Skaramouche Sweating It Out, Soaking It Up In Manila

The press kit says that the Swiss ska band Skaramouche dreams of touring the world. I, too, wanted to see how a Swiss ska band fares live on stage. Which I did, eventually. And it was, to say to the least, a one of a kind experience.

Delphine of Skaramouche: Manila Girl!

I initially listened to their CD, No Exit, and decided to watch the band over at Chakik's last June 6. Skaramouche is fantastic live; honestly, their recording did little justice to their tightness and energy. Delphine is an adorable frontwoman. Dominic, the young keyboardist who impressed the audience with his skills charmed nearly every single lady present that night. Everyone in the band was skilled and spirited. The highlight of the set, no doubt, was Skaramouche's cover of Manila Girl, ably supported by Coffee Break Island.



It was a blast, and I am quite sure it has likewise been an experience to the band who were sweating profusely all throughout that hot night. Gunther and Allan had got to be two of the persons I will remember most that night. (For the practice of the Hippocratic Oath knows no time and place, no, not even the bar.)

I did not get to see their farewell gig at Handle Bar last June 21 (blame it on Frank), though I heard that the band played like they did at Chakik's: tight and energetic. It must be a wonder to these guys how the weather here can change from hot and humid to wet and humid in a span of two weeks ... but eff it. Weather hot or wet, we'd love to have Skaramouche back, soon.

The Skaramouche Philippine Tour (plus CBI, Spaceflower Show, and Neighbors)

As I have stated in my previous post, we will be featuring Skaramouche, a Swiss Ska band set to do a series of gigs here in the Philippines on June. Formed in 2002, Skaramouche is a 9-piece band fronted by Delphine Lyner, and so far they have released two albums, the latest of which is called No Exit. Skaramouche have also been actively touring their region in 2007, promoting the said album.

The first of Skaramouche's gigs will be held at Chakiks in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, on June 6. They will be playing at the Mandarin Hotel in Makati City on June 7, after which they will be going to Gingoog City for an open-air gig on June 13. Next stop will be at Cagayan De Oro City for another night of their brand of ska on June 14. Cebu is also included in the itinerary: Skaramouche will be skanking at The Outpost in Lahug, Cebu City on June 20. The band will be back in Manila on June 21 and will be performing at the Fete de la Musique at SM Mall Of Asia at 8pm, and at Handle Bar at Polaris St., Makati City at 10pm.

Front acts for the Chakiks and Handle Bar gigs will be The Spaceflower Show and Coffee Break Island. Check out Skaramouche's official site here or take a look at their Myspace site for more details about the band.

We have prepared a cool playlist consisting of songs from The Spaceflower Show, Coffee Break Island, and Skaramouche. We reserved the last track in the playlist for a song from the Angono ska pioneers, Neighbors. The lads, it seems, called it quits last April, putting an end to nearly 13 years of skanking Neighbors style - you would know what I mean when you've seen them live, at least once. I know not of any details (this is not a chismis blog anyway, so don't go asking me why :D); you can check out their site though. Click here for more Neighbors-related stuff.

We wish Neighbors the best in their future endeavours; this playlist also serves as a send-off of sorts to the boys.

Now for the playlist:

1. COFFEE BREAK ISLAND - "Ranking Full Stop"
2. SKARAMOUCHE - "Offbeat"
3. SPACEFLOWER SHOW - "Acrobatic Love"
4. COFFEE BREAK ISLAND - "Let YOu Go" (demo)
5. SKARAMOUCHE - "Too Much Hamlet"
6. SPACEFLOWER SHOW - "SKangarude"
7. NEIGHBORS - "Angono Ska"

For high-res playlist, tick here.

Photos of Skaramouche and Neighbors come from the band and their respective sites.

Have a great weekend, people. Be sober, be good.