Free The 43 Gig Last March 31, And A Sneak Peak from Music Speaks' Event Last April 6

Before I give you a rundown of what happened last March 31 at Ten02 Bar, let me just show you a photo from Music Speaks' event last April 6 at Route 196.

It is not too often that one gets to see Al Dimalanta of Throw and Lourd de Veyra of The Radioactive Sago Project together onstage. It should be remembered that Lourd played guitars in Dead Ends' 4th album, Mamatay Sa Ingay.

(To those who did not know, Lourd is also a fierce guitarist, though he admits to not having touched the guitar for quite sometime. About time, Lourd? *hint, hint*)

More on Music Speaks later. In the meantime ...

*****

Band-Aid 43, the benefit gig for the Morong 43 group, was a well-attended affair. I initially cursed myself for coming in late and missing Bobby Balingit's set, but on the whole all the bands gave a spirited performance, the most notable of which came from Anak Ni Aling Juana and Tolonguez Death Squad. Nuklus, pinoy rock veterans from way back 80s, likewise delivered an inspired set.

The event was emceed by Nato and Odel of Tolonguez Death Squad. Here are some more photos and a slideshow from the said gig.

Nycti Nasty

Nuklus

Anak Ni Aling Juana

t.R.A.

I have to thank a friend, Mavie, for taking care of me (hahah!) during the entire gig. It's been ages, my dear friend, and always, it is music that provides the venue for us to see each other. Thank you very much.

The cause of the Morong 43 should not be left to oblivion, moreso now that the presidential election is looming. I will provide you with updates as they come.

(But wait, there's more...)

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

Mga Awit Para Sa Araw ng Kalayaan

Makalipas ang higit sa isandaang taon ng pagdiriwang ng araw na ito, kailangan pa kayang itanong sa ating mga sarili kung malaya nga ba talaga tayo? Ano sa tingin nyo?

Para sa araw na ito ay naghanda ako ng anim na awitin para sa inyo.

1. "Itakas Ninyo Ako" - AXEL PINPIN at BOBBY BALINGIT

Ito ay mula sa Huling Lagapak ng Kandado, isang koleksiyon ng mga panulat ni Axel Pinpin, isang makata at isa sa bumubuo ng "Tagaytay 5" na dinukot at ipiniit sa Camp Vicente Lim mga tatlong taon na ang nakakaraan. Ang kanyang mga tula ay nilapatan ng musika ni Bobby Balingit ng WUDS.

2. "Bloody Nutter" - SEX MILITANTS

Isang kanta mula sa isa sa mga inilabas na kompilasyon ng Twisted Red Cross. Ang Sex Militants ay kilala ngayon bilang Nu Militants.

3. "Vampire Sam (The Global Order)" - THE BEAUTY OF DOUBT

Ibang bersiyon ng kilalang awitin ng grupo nina Ron Schlander. Ang bersiyon na ito ay lumabas sa album na Rock Against The Round: Musicians Against The WTO.


4. "Inutil" - HARD K

Walang halong biro, magaling na frontman si Jun Idiot at masarap panoorin. Subalit alam niyo naman lahat iyan. Ang "Inutil" ay mula sa kanilang bagong album, Life Is Pain.

5. "Life" - Delmonstros

Impresibo ang grupong ito mula sa Iligan. Silipin niyo sila sa kanilang MySpace. Ang gara rin ng mga litrato.

6. "President" - Betrayed

Lumabas ito noong 2002, at si Je Bautista ang tumugtog ng baho rito. (Ito ay isa sa mangilan-ngilan na kantang tinugtugan ni Je na naka-record.) Si Buddy Trinidad ang sumulat ng "President": pakinggan ninyong mabuti nang malaman niyo kung kanino patungkol ang awit na ito.

Maraming salamat kay Kachuki at kay Carl para sa mga voice-over.

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.

Malapit Na Ang SONA (o di niyo pa nababalitaan?)

Kaya makinig muna tayo kina Budoy ng Jr Kilat, Bobby Balingit ng The WUDS, at Gabby ng AMPON. At ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat, kay Mrs. Burgos, ina ni Jonas na magpahanggang ngayon ay nawawala....

Ang larawan ni Budoy ay hango sa MySpace ng kanilang banda.

...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?