Keb Daaaarrrrrge!!!

Keb! Keb! Keb!

Keb Darge did a series of sets two weeks ago, and a post may be quite late in coming. It is such a waste, however, not to write about Keb, and his great set, and the fantastic night that I had over at Ten02 last June 11.

My first encounter with Keb took place last year, at The Coffee Bean And Tea Leaf coffee shop, of all places. I remember quite well the conversation he had with Je (Or was it Je who related excerpts of their conversation with me? I cannot remember anymore.). Keb's style of playing is straightforward and he does not indulge much in sound manipulation and loops and such. It is all about in-your-face music.

Two weeks ago, Keb did a couple of sets: I was at the Ten02 leg of his series of gigs. His repertoire was a rousing mix of northern soul, garage, and rockabilly, with some classics (Tutti Frutti, Johnny B. Goode) and recent tunes (Little Lil). Most of the audience responded with equally rousing dance moves (hahah!) At one point, Keb, the dancing master that he is, went down the DJ platform and danced to his heart's content. Guess who took over the turntable that time?

Keb's set was preceded by sets courtesy of Neighbors, Juan Pablo Dream, and Steady Movin' Beat, and the event was hosted by Bisikleta Productions' Hilboy and Neighbors' and Soundblasters' Jon Capistrano. By sunrise, the event was over. Or was it? Rumor has it that Keb will be back once again before the end of the year. An event with Keb is always enjoyable, never mind that he twirled the head off my neck as he attempted to make a dancing queen out of me. (Uh-oh, apparently I am not a very deft dancer like him and Bing.) Thank you Keb for the great moves, great music, and great time. As the great modern philosopher named Gonzales once said: I haven't stopped dancing yet. (Heehee!) Laters y'all!

Juan Pablo Dream

Steady Movin' Beat

The dancing crowd

Keb and Myra Ruaro

Defy The Tragic End: Dissecting The Beauty Of Doubt New EP (Dissection Courtesy Of Filter Zine's Femme Fatale)

Two Saturdays ago, I forgot that I am not a superwoman. I had planned to initially check out Rude Maynila: Ikalawang Yugto at Sazi's Bar before going to the launching of The Beauty Of Doubt's new EP over at Ten02 Bar. While I was able to show up at Bisikleta Production's comeback gig (fun as always), I failed to catch The Beauty Of Doubt play, which is such a shame because the person who pitched in for semi-retired TBOD guitarist Albert Ascona was none other than Boyet Miguel of Tame The Tikbalang and Betrayed fame.

How could I have missed that awesomeness? The crowd was present but was about to disperse when I arrived at Ten02 at a little past 12 midnight. I was told that 3 (or was it 4?) bands originally slated to play did not play that night, and so the whole gig was finished earlier than expected. I grabbed a copy of the new EP (100 bucks lang po) which contained takes of the singular theme "Just Matter".

Now Mina, a.k.a. the main person behind Filter Zine, has written a rather riveting review of the EP. Mina is herself a riveting writer: I personally enjoy reading her works. I have asked her permission to reprint her review and she agreed. Now here it is: read on. It is probably the closest thing to having a copy of the EP, which I strongly suggest that you get a hold of as soon as you can.

JUST MATTER (EP)
All songs by The Beauty of Doubt
Album artwork and design by JL Burgos
Produced by Counterflow Records

The strum of the guitars and blast of the drums stopped abruptly. I found myself staring at the monitor for a minute or so. I couldn't say a word. I couldn't move my fingers to type anything. The past minutes since I loaded the cd to the player gave me flashes of unending walks in chaotic streets under the blazing tropical heat with people shouting and I,wanting to shout in unison with them. As soon as the music stopped the silence felt deafening. I was emotionally struck.
Just Matter is 10-minute journey of looking at our own lives: how we lived it, how we will spend the rest of it. The sense of reflection and aggressive delivery of the lyrics will have listeners relate to any one, if not all, of the three songs.

"Are we just matter floating
like tiny specks of dust
in an eternity of space?
Are we just matter with no
bearing on anything
devoid of purpose or meaning?
Are we just matter floating
towards a tragic ending?
Are we just matter
destined for a tragic end?"

The past months I would jokingly say that I am having a "premature midlife crisis" (or quarterlife crisis... if ever there is such a thing). Major changes in relationships had caused me to take a better look at my life and things I had set aside to live in acceptable standards. (Are We) Just Matter was able to sum up how discontended I feel of myself and how I had lived the past 27 years. I think most of us comes to a point the same as this. And that people get to have a realization that they are just travellers and this idea urges them to take a bigger, heavier step and leave a mark. Personally I think this makes the idea of death quite acceptable.

"No. I won't spend another day
in this void existence.
And I won't waste another breath
living a fettered life.
And I won't let myself
submerged into nothingness.
No. I won't waste my life."

(We Should) Just Matter is a response to the sense of living in idleness expressed in the first track. It is the second stage wherein after one had identified what's lacking, he'd come up to a decision and start putting such decision into action. The heavy riff definitely adds to the lyrics sense of taking a stand. The band may have (or may not have) the full intention of expressing the levels of consciousness: raising awareness, mobilizing, organizing. But regardless of personal or political ideals, one would relate to this because TBOD voices out questions that we all have lingering inside our minds.

"All the courage you have shown
the seeds that you have sown,
may it grow in all of us.
And when they took you away
into uncertain fate,
we still hope you come home safe
and that they pay."

(A) Just Matter is a tribute to all Desaparacidos (people who chose to "matter," as Ron would say it). Personally, this is the most shattering song in the EP especially for someone who may have a family, a friend or had simply been acquaintted with someone who had been a victim of political killings or political-related injustices. TBOD had included names of Desaparacidos at the ending part of the song and the mixed sadness and anger in it can make one shout along with the line "Surface them now!"

Overall, Just Matter is a three-staged travel. Sit back and close your eyes. Move and shout in full hardcore madness if you feel like it. Then right after the journey, open your eyes into a different perspective.

*****

For more on Mina and Filter Zine, you can click on the link HERE.

Post-Election Gigs Gigs Gigs

Two interesting gigs will be held this coming Saturday, and I advise that you guys check them out, as part of your "post-election" to-do chores (haha).

(Of course, that does not mean that you are letting your guard down. Every Filipino's task right now, after having made a choice last Monday - voter or abstainee - is to be vigilant.)

The first gig is the EP launch of The Beauty Of Doubt which will take place at Ten02 Bar. This is a gig worth watching since Boyet Miguel of Tame The Tikbalang and Betrayed will be performing guitar chores for the band, aside from the fact that TBOD has not had a release in a while.

The second gig is Rude Maynila Ikalawang Yugto by second-time balikbayan Hilboy of Bisikleta Productions. This will be held at Sazi's Bar in front of UST. You may catch any one of these gigs, or be present in both ... your call.

Also worth mentioning (although this one will not happen this Saturday, but on Wednesday next week) is a not-so-frequent chance to see Bane live. The gig will take place in Balibago Complex in Santa Rosa, Laguna on May 19. It is strongly suggested to get your asses down South at the first opportunity to see this hard-hitting hardcore group.

See you at the gigs!

(... and please ... when you get to the gig (or anywhere else for that matter), please please bring something to cool you down, like a fan, or mineral water or drink, or a face towel. The summer heat can take a serious toll on one's hydration status, so please, take care of yourselves. Be safe, everyone.)

Isang Pagpupugay Para Sa Bisikleta Productions

Bisikleta Productions celebrated its 4th anniversary by way of a gig entitled "Sweet and Dandy" last Saturday, January 16, 2010.

As a refresher, let me just tell you a bit about Bisikleta Productions.

The birth of Bisikleta Productions is largely credited to the late great Luis "Weslu" Guiang, probably known most for being (arguably) one of the best local drummers of his generation and for his easy-going, funny ways. Weslu formed Bisikleta with some kids from Malabon (his hometown) and Kalookan City. Bisikleta, the bicycle, is their chosen metaphor for the DIY ethos of punk, and was formed to further the cause of the subcultures of punk, ska, mod, rockabilly, hiphop, and dub, among others.

Unfortunately, Weslu met a gruesome road accident on January 2007. It was Hilboy Raymundo, the kid from Kalookan, who almost singlehandedly took over Bisikleta, even though he had to leave for a while for a 6-months job stint in Singapore. Upon his return, the gigs started pouring in. One of these is the monthly The Bing Austria Show.

Ever since the inception of Trash Radio Manila on January 7, 2008 (oo, dalawang taon na ang Trash Radio Manila, pero ipinagpaliban ko ang pagdiriwang, at malamang ay alam naman ninyo kung bakit), Bisikleta has always been supportive of us. Our last team-up was the Louie Louie gig over at Cubao X last January 2009. Bisikleta has been around, coordinating with and supporting Trash Radio Manila, and as such we are more than glad to do the same thing in return.

To Hil, I speak to you now, both as a friend and a co-supporter of the scene: Congratulations ... at padayon!

Some photos from the gig.

Earthlings


The crowd


Bing promoting the second album of his band Juan Pablo Dream


The GoSignals


Stolen Shots, the bubbly Bicol ska band that got the Manileños dancing


The Marcos Cronies Conspiracy

(As always, thanks to my trusty Canon Powershot ;) )

The Weekends That Were

Waaaaaaah!

The wailers: Dennis Maniego, Albert Ascona, Jun Quiane, and frenzied pair during T.S.A.'s gig over at the Leprechaun Bar, September 18, 2009

I sure missed a lot these past weekends. Though I was lucky enough to catch the fantastic T.S.A. during the September 18 gig at the Leprechaun Bar sponsored by Filter Zine (Huwaaaaaaat? Antagal na pala? Shame shame. :( ), I missed the Bisikleta-sponsored T.S.A. sortee at Ten02 bar. Yes I also missed the Tarlac gig last October 10 (featuring Throw, Tame The Tikbalang, Bad Omen, and a whole lot more, my apologies for not having posted the poster, very very sorry), and I friggin' missed The Bing Austria Show the day after and the "Picking Up The Pieces" fund raising gig last October 12. Please don't ask me what has happened to me these past few weeks, it is something very very horrendous and not worth sharing here. (Sob sob sob, I sure hope to get over this year in one piece, I seriously do!). Suffice to say though that while things were battering me up to pieces (grrrr...), all seems to be alive and thriving this side of the music scene.

Will be posting my backlogs real soon. Below are some photos taken from T.S.A.'s Leprechaun gig and the October 10 Tarlac gig. (Thank you so much to Mina for the incredible photos of the Tarlac gig. Are you the female Andy Rosen? :))) )

T.S.A., Leprechaun Bar, September 18, 2009

Ojie of T.S.A.

Pedrobandido, T.S.A.

T.S.A. with Arnold Morales doing "Blood In Every Heart"

Throw with Ojie of T.S.A.

Tarlac, October 10, 2009

Russell Eustaquio of Tame The Tikbalang

Jun Idiot

Jun, Boyet, Al, Russ, Albert

Tarlac Kids

Picking Up The Pieces Updates

UPDATED POST!

Here's the *updated* updated poster of the upcoming event on Sunday, October 11, 3pm at Ten02 Bar. (Heheh, that's redundancy for you.)

Updates to the line-up are the addition of The Jerks! In lieu of Coffee Break Island, we'll be seeing CBI's Paul Puti-an live.

And of course, topbilling the show too are Throw, The GoSignals, and Tsunami Tsunami. Soundblasters will provide the sounds in between sets. Do note that other donations in kind (blankets, mosquito nets, medicine, water etc) aside from easy open canned goods will be accepted at the gate. Proceeds will go to the Bayan Muna Relief Mission.


See you all on Sunday.

[A donation box will be set up on this date and during The Bing Austria Show at Sazi's Restobar on Saturday - the day before the fund-raising gig. Check out the posters on the side rail. ]

More Public Service: Picking Up The Pieces

[Details to follow, including the list of bands, beneficiary, and possible addition of accepted donation.]

Public Service For Now: The Wrath of Typhoon Ketsana/Ondoy (and more to come?!) PLUS Benefit Gig Tonight For The Victims Of Typhoon Ondoy At Ten02 Bar

Indulgence please. Public service first before the playlists and gig updates. I have written about the havoc wrecked by Typhoon Ketsana/Ondoy and the means for you guys to help in my other blog and I am reprinting it here.

PUBLIC SERVICE: A TYPHOON NAMED KETSANA/ONDOY (and many more typhoons to come?!)

Ketsana (PAGASA name: Ondoy) : the proper name for the typhoon that left Metro Manila (National Capital region, Republic of the Philippines) and its surrounding areas practically underwater, creating what is now said to be the worst flood to have hit Manila in 50 years.


The winds started rushing in late in the morning of Saturday, September 26, and soon after the rains were pouring in. Perhaps I underestimated this outburst of Mother Nature, because I was still bent on walking from my house to Powerplant Mall to get some groceries.

Many hours later, I found out that I was one lucky lucky bastard.



Lucky because, I live in a high place and my area was one of the very few parts of the metro which was not hit by floods: all I had to deal with along the way that fateful Saturday was numerous puddles and temporarily lost cable and connection services. SMS were coming in from friends, mainly checking on one another's safety, and then reality gripped me. More than 80% of Metro Manila was flooded, leaving 246 people dead (as of the latest count) and many more homeless, without electricity, food, and water,



This is just an example of how the typhoon has affected the lives of even the people I know. Fortunately for my friend Jan, the floods receded and her family was alright. (You can read about her own account here and see some other photos courtesy of Maren Mae here.) As of this time, there are still people left stranded on the rooftops and in buildings, and as such boats and divers' services were being solicited. Many homeless families in Marikina, one of the places hardest hit by the storm, are cramped in classrooms, babies still covered with mud, and many with wounds. There is no electricity nor water for the most part of the area. It is likely indeed that an epidemic will break soon.

It also does not help to know that another typhoon is about to come in on Thursday, tomorrow .... (yep, Parma is not just another name for ham nor the Italian city anymore :( )

It is disheartening, to say to the least. TIME asks succinctly, why wasn't Manila prepared? Indeed, when disasters like this hit our city, we often find ourselves huddled, fending for ourselves, helping one another, cursing tragedy and thanking the heavens at the same time ... and the government, until 3 to 4 days later, was hardly in sight...and that's another (bad) story.

Eventually it is just about us, and the people who care, the people we care for, and the people who need our care.

There are many ways to help, and a list can be found here. A good friend forwarded me this link which will take you to a spreadsheet containing a good number of places where goods and monetary help can be donated. This is sufficient information for the moment. Do take time in going over the list, that alone can give you many ideas on how to help out. No one should pressure you to give beyond your means, for no effort is too small nor insignificant, as long as it comes from the heart. Another very useful link here on ML Quezon III's blogsite. Check it out.

[I will be going back to my usual self-indulgent posts next time when it is more appropriate. *grins* See you later, friends.]

I am aware that most of our musicians may have suffered the same fate, getting affected by floods at various degrees. I hereby am opening this particular post for comments, fora, and suggestions on how and where and who will need help in the community. Also please check out the chatbox. To those hard hit by the floods (Albert of TBOD, Nomer of Shuffle Union, etc), is it possible to get updates about their present situation?

In the light of this tragedy, a benefit gig will be held tonight at Ten02 Bar at Timog Avenue, Quezon City...if you have time to spare, please check it out. Juan Pablo Dream will be playing, as well as Alak Pa, Skarlett of course, probably Pink Cow, and 2 more bands that escape me at the moment.

And for the friggin' powers that be, did you have Dead Kennedys' "Kill The Poor" in mind when millions of people in Manila and the surrounding areas were being hit by the storm?!

!!!!!

[playing right now: Dead Kennedys' Kill The Poor]

T.S.A. Fest This Weekend!

Our Pinoy hardcore friends from Singapore will be playing on Friday, September 18, at the Leprechaun Bar and on Saturday, September 19, at Ten02 bar. This is a rare chance for you guys to see Bimboi, Pedro, and Ojie play together in Manila because, for you to see T.S.A. play, you have to be living or flying over to Singapore, where the boys are currently based.

We here at Trash Radio Manila have always raved at how T.S.A. play, for a good reason. These guys are fast and fierce, yet melodic at the same time. Just to let you know what to expect this weekend, do listen to these tracks off their Break The Silence album.

1. Abusive Authorities - T.S.A.
2. Lie To You - T.S.A.
3. Wala Nang Mura - T.S.A.

Want more? Here's a video clip from YouTube showing T.S.A. captured live at The Guiness Theatre in Singapore. Really steady playing there. T.S.A. will be supported by equally able and larger-than-life bands such as Throw. (Check out the posters.) See you guys at the gigs this weekend.

Some Catching Up With Bad Omen, Pink Cow, Ryan Of Go Jimmy Go, JPD, And Then Some

Going to Ten02 Bar last Tuesday, April 21, I felt like I have just come out of my bomb shelter after living in it for more than 20 years. It felt a little different, even though I saw that traffic was as gnarly as it has usually been, people were having some drinks like they have always done, and Juan Pablo dream was playing onstage as how I remember them doing every Tuesday night at Ten02.

I saw that the world continues to move, and that life goes on in spite of myself. So I did a little catching up.

For a change, though, Juan Pablo Dream was joined that night by Bad Omen. The enduring punk outfit came in fresh from their successful Singapore/Malaysia stint that weekend. I have incorporated a couple of photos taken at the gig, but you can find more pictures in their MySpace site. Their latest album, God Is Everywhere, is out, and do expect some cuts to be featured here soon.

Pink Cow was also there, complete with a horn section. At one point they were joined by Ryan, trombone player for the Hawaiian ska sensation Go Jimmy Go, who is presently in town. Like Bad Omen, Pink Cow also has an album and I will be writing about it soon, as well.

(errr, this is NOT the Ryan I was talking about...)

And of course, Juan Pablo Dream did their staple northern soul/funk/mod set. It should be mentioned that The Bing Austria Show, produced by Bisikleta Productions, is up and coming. You guys can catch Bing and his crew, as well as mod stalwarts The GoSignals and a host of other bands on May 9 at Sazi's Restobar (the place once called Mayric's, yes) as early as 4pm.

As for me, my personal catching up involved some chit-chat with friends and acquaintances whom I have not seen for quite sometime. Thanks to all of you as always. I know I looked stoic for the most part, but you know, though my facial expression may not show it, I am somehow glad to be at Ten02 that Tuesday night.

Life does go on, in spite of. Life is good, life is bad. As the modfather Paul Weller puts it, "Bullshit is bullshit, it just goes by different names ... succumb to the beat surrender." Hell, yeah.

Missed Connections Coming At Ya This Saturday

If you've got nothing to do tomorrow, or even if you have something to do (time management lang naman ang katapat niyan), why don't you head over at Ten02 Bar at Timog Ave., Quezon City and check out this gig? Interesting line-up, and a lot more surprises. Just, drop by, ok? See you at the gig.

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.