12 Essential Lennon Post Beatle Tracks

 In memoriam John Winston Lennon

October 9, 1940 - Dec 8, 1980

Lennon. will always be my ultimate Hero... well i guess i am not the only one would claim such

41 years since his shocking demise. rather than making a poem. i list down my 12 favorite Lennon's Post Beatle Tracks as my tribute to the man's Legacy

12. Real Love (Demo)

From: Imagine:John Lennon Soundtrack (1988) -released Post Humous

- As much as John was,  i believe more articulate on the piano..  John was such a great guitar player.. no. not the way Jimi Hendrix would do...but simply how the way John (even Paul and George during Beatles time) construct Chord progression and the use of the Major 7th , Augmented,  Diminished chords are simply amazing. And for someone who didnt have formal lesson. adding even more to my amazement

Hearing John's stripped down voice is very much compelling. Here is a version of a song that can stand on its own.. i would prefer this version anytime over the Anthology Version

11. How Do you sleep?

From: Imagine (1970)

- While Lennon can write an anthemic tune as "Imagine" to a seem hilariously track "Crippled Inside" .... John was most of the time later in his career known for his wit and Sarcasm... Paul wasn't spared of course. after the turbulent relationship of the Beatles that consequently lead to Paul Quitting the Telsbi ... The relation has gone sour for sometime.

Here's a song obviously John wrote for Paul.. 

the lyrics is easy to figure out

So Sgt. Pepper took you by surprise

You better see right through that mother's eyes

Those freaks was right when they said you was dead

The one mistake you made was in your head

You live with straights who tell you, you was king

Jump when your momma tell you anything

The only thing you done was "Yesterday"

And since you're gone you're just "Another day"

A pretty face may last a year or two

But pretty soon they'll see what you can do

The sound you make is muzak to my ears

You must have learned something in all those years

And one more thing about John.

 Although Lennon would say a lot of shitty things about The Beatles and MaCa through prints and interviews.. John would always defend The Beatles'  accomplishments and Legacy especially when other artists tries to take shot on them.. and yes not even Mick Jagget and Keoth Richards were spared by Lennon's sarcasm.

Later , Lennon would admit that it was out of resentment of The Beatles break up after renewed relationship with McCartney.

Yes. It's true...

Lennon and McCartney would eventually settle their differences in 1974. Though they haven't  worked together again creating music.. there were a couple of private events that the two of them would share. Check out "A Toot and a Snore"

A Toot and a Snore in '74 is a bootleg album consisting of the only known recording session in which John Lennon and Paul McCartney played together after the break-up of the Beatles in 1970. First mentioned by Lennon in a 1975 interview, more details were brought to light in May Pang's 1983 book, Loving John, and it gained wider prominence when McCartney made reference to the session in a 1997 interview. Talking with Australian writer Sean Sennett in his Soho office, McCartney claimed the "session was hazy... for a number of reasons".

10. Happy Xmas (War is Over)

From: Sometime in New York City (1972)

- This give me the chills when i was a kid... there's a certain amount of energy that tells me that it is the time of the season. as early as that time i wasnt into the grandiosity... especially when The Gulf war was happening.  the song meant to me more.. its like John Carolling to the world and asking for peace. Thats my impression atleast and adding the fact that Lennon was dead around that time and that song was still significant... and that song was just transcending

He wasnt just a working class Hero...

He became "My  little self's Hero" as well ...

9. Woman

From: Double Fantasy (1980)

- Lennon Wrote a lot of songs for Yoko.. and i dont need to explain why..

Perhaps the best one,  as he attributed it as well to women in general, as he explained it himself,  it suddenly Hit him. what women do for us (men).

An obvious Beatle-ish song.  and again the use of captive melody and being minimalist..  as the chorus suggest and yet it is powerful enough to capture our attention and go deep into our hearts... Lyrically it is an ode of a child to his mother (i felt some Julia Tribute as well) ..as he lost his mom at an early age.

8. Bless You

From: Walls and Bridges (1974)

- Personally the other highlight of the album aside from #9 dream. It was another classy Lennon Track with a Jazzy feel.

John as a musician was i believe was the daring among all the Beatles..

as he would  explore his (and Yoko's) artistic and creative freedom and could care less (or later) what other people think..

Sans that noise experimental albums he made with Yoko ( Two Virgins /Life with the lions /Wedding album) and Revolution 9 few years back that was included on the Beatles' White Album..

Had Lennon lived as long as McCartney...

Its crazy to think that Lennon might have done musically.

7. I'm Losing You

- From: Double Fantasy (1980)

Simply a glimpse of what an 80s Lennon Rock Track could have been..

The Guitar Track was awesome..

it wasn't surprising as It was Earl Slick (Who also played woth David Bowie) and Tony Levin provided the Bass..

Another version though was Rick Nielsen and Bun E Carlos of Cheap Trick  and Tony Levin as his backing band.

It was a song per Lennon Anthology written in 1978 in Bermuda and Lennon couldn't reach Ono through the phone. It's original title was "Stranger's room".

6. Instant Karma!

From:  Single (1970)

John was just Beilliant coming up with

anthem-like chorus such "We all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun"  .. and use as catchphrase or mantra as if to convey his message or to make an "Instant Hit" 

5. Mind Games

From: Mind Games (1973)

- A song surfaced as early as 1969. during the Let it Be sessions. originally titled "Make Love Not War". Yes The Outro... John is very good at making an old tune into a better one.. Some of his songs were an old tunes. and the lyrics would make the difference. Another great example is 1968's "Child Of Nature"  which impressively became what most of us know now as Jealous Guy... It is a great admonition actually for people who try to write songs like me.. great songs wasnt written in 5 minutes... some took years finding the right time and the right words and turning something into something great.

Ahh The importance of the melody and putting the right words to it 

4. #9 Dream

From: Walls and Bridges (1974)

- Any Beatle or Lennon fan would know John's obsession with what he calls his lucky Number 9 ... Number 9 .. Number 9.

John Lennon had this fascination with the recurrence of the number nine throughout his life, which included:

Lennon was born on October 9. 

His first home was 9 Newcastle Road, Wavertree, Liverpool - three names which each contain nine letters. 

The Beatles' first gig at The Cavern Club took place on February 9, 1961.

Brian Epstein, The Beatles' manager, first saw them perform on November 9 that same year.

The Beatles' contract with EMI was confirmed on May 9,1962.

The Beatles' debut single, "Love me do," was on Parlophone R4949. 

Lennon's son Sean shared his father's birthday. 

John sings the foreign-sounding phrase "Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé" which According to John,  doesn't mean anything...it is just a phrase that came to him in a dream and he decided to base a song around it.

Damn ... Humour and Wit.

3.  Love

From: John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band (1970)

The lyrics may seem simple... but the use of the words are simply genial

the perfect compliment of the two different words.. or how he put them together on a very captivating melody

"Love is free, free is love

Love is living, living love

Love is needing to be loved.. "

2.  Give Me Some Truth

From: Imagine (1971)

- .I would assume John wrote the song  during his time being pro active as peace advocate and him hovering  around political issues at that time.  or just maybe a precutssor to that. Since the album was said to be released in 1971.

- but after seing Peter Jackson's "Get Back" , it seems just like some of his Post Beatles songs ive mentioned above,  it was already written 

 but the again the agressiveness and changing the lyrics gave the song such an anthemic appeal

1. Nobody Loves you When you're down and out

From: Men Love Ave. (1986- Posthumous release)

- Pesonally,  the most honest song Lennon had ever wrote. Lyrically it was such a sad predicament that some of us went through ourselves ... failures, and set backs, leading to depression

This was originally a song from Walls and Bridges in 1974 . exactly must have written during John's "Lost Weekend"

The Song version here was much better stripped down. and most likely it is how it was really written. The melancholic song had john seemed wailing, screaming,  describing the emptiness he felt as well as his disillusionment with show business.

Photo:ctto

Album: Blank Generation : The New York Scene (1975-1978) Album Review

 Album: Blank Generation : The New York Scene (1975-1978)

Artist: V/A

Released: 1993

  When i got this record, on 10/16/95,  i was already deep into American Hardcore music , with the likes of Dead Kennedys, Circle Jerks, Minor Threat, Black Flag , or American Punk Rock like The Descendents, Bad Religion and The Ramones....and the importance of this album meant to me as much as the first punk rock album i got, few years prior...

Understanding the difference of the Brit Punk scene and the American punk scene with the aid of old zines flying around back then... how it  blossomed, and who are the pioneers of it is what i was trying to dug deeper..  (aside from music , im a big story/history buff)

yeah music is great and contagious indeed, but as they say , for  everything good that happens, theres an even great story behind it... and during pre-internet days we rely only on album sleeves info, cheap old magazines and some local and imported zines to get the story.

The album however is self explained through music , 1975 to 978, The early years of  American Punk Rock scene. 

 CGBG the famous music club in NY have been a home for most of the artists  included on the album , the likes of The Ramones, Television, Blondie.. and this was what was happening in the US , before punk rock broke internationally  via the Sex Pistols , 

(Although the Sex Pistols were not the first punk band, the few recordings that were released during the band's brief initial existence were singularly catalytic expressions of the punk movement. The releases of "Anarchy in the U.K.", "God Save the Queen" and Never Mind the Bollocks are counted among the most important events in the history of popular music.)

While the Brit Punk scene was a totally different story, This album, The Blank Generation esentially got me by it's different appeal, and vibes,  it was rock in a different sense.. the rebel in the artform, it was steering away from the norms. Especially from the music that was happening then, It was punk before it called punk 

The album pointed me to listening deeper Patti Smith, Blondie, Television, The Dead Boys, Richard Hell and The Voidoids, The Heartbreakers and  punk rock/glam rock prototypes The New York Dolls and Iggy Pop (not in the album), - (Thanks also to Sid Vicious' Live album and Duff McKagan's punk rock influences, -who was a big Johnny Thunders fan) which made it more easier for me to dig the music .

Fave Tracks:

Sonic Reducer- The Dead Boys

Chinese Rocks - The Heartbreakers

Born To Lose - The Heartbreakers

See No Evil -Television

Ask The Angels - Patti Smith Group

In The Flesh- Blondie

Blank Generation- Richard Hell and The Voidoids

Rating: 8/10

The Ramones MONDO BIZARRO album Review

 Album: Mondo Bizarro

Artist: Ramones

Released: 1992

  The Penumiltimate proper Ramones album, the first with CJ who replaced Dee Dee Ramone. who left the band in 1989.

and my very first Ramones record..  

Bought this sometime late 94 , i remember in The Old Gotesco Grand Central, choosing over Anthrax' "Attack.Of The Killer B's (which i bought also eventually) ..

The album is good,  as i have instant favorites at first listening, "Poison Heart", "Censorshit", "The Job that ate my brain", "I Won't let it happen"   "Anxiety", " It's gonna be alright" and a splendid cover of The Doors classic "Take it As It Comes"...

but shortly after listening to "RamonesMania" ... its just wasnt the same, well for one the songs are longer, The Aggressivesness and Spunkness was somehow missing,.. 

though Mondo Bizarro includes songs penned by Dee Dee, it was just different ...

CJ did an ok job handling some vocals , but Dee Dee was just a tough shoes to fill, DeeDee was just simply a driving force in The Ramones sound musically and visually ..  

.. but then also i maybe looking it in a wrong perspective comparing the album to it's legacy

The album maybe not the Ramones best, 

But still offer good songs. 

i tend to view the album on its own merit, 

Since the legacy of The Ramones is so towering to be taken into consideration..

Expectations and comparisons would always take away something , when we should be taking merit of the album alone..

Rating: 7.5 /10

Nude And Rude The Best Of Iggy Pop- Review

 Artist: Iggy Pop

Album: Nude and Rude: The Best of Iggy Pop

Released: 1996

  Iconic Proto-Punk Iggy Pop started doing his stuff , can you imagine, 1969, and with three album spawned from 69-73, The Stooges, more than its decent success, have been credited influencing Punk heavyweights such as The Sex Pistols and The Damned, other names would include Such as Slash, Sonic Youth and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers...

 

Guns N' Roses' Album The Spaghetti Incident lead me to discovering Iggy Pop and The Stooge as they cover the classic "Raw Power"..

I literally heed to the album's admonishon printed on sleeves; "Do yourself a favor, Go find the Originals" ,... and i did

   Intially i was a little disappointed with the slower tempo..(especially after i happened to  listened to Sid Vicious' versions of The Stooges songs via Sid Sings)... but i need to consider The Stooges were formed in 1967 , a decade prior Punk broke in 1977... Though the lack of energy would be later satisfied with the "Lust for Live " album and would finally understood the importance of their music..

... The Album showcased Iggy Pop's solo efforts such as tracks from the Critically acclaimed Albums "The Idiot " and "Lust For Life" which he collaborated with David Bowie.

It must be the Bowie influence that made Pop changed how he sounds as compared to The Stooges... but in the long run, Pop isn't David Bowie...

Since this is a "Very Best Album"  the album would feature also later career tracks but lets be realistic , that is less significance... 

I was never a fan of "Greatest Hits" album...

Maybe for a Chronoligic presentation of  the artist's career .. it  never really captures the Artists Greatness and Legacy in an album, no matter how many disk it would be..

... anyway it would be a good introduction to the man's legacy.... and for people like me, that would trigger me to have The 3 "Stooges'album and the 2 solo albums (The Idiot and Lust for Life) , Plus definitely Having a live album essentially..

As for the album , i would give it a decent 7/10 

Good . But There just more

Review: Terry Hall The Collection

 Album:The Collection

Artist: Terry Hall

Released:1993

Label:Chrysalis

Terr Hall didn't find its way on our local record bar 'till local Ska band Put3ska achieved huge success with their debut self titled album, wherein they cover a ska version of local Punk Legends Urban Bandits song "Manila Girl"  in the mid 80s. 

Put3ska label Octo Arts, seemed to acknowledge Put3ska's success as soon after they released some ska related albums such as "The Specials- The Singles Collection", "The 2 Tone Story- Various 2 Tone Artists",  The Specials current album that time "Today Specials" and This Terry Hall Collection album.

... for someone who would walk around inside a record bar on a daily basis, these releases will definitely not passed me by. And with enough allowance i had, i was able to get all the aformentioned records in Isettan Recto. 

While i would always incline to be an album guy more than the "Greatest Hits" CD /Casette. At a time of album availability scarcity. I'll take it anytime.. though i would later realize that yes an artist's greatness most of the time (especially with huge catalouge) is not possible to compress into one album... but on the other hand would be a good introduction and career retrospect that creates a different vibe especially for the ones who are just discovering the artist.

Take this Terry Hall album for instance. I love the Specials and i was already deep into The Specials when i bought this particular album.

While i am aware of his "Post Specials" works such as "Fun Boy three" and "The Colourfields. i didn't have too much information. (Pre Internet age, the sources of stories were if not for imported mags, were reposted articles from mags on our local zines, MTV -hardly though, album sleeves) nor i was able to hear it prior to me finally getting this...

So how this album helped me understand Terry Hall's career retrospect? Well the album tracks started with some of The Specials hit singles "Gangsters", "Night Club", "Ghost Town", and "Friday Night saturday Morning" which i believe are strong tracks to start with. Personally i was looking fotward on tracks 5 to 18 which are all songs after his departure from The Specials.

- which would bring me to one of the album's downside. There was no information, No Story on the album sleeve.. it's in a way bad or lack of publicity to sell or to introduce the man's legacy. . I'm not sure if the US Version is the same but i felt bad thinking atleast a short guide through small information could've made the album better. But instead lost the connection there for both as Terry Hall fan or just on the process of discivering the artist.. it was a big let down. Especially that was already mid 90s.. a lot of album sleeves and artwork at that time have long been progressed since. 

The song choice were pretty safe and of course this is a collection album. Singles and hits were most obviously a shoo-in. Which leave a lot of things to look forward to when you get the albums. There were songs surprisingly that i knew (that i already heard that i didn"t know was Terry Hall's) . So 2nd part of the Tracks were hits From "Fun Boy three"  , the 3rd part are tracks from "The Colourfields" and the last part was from his solo ventures.

Overall it was good. But i felt it could have been better.

Personal.

Seing Terry Hall in the flesh was a dream come true, and it happened  some 3 years ago. When Fred Perry brought Terry Hall for a one night spinning /DJ gig  in makati. It was a night of the Rudies and ska afficionados and it was a blast he didn't performed but that was understable. He was so engaging for the fans signing LPs and some photo taking (though the man hardly ever smile that night).

Rating: 7/10

Can't Stop Me Now (Emlee NIcart)

 Emlee Nicart

(Easy Sunday)

Can't Stop Me Now!!

Emlee Nicart was a charming, vibrant, promising young woman when she first came in to the scene 

A noteworthy and  a passionate performer  who was up to the task of filling in a big shoe that Myra left when the latter parted ways with Put3ska in 1998

The band was lucky to found another gem in Emlee in such a short time.

ad they found a radiant performer

Who in her different way was able to meet that high standard set for the task.

It was exciting periord to see how the band wouldve  carried on .

However it was abruptly cut short

As fate had different plans...

20 years after. Put3ska established it's legacy and were already a history ... 

Until she came back .

Emlee's return to the country (after fulfilling a Wonder WoMom's journey)

Was set to have meeting with fate

No. She won't just be a footnote on history

She's gonna write her part of the story

And she won't be denied this time.

Emlee was the  catalyst to The Reunion in bringing back  Put3ska recently,

With Emlee at the Helm, the fire was re-ignited and the Magic was back...

And though there were few stumbling blocks  she was able to stir the ship home 

 For an Encore r , for one final dance

Writing the final chapter of the book, it wasn't only about a reunion... it was Emlee's second coming to the scene..

And sharing the stage with an amazing performer Skarlet Brown  during its run.  Emlee held her own. 

"As a performer, Emlee is a compelling source of energy on stage

 Emlee isn't only a great singer. But she brings a different character or flavor out of the band's old recipe.

And for that reason she has established a great chemistry with Skarlet Brown.

Emlee knows her craft to stir her shows.

She knows how to perfectly present herself and more importantly  she establishes a good rapport with the audience ."

.

.. and we wanted more

And Emlee heard the clamor

As she created "More Than Em Entertainment"  off to some bigger plans

Pandemic happened ans the world for some time stopped.

And it almost stopped Emlees...

Being a fighter and with her oprimism

She choose to bounce back.

With the help of musician friends around her.... "Easy Sunday" was born.

And after seing the band, i was stoke in excitement.

Easy Sunday  were on a mision

They were showcasing different facet of Ska Fussion, with a little bit of this and that; reggae, rocksteady jazz, soul .

the band had their sights on to some greater things...

  It's been sometime since i had this kind of overflowing  euphoria... and interestingly a whole lot more to look forward to. 

Things happens in life , that sometimes messed up with our plans .. 

But with  persistence, the right attitude and the will to make things happen.

Emlee proved a lot of things... 

She got what it takes... she'll get what she deserves

And it's like Emlee yelling back at fate

You can only delay.... But .

"You Can't Stop Me Now"

Photo Credit: Frame and Pixel

GIG REVIEW: Do The SKA !!!!

 Easy Sunday (feat. Steady Movin' Beat)

Do The SKA!

RIco's Bar and Restaurant

12.4.21

Gig review and Band Introspect

Coming off from the restrictions of live events/shows, and i guess to put it more subtle way, the uncertainty from a lot of things.. for musicians, producers and enthusiasts.. where to start? 

We just need a shot in the arm , ....A great show..

And Last night my shot in the arm, with Easy Sunday. A great night with friends and a great show indeed... and interestingly there's just more . 

First of all, I must commend the organizer for putting up a 2 band/artist line up, it was just perfect for a number of reasons:

Primarily it gives the bands to really showcase their stuffs and gives the bands/artists the chance to explore something different from their previous performances

, ..(which is what overly saturated line up's challenge. ).. 

And in a much greater sense it does help the artist we support to at least for them to continue making music and of course more gigs in the future.

The Venue:  Rico's Bar and Resto (Metroboardwalk) ortigas

The venue was good for say a little less than 200 souls. It was well spaced for crowd to stand up and dance, to move around and to chat.. 

Parking space was not an issue. And the Bar's entrance/facade was relatively big enough for yosi breaks and Pre/Post event chat. 

Pre Show:

It was great seeing such a crowd again. And i again would like to emphasize what an unsaturated line up's challenge.. The organizers are definitely smart to understand  to give time for people to say hi, catch up with friends that we don't usually see often, and especially coming from the restrictions. A small chat with friends is just as essential as the show itself. After all best part of the show is to enjoy togetehr with your friends.

Show Proper

Steady Movin' Beat

SMB assures us that our local scene isn't lacking of great performer and great music.

And as soon as everyone was all set for a great show, SMB start the night show and did not disappoint.. easily they got good originals .. and mixing it up with a couple of great cover from The Specials' " Nightclub" and "Little Bitch" (With Nomer taking the keyboard duty) and The Beat's "Rough Rider".. and were off for a great show. 

It was actuallly nice to see the band on an unusual extended usual performance/set.

Saw them twice prior this night, 'Fete 2019 i believe was the last. The band was great undoubtedly.. and i'm looking forward for the release of their full album.. 

Easy Sunday

  It's been sometime since i had this kind of overflowing  euphoria.. euphoria of seeing what you expected ... and at the same time interestingly  a whole lot more to look forward to. 

Honestly i'm just overwhelmed with a lot of emotions and words that i cant seem to keep my thoughts on the event alone. 

Easy Sunday mostly are familiar faces.. Emlee, Bong, Nomer, Mado, Bojie and Jay .and i bet people have their  expectations of what would they sound like.. and they did.. and more than that.

 

In summary they cap the night off , with the second half of  their set with a stellar performance, with familiar tunes like "The World Is New"(Save Ferris), "More Today Than Yesterday"(Spiral Staircase) and "Manila Girl" (Put3ska) obviously the highlight of the night, as it kept the crowd standing, dancing and singing along.

It was a great feeling and it was what most of us came for.. a great time.

It proved that this Crew that Emlee built can indeed rock the house. 

But what strikes me more, was the first half of their set. it was because the band, they were taking us on a different path..

Understandably The band is trying to carve a new identity..

And that was the interesting part, 

and why not. the avenue of Ska as a genre and other related genre is such a wide rode to explore, and as a musician's perspective there's a always the desire to create something new.

Personally my silence was more on being stoke in excitement.. when they played the first few lines of Ottis Gayle's "I'll Be Around" ..

I felt goosebumps as i was surprised to hear something that i wasn't expecting and it was darn good. 

"Window Shopping"  by The Friday Club was another one of my fave of the night..

Easy Sunday wasn't just entertaining us. 

They were showcasing different facet of Ska Fussion, with a little bit of this and that; reggae, rocksteady jazz, soul .

By this time i already realized that the band had their sights on to some greater things...

And i'm assuming this was a preview of things to come and i'm already excited for that.

  >Steppin' Out

I'm just glad Easy Sunday was my first gig after some 2 years and at the heel of P3k's last gig at the attack arena... 

as a fan and observer of the band for the longest time... it's kinda bittersweet some good things has to end at some point and i understand that there's a time we need to progress as an artist..

t's about time we get to see Emlee to finally Step Out in the shadow of her previous band. Not in a negative notion... I love the band , but i'm also very much excited to see Emlee  do something different, something new. 

That Band Is Forward

Emlee being backed with such great and veteran musicians who are also members of notable bands like Neighbors/ Put3ska/Shuffle Union. With Bong Termulo, Nomer Delos Santos and Jay at the helm. you just can't go wrong.

These guys are bent on making their mark  not only about their  musicianship because we know good they are with their craft..

Having short conversations with some of the band after their set,  i give this guys more respect and admiration  not only for their drive ,their vision,  pasion and For putting up this band, but with all these exciting things to look forward to....

And i can't wait for another Sunday... Easy Sunday  that is.

Congratulations to the band and everyone behind this gig.

And thanks for the shout out.. i'm deeply touched and honored.. it meant so much to me.

Point Blank - "Trapped In My Head" Review

Song: Trapped in my head

Artist: Point Blank

Rating: 4/5

Recommendation: Must Hear

NY Hardcore band, Point Blank just released a new single titled "Trapped In My Head" 

It was darn great at first hearing, that i am compelled to do this review, to share the adrenaline rush 

Bask Story
I discovered Point Blank sometime in 2017 when local punk radio show "The Punk Connection" on Jam 88.3, featured Point Blank on one of it's episodes, they also had vocalist Ken Kwe Wagner for a live phone interview. It was great listening to Kwe, but Of course the music itself interests me. One of the song that really connected me was the song "Klique" , which any WWE fan, especially the attitude era fan will definitely relate.. so not long after i search for their music and would end up finding them on bandcamp..

A short band introduction

Reaching back to the early days of NYHC, scene stalwarts Ken KWE Wagner (Vocals), and Dan Derella (Guitar), founding member/guitarist from NY hardcore legends Underdog, join forces with Frank Avila (Bass) Keith Malonis(Drums) to form New York's POINT BLANK. A sonic force mixing early 80's NYHC and Punk, with new breed aggressiveness.
(From the band's facebook page).

The New Song "Trapped In My Head"

It's been 5 years since the band's last album "On The DL" , ( discovering them in 2017 , the 2 previously released records kinda filled that gap for me.) Either way, there couldn't be more perfect timing for new Point Blank material, (and hopefully album coming out soon). They kicked off the year, by releasing a new single "Trapped Inside My head" ...
And darn! As soon as that sheer energy of the guitar intro of the song started, i already felt that the boys are back with really good shit! (And my adrenaline rush never fails me.)

The catchy lyrics/phrase of the song just had me sing/hum along and resonates in my head after the song is over. 

I love that they kept the lyrics simple and relatable leaving that premise open to the listener..
The song was an intense energy about something/feeling occupying one's mind that is not leaving soon.. 

And i did relate perfectly .. with this song actually keeps on repeating on my head, thus "Trapped in my head". 

Im really looking forward how would the album but as early as now "Trapped in my head" is already an assurance Kwe and the rest of Point Blank is on the right track..

Listen to the song 

Youtube:

https://youtu.be/j5WmmjUmnmw

Bandcamp:

https://pointblanknyhc.bandcamp.com/

For more news and info

Point Blank Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/POINTBLANKNYHC/

Non Skid - Pop Shit Circus Album Review

Non Skid - Pop Sh*t Circus 

 I'm back to reviewing albums and gigs. Will try to concentrate with the local stuffs atleast to unearth and commend some gems that should be given the deserved attention. and without further more delay... 

 My First review is from a very Prized find (Not from Ukay) Punk band from Baguio. Started in 2015. Impressively the band releases their debut album independently in 2017, was on a short hiatus and is back and revigorated in active Playing started late last year... 

 I discovered Non Skid around sometime 2018 and was looking for the Physical CD since. I was able to download the album and fortunately was able to listen to the album . When i first learn Non Skid, i can say "discovered" in the sense that i knew that it's a punk rock band who just released an album, through fb feeds from common friends in the scene... 

though i dont have much clue with their music ,i can sense some exciting or greatness, whenever i see or hear one.. and The album Pop S** Circus gave me 3 reasons (and to make it a point to listen to it); Knowing the album is punk rock, A cool album title Pop S** Circus , The album cover especially The mascot.. yes peepz album cover is such a big deal for me.. i always believe it has always been an integral part that reflects a part of the band and part of their music.. and i grew up in that era. Going to the music i can immediately sense some Green Day, Offspring, Anti-Flag and even E'heads feel into it from first playing.. i got to give a huge commendation for the band's drummer on this record for giving me an adrenaline rush and really enticed me to listen closely as compared to the usual slack listening.. i took it as a sign that i just hit something great... 

 The band sound is like a cohesive locomotive that 'll runover whatever gets in it's path, Aggressive and straightforward, with a catchy chorus to go with a relevant lyrics that goes with it. not sure how the mixing helps but if the band play this tight on live gigs.. then f** sign me up as the Non skid fan club president.... 

 In a short description, Non Skid knows what they're doing and has and all the punk rock ethoes and senses .. No, one doesn't need to be a skinhead or a sport mohawk, to be a punk, it wasnt a requirement.. heck i got Richard Hell, Stiv Bators, or The Great Jello Biafra, The Legendary Ramones to back me up. The music speaks for itself... Loud proud and Punk as The Legendary british band, The Business puts it. I dissect some Great Gems on the album and the rest i leave it for "but wait theres more" for you 

Track . Pop S*** Circus 

The album title track starting off with an antagonizing chant " Welcome to the age of modern tragedy, Welcome to the age of new Hypocricy... The Millenials are f*** up. So bad".. Non skid is clearly on a warzone and not just a pop punk band.. theyre men on a mission Musical arrangement wise the freakin stanza had me the "Just Because " part with an equally powerful response ( back up lyrics and vox ) and chord chops are freakin Brilliant. And this is even not my most fave song on the album 

Track : 26 Hundred 

A cool punk rock and i love the fact it made a reference to their home city "When the sun goes down in Baguio City" 

Track :Ignite The Flame 

One of the standout track on the album. Personally my personal pick for best track. Just an awesome in yer face punk song.. I love the energy and vibes of the drum part.. its just something one can just replicate .. i love the title. The song isnt hard to figure out... and that flame was contagious 

 Track: Batugan 

 I"m not sure why i have this 90s feel , but it should be good having to capture the vibe of a certain era... again the band knows how to use catchy words or phrase "Batugan" .. "Babatukan kita" is enough to catch attention and have an instant recall . The only song in the album with tagalog lyrics though.. not sure if the band isnt comfortable or they just prefer english songs... but this is a pretty good song i think they should do more. 

 Track : War Is Hell 

This instrumental track is a fu*** brilliant. The non lyrics and them getting heavy in one a half minute is like an invitation for everyone to go Berserk (looking forward to hearing / seing this track live) ... 

 Track : Rebel For What? 

 How to make an ultimate punk rock album?. Throw in a couple of great Ska tunes and you can't go wrong... and they just did with this track.  

Track: Let's Do It 

You'll know a good song whenever you hit one.. and no matter how you interpret it. t'll sound good just the same. I'm having a good guess that there is an alternate version or atleast on the writers mind to make this a straight up punk rock on a different perspective for the song.. and i would love to hear if there's one 

 Track: We Are All Heroes

 Got to commend the boys for coming up with excellent song titles as well. Not sure if they are concious .. but it says a lot of them as songwriters and as a band for the directions of excecising their liberty of expressing themselves their most poetic way Perhaps could easily be one of possible their entry for anthem of this generation if there is such. Darn i'm supposed to have finished this review already but i just can't leave this song without being mentioned 

 Track: Bandwhore

Humour and wit is such an appeal.. a filler that finds it merit in the album.. "He likes Dave Grohl not Paramore Kajie is a bandwhore" .... it's like Buloy meets Cutterpillow feel. And kajie is now a legend.. 

 Seems i almost didnt leave anything left afterall... but that just saying that its easy to describe and find words to something you find cool and great... the words just comes out naturally. Non Skid in my perspective are not just your ordinary punk rockers they have vision and the sense of musicianship. their lyrics are uncompromised. Another way to describe it is theyre just simply new school sounding but with an ethoes of an old school... and is just a fu*** great band. PopSh*** Circus was a freakin great debut album... and i cant wait to hear more from them.. ********* 

Pop. Sh*t. Circus is the debut album of Non Skid from Baguio City, Philippines. It contains 12 tracks which are based on the songwriter's socio-political standpoint and day-to-day experiences. 

Tracks: 1. Pop. Shit. Circus 

2. Dead Air 

3. 26 Hundred 

4. War Is Hell 

5. Ignite The Flame 

6. Let's Do It 

7. Leave Out All The Rest 

8. The Pigs Are Not Alright 

9. Bandwhore 

10. Batugan 

11. Rebel For What? 

12. We Are All Heroes

 Credits 

 Released December 8, 2017 

 All songs except for 

"Batugan" were written by: Nil De Guzman 

"Batugan" was written by: Dan Maurice Villamar All songs arranged by: Non Skid Recorded, 

Mixed and Mastered by: Samuel Fianza of Disperse Media Produced by: 13th Sin