BELIEVE: Throw's Third Album Launch (Saturday, 23 January 2010)

If you were present during the launching of the previous album, Unwavering, you may have probably noticed that last Saturday's affair at the Leprechaun Bar was more sober. It is not a bad thing to be one, though. There may be some reasons for it.

Perhaps, one of those reasons is that January 23 also happens to be the birthday of the late Jay Dimalanta, brother to Throw vocalist/guitarist Al and bassist to the legendary punk band Dead Ends. Or maybe the people were just a little tired and spent from the week's travails. Or maybe, wala lang, I think too much, haha.

Sobriety, however, renders little consequence to the sound of Throw's newest album. Believe is not sober, and Throw is definitely a non-complacent band. Al, together with his crew is, and will always, bite, so to say. Their songs hit the midsection always, and takes a constant, painful stab at politics and the society. The album is dedicated to the memory of three local punk luminaries who have passed on to hardcore nirvana: Jay Dimalanta, of course, Luis "Weslu" Guiang, and Je Bautista. Believe, like the other Throw albums, is, contrary to popular thought, a team effort: Spyk co-wrote Choose and Believe (a very strong track), Dennis was credited for penning Eleksyon and Borrowed with Al, and Albert of course wrote Six and co-wrote Warlord and the Zappa-inspired Screw Yourself.

(But hey, why don't you just pick up a copy of the album? I am meaning to write about the gig.)


I got in just in time to see Talk Sick, the Malolos-based hardcore outfit. (Sorry po, Against Man, I like you guys, pero na-late lang ako, di ko kayo napanood.) Talk Sick does not just rip through their set, the band actually groove, if one listens close enough. I made a mental note to play Talk Sick in the playlist sometime soon. They were then followed by Staid, the hardcore band whose members come from groups such as Half The Battle and Choke Cocoi. I personally admire the efforts of these two bands, as well as the rest of those who endeavour to go outside their homebases to play, and the same thing goes to the audience who support the bands wherever they are. It is the best that one can offer to bands who do not, and will likely never, get the support of popular media.

Spyk's young band SDK (with Dennis Maniego as proxy bassist) followed. Not long ago, Spyk was a gangly teener who just smiled as he banged the drumkit. He still smiles, as if playing the drums is a breeze, but he is definitely getting more and more formidable, and is fast turning into a...heartthrob! (Sounds funny? Wait till you see the giggly girls at the sideline whenever he plays.)

Tame The Tikbalang is one band that I really love for its consistency and competence and I am happy that they are still around and continue to play like demons. No obvious signs of aging so far.

It is good that The GoSignals finally started to play their originals on a regular basis. I am paying a close watch on the band's first album release.

Goo played too. It was a blast to see them cover some Descendents. I saw the crowd liven up and sing along, including, of course, Throw guitarist and unabashed Descendents fan Albert Ascona.

Then it was Throw's turn.

What can I say?

If I talk further, it will be my heart talking...

A somewhat sober night indeed, but still great. My heartfelt congratulations to Spyk, Dennis, Albert, and Al.

And the best way to end the launch? Nekbu!

Till the next album launch! Yay! Yay!

...And Then There Was Heartcore

It was a thought borne out of nights of discussion, mostly about how people in the scene are getting older, about those who have passed on and about experiences that people never seem to learn from. Health issues - probably one of the most uncool concerns ever - plague even those who sing about enjoying because "...it's later than you think" (ugh, apologies to The Specials).

Recently these very concerns hit two people - Dennis Maniego and Je Bautista - both bassists to some of the most respected punk bands around. While we rejoice as Dennis recovered from his multiple bypass surgery, Je had not been as fortunate, succumbing to myocardial infarction in spite of vigilant treatment. Sickness, hospitalisation, surgery, death: these are not the problems that any musician would want to have. It is common knowledge that most musicians are exposed to one of the unhealthiest lifestyles on the planet and are one of the most financially under-appreciated persons in the work force. I seriously doubt if most of them have an SSS, GSIS, Philhealth, or an HMO card even.

And so there is Heartcore, a concept backed by these real problems, and more. Last Saturday, May 30, 2009, Heartcore was the name of the gig which was meant to celebrate the recovery of Dennis and the life and times of Je. The bands who played were as follows: S.D.K., The GoSignals, Half The Battle, The Beauty Of Doubt, Throw, Goo, Staid, Tame The Tikbalang, End of Man, Rust Phantom, and Einstein Chakras.

What a night it was, in more ways than one. And the bands. Half The Battle was impressive, and S.D.K. is promising. I found myself singing when Al Dimalanta of Throw started chanting Dead Kennedys' "Kill The Poor" - it is not too often that Al does covers. Was waiting for Mel Maniego of The GoSignals to do the Pete Townshend leap at the end of their set. Check out the photos below.

In the days to come I will expound on the concept of Heartcore more extensively. But suffice to say that the gig has been great, and it was specially great to see Dennis Maniego play the bass like he has done pre-surgery. As for Je, he must have been there too, in spirit, hanging around that particular table where people were eating Baliwag chicharon....

S.D.K.

The GoSignals

Half The Battle

The Beauty Of Doubt

Throw

Goo

Staid

Tame The Tikbalang

End Of Man

Rust Phantom

Einstein Chakras