The More The Merrier: Scenes from The Bing Austria Show, November 14, 2009

After quite a period of absence from the gig circuit, I found myself at Sazi's Restobar last Saturday. The November installment of the monthly Bing Austria show was ongoing, and proponents Hil and Bing were at the entrance.

Substantial crowd, food, beer, pleasantries. I was asked about this blog and was subsequently prodded. "Update mo na ang Trash Radio, sige ka, we'll make our own playlist in another blog," came the friendly banter (something to that effect). To which I replied, why not, go ahead, the more the merrier.

[I mean it. The more blogs with a common goal to play good music and support the bands in the scene, the better. To these blogs, both existing and up-and-coming, I have always thrown in my whole-hearted support. We definitely need people with this singular vision during these trying times.]

Back to the gig. Earlier an audition hour was held, and I have been told that this is likely to go on in the months to follow. When I arrived at the venue, The Marcos Cronies Conspiracy was playing. (For those of you who might be asking, this is The Marcos Cronies with a new frontman.) Prior to that, Tolonguez Death Squad played, as well as The Young Instigators (if I am not mistaken, Bing did a few numbers with them), and The GoSignals.

The Cronies were followed by surf enthusiasts Tango Bitoy (really cool guitar playing by Rod Mijares). Bad Omen did a surprise appearance right after. Rocket Punch played, initially with Mae of Shuffle Union doing the vox and dubs, then succeeded by Usual Suspects veteran Marlon. Barrio Morning Glory I believe was the last band to play that night.Apparently, the accessory of the night was HATS. (When will it ever be trenchcoats? Hahaha!) Below are some photos from the gig.

Bing Austria


The Marcos Cronies Conspiracy


Tango Bitoy


Bad Omen


Mae of Shuffle Union fronting Rocket Punch


Marlon of Usual Suspects singing for Rocket Punch


Barrio Morning Glory

I think I have already gotten my present computer running. (Thanks to Adobe Photoshop! Yay!) Glad to be blogging once again. Now it is not exactly my habit to promote my current indulgences, but I have two things to tell you, and I am quite excited:

1. I am starting another blog really soon, tentatively titled "Manila and Beyond."

2. Some queer changes in the playlist may be coming up, again, really soon, when my heart permits it. (Of course, I have a very permissive heart. Hahah!)

See you guys. Biiiizzzz!

Paumanhin ...

... my main computer crashed and am working on one that has not been souped up yet, thus accounting for the paucity of posts. My apologies.

[In photo: Fire, Lightning and Rain. And me. The author of this blog being burned a la Joan of Arc.]

I am coming back soon.

And The Spanish Word For Trash Is ...

Basura!!! (Watch this cute Sesame Street clip.)



I have not done a playlist for quite some time. This time I thought I'd do a Spanish episode. More than a year ago I met someone from South America online. He told me that he plays drums for a band which I will not mention outright. (Clue: A song from this band appears in the playlist.) He may be saying the truth, or may be pulling my leg (hopefully not!), but I have to say that I was a little stumped when he asked me what Spanish-speaking punk/ska/reggae/hardcore acts I am familiar with.

As if we do not know this for a fact (simply start here, yes, in the Philippines: you just have to look around to see Throw, Tame The Tikbalang, and a whole lot more local bands to name a few), there are so many non-English-speaking bands (technically defined as those that do not count English as their native tongue) around that sound just as great. Thus I came up with this playlist.

1. ALIKA Y SU NUEVA ALIANZA - "Paciencia"

Uruguay-born Alika is now based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She founded one of the first rap acts in Argentina, Actitud Maria Marta, which she eventually left in 1999 in what seems to be a shift more towards Rastafarian culture. "Paciencia" comes from the album Sin Intermediarios, and you can find out more about Alika on her MySpace site, though I have to warn you that knowledge of Spanish is an extreme advantage.

2. INTOCABLES - "Necesito Ska"

Another act from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Intocables play rousing ska. These guy have been around since the early 90s, as far as I understand. Still going strong with two of its original members staying put. On the playlist is "Necesito Ska".

3. LA FURIA - "Aburrido en los USA"

I read that The Clash all-cover album of this band from Barcelona, Spain is a cassette-only release, accounting for less than sterling audio quality. It's a pity really because some tracks from the Por Algo Mas Que Por Gusto are pretty good. I think "Aburrido en los USA" is one of the album's best tracks.

4. VOODOO GLOW SKULLS - "El Coo Cooi"

Wow, who doesn't know Voodoo Glow Skulls? These guys from California have been around dishing out their furious brand of ska-core since the late 80s. The Casillas brothers together with the rest of their crew continue to tour heavily, apparently not showing any signs of slowing down. Check out their MySpace site here.

5. PATRULLERO MANCUSO - "El Peine De La Tortuga"

Patrullero Mancuso are from Madrid, Spain and they play quirky, thoughtful pop music. "El Peine De La Tortuga" comes from the band's third album under Elefant, titled Tortilla Estatal. Find out more about them here.

6. RAMONEX - "Judy Es Una Punk"

Ok, another cover song, so sue me. Ramonex did The Ramones (obviously), even did a similar pose on the album cover. The full tracklist to Tribute Ao Ramones can be found on this link.

7. MOJIGANGA - "Sin Razon No Hay Vida"

From Medellin, Colombia comes Mojiganga, a band that has been playing together since 1995. With six albums under their belt, Mojiganga continues to tour and record apparently with a goal to infuse their Colombian roots in the so-called international underground movement. Maybe you guys will get the picture by dropping by their MySpace site here.

Ok, I finally got this done. Who knows what playlist I may be coming up in the days to come? French? Norse? Slav? Japanese? Possibilities are endless, and should be very very interesting to do. Have a great weekend people, or whatever remains of it.

The Weekends That Were

Waaaaaaah!

The wailers: Dennis Maniego, Albert Ascona, Jun Quiane, and frenzied pair during T.S.A.'s gig over at the Leprechaun Bar, September 18, 2009

I sure missed a lot these past weekends. Though I was lucky enough to catch the fantastic T.S.A. during the September 18 gig at the Leprechaun Bar sponsored by Filter Zine (Huwaaaaaaat? Antagal na pala? Shame shame. :( ), I missed the Bisikleta-sponsored T.S.A. sortee at Ten02 bar. Yes I also missed the Tarlac gig last October 10 (featuring Throw, Tame The Tikbalang, Bad Omen, and a whole lot more, my apologies for not having posted the poster, very very sorry), and I friggin' missed The Bing Austria Show the day after and the "Picking Up The Pieces" fund raising gig last October 12. Please don't ask me what has happened to me these past few weeks, it is something very very horrendous and not worth sharing here. (Sob sob sob, I sure hope to get over this year in one piece, I seriously do!). Suffice to say though that while things were battering me up to pieces (grrrr...), all seems to be alive and thriving this side of the music scene.

Will be posting my backlogs real soon. Below are some photos taken from T.S.A.'s Leprechaun gig and the October 10 Tarlac gig. (Thank you so much to Mina for the incredible photos of the Tarlac gig. Are you the female Andy Rosen? :))) )

T.S.A., Leprechaun Bar, September 18, 2009

Ojie of T.S.A.

Pedrobandido, T.S.A.

T.S.A. with Arnold Morales doing "Blood In Every Heart"

Throw with Ojie of T.S.A.

Tarlac, October 10, 2009

Russell Eustaquio of Tame The Tikbalang

Jun Idiot

Jun, Boyet, Al, Russ, Albert

Tarlac Kids

Picking Up The Pieces Updates

UPDATED POST!

Here's the *updated* updated poster of the upcoming event on Sunday, October 11, 3pm at Ten02 Bar. (Heheh, that's redundancy for you.)

Updates to the line-up are the addition of The Jerks! In lieu of Coffee Break Island, we'll be seeing CBI's Paul Puti-an live.

And of course, topbilling the show too are Throw, The GoSignals, and Tsunami Tsunami. Soundblasters will provide the sounds in between sets. Do note that other donations in kind (blankets, mosquito nets, medicine, water etc) aside from easy open canned goods will be accepted at the gate. Proceeds will go to the Bayan Muna Relief Mission.


See you all on Sunday.

[A donation box will be set up on this date and during The Bing Austria Show at Sazi's Restobar on Saturday - the day before the fund-raising gig. Check out the posters on the side rail. ]

More Public Service: Picking Up The Pieces

[Details to follow, including the list of bands, beneficiary, and possible addition of accepted donation.]

Public Service For Now: The Wrath of Typhoon Ketsana/Ondoy (and more to come?!) PLUS Benefit Gig Tonight For The Victims Of Typhoon Ondoy At Ten02 Bar

Indulgence please. Public service first before the playlists and gig updates. I have written about the havoc wrecked by Typhoon Ketsana/Ondoy and the means for you guys to help in my other blog and I am reprinting it here.

PUBLIC SERVICE: A TYPHOON NAMED KETSANA/ONDOY (and many more typhoons to come?!)

Ketsana (PAGASA name: Ondoy) : the proper name for the typhoon that left Metro Manila (National Capital region, Republic of the Philippines) and its surrounding areas practically underwater, creating what is now said to be the worst flood to have hit Manila in 50 years.


The winds started rushing in late in the morning of Saturday, September 26, and soon after the rains were pouring in. Perhaps I underestimated this outburst of Mother Nature, because I was still bent on walking from my house to Powerplant Mall to get some groceries.

Many hours later, I found out that I was one lucky lucky bastard.



Lucky because, I live in a high place and my area was one of the very few parts of the metro which was not hit by floods: all I had to deal with along the way that fateful Saturday was numerous puddles and temporarily lost cable and connection services. SMS were coming in from friends, mainly checking on one another's safety, and then reality gripped me. More than 80% of Metro Manila was flooded, leaving 246 people dead (as of the latest count) and many more homeless, without electricity, food, and water,



This is just an example of how the typhoon has affected the lives of even the people I know. Fortunately for my friend Jan, the floods receded and her family was alright. (You can read about her own account here and see some other photos courtesy of Maren Mae here.) As of this time, there are still people left stranded on the rooftops and in buildings, and as such boats and divers' services were being solicited. Many homeless families in Marikina, one of the places hardest hit by the storm, are cramped in classrooms, babies still covered with mud, and many with wounds. There is no electricity nor water for the most part of the area. It is likely indeed that an epidemic will break soon.

It also does not help to know that another typhoon is about to come in on Thursday, tomorrow .... (yep, Parma is not just another name for ham nor the Italian city anymore :( )

It is disheartening, to say to the least. TIME asks succinctly, why wasn't Manila prepared? Indeed, when disasters like this hit our city, we often find ourselves huddled, fending for ourselves, helping one another, cursing tragedy and thanking the heavens at the same time ... and the government, until 3 to 4 days later, was hardly in sight...and that's another (bad) story.

Eventually it is just about us, and the people who care, the people we care for, and the people who need our care.

There are many ways to help, and a list can be found here. A good friend forwarded me this link which will take you to a spreadsheet containing a good number of places where goods and monetary help can be donated. This is sufficient information for the moment. Do take time in going over the list, that alone can give you many ideas on how to help out. No one should pressure you to give beyond your means, for no effort is too small nor insignificant, as long as it comes from the heart. Another very useful link here on ML Quezon III's blogsite. Check it out.

[I will be going back to my usual self-indulgent posts next time when it is more appropriate. *grins* See you later, friends.]

I am aware that most of our musicians may have suffered the same fate, getting affected by floods at various degrees. I hereby am opening this particular post for comments, fora, and suggestions on how and where and who will need help in the community. Also please check out the chatbox. To those hard hit by the floods (Albert of TBOD, Nomer of Shuffle Union, etc), is it possible to get updates about their present situation?

In the light of this tragedy, a benefit gig will be held tonight at Ten02 Bar at Timog Avenue, Quezon City...if you have time to spare, please check it out. Juan Pablo Dream will be playing, as well as Alak Pa, Skarlett of course, probably Pink Cow, and 2 more bands that escape me at the moment.

And for the friggin' powers that be, did you have Dead Kennedys' "Kill The Poor" in mind when millions of people in Manila and the surrounding areas were being hit by the storm?!

!!!!!

[playing right now: Dead Kennedys' Kill The Poor]

T.S.A. Fest This Weekend!

Our Pinoy hardcore friends from Singapore will be playing on Friday, September 18, at the Leprechaun Bar and on Saturday, September 19, at Ten02 bar. This is a rare chance for you guys to see Bimboi, Pedro, and Ojie play together in Manila because, for you to see T.S.A. play, you have to be living or flying over to Singapore, where the boys are currently based.

We here at Trash Radio Manila have always raved at how T.S.A. play, for a good reason. These guys are fast and fierce, yet melodic at the same time. Just to let you know what to expect this weekend, do listen to these tracks off their Break The Silence album.

1. Abusive Authorities - T.S.A.
2. Lie To You - T.S.A.
3. Wala Nang Mura - T.S.A.

Want more? Here's a video clip from YouTube showing T.S.A. captured live at The Guiness Theatre in Singapore. Really steady playing there. T.S.A. will be supported by equally able and larger-than-life bands such as Throw. (Check out the posters.) See you guys at the gigs this weekend.

The Bing Austria Show on a Very Very Wet September Night

The rains had been pouring in torrents the whole day yesterday, which was such a bummer because, really, non-stop rains can put anyone's spirits down the gutter. Especially so perhaps when you live, or have to report to work in one of those places notorious for flooding up at the slightest downpour. España, the location of Sazi's Bar and the current home of The Bing Austria Show, is one of these places.

Thus, it was quite a miracle that the affair was still decently attended. Not jam-packed, it's more like being in a dingy (pardon the term, it was the first term that came to mind when I entered Sazi's last night - their aircon was out of order!) jazz bar with a sizeable crowd of regulars on a weeknight. Except that the music playing on the stage was a combination of ska, rockabilly, hiphop, mod, and punk.

Unfortunately I missed the performances of Bembol Rockers (wow, labo, how could I have possibly missed these guys?) and AMPON (wow, ang labo talaga, isa ko pang na-miss). Also missed Coffinride, which I was told gave a solid performance. Some bands did not show up: Gut Reaction, Tango Bitoy, Steady Movin' Beat, Skies Of Ember. Pity.

Neighbors did perform (haven't seen these lads for so long, though I expected the line-up changes), as well as The GoSignals, who at present have been regularly including their original, "ELISA", in their set. Also saw Life Without Francis (with the Umble Uno horny guys), Earthlings, and Pusakals. Ojie of TSA (occasionally donning the "Pharaoh" look), was likewise present.

Some photos here. [In order: Pusakals, Neighbors, Earthlings, The GoSignals, Life Without Francis]

**********
Coming Up!

The boys of T.S.A. are playing this weekend: Friday at the Leprechaun Bar, Saturday at Ten02. Something to look forward to. Watch out for updates. have a good week ahead, and don't let the rains get you down.

Ever Wondered What Happened At The Bicolandia Skannection?

Last August 29, Manila contingencies Shuffle Union and Steady Movin' Beat skanked with the rest of the Bicol ska community in a gig titled Bicolandia Skannection. I was not there, apparently, but have scored an account from SU vocalist Jan Bautista, who happily obliged (I hope so, for I am never known to be coercive, hahaha!) and provided me with this post and matching photos. Thank you Jan.

Tales From the Tagalog South
by Jan Bautista


Legazpi City in Albay is not known for its ska scene, not yet anyway.

However, the collective efforts of the organizers who oversaw the Bicolandia Skannection gig last August 29, along with the bands and attendees who participated that night certainly made one thing clear that night- that their scene is a force to reckon with. Although we already knew that there was a collective of bands and folks from the Tagalog south who were into the music, we didn’t realize it was that huge and vibrant--with skinheads, rudeboys, and rudegirls coming from as far north as Daet and Naga as well as from neighboring provinces like CamSur, Daraga, Guinobatan, and many others. I am not even talking about those who came from Legazpi City itself.

Although there was a huge commercial gig held in the city square that same night, over 200 good souls easily packed the venue, Bar 101, which occupied the top floor of the historic Bichara Silver Screen. By, the way, there was free wifi in the venue so were able to broadcast the event via our trusty webcam.


(Above photo: Payirl of Stolen Shots)

First to perform was the punk-oriented Punk O’ Die and Damaged Sidewalk, followed by the reggae vibe of Muchas Grasas. Afterwards, it was an all-ska show with Skamalig and Stolen Shots showing their Manila counterparts how things are done down south. The latter band even had a Prince Buster sound-alike for a vocalist. At this time, this writer gleefully joined the ruckus in front of the stage—their energy is just infectious!


Up next were SMB and Shuffle Union who delivered song after song after song. Playing tracks from the Invincible Live! Album, we were all too happy to realize they did like the songs. Toward the end of the set, the entire horns section of Stolen Shots joined us for a few songs and by that time, random people were going up the stage and grabbing our microphones, singing joyously along and just having a good time (I think Eftri of Mudflow was slinging an open umbrella round about this time :D).


(Above photo: Kaloy de Menudo and Dennis of SMB)

Rather than a special gig for visiting Manila-based bands Shuffle Union and SteadyMovinbeat (Life Without Francis and Exsenadors weren’t able to attend due to some unavoidable circumstances, we were told), it was more of a showcase of what their scene was all about. Aside from enjoying the performances of the Bicol-based bands that night, what we also enjoyed was the scene itself—they were all sharply dressed, behaved well, and seemed to enjoy the whole thing up to the wee hours of the morning.


To all those we have met, the Legazpi organizers-Ben, Les, and crew-and all those who showed up and supported their scene-our hats are off to you! We will definitely be back!

More photos here courtesy of Jan.

Mga Awit Para Sa Buwan Ng Wika: Ikalawang Bahagi (Ano Ba Ang Makabuluhang Pagmamahal?)

Katulad ng aking pangako ay inihahandog ko ang pangalawang bahagi ng ating tugtugan.

Kasama sa aking handog ang isang tanong na magpasahanggang ngayon ay walang tiyak na kasagutan para sa akin.

Ano ba ang makabuluhang pagmamahal? (To rephrase in a more universally spoken language, what is a purposeful kind of love?)

Itinatanong ko ito sapagkat maraming uri ng pagmamahal, maraming nag-aakala na makabuluhan ang kanilang pagmamahal, at maraming nagiging biktima ng inaakala nilang pagmamahal.

Tunay nga bang pagmamahal ang maging mapagpatawad sa ama, ina, o asawang nambubugbog?

Pagmamahal nga ba ang tawag kung gusto lang wakasan ng isang kaibigan ang inyong pagtatalo na walang naging tiyak na kalutasan, dahil ayaw lang niya ng diskusyon?

Paano ba ang magmahal sa bayan kung ito ay salamin ng kalabisan at kawalang-bahala ng kanyang mga supling?

Lubos ka bang nagmamahal kung handa kang mamatay para sa iyong paniniwala, o isa ba itong kahibangan o dili kaya ay kakulangan sa pagmamahal sa sarili?

Paano ba ang magmahal sa mga bagay na hindi nakikita ng iyong mga mata o nararamdaman ng iyong puso?

Katulad ng aking tinuran, mahirap sagutin ng tumpak ang mga tanong na ito. Isa ito sa mga "doble-karang" katotohanan ng buhay: totoong mahirap sagutin ang anumang katanungan tungkol sa pagmamahal, subalit kailangan pa ring magkaroon ng katanggap-tanggap na kasagutan. Dahil kung wala .... marahil ay lagi na lamang luhaan ang buong sanlibutan, at malamang, kahit saan ka bumaling ay bumabagyo, o umuulan ng niyebe, at wala kang masilungan.

At ano naman ang kinalaman nito sa Buwan ng Wika?

Ang isa pa kasi sa mga katanungan ko ay: paano ba ang magmahal sa sariling wika, kung sa totoo lamang ay hindi pa rin tunay na matukoy kung ano ba talaga ang ibig sabihin ng wikang Pilipino?

Lahat tayo ay may kanya-kanyang sagot diyan, subalit huwag nating kalimutan na isa itong paulit-ulit na isyu lalo pa kung tuwing sumasapit ang Buwan Ng Wika.

Eto ang mga awit para sa mga nagmamahal, para sa Buwan ng Wika. At para sa mga tagahanga ni G. Mel Maniego, ikinatutuwa kong sabihin sa inyo na kasama sa listahang ito ang isa sa mga orihinal na awit ng kanyang bandang The GoSignals, ang "Elisa". Makinig kayo!

1. POPONG LANDERO - "Buhay-Robot"
2. t.R.A. - "Kamalayan"
3. SIGNAL 3 - "Buhay Ko"
4. DONG ABAY - "Akrostik"
5. EINSTEIN CHAKRAS - "Hanggang Saan, Hanggang Kailan"
6. THE GOSIGNALS - "Elisa"

(nasa larawan: monumento ni Ninoy Aquino sa rally para kay Jun Lozada, The GoSignals)

Mga Awit Para Sa Buwan Ng Wika: Unang Bahagi

Sa wakas! Nakawala ako sa sangkaterbang trabaho, bagama't panandalian lang. Hindi sa nagrereklamo ako (mas gugustuhin ko na hindi ako magkandaugaga sa trabaho, kesa naman sa walang ginagawa), marami lang talaga akong gusto at kailangan pang gawin.

Nagkaroon na naman ako ng dahilan para gumawa ng isang "All-Pinoy Playlist". Ang buwan ng Agosto ay ang itinalagang Buwan ng Wika o "Language Month". (Yun nga lamang, ano nga ba talaga ang wikang Pilipino? Para sa akin ay mas nababagay sa ibang blogsite o pulong ang mga diskusyon patungkol sa isyu na ito.) Eto ang unang bahagi ng kontribusyon ng Trash Radio Manila sa pagtanaw sa pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika.


Mga awitin:

1. BUKLOD - "Tatsulok"
2. YFC - "Ugat Ng Kasamaan"
3. SKY CHURCH - "Delubyo"
4. DEAR DINGO - "Tumahimik Ka"
5. THE WUDS - "Patay Buhay"

Malamang ay kilala ninyo ang halos lahat ng nabanggit na mga banda. Kailangan pa bang ipakilala ang Buklod? (Eto lang naman kasi ang alam kong bersiyon ng "Tatsulok".) Ang bandang YFC (madali namang hulaan kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng pangalan nila) ay mula sa Imus, Cavite. Ang "Ugat Ng Kasamaan" ay halaw sa kompi album na "This Is Cavite Not LA".

Kung meron kayong "Unaware Unwarned" na album ay maaalala nyo ang kantang "Delubyo" ng Sky Church. Samantala, lumabas naman ang "Tumahimik Ka" ng bandang Dear Dingo (banda ng namayapang bokalista na si Vince Go) sa kompi na "Sa Silong Ng Mundo". Ang huling awitin ay ang walang kamatayang "Patay Buhay" ng The WUDS.

May pangalawang bahagi pa ito, medyo maikli lamang muna ang playlist (kasing-ikli ng kakayahan kong magtagalog ng maayos). Sana'y nagustuhan niyo ang hinanda ko para sa inyo. Kita kita ulit sa mga susunod na araw.

Mga larawan ni Manuel L. Quezon at The WUDS sa itaas.

I Have Been Busy Beyond Belief...

...with things and concerns bigger than me and Trash Radio Manila, missed a few gigs and got this blog site in a temporary impasse in the process.

Should be posting in a couple of days, a respite from the crazy schedule. See you guys in a few and have a good week ahead.