Scenes From Throw's Second Album Launch

Unwavering.

This happens to be the title of Throw's second album which was launched last July 12, 2008 at Center For Arts. And what a launch it was! It was an event meant to make everyone ecstatic. Amazing bands. Accessible location. Awesome sound system. A highly receptive crowd. Assorted merch for sale. Most of all, there was Al Dimalanta, who happens to be (as if you do not know by now) Throw's founder/vocalist/guitarist.

Time and again I would find myself raving about the works of this very talented man: his music, his photography, his writings. And the second album is testament to the fact that maturity has not slowed him a bit, and definitely, his well of creativity is full and far from drying up.

The bands:

The GoSignals played first, performing tight covers of The Who and The Jam, plus Private Stock's Future Generation. Mod galore!
Choke Cocoi came next. The first word that entered my mind: earnest. These ladies mean business.

The Beauty of Doubt finally resumes gigging. This band has been missed. Good to see them live once again.

Ronald and Albert of The Beauty Of Doubt: amusement written all over their faces.

Arnold Morales of Music Front hollered "This is the news of the world!" Apt, indeed.

Tame The Tikbalang actually played after Throw. Consistently fierce. The best part of their set? ANGST!Throw played a fantastic set of all-new songs. What can I say?
The crowd:To Spyk, Albert, Dennis and Al, congratulations!

ETO NAAAAAAA!!! Throw Album Launch Tonight!

We've waited a long time for this. Now the time has come.

Head over tonight to Center For Arts at Timog Avenue, Quezon City to be with Throw as they launch their second full-length album in a gig called Keeping The Faith! There is absolutely no reason for you to miss out on this. We have given you a preview of some of the tracks included in their spanking new album in the past playlist. The album is made up of one fierce track after another, so better bring some cash and buy their album, which, according to the band, should not cost you more than php200.

Throw will be supported by some of the most amazing bands to exist this part of the music world. Must I say (gasp) azteeeeeeg?! But they are heavyweights indeed: Go-Signals, Choke Cocoi, The Beauty Of Doubt, Music Front and Tame The Tikbalang!

We are temporarily setting aside the airing of the Joe Strummer tribute to give way to this event. And, before I forget...

See you at the gig.

Awooooooooooooo

Postscript: Akkk! Mabuti na lang may mga editor ;) Gracias!

Keeping The Faith!

Again, updates on the upcoming album launching of Throw. This just in.

July 12, 2008 (Saturday) @ 8pm
Center For Arts
Timog Avenue Quezon City (near GMA7)
Gate: Php 50

(The line-up has changed, so take note.)

The bands:

Tame The Tikbalang
The GoSignals
Music Front
The Beauty Of DoubtChoke Cocoi
... and the star of the night!!!

Throw
(Al Dimalanta shows who's the boss!)

Maraming salamat sa aking BFF, my Canon PowerShotA520. Pic of TBOD from their MySpace. Pic of Choke Cocoi from Daddy Ojie. Cheers!

Trash Radio Manila Episode 16 Part 2: There's No Bamboo Here, 'No?

Disappointed? What Bamboo are you looking for, anyway?!
Maybe you'd like to check the playlist to find out the sort of bamboo that we have here.

1. VICE SQUAD - "Killer Queen"
2. DEADLINE - "We're Taking Over"
3. THE IMPALERS - "Pocket Money"
4. BAMBOO - "Revolución"
5. TIM ARMSTRONG with THE AGGROLITES - "Translator"
6. THE ORDINARY BOYS featuring SUGGS - "My Girl"

Download dandier version of playlist here.

The first two tracks belong to the bands of two of the most attractive-looking frontwomen in punk today. Beki Bondage of Vice Squad (her raspy voice kind of reminds me of ... Nekbu! Or the other way around. ;)) is a veteran, having been around since the first incarnation of Vice Squad in 1978. On the other hand, Liz Rose fronts Deadline, a band that has been very active in the London Punk scene since 2001. Both women look absolutely foxy, have powerful voices, and are both sporting tatts. Coolness in the flesh.

Next come The Impalers, whose heavyweight line-up includes former members of bands such as Skankin' Pickle, The Rudiments, and The Inciters. Their latest full-length album, Blood, Rum & Reggae, is released under Axe Records, and one of the acts that The Impalers call their labelmates is no less than The Aggrolites.

Bamboo, the one we have in the playlist, that is, comes not from Manila, but from Mexico (not Mexico, Pampanga!) Bamboo, according to their MySpace write-up, "...es una banda que fusiona los diferentes generos del reggae como son el roots, dancehall, raggamuffin y rubadub para lograr un estilo de reggae único y con un toque mexicano trasmitiendo siempre un mensaje de amor, paz, y poniendo a la gente a bailar en armonia y unidad en sus presentaciones." Entiendes? Si!

Tim Armstrong of Rancid actually collaborated with The Aggrolites, creating A Poet's Life, one of the best albums we've heard from 2007. From that album comes "Translator", currently in our list. A Poet's Life showcases Armstrong's talent: deceptively simple lyrics, pop sensibilities ... it is actually hard to describe the music as belonging to any single genre. Just do yourself a favor and grab a copy of the album.

Finally, the Madness original "My Girl" is performed by The Ordinary Boys, featuring Suggs himself. That song perfectly wraps up Part 2 of Episode 16. Will see you guys in a few days with updates on &^%@% and !*+&# ... so stay tuned.

Photo of Beki and Liz from Liz's MySpace, Beki's from the Vice Squad MySpace and Liz's from her own. Bamboo's and Suggs' from their sites.

More announcements:

Throw's much anticipated album launching on July 12, called Keeping The Faith, also features the seemingly tireless Choke Cocoi, adding relatively young blood to the predominantly veteran line-up. Now this is one event you should not miss. Check out the poster on the side rail. Also check out the One Voice Asia poster featuring Sideline's gig in Cebu on June 21, and The Skaramouche poster (the Swiss band should be enjoying the beach down south as of this writing) as well.

FRIDAY DISTORTION featuring Choke Cocoi and T.S.A.: The Aftermath

I must say, our Singaporean connections never disappoint!

I may not have seen this gig held last May 23 at Music Garage along Queens St. (errr, that's in Singapore), but our dear friends in the Lion City were kind enough to lend me their pics and a review of the gig. You guys are marvelous, thank you soooooo much, I love you, and you don't even have to bribe me with laptops, kaya jam and ice cream for me to say that. Naks!

Find out below what happened last May 23 at Friday Distortion II, which featured Choke Cocoi and T.S.A., as well as Singapore's own Subtle Revenge, Secret Seven, Pazahora, and Distrust. This review is written by The Mr. Alvin himself, purveyor of noise and things footie. Photos are provided by The Mr. Ojie, drummer extraordinaire and daddy groovy, with the exception of the Choke Cocoi gig photo which comes from their MySpace.

*****

Re: Hardcore Punk Gig at Singapore - the aftermath

Filipinos can rock! As usual, the Filipino contingent OWNED the gig last Friday (23 May 2008). No offense to the Singapore lads, they did great, too.

There was a feeling of anticipation in the air because of the two foreign acts (well, actually one is already based here in Lion City) and they didn't disappoint.


The T.S.A. Runaway Freight Train


T.S.A. played second and boy, did they destroy everybody with their brand of tight and fast hardcore punk. Well, what do you expect from these guys who started playing in the 1940's in the Phils. hehe.

Ripping through their set with songs from their 2 CDs and some covers, they got the crowd slam dancing and stage diving. Pure and fun energy all the way. Their brand of punk is a refreshing change from the crappy ones passed as "hardcore and punk" nowadays. Fashioncore? Eyeliners? Pink thongs? T.S.A. is not that. Who else can pull off a mix of covers from NYHC legends Cro-Mags and Madball and DC mothertruckers Minor Threat plus their own songs and not sound like a punk show band? T.S.A. can.

Rumor has it that a 3rd album (I hope it's in a cd format, not cassette) is in the offing. Forget about the future. Get their 1st and 2nd cds. It's dirt cheap SGD 6 only. Free, if you get it in one of their shows. Hehe.

My body is 50% vegetable right now because of the pit generated by this band: the other 50% is vegetable too, but the suspects are the next band.

P.S. I asked one of my friends who went to the show what he thought of the TSA set: Two words - TIGHT, FU*K.


The Choke Cocoi Bulldozer


Which comes down to the mainliner: CHOKE COCOI.

Who would travel thousands of miles from the Phils. to play shows in Singapore and Malaysia for free? Choke Cocoi did! This 4-piece all girl band rips. Their brand of hardcore is more of the modern sounding type, not because they look young (I'm assuming they're still young and obviously younger than T.S.A.). Damn, these girls really have a mean sounding sound. The crowd was singin' along and the girls just gave a monster set. I'm not sure what they're singin' about but I'm pretty sure it's not about peace, love and understanding (and what girls talk about when they go to restrooms together? Who knows really?). At first, I don't know what to expect but since this was an underground show, expect everything. Judging from the crowd reaction, I think they want Choke Cocoi back in the near future (of course, me too!). To cap off their set, a BIOFEEDBACK song!. Yes, that BIOFEEDBACK from the Phils., who I heard is worth having a tribute album ;) so if you want to experience the feeling of getting kicked in the balls by a girl, listen to Choke Cocoi.

Overall, a great night for the underground scene (especially, FILIPINO bands). Even if you don't like this kind of music, just check out these bands. It's fun, really.

Thanks to the organizers and let's hope more Filipino bands visit SG soon. Filipinos has been
represented well in the worldwide hardcore/punk scene. T.S.A. and Choke Cocoi are making sure that is preserved and at the same time, offering more.

There and Back Again: Two Gigs To Watch Out For

There are two up and coming gigs that I personally want to see, if only I have the gift of even just a short-distance teleportation.

The first gig is called Friday Distortion 2, which will be on May 23, 2008 at Music Garage, Queens St., Singapore. Produced by Prohibited Projects, this mosh affair features Choke Cocoi, the all-female hardcore band off Lucena City, and T.S.A., old school hardcore outfit from Bulacan. Playing with them are Singapore's very own Subtle Revenge, Secret Seven, Pazahora, and Distrust. Do check out the links; you guys ought to hear these Singaporean bands. This party of noise starts at 8pm and will set you off at 6 bucks. Somebody take me to Singapore in two weeks! Any takers? None?

Ok, then. There's another gig to look forward to. On June 21 (that's a whole lot of time for you to adjust your schedules and finances, unless erratic is your middle name), One Voice Records, the Singapore-based punk and hc distro/collective which specializes in featuring bands mostly from the Southeast Asian Region, teams up with Cebu's Struggle For Radical Action to give you One Voice Asia Unite! The gig features Singapore's Sideline, supported by a host of bands from Laguna, Davao, Iligan, and of course, Cebu:

1. Mihara (from Laguna)
2. Piledriver (from Laguna)
3. Groundzero (from Laguna)
4. Eightounce (from Laguna)

5. As A Whole (from Davao)
6. Clobberin' Time (from Davao)

7. Delmonstros (from Iligan)
8. Outnumbered (from Iligan)

9. Queen City Crew (from Cebu)
10. Shrapnel (from Cebu)
11. Left Of Center (from Cebu)
12. Jewels of Delilah (from Cebu)
13. Vampire State (from Cebu)
14. No! (from Cebu)
15. Toxic Orgasm (from Cebu)
16. Self Will (from Cebu)
17. Guilttoflow (from Cebu)
18. Substance 32 (from Cebu)
19. Gardo (from Cebu)

Opening acts: Strictly Da Real, 7 Months Later, and Tableau Of Terror.

Interested? Then head over to ZZubu Rockbar over at Colon in Cebu City on June 21. Noise starts at 4pm. Door costs Php35, but I see merch of all forms flooding the venue (I also smell buwad from the market nearby, nyum!), so maybe you would like to bring a little extra.

So there you are, two gigs to watch out for. I know there's a whole lot more; will keep you people posted. See y'all at the gigs!

Photo credits: Choke Cocoi and No! from their respective websites; Mihara pic courtesy of the band (thanks Jay!)