Manila Klasiko - Labor Day gig

Manila Klasiko

Black King's Bar - West Avenue

May 1, 2014

Let me just say, to start off, I had high hopes for this gig considering that it was held on Labor's Day and just by looking at the line-up, classic na classic. Pero what turned out to be a promising night turned into a slight disappointment for me. Maybe I just missed out on the other bands that night, oh well. And pardon if I missed out on the songs, my memory's not to be trusted. Note to self, next time, bring a notebook dumdum. On to the night.

Incendiary - The Molotov Sessions - Act II

The Molotov Sessions
August 10, 2013 - Escobar, Cubao X
A Review - Part 2

_______________________________________________________________

So I thought I'd start Part 2 of this here narrative with a list, kinda like ol' Letterman, of the top 5 things you thought you'd never see in a gig:

# 5 - Star Wars!! 

# 4 - A Space Cadets board game!!!

# 3 - Hobbits!!

# 2 - The DICKie ( you know who you are! )

and number 1 : A cowboy!!

Pa-arbor ng gitara!

Incendiary - The Molotov Sessions - Act I

The Molotov Sessions
August 10, 2013 - Escobar, Cubao X
A review in two parts

___________________________________________________________________

Being this as my first time watching a gig at Cubao X, I'd say this was a pretty good start as my introduction to the venue. For years now, Cubao X has been billed as an alternative hangout for artists, photo enthusiasts, vintage collectors and kids who wanted to have a different kind of buzz. I liked the idea behind it all, magaling ( or as the Bicolanos call it, uragon! ) kasi it's DIY in the sense that the artists, filmmakers, and other oddballs who make this spot as their haunting ground were doing it for themselves. Early on, I had the impression though that this was where all the "cool" kids hang out and since I wasn't a "cool" kid to begin with, I didn't really had a reason to go. Until now.

Makati's Burning!

Tug-Pak-Tug-Tug-Punk # 2
July 5, 2013 - Saguijo, Makati

_________________________________________________________________________________

I haven't watched a local punk gig in a very long time. 90's pa when I last witnessed a gathering of pinoi punk heroes. And if I remember correctly, kasama Philippine Violators sa lineup and Bad Omen too. Before the gig proper, I met this kid while loitering outside the venue. His name was "Gin", like the drink, and he  basically gave me a rundown on the city and the surroundings. We went to the gig together but when the doors opened we somehow got separated as the crowds came rushing and pushing in. And so I watched from the sidelines of the Pasay City Sports Complex as the critters came in and nearly tore the building to shreds. I remember being scared but exhilarated at the same time. I don't recall how the gig ended, it just somehow did amid the broken bottles and thrown monobloc chairs on the hardwood floor. I felt very strongly then that this shouldn't be how things should be and that was it for me.

The Pope in the Philippines - On Morrissey, the Smiths and Panic on the streets of Manila

Morrissey in Manila
May 13, 2012 @ World Trade Center

_________________________________________________________________________________

After missing out on the Wild Swans gig when they dropped by Manila, I was adamant not to miss out on Morrissey's first ever appearance in these shores. I was pretty sure there was ( and still is ) a ton of kids in the Philippines eagerly awaiting for this event to happen ( when's the repeat? ). I forget how I learned that he was indeed coming ( malamang sa internet ) and I had to verify that it wasn't some sort of sick joke hatched by bored netizens. I made a deal with my brother for us to go together as he's also a fan. It was through him, being a product of the original "bored" generation ( chong, XB, the Original Oktoberfest concerts, Resuce Ladders, creepers! ) that I originally got into the Smiths. Hatful of Hollow was such a breath of fresh air, the guitar arrangements were something else, kung makikinig ka sa the Smiths ngaun,  if you follow the guitar hooks parang lumulubog-lumilitaw cya e, ung tipong andun lang, surfing through the rhythm...and it still sounds new, though the music was like nothing we've heard before. It had a classic element. A lot of that has something to do with Johnny Marr, one of the greatest guitar arrangers of his ( and everyone else's? ) generation. I've seen stories from the tube ( You ) about how Johnny Marr could not even repeat some of the stuff that he recorded while working on these albums. Ganun cya kalupit, kahit sarili nya hindi nya makopya!