Holiday Gigs, Plus, What Are Your TOP 5 Albums Of The Year?

The holidays are upon us. Time flies, really. Suddenly I find myself attending one holiday party after another. It is great to see friends, though it can get tiring.

I was recently asked for a list of my TOP 5 Albums of the Year. It was a little hard to decide on this, honestly. Do you have a list in mind? I do, after thinking about it for quite a while.

Will be posting my TOP 5 Albums of the year...do watch out for it.

For today, I mean tonight...and tomorrow, check out these great gigs. Chickoy Pura and The Jerks celebrate their 31st anniversary tonight over at 70's Bistro and to celebrate this is a launch of a book that documents the band's evolution. This book is titled "Any Given Friday", obviously derived from the band's regular play day at 70s Bistro. Coinciding with the launch is Bisikleta Productions' rollicking gig titled kapow...I guiess you know by now how a Bisikleta gig goes. Pure fun. ^^

Tomorrow should be great as well. Juan Isip will be launching a new EP (wow!!!!). This also coincides with the gig called An Acoustic Christmas Featuring Al Dimalanta, Arnold Morales, Mae Ilagan, Albert Ascona, Johnny Tender of Pusakals, and Francis of Pinkcow. Grab a load of these potentially fun times. More details on the posters.

See you guys. :)

For JP Rizal, J. Rizal, And All The Fathers Of The World

I could not decide on what sort of playlist to make: a Jose Rizal or a Father's Day special. Finally I decided to incorporate both - in a ONE-SONG playlist.

But this is no ordinary song. This song is entitled "Daddy", performed by Juan Isip, Bobby Balingit's project which involved Italian musician Ugo Guido and English musician Chris Callas.

This is essentially a song written from a child's point of view; he is relying on his father's support and guidance. This song is just as apt in remembering Jose Rizal. While proof of Rizal's fatherhood remains under dispute to this day (as far as I know), he is in essence a father to our nation.

So. Happy Birthday, JP. Happy Father's Day too, to all the fathers whom we love. Have a relevant weekend, people. (Gigs? Check out the siderail as always.)

DADDY
Maliit ang aking kamay
Maliit ang aking paa
Kaunti ang aking hawak
Kapiraso marka ng aking yapak

Sana'y tulungan mo ako
Ang pagtayo ay mabuway
Huwag kang magalit
Huwag kang mainis
Talagang ganito lang ako

Maliit ang aking mata
Maliit ang aking tainga
Kung anu-ano ang nakikita
Iba-iba ang naririnig

Sana'y turuan mo ako
Ako'y hirap na umintindi
Huwag kang magalit
Huwag kang mainis
Talagang ganito lang ako

Sa munting tinig sana'y marinig
Ang isipan kong hubad
Sa munting luha, sana'y maantig
Damdaming hindi huwad

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

Maximum Louie Louie! Sa Sabado Na!

On the occasion of Luis Guiang's second death anniversary, Trash Radio Manila and Bisikleta Productions present the tribute gig "Louie Louie" on January 17, Saturday, at Mogwai, Cubao X, Quezon City.

Luis, or Louie, is none other than Weslu, whose humour, talent, and good nature have touched the lives of many. That he is no longer with us physically is still a fact that takes some getting used to. Last year, a gig entitled Your Humble Musical Servant was held at the now defunct Purple Haze: bands and fans all paid tribute to the man who is considered by many in the scene as one of the best drummers of his generation. To say that the gig was a blast is an understatement.

This time, we have joined forces with Bisikleta Productions to give you "Louie Louie", and many old and new bands are coming in to play this Saturday. The line-up is formidable: Juan Isip (a.k.a. Bobby Balingit of The WUDS), Throw, The GoSignals, The Mighty Contras, Shuffle Union, The Andy Warhol (the new band put up by Urban Bandits and Music Front vocalist Arnold Morales), Beatdown Boombox, The Wayfarers, Pink Cow, Radioactive Sago Project, Steady Movin' Beat, The Nu Militants, t.R.A, Against Man, The Tolonguez Death Squad, Rocket Punch, Tether, End Of Sanity. Plus, there will be DJ spots for Twice The Panic, Soundblasters, and Minister Zero. The poster listing the bands should be out soon.

There will be no entrance fees. Semi-matinee performances (6 to 9 pm) will be participated in by the younger set; after which, the more senior bands will be treating us to acoustic or toned down performances, which is something to watch out for. So you may ask, how does a hardcore band deliver an acoustic set, anyway? Perplexed? Find out for yourself. Do come over this Saturday and party with us for Louie Louie, the way our very own Louie wants it to be.

Pic from Weslu's MySpace tribute site.

...And The WUDS Celebrate Their Silver Anniversary The Day After

Roughly three years ago, I was in the park: I chose a seat situated near the stage, and waited for the band to start playing. Three years have passed since then, shards of poignant memories piercing my consciousness.

For many compelling reasons, I can never forget that year. It was 2005.

Sunday, July 13, 2008. I was at the stone bench, which was nestled in the middle of the open-air auditorium of Rizal Park, waiting for the same band to play. Snippets from the award-winning independent movie Iskwaterpangk directed by Khavn De La Cruz were being shown in the background as the crowd waited for the program to start.

A few minutes after 6pm, music started to drift and fill the air. Then the words rang, each line evoking scenes of childhood.

"Kilala kita,
Ang champoy, ang sampaloc,
Ang pader ng St. Scholastica noong 1969...."

It was the voice of Bobby Balingit, singing about memories of the sea and home in The WUDS' "Time Space Warp", the ethereal feel of the song provided in part by their musician friends Ukay. Pinoy punk band The WUDS, whose music transcended the bounds of punk music with time, celebrated their 25th anniversary by playing at The Concert at the Park. With Bobby was Aji Adriano who kept the pace along with Dennis Fabunan, who played bass.

For an hour or so, the crowd was treated to songs both new and old, touching mostly on the band's favorite theme, economic and political issues. I was specifically struck by "Marianett", a song about a 12-year old girl who committed suicide because of poverty and how Bobby made a parallelism of the girl and the marionette, which is a string-controlled puppet.

Some songs previously recorded by Bobby's side project, Juan Isip, were also in the repertoire, like "Saranggola sa Gabi" (which did not appear in the programme), and the haunting "Ti Recuerdi, Joe?" The set ended with two vintage WUDS songs: "At Nakalimutan Ang Diyos" and "Inosente Lang Ang Nagtataka", before the band enumerated their list of acknowledgements via a prolonged jam with Ukay.

And, like three years ago, I walked out of the auditorium marveling at the beauty of Bobby's lyrics, but this time wondering how his words seem to sound sadder and sadder with the passing of time.

Trash Radio Manila Episode 7 Part 3: IT'S THE NATURE OF SIN THAT'S BRINGING YOU DOWN

This segment's playlist:

1. ANGELIC UPSTARTS - "Woman in Disguise"
2. CHELSEA - "I'm on Fire"
3. BETRAYED - "President"
4. THE NEARBY CRIES - "What's Bringing You Down"
5. JUAN ISIP - "Goodbye Forever"

She's been through history,
but always appeared as the foe,
I saw her on a sailing ship,
it's name was the Bounty and she captained it,
She spoke of blossoms that were to bloom,
and the country whistled to her tune,
But the flowers were full of discontent,
and the youth were raped of everything they had left.

[Chorus]
Man and woman, child and youth,
It must be now you know the truth,
She's the woman in disguise, she's the one who tells the lies.
Fight against the ugly race, and the idle wealth that's lost all face,
Man and woman, child and youth
It must be now you know the truth,
She's the woman in disguise, she's the one who tells the lies.

Deceitful heart that beats so strong,
and it's our blood that pumps it along,
I must be happy, I must be free,
It's your choice you've gotta see,
The birds fly free,
but in the same cage as you and me,
I was born with nothing but not in debt,
I won't pay for something that I'll never get.

ARE YOU LISTENING?