more songs. I could have sworn that this gig was a home party where everyone is welcome to crash right in and join in the fun, except that the Leprechaun sign was glaring in front of the place, a reminder that we were not in a house but in a bar.

Photos here (above photo: Earthlings):

Earthlings: Smiling sheepishly


Sibling act: Jan, JR and Dagul of Shuffle Union

The belter: Mae of Shuffle Union

Shuffle Union with Jun of CBI on drums

Raindance, Paul stylee

Raindance during CBI's set

Shuffle and CBI jammed together

Pineapple Jam!!!

It was a cool night, all things taken. Sometimes all it takes, in the absence of the usual things we obsess about to come up with a great gig, is one that is lacking in most gigs: GOOD VIBES.

Scenes From Shit Me Not, And A Plate Of Irish Beef Stew

This should have better read "...and a bottle of Guinness". From the ashes of Purple Haze Bar in Tomas Morato St. in Quezon City rose a bar called Leprechaun, which I was told was owned by an Irish. Leprechaun Bar, like Sazi's, should be a welcome addition to the list of potentially reliable venues for gigs in the future. It was the venue of Shit Me Not, a collaborative effort of Bisikleta Productions, Dirty Shoes Collective, and Tae Productions, held last Saturday, May 23, 2009.

The bands that played, in order of appearance: Tolonguez Death Squad, Clockwork Spiral, Pusakal, Shuffle Union, Umble Uno, Tartarz, Earthlings, t.R.A., Disband, and Pink Cow.

Photos from the gig can be found below. As always, some random thoughts here:

1. I missed the performance of Tolonguez Death Squad, the first band to play that night. Sorry to Odel and company, but I was so hungry when I arrived, and when I am hungry, I am one possessed being. (And obviously, I had Irish beef stew. Sorry, no Guinness at the bar yet.)

2. All the bands were ok (even Tolonguez sounded ok from where I was, which was at the first floor). No band particularly stood out, probably because it was meant to be a light-hearted, fun gig, which is good. Sing when you want, dance when you want appeared to be the dictum of the night.

3. Interesting that Tartarz did a cover of Urban Bandits' "Modern Fishballs"; I actually did a double take.

4. It was a relief to see people dancing without getting unruly to the point of violence. I did not see anybody deliberately destroy things. Leprechaun folks (i.e., waiters) should get used to these gigs. *wink*

5. I just have to say though that the downer of the night was the erratic microphone. I saw frustration written on the faces of most vocalists.

This is the second (I think) collaboration of Bisikleta, Dirty Shoes, and Tae, and I am guessing this is not going to be the last. Good for us. Here's waiting for more gigs from the team.

Clockwork Spiral

Pusakal

Shuffle Union

Umble Uno sing-along

Tartarz

Earthlings

Carl Simonon of t.R.A.

Disband

Pink Cow's sing-along crowd

At Last! Seen Scene Sin At Skalloween!

This post is, finally, ultimately, excruciatingly, up!Three weeks have passed since Bisikleta Productions' Skalloween, held last October 31 at Ten-02. (I still owe Bisikleta those photos.) Finally, Trash Radio Manila got to spin. What can I say? I had a whole lot of fun: the crowd was rowdy but generally well-behaved (emphasis on generally), the bands awesome, the food is good. (You guys ought to try Ten-02's cheese and garlic pizza and their classic spaghetti. Delicious!) Endless supply of beer and great music playing non-stop! Friendly faces showed up unexpectedly - what more can I ask.

The line-up was made up of the following: Dreadnot Used, Umble Uno, G2 and The Bundocks, Pink Cow (who did a rousing number with the Tolonguez Death Squad vox - amazing!), Beatdown Boombox, Nevertheless, The Wayfarers, Eastern Vibration, Steady Movin' Beat, and Earthlings. All the bands stood out, in more ways than one. But, as always, I have my own observations:

1. Pink Cow is a rising star. Francis undeniably has the voice and the stage presence.

2. You may say I'm biased, but Beatdown Boombox is one band that commands attention, and rightfully so.

3. But the best band of the night for me is The Wayfarers. The band was a joy to watch, even covering a Dolphy and Panchito spoof.

4. Bing Austria (of Juan Pablo Dream), the affair's host, was, as always, witty, glib, and nerdy, all at once. One of his most memorable lines: Lahat tayo, unique!!!

Here are some photos and a slideshow. Bisikleta Productions, for pulling this off, once again gets another tick in its scoreboard. Till next time, hunnies.

Photos: Edwin Aguilar of The Wayfarers, Ten-02 crowd, Dreadnot Used, Umble Uno, G2 and the Bundocks, Bing Austria, Pink Cow with Tolonguez Death Squad vox, the maddening crowd, Pink Cow's Francis, Beatdown Boombox, Nevertheless, Eastern Vibration, Steady Movin' Beat. Some shots courtesy of Trash Radio Manila's good friend Ish.

Mash It Up! On Friday

Bisikleta Productions strikes back with Mash It Up!, a gig that promises to give you massive (must I say lethal?!) doses of punk rock, power pop, ska, and oi. On Friday, September 16, 2008 at Bela Bar at P. Guevarra St. in Greenhills, catch Music Front, The GoSignals, Contras, and Shuffle Union (and match the band with the genre, if you so desire). Plus, bands like Pulikats, Earthlings, Steady Movin'Beat, Pink Cow and Hong Kong Wasabi will be providing support. Sounds fun, yes?

And though this team of geeks running this blogsite has spinned in many occasions in the past (my favorite gig happens to be the one at Freedom bar some 3 years ago, which was cut short because the place was practically shaking with sonic energy emanating from the bands), this is the first time that we will be spinning as Trash Radio Manila. We are certainly looking forward to this event, for we do plan to play a good bulk of our personal favorites. Surprise, surprise. Just show up, will you? Entrance will set you back at P50 and it comes with a drink. Hey, ho, lezgooow!!! :)))

More details on the bands can be found here.

Rude Maynila Photos Now Up

Rude Maynila was a blast. Congratulations to Bisikleta Productions for its successful comeback. Ten-02 Bar, as I mentioned previously, was overflowing, never mind that there was another big event taking place somewhere in Fort Bonifacio. Here are some photos to show that the rudies did have a party of their own last August 30. Cheerio!

Captured live! Pink Cow, The Pulikats, the rude crowd, Barrio Morning Glory, The Soundblasters!, Greetings From Julie, The Marcos Cronies, Earthlings, and Juan Pablo Dream's Bing Austria adding some soul to the event. Yes dearies, click on the tiny pics to see them better ;) Salamat kay Hilboy.

More accounts of this gig here.