A Playlist From Left Field

On the occasion of Je's 40th day death anniversary (that's today, May 13), I have uploaded this rather special playlist.

1. Put3ska - ABSOLUTE
2. Betrayed - NEVER MEANT TO BE THIS WAY
3. Music Front - BORED WITH BOREDOM
4. Beatdown Boombox - THE HARDER THEY COME

As many of you may know, ABSOLUTE is originally by Absolute Zero, Je's band before he joined Betrayed. Absolute Zero was short-lived but has the distinction of being one of the bands that played in the early Brave New World Series. It should also be noted that Je eventually managed Put3ska and ABSOLUTE was included in the band's phenomenal first album.

Then there's Betrayed, probably Je's best known involvement as a bassist. This version of NEVER MEANT TO BE THIS WAY was captured live at the NU 2001 Rock Awards. If I remember right, 2001 was the 25th year of punk, and the late Howlin' Dave, whose voice represented the generation of punk rock pioneers (and the rest of the pinoy rock musicians as well), was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. Betrayed is one of Pinoy Punk's most popular and enduring bands, continuing to play to this very day.

When Music Front, Arnold Morales' band which he formed after Urban Bandits, was reformed in January 2008, Je came in to fill up bass-playing duties. This version of BORED WITH BOREDOM was recorded live at Club Dredd last April 2008 when Music Front played back to back with The Runaway Boys.

Beatdown Boombox is a project of both Je and The Beauty of Doubt/Bad Omen/Throw/Music Front (and 700 more bands) guitarist Albert Ascona. The two were starting to experiment on sounds and playing with dubs, and were highly influenced by Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros. They first played late last year, and this is essentially Je's last band. At the time of Je's demise, the band already has a number of originals, though this song in the playlist is a Jimmy Cliff cover.

There are many more songs that I would have wanted to throw in the playlist, but this should be it. Je will always be known in the scene as Pinoy punk's left-handed bassist, a mean producer, Trash Radio Manila's musical programmer, a passionate music lover.

*****

A mass will be held this afternoon, 5pm, at the Sto Nino Parish Church at Bago Bantay, Quezon City. You can look up the directions here. I know, 40 days came so fast, and personally, I am not over it yet. But such is life, and the end of it. Reality hits from left field, much like this playlist. See you guys, and have a good day.

Why I Love Matinees, Plus Photos from March 1 Sunday PM Extravaganza

I love matinee gigs. It is not too often, though, to find matinee gigs being held here in Metro Manila. We may perhaps take a cue from the now defunct CBCG which gave a good number of bands (e.g. Gorilla Biscuits, Sick Of It All) a venue via Sunday matinees. Even Cebu has been doing matinees for years.

Why do I love matinees? Unless you have kids (then again, you can bring them to the gigs, yes?), there's nothing much going on during Sunday afternoon. By lunchtime you would have probably been done with domestic and personal obligations. Besides, watching the bands perform onstage while the sun is high up gives a very very surreal feeling. If matinee is a new experience for you, you've got to try seeing 'em matinee gigs.

We should hold matinee gigs more often.

Last March 1 (a Sunday), A Happy Face Productions ran its first installment of Vaudeville at Ten02. The gig featured, in order of appearance, Bad Omen, Against Man, Pink Cow, Dead Sperm, Utter Dismay, Beatdown Boombox, and Tame The Tikbalang. Very commendable effort. I had a good time, especially so at the homestretch (around 8pm), though it would have been better to stick to the schedule. At any rate, I certainly want more of these in the near future.

Sayang, the second installment of the Vaudeville (Sunday Afternoon Extravaganza) has been cancelled (see succeeding post). But do check out the photos from the March 1 gig. And see you around...on any given Sunday afternoon.

Bad Omen


Against Man


Pink Cow


Dead Sperm


Utter Dismay


Beatdown Boombox


Tame The Tikbalang

(Above photo: Paulo of Pink Cow)

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.

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.