Philippine Music bits on Pinoy bands and singers

Lampano Alley headlines Blueskrieg Night @ 19East

Blueskrieg nights are fun gigs filled with soulful and passionate blues music performances - as can be seen on these photos of blues music gigs. Blueskrieg blues train heads down south of the Metro on Saturday September 1, 2007 for a very special show.
Come see Pinoy blues music pioneers BINKY LAMPANO and Lampano Alley
as Blueskrieg takes the Pinoy blues music train to 19East Bar & Restaurant

also featuring Blueskrieg bands:
Snakecharmer
Kulukati (with DeltaSelim)
Plug

and special guest:
The Long Johns

Blues music lovers unite! Join this happeing blues party south of the Metro, see yall at 19East!

19 East is located at Km19 East Service Road, Sucat, Paranaque. The Music Hall at 19East is a fantastic live music venue that looks, feels and sounds great. Wonderful sound system complemented by friendly acoustics enable bands and artists to take their music performances to a higher level. Great food, too!
tags: Binky Lampano, Lampano Alley, Blues Music, Blueskrieg

By: Love Dela Cruz

It was a rainy Saturday on June 23, 2007 as one hundred and fifty plus bands played simultaneously for the Fete-De la-Musique event in Malate, Manila. This collision of music genre is an event sponsored by the French consulate.

The Fete-De la-Musique originated from the luscious scenery of France, it started out with bands playing concurrently in different stages and giving the fans the ultimate night of their lives. Soon more and more countries joined in the craze and now the Fete-De la-Musique is the most anticipated music extravaganza that can rock an entire nation.

The roads were blocked, as four separate stages took over the small gimikan place of Malate in Manila. Despite the bad weather that took upon the participants, it was astounding to see that everyone was still having fun.

My first stop was the reggae stage; I caught people dancing with and without any umbrellas proving Mother Nature that the youth of today are even more rebellious than before.

To make it more visual here’s the list of performers who were rocking the stages that night, In Nakpil Cor. Ma. Orosa St, we had the World, Blues, Jazz, Funk, Reggae & Ska slash Electronica Stage which was graced by bands like Peryodiko, Taken By Cars, Daydream Cycle, Drip, Makatha, Cosmic Love, Switch, Salindiwa, Milagros Dancehall Collective, The Chongkeys, The Rinka Collective, Bagetsafonik, Paramita, 4mh, Jeepney Joyride, Blue Rats, The Spaceflower Show, Jerome Rico, Sound, Wahijuara, Brass Munky, Bembol Rockers, Coffee Break Island, Swissy, Outerhope, Ang Bandang Shirley, Blazing Bulalakaw, Juan Pablo Dream, Musical Orgasm, Pinikpikan, Spy, Skabeche, Johnny Alegre Affinity and the now making a noise band Sino Sikat?

On the other side of the street where Adriatico St. Cor. Nakpil we find the Hip-Hop and R&B Stage, now this is where I saw how the pinoy hip-hop community was afraid of some rain and wasn’t able to show the fellas on stage the lovin the deserve. The hip-hop artist performing that nigh were Sinag and God’s Will, Nimbusnine, Krazykyle, Slick n Sly Kane with Mista Blaze, Corporate Lo-Fi, Audible, Syke, Pamilia Dimagiba, Chilitees, Out of Body Special, Mobbstarr, Jay Flava, Hi-C, Miscellaneous, Stick Figgaz, The Expansion Team, Urban Outlaws, Artstrong, Dash and Esp, Monique with Metagrove, Ill-J, 2tay, People’s Future, Flipballaz, Aero, Ampon, Los Indios Bravoz, Diwata, Mike’s Apartment, Dcoy+The Franchize and Sunny Blaze, Nathan J, Circulo Pugantes, Mhcrew and Audible.

After moving and grooving to the beat of some gangsta music leds head over to the wet streets of Plaza Rajah Sulayman, Roxas Boulevard where the Universal or the Main Stage is located. Here we saw mainstream acts such as Orange and Lemons, Stonefree, Salamin, Cynthia Alexander, Radioactive Sago Project, Up Dharma Down, Mayonnaise, The Dawn, Alibata, Mojolfy, Wake Up Your Seatmate, Snakecharmer, Lala, Kadangyan, Slapshock, The Bloomfields and Erskin. Talk about big shot names, this stage was THE stage.

But let’s not forget what most of these kids were here for. If you like wearing black shirts, Chuck Taylors, skinny jeans (and you’re a guy) and you love the sound the banging and slamming of the drums, well this stage was meant for you.

Located at the Remedios Circle, Remedios St. Cor. Adriatico, is the Rock Stage. This was the box-office stage in the event, here bands like hicosci, Sin, Badburn, Moyg, Intolerant, Hampaslupa, Boy Elroy, Hilera, Greyhoundz, Cog, Valley of Chrome, Kapatid, Join the Club, Resurrected, Typecast, The Ambassadors, Check, Analog, End of Man, Mortal Fear, El Mercurio, Pin Up Girls, Ducks Entertainment, The Wuds, Vox de Murk, Redd Boy, Eternal Now, Severo, Effinboiche, Reklamo, Dirty Stone Yard, Giniling Festival, April Morning Skies, Subscapular and the band formerly known as Cheese now Queso, was playing like there was no rain and tomorrow.

The fans were bumping and maiking their own small moshpits, awaiting the jump of the lead singers.

Despite the harsh weather the Fete-De La-Musique was a success. This sentiment can be shared by those die hard music lovers out there who would endure anything just to listen to great and free music, let’s not forget cheap booze.

Tags: Manila Fete de la Musique, Philippine Music News, Pinoy Bands

By Phoebe Dorothy Estelle

A significant event will happen to the Philippines’ favorite pop star Sarah Geronimo as she stages her second major concert. According to Viva Entertainment big boss Vic del Rosario this serves as the defining moment of the premier young artist.

In “Sarah Geronimo in Motion” the singer –actress will perform with Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano, Sam Milby, Jericho Rosales, Mark Bautista, John Prats, and Comedy Concert Queen Ai Ai delas Alas. A concert series will also run in United States particularly in California, New York, Alaska, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas in August and September.

Sarah’s Music

Four years ago, the Celine Dion original “To Love You More” captured the heart of the nation. The song was popularized by the “Star For a Night’s” grand winner Sarah Geronimo in 2003 who used it as her winning piece.

Sarah was 14 years old when she garnered the glory. At such age, she wowed everyone with her powerful voice. It seemed impossible that such vocal prowess would come from a girl her age.

Her debut album, “Popstar, A Dream Come True” brought her sextuple platinum award. Incidentally, her single “Sa’ Yo” was use as campaign jingle by senatoriable and a computer school that Sarah endorsed.

Sarah’s another track “Twin Heart” was the theme song of a GMA soap opera with the same titl, top billed by Dingdong Dantes, Tanya Garcia and Dennis Trillo.

Her sophomore album “Sweet Sixteen” was a gold record in one week. “How Could You Say You Love Me,” “Lumingon Ka Lang” and the revival, “I Want to Know What Love Is” were the pop tracks that helped Sarah to gain the Most Popular Female Recording Artist by Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Award in 2005.

While performing as mainstay of ASAP, Sarah was officially lauched trhough her first major concert, “Sarah: The Other Side.”

That same year Sarah recorded songs for several consumer products including “Tunay Talaga” for top sanitary napkin ad, and“Ang Bango ng Pasko,” the yuletide season ad for a detergent powder. Sarah was slowly becoming hot property.

Also in 2005, Sarah sang the official theme for “Can Be This Love,” the launching flick of Star Circle Quest winners Hero Angeles and Sandara Park. The song attained gold record sales in only one month.

This year, Sarah will release her new album entitled, “Taking Flight.”

Sought After Singer-Actress

Sarah not only conquered the recording industry, she’s also one of the most sought after star on TV and the big screen. It started when she joined the 90s youth oriented show “Click.” When she transferred from GMA to ABS-CBN she starred in her solo program “Sarah: The Teen Princess” where she had three leading men.

Last year, she conquered the primetime with her singing and acting in the TV adaptation of “Bituing Walang Ningning” where she revived the character that Sharon Cuneta immortalized.

After her one month engagement in “Love Spell: Sweet Sixty”, Sarah is set to do one more primetime assignment this time with Jericho Rosales, “Pangarap Na Bituin.”

In movies, Sarah did “Lastikman”, where she played leading lady to Mark Bautista, “Captain Barbell,” “Filipinas,” and “Annie Batungbakal.” Currently, her mother studio is working out to remake “Dear Heart” that will be her major movie opposite John Lloyd Cruz.

Before being known as teen icon, Sarah already had past projects when she was a kid. She was part of “Pen Pen de Sarapen” and “Ang TV” while her first film would be “Sarah, Ang Munting Prinsesa,” where she’s one of the classmates of the lead actress – Camille Prats.

A Major Transformation

“My fans will be seeing a different me. I’ll be dancing. And my costumes will be – how would I describe it – daring and sexy,” Sarah described her July 14 concert that will start 8pm at the Araneta Coliseum.

The show promises an intense, spunky, and buoyant Popstar that will be directed by GB San Pedro with Mark Lopez as musical director. While, the music man Louie Ocampo will have a special participation.

The Anak TV Seal nominee for “Most Popular Household on Philippine Television” has become an inspiration for many aspiring singers. Sarah Geronimo has gone a long way, indeed. And there are more to conquer in Philippine showbiz, no doubt about that.

Tags: Sarah Geronimo, Philippine Music News, Pinoy Albums

By Love Dela Cruz

Last March 12, 2007 Dennis Trillo held an Album launch at the Virgin Café, Tomas Morato. The place was packed with press people and fans trying to get a glimpse of the young actor. This charmer that graces the small tube as Eliseo in GMA’s top rating show Super Twins, has now extended his talent to our airwaves.

Dennis and His Music

Dennis’s self-titled album with 12 tracks, is a mix of originals and a few revivals. The album’s sound is classified as experimental. His carrier single “All out love” by Air Supply came from a commercial he shot a few years back. We can also hear Dennis’ original tracks like “Lumilipad” and “Para sa’yo” which were composed by the main man himself–Ogie Alcasid.

Dennis Trillo is the first recording artist under Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid new recording company called iMusic. Their efforts have finally paid off as Dennis’s album, is now released in all record stores nationwide. As of March 11, 2007 the album already sold an estimated of 250 copies.

According to the producers, Dennis deserves this break because he’s one of the most hard working entertainers in the industry. Dennis’ fans seem to share the same sentiments, as they believe that Dennis will be successful in this new endeavor.

The Band Keeps On Playing

The show started out with iMusic’s other talent like Moms Cake. A fresh and “raw” band that promotes not just a different kind of music but an entirely different meaning to stage performance. They started with all originals and ended with a medley of our favorite pinoy songs, or as what we may all know as “Show band” music. They also sang Kamikazee’s “Narda”.

The guys were entertaining as an opening act and truly hyped up the crowd but everyone was there to see Dennis and hear his soothing voice.

Then boy wonder arrived on stage with Yellow Drama, another iMusic talent. I had an opportunity to talk to them about Dennis. The guys admitted that since Dennis is a known actor they used to think that he was one of those air-headed celebrities but they were shocked to know that he was as regular as they were, “Down to earth, saka mabait, sobra”. The band and Dennis have been practicing for a week before the album launch and what they’ve observed Dennis’s love for rock music and simplicity.

Dennis’ arrival on stage filled the bar with screams and shrieks from his beloved fans. You could see the energy coming from his face as he started to perform. His carrier single “All out of Love” was the most recognized and the most anticipated among the set he performed. He finished it off with his favorite song (not part of his album) from Incubus called “Drive”.

Despite the fact that the Resto-bar was jammed packed with screaming girls hovering over Dennis’s presence, he was still able to go down stage and entertain them personally.

Girls lined up, took out their digital cameras and cell phones so they may have a chance to get a picture with their hunky idol. This amazing rapport with his fans is the proof of his success. Whether he’s off fighting bad guys in a fantaserye or just serenading our hearts with his cool voice, Dennis is a true force to reckon with. His recipe for success is his talent, charisma and genuine care for his fans is truly admirable.

It seems that the new breed of stars, like Dennis Trillo, are not just focused on one field but rather want to try different things and what can I say, they’ve all become versatile and flexible.

By Phoebe Dorothy Estelle

February is the month of love and sweethearts are busy checking out romantic possibilities for Valentine’s Day. Celebrities are busy, too, and some of them instead of spending time for romantic dinners or expensive escapades choose to entertain the Filipino music lovers on this important day.

Artists like Ara Mina, Rachelle Ann Go & Christian Bautista, Rufa Mae Quinto, Vina Morales and the Megastar Sharon Cuneta have prepared special shows in the different major venues. Here are some of the concerts and shows that can help make your Valentine dates truly special:

The Sexy at the Big dome.

Sexy star Ara Mina unleashes her musical side through her anniversary concert on February 3 at the Araneta Coliseum. “Loving Ara” is Ara’s celebration for withstanding showbiz life for the past 15 years.

Ara was a product of German Moreno’s “That’s’ Entertainment”. In that talent show, she joined the big bunch of teen stars that could sing, dance and act. However, her career was boost up when she decided to do sexy movies, her launching film was “Maldita”. Ara’s acting skills proved that sexy stars are not just about the body when she won awards from FAMAS, MMFF, Star Awards, and Golden Screen. Soon she decided to hone her singing career and recorded novelty hits such as “Ay,ay,ay Pag-ibig” at “Opps. Teka lang”.

In Loving Ara, she will be joined by her friends Ogie Alcasid, Michael V, Rufa Mae Quinto, Antonio Aquitania, Wendell Ramos as well as the great performers like Jimmy Bondoc, Jose Manalo, Ney of 6Cyclemind and Raymond Marasigan of the rick band Sandwich.

Proceeds of the show will go to the Ara Mina Foundation that helps seriously ill children.

The Mega Concert.

On February 10 Sharon Cuneta will grace the Araneta Coliseum for “My Mega Valentine Two,” a repeat performance of her lat year’s hit concert. Her special guests are the Apo Hiking Society and Ms. Pops Fernandez.

The Philippine entertainment icon who popularized the songs “Bituing Walang Ningning”, Pangarap na Bituin”, “Mr. DJ”, and “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas” will once again invade the concert scene, her musical director is the composer/arranger Louie Ocampo while ABS-CBN top gun Johnny Manahan will direct the show .

Champions on Stage.

On the eve of Valentine’s Day, February 13, singing darlings Christian Bautista and Rachelle Ann Go will entertain fans and lovers at the Aliw Theatre in Roxas Boulevard Manila. The Asian Idol and the Ultimate Champion’s concert “You and Me” is a production of A.S.A.P Live.

The two hit makers are from different big recording companies. Christian is a Warner Music Philippines talent. He has not only conquered the Philippine Music Industry but other Asian countries as well. His ‘The Way You Look at Me” was a huge success, his other hits include “Hands to Heaven”, “Color Everywhere” and “Invincible”.

On the other hand, Rachelle Ann is a Viva Entertainment Artist. Her career flourished after winning the “Search for a Star” hosted by Asia’s songbird Regine Velasquez. Her remake of the the classics “Don’t Cry Out Loud”, and “Dreaming of You” endeared her to fans while her song, “From the Start” composed by Venie Saturno, bagged the silver medal in 2004 Shanghai Musical Festival.

The Singer and the Comedienne.

Another repeat concert this February is “When Erik Met Rufa the Repeat… to the Max!” as the Prince of Pop Erik Santos and sexy comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto set the Music Museum on fire on February 16.

“When Erik Met Rufa” guests performers include Ai Ai delas Alas, Hotlegs and Ogie Alcasid.

Stronger, Sexier, and Sassier Vina.

On February 24, the total performer Vina Morales will heat up the concert scene with her ultimate performance of the year.

“Showgirl The Repeat” to be held at Araneta Coliseum is powered with more vivacious dance sequences with the help of top notch choreographer Georcelle Dapat and costume designer Edwin Uy, Butch Miraflor musical directs and Floy Quintos directs the entire show.

With these great Valentine concerts and shows to choose from, our dear lovers will not be only looking forward to a nightcap kiss at the end of their dates, they’ll also enjoy watching some of hottest Filipino concerts artists onstage.

By Stella Marie Avila

Tucked in San Antonio Village in Makati City along Guijo Street is an unassuming building that serves as a witness of how seemingly ordinary musical acts become artistic performances. In saGuijo music bar , music is treated like an intricate tapestry, and the audience is treated to a diverse range of music.

saGuijo is a hub for aspiring artists and music lovers who are eager to explore music that is not bound by limitations and the pressure to give out something that is commercially acceptable.

It is for music lovers who do not just come to see guitarists bang their heads but to be awed by percussionists who can whip performances that allow the listeners’ hearts to follow the beat of the drum.

The underground scene has never been this alive, even commercially-successful bands play here. saGuijo shuns anything mediocre by tapping into every music genre that results in a gig schedule that is as diverse as Salvador Dali’s paintings – alternative, jazz, blues, metal, rock and bossa nova.

The nights are far from another ho-hum event where bands scream until their voice become hoarse and the guitar riffs were like knives cutting into a rusty chunk of metal.

I was able to witness one great night of jamming, which was a tribute to Britpop. The featured acts so diverse that one band covered a Spice Girls original that actually sounded better. It is during nights like these that bands aren’t expected to conform with the mainstream.

Tribute nights at saGuijo aren’t tributes to the bands or to an era, it’s more of a tribute to the music’s diversity and the performing bands’ talents to encompass what was obvious and turn the songs into something fresh.

Nights at saGuijo basically start at 9 PM, a time when corporate slaves like me stretch after a few hours of fussing over grammar and style in front of a computer and decide that a couple of cold beers and a few hours of real music is just the ticket before heading to bed.

Beers range from the masa’s San Miguel beer to a few high-end brand. Another proof that this music bar is open to every one of any social background. Because, hey, music is a universal language.

This Friday night I’ve been chillin’ on Ice cold San Mig Light and the music of Up Dharma Down, one of the top new Filipino bands around. Good beer and tuning to great music, what more can I ask for?

Next time you’re out on a Friday night, check out saGuijo bar in San Antonio Village, Makati and experience live Filipino music at its best.

By Michelle Ciriacruz

Blues music sprung from the hopes and despair of the black people when, enslaved, they closed their eyes and let it all out, and the music transformed their soul into the stuff of musical legends. So I gathered from my talk with the 5-man blues-rock band Plug in front of 6Underground on C. Palanca Street in Makati as they killed time with me right before a gig.

Of course, they explained about blues in a slightly different way. But then I am simply giving in to something vocalist Emy said about what it is about blues that calls so to him,

“[Blues is when you] close your eyes and feel your music.

And since writing is my music, I closed my eyes as well and write what I feel.”

Plug is one of the five bands that participated in the creation of Blueskrieg*, a CD compilation of Pinoy blues-based music.  Blueskrieg holds 15 tracks; three are by Plug: Byahero, Tumbling Down, and Blooze.

Guitarist Cheng composed the music while base player Jules and guitarists Rusty and Dan, including Emy collaborated on the lyrics.

Byahero, shared Cheng, is the importance of always moving, never stopping; Tumbling Down the Devil’s Game is about not having anyone else to blame but yourself, said Emy; while Blooze (a play on blues and booze) is about the shock of being “basted (rejected by a girl).”

This is what blues is all about, really—emotions and, contrary to popular belief, not just about being blue. Blues, the Plug members explained, is both comprehensive and particular. It could have an upbeat sound yet convey a story of tragedy and madness.

Depending on the musician’s treatment, blues styles could range from folk to rock to jazz to rnb. Much of the music we have now were actually inspired and influenced by blues, Emy pointed out, and blues the original must already have been transformed into a dozen dozen music genres.

Until, finally, blues landed on Pinoy shores, and Pinoy blues, as Plug plays it and as the other bands in Blueskrieg—Snakecharmer, Dahon, Firebottle, Plug and Kulukati—interpret it, was born.

Of course, said Cheng of Pinoy blues, “the music is adapted but sentiments are purely Pinoy.” The Pinoy music scene is more than ripe for a blues awakening, the band believes. “Madamdamin tayo,” they pointed out.

Blues is also very personal, the hallmark of a true blues musician. If you are into playing blues, you must learn everything you can about making the music your own, said Plug. The journey is long, which is why, for now, they play blues-rock.

Playing as a band since 1993, with Cheng and Dan joining in 1998, Plug strives to make their journey as intense as possible with frequent jamming, but taking it prudently as they could only give in to gigs an average of twice monthly because of day jobs.

Cheng is a graphic artist while the others are IT professionals. Emy is also a husband, as he insisted I make clear in my write-up.

Anyway, maybe someday, when they have closed their eyes long enough, or have gone deeper into the music than ever, the true blues within them would surface, and they could safely call themselves a pure blues band.

For now they rock, as I saw and heard later, in more ways than style and musical prowess. On stage, they took up their guitars; Emy his microphone, and played music as only people with blues in their soul could play—with eyes closed, letting the music take them, and expressing their hearts and soul out.

This is the track listing of Blueskrieg:

1. Tumbling Down The Devil’s Game – Plug

2. Byahero – Plug

3. Blooze - Plug

4. Zalman Knew – Snakecharmer

5. My Slow Draggin’ Week – Snakecharmer

6. Suklob – Snakecharmer

7. Bakit Nagkaganito – Firebottle

8. Di Na Lang Sana – Firebottle

9. Kalbaryo – Firebottle

10. Confronting The Devil – Dahon

11. Monster Within Me – Dahon

12. Lipad Pilip Lipad – Dahon

13. Sa Gabi Sa Umaga – Kulukati

14. Selda Katorse – Kulukati

15. Taga Sa Bato - Kulukati

*Blueskrieg, literally means blues attack, is available at all Odyssey record stores. Released by Rebolusyon Rekords and distributed by Vicor Music in the Philippines.