The Scene Around: Fools and Foes EP Launch

1/10/2016 4:07:39 PM

Long night ahead. After crossing cities like a coast-to-coast play on basketball, I finally arrived down south. 

Indie folk band Fools and Foes had a milestone night in their career when they formally launched their EP called Underneath the Roots. The five-track record contained their previous hit Blindfolded and one of this year’s notable tracks Undesired.

Along with that, bands such as Ourselves the Elves, Austin, Autotelic, Run Dorothy and The Ransom Collective joined the band in celebrating their night, with the gig made possible by The Rest is Noise, Revolver and Docdef Productions.

And lucky enough, yours truly managed to get a copy of the EP, which were sold hot like pancakes especially after their set (or technically, when the night is over). How did I knew that? I was then-in charge in selling their merch alongside my new-friend John Marcelo, also the guy know for establishing Infinity Blues Photography.

And as I said earlier, it was a very long night. Nah, let me correct that, a long-but-memorable weekend approaching since I barely have few hours to rest before I storm by UP again for the 11th Philippine Blogging Summit.

Author: slickmaster | © 2016 september twenty-eight productions

Weeknights to Remember: SlickMaster's Memorable Gigs of 2015 (Part 1)

12/31/2015 3:00:36 PM

The post was supposed to be named Fridays and Saturday Nights to Remember only to realized a few things: first, gigs are happening every single weeknight; second, most of them aren’t even planned by yours truly to attend; and third, I have been to almost 70 gigs for 2015.

2015 has been a heck of a good year for me as I discovered Philippine music anew -- and it broods at the place where minority of people knows -- the independent scene. Over the course of time, I attended about 50 events starting from a random night out that happened 24 January 2015 at Route 196. I was then supposed to watch my college friend whose already a musician.

And since then, the Philippine independent music scene became another world conquered by yours truly. I became part of a production group; I was posting anything about gigs for most of the time; and indie music also served as a venue for me to grow as opportunities came from out of nowhere -- be it writing or anything else like photography and videography.

Fast-forward to the year-end, despite attending the last one or two music events of this year from small-time gigs to the big or concert-level ones, I can say I had a lot of memorable evenings. 

Jensen and the Flips from the far-away angle

Tagaytay Art Beat (19 September 2015 / Museo Orlina / Docdef Productions)

Tagaytay Art Beat was perhaps the first of two lifestyle events I’ve been with. With all the preparation hype (plus I was also the contributing videographer), Art Beat turned out to be very successful as 1,200+ people occupied the garden/amphitheater of Ramon Orlina’s prized masterpiece venue for almost 11 hours of musical extravaganza. Plus the art exhibition galleries were worth the ticket, too!

What makes it more memorable is that it also became part of the Philippine trends on Twitter the following morning. Perhaps that makes it up for not-so-good signal around the area as most people arrived in Manila witnessing a Woodstock-like gathering. 

And you’re part of the hardworking men and women who made Tagaytay Art Beat possible. Now, isn’t that worth reminiscing?

Tandems 91

Dusk Til Dawn (17 July 2015 / Route 196 / Vandals on the Wall)

Music web portal Vandals on the Wall celebrated their second year of existence by putting up a special evening that seemed more than just one with the combined effort of Gabi Na Naman Productions and VOTW’s very own The Rest is Noise.

Giniling Festival

SaGuijo’s 11th Anniversary (3 October 2015 / Saguijo / Saguijo)

I rarely go to SaGuijo. But then, I have to be familiarized with the place considering the fact that SaGujo was the place-to-be at the South. And true enough for few reasons.

First, when I arrived by 5:30 in the afternoon, the place was already jam-packed.

Second, 16 bands performed during the evening, with Up Dharma Down billed at the middle of the event? It’s like a main event at the primetime hours.

And third: because SaGuijo will not be 11 years stronger if not for the strong fanbase.

Autotelic

Autotelic Birthday Bash (15 October 2015 / Route 196 / Otelik, Docdef Productions)

I admit: I have been a huge fan of this band since hearing them for the first time. Watching them live for like 1321464178461 times was never a tiring experience.

And celebrating their birthday with Docdef Productions, as well as hearing the duo of Gabby Alipe and John Dinopol on acoustics? Totally refreshing for me.

The Purplechickens

#FeteIndie2015 a.k.a. The 2015 Fete de la Musique Independent Music Stage (21 June 2015 / 12 Monkeys Music Pub and Hall / Docdef Productions, NDFY.me, Vandals on the Wall)

What makes it memorable? Simple answer: First time. 

Yes, it was the first time for me to attend a Fete De La Musique Philippines event (after a decade of dying to do so). Plus, it’s more memorable to think I got a break in music photography. 

And to think there are 19 musicians that rocked the indie stage for FDLM from 3:15 PM ‘til 2:45 AM of Sunday? Total package!

Farewell Fair Weather

JD On Stage Indie Music Awards (17 April 2015 / Whitespace Makati / Jack Daniel’s Philippines, Teamworks)

First time to hear the likes of Cynthia Alexander, Urbandub, and Flying Ipis on Stage. Plus seeing your favorite band Autotelic make it to the Top 3, and your friends Farewell Fair Weather winning the most-coveted distinction of being “The Chosen One.”

MilesExperience

MilesExperience Love Supreme Music Video Launch (16 July 2015 / Route 196 / Docdef Productions, 9 Roots)

MilesExperience, a boy-band from UST whom their music and sex appeal seemed to rock those kolehiyalas out there, launched their music video for their single Love Supreme in a holiday Thursday at Route 196.

And it’s no surprise this band were a bunch of badass mutherfuckers as the crowd reached its fire hazard level during their set; prompting yours truly to secure a breather by doing a back-door exit (laughs).

But seriously, MSex (as they call themselves) was one of the bands out there who can make sexy music and have a massive cult of followers in the process.

Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus

Docdef 100: In D’ Flow (28 November 2015 / Flow House Manila / Docdef Productions, Flow House Manila)

In D’ Flow is not just an ordinary concert as Flow House Manila also had a series of events on the side: DJ sets, live art painting, skateboard painting contest, and even offered their specialty called Flow Rider to VIP ticketholders.

I think it’s this time when Docdef goes all out, not just offering their signature of all-feel good music lineup. Yes, how about going a bit higher with Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus and Mayonnaise at the lineup?

PART 2

Author: slickmaster | ©2015, 2016 september twenty-eight productions

The Scene Around: WOWOWOWS SANTA KLAUS

12/27/2015 4:57:24 AM

I remember: going to SaGuijo with barely less than 30 minutes before the show rolls, a taxi wanted to make a one-time flag down fare going there, and it was priced 400 pesos. I kindly refused, though on my mind utters such harsh words: Hey, I don't even spend 200 whenever I go from here to Ayala. Lakas mong manlamang ha?

But anyway, I got a more friendly (and a fair-pricey) one going there at Makati for this heck-of-a-gig-slash-Christmas Party,

Play 4 Serve and Locked Down Entertainment’s Group Study had its one last run for 2015, and it’s not a school tour this time around as SaGuijo was the place for be on that evening of Saturday, 26 December 2015. And it’s called WOWOWOWS SANTA KLAUS.

Ten bands performed during the evening on perhaps one of the wildest yearend gigs to stage by 2015. Us 2 Evil 0 graced the stage, then followed by Squid9 and Flying Ipis--with guitarist Ymi Sy making it to the venue just in the nick of time (well, after coming off from an important gathering).

Assembly Generals also hit SaGuijo despite missing the services of their MPC guy as Raymund Punzalan was attending the soon-to-be-parent duties (Congrats, Mon!). 

The next sequence featured notable names at the local music industry as Chicosci, Imago, Twisted Halo, Sandwich and Pedicab rocked the venue. 

It’s kinda nice when you hear Mayumi doing the vocal chores for what has been a signature song not just from Imago, but also from Aia De Leon too--and I’m talking about Akap. And at the same night, Raiumund sang 2 Trick Pony, Marc Abaya’s last single with the band in mid-2000s from the album Thanks to the Moon’s Gravitational Pull.

Chicosci, Sandwich, and Pedicab turned the bar into a full-house one during their sets, with the heat scorching the audience despite on a cold climate we are having right now. But I must say Pedicab and the last band Cheats tore the house down; making everyone to move with their set of tunes. Damn nice, and damn wild!

Perhaps, another addition to my wildest gigs I have been with for this year! Yeah, kinda late addition, but better be late than never though.

Author: slickmaster | © 2015 september twenty-eight productions

The Scene Around: saGuijo Turns 11

11/19/2015 2:33:34 PM

Rarely would I go to bars that are far-flung distance from either my residence or workplace. Mostly, I would give a go-sign if the event was held around Quezon City, Pasig City, or Marikina vicinity; especially if it’s nighttime.

But on that first Saturday of the evening, yours truly decided to drop by on one of the popular bars in the metro called SaGuijo.

Located at Guijo street in Makati, SaGuijo became the premier place for the local music scene. Bands playing; various productions booked this place for their gig(s), and the crowd inside the small-yet-intimate bar rocking out as if they’re not situated in a residential complex.

Since the time I became a gig-goer, SaGuijo has been one of the very farthest places I had ever been. But on October 3, I didn’t mind going home late (as in 5:00 AM the next day) after witnessing the bar’s grandest celebration of the year—their 11th anniversary.

It was so grand that the venue was already jam-packed when the event started 6:00 PM. Well, to think I arrived their almost 30 minutes earlier (I think the free entrance definitely paid well). 

SaGuijo was already on full-house during the sets of Oh, Flamingo! all the way to Giniling Festival; with Up Dharma Down totally piling up the audience inside by around 8:30PM til 9-ish (just imagine this: if you want to hear Armi’s band for a minute or so, you could only listen from the gate entrance). While the others were just chilling around and even watching the 2015 FIBA Asian Championship Game.

Other than that, the place is still populous by around 1:00 AM when bands like Run Dorothy, Autotelic, and Fools and Foes were playing. The after-party session by Tandems ’91 culminated SaGuijo’s anniversary party by around 3:45 AM.

Well, kudos to SaGuijo! Good long run but keep it coming!

Author: slickmaster | ©2015 september twenty-eight productions

The Scene Around: The Last Revolver Gig Part 2

11/7/2015 3:10:21 PM

As of this writing I am about to write new entries. 

Well, not really “new” since I have tons of backlogs on my list as a blogger. Sure, I did numerous commentaries, features, rantings, and even writing about the events I personally attended. Especially when we’re talking about music scene or specifically, gigs.

REVOLVER is not just a word. It carries a lot of definition. It can be a firearm. It could be even a title of anything else.

Though here in the country, aside from being a title of a column in PULP Magazine and a studio business, Revolver is a gig production group. Operated by Cris O. Ramos Jr., REVOLVER was in the scene for eleven years. And too bad for a novice gig-goer like me, I only attended their event once; and that was during their final night at SaGuijo.

As far as my social media ‘stalking’ skills (LOL) are concerned, The Last Revolver Gig was divided into two parts. August 19 and 29. And off I went to the second (err, the very last) one. And it’s almost midnight when I get into the venue after some tough grind and trip along the way (so there are quite few musicians left to perform).

But before everything went into fold by around 2 in the morning, Paranoid City perhaps gave the very final curtain call for REVOLVER. Hearing their last song for their set was more than just a farewell-on-a-high-note as several musicians share the stage for making noise one last time.

Say, eleven years was definitely a great long run. And at least, for one, I managed to be there and witnessed a REVOLVER gig. FAREWELL and CHEERS!

Author: slickmaster | ©2015 september twenty-eight productions