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.)

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.

...And Then There Was Heartcore

It was a thought borne out of nights of discussion, mostly about how people in the scene are getting older, about those who have passed on and about experiences that people never seem to learn from. Health issues - probably one of the most uncool concerns ever - plague even those who sing about enjoying because "...it's later than you think" (ugh, apologies to The Specials).

Recently these very concerns hit two people - Dennis Maniego and Je Bautista - both bassists to some of the most respected punk bands around. While we rejoice as Dennis recovered from his multiple bypass surgery, Je had not been as fortunate, succumbing to myocardial infarction in spite of vigilant treatment. Sickness, hospitalisation, surgery, death: these are not the problems that any musician would want to have. It is common knowledge that most musicians are exposed to one of the unhealthiest lifestyles on the planet and are one of the most financially under-appreciated persons in the work force. I seriously doubt if most of them have an SSS, GSIS, Philhealth, or an HMO card even.

And so there is Heartcore, a concept backed by these real problems, and more. Last Saturday, May 30, 2009, Heartcore was the name of the gig which was meant to celebrate the recovery of Dennis and the life and times of Je. The bands who played were as follows: S.D.K., The GoSignals, Half The Battle, The Beauty Of Doubt, Throw, Goo, Staid, Tame The Tikbalang, End of Man, Rust Phantom, and Einstein Chakras.

What a night it was, in more ways than one. And the bands. Half The Battle was impressive, and S.D.K. is promising. I found myself singing when Al Dimalanta of Throw started chanting Dead Kennedys' "Kill The Poor" - it is not too often that Al does covers. Was waiting for Mel Maniego of The GoSignals to do the Pete Townshend leap at the end of their set. Check out the photos below.

In the days to come I will expound on the concept of Heartcore more extensively. But suffice to say that the gig has been great, and it was specially great to see Dennis Maniego play the bass like he has done pre-surgery. As for Je, he must have been there too, in spirit, hanging around that particular table where people were eating Baliwag chicharon....

S.D.K.

The GoSignals

Half The Battle

The Beauty Of Doubt

Throw

Goo

Staid

Tame The Tikbalang

End Of Man

Rust Phantom

Einstein Chakras

Coming Up On Trash Radio Manila

Trying to find a better reason for our prolonged absence in the, uhm, blogosphere, rather than state the overused excuse: We have been busy. I'd better not risk seeing you roll your eyeballs and mutter "Palusot!" in dreadful unison.

So to appease you, why not tell you what we have in store for you in the next few weeks, instead? Here goes:

1. Ever heard of NFM? NFM stands for NoFuckingMorals, and half of this band, as far as I know, is now part of the melodic hardcore outfit The Beauty Of Doubt. You might want to know that NFM actually released an album in February 23, 2002 titled "We Who Walk The Earth". I heard that NFM might, just might, make the entire contents of the said album available for download ... soon. If you have never seen this band ever and are itching to find out how they sounded, then just wait up for our upcoming playlists, as we will be playing samples from the album here, in Trash Radio Manila.

2. I can easily come up with a couple of reasons to believe that good things, indeed, come to those who wait. This is definitely a good testament to this trusty saying.
Anis, our friend in Singapore who happens to be part of the band Sideline (fresh from their rollicking gig at the Queen City of the South a few months before) and the moving force behind One Voice Records, sent us some cds and merch. The package has reached us at last, and the wait is well worth it. Patience does pay off. (Many thanks, Anis.) We are featuring some songs
from these albums pretty soon.

3. What happened during Bisikleta Productions' Rude Maynila?

One word to describe the gig: overflowing.

And since pictures can very much describe how the event has been (it was held last August 30, 2008 at Ten-02 Bar in Quezon City), we are posting some photos of the gig. Again, soon. ;)

Plus, the usual playlists, write-ups, side comments in our ever-reliable chatbox, and what-have-you's. Keep it here, people. Right here.

MAIM's Less Talk, More Rock at Pasig

MAIM's CAMANAVA takeover gig is cancelled. Instead, an ad hoc hardcore gig is to take place in Pasig City on August 13. The following is the official word:

MAIM "Camanava TAKEOVER" show has been cancelled due to the local government's "takeover" on all liquor-selling establishments around Fatima College. Closure were issued on bars around the said school. We'd like to apologize to all the folks who are expecting us there. However, we will have an ad hoc hardcore show on AUGUST 13. Here are the details:

LESS TALK MORE ROCK!

with:

Throw
The Beauty of Doubt
Tame The Tikbalang
Play
By Storm
Isvarah

Date: August 13, 2008 (wednesday) 8pm

Venue: CUERDAS BAR
C-5 Road corner Pasig Blvd. Bagong Ilog Pasig City

Gate? 30 cheap bucks

And, as always, see ya around, pipol.

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!

Now, Let's Get Serious...With The Gigs!

... and if you are one of those party people with OCD (keeping tab of gig scheds like a fiend), then you might want to take a look at our Gigs! Gigs! section at the siderail. Take note of the following dates:

June 26, 8pm (uhmm, today) - RED MUSIC 2: if you guys are in the Cagayan De Oro area, you might want to check this one out tonight. Do visit Corridor Music Group's MySpace site for details.

July 1, 7pm - Crux, the female-fronted Australian hardcore band cometh over to the banana shores. Catch them at Dayo Bar, QC alongside comebacking The Beauty Of Doubt, as well as Bystorm, Killratio, All Affected, Censorshit, and Sauna.

July 12, 9pm - I've already talked a great deal about this event. This is Throw's album launch entitled Keeping The Faith, to be held at Center For Arts in Timog Ave, QC.

July 26, 7pm - it's the Hong Kong HC stalwarts King Lychee sharing the stage with Shepherds The Weak in Hong Kong's Hardest, to be held at the Sta. Rosa (Laguna) Commercial Center.

Yes, children. You've been warned. ;)

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 11 Part 3: Nagugutom Ka Na Ba?

"Let me tell you 'bout your blood, bamboo kid.
It ain't Coca-Cola, it's RICE."

- The Clash, "Straight To Hell"

The Philippines happens to be the 8th among the world's top rice-consuming countries as of 2003 , and continues to be so till now. We definitely know that this country is still largely agricultural (but this may not be the case over the next few years, what with the rapid conversion of farm lands into subdivisions, industrial compounds and the like), and rice is and will always be a staple crop. That the Philippines used to be self-sustaining as far as rice production is concerned is practically a thing of the past, as it now relies on rice imported from its neighboring countries.

Pathetic, yes? Rice shortage is definitely one of the issues that hit us hard , for isn't food one of man's basic needs? Thus we have given this segment the nagging title "Nagugutom Ka Na Ba? (Are You Hungry Yet?)"

The playlist:

1. RADIOACTIVE SAGO PROJECT - "Foodtrip"
2. PAN - "Kawatan"
3. URBAN BANDITS - "Do You Rebel Rebel" (1984 demo)
4. THE BEAUTY OF DOUBT - "Death To Us All"
5. DEANS DECEMBER - "Things Are Getting Complicated"

For high bitrate version of this playlist, click here.

Radioactive Sago Project say it all too well and eloquently in "Foodtrip" ("Ang dali-dali nang maggisa...ang bansa natin dahan-dahang ginigisa, ang taongbayan piniprito sa sariling dugo at pawis, pero di bale, masarap naman..."), while Pan's "Kawatan", which is another term for "thief", is self-explanatory.

Third on our list is a 1984 demo of Urban Bandits' "Do You Rebel Rebel" (or, as some people call it "And I Know Why"), which I daresay has never been played elsewhere. The Beauty Of Doubt comes next with the angry "Death To Us All".

Finally, the sorely missed Binky Lampano can be heard here with his band Deans December; come to think of it, when was the last time you heard "Things Are Getting Complicated"?

That's all we have for this episode folks. See y'all next week, and do stay away from complications. ;)

Pic at right: The Beauty Of Doubt live at Center For Arts, Timog Ave, QC, last Nov 2006

Trash Radio Manila Test Cast

Test broadcast off Trash Radio Manila featuring Comeback Kid, Rites Of Spring, The Beauty Of Doubt, and Deadline.

More about The Beauty Of Doubt on their MySpace.