tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79541050044002218712024-02-11T15:44:54.517-08:00The Pinoy RockerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-3371004509380115332012-06-26T18:19:00.003-07:002012-06-26T22:32:05.069-07:00How Karl Roy Almost Joined Razorback<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><b>How Karl Roy Almost Joined Razorback</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">Sometime in 1992, Jose Mari Cuervo left Razorback as their second lead singer. The band was in limbo and had a very uncertain future. Karl Roy was the lead singer of Advent Call at the time. I'm not sure who brought up the idea but Miguel Ortigas, David Aguirre and myself made it our mission to try and hijack Karl from Advent Call. Sounds sinister? Maybe. But, the mere idea of Karl Roy fronting Razorback made our heartbeats race and our imaginations run amuck. We had to give it a try. </span></div>
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We were in the residence of the guitarist of Watawat (I forget his name), Freddie Aguilar's back-up band. My memory is foggy regarding Louie Talan and Tirso Rippol being present. After a few beers, we brought up the idea to Karl. His initial reaction was that of enthusiasm and he got excited at the prospect of fronting the hardest rock band in Manila at the time. But, just as he was getting enamored by the idea, he declined the offer. He said he couldn't leave Advent Call and his loyalty lay with them. All night, we tried our darndest to convince him to join Razorback and conquer the fucking world. We told him that we felt that he was getting stuck in a cover band and how awesome it would be to write music with him. And all night, he kept his loyalty to his band and declined the offer. We finally relented and never bothered him again about it. </div>
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Razorback eventually hired Karl's younger brother Kevin and the rest is, well, history. We never treated Karl negatively for declining the offer. I personally admired his display of loyalty. You always want a bandmate with that kind of integrity. Someone who sticks with you even when the shit hits the fan. Karl eventually left Advent Call and the rest, is again, history. I never got close to Karl as others have so I hope this story warms his close friends' hearts for I am sure he has showed this kind of trait to all of them.</div>
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Karl_Roy_-_Kapatid,_Live_@_Rock_Aid_(2005).jpg/400px-Karl_Roy_-_Kapatid,_Live_@_Rock_Aid_(2005).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Karl_Roy_-_Kapatid,_Live_@_Rock_Aid_(2005).jpg/400px-Karl_Roy_-_Kapatid,_Live_@_Rock_Aid_(2005).jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Karl Roy</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-33896427528952285692009-07-21T15:26:00.000-07:002009-07-22T13:38:04.354-07:00PERF DE CASTRO - Pinoy Rock Journeyman<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ARVQQSdcz9WPZVIgAOS3L9_tQhS_ALrrS7zfXwpHEWwRk8cRrTd9zKO4L-X4ZCivCzp3uLjU-a4mOoENBMHKB8YIBFGGfgP9ykMxbCUWHN6SwHsNKs5BJOdcYNKHmxa1j8s1s4Bk9cw/s1600-h/pheadbang.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 153px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ARVQQSdcz9WPZVIgAOS3L9_tQhS_ALrrS7zfXwpHEWwRk8cRrTd9zKO4L-X4ZCivCzp3uLjU-a4mOoENBMHKB8YIBFGGfgP9ykMxbCUWHN6SwHsNKs5BJOdcYNKHmxa1j8s1s4Bk9cw/s200/pheadbang.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361053977802262562" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK2UW5q-0LJ9L-wsWKrhsC93T5ut34smIZfca5jzdupdGTXyADfKtVlFcgh60maenh1TFJDtaVdlBo0oPLo2bdvnHfCqUiWlZB1SWkaTZJvFRPXLqza5o0GGJ__BAkXIRgMDCKErgRN4/s1600-h/n574179474_925118_3073.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK2UW5q-0LJ9L-wsWKrhsC93T5ut34smIZfca5jzdupdGTXyADfKtVlFcgh60maenh1TFJDtaVdlBo0oPLo2bdvnHfCqUiWlZB1SWkaTZJvFRPXLqza5o0GGJ__BAkXIRgMDCKErgRN4/s200/n574179474_925118_3073.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361053846069687730" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">S</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">aying that Perf De Castro is one of the best guitarists in the Philippines is an understatement. We all know of his stunning technique on the fretboard and enormous talent. What most of us may not know is the different adventures that Perf has experienced through the years; from taking up a challenge from his high school music teacher to learn to play a new instrument all the way to playing classical music pieces with a 10-string classical guitar. His musical exploits include being the original guitarist of Rivermaya, forming power trio Triaxis, sideman to late Pinoy rap artist Francis M. and hundreds of side projects in between. Now living in southern California, Perf De Castro is strumming nylon more than he is riding the lightning with his electric axes. Yet, still with the technique that compels. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Pinoy Rocker</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> shot a bunch of inquiries to Mr. Perfection himself.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Pinoy Rocker:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Were you formally trained?</span><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Perf De Castro: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I took classical guitar lessons from 3R’s Yamaha School of Music when I was 13. Prior to that I already knew how to read and write music from Music class in Don Bosco Makati. Later on I enrolled in Music College first in UST then eventually transferring to PWU where I got my Bachelor Degrees in Guitar performance and Music Education. However, my electric guitar chops were mostly acquired through a lot of self-research and experience.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Do you remember the moment you decided you wanted to play music?</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: I was in 2</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">nd</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> yr High School, the music teacher challenged the whole class at the start of the school year to learn at least 1 musical instrument by the end of the year. I signed up for classical guitar lessons a couple of weeks after. I got hooked and started practicing guitar for hours everyday. By 3</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">rd</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> yr HS I started teaching at the Yamaha school I learned in and by senior year I was pretty much set on having a music career.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: What was the first album you got as a kid</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: I don’t remember…. Some New Wave compilation on LP.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: What was your first guitar?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: My first guitar was a locally-made nylon string, a few months later (after a lot of begging) my mom bought me a fake Gibson SG. Both were purchased from JB Music.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrqJ76eJvnvfrK2am48ES-pmFywzZ2tFdmAQLAykUk3EiZKSjVs0-JMtEC46a3Gk5w8DaonhyphenhyphenMnA-BKETlrkF804S96CSwgMbBXF6mqqmzSqo1Fbk_HZbVDkJpUBXnIa_n4h1MoqKwLY/s1600-h/perf_mightek.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 137px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrqJ76eJvnvfrK2am48ES-pmFywzZ2tFdmAQLAykUk3EiZKSjVs0-JMtEC46a3Gk5w8DaonhyphenhyphenMnA-BKETlrkF804S96CSwgMbBXF6mqqmzSqo1Fbk_HZbVDkJpUBXnIa_n4h1MoqKwLY/s200/perf_mightek.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361053426565105938" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Who were your early favorite music artists growing up?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: I started off digging New Wave: The Cure, The Alarm, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Echo and the Bunnymen, Bolshoi, etc. When I started playing I found out that I needed to buy guitar effects to play New Wave. Being without guitar pedals I got into Punk: The Descendents, Sex Pistols, anything that only required me to turn up my amp and rock out.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When my skills got better, I got into Glam Rock: Poison, Warrant, Cinderella, etc.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Can you tell us how you got in to Rivermaya?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: The band was pretty much formed in my studio along Sucat Rd in 1993. Lizza Nakpil found the core members Nathan and Rico and started auditioning the other members there. Nathan eventually brought in Bamboo and Mark and they started gigging as a cover band in Makati. They booked the studio 3-5x a week and for the most part the guys were just goofing off the whole time. Oftentimes I would find myself jamming with whoever’s around just to pass the time. Eventually they fired their guitar player and invited me to join.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: What was the reason for you leaving them?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Youthful pride, I guess. We all had our ideas on which direction to take the band in. And being young and egotistic, we turned matters that should’ve been handled business-like into some sort of personal slight against each other. Musical differences turned personal.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Who were your musical influences by this time?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Well, from Glam I worked my way back into Classic Rock, then Blues, then eventually widening my horizons to pretty much all genres of music. I listened to everybody: Eric Clapton, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Mr. BIG, BB King, Buddy Guy, George Benson, Richie Kotzen…. The whole gamut.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: How did Triaxis form? What were your experiences and accomplishments?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Well, I soon realized during my time with Rivermaya that I won’t be able to do everything I wanted to do musically with them. I remember a time when Bamboo lost his voice and we couldn’t gig for weeks! Instead of moping around, I grabbed my guitar and looked for gigs where I could just sit in…. one such occurrence was a couple of Kalye gigs with Wolfgang where I just showed up and played both sets without even rehearsing! Those were memorable jams for me, music being born out of the spur of the moment.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I also formed a Blues trio that first performed at the Atrium’s Weekends Live under the name “Voodoo Jones” with bassist Dave Harder and drummer Kent Sison (who later played with pop band Great Divide). We did Blues tunes from Clapton to Gary Moore to some Hendrix tunes. This format just clicked with me for some reason and I knew then my next band (if I were to join/form another one) would be a 3 piece Blues/Rock band.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the months leading to my departure from Rivermaya, I had started writing my own tunes that didn’t fit with the direction the band was heading in. So I decided to record these on my own at my studio with just a drum machine and later on with the help of Wolfgang bassist Mon Legaspi. Sometime later we met drummer Wendell Garcia and started jamming any Blues/Rock tunes that we could think of and eventually working out the songs I’ve been recording. We started gigging as “Blues Trio”, a terribly imaginative name, hitting clubs like 70’s Bistro, Mayric’s and the Edsa Club Dredd. When schedule conflicts with Wolfgang started making life difficult for Mon, we brought in Claire Sobejana on bass.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wendell, Claire and I decided to change our name to “Axis” after the Hendrix song, mainly because we didn’t want to be limited to the Blues genre as our previous name suggested. Shortly thereafter we changed it to “Triaxis” just to make it easier for people to say and remember.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9OmSnF-5f9ld4bGHlNfKWxhvZ2DOL6_Lr-viUZP32oY4q5ffNSUI03IP4-xGOR2i09AtjjsjeSYXMxwWiAoYUuLqcItpbbNspQmB4mKAoJPB7mT3jFRMgzJlf68rA1KQxGaek0cQ5JM/s200/triaxis1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361051327526496130" /></span></div><div> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TRIAXIS mark I</span></i></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We released our debut CD “Further Down the Bend” under EPIC/Sony Music Philippines in 1996 and toured the country for over a year. That CD received critical praise and eventually won a Katha Award for Best Rock Instrumental.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Claire got tired of the Rock band lifestyle and went back to school to complete her music degree at UP, so we brought in King Baldoz to play bass. King was a good friend and a frequent </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">tambay</span></i></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> at my studio in Paranaque. We recorded our 2</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">nd</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> CD “Who We Are” and released it in 1998. This CD earned me my NU107 Guitarist of the Year Award.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Lk5eadTejzHEKSViKyC3YK3BmoKajMlND41mCXZ7ZPForgWEbA4UIcnc10E0DNqCf7l_SxVFIPK9nx84HVAY-ECFHxSyvdc9ljOGo4H-taCEE4yaD54E-M1iuOgrfPTfvUx-6g98TD0/s200/nupic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361052925984422194" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At the 1999 NU 107 Rock Awards.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We carried on for a few more years until the Rock band scene died down. Instead of changing sounds, we decided to stop for awhile and go our separate ways with the option of getting back together when it feels right again. I went back to school and got my Music degrees, King played with the Blue Jean Junkies and started his own design firm, Wendell went on to play for Barbie’s Cradle and Pupil and from what I hear nowadays, pretty much everybody in the music scene.</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36jzdEXZMdd4fdeq5VHpSbsd4W_gk98OTWPRln3XS0daGwTEhEyn_jZVtDijRdGvcm53MxXfvq-i3RPL3N26xluVaYxOktgF3TCL99pUc4RQ4175-P-Jhh2vHCdSeEiDhxmK6dTiqb0w/s1600-h/triaxis2.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36jzdEXZMdd4fdeq5VHpSbsd4W_gk98OTWPRln3XS0daGwTEhEyn_jZVtDijRdGvcm53MxXfvq-i3RPL3N26xluVaYxOktgF3TCL99pUc4RQ4175-P-Jhh2vHCdSeEiDhxmK6dTiqb0w/s200/triaxis2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361050331655990994" /></span></a><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> TRIAXIS mark II</span></i></div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;margin-left: 37pt; "><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: What was your gear at this time?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: For Triaxis, my gear evolved a bit. I started out with the green Mightek guitar I used with Rivermaya. Then a friend of mine built me another guitar with the same shape but with different woods and I used that for quite a bit. Then sometime 1997 I signed on as an RJ Guitars endorser again and started gigging with 2 custom-made RJ Ravens. I also had a MIJ Fender Strat in candy apple red and a butterscotch Tokai Telecaster that I had bought from Francis Reyes. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For amps/efx, I started out using a Digitech GSP2101 rackmount efx preamp running that into a Marshall series 9000 power amp and a Peavey Classic 410 cabinet. When I got tired of lugging that around, I started using a Fender Blues Deluxe amp with a Boss Dual Overdrive pedal and sometimes a Vox V827 wah. Then when *that* became tiring to bring around, I started using a lowly Zoom 505 multifx pedal heheh It was cheap but it did the job.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There was also a period where I used a Roland Guitar Synthesizer live to add another dimension to the rock trio sound. Audiences were sometimes confused trying to look for whoever was making those keyboard sounds! One guy literally went up onstage and looked behind the amps for a hidden keyboard player!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: You used to run a rehearsal studio in Sucat, Paranaque.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">How and when did that idea start?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: All my high school bands used to rehearse at home and eventually I wanted to move to a place where we could jam all the time and not disturb the neighbors. My family owned an apartment complex along Sucat Rd. and my parents graciously let me have a couple of units to turn into a rehearsal studio. Now we had a place to hang out in and at the same time clients would help pay with the studio upkeep.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It eventually expanded into a recording studio, first starting with a 4 track cassette recorder, then into a 16 track ADAT studio until becoming a full-fledged multitrack digital recording studio. By 1998 I was recording major label releases in there, as well as countless indie albums. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: You had different side projects with various musicians throughout the 90’s.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Care to elaborate on them?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: So many projects, I don’t even remember most of them anymore! I used to play with anybody and everybody, like that previously-mentioned Wolfgang gig I sat in. I just like being in different musical situations and I constantly sought them out. A lot of them resulted in magical moments onstage…. I lived for those moments!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcVqBG8Eh1rXEM1eH08kiU3utTx5JXJj3dPj92DmjmznyuxutXUs01mhgOVPRWx9tIrSwd2ZjGkfK4Ui4Q5PlZvxcTZIl0LooauY4O8o8u6wEQdWCXZLr3Ln7kjSlOLfqJ1Mg1S_y0Jo/s1600-h/jc1.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcVqBG8Eh1rXEM1eH08kiU3utTx5JXJj3dPj92DmjmznyuxutXUs01mhgOVPRWx9tIrSwd2ZjGkfK4Ui4Q5PlZvxcTZIl0LooauY4O8o8u6wEQdWCXZLr3Ln7kjSlOLfqJ1Mg1S_y0Jo/s200/jc1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361049556315347570" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Perf with the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar (2000)<br /></span></i><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: When did you migrate to the US and what was the reason for that?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: We moved to the US in 2004. My wife got hired as a registered nurse here and I figured I should at least try to continue my musical career here in the US. So far it’s been working out.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Did you play in any bands when you got there?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: I did a couple of sessions with Elson Trinidad and his R&B band. I also did gigs with some transplanted Pinoy rockers here (Paco Arespacochaga, Jonathan Buencamino, Basti Artadi) to promote a benefit CD for Leyte that I put together a few years ago. I also played on a couple of gigs with Glen Jacinto around L.A. clubs. Mike Turner and I jammed a few times to see what we could come up with, but never really gelled. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Honestly, I didn’t really pursue the band thing because I didn’t want to start from scratch again… finding band members, rehearsing, booking “exposure” gigs, blah, blah, blah. The main appeal of solo classical guitar for me is that I no longer have to worry about persons other than my self as far as my career goes.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Your move to classical guitar was quite surprising. Using a 10-string classical guitar was shocking. How did this all come about?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Well, around 1998 the music scene was changing and there was less and less demand for Triaxis. So we talked and decided to start focusing on other aspects of our lives. I went back to music school and got my music degrees. In doing so, I also discovered that I could continue my career as a classical guitarist.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As for the 10-string, my teacher, Jose Valdez, played 10-string as well so he was a huge influence. Plus I thought the guitar looked really cool! I had been playing a 7 string electric guitar at that time and I know what the possibilities are with more strings.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When did this interest in classical music begin?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Like I said, I’m into all kinds of music. But when I was younger I leaned more towards heavier stuff. When I went back to school at an older age, I matured enough to be able to listen and find interesting things about other genres. Where in the past I thought music history was a waste of time, this time around I enjoyed learning about composers, their lives and their inspirations.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDV4dJZ_dEC_ybWmEj1r1kfNARINwCMuc7Po81cjoXXpNUPjm11YGOXxCI8t7EDBZzf0Wp3Co1VhUTsoug7Z2dIRPmfeul60ZZnl_U5m2gmS9jEddBK4Rn287kjmXbhj8EFsWXvnsqcQ/s1600-h/n574179474_925124_2574.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 157px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDV4dJZ_dEC_ybWmEj1r1kfNARINwCMuc7Po81cjoXXpNUPjm11YGOXxCI8t7EDBZzf0Wp3Co1VhUTsoug7Z2dIRPmfeul60ZZnl_U5m2gmS9jEddBK4Rn287kjmXbhj8EFsWXvnsqcQ/s200/n574179474_925124_2574.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361048439134249682" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFom6B99nYJZZxhza8ODoy0iXV0CK8GQE1JROENX4ctU2v-1z6iAjL9O-MouJDgaoyTuMIiOSuMwHU1TEte3dEpFbhGw9Cd0gHx2d3vlB5drZJCSI6hsUBk-3T6VJf7n7ubXIU9DcATcc/s1600-h/n574179474_925126_3024.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFom6B99nYJZZxhza8ODoy0iXV0CK8GQE1JROENX4ctU2v-1z6iAjL9O-MouJDgaoyTuMIiOSuMwHU1TEte3dEpFbhGw9Cd0gHx2d3vlB5drZJCSI6hsUBk-3T6VJf7n7ubXIU9DcATcc/s200/n574179474_925126_3024.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361048154358488306" /></span></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Please explain the concept of a 10-string classical guitar.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Simply put, the first 6 strings are that of a regular guitar, the extra strings are usually tuned as extra basses. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was first developed to increase the resonance of the guitar. With the extra strings tuned to a specific set of notes, you can get equal resonance on every note of the chromatic scale… much like playing a piano with the damper pedal pressed down. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Eventually, players started using different tunings to expand the musical range of the instrument, thus lending it to play other music, like old lute music as well as encouraging new compositions and transcriptions in different musical genres.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:37.0pt;text-indent:-19.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 37.0pt"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Who else uses this kind of instrument?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: It’s been around in some form or another, like the harp guitars with floating strings (meaning strings off the fretboard).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The guitar type I’m using, with all 10 strings on the fretboard, was developed by Spanish guitarist Narciso Yepes and Spanish guitar builder Jose Ramirez III. Yepes had his students and followers all over the world playing 10-strings.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the Philippines, as mentioned, the main 10-string figure is my maestro, Jose Valdez.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In non-classical genres, the most famous 10-string player is Egberto Gismonti. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre; "><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hV5-QTi2Oo4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hV5-QTi2Oo4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></span>TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: What have your projects involving the classical guitar been?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: My first classical guitar project was the Kasilag Guitar Quartet CD released in 2004. We recorded that back in my Sucat studio and was released to international acclaim.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In 2007 I released my first solo 10-string CD, “A Journey through 10 Strings”. I’ve toured behind the CD across the US and in the Philippines and it has met some good reviews as well.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I just released my 2</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">nd</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> solo 10-string CD entitled “CAPARISON”, it’s available through my website (http://www.perfdecastro.com/merchandise.htm ) and will soon be available on CDBaby.com and iTunes.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My next projects will be an all new music CD and an all Filipino music CD. Aside from that I’ll be working towards putting together some video performances and instructionals that will be available for sale as well.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLat7COnvDNh4MprGEQgr0a72jjiPi63YrfxooxnHMDWhNuUUfJJ3qUJ-VeyONFHwNgyJ6Wwbux_pKj-5OVA074uVbtkdP5g1tjdOo276S52idzwPWsV6LU32AunbZ5LFobMpb2kT6YzE/s1600-h/CAP_CDCover.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLat7COnvDNh4MprGEQgr0a72jjiPi63YrfxooxnHMDWhNuUUfJJ3qUJ-VeyONFHwNgyJ6Wwbux_pKj-5OVA074uVbtkdP5g1tjdOo276S52idzwPWsV6LU32AunbZ5LFobMpb2kT6YzE/s200/CAP_CDCover.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361047137113067554" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 37pt; text-indent: -19pt; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Who in the classical music genre are your influences?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: There’s a whole bunch as well, I try to listen to everybody. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For guitar there’s Pepe Romero, Andres Segovia (of course), Narciso Yepes, John Williams, Scott Kritzer, James Kline, David Russell, Kazuhito Yamashita, Remi Boucher, Paco de Lucia and a bunch of others I can’t remember right now.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For music in general: BACH, Beethoven, Debussy, Puccini, , Ravel, Joaquin Rodrigo, Federico Moreno-Torroba, Dvorak, Pablo Casals, Mstislav Rostropovich, Glen Gould, Yo Yo Ma, Andrea Bocelli, Paul Robeson, Pavarotti, Philip Rosheger and again others I’m sure I can’t recall off the top of my head.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 37pt; text-indent: -19pt; "> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Do you still play electric guitar?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Yes, I do, though not as intently as I used to. I keep my chops up enough to handle my guitar classes and the occasional jam.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 37pt; text-indent: -19pt; "> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Do you still jam rock n’ roll these days?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Mostly in my guitar classes. The bulk of my students are aspiring rockers and we get to work on tunes that range from classic rock to the current KROQ hits.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Once in a while I get together with some friends and just blast our amps the whole afternoon. It’s a welcome change from the rigors of classical guitar practice.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 37pt; text-indent: -19pt; "> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Who are the artists that you presently listen to?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Aside from the classical guys, I get to check out some fairly new music because of my students: Muse, Rise Against, MCR, Disturbed, Avenged 7fold, Foo Fighters, The Strokes, etc. However, I don’t seek them out unless I have to. When driving I usually just tune in to a classic rock station and listen to whatever they’re spinning.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 37pt; text-indent: -19pt; "> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: Aside from the 10-string, what is your present gear?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: I got back my candy apple red Fender Stratocaster that I’ve used on all my recordings back in the Philippines. I also have a custom 7-string electric made by Kansas guitar maker Dave Wendler that’s an awesome, awesome guitar. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As for amplification, I have a boutique amplifier that’s a clone of a Dumble amp, like the ones Santana, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton and John Mayer use. It’s built by my friend Bob Ingram out of New Jersey. Great amp.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I have different odds and ends as far as accessories go: Boss Dual Overdrive, Guyatone Wah Rocker, Ultrasound acoustic DI, Digitech RP350.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TPR</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: What are your top 5 all-time favorite albums?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 37pt; text-indent: -19pt; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PDC</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That’s tough, there’s so much great music out there!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 37pt; text-indent: -19pt; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Steve Vai – Passion and Warfare</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pepe Romero – Noches de España</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kazuhito Yamashita – Bach Cello Suites</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Black Crowes – The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Green Day - 21</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">st</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Century Breakdown</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></span><p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-20671369044955154732009-07-10T12:15:00.000-07:002009-07-10T12:36:36.860-07:00Album Review - NUT HOUSE by HILERA ****<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3snjgxgMC-QJEgDneh_PnAzE6T9jrmu5Q3LaF1SDwo8fvuXh-OYNvfLmOWfGds-ZHlVeCdI6VH1RHQvFNccqjt-I6Mj5WaT02_dKXOyfgLShS-hEc9h-pEYQmqwfT9M3JkSuwJIHkmCA/s1600-h/n89799031852_8386.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3snjgxgMC-QJEgDneh_PnAzE6T9jrmu5Q3LaF1SDwo8fvuXh-OYNvfLmOWfGds-ZHlVeCdI6VH1RHQvFNccqjt-I6Mj5WaT02_dKXOyfgLShS-hEc9h-pEYQmqwfT9M3JkSuwJIHkmCA/s400/n89799031852_8386.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356913225420482914" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 17px; "></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; ">Band competitions have become dime a dozen in the Philippine rock scene for the past 25 years. From low-level barangay contests to nationwide corporate-sponsored events like today’s Red Horse Beer Muziklaban and Nescafe Sound Skool. Prizes at these events range from simple cash rewards to recording deals and promises of fame and fortune.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; ">Hundreds of bands with their rock n’ roll dreams have participated in these “battle of the bands” but literally, only a handful have emerged with actual talent in making music and integrity to stick to their style without selling out. One of these bands is Hilera. Winning the 2005 Nescafe Sound Skool when they were still teenagers, this power trio has lived up to expectations with their debut album and hit single, “Define”. Since then they have become one of Pinoy rock’s rising stars with more than just the record company hype behind their name.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; "></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; ">Their second album, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; ">Nut House</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; "> sees the band destroying any sophomore jinx and propels them to a much more advanced musical level than most of their more popular contemporaries, who sound like local clones of foreign bands that are the flavor of the moment. Songs like “Not This Time”, “Stop The Fight” and “Ded Ded Ded” show off their rockabilly/psychobilly influences. “No Lizard King”, “It’s A Crime” “So Be It” and the first single, “Radical” display their prowess in the radio-friendly world of power pop (and that is certainly NOT a bad thing). While “Protest”, “Doo Wop Pop” and the Beatle-esque ditties, “I’ll Get By” and “It All Ends” confirm the improving songwriting skills of the band.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hilera’s advantage from the rest of the pack is that the musical template that they follow is much more extensive and much more deeper which are ingredients to making music with substance and longevity. Hilera has not reached their peak just yet but they have certainly hit their stride.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rBYGchzeSsE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rBYGchzeSsE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6A9hHlyIE78&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6A9hHlyIE78&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">The new album NUT HOUSE is now available in stores.</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span><p></p></span><p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-74572379384448947362009-06-22T04:25:00.001-07:002009-06-22T04:25:52.077-07:00Peacepipe - Ngiti =)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AOwM9w2QrGs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AOwM9w2QrGs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com154tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-33146808261286002412009-06-11T18:45:00.000-07:002009-06-16T17:44:05.021-07:00Michael Turner Overdrive<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblMnU6No5SX1yK8vfCj_bUbZi8awAtEibYisu_fxtadksqVm7NelLLFYW_48Oi0oFvW8FU-fkUaFOUpciUBc4EPr9PVHt2aItcuq84WSZn6xT8_iuuTef22nKOAZlzifLSm1I4x0VJHo/s1600-h/n633314517_460239_3373.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblMnU6No5SX1yK8vfCj_bUbZi8awAtEibYisu_fxtadksqVm7NelLLFYW_48Oi0oFvW8FU-fkUaFOUpciUBc4EPr9PVHt2aItcuq84WSZn6xT8_iuuTef22nKOAZlzifLSm1I4x0VJHo/s400/n633314517_460239_3373.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346269279894312642" /></a><br /><br />People from around the world who have visited the Philippines experience one of two things. They have had either a great experience of its people’s hospitality, its pristine beaches and surf spots and its tasty food or have been traumatized by the heavy traffic, pollution and life-draining humidity with a sprinkle of a military coup de ’etat and mass revolution every now and again. Some of them stay for the rest of their lives, others become frequent visitors and the rest take the next flight out.<br /><br />For former The Breed and Battery guitarist Michael Turner, who was born in Dayton, Ohio and raised in cities and suburbs up an down the east coast of the United States, going to the Philippines was probably like taking a trip to Mars. Passing through our country only as a training jaunt for a future humanitarian mission to India, Turner did not know that his higher power had a Pinoy Rock side trip planned for this musician who made a significant mark in the local scene during the late 1990’s to the early 00’s. <br /><br />Now living in Tallahassee, Florida, Michael Turner continues to spread the Good Word, have fond thoughts of the Philippines and play a whole lotta rock n’ roll. <span style="font-style:italic;">The Pinoy Rocker</span> shot a few inquiries to one of Pinoy Rock’s great American allies.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Pinoy Rocker</span>: What was the first instrument that you learned to play.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Michael Turner</span>: I started taking piano lessons in the first or second grade and moved to drums from there. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: When did you start playing the guitar?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: I started playing guitar when I was 9 or 10 years old.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: What was the moment when you knew you wanted to play music?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: Probably when I heard the first Beatles album at about 5 or 6 years old.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: What was your first guitar? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: Some kind of Yamaha acoustic guitar. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: When did you form/join your first band?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: My first band was in junior high school, ninth grade. We were called Cannabis. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: What bands were you listening to when you were in your first band?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: Aerosmith, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Kiss, The Doobie Brothers (pre-Michael McDonald).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1LULUopPwA0SCXaaTgCfulOmMQUXuRFPzy1VeMoboVagCt3nB0MiUbeAYQxzeYgmkhCcb9m4vEFtffRS1RHu2V_1in7BueauaTfuZDsG5cylHQAN1ahaa0DY_LeL_i78REMVcyiSq5M/s1600-h/Salem's+Lot+solo+shot.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1LULUopPwA0SCXaaTgCfulOmMQUXuRFPzy1VeMoboVagCt3nB0MiUbeAYQxzeYgmkhCcb9m4vEFtffRS1RHu2V_1in7BueauaTfuZDsG5cylHQAN1ahaa0DY_LeL_i78REMVcyiSq5M/s400/Salem's+Lot+solo+shot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346270382544401634" /></a><br />Michael Turner playing with Salem's Lot, circa 1985<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: When did you come to the Philippines and what were the circumstances that brought you there?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: I came over in June of 1995 to get some training on the way to India to help with orphanages. It was also kind of a cultural bridge instead of going directly from the U.S. to India.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: How did you hook up with The Breed and eventually join them?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: I was part of a bible study group that had meetings at the NU 107 office and I heard that Charlie Y. (Ysmael) needed a guitarist for his band. I went to the audition, played and sat down with Charlie and their band manager afterwards. They told me I got the gig and we were gonna play a show in the next week!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: What did you think of Filipino musicians when you first arrived in the Philippines? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: Wow! Freakin' amazing!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: How did Battery evolve from there?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: We re-negotiated a crappy deal with Dyna Records to a better deal and rocked out! We went on to record "Amusing Ourselves to Death" with Maly Andres producing and got some really good feedback in local press, etc.. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: When Battery released its debut album, you were labeled as <span style="font-style:italic;">Christian Rock</span>. Did you feel comfortable with your music being given that label?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: Yeah, because they had already done that with "Amusing Ourselves to Death" which actually had a lot of stronger lyrical content.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: The local rock fans easily accepted you during your stint with The Breed and Battery. Did you feel accepted? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: Definitely. It was crazy! I remember my first gig with The Breed. It was just nuts! We even played some old cover tunes 'coz I had only practiced with them only one or two times.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: Does your past experience in the Philippines still influence you as an artist?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: Yes. It really gave me great confidence.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: Any memorable gig from the Philippines? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: One of my favorites with The Breed was in Bohol playing along with Wolfgang. Just an awesome time. With Battery, the MTV Music Awards and The Pulp Summer Slams were always cool. There are really too many to mention.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpWXWGh9SrDB02tdF3siT3oDGsNYirwTB4utTnoz7Vqdg0sWRGdMvCLbm05erRax_1MIyWK00NWVqBNMMtx6pkUwjndpLQ6ttJBkMlY-vNTlgpZTZ54A8I74ElYjuXZk3EhL83pjlaqE/s1600-h/battery.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpWXWGh9SrDB02tdF3siT3oDGsNYirwTB4utTnoz7Vqdg0sWRGdMvCLbm05erRax_1MIyWK00NWVqBNMMtx6pkUwjndpLQ6ttJBkMlY-vNTlgpZTZ54A8I74ElYjuXZk3EhL83pjlaqE/s400/battery.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346271090550741938" /></a><br />Battery version II, circa 2000<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: One of your most memorable performances was playing the Philippines' national anthem (Lupang Hinirang) on electric guitar at the first Pulp Summer Slam. What was the genesis of that idea?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: All of these great guitar players were backstage before the show and someone asked, "Who wants to play the national anthem?" Nobody answered. I actually had been learning it on my own so I volunteered. I think that was my most nerve wracking performance ever. A foreign guy playing the national anthem of another country!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: What artists do you consider influential to you as an artist?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: Pretty much everything I hear has some influence but in the early days it was Todd Rundgren, The Beatles, The Doobie Brothers, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Kiss, AC/DC, Judas Priest, UFO, Ted Nugent, Aerosmith. Nowadays its stuff like the Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots, Thin Lizzy, Disturbed, Paula Cole.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: How did your Los Angeles band, Love & Death form?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: I was in Hollywood playing a bunch of solo acoustic gigs and getting tired of playing quiet music. I played guitar for awhile with a hip hop band called Four 19. Then, Miguel Ortigas (Razorback, The Breed) moved to town and we formed Love and Death around 2004. Perf de Castro played with us for a while and he and I switched up on bass and guitar until he got too busy with classical gigs and we found Weng Lakanilaw (Fights Without Loss) to play bass.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5YG6iYP7CR_wF3JROY8AcbKkLt45Ct4C9aNvUYzHZm3pgRqTr4mic6mWncxiTSxE5tgSIKLWac_xZjJ92LD4cxpyX68-3Iqa9ESd4eZAftITQYFPjjsnOveBXL4FMUZZLKC415g76kg/s1600-h/n659732094_2819776_3498268.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5YG6iYP7CR_wF3JROY8AcbKkLt45Ct4C9aNvUYzHZm3pgRqTr4mic6mWncxiTSxE5tgSIKLWac_xZjJ92LD4cxpyX68-3Iqa9ESd4eZAftITQYFPjjsnOveBXL4FMUZZLKC415g76kg/s400/n659732094_2819776_3498268.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346271730377046354" /></a><br />Love & Death (Weng Lakanilaw, center, Miguel Ortigas, right)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: Did you record any Love & Death material?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: Only on practice demos. I'm doing some of the material with my new band.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: What is your band now?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: The band is called Glasgow Kiss. We've had about 4 practices. I am writing the originals and we are playing covers to get paid in clubs here. I did a small stint in Tallahassee as a bassist with a guitarist friend of mine. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: What are your top 5 best albums of all time?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: That's a tough one. Here goes:<br /><br />Something Anything - Todd Rundgren<br />Captain & Me - The Doobie Brothers<br />Powerage - AC/DC<br />2112 - Rush<br />Strangers in the Night..Live in Chicago - UFO<br /><br />It could change next week but those are classics.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: How did the Filipino environment and way of life affect you as a musician and songwriter? <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: It really kind of freed me up as a writer and an artist, I think. There is so much variety and also an openness to all kinds of music back there.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: You’re known as a hard rock/heavy metal guitarist. Are there any other genres of music that interest and influence you?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: Oh yeah. I love classical music and pop music as well as bluegrass and gospel music. I even like country music these days. I have some studio work on some soul and R&B stuff too.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: Now for some guitar talk. What is your present gear?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: A Gibson Flying V, Epiphone Les Paul, Hamer Stratocaster. The V has DiMarzio pickups and the Hamer has both EMG and DiMarzio pickups. I also have a Tacoma acoustic guitar that is awesome! <br /><br />I just got some new amps. A Vox AC130 combo and a Peavey 100 watt Valveking. I have a 4x12 Marshall cab. I also still utilize my Dunlop Wah and my Digitech RP2000.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: Are any of your kids following in their father’s rock n’ roll footsteps?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: They like listening to rock music but none of them are real excited about the work it takes to be a musician at this point.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: Do you still have any musical aspirations? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: Yes. To be a recording artist here in the U.S. and a successful song writer.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR</span>: Will you ever be visiting the Philippines as a musician again? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MT</span>: I sure hope to!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jU1wQf7Y6mCuQSqk2oX6TA1brF3JbM9UogLcguVIKTdPR0mDNxZzcTBdwpIb0Cd7cYGC1eBZRPpTrvEdi1P8YpTLxdZmKvtH_lgdwURbY-9oQ6fpfvZJQIIrm2y86fXYpMTZriEiaKs/s1600-h/n633314517_1024309_9263.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jU1wQf7Y6mCuQSqk2oX6TA1brF3JbM9UogLcguVIKTdPR0mDNxZzcTBdwpIb0Cd7cYGC1eBZRPpTrvEdi1P8YpTLxdZmKvtH_lgdwURbY-9oQ6fpfvZJQIIrm2y86fXYpMTZriEiaKs/s400/n633314517_1024309_9263.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346272282673989090" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-17729056330402341362009-06-09T23:18:00.000-07:002009-06-09T23:21:50.387-07:00Pinoy Skaters Against Con-Ass<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9CK8mNdvm8k&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9CK8mNdvm8k&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-25559051894037140302009-06-08T00:11:00.000-07:002009-06-08T00:33:07.094-07:00Pilipinas Kontra Con Ass!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ_EVEwIzhhe17TxVUiS8UwasxvzwDQ5ZeDwri8DGysS5Tga8IW78kBFm718FQ6ZZA5_htNSHy8ZlIVCkDYb-l1K1nRSgn4lOa7db9dz5uELU8jxIma84yJjYonxikSEXeJTetaNqapA/s1600-h/4448_102545309616_101256379616_1729752_6646304_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ_EVEwIzhhe17TxVUiS8UwasxvzwDQ5ZeDwri8DGysS5Tga8IW78kBFm718FQ6ZZA5_htNSHy8ZlIVCkDYb-l1K1nRSgn4lOa7db9dz5uELU8jxIma84yJjYonxikSEXeJTetaNqapA/s400/4448_102545309616_101256379616_1729752_6646304_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344851425147713554" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">THE PINOY ROCKER</span> is a proud part of <span style="font-weight:bold;">PILIPINAS KONTRA CON-ASS</span>.<br /><br />Join the movement and let your voices be heard.<br /><br />http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pilipinas-Kontra-ConAss/101256379616<br /><br />X SOBRA NA! X TAMA NA! X<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionhp36G2URT1yq0fszzhOsNYLI8M6sHhmJ_U_YWzTqZiFkhGmhSP2BDTrpWergr1YteBSqxfD-KrTr-cKU_tvkGJCgST1rSXoREVCKG4vGIAFrVrjqU9FK65CFMRXS2YqKw4l7qdUQW4/s1600-h/n101256379616_1712824_5692286.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionhp36G2URT1yq0fszzhOsNYLI8M6sHhmJ_U_YWzTqZiFkhGmhSP2BDTrpWergr1YteBSqxfD-KrTr-cKU_tvkGJCgST1rSXoREVCKG4vGIAFrVrjqU9FK65CFMRXS2YqKw4l7qdUQW4/s400/n101256379616_1712824_5692286.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344854325392002194" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-41604345277883562362009-06-03T20:19:00.000-07:002009-06-03T20:20:36.996-07:00Mike Hanopol - Tulungan Natin, Live 2007<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0nKqNOvQ2uc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0nKqNOvQ2uc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-7647228728676281182009-05-19T10:11:00.000-07:002009-05-19T10:12:16.320-07:00Remembering Dondi Ledesma Part II: Tribute To A Master<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwqL09QhUxEsclJLeqCMaf0CP1Q64vG141e5oqZd4nNFsYmpdLnqVFevlug3tRMhJffTC3fqcP2IycmL3E0Paooik0-mmS05JEvkOxP3ksSA6w_hKQ_AiMeewWkQM7bi1Vt7SRn-ueb0/s1600-h/wallypepedondi.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwqL09QhUxEsclJLeqCMaf0CP1Q64vG141e5oqZd4nNFsYmpdLnqVFevlug3tRMhJffTC3fqcP2IycmL3E0Paooik0-mmS05JEvkOxP3ksSA6w_hKQ_AiMeewWkQM7bi1Vt7SRn-ueb0/s400/wallypepedondi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336673358779980914" /></a><br />DNDI with Wally Gonzalez (left) and Joey "Pepe" Smith<br /><br />This is the second part of <span style="font-style:italic;">The Pinoy Rocker</span>'s Dondi Ledesma tribute. A number of colleagues and friends have made time to share memories and thoughts on how the Father of Pinoy Progressive Rock, in one way or another, touched their lives.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRL3kSW9KSKEucTcxzYK_DyRpYEIWC8QBreZ68IUuI49M_1uUYwRsNjR5AyurgjImc_2usDTxMxtgE1gTQvdQ1A-pSQuLOZakFPKM26hlM7HhtD-UtXHGs6QKCuW_arkBHNDkTFdIMI0/s1600-h/n719561517_1761775_4716.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRL3kSW9KSKEucTcxzYK_DyRpYEIWC8QBreZ68IUuI49M_1uUYwRsNjR5AyurgjImc_2usDTxMxtgE1gTQvdQ1A-pSQuLOZakFPKM26hlM7HhtD-UtXHGs6QKCuW_arkBHNDkTFdIMI0/s200/n719561517_1761775_4716.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329282793882666978" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Nino Mendoza</span> (vocalist, guitarist, Blue Jean Junkies)<br /><br />"I remember Dondi Ledesma when Wally Gonzalez would get me to sing and play harmonica for him. Dondi was always our bass player and on live gigs we would compliment each other by answering tunes. The word for it would be "sagutan" between blues harp, Dondi's bass & Wally's guitar."<br /><br />"I always felt honored & privileged to play with him especially when Dondi would compliment me with his facial expressions & mannerisms after the set when we would have a smoke out side "Chaqicks" in Makati Ave."<br /><br />"I always have much respect for the older rock & rollers" coz they really tell you what it's all about while playing with them live, on giving the spot, body rhythm, body language, to bring out your expression through your craft, laughter and a whole lotta lovin' vibes goin' on."<br /><br />"For Dondi to play like that I believe he is a man with a lotta heart & love."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYNGDSAdEquVub5psXAxmzHzdeieNapxjxDywcA2E0Z4EkEsVh3yzs2aXwENVPxGStUC2-K3_b7mmWGni2JhyphenhyphenhizEM_fHXMh6dDefXSHF0sxOQeEECe04vD2C6l-WvrV6VFLrR6ZKKf0/s1600-h/n603050894_698852_7165.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYNGDSAdEquVub5psXAxmzHzdeieNapxjxDywcA2E0Z4EkEsVh3yzs2aXwENVPxGStUC2-K3_b7mmWGni2JhyphenhyphenhizEM_fHXMh6dDefXSHF0sxOQeEECe04vD2C6l-WvrV6VFLrR6ZKKf0/s200/n603050894_698852_7165.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336585166098321234" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Eddie Boy Escudero</span> (photographer)<br /><br />"I was a very big fan of Dondi ever since I saw him play the for the first time in the original Club Dredd on Sct. Tobias. The way he played the bass guitar would make anybody's jaw drop. I've seen him perform through the years and his performance was always spectacular. I'm just happy that I was able to shoot him in action several times."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jtCzHGJ67r805RYkS9HtamEYFPU0xRy-v7HjotuCdy5vgNsWR_RPJUIFlvzEE8ewSpibmN7nL2VtvA3jcouG7QoeCuAS_gMRHRbCH2XlQXu_CoIx-dK0Onz3s6zrqFjLwnc6Qpf9kQo/s1600-h/n801168988_1383957_1783.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jtCzHGJ67r805RYkS9HtamEYFPU0xRy-v7HjotuCdy5vgNsWR_RPJUIFlvzEE8ewSpibmN7nL2VtvA3jcouG7QoeCuAS_gMRHRbCH2XlQXu_CoIx-dK0Onz3s6zrqFjLwnc6Qpf9kQo/s200/n801168988_1383957_1783.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336591734359736562" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Audie Gemora</span> (Philippine theatre icon, actor, Dondi's 1st cousin)<br /><br />"Dondi was my father's favorite nephew and considered him a 4th son. We grew up together in Iloilo and were playmates.<br />Growing up as kids I never had any inkling Dondi was musical. He was real good at drawing and putting together model airplanes. He was always hyper and very comical. In Ilonggo, "haras-haras." <br /><br />"When my brother and I moved from Iloilo to Manila in the mid-60s we'd only see him every summer. He also spent one summer in our house in Makati. One of the most fun memories for me."<br /><br />"When we reached our teen years vacations to Iloilo became less, so there was a whole period when I did not see how he got into music. Next thing I knew he was into rock and had become a dexterous bassist. He proudly gave me copies of his recordings (recorded in his room-turned studio) and it was only then when I realized he was exceptional. This was confirmed when he started playing the circuits with local rock stars."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAOQ8gRX746LO8HAEDV4NDfHKNVzznDRtbiHC4fBwyDkg46F-MfHeq_HuxYHaqYadGplFSAJB2ExvYVsEnpiSGnbFAt94MehZxo9rAng4QwfBkIP64cHi-YA84Um2VZgmJc8wDIXt3Zo/s1600-h/3124_164263910634_618660634_6407185_4848637_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAOQ8gRX746LO8HAEDV4NDfHKNVzznDRtbiHC4fBwyDkg46F-MfHeq_HuxYHaqYadGplFSAJB2ExvYVsEnpiSGnbFAt94MehZxo9rAng4QwfBkIP64cHi-YA84Um2VZgmJc8wDIXt3Zo/s200/3124_164263910634_618660634_6407185_4848637_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336659290040768530" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bobby Taylo</span> (bassist, sessionist)<br /><br />"Minsan nakapanood ako sa kanya sa gig ni Wally Gonzalez sa Makati at nakabili ako ng album nya noon. Malaking kawalan talaga si Dondi sa scene."<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIcRYYHpHlsLbE-v9hieO_YHLF-B0PhEM_U1FdbrSTCKGm4MngtDy4ld0e4IkSlY4M4KSMC6VNJ-q9o9tc5avEW68WRyZmIpPTeKfZrg0ZFiTe15ZZKVZXa1kpnmPPmzX20DD89h3dt4/s1600-h/n756463384_316145_2074.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIcRYYHpHlsLbE-v9hieO_YHLF-B0PhEM_U1FdbrSTCKGm4MngtDy4ld0e4IkSlY4M4KSMC6VNJ-q9o9tc5avEW68WRyZmIpPTeKfZrg0ZFiTe15ZZKVZXa1kpnmPPmzX20DD89h3dt4/s200/n756463384_316145_2074.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336667258664780946" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jamie Wilson<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span> (actor, vocalist)<br /><br />"He's was always a very meek and quiet guy around me, but he was the first one to comment on the picture of Pepe Smith and me, back in the days of Deadly Green...and I was at least 100 lbs thinner."<br /><br />"He asked if that was me in the picture! I was never more honored and freaked out at the same time in my life."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdK-87eTeELqujbdtYprmlIc6qJWFFzqnqjqP3TrWs4XIRZEmxBeBNzVLX8C2EXLKS_qSWjptTXKjAFGIXxfjF6TFG5vq-DrBnPZr-AOAEn2YlgyB2eMlZ5hVUHkqzBVxRY5jzrZO6rTQ/s1600-h/n1180506239_270480_7133.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdK-87eTeELqujbdtYprmlIc6qJWFFzqnqjqP3TrWs4XIRZEmxBeBNzVLX8C2EXLKS_qSWjptTXKjAFGIXxfjF6TFG5vq-DrBnPZr-AOAEn2YlgyB2eMlZ5hVUHkqzBVxRY5jzrZO6rTQ/s200/n1180506239_270480_7133.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336671773659849154" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jerry Gonzales</span> (Dondi's high school buddy)<br /><br />"Dondi was just one of the guys in school and we were never close buddies. He was cool. He was fun. He had long hair the others would envy. He loved life, but school work -- well, not very much. But you can tell Dondi loved being in school because of his friends."<br /><br />"By some play of fate (or God's way of having fun), Dondi and I became seat mates in our first year of high school at St. Clement's College in Iloilo. I was a witness to his daily activity in the classroom -- drawing and sketching WW I and WW II airplanes. His mind would wander, and one can tell that at that moment he was a fighter pilot. His dreams would be abruptly interrupted by the teacher asking, “Dondi, what’s your answer?”<br /><br />"By the last quarter of our school year of 1972, Dondi requested me to teach him how to play the guitar. I wasn't an expert in this matter. I'm just a Jingle magazine graduate, who taught himself how to play the guitar when we were in grade 7. His request came as a surprise to me. I never knew he was interested in music."<br /><br />"From then on, I would teach him every weekend all the basics of the guitar – basic chords and basic strumming. On our second weekend, I knew that Dondi was a genius. Through the week, instead of doing his school work, he taught himself all the chords in the chart. He had also taught himself to transpose the guitar chords to piano chords."<br /><br />"By our third week, he was into bass. He converted his “electric guitar-shaped”, Cebu-made, acoustic six-stringed guitar into a four-stringed bass guitar. He did this by sawing off new grooves into the nut and bridge. He then wrapped the strings with paper and tape to achieve that “bass” sound."<br /><br />"By the fourth week, he bought a magnificent, huge bass guitar. I was in awe when he played it with lightning-fast fingers. Ok, that was it. The student had mastered his teacher. Lessons are over."<br /><br />"Dondi’s first public appearance as a guitarist was during the anniversary of the Iloilo Polyclinic Hospital. We sang “Stay Awhile” by The Bells with four other freshmen. Dondi and I played the guitar."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsAZT1kCFfNuBius__5lJrWPMgN-tmEEdt-OPvZQGffUToNxxhsci1Ch1yGBz2RosULuP129ob6qrMzImdle6iRX4NH8chzmpSWRzaIzMbRrGXneuU1-LIAc20P6QBwiHLln1jIsnGqU/s1600-h/n564575489_3026411_3883765.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsAZT1kCFfNuBius__5lJrWPMgN-tmEEdt-OPvZQGffUToNxxhsci1Ch1yGBz2RosULuP129ob6qrMzImdle6iRX4NH8chzmpSWRzaIzMbRrGXneuU1-LIAc20P6QBwiHLln1jIsnGqU/s200/n564575489_3026411_3883765.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336660255372902034" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Nino Hernandez</span> (flutist, Julianne, Loquy)<br /><br />"We all know he is mabait and his soft-spoken Ilonggo way. There was this one time I was talking to him about bass guitars and told him that this guy got a new 5-string bass and this other guy with a 6-string bass. And Dondi answers, in a very humble way, "labas na nila lahat ng 5 strings at 6 strings nila. Ako 4 strings lang, lalaban ako". Pero ganun pa rin, Dondi way..No yabang. He said it na walang ka hangin hangin."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrqSMvwlhyrzis9ozPDH3-dkbAF8b8DNSrQ2IoxNRpbe2G8uXCEMdYNp-ZWHna2TR4ruFQwDUWu2BggnCXzuLkXuGUBBx7ZRsl3998JhXN8i3-Wrs4AuQBsabQGeF1wUEWssM6jnUOeQ/s1600-h/n729633610_800452_6198.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 93px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrqSMvwlhyrzis9ozPDH3-dkbAF8b8DNSrQ2IoxNRpbe2G8uXCEMdYNp-ZWHna2TR4ruFQwDUWu2BggnCXzuLkXuGUBBx7ZRsl3998JhXN8i3-Wrs4AuQBsabQGeF1wUEWssM6jnUOeQ/s200/n729633610_800452_6198.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336586889486084498" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Henry Strzalkowski </span>(actor, bar manager)<br /><br />"I can tell you two stories I have about Dondi. The first is about the first time I met him. I used to manage the Heckle and Jeckle in Makati several years ago. It was when Wally Gonzales had just began playing again and his bassist, of course was Dondi Ledesma. During the soundcheck, as I was passing by the stage, I heard a familiar bass riff. It was the opening theme from Weather Report's "A Remark You Made". It is a haunting, beautiful melody, written by Jaco Pastorius. Quite obscure within the blues and rock confines of our club. I, being an old fan of Weather Report and that song in particular, immediately acknowledged Dondi and said to him, "Jaco!" He just smiled sheepishly and winked knowingly."<br /><br />"The second story is about the day I visited Dondi's house after he had been cremated. I was bringing the proceeds from the benefit shows we organized while he was still in hospital. Dondi's son, Dane, asked me if I would like to see his dad's studio. I had heard about "scuse me while I kiss the sky," before. It was Dondi's workshop and his starship."<br /><br />"Dane has reverently kept it just as it was when his dad left it. Guitars, amps, electronic equipment, effects, computer, his piccolo bass, his cherished archery bow and ashtrays full of cigarette butts. I looked around in awe wondering how Dondi and Chris (Messer), drummer (who is not a small man) could work in such a confined space. Then I sat in Dondi's chair. I caught a funny vibe and wondered what galaxies and star systems did he travel to with his bass and a pair of headphones on? Now he truly travels the stars, maybe on the same star cloud as Joe Zawinul, Jaco , Miles maybe, who knows. But I know they'll let him sit in. And I know they'll dig his groove. I sure did."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpneR5fkq39OcNwjR1RK5RGDDipLg6Xk4RsWWU-SgC2cBOq8LD_6zxj4CplxCC3gO5qUfFU64V-G9OwRHKgJcbc9jmQyiKEL-vpA_EMi_qXZVqpKa1GwCBs_OCjf4hEO65hoFlax3YgoM/s1600-h/n586727855_1340460_7029.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpneR5fkq39OcNwjR1RK5RGDDipLg6Xk4RsWWU-SgC2cBOq8LD_6zxj4CplxCC3gO5qUfFU64V-G9OwRHKgJcbc9jmQyiKEL-vpA_EMi_qXZVqpKa1GwCBs_OCjf4hEO65hoFlax3YgoM/s200/n586727855_1340460_7029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336664703445985218" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bob Magoo</span> (veteran FM DJ)<br /><br />"He was such a quiet guy who did his talking through his instrument. One thing I can say is he was a very humble guy and had no rock star ego...zero! I also cannot remember a time that I ran into him without a cigarette in his hand. Like they say, the good die young. A huge loss for Pinoy Rock."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesoy7GqpdIrr8iAO0dlRDU_BdDoHQMeovsokgl58vzn-AGNOdG52Gw8G_-09L53uJF2lyjua3G94nxulFKb5UggX8PhVFTMQN3GGmTpnAhNQG0ufNTHJeYd2URIgdBWMCga4oipJynbY/s1600-h/n580777734_1422409_4576.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesoy7GqpdIrr8iAO0dlRDU_BdDoHQMeovsokgl58vzn-AGNOdG52Gw8G_-09L53uJF2lyjua3G94nxulFKb5UggX8PhVFTMQN3GGmTpnAhNQG0ufNTHJeYd2URIgdBWMCga4oipJynbY/s200/n580777734_1422409_4576.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336660906494361554" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cowboy Santos</span> (guitarist, The Blue Rats, Tempestous Jones)<br /><br />"I only knew Dondi thru his various gigs, and as, of course, the bad-ass bass player that he was. The only time we were able to jam together was when I would jam with the Wally Gonzalez Band, and at the RJ Super Sessions concert. He sessioned once for a band I was in, and all I can say is that he can make 3 simple chords blast off into the stratosphere with seemingless effort, AND be able to take you back down to earth the moment you think you are about to lose your mind, or question if he is actually human. He was one of the greatest, hands down. He is missed by many."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDDIiVKTw7bRyDyzQP2mVIPqVAVdIDlEkrLW9ZFN9r0KziFjx3aqj5RS2p7sPwjY9q-OSv32tLRIge76IgxCoN4n-wmYYcvWPL7P55RJg5LjNx2CNr4pqDKYEfqaUiN8lfM3zvglQpQ0/s1600-h/n586727855_1442062_6971578.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDDIiVKTw7bRyDyzQP2mVIPqVAVdIDlEkrLW9ZFN9r0KziFjx3aqj5RS2p7sPwjY9q-OSv32tLRIge76IgxCoN4n-wmYYcvWPL7P55RJg5LjNx2CNr4pqDKYEfqaUiN8lfM3zvglQpQ0/s200/n586727855_1442062_6971578.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336668414929116370" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Paolo Manuel </span>(drummer, Mr. Crayon, Queso, The Jerks, Johnny Alegre Affinity)<br /><br />"I feel very priveleged to have worked with Dondi for a year before he got sick. We were backing up Johnny Alegre as a trio. We played different bars and it would always be inspiring, unpredictable and orgasmic. When it was Johnny's production at Saguijo, we would often play last at around 1 am and i was always amazed how a musician of Dondi's caliber doesn't ever seem to mind being there early all the time and just waiting for our turn and play 2-3 songs (that would fill up the 30 or 45 min set). He never minded and we would have a gas just hanging before our sets. He's the kind of guy you get more compelled to know. You'd wanna pick at his brain. How a calm, gentle guy turns into a monster with all the musicality and madness exploding the moment the green light is turned on just baffles me until now."<br /><br />"There's one funny story I remember about Dondi. It was when we were not given a band meal in this sort of high-end bar. We played first and we hung out until the very last band thinking the complimentary meal was just delayed. So when we found out there was none, he subtly got the glass salt container in our table and placed some salt on his hand (like when you do before a tequila shot) and he taught me that this is the way to combat hunger. So before you know it, in the middle of this posh bar, we were both snacking on salt, taking turns like we didnt care. I was laughing hysterically deep inside"<br /><br />"This is the kind of moment where it struck me that this is one guy i would love to learn from. Not just onstage but all around as well. A true person indeed. He was one of the genuinely humblest people I've ever met."<br /><br />"I was also amazed on how open minded he was with other forms of music. He would appreciate some of the other bands we'd play along with. From metal music to soul music. He would even sometimes ask me if I knew them just so he could compliment them."<br /><br />"My highlight with Dondi was at the RJ 45th Anniversary Supersession gig last October '08. At that time, we had been playing together for quite awhile so it really felt comfy when we were paired up in some songs. He would bring out the best in you whenever you played. Even just by watching him you could feel the intensity of his soul talking to you, shaking you up like you don't know what hit you. I miss you Dondi!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRB1fs1PUZOJqyU9zw1BrPmzSSITn_Gl40nuIktaGkQmZFHHJjXdOaBHtKTMLloS5H3q7cWp794Nr6jRynUxuKibDj9pqabRB51gFfVmUkVidIOpgULEgw6z0B-0dK-AWJ0L7qmHUOEs/s1600-h/n659732094_2708174_5385585.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 174px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRB1fs1PUZOJqyU9zw1BrPmzSSITn_Gl40nuIktaGkQmZFHHJjXdOaBHtKTMLloS5H3q7cWp794Nr6jRynUxuKibDj9pqabRB51gFfVmUkVidIOpgULEgw6z0B-0dK-AWJ0L7qmHUOEs/s200/n659732094_2708174_5385585.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336585545059583202" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Miguel Ortigas </span>(drummer, Razorback, The Breed, The Blue Rats)<br /><br />"I’d heard of DNDI from Wolf Gemora long before I met him. Mid-90's. Wolf would bring around “tito” Dondi’s latest recordings and we’d listen to them and try and trip on the progressiveness/weirdness of it all. Heavy stuff."<br /> <br />"I first started working with Dondi when Pepe Smith and Jun Lopito recruited David Aguirre and I to play with them at quite a few venues in and out of Metro Manila in anticipation of finally recording Pepe’s first solo album. This was around the mid to late 90’s. We’d play numerous Padi’s Points, the RJ club “The Hive” along Pasong Tamo extension, and lots of other joints, both nice and not-so-nice. It was always a tremendous honor to party and rock with these legends! In the end, Pepe and Jun holed up at Dondi’s place where they recorded the entire album themselves, Dondi providing drum machine tracks he’d programmed."<br /> <br />"For all Dondi’s musical genius, he kept it fairly simple to hold us all together when it came to jam time. He knew when not to over complicate things. And, boy, could he complicate things when he wanted to."<br /> <br />"In later years, 2000’s, Dondi was playing regularly with Wally Gonzales and I’d come around Chakikos to have a jam with the maestros. Pepe would show up, having just come down from Baguio, and we’d get ripped, jam, and hang out 'til he had to go back to Baguio! Dondi would partake of our wild parties, but always measured. I would have a hard time getting him to drink like us, hehe. He always kept a good head."<br /> <br />"Dondi was always soft spoken and never said a bad thing about anyone. He also had that Ilonggo romanticism about him. Pepe would mock Dondi’s “malumay” way of speaking and we’d all get a laugh out of that. Including Dondi." <br /> <br />"Dondi never seemed stressed about any situation. Always very cool. I guess he knew in his head that he had all the guns he needed for any situation. Pag tugtugan na, that was his element and he was at total ease. Always shining through on stage when more often than not, bass players are overlooked."<br /> <br />"I once asked him to sign a drum stick of mine and he was very reluctant to do so. “Sayang yung stick, Migs.” But I said no, it would be an honor and I would one day frame the stick. I still have that stick with me here in Australia. It says: “Luv U Migs – DNDI”. He will be missed."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDn5Dt_I85i6SRy0lSaDYqNRodwhHD-MZgh82YFUZt_ZY3v76b5oMO4mX5h3dd3I9LvR_OdxGfvLGAiFdaFMxkHUsM9AIAbA8aVRnW5olP5535RIwdIhCHHjJMbJ0mnfNEqrq6a8ocJYQ/s1600-h/n526986450_596887_7293.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDn5Dt_I85i6SRy0lSaDYqNRodwhHD-MZgh82YFUZt_ZY3v76b5oMO4mX5h3dd3I9LvR_OdxGfvLGAiFdaFMxkHUsM9AIAbA8aVRnW5olP5535RIwdIhCHHjJMbJ0mnfNEqrq6a8ocJYQ/s200/n526986450_596887_7293.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336663773655272114" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Aries Guinto</span> (studio/live engineer, Wombworks, freelance)<br /><br />"I never had the chance to work with Dondi, sayang. I would have loved to tinker some knobs and faders with him!"<br /><br />"He was a GENIUS! Producing his own records at home. Maximizing the use of modern technology with his creative musical juice. What a perfect formula! He's definitely one of the treasures of this SUPOT music industry! His records reminds me of old Steve Vai and Joe Satriani albums."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYAzpbXS9aq_-gvXbGiGwz-sAQKJR8tESCLGsP_wcnQgmxNQZ3EX0VoBRuqpxbfpw9Q5GM-NeQKgyTuTDWriPyFWoxAqhFQayRdqvqKZBT1-11roL4usuJLCmM_MY0mcsayNbYW8A22Q/s1600-h/n574179474_915500_5782.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYAzpbXS9aq_-gvXbGiGwz-sAQKJR8tESCLGsP_wcnQgmxNQZ3EX0VoBRuqpxbfpw9Q5GM-NeQKgyTuTDWriPyFWoxAqhFQayRdqvqKZBT1-11roL4usuJLCmM_MY0mcsayNbYW8A22Q/s200/n574179474_915500_5782.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336665196388460162" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Perf De Castro</span> (classical guitarist, Rivermaya, Triaxis)<br /><br />"My first encounter with Dondi was at his house in Greenhills. Drummer Paul Benitez (Deans December, Southborder) brought me over to Dondi's house to jam. I think I was just 16 at the time. As we were setting up, I remember having a hard time plugging into my amp as my head was turned towards Dondi with mouth agape as he went through these incredible bass runs to warm up. I thought, "Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into?!"<br /> <br />"We barely started our jam when Dondi stopped everything and walked over to the Marshall stack I was plugged into":<br /> <br />ME: Masyado ba akong malakas, ser?<br />DONDI: Hindi nga kita marinig!<br /> <br />"Then with a twist of his hand turned the amp volume up to 8!!! We then went on doing improvised jams for the next 3 hours or so. Earache notwithstanding, that was a turning point in my playing career having me step up at a young age and go toe-to-toe with one of the country's best musicians."<br /> <br />"Over the next 12-13 years I have been fortunate enough to play with Dondi in several different occasions; shredding in the Mike Hanopol Band, guitar and piccolo bass headcutting duels in Edmond "Bosyo" Fortuno's band, tearing up the stage with the NU 107 Guitarists of the Year, even performing a guitar/bass duet of the Philippine National Anthem to open the RJ Guitar Night!"<br /> <br />"Offstage, we maintained a friendship as well... sharing computer and recording tips and tricks. He built my first website and I eventually got him to play bass for a Pop (!!!) record I was producing! While on tour, we would usually bunk together and explore places in the hours leading up to the show."<br /> <br />"We had plans to record a CD together and it's one of the things that I regret not doing before relocating to the US. His passing is truly one of the sadder moments in my life, but I take comfort in the memories of times we spent together... brothers in Music."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com156tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-348707681072884652009-05-01T02:06:00.000-07:002009-05-05T23:07:49.376-07:00Remembering Dondi Ledesmaby Wolf Gemora<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gsKyF59yWsmyxXdfY6SiRF5ScW1p5sOUohyphenhyphen2hrbes-T5VfyZMeMKKxW2wEeZU-_KXaGWmFvmkA1rKk3m28edgpK4wl1E19KCms3hW159wbLPMbXnw-7uPnaBY8aVU-9T17wlF4dyuKk/s1600-h/253837548_d784183cd8.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gsKyF59yWsmyxXdfY6SiRF5ScW1p5sOUohyphenhyphen2hrbes-T5VfyZMeMKKxW2wEeZU-_KXaGWmFvmkA1rKk3m28edgpK4wl1E19KCms3hW159wbLPMbXnw-7uPnaBY8aVU-9T17wlF4dyuKk/s400/253837548_d784183cd8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330795565833843890" /></a><br /><br />Dondi Ledesma. The name conjures up images of lightning-fast fingers moving up and down a bass guitar’s fret board. Up until his untimely passing in February of 2009 he was considered to be the best bass player in the Philippines. Some could argue that if not for his shyness, he could have become a successful international artist, a true testament to his world-class talent. He would have given Jaco Pastorius a run for his money. Yes, he was that good. He was also an accomplished flutist, keyboardist and a championship medalist in the sport of archery. <br /><br />Dondi Ledesma was my uncle, my dad’s first cousin. He was tito Dondi. I remember meeting him in one of the big family lunches when I was about 10 years old. My early memories of him were always seeing him every year and he looked the same every time; long hair and dark glasses with a lit cigarette in hand and a pair of earphones plastered to his ears. He always looked like he had just gotten out of bed, which was probably the case.<br /><br />In my eyes, he’d have easily become the “weird uncle”, but he said hello to everyone, even us kids, before he isolated himself in the corner of the room with his yosi and his Walkman. Every now and then, someone would come up to him to chat and he would always graciously engage with a smile. I never did consider him weird. That distinction would have to go to a couple of his cousins that were actually weird. He just seemed incredibly shy and was very soft-spoken.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOMJuzF1bqbzOb3vpDXmV0oUvUK-rbtqU2cE8mQp6MwQ2vTQ_nc1Ioelq-xADrazpGKCocghbmmtZLhobmwViggQGwJfB0OWJbH-pkrMSJ9N76GAV3hcLOTg4JHzi-gJ_boyO9zk5J-o/s1600-h/dndigt2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOMJuzF1bqbzOb3vpDXmV0oUvUK-rbtqU2cE8mQp6MwQ2vTQ_nc1Ioelq-xADrazpGKCocghbmmtZLhobmwViggQGwJfB0OWJbH-pkrMSJ9N76GAV3hcLOTg4JHzi-gJ_boyO9zk5J-o/s400/dndigt2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330796135084546674" /></a><br /><br />In 1985, when I was 14 years old, I lived with tito Dondi in his parent’s house as a boarder because my family had moved to Iloilo and I wanted to finish high school in Manila. I still had not known how talented an artist he was and that he was already brethren to Pinoy Rock’s elite by this time. I hardly saw him since he was probably out all night playing high-octane rock with Pepe Smith and asleep all day.<br /><br />There was one day though, that our lives would take a turn. Coming home early from school at noon, I had walked into an armed robbery that was happening inside the house. I found myself with a knife to my neck and a very nervous man was threatening to kill me if I didn’t give them everything of any kind of value. Aside from me in the house were the household help and tito Dondi fast asleep in the master bedroom. I calmly led the thieves around the house scrounging out every piece of jewelry and every wad of cash we could find. The only things going thru my mind were “I hope this guy doesn't hurt me” and “I hope tito Dondi doesn’t wake up and come out”. I can’t imagine what would have happened if the thieves saw a tall, longhaired dude come out of the room. It would have been ugly.<br /><br />By some sort of miracle, we did not go into the master bedroom. Every room was ransacked except for the one tito Dondi was passed out in. It still boggles my mind to this day. Anyway, the devils finally had their fill and left the scene of the crime without hurting anybody. Within ten minutes the police had arrived and the house started to resemble a scene from the “CSI” TV series. Now, at this time tito Dondi is STILL inside his room, oblivious to the drama that had just happened.<br /><br />I was standing near the entrance when I heard the door to his room open. He emerged from his den, shirtless and unkept. What happened next was classic. He rubbed the sleep away from his eyes while he was walking thru the hall and as soon as he saw the room full of cops he gave this look of utter shock, turned on a dime and walked briskly back to his room and slammed the door. The look on his face was priceless.<br /><br />That was the last I saw of him until 13 years later. The robbery incident put me on a road that would lead to my adventures with my first band, Hysteria and later with Wolfgang. We saw each other again in one of the last big family lunches. He still looked the same. This time, my hair was as long as his. I guess he knew what I had going on with the band coz he wanted to swap albums. I was very surprised that he even cared about what I did. I gave him the “Semenelin” album of WG and he gave me the second DNDI album. At this point in time, I had NOT yet seen or hear him play. We talked about music that afternoon and that was the first and last time I ever “talked” to him.<br /><br />Sometime later I finally got to see him play when Wolfgang played along with the late Edmond Fortuno’s band at the time. My jaw dropped and I was in awe for the whole set. I greeted him after and the first thing he said -- with a strong ilonggo accent--was, “don’t call me tito”. From then on, I knew tito Dondi was someone very special. Somehow, I didn’t watch him so much. He was still in “hyper-hibernation mode” at the time. By the time he was regularly playing live with the Wally Gonzalez Band, I had already relocated to the US.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3DJ00kj1rk7X2c6qfA5HFUVtG-i7ALXcMNR5xYwBLpX1VmX_lTIQuV-f6A0nzr411ffOBmpFZctK1t0tr5xeDGJOVlYGJ0vyH-gSdhLWq4JULY94KfuAi4fN8lld9GVEwRx-PbFPz3E/s1600-h/bio_dondi_ledesma.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3DJ00kj1rk7X2c6qfA5HFUVtG-i7ALXcMNR5xYwBLpX1VmX_lTIQuV-f6A0nzr411ffOBmpFZctK1t0tr5xeDGJOVlYGJ0vyH-gSdhLWq4JULY94KfuAi4fN8lld9GVEwRx-PbFPz3E/s400/bio_dondi_ledesma.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330786512308898962" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The many basses of DNDI.</span><br /><br />I was in Bacolod last January ’09 when I heard a rumor of his condition. By the time I was in Iloilo for the Dinagyang festival I had met a couple of his old buddies and the rumors slowly became fact. I was in shock and naively thought that he would get better and keep on playing. He passed away a few weeks later. I cried that night but I didn’t understand why because we weren’t close at all. I think I cried because Pinoy Rock lost another ESSENTIAL figure. He wasn’t the most popular figure but he was the best at what he did. No matter who came along and thought he/she was the best, I knew tito Dondi was in his private studio, kicking your ass and serving it to you with a smile.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/U5C3YJvUPN0&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/U5C3YJvUPN0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"Hotdancer" by DNDI.</span><br /><br />425<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pyOMR8XV_eA&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pyOMR8XV_eA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"Medicine" by DNDI.</span><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gWN16DnJ8_0&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gWN16DnJ8_0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do You Think It's Alright?" by DNDI</span><br /><br />I attended the last day of his wake and found myself in the presence of Pinoy Rock royalty. Wally Gonzalez of Juan Dela Cruz, Chikoy Pura of The Jerks and master guitarist Noli Aurelio played an impromptu jam that put tears into the eyes of the people present. His older siblings (Dondi was the youngest of 7) did not fully understand the amount of impact that their baby brother had on Filipino music until they saw the visitors who came to pay their last respects to their idol. The scene inside the room was a very interesting one. On one side of the room were seated all the family/clan members in their semi-formal attire, while on the opposite side were artists, writers and longhaired musicians wearing Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd t-shirts.<br /><br />The void that Dondi Ledesma has left in Pinoy Rock is a gaping hole that I don’t think any one person will be able to fill. He was the most prolific independent artist in the country (with 9 independent albums) and was a great example to a lot of musicians, myself included. He will be sorely missed. The only consolation we have is that he is probably in the great gig in the sky and Jaco is telling him, “Fuck, it’s good to see you, man. It’s your turn to jam with Bonham, Jimi and Miles.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbfBfj_IVZ24-eHZ_UYB7r1eFGIEgWProGhq2AhX_lAbSocVQQlTmomRAbD0oDiwtmcC69tTWPILEhCUKPGjMyyIHA8yRqKLA8MZOCwgLtVoWKWHjBZcVUyf8S4Y_Pp_s4akElkdHT5c/s1600-h/finalstairscompressed.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbfBfj_IVZ24-eHZ_UYB7r1eFGIEgWProGhq2AhX_lAbSocVQQlTmomRAbD0oDiwtmcC69tTWPILEhCUKPGjMyyIHA8yRqKLA8MZOCwgLtVoWKWHjBZcVUyf8S4Y_Pp_s4akElkdHT5c/s320/finalstairscompressed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331797204894411090" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">DNDI's last project, The Chilekings with drummer Chris Messer</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhVmdlJfp8m-eHI41SL-DNldIH-f7HRpdnJbPKZUoHNzF_c9NjkOyXIzj1CIu9SwBNnNJED8AAekXEZV6XtZI5g0TfZ2I6-rBovz-CS56uPaRmSvXbskqvjho6cDGK2YgCc7Mam1RbWw/s1600-h/ddnd.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 358px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhVmdlJfp8m-eHI41SL-DNldIH-f7HRpdnJbPKZUoHNzF_c9NjkOyXIzj1CIu9SwBNnNJED8AAekXEZV6XtZI5g0TfZ2I6-rBovz-CS56uPaRmSvXbskqvjho6cDGK2YgCc7Mam1RbWw/s400/ddnd.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330788189322481538" /></a><br />Si Idol in action.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-14331404612880124352009-04-27T22:00:00.000-07:002009-04-28T19:13:42.311-07:0030 Years Of The Jerks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fv1l3aWSJGKQYo0obQvM7Y5-rmPSXDRsxvMkk3g-nacQRzMZ84q61hsbDoBD5z-FeBoD5spfwfDkiyHe1m1J4myvoGET4vuGnmsWcUkPn3VI1fBfDce5ZHaz7d52NSlP-XLgCDkC4qQ/s1600-h/n37885041962_8746.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fv1l3aWSJGKQYo0obQvM7Y5-rmPSXDRsxvMkk3g-nacQRzMZ84q61hsbDoBD5z-FeBoD5spfwfDkiyHe1m1J4myvoGET4vuGnmsWcUkPn3VI1fBfDce5ZHaz7d52NSlP-XLgCDkC4qQ/s200/n37885041962_8746.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329673719990023842" /></a><br />30 years. What already seems to be a lifetime in human years is practically a millennium when converted to band years. Most bands don't even make it to 3 years and you'd be considered lucky if your band lived to be 10. For Pinoy rock veterans The Jerks, who celebrate their 30th anniversary as a band this year, it's just another day at the office. <br /><br />Formed by Chikoy Pura in October of 1979 , The Jerks came in during the final years of Martial Law. A time of social and political unrest in the Philippines. The "peace & love" hippie ideals of the past decade succumbed to the frustration and angst of the turbulent early 1980's. This was the time when music from bands like The Ramones, The Sex Pistols and The Clash fueled the hearts and minds of the new generation.<br /><br />They have been thru five presidents, two revolutions and countless coup de 'etats. They've seen hundreds of bands come and go and thousands of rock fans singing along to their music. With the release of their 1994 album, "The Jerks Live!!!" and their self-titled opus a few years later, this band has produced some of the most compelling Pinoy rock ever heard. Classics like "Sayaw Sa Bubog", "Reklamo ng Reklamo" and "Rage" have already reached anthem status.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GlGmbjfNdcv_bEhJTVT8RquLT4qqP-YMdkONqq4gfGkJg52SuRr6WpHQnSAjP3PW2iyTxIVqJArujrUdOQV_4g10s8IMB9tzW2Z34qvwq47GAlDsbbLblo7i-4sAIN63PgENL-Fu_kc/s1600-h/Chickoy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GlGmbjfNdcv_bEhJTVT8RquLT4qqP-YMdkONqq4gfGkJg52SuRr6WpHQnSAjP3PW2iyTxIVqJArujrUdOQV_4g10s8IMB9tzW2Z34qvwq47GAlDsbbLblo7i-4sAIN63PgENL-Fu_kc/s200/Chickoy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329673023227739506" /></a><br /><br />Founder Chikoy Pura answered a few questions about what the band has been through, where it is now and where it is heading.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Pinoy Rocker:</span> When you started the band, did you ever think you’d still be playing in the same band after 30 years? <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chikoy Pura:</span> No, we weren’t counting the years. It’s basically a one-day-at-a-time affair for us.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> What directly influenced you to start a band?<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP:</span> I used to be a solo performer when I started out so I wanted to try performing with a band.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> What was the atmosphere of the country and Pinoy rock music at the time you started? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP:</span> Being a rock musician in those days was like being a pirate. Some people would hate you because you were different while other people would love you for the exact same reason. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> Where did you play your early gigs? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP:</span> Bars like TGIF in Morayta, Shakey's Taft Ave., Bodega 1 & 2, ON Disco and Olongapo. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> What was the scene like? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP:</span> It was Electric!! <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> Who were the other active bands playing at the time?<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP:</span> Pepe Smith, Chaios, The Wuds. There were lots of bands then and some remnants of the Pinoy rock phenomenon of the early 70's were still playing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> What was the reason for 15 years to pass before you recorded your first album, “The Jerks Live!!!”? <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP:</span> I guess we were more into our regular gigs. We came in at a time where record deals were hard to come by, especially for a rock band like the Jerks. The bands of our generation were more focused on the live performance rather than recording.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> Why did your first studio album, “The Jerks” come later? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP:</span> Personally speaking, it's not my priority to make albums. Making albums is just another option I can take but it's not a priority.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> Do you have any recorded material (EPs, demos, bootlegs) before then or since? <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP:</span> Yes there were a lot of compilation albums that we shared with other artists. Most of which are campaigns.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w9euOv87C5U&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w9euOv87C5U&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Jerks performing the obscure "VFA".</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> Being a political artist is a unique position to be in. What made you decide to include your political and social beliefs in your music? <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP:</span> Maybe because I’m just one of those people who believes that music is not just for entertainment but also has the ability to liberate.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> After 30 years are you still politically and socially driven when it comes to your music? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP:</span> Definitely.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/APA9MavvDxo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/APA9MavvDxo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Jerks performing "Nukleyar"<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> Do you have any new material and are there any plans of recording a second album? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP:</span> Yes, maybe.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> Will you be active in the upcoming Presidential elections next year? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP:</span> No. I believe that elections are the last thing that we need. We need something more radical. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> Are you giving your support to any one potential candidate? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP:</span> No.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> With ¾ of The Ramones and Joe Strummer not with us anymore, is punk rock dead? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP: </span>No.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> Since you started in 1979, you’ve seen the Pinoy rock scene go through its different eras and stages. What do you think of its overall state in 2009? <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP:</span> It’s all about business now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR:</span> Have you taken any interest in any new Pinoy bands/artists that have come out recently? <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP: </span>There's so many of them. It’s all a blur to me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TPR: </span>What is The Jerks’ most memorable gig? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">CP: </span>The first night we played at TGIF in Morayta, back in ’79. I thought ” these guys are good”.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tOv7bpFLzIQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tOv7bpFLzIQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Jerks performing "Sayaw Sa Bubog"<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-28400548192554994542009-04-22T23:54:00.000-07:002009-04-24T18:57:30.050-07:00Wax Selectors presents REWIND<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPy3sQLtco1Tc4RVQijtrgE4oDhpRlksFZliTzIgFm7h7as1jzebnpYqQw722UcdVkPXl4WMLzHgVAVzD693cVt9KKhtZj9ELAA4w6UntRz-gqO7mF8l08l0vMFDLgH-n1XVhKv13lCQ/s1600-h/jamesbrownposter.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPy3sQLtco1Tc4RVQijtrgE4oDhpRlksFZliTzIgFm7h7as1jzebnpYqQw722UcdVkPXl4WMLzHgVAVzD693cVt9KKhtZj9ELAA4w6UntRz-gqO7mF8l08l0vMFDLgH-n1XVhKv13lCQ/s320/jamesbrownposter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327777215210506050" /></a><br /><br />Sick of the music being played on the radio? Craving for great music you've never heard before? <br /><br />Groove up your Thursday nights inside the cool bohemian confines of Penguin Gallery.<br /><br />WAX SELECTORS <br /><br />presents:<br /><br />REWIND<br /><br />A journey into vinyl sound dimensions <br />from Roots to Future and beyond.<br /><br />EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT / 9 PM<br />PENGUIN GALLERY<br />Remedios St. (in front of Remedios Circle)<br />Malate, Manila<br /><br />NO COVER CHARGE<br /><br />Featuring:<br /><br />Mark Zero<br />Caliph8<br />Sgt. Vez<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7joGkQ6ea77_qVQwLiyvhzUsG_YRTh9_b9dsm7iZne2NbjIYswQae62LCsIJogPzcC1XU7iduc1Z7VrEQSD-B3NZG8pff0Fdu0OCFLP89uG79_8n0cX5cuoHBEqFZIMpB0m6V4vJz_xE/s1600-h/IMG_1082.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7joGkQ6ea77_qVQwLiyvhzUsG_YRTh9_b9dsm7iZne2NbjIYswQae62LCsIJogPzcC1XU7iduc1Z7VrEQSD-B3NZG8pff0Fdu0OCFLP89uG79_8n0cX5cuoHBEqFZIMpB0m6V4vJz_xE/s320/IMG_1082.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328441058623005874" /></a><br />Great music played on '33 and '45 vinyl records!<br /><br />Deep Funk, Rock, Afro-Beat, Blues, Jazz, Soul, <br />Neo-Soul, Reggae, <br />Motown, Ska, Pinoy Rock, Samba, <br />Afro-Cuban, Drum & Bass, <br />Electronica and everything in between!<br /><br />*Cult cinema screenings for early comers.<br /><br />If you're lucky you might even catch an open jam session!<br /><br />SPREAD THE WORD!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-63989271488966683192008-05-28T19:31:00.001-07:002009-04-24T18:48:51.659-07:00Album Review: Coffee Break Island ****<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdB98XRK4dDR8kHXjnOWGw2ZFfJ7RVQEJo1jxFpJugb2v0ATK0FVhsfGKdlcZyAfZfKdFMnFBzBt7ASC715OYcD_G3Hwmjeh_AVVyZILqLSqYAIwYSUaW8stGGWWEgo7k-MAbNFJqR1Iw/s1600-h/cd+cover+art+revised.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdB98XRK4dDR8kHXjnOWGw2ZFfJ7RVQEJo1jxFpJugb2v0ATK0FVhsfGKdlcZyAfZfKdFMnFBzBt7ASC715OYcD_G3Hwmjeh_AVVyZILqLSqYAIwYSUaW8stGGWWEgo7k-MAbNFJqR1Iw/s320/cd+cover+art+revised.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205622559231329122" /></a><br /><br />If you still don't know who Coffee Break Island are, then you either live in a cave or have just come out of jail. As they are one of the top reggae/ska outfits and one of the hardest working bands in the country, CBI have finally come out with their debut album. Emerging from the Clubska Manila scene and having been on the stage and on the road since they formed in December 2001, their debut displays a well-oiled machine with all cylinders working at full speed.<br /><br />All that experience has paid off with 14 well-crafted and superbly executed songs. The tunes run the gamut of roots reggae, 2 tone ska, 60's r&b/soul with a dash of blues and a significant sprinkle of good ol' rock n' roll that gives CBI their distinct style and sound. The great thing about this album is that with the help of their diverse influences, all the tracks are distinct from one another. This separates CBI from lesser talented reggae and ska bands that have only one or two good songs on their album and the rest sound the same. In short, this is the best Pinoy reggae album to be released since Indio I's only album more than ten years ago.<br /><br />And it's the individual parts of the CBI sum that give this band their power. Vocalist/guitarist Paul "drunken master" Puti-an's raspy, alcohol-fueled voice (which reminds me of a young Frederick "Toots" Hibbert) gives the music a down-to-earth element. His lead guitar-playing is simple yet effective and he plays just the right amount of guitar licks without overpowering the music. <br /><br />Puti-an is also a darn good lyricist in both Tagalog and English. From the crab mentality-jabbing "Gahaman", ("di ka pa namamatay bulok ka na"), to the break-up song "Let You Go" ("maybe if we're not together we can make ourselves alright") and the laid-back "Sweet Lovin" ("I'm gonna give you all my love until it's the end of me").<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g4PelPk6pI7lOrSjpltEm8AgJKGVnHcSPBi2CPJUl-2q1w_P6lkDIaDtKI4J4THON66ui2suAVzc1Yg__ubuh0v8JVDmLuxp9WHvRmtvbLc6uxULL1Zy7K3Odm3T2GtXI70Zm5-owaY/s1600-h/CBI_1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g4PelPk6pI7lOrSjpltEm8AgJKGVnHcSPBi2CPJUl-2q1w_P6lkDIaDtKI4J4THON66ui2suAVzc1Yg__ubuh0v8JVDmLuxp9WHvRmtvbLc6uxULL1Zy7K3Odm3T2GtXI70Zm5-owaY/s320/CBI_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328296181910494114" /></a><br />Paul Puti-an & Jun Nogoy (right)<br /><br />Drummer Jun Nogoy lays down the steady and heavy beats with every whip-cracking hit of the snare drum and shifts to different reggae and ska rhythms as easily as he were changing his shirt. Bassist Romel Manuel carries the songs like Atlas carrying the Earth on his shoulders with his booming bass riffs and playing the vital "spaces" that is such an important aspect in reggae music. Raffie Miranda's keyboard work give CBI it's quirkiness and adds a sense of humor to their music thus keeping the songs from getting too serious.<br /><br />With all this weak, commercial music being released in the Philippines for the past 5 years, it is refreshing to hear some good musicianship and song writing come out from the underground. Coffee Break Island deserve the recognition as a great Pinoy band especially with this master work. The album is available in Odyssey music outlets and at every CBI gig.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/K_y_UrOnzUA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/K_y_UrOnzUA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />"GAHAMAN" music video<br /><br /><br /><br />Check out their website at:<br />http://www.coffeebreakisland.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-11847108272341281822008-03-18T02:06:00.000-07:002008-12-10T04:34:18.887-08:00SLAPSHOCK plays the Dubai Desert Rock Fest '08<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNz7xgQTqxaxfxBEIR_8vw5Y0f5vdolHTrIRvNq5HWrCimXbFfzWhVrBPk1Dng4epBiTtpXRdhHpfNW807hUGpYl-0ZnNre0W2zhdyuZlvCdkJZMJXXH3zcVh2-zt8JoDmRHk_Z98pzU8/s1600-h/headerbannervd1.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNz7xgQTqxaxfxBEIR_8vw5Y0f5vdolHTrIRvNq5HWrCimXbFfzWhVrBPk1Dng4epBiTtpXRdhHpfNW807hUGpYl-0ZnNre0W2zhdyuZlvCdkJZMJXXH3zcVh2-zt8JoDmRHk_Z98pzU8/s400/headerbannervd1.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179009904855625602" /></a><br /><br />Pinoy heavy hitters SLAPSHOCK recently joined some of the world's great rock bands for the annual Dubai Desert Rock Fest in the United Arab Emirates last March 7, 2008. This year's line-up included Korn, Velvet Revolver, Killswitch Engage, Machine Head, Muse and As I Lay Dying.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQCj-TR7r4qyyDw-Nj_yiZXZ9hDguf7SKgSlqv3r_027MXAmAoC9TwYdJxPXLedNHk9EW2Zhm5BrN6UAJq16cJF2gt_nU_damzsPdQVxGa_37EDh1F7xwzvGcylsf4qWEBdersKG10lc/s1600-h/l_7dfcb6d44b5c2d94d830e7ecec28c43b.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQCj-TR7r4qyyDw-Nj_yiZXZ9hDguf7SKgSlqv3r_027MXAmAoC9TwYdJxPXLedNHk9EW2Zhm5BrN6UAJq16cJF2gt_nU_damzsPdQVxGa_37EDh1F7xwzvGcylsf4qWEBdersKG10lc/s320/l_7dfcb6d44b5c2d94d830e7ecec28c43b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179015715946377170" /></a><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UPeHE-MLNHI&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UPeHE-MLNHI&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1iUhLvsjgrDkrzb-ewzCFkIEKktyug5GBe3SYF_lEH09vNmk2PNLIuuOx2pWmtObn9IzJVDpuR4WrbXbOFo_YMnosqqC9GvXud_xXzZ_fCxRTvcnhBchQJgx73hIY5SLPi5j4yp7dNA/s1600-h/slapshock.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1iUhLvsjgrDkrzb-ewzCFkIEKktyug5GBe3SYF_lEH09vNmk2PNLIuuOx2pWmtObn9IzJVDpuR4WrbXbOFo_YMnosqqC9GvXud_xXzZ_fCxRTvcnhBchQJgx73hIY5SLPi5j4yp7dNA/s400/slapshock.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179010171143597970" /></a><br />JAMIR GARCIA<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tTgjxuL-7WBBXP805GQBC0mSimp6rvwA0kCNGextE4-Ve71umLRXMGBcXQvPsfrgo47Wl6tEp8Dd3NhKvd59wYcrYfFIh-_qy3L8soBRsREfTnYoA5Tc4OSFNv8FJJVFmUoQij99YrA/s1600-h/korn.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tTgjxuL-7WBBXP805GQBC0mSimp6rvwA0kCNGextE4-Ve71umLRXMGBcXQvPsfrgo47Wl6tEp8Dd3NhKvd59wYcrYfFIh-_qy3L8soBRsREfTnYoA5Tc4OSFNv8FJJVFmUoQij99YrA/s320/korn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179013504038219682" /></a><br />JONATHAN DAVIS<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhYLEAc-1pdaIT5-Vgvc8NIMDyS3g4qXVTR6vQdcLM3h52MHZGApHcCRRX8qmatnF8vOTuClRqHbOwZ8gJUu8NiwIlPBZyhrM_RGf5Zxtvgl-cfRmdLkjoqY0l5vdDnsiw9of9wRMp8E/s1600-h/asilaydying.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhYLEAc-1pdaIT5-Vgvc8NIMDyS3g4qXVTR6vQdcLM3h52MHZGApHcCRRX8qmatnF8vOTuClRqHbOwZ8gJUu8NiwIlPBZyhrM_RGf5Zxtvgl-cfRmdLkjoqY0l5vdDnsiw9of9wRMp8E/s320/asilaydying.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179013826160766898" /></a><br />AS I LAY DYING<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmkEm6KhyHbdLiOPe9Si3dpe_dbledRndeyOT9OcvTopIluPmrQuLTazet00i6fIkcjj7Wvdl9etA1Avv-KsMUF4ESiKJmSqGD5O56u7oUI5p3vFU119JOgOuE1zSV6q33y4fxwwKPF0/s1600-h/machinehead.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmkEm6KhyHbdLiOPe9Si3dpe_dbledRndeyOT9OcvTopIluPmrQuLTazet00i6fIkcjj7Wvdl9etA1Avv-KsMUF4ESiKJmSqGD5O56u7oUI5p3vFU119JOgOuE1zSV6q33y4fxwwKPF0/s320/machinehead.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179013830455734210" /></a><br />MACHINE HEAD<br /><br />SLAPSHOCK are the first band from Asia to be invited to one of the best rock festivals this side of the planet. Past performers include Iron Maiden, Mastodon, Robert Plant, Incubus, Testament and Megadeth. Congrats Slapshock!<br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GzEb0F5pMM4&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GzEb0F5pMM4&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />http://www.desertrockfestival.com/Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-30786622522278476552008-03-09T05:35:00.000-07:002008-12-10T04:34:19.043-08:00BACK IN THE DAY..<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8oqms1xPdqgFcxPiPYDVgplwUMhhfMbhfL3NzRbPwmqmflAe52-ZQkjikZV4Aoisjs0Nor6H1jk0er34dDpaINbgvZSLbUAqa2O4XHdfOd4LoLBRFKVX_bFTNfsq8RZuACp76B49JlI/s1600-h/n659732094_912108_6680.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8oqms1xPdqgFcxPiPYDVgplwUMhhfMbhfL3NzRbPwmqmflAe52-ZQkjikZV4Aoisjs0Nor6H1jk0er34dDpaINbgvZSLbUAqa2O4XHdfOd4LoLBRFKVX_bFTNfsq8RZuACp76B49JlI/s400/n659732094_912108_6680.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175720269144534898" /></a><br />RAZORBACK circa 1994 taken beside Kalye Bar in Makati. Their first album, "Hebigat Sounds Vol. 1" would be released a year later.<br />(left-right: Miguel Ortigas, Tirso Ripoll, David Aguirre, Kevin Roy, Louie Talan)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-18241320024335075372008-03-06T01:25:00.000-08:002008-12-10T04:34:19.208-08:00PINOY ROCK TRIVIA...DID YOU KNOW that the term 'Jeprox' was coined by the late Anak Bayan drummer and Pinoy Rock icon Edmond Fortuno? 'Jeprox' was a term used in the 1970's to describe male rockers who sported long hair and lived the rock n' roll lifestyle. It actually started as a shortened version of the phrase, "Jeepney Rock", which in itself described the classic and hard rock music that was being played inside local jeepneys at the time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbVMp1ao4vIWW1QMbF3m3BVGfnFD7IHPIjkrzLYwvYcrZiBlcL2Ij-mzj7DpbdL_bvEfJfLgYCFlIxS_-S05LhxLznyhQ3OLiiwVvKDV-oYIpxfYKOssvlXHJQ9XshQgl-1VThXNNHdM/s1600-h/1899349_96afacbaa3_m.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbVMp1ao4vIWW1QMbF3m3BVGfnFD7IHPIjkrzLYwvYcrZiBlcL2Ij-mzj7DpbdL_bvEfJfLgYCFlIxS_-S05LhxLznyhQ3OLiiwVvKDV-oYIpxfYKOssvlXHJQ9XshQgl-1VThXNNHdM/s200/1899349_96afacbaa3_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174563424858752466" /></a><br />EDMOND FORTUNO<br /><br />Mike Hanopol would later immortalize the term 'Jeprox' is his mega-hit "Laki Sa Layaw" in the late 70's. But it was the inventive mind of Edmond Fortuno who came up with the word which is now a part of Pinoy slang.<br /><br />**It was also Fortuno's idea to write Tagalog lyrics with rock music which eventually evolved into Pinoy Rock. Pinoy rock bands of the late 60's and early 70's were only doing covers of foreign acts at the time and hadn't written any original material yet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-65332957328965546792008-02-19T23:39:00.001-08:002008-12-10T04:34:22.000-08:00WELCOME TO REHAB!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4C8LLEIuB6zZsrOuCk69-fCSe29w255x8qsIGcMXcaKWPqoU_iq9c7X24gQc9XIZNXYbdCvw0nYLm38NigZwCk15VTYS3Os4hLCczN4f-iAwCdy31YguqAxTQBN_df8eKgAeT30RBqg/s1600-h/rehab_poster2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4C8LLEIuB6zZsrOuCk69-fCSe29w255x8qsIGcMXcaKWPqoU_iq9c7X24gQc9XIZNXYbdCvw0nYLm38NigZwCk15VTYS3Os4hLCczN4f-iAwCdy31YguqAxTQBN_df8eKgAeT30RBqg/s200/rehab_poster2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168964837181841218" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpgYkeSucnxxQIuwpmQF5koMsPpVmbmVo2_IhcMu9qwJOLWFaF4B85_OieaiebZyUs0BHq0FSaRHBsNROpIWdz6J137Su5BXr55wkSb-nbMVZWEBoRpxRZt-dstiPKWRALgry3fqF3Ts/s1600-h/rehab_poster6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpgYkeSucnxxQIuwpmQF5koMsPpVmbmVo2_IhcMu9qwJOLWFaF4B85_OieaiebZyUs0BHq0FSaRHBsNROpIWdz6J137Su5BXr55wkSb-nbMVZWEBoRpxRZt-dstiPKWRALgry3fqF3Ts/s200/rehab_poster6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168964845771775826" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhropki6Nm5MpUJ_9gjTb9hyphenhyphen3u6XRl031jkGopJQmvgFiYfDytG_iUDyzpY7BLiWkM1U7lvNvUzXMO75vEEWXPFZKb66KhBOMy54rIvnVlcXLwxOlZMk9fhvQj7pX_jPKKq8tp4cbC9Zts/s1600-h/rehab_poster1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhropki6Nm5MpUJ_9gjTb9hyphenhyphen3u6XRl031jkGopJQmvgFiYfDytG_iUDyzpY7BLiWkM1U7lvNvUzXMO75vEEWXPFZKb66KhBOMy54rIvnVlcXLwxOlZMk9fhvQj7pX_jPKKq8tp4cbC9Zts/s200/rehab_poster1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168964850066743138" /></a><br /> <br />The word ‘rehab’ can mean different things in certain contexts. It usually means another chance for wayward sons and daughters to return to society with a more stable state of mind. Back in 1980’s-era Manila, someone you knew about was sent to it’s grim facility in Bicutan after getting busted by his or her parents. Hollywood party animal Lindsay Lohan has frequent flyer miles in the local “LaLa land” rehab center while trouble-addled singer Amy Winehouse sang about refusing to go but ended up checking in to Hotel California anyway.<br /><br />In this particular case however, the ‘Welcome To Rehab’ phrase represents the latest production outfit to hit the active local rock scene. With a number of “prods” circulating the Metro and various cities around the country and each showcasing a certain sub-genre of Pinoy Rock, ‘Rehab’ boasts their roster of old-school hard rock, blues rock and reggae artists. Bands that have rocked the ‘Rehab’ shows include surging up-and-comers Kastigo and Powertone, hard rock heavies Monks’hood and E.R.F., classic rockers Holy Water, Timog and House of Ravens, reggae masters Coffeebreak Island and Reggae Mistress and power trios Reklamo and Hilera. Even Pinoy Rock veterans The Dawn have graciously lent their time and talents to give WTR some much-needed street cred.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCebRqvKKpRsDe7oigxRJbYV0n7vCuqlosFb6SfBlPd2lqz8RNCbndazhMit-zgM9sKeyKH5XA3iCNDjYS9GY07CO2TZf9VEGsZhTbFDaL4NIDEH1PH4HKCgykWA6lAuicejWN5De9j4/s1600-h/coffeebreak_island.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCebRqvKKpRsDe7oigxRJbYV0n7vCuqlosFb6SfBlPd2lqz8RNCbndazhMit-zgM9sKeyKH5XA3iCNDjYS9GY07CO2TZf9VEGsZhTbFDaL4NIDEH1PH4HKCgykWA6lAuicejWN5De9j4/s200/coffeebreak_island.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168966056952553330" /></a><br />COFFEEBREAK ISLAND<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdy2uE4yd6X2NCVtIVsef7QvNr1yEz8OUNYXZW6rG4jMhofcDld3qhu8vRGVelNXtRpWpQYO4hnKIQFuDrNR8A4FpT74GNvRAkN3ZuDXOi3AKaK3bxXMJywsd5SJ8D11Xw8Gi4XOi60w/s1600-h/hilera.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdy2uE4yd6X2NCVtIVsef7QvNr1yEz8OUNYXZW6rG4jMhofcDld3qhu8vRGVelNXtRpWpQYO4hnKIQFuDrNR8A4FpT74GNvRAkN3ZuDXOi3AKaK3bxXMJywsd5SJ8D11Xw8Gi4XOi60w/s200/hilera.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168966056952553346" /></a><br />HILERA<br /><br />As others would use a production outfit to promote their own agenda and personal ambition, ‘Rehab’s’ founder prefers to be anonymous. So, for the sake of identification in this article, I shall name this mystery person ‘X’. “I don’t want to take any attention away from the bands. Because it’s all about them and not about me.” says X. “A lot of people, including myself have been complaining about the state of Pinoy Rock and all these stupid ‘pogi rock’ and ‘emo’ bands all over the place and no one was really doing anything about it. I just decided to put my money where my mouth is.” <br /><br /> These particular groups of Pinoy Rock musicians have always been “nomads” or “rolling stones”. Satisfied with just playing anywhere they’re welcome and doing things on their own terms. The sole mission of ‘Rehab’ is to “rehabilitate” Pinoy Rock. To unify these artists and to give them a home where they discover fellow artists with similar tastes in music. This creates new friendships, mutual admiration and respect and maybe even collaborations that lead to interesting music. It also aims to give real Pinoy Rock fans a reason to come out of hiding and be part of a vibrant scene that has been absent for quite sometime. “The bands are starting to respect and interact with each other and that is a very good sign for things to come”, ‘X’ enthuses.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdAUhffW3mAXfG7MtddXch9k-97p_nzu9D8jlxafebebJRxifXKTwLhpS27wU7JLQCi0gWgoXzKYocHdsQqEIuu9kpY9nLM0EKCqwswTaTEkEGBBAuFIuON7vgpi6s0YgySohkqeOCZ4/s1600-h/Red_dela_Pena.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdAUhffW3mAXfG7MtddXch9k-97p_nzu9D8jlxafebebJRxifXKTwLhpS27wU7JLQCi0gWgoXzKYocHdsQqEIuu9kpY9nLM0EKCqwswTaTEkEGBBAuFIuON7vgpi6s0YgySohkqeOCZ4/s200/Red_dela_Pena.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168967087744704402" /></a><br />POWERTONE's RED DELA PENA<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFiaRllU1dvTNHY8tNWdKCFInzvkgFjaZ1K0YFwPjn364CXdKMbG3g_LfTKsqLD2cziprHY1fkF0Np-JESCSBv1KHz8eaQLFqjebEgiM_1jc_UL3BuWceMuwjpll4-wrbi7tQ2PLQ4p0/s1600-h/atticus.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFiaRllU1dvTNHY8tNWdKCFInzvkgFjaZ1K0YFwPjn364CXdKMbG3g_LfTKsqLD2cziprHY1fkF0Np-JESCSBv1KHz8eaQLFqjebEgiM_1jc_UL3BuWceMuwjpll4-wrbi7tQ2PLQ4p0/s200/atticus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168967096334639010" /></a><br />KING ANTARES' ATTICUS KING<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCinC8smu0oiRMkH7gFz3QP22nkpVsrz61bVpoHgua9-OrfABSjj7_zN2SXsro63_XP2VmAh6ZaKwr87cffdYGj9AZDuBxAnaKoFAXkjvyepsv5DgqlST9SsrvuNDUAPZYM_GUZFBA9w/s1600-h/Carlo_Ordonez.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCinC8smu0oiRMkH7gFz3QP22nkpVsrz61bVpoHgua9-OrfABSjj7_zN2SXsro63_XP2VmAh6ZaKwr87cffdYGj9AZDuBxAnaKoFAXkjvyepsv5DgqlST9SsrvuNDUAPZYM_GUZFBA9w/s200/Carlo_Ordonez.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168967100629606322" /></a><br />KASTIGO's CARLO ORDONEZ<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRSLXsAfYggZpEUZydSZ-Z_zBxzd0Znnl-MBXf48Koi7DadnOEN09fIlcCD1dWlQGN-S0P7aVNWd-O6u7cgm3APXGBr40v7oO6wPTg5NMTp2DuJAeiWKjFp64-Fv_pUACwOltW27Zf7I/s1600-h/Siopao.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRSLXsAfYggZpEUZydSZ-Z_zBxzd0Znnl-MBXf48Koi7DadnOEN09fIlcCD1dWlQGN-S0P7aVNWd-O6u7cgm3APXGBr40v7oO6wPTg5NMTp2DuJAeiWKjFp64-Fv_pUACwOltW27Zf7I/s200/Siopao.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168967104924573634" /></a><br />E.R.F.'s SIOPAO<br /><br />Started in February of ’07 and going full throttle since October, the ‘Rehab’ shows have streamlined into a venue of blistering musicianship and unbound genius. This is the house where the almighty guitar riff reigns supreme and where expressive (but not self-indulgent) guitar solos are encouraged. Where booming backbeats pound the stage and where the low bass frequencies shake your internal organs. Although there is a deep well of talent that’s ripe for the picking, WTR still have high standards with regards to whom they give a precious 30-minute set to. “We help bands who have high aspirations and who aren’t just some timid musical intellectual who wants to play somewhere other than his bedroom,” explains ‘X’. “Bands who want to record albums, promote their music and tour the country and beyond are the people we want to help out by giving them a stage to improve their craft. Everyone who’s involved with us already have recorded demos and even independently produced full-length albums or E.P.s (extended play).”<br /><br />And the fruits have been evident. Kastigo and Reklamo were both nominated for the “In The Raw” category at the 2007 NU107 Rock Awards, where the latter won. Hilera won the “Best New Artist” award. Holy Water <br />marks the long-awaited return of hard rock riff-meister Mike Bewer. Kastigo continues to tour their debut album and get radio airplay without the help of a major label while other bands are setting release dates for their independent albums as well. “These bands need all the help they can get to succeed in this commercialized business and WTR wants to contribute in any way we can”, says ‘X’. “Hopefully, with our experience and their talents, we can put real, hard, classy, sticky and sweaty Pinoy Rock back on the map”. <br /><br />Aside from the major developments that some bands have achieved, a lot of promising talent is also coming out of the practice studio and on to the WTR stage. “King Antares is a really good band as well as Cosmic Love. New reggae group Lady i has a powerful female vocalist that’ll blow your brains out. Dr. Mindbender are a great live band too and are so entertaining to watch”, remembers ‘X’. “I hope they stick it out and keep improving their music.” <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki7UGpktAkgTVx_L-EKWS_BkxlsgphiLkjGue9ZXRK3F-LCnZhzdydPXNNGVlxC9QczLEGgVmcBhsMnomP9YEnaQ9M0oYvSyqmkeiCP5iJylsMWLCFY-ofZ-zpprbi_EDI0ULN2Iqr9A/s1600-h/883900549l.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki7UGpktAkgTVx_L-EKWS_BkxlsgphiLkjGue9ZXRK3F-LCnZhzdydPXNNGVlxC9QczLEGgVmcBhsMnomP9YEnaQ9M0oYvSyqmkeiCP5iJylsMWLCFY-ofZ-zpprbi_EDI0ULN2Iqr9A/s200/883900549l.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168968354760056786" /></a><br />COSMIC LOVE<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8PY7ycp1pevLibNlj5tSq-duE8w3Ehjwptz_UGCKpdefBeRZaDG2zRNLoxHSAg9SLDQBhFZruYr1DdptRMsRCgUlLsCJgwG_S_h7iELV8YxcLfgLAEgkHZ5cgFLO85PAbyaLb6o4tio/s1600-h/Jeyvi_Castillo.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8PY7ycp1pevLibNlj5tSq-duE8w3Ehjwptz_UGCKpdefBeRZaDG2zRNLoxHSAg9SLDQBhFZruYr1DdptRMsRCgUlLsCJgwG_S_h7iELV8YxcLfgLAEgkHZ5cgFLO85PAbyaLb6o4tio/s200/Jeyvi_Castillo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168968359055024098" /></a><br />MONKS'HOOD's JEYVI CASTILLO<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRfCFY2YYV7fNgOBu8as4PeHfMj6OP-Lp-nd6NnCOf26nmWJ9bhKwD6haFwEVXA37VT98yCNvxqjwu8q3rAJACPnZYeSZvNIFQhglNBj7r76Mvzvd_iGavucqiIGRNFTn1-zBIw2sqEw/s1600-h/LC_De_Leon.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRfCFY2YYV7fNgOBu8as4PeHfMj6OP-Lp-nd6NnCOf26nmWJ9bhKwD6haFwEVXA37VT98yCNvxqjwu8q3rAJACPnZYeSZvNIFQhglNBj7r76Mvzvd_iGavucqiIGRNFTn1-zBIw2sqEw/s200/LC_De_Leon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168968367644958706" /></a><br />REKLAMO's LC DE LEON<br /><br /> With all this positive energy abound, is there any downside to all this? “The downside is really the work you have to put in”, explains ‘X’. “Contacting bands and their managers is a tricky thing when it comes to scheduling. Dealing with some venues has been frustrating especially with venue managers or owners who give me attitude but have no idea whatsoever about live rock music. Makes you want to crack some skulls sometimes. Sitting through at least four hours of loud music can be taxing on the senses as well. But all the bands have been great, with their attitudes and their work ethic. And the music that comes out of these bands is awesome. So it’s all very much worth it at the end of the day.”<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQijq9M7jlhS_qjOrNQ0PRQnuJ9pIekYb2nylgkADyjJRUP6JTq4fLKnukM4vvE6Z7buqjeh4y1WxMqJcceuuw-KjhkywV8mHVEZi9oT7iLzKc-DamBCoVUaP4eF0oBv_AWiDVYuSOKw/s1600-h/rehab_poster11.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQijq9M7jlhS_qjOrNQ0PRQnuJ9pIekYb2nylgkADyjJRUP6JTq4fLKnukM4vvE6Z7buqjeh4y1WxMqJcceuuw-KjhkywV8mHVEZi9oT7iLzKc-DamBCoVUaP4eF0oBv_AWiDVYuSOKw/s200/rehab_poster11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168971837978533890" /></a><br /> <br />So what does the future hold for ‘Welcome To Rehab’? “I just want to keep it simple for now and keep rotating a group of bands that I especially like”, says ‘X’. “I do hope that more fans would come out and support these new bands. It’s really about building up a strong scene, creating great music and promoting real, solid talent.” See you at the next doctor’s appointment.<br /><br />CHECK OUT:<br />http://www.welcometorehab.multiply.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-11253365321515439632008-02-12T01:14:00.001-08:002008-12-10T04:34:22.778-08:00WHERE ART THOU, PINOY ROCK?Coming back to the Philippines in late 2006 after four years would be an eye-opener I never would have expected. I realized how much I missed the different things I had taken for granted; the beautiful countryside on the way to the Batangas coast, the homely taste of lechon kawali and sizzling sisig that can’t be found anywhere else and the warm sound of the tagalog language filling my ears as I walk thru a crowded Megamall. As I slowly fall in love with my hometown, one thing was not quite right and sadly, it was the most important aspect of Pinoy life for me...the music.<br /><br />I started hearing negative rumblings through different yahoogroups about the state of the local scene spanning three years since ‘03. Rants from every which way bashed and criticized the “acoustic duo” wave and eventually, it’s bastard offspring, the “pogi rock” genre that presently permeates the country’s popular musical landscape. The only thing going through my mind was, “what the hell is happening back there?” <br /><br />When Lokomotiv did our Philippine tour last November, I had to see for myself how things really were. It didn’t take any longer than watching one hour of a local music channel to discover the horror that was only hearsay a few months earlier. Video after video of bands with names like Hale, Cueshe, Sponge Cola, Calalily and 6 Cyclemind filled the television screen as one word kept coming out of my mouth, “lame”. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzevn1r0tSpbZrtMtQxnZiWNli5Tao7srolq6T4PEWbPijsIVfjtu9UyBNu4EZErgT8LiUdh_Pev4owKW-nrGvrjNuyAAQBXdSYsp-ZSdTROkgeYpG5CdmuE6JhRbSGrBjS4uGt0j-hjk/s1600-h/spongecola2.jpg.w180h180.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzevn1r0tSpbZrtMtQxnZiWNli5Tao7srolq6T4PEWbPijsIVfjtu9UyBNu4EZErgT8LiUdh_Pev4owKW-nrGvrjNuyAAQBXdSYsp-ZSdTROkgeYpG5CdmuE6JhRbSGrBjS4uGt0j-hjk/s200/spongecola2.jpg.w180h180.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167488021267046178" /></a><br />SPONGE COLA<br /><br />Subsequent videos of a band singing about fake DVDs, a Japanese suicide bomber-named band doing an Apo Hiking Society cover and a group of former alternative rock purists turned bubble gum pop did not make matters any easier. Even if these videos were on the “rock” segment of the show, there was little distinction between them and the pop music that was coming on. I now understood where all the hostility from the rock fans was coming from and was myself getting agititated. <br /><br /> As the band tore through our gigs in different venues and festivals, I got to talk to a lot of our fans and most of them were thanking us for touring the Philippines ‘coz there was finally a real rock band that was playing actively on the mainstream track. I’d ask them why that was the case and they had answers like, “bands like Razorback and Kapatid don’t play much anymore” and “puro pogi rock na lang kasi sikat ngayon”. How could a whole successful pinoy rock scene from the 90’s just disappear into the underground in a matter of months? How could a whole country of rock music fans endure music that has no depth, no longevity and no cojones? Who could the PInoy Rock torch be passed to? <br /><br /> Everything that was getting attention was either too light & cheesy on the right or too aggressive on the left (a distinct characteristic of bands like Queso, Greyhoundz, Sky Church, Sultans Of Snap and Slapshock). No one was representing the middle ground and what everyone seems to underestimate is that the audience of that center is probably the biggest and the most loyal. The situation was finally taking shape in my head and I did not like what I was seeing. <br /><br /> So, whom do I blame for the chain of events leading up to this absurdity? Do I blame the A&R people of record companies who’ve signed these artists? Do I blame the older bands for being content with their status and aren’t playing actively anymore? Do I blame the fans for surrendering to age and conformity? Do I blame myself for leaving the country to pursue my personal aspirations? Reflecting on these thoughts, I decided that instead of pointing the accusing finger, I should be an instrument of change and help get real Pinoy Rock back on it’s feet again. But where would I start? How could I help? Where would I find hope?<br /><br /> Apparently, all I had to do was look into the underground scene for answers. Hanging out in bars around the metro revealed a slew of great bands playing their own brand of original Pinoy Rock that made the hair on the back of my neck stand. They were also armed with much cooler names like Urbandub, Salamin, Salindiwa, Milagros Dancehall Collective, Typecast, Southern Grass and Kinky Hooters. I would discover more astonishing performances in the next few weeks from Reggae Mistress, Coffee Break Island, The Mobsters, Powertone, Gasulina, Lahi and Kastigo. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0PR_9iEI64Qq_VaOizMQRuD8SuxLcUpez416eVEcfsp1tDJdpLVj6iRcfgESGBb4RgQAQ-1maFayZXJ2unKUdFtD13szcB1WE10epjXeXzjgQ3zDZ2R8gT56r49-VsUgZWIKTja-toc/s1600-h/Artist-95927-2336111.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0PR_9iEI64Qq_VaOizMQRuD8SuxLcUpez416eVEcfsp1tDJdpLVj6iRcfgESGBb4RgQAQ-1maFayZXJ2unKUdFtD13szcB1WE10epjXeXzjgQ3zDZ2R8gT56r49-VsUgZWIKTja-toc/s200/Artist-95927-2336111.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167486234560650994" /></a><br />TYPECAST<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVHo5t85nUvWitPDSb5HPoVFrl8czeh_lh2ztcLEhgxvLReXqdihQqsOWO670BFPN49FfDLyihtoVAu5X0Iz2ToxHke74Bmn1qpVhwZSHZPhimigastNOLUAz_XPNNhdNmsNzD4YHCaI/s1600-h/reggaes_mistress.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVHo5t85nUvWitPDSb5HPoVFrl8czeh_lh2ztcLEhgxvLReXqdihQqsOWO670BFPN49FfDLyihtoVAu5X0Iz2ToxHke74Bmn1qpVhwZSHZPhimigastNOLUAz_XPNNhdNmsNzD4YHCaI/s200/reggaes_mistress.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167486238855618306" /></a><br />REGGAE MISTRESS<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1tEcxvdMTBPyr6EX8qA1ROEzTljl4HWCqq4PJFCNmHXBNWSBU0yU0m4_yjfhFD3CBEFSanFDjn9PZfXo9rA1fyff9-rE-m_eZ5_8k_mem_wVGyNu0GE0Rn9iYLONpEBbr8No7csJMUU/s1600-h/37427794950068m.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1tEcxvdMTBPyr6EX8qA1ROEzTljl4HWCqq4PJFCNmHXBNWSBU0yU0m4_yjfhFD3CBEFSanFDjn9PZfXo9rA1fyff9-rE-m_eZ5_8k_mem_wVGyNu0GE0Rn9iYLONpEBbr8No7csJMUU/s200/37427794950068m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167487398496788242" /></a> <br />SALINDIWA<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiWplCP2OHHf3dyZSP92YGRkkZGSVrNIa04ozgxh49Ur6rEYUNYq75j8kmRnJy853pAFwi7DYYTdb1qK1_If1jNAsCRvlg_HFpQRkrB_cIZmxIGVBalFJSvuXDAUl5hZPxiS5QBeo14w/s1600-h/urbandub.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiWplCP2OHHf3dyZSP92YGRkkZGSVrNIa04ozgxh49Ur6rEYUNYq75j8kmRnJy853pAFwi7DYYTdb1qK1_If1jNAsCRvlg_HFpQRkrB_cIZmxIGVBalFJSvuXDAUl5hZPxiS5QBeo14w/s200/urbandub.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167489460081090354" /></a><br />URBANDUB<br /><br />My spirits were suddenly lifted as if my heart was jumpstarted by high voltage. I knew that my beloved Pinoy Rock is alive and was not going down without a fight. It was now clear to me that when everything seems to be decaying that is where great art is born. This is the genesis of a revolution and I am a part of it. There are uprisings happening all over the country in provinces like Laguna, Cavite, Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Bulacan, Iloilo, Legazpi and more rock n’ roll rebels are joining the cause.<br /><br /> It’s only a matter of time that the underground will be contained no longer and the country will experience the great music that is being made right under their very noses. An earthquake has occurred and a new Pinoy Rock tsunami is coming. Take cover or be swept away.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-66709762629638779872008-02-12T01:14:00.000-08:002008-12-10T04:34:24.791-08:00THE SOUND UNDERGROUND \m/A new Pinoy rock resurgence has begun and here is the first installment of underground bands that are waiving the flag for the cause. Representing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, these bands have only one thing in common...to rock the nation. VIVA LA REVOLUCION!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VEXPPVMQwqcGVLzuvlr-WAwwhJvp1K6VMQWlMe9sWVV5PC4EWCnkuOJP4aKQbYJzZe6hLmTpqXd3iHCx2HOa5pqo348P886DyMjYRbwtC6on3Ys_jJunA7QJQsk1kBTE0oons50gGMg/s1600-h/POWERTONE.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VEXPPVMQwqcGVLzuvlr-WAwwhJvp1K6VMQWlMe9sWVV5PC4EWCnkuOJP4aKQbYJzZe6hLmTpqXd3iHCx2HOa5pqo348P886DyMjYRbwtC6on3Ys_jJunA7QJQsk1kBTE0oons50gGMg/s320/POWERTONE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166024317887405666" /></a><br />POWERTONE<br />Members: <br />Red Dela Peña - Vocals <br />Atoy Arce - Guitars <br />Laschober Gojar - Bass <br />Rayman Malaluan - Drums <br /><br /> Formed by guitarist Atoy Arce and naming the band after his rehearsal studio in Marikina Heights, Powertone started off by learning classic rock covers from Deep Purple, Dire Straights and The Knack. Garnering success in a number of local band competitions, the group has moved up from classic rock showband status to writing their own original material. Most notable at this time is the raunchy blues tune, “Kama” that is on their demo cd alongside the mid-tempo rocker, “Bulilyaso”. The group is presently doing the rounds of the Manila bar circuit spreading their rock n’ roll gospel while adding more original tunes to their repertoire.<br /><br />http://www.reddelapena.multiply.com<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ExbkD5wbEENELXDjoXU4G3D-YeC6b2meHlsKCNPG6OKadTPmRHCc_ZO1NKt43ixltNpPvvSHKovMHXWBHJfmnVe3OdM2CQmESJ00Z2FM-eXcNslcXfLZvXF5g9yHIkYY0cB0WQZMe1U/s1600-h/ERF.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ExbkD5wbEENELXDjoXU4G3D-YeC6b2meHlsKCNPG6OKadTPmRHCc_ZO1NKt43ixltNpPvvSHKovMHXWBHJfmnVe3OdM2CQmESJ00Z2FM-eXcNslcXfLZvXF5g9yHIkYY0cB0WQZMe1U/s320/ERF.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167479710505328354" /></a><br />E.R.F.<br />Members:<br />Siopao – Vocals & Guitars <br />Ryan Padilla - Guitars<br />Melvin Lu - Bass<br />Monch Paredes - Drums<br /><br /> Being in existence on and off since 1998 from multitude lineup changes, hiati and a couple of disbandment, the reformed lineup of E.R.F. is totally new with returning original members Siopao and Paredes. Describing their music as “heavy-alternative”, E.R.F. unites a double-guitar onslaught with Siopao’s powerful and melodic vocals. Their first potential single and video, ‘Sinag’ brings back the hard rock stomp of 90’s rockers Candlebox and Faith No More. The group is currently producing their independent debut album to be released this year and are preparing for their follow-up video, ‘ The Marionette’.<br /><br />http://www.siopao69.multiply.com<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcv6ZmcNu7n1-gBjHEtKs5AEX8oF-BK1QenJUuZa68XhWirECXxMCAddlVrnXMYLumYXROCVgVoEjzlWvep6JLGf00Vs2T4058RGV33VHGihLIESsdakkGUhiBzGMt4ds1_wTrFBtVvI/s1600-h/MONKS'HOOD.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcv6ZmcNu7n1-gBjHEtKs5AEX8oF-BK1QenJUuZa68XhWirECXxMCAddlVrnXMYLumYXROCVgVoEjzlWvep6JLGf00Vs2T4058RGV33VHGihLIESsdakkGUhiBzGMt4ds1_wTrFBtVvI/s320/MONKS'HOOD.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167475857919663730" /></a><br />MONKS’HOOD<br />Members:<br />Jeyvi Castillo – Vocals & Guitars<br />Cramm Ponce - Guitars<br />Aries Villariez - Bass<br />Paulo Sison – Drums<br /><br /> San Pedro, Laguna quartet Monks’hood was formed in 1999 and have been actively playing ever since. Going as far as reaching the grand finals of Red Horse Beer’s Muziklaban in 2005, the band are veterans of the Manila live band circuit. Their brand of Pinoy rock is a combination of heavy guitars, steady rhythms and the baritone voice of Castillo. Their first single, “D.Y.I. “ has gotten airplay on RJUR 105.9 and NU 107 and they are presently producing their debut album for a 2008 independent release.<br /><br />http://www.monkshoodrocks.multiply.com<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMXohGcEh1OG9OZ6WF5pCkyjym-LLGvEUqnw5y1KlMWoySpQH21H23CyktabYqWGN9mINyJm4jSqRCuoACX6fQcynkBiO7ywhdusy2WhCQ_tKq64Ee1YLx0xHVA_Y0EEuU6nNuHhwxDw/s1600-h/TABULARAZA.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMXohGcEh1OG9OZ6WF5pCkyjym-LLGvEUqnw5y1KlMWoySpQH21H23CyktabYqWGN9mINyJm4jSqRCuoACX6fQcynkBiO7ywhdusy2WhCQ_tKq64Ee1YLx0xHVA_Y0EEuU6nNuHhwxDw/s320/TABULARAZA.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167477090575277698" /></a><br />TABULARAZA<br />Members: <br />Iking Rañises - Vocals & Guitars<br />John Comeros - Bass <br />Bammers Roa - Lead Guitars<br />Adrian Dal - Drums <br /><br /> Hailing from Cagayan de Oro and formed in mid-2001, Tabularaza became a finalist in the Muziklaban “Battle of the Bands” that same year. The band opted to skip the competition and went to Cebu to record their first 5-track self-titled E.P. and released it in early 2002. They’ve gone on to record two full-length albums; 2004’s “Diversity Issue” and 2006’s “SheWowAh”. Their music is laden with vocal and guitar hooks backed by a tight and powerful rhythm section and topped with Rañises’ melodic vocals and thoughtful lyrics. Tabularaza continues to tour the Mindanao region and regularly visits Cebu and Metro Manila. Southside represent!<br /><br />http://www.tabularazaband.com<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxXaZAerfPxpbhD3RlEb_I23qJKTzQAKOgijW9DYtOTlZTi8VaH-wxv0R1NtBUUuIV91XCe_JOaRdol1QPT6Q0SQeQM6H5aXe4QGkyls4Py1q1zw8-QX2xLJMUx1Ccte9URtculyKlRo/s1600-h/HOUSE_OF_RAVENS.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxXaZAerfPxpbhD3RlEb_I23qJKTzQAKOgijW9DYtOTlZTi8VaH-wxv0R1NtBUUuIV91XCe_JOaRdol1QPT6Q0SQeQM6H5aXe4QGkyls4Py1q1zw8-QX2xLJMUx1Ccte9URtculyKlRo/s320/HOUSE_OF_RAVENS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167477550136778386" /></a><br />HOUSE OF RAVENS<br />Members:<br />Mike "Midnight" Puangco - Vocals, Guitars, Harmonica<br />Chris "Badfish" Tolentino - Guitars, Keyboards<br />Ton "Tones" Gregorio - Guitars<br />Erald Mendoza - Bass<br />Rhodson Sta. Maria - Drums<br /><br />House Of Ravens is a blues-rock band based in the south of Manila, with its members hailing from Sucat, Alabang, and Laguna. Formed in March of 2006, the band is unique for their use of three, count ‘em, three guitars. An approach never before used in Pinoy rock and rarely heard in rock music itself thru bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Oyster Cult and Molly Hatchet. Still a young band, HOR are honing their skills and perfecting this extraordinary and challenging concept. Success would result in a new and interesting Pinoy rock sound.<br /><br />http://www.friendster.com/houseofravens<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-low7Y9CxPuNTk3gFC8R9fs64NKQp7yw9UVpwX8_4jiCBBFzAUrL26y9Gk5gkYqs_ccrgOYzW7JED3lWAKYS6D_Jx6kg9VSwIwJyDjsVvAUNAKHlT5E_ZTDApV6o02O8JPHszkCDKtM/s1600-h/M-JAH.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-low7Y9CxPuNTk3gFC8R9fs64NKQp7yw9UVpwX8_4jiCBBFzAUrL26y9Gk5gkYqs_ccrgOYzW7JED3lWAKYS6D_Jx6kg9VSwIwJyDjsVvAUNAKHlT5E_ZTDApV6o02O8JPHszkCDKtM/s320/M-JAH.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167477846489521826" /></a><br />M-JAH<br />Members:<br />JR Cabansal - Vocals<br />Jam Pendon - Guitars<br />Jec Dan Borlado - Bass<br />Daniel Ascano – Drums<br /><br />Coming out of the Iloilo underground is Christian rock band, M-Jah. This genre of rock doesn’t hold a lot of street cred because of too much “happy, praise the lord” rhetoric, but M-Jah (meaning Mighty God) keep it down-to-earth and on a more personal level. Naming themselves with God’s cool Jamaican nickname should give a good idea where they’re coming from. Heavy guitars, solid backbeats and melodic vocals on their song “Crimson Stain” sum up M-Jah’s sound. As part of the burgeoning Iloilo/Bacolod rock scene, the band has released it’s first independent album, “Cause And Effect” last year and continues to work hard, with other local bands, for more recognition of the Illonggo contributions to Pinoy rock.<br /><br />http://www.myspace.com/mjahband<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZt97cHeDYoeRB1bHYLlJ6hmFkH2EEtnXAcTyyPqseMPHFf-NeD9g0YgK6_nZfn7r72k1M6C3HiHPNjacYAkDNAcpwN7OaiH2frNtRhZxvtXzrknoPYH1SZ31-h9UPyeOeqRKYF3cerhM/s1600-h/LAHI.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZt97cHeDYoeRB1bHYLlJ6hmFkH2EEtnXAcTyyPqseMPHFf-NeD9g0YgK6_nZfn7r72k1M6C3HiHPNjacYAkDNAcpwN7OaiH2frNtRhZxvtXzrknoPYH1SZ31-h9UPyeOeqRKYF3cerhM/s320/LAHI.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167478297461087922" /></a><br />LAHI<br />Members: <br />Enos Pangan – Vocals <br />Marco Abelardo – Guitars <br />Den Madarang – Guitars<br />Chip Estable – Bass <br />Patrick Ronquilio – Drums<br /><br /> Reuniting in 2005 after various stints in high school bands in the mid-90’s, Abelardo, Estable and Ronquillo formed Lahi and enlisted Madarang and Pangan later on after the departure of two original members. With the desire to help the country’s hard rock scene spring back to prominence, Lahi employ the heavy riff techniques of classic rock and metal bands of the 70’s and 80’s while combining the melodic qualities of 90’s grunge and alternative music. They’ve already released their “Ang Simula” 5-song EP last year and have just finished production on their full-length debut album with an early 2008 release. <br /><br />http://www.lahiboys.multiply.com<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTDQlITsb6wosyx5rcAr7U1eaPxtaCf1NN1VTCxfOBLNzIypEBQr-8xj6F-cuCY_SZEF9x_QD9NOy3fza_xQwxfXLOoVXXccAFk0i3n9rTxrqlRZ_4tBW8WTGtCr7Xb0xoQ64_7dh28U/s1600-h/KADANGYAN.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTDQlITsb6wosyx5rcAr7U1eaPxtaCf1NN1VTCxfOBLNzIypEBQr-8xj6F-cuCY_SZEF9x_QD9NOy3fza_xQwxfXLOoVXXccAFk0i3n9rTxrqlRZ_4tBW8WTGtCr7Xb0xoQ64_7dh28U/s320/KADANGYAN.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167478559454092994" /></a><br />KADANGYAN<br />Members:<br />Bhava Mitra - Vocals, Mityapi, Plawta, Gangsa, Kubing <br />Bhakta Raja - Djembe, Udan-Udan, Gabang, P'tadjong<br />Saryo - Drums, Tukatok<br />Agit - Bass <br />Govinda - Djembe, Bidjang, Kubing, Budjong, Gangsa<br /><br />Cebu-based Kadangyan continue the legacy of the Pinoy ethnic-rock movement started by stalwart groups Pen-Pen, Ang Grupong Pendong, Joey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad and Pinikpikan. With members hailing from different regions of the country (Cebu, Iligan, Tacloban & Ifugao Mt. Province), this group could very well represent the Philippines’ diverse cultures and languages in one entity. They combine local ethnic instruments with western, eastern and African instruments and come up with rhythm-laden songs topped with hypnotic chants that puts its listener into a trance. Their busy schedule allows Kadangyan to continue promoting their ideals of peace, environmental concerns and universal humanism as well as promote a new appreciation for Philippine ethnic-rock music.<br /><br />http://www.kadangyan.com<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-B4bXy4hj4TpoKUPbu8HDM87gQVNPlMl1LlbyPvxDXtpVq7JykT8Lc1zO-3VJIFF4yTZZtqV1lFFnyUxzLUsX9s3F3186YnemnWKRRtnfl5B6EF6YfGCw2kwf8_e7_sjLwH4Nj6JyQoU/s1600-h/REKLAMO.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-B4bXy4hj4TpoKUPbu8HDM87gQVNPlMl1LlbyPvxDXtpVq7JykT8Lc1zO-3VJIFF4yTZZtqV1lFFnyUxzLUsX9s3F3186YnemnWKRRtnfl5B6EF6YfGCw2kwf8_e7_sjLwH4Nj6JyQoU/s320/REKLAMO.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167479066260233938" /></a><br />REKLAMO<br />Members:<br />LC de Leon –Vocals, Guitars<br />Ciro de Leon - Drums <br />Mig Dayang Hirang – Bass<br /><br /> If there ever was a band whose name described their music, Reklamo is that band. Formed in early 2006 and consisting of seasoned session musicians, the group is solely dedicated to vent out frustrations, hate and envy towards anything and everything in the form of music. Though that style can get boring and annoying in the hands of inexperienced artists, Reklamo do a good job of augmenting their rants with quirky rock music that’s reminiscent of Frank Zappa, Primus and Mr. Bungle; sort of putting negativity on a silver platter. After the success of two rock singles, “Pat’s Problem” and “Three For One Hundred”, the band represented the Philippines in the World Battle of the Bands held in Singapore last November. They also won the "In The Raw" award at the 2007 NU 107 Rock Awards.<br /><br />http://www.reklamoband.multiply.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-39639318169748421912007-08-15T20:11:00.000-07:002009-04-22T23:25:28.284-07:00ALBUM REVIEW: JUAN DE LA CRUZ's "MASKARA" *****<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnegtPRg3w7KoDzgxODcxZagul2WXiiE89FbCz34vKjONauPLiI4DLa3kuRd5GTc3lmCkKHzM468gqkWI5ij57cCwCBXv0cYNEXMDQfZa7X87415wfvddGMdgqSukW3ZmGtrrc6xBh04Q/s1600-h/juan+de+la+cruz+maskara.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnegtPRg3w7KoDzgxODcxZagul2WXiiE89FbCz34vKjONauPLiI4DLa3kuRd5GTc3lmCkKHzM468gqkWI5ij57cCwCBXv0cYNEXMDQfZa7X87415wfvddGMdgqSukW3ZmGtrrc6xBh04Q/s320/juan+de+la+cruz+maskara.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099130750217628770" /></a><br /><br />Every great band has their masterpiece album; The Beatles had "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band", Pink Floyd had "The Dark Side Of The Moon" and Metallica had their self-titled 'black album'. For Pinoy Rock champions Juan De La Cruz, it was their 1975 magnum opus "Maskara". This line-up's second album finds the trio in top musical form. Unlike it's predecessor, 1973's "Himig Natin", which consists mostly of blues covers, this album is all original with most songs sung in Tagalog.<br /><br />Opening with the psychedelic title track, Joey Smith invites the listener to open their hearts, minds and ears to the music. Hearing the lyric, "...hubarin mo ang iyong maskara, upang ikaw ay makilala...", one can't help but follow the Pinoy Pied Piper's request. The band then starts it's engine and revs up with 'Pinoy Blues' and clutches it into gear with the scorcher 'Nadapa Sa Arina'; Smith's ode to his adventures with the new designer drug of the times, cocaine.<br /><br />"Maskara" also contains some beautiful ballads with 'Nakatagong Mata', 'We Love You' and 'Naglalakbay' that can all lull a baby to sleep. But it is the album's heavy hitters that gives it it's mystique. 'Rak En Roll Sa Mundo' shakes the foundations and the Wally Gonzales-sung 'Palengke' grooves like no other. The Philippines would be changed forever with the album's two biggest hits. Smith's 'Beep Beep' and Hanopol's 'Balong Malalim' capture the vibe of 70's Filipino life thru the eyes of the jeepney driver and it's dazed and confused youth. They are the musical equivalent of the Roman gods Apollo and Mercury. These two paeans about urban Pinoy culture have stood the test of time that bands still cover them to this day.<br /><br />Sadly enough, this would be the trio's last album in the 1970's. Joey Smith left the band to pursue a solo career and adopt the nickname 'Pepe'. The remaining members called it a day soon after. Wally Gonzales recorded two albums, "Tunog Pinoy" & "On The Road" while Mike Hanopol would launch into his greatest work with the smash hit, 'Laki Sa Layaw' as well as composing hit songs for the Pinoy version of the disco group The Village People, Hagibis.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq_0XscPHZauaKhzex5dh-fPuqfpDWU3pRH5JN-Am2rpngf84UuuhTMBdnSJopt6HILoDVcsQkP9_uKCBlC4SNCcTR7khPyvSdBXyakWU_FTfilBX6jpm6n2zAkzJz2gFQgEj1V8jOx4/s1600-h/mhbuksan.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq_0XscPHZauaKhzex5dh-fPuqfpDWU3pRH5JN-Am2rpngf84UuuhTMBdnSJopt6HILoDVcsQkP9_uKCBlC4SNCcTR7khPyvSdBXyakWU_FTfilBX6jpm6n2zAkzJz2gFQgEj1V8jOx4/s320/mhbuksan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103917491269020978" /></a><br />Mike Hanopol's solo album, "Buksan"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lfW4BllL7fP-s853HtDxoPQ8Jzve3yZMmA3I3Gs4W4gNn5UfSAZ4scQMvoC89E9eV6LvLZ_urlt6iuCYHRR0zmeRWVh9RmQujSp0LtlxYggYMlG2f2mmIFbupCk86GXhREFwP1aTF2E/s1600-h/WRG005.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lfW4BllL7fP-s853HtDxoPQ8Jzve3yZMmA3I3Gs4W4gNn5UfSAZ4scQMvoC89E9eV6LvLZ_urlt6iuCYHRR0zmeRWVh9RmQujSp0LtlxYggYMlG2f2mmIFbupCk86GXhREFwP1aTF2E/s320/WRG005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103917130491768098" /></a><br />Cover of Wally Gonzales' solo album, "Tunog Pinoy"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uEH89H4HSd21bgpLZCKsThfzgEJnBBZaoaYr5RWvpTz088xlBJ1-ajAnjRO1evwAupMfGRe1zR9VVI6TaG1Lnh-I1shOClzIpXNffuBFUCNpaRVTxtf0d2VuISxx7lH3CU0st39aYQU/s1600-h/hagibis.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uEH89H4HSd21bgpLZCKsThfzgEJnBBZaoaYr5RWvpTz088xlBJ1-ajAnjRO1evwAupMfGRe1zR9VVI6TaG1Lnh-I1shOClzIpXNffuBFUCNpaRVTxtf0d2VuISxx7lH3CU0st39aYQU/s320/hagibis.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103911697358138642" /></a><br />Hagibis<br /><br />JDLC would reconvene six years later and record the slick reunion album, "Kahit Anong Mangyari". Although it was a great comeback album with it's own roster of hits, it didn't replicate the vibe and aura that "Maskara" had in 1975. Thankfully, this classic is available today as part of a reissue series by Vicor Records. Experience the power and majesty that is "Maskara".Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-48826598931144617902007-08-15T20:06:00.000-07:002009-04-22T23:26:05.255-07:00ALBUM REVIEW: JUAN DE LA CRUZ's "HIMIG NATIN" *****<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLmnEu7ze1Xacxc_LPEXgr62JxpeS1lSA2Mjmw0Kh9Okc_DlFOapzw-UQaAmLLEl5EsVHbw7l6fRMuiddQkI-Z91azoYm4FD2Gtl9Hx8X5KSuccLR54QS193lROMPFQZsa10ryuU2aXw/s1600-h/juan+de+la+cruz+himig+natin.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLmnEu7ze1Xacxc_LPEXgr62JxpeS1lSA2Mjmw0Kh9Okc_DlFOapzw-UQaAmLLEl5EsVHbw7l6fRMuiddQkI-Z91azoYm4FD2Gtl9Hx8X5KSuccLR54QS193lROMPFQZsa10ryuU2aXw/s320/juan+de+la+cruz+himig+natin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099130123152403538" /></a><br /><br />As part of a classic reissue series, "Himig Natin" is the 1973 groundbreaking album that sparked the origin of the term 'Pinoy Rock' and the wave of original Filipino rock music that would dominate the 1970's. Interestingly enough, this is the group's second album but the first with it's classic power trio line-up of bassist/vocalist Mike Hanopol, guitarist Wally Gonzales and drummer/vocalist Joey Smith (the first album is from 1971 called "Up In Arms" with Gonzales as part of the original band).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu1YVOdVcAuXBx_EREtvdzFjy-D1REJpG3W1vahG5B5PmDpn1w870V95Qevm15TpaXp4eYLAfeOBnrxOdaU0eromfQv7gKQrzAp_cs70Q1CN_et3FQkHij0NFRTILljNUoJmaVXLiqcE/s1600-h/jdlc72lpcover1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu1YVOdVcAuXBx_EREtvdzFjy-D1REJpG3W1vahG5B5PmDpn1w870V95Qevm15TpaXp4eYLAfeOBnrxOdaU0eromfQv7gKQrzAp_cs70Q1CN_et3FQkHij0NFRTILljNUoJmaVXLiqcE/s200/jdlc72lpcover1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099511567787896034" /></a><br />JDLC's 1st official album, "Up In Arms"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3eLPAYit3AVzB1tIr74Z0gJEYXOFcQtkTQHZ7tViRW6LF2kwoI0nF3bRb66DOKFjNoTOUh6GCgYUIGt2gqNtKyQ7_gli_DWCg4hDcylrWQx72LDYmHJPGmjh7lYeroGVZxYeEGqK9K8/s1600-h/jdlc72back1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3eLPAYit3AVzB1tIr74Z0gJEYXOFcQtkTQHZ7tViRW6LF2kwoI0nF3bRb66DOKFjNoTOUh6GCgYUIGt2gqNtKyQ7_gli_DWCg4hDcylrWQx72LDYmHJPGmjh7lYeroGVZxYeEGqK9K8/s200/jdlc72back1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099511572082 863346" /></a><br /><br />Aside from the classic hits, 'Rock N' Roll Sa Ulan', 'Mamasyal Sa Pilipinas' and the seminal PInoy Rock anthem, 'Ang Himig Natin', this album is drenched in psychedelic rock and heavy blues. As the group opens with 'Take You Home', the only word that comes to mind is...H-E-A-V-Y. This is the aural equivalent of a herd of brontosauruses trudging thru the flatlands several million years ago. 'I Wanna Say Yeah' has a R&B Motown feel reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix's Band Of Gypsys. They use a Chicago blues feel on 'Round And Round' and down n' dirty Delta blues on 'Blues Train' where Wally Gonzales burns the fretboard like a man possesed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ1ArmkH4vddMOk15uQ88QkrdamP4pIGUN5bDfjcOvU24EP0a2xFaRoDKZ1vJMimIh78hX5JOAKlRduuEqkykeBMGfg44pOIP47TZ6GRWNm26mr2n_7OqXLASU7hG5oqLpz5HJzwRy0o/s1600-h/WRG002.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQ1ArmkH4vddMOk15uQ88QkrdamP4pIGUN5bDfjcOvU24EP0a2xFaRoDKZ1vJMimIh78hX5JOAKlRduuEqkykeBMGfg44pOIP47TZ6GRWNm26mr2n_7OqXLASU7hG5oqLpz5HJzwRy0o/s200/WRG002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099509716656991426" /></a><br />Wally Gonzalez<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJEVFK6NHY0XjPSdk6mnrRXecEfwFhBjMJL8kZVaLsq6qX02jg5M9eINFCEhDFXAJtIZMv8M8D2_PozjOEUB65R56eVEIvSxVN3QBHu-85bWctaAW7sl_dNekJpY-EhhBLXxUSCTUQCk/s1600-h/jdlc_64.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJEVFK6NHY0XjPSdk6mnrRXecEfwFhBjMJL8kZVaLsq6qX02jg5M9eINFCEhDFXAJtIZMv8M8D2_PozjOEUB65R56eVEIvSxVN3QBHu-85bWctaAW7sl_dNekJpY-EhhBLXxUSCTUQCk/s200/jdlc_64.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099509716656991442" /></a><br />Joey 'Pepe' Smith<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKz_rXvukPOl1Uv6mHSNJiJ4He72DlLe6zz_uQVQYF1eXI3DkmbCgS8ie7Rmp3E4n8LsLKWfLbkRWGSQKMCvLkEwNQPEEJfO6-oz-WAQC4dCVAUriqACMc1aUMQlURtsGx_CdxSbSSQ4/s1600-h/Mikehanopol190.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKz_rXvukPOl1Uv6mHSNJiJ4He72DlLe6zz_uQVQYF1eXI3DkmbCgS8ie7Rmp3E4n8LsLKWfLbkRWGSQKMCvLkEwNQPEEJfO6-oz-WAQC4dCVAUriqACMc1aUMQlURtsGx_CdxSbSSQ4/s200/Mikehanopol190.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099509712362024114" /></a><br />Mike Hanopol<br /><br />The Smith-penned 'Shake Your Brain' is another gem that deserves 'classic' recognition. The spotlight though, is on the title song. A song about how important music is to the Filipino and should be one of the top 5 best Filipino songs ever written. All the planets were definitely aligned when JDLC recorded this masterpiece. From the opening acoustic guitar riff and piano accompaniment to it's beautiful lyrics and Wally Gonzales' awe-inspiring guitar solo, it is the perfect song that touches the very core of being Filipino. The impact that this song and album made on PInoy Rock was never imitated and can never be duplicated.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954105004400221871.post-3095524521412224842007-08-09T02:30:00.000-07:002009-04-22T23:26:33.416-07:00ALBUM REVIEW: KASTIGO's "OUR DAILY RIOT" ****<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjehhk4FVnngY9wp_zy_1zF9LJp_rYBeLgU-ak5r9ffp9cHW-cCqHknO35fPrlGsR8CBopI68gP5qrXWdJ8QWb0bAUt4eeN5MTqMgt-io7gP5UPfLOvmN7K8rmqjWaH30v69TKPY74II/s1600-h/1_697083148l.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjehhk4FVnngY9wp_zy_1zF9LJp_rYBeLgU-ak5r9ffp9cHW-cCqHknO35fPrlGsR8CBopI68gP5qrXWdJ8QWb0bAUt4eeN5MTqMgt-io7gP5UPfLOvmN7K8rmqjWaH30v69TKPY74II/s320/1_697083148l.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096631030941755922" /></a><br /><br />The first thing that comes to mind as soon as the guitar-flanged opening salvo of 'Mga Pagbabago' bleeds off the speakers is quite simply, "thank god, finally some good shit!!". Yes, this is Kastigo...my favorite band at the moment. They've come a long way from when I stumbled upon them at the Purple Haze bar in T. Morato last January to their album launch this past August and "Our Daily Riot" is the badge of honor they can wear with pride. One would definitely mistake this band for older, seasoned musicians because of the well-developed songwriting and astute lyrics. In truth, the eldest member is unbelievably only 20 years old. The only explaination I can come up with is that these are a group of old souls that haven't left this world for the sole purpose of coming together and making great rock music. <br /><br />And it is the music that gives this band it's power and depth. Eleven songs about love, heartache, escapism, confusion and political issues comprise this ruckus of a debut. Frontman Carlo Ordonez combines the vocal attributes of Basti Artadi and Jett Pangan. His tagalog lyrical prowess evokes the styles of Wolfgang's Mon Legaspi and Yano's Dong Abay while his english poetry harken back to a young James Hetfield and new wave-era Bono. Guitarist Joshua Montecillo's sound blends the shred techniques of early 80's metal axemen and the atmospheric qualities of Rush's Alex Lifeson, U2's The Edge and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd; guitarists who made their mark on rock music when Joshua wasn't even a thought in his parent's minds. And all these without the aid of a guitar pick. The rhythm section are no slackers either. Bassist Sans Fojas projects earthy bass tones that rumble the low frequencies as her huge sound and intensity masks her tiny frame. Mark Santiago pounds the drums with steady authority and drives the tempos at an almost-perfect speed while weaving in and out of different cadences that will surely make you downshift and press that gas pedal a little harder.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGb-IwtXPLOqp7P8YdXqou-4ykE-3zsH-nCpPn9ANa-U5tBt1SUMWjqWW0_egRw9qRpsSJI2O89CnRTJhZ7Zs_EGENTtcj-BUO69w7QPq8C2TIj_N8Cfeg3_E00utfNkDOfPpMydHgi2g/s1600-h/Mark_Santiago_Drums_1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGb-IwtXPLOqp7P8YdXqou-4ykE-3zsH-nCpPn9ANa-U5tBt1SUMWjqWW0_egRw9qRpsSJI2O89CnRTJhZ7Zs_EGENTtcj-BUO69w7QPq8C2TIj_N8Cfeg3_E00utfNkDOfPpMydHgi2g/s200/Mark_Santiago_Drums_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099210593659661426" /></a><br />Mark Santiago<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEm7IBgunM3lX2u-2pDJLb1t76GpDDkYyuKDhHhL3oZOYIIpYclCMI0hcsJx4y0GjKycmeL4ydYQOvA8oBuzvZCE1oF7WeubA-NT7tsxMMioDyJGVOV9a7vil5FcLrq81fSjcA_QRG5Q/s1600-h/Sans_Fojas__Bass_II.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEm7IBgunM3lX2u-2pDJLb1t76GpDDkYyuKDhHhL3oZOYIIpYclCMI0hcsJx4y0GjKycmeL4ydYQOvA8oBuzvZCE1oF7WeubA-NT7tsxMMioDyJGVOV9a7vil5FcLrq81fSjcA_QRG5Q/s200/Sans_Fojas__Bass_II.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099210606544563346" /></a><br />Sans Fojas<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9GB3uwrFaCkw59Bn9sv9o8R8v6DPhA6s4ugzcb7WgkHdvDHg7Rgv74J8W7I556eQE68321exJeLFzd2FPENxozdTmeYRqZDELkqY3wFYJUU7XeP66YCTWhE_cjRcOkfOCK_JgQ1ohIU/s1600-h/Carlo_Ordonez__Vocals_II.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9GB3uwrFaCkw59Bn9sv9o8R8v6DPhA6s4ugzcb7WgkHdvDHg7Rgv74J8W7I556eQE68321exJeLFzd2FPENxozdTmeYRqZDELkqY3wFYJUU7XeP66YCTWhE_cjRcOkfOCK_JgQ1ohIU/s200/Carlo_Ordonez__Vocals_II.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099210615134497954" /></a><br />Carlo Ordonez<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wUtR8df2yeoMyUb8bxgYoQFQN1Yk45AE7migt5aVj9PrN8cwgX-OMGYsW7a6FFbXQGfkNfGf6Gk9PGbP0MWMbSveFOXXcm08GNCNNy4lHrGsM028Xs__m9c_3aq6BthLvJvHAVJHZrs/s1600-h/Josh_Montecillo_Guitars_1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wUtR8df2yeoMyUb8bxgYoQFQN1Yk45AE7migt5aVj9PrN8cwgX-OMGYsW7a6FFbXQGfkNfGf6Gk9PGbP0MWMbSveFOXXcm08GNCNNy4lHrGsM028Xs__m9c_3aq6BthLvJvHAVJHZrs/s200/Josh_Montecillo_Guitars_1.jpg" border="0"alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099210602249596034" /></a><br />Joshua Montecillo<br /><br />Kastigo divides the album into various rock styles; 'Aria', 'Himlaya' and 'A Bitter Passion' ooze with hard rock energy. 'Our Daily Riot', 'Divine' and 'Complicated Man' apply the spirit of 80's power metal and dip into progressive rock at times. Beauty and harmony are the foundations of ’Kapag Kapiling Ka’, 'Larawan' and 'Don't Bother' which have the word ‘HIT’ written all over them. As an added bonus, check out the surprise located a minute after the last track ends. The band successfully translates their music into a superbly produced album with the help of engineer and co-producer Hazel Pascua. The only other thing that can blow your mind after listening to Kastigo's debut is the thought of how compelling their music will sound as they mature with age.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVMaJOKQYHgs71vK64ueU5nM-axrRCgQfHVMEvKkaPjSS8t756wNJ4AV-peEN3HutILQNQfhQutjGHFffngyCMGfrEQgKM3cLl0Hht9qBT5eUsdWB3wz-g7OYywQkKvGhqkv4M9O2JKw/s1600-h/_MG_9719.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVMaJOKQYHgs71vK64ueU5nM-axrRCgQfHVMEvKkaPjSS8t756wNJ4AV-peEN3HutILQNQfhQutjGHFffngyCMGfrEQgKM3cLl0Hht9qBT5eUsdWB3wz-g7OYywQkKvGhqkv4M9O2JKw/s320/_MG_9719.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097205706155895330" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />You can purchase the album at Kastigo's shows. Check them out at www.bandangkastigo.multiply.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4