Horace Panter Ska'd For Life

Ska'd For Life
Horace Panter
30 Aug 1953

Better known as Sir Horace Gentleman, is the bassist for the British Ska revival band , The Coventry Automatics , The Special A.K.A more popularly known as simply " The Specials "that comes to prominence in the late 70's and early 80's.
After the birth of the second wave Ska, or the 2Tone era that started a movement/ scene. The "two-tone" sound was a combination of influences from ska, reggae and rocksteady with elements of punk rock and new wave
The Specials spearheaded the movement and had the most significant success in mainstream music, that has inspired a lot of bands (around the world) that came after them, and cult following up to this very day
Other notable band which considered as purveyors of the movement includes, The Selecter, The English Beat, The Bad Manners, Madness, The Body Snatchers: altogether created a unique sound, character, and ideology that has been embraced by the "Skinheads" and "Rudies" around the world

2Tone also references a desire to transcend and defuse racial tensions in Thatcher-era Britain:
And its legacy inspired generations of musicians, scene and musical evolution.

Sir Horace would collaborate with other bands, most notable with former General Public formed by fellow 2Tone artists, The Beat's Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger .

The Specials would take a short hiatus , but would reemerge in 1993. And has been a constant member of different incarnations of the band up to this day

in 2007 , shared his musical journey with the Specials via paperback "Ska'd For Life"

 

 



Aside from music Horace is a busy Visual artist , his works has found home i different Galleries not only in the UK but in the US. and is available as well on his social media pages.

                                                                                          

"BASH STREET KIDS"

                                                                                    

"CASETTES"

Horace is one of the primary reason i love playing Bass Guitar. Having discovered The Specials at the best time, when i was starting to hold the low end in 1994, and has Considered the bass as my go to instrument that totally changed my perspective of listening to music as a whole.

I think Ska (punk) music was just perfect for me to explore the instrument. As most bass lines were edgy, and very lively (and challanging).

and of course understanding the bass line as an integral part of the music was like unlocking a different dimension.and the process of learning the musical instrument was a great journey for someone who don't have a formal musical background.

Horace was one of the first who opened my ears of discernment.. and appreciate the music creativity to a much higher degree since.

Tracks like "Niteclub" , "Too Much Too Young" "Dawning Of A New Era", "Concrete Jungle" "Do the Dog" and "Little Bitch" listening for the first , there was an undeniable energy, contagiously overtaken me, shortly became my go to Specials songs because of Panter's intricate Bass lines.. it was just compelling.

The Specials is just one of the bands that has been constantly on my playlist since i first heard them in 1995..

And looking back It was just a magical time, as the local Ska Scene was born shortly, after Ska Legends Put3Ska came into prominence, after "Manila Girl" became a massive success.

It created a place for Ska headed people back then

And became a small community, which has remained loyal to the music up to this very day .

. I was fortunate to be a small.part of that scene as a fan and as a trying hard musician, playing in a shortlived Ska punk band wannabes and those would sweat it out on evry Ska shows possible and would hop from bar and to places just to get do some skankin'

Just f*** great time..

Tim Burton: "Macabre Cadabra"

"Macabre Cadabra"

Tim Burton
25 August 1958

is an American filmmaker and artist known for his Dark gothic fantasy films. some of his most successful films are Beetlejuice (1988), Edward Scissorhands (1990), The Nightmare Before Christmas . (1993), more recently the musical adventure film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), and the fantasy films Alice in Wonderland (2010) and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016).
He also directed the Michael Keaton starrer Batman in 1989 and Batman Returns in 1992 and the 2001 version Planet of the Apes

Unknowingly ( not knowing that was his work) i grew up with his films , Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Mars Attack and The Michael Keaton starrer Batmans

However the first time i was conciously aware about his work was "Corpse Bride" , a stop-motion animated musical dark fantasy film in 2005. which i became very fond of. the visual presentation. this immediately reminded me to watch this movie of the same nature that i perhaps missed due to a lot of things 1993's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" which was also Tim Burton's idea.
i fell in love with the whole presentation of these movies, the graphics , the macambre characters , the dark settings. i felt lt was very unique way of presenting dark themed animation / characters.
and i felt it somehow connected to my admiration to Edgar Allan Poe's works as well.
It became perhaps one of my favorite animation kind like film of all time .

it wasnt hard really to follow Tim Burton's work after that as he seemed to be fond of actor Johnny Depp, who would lead his next films; Sweeny Todd, Alice in Wonderland , Dark Shadows...

There was some sort of glee, when i discovered that he was also the man behind Beetlejuice , and Edward Scissorhands and i realized his print on that movies.

Another movie that i fell in love with was Ed Wood , i love how he create this dark presentation , in a great way, and perhaps i get it now, Johnny Depp perhaps fully understand Tim Burton's vision , and he was just the perfect guy to do the part, it was like his films were tailormade for him.

2012's Frankenweenie again, brought back the child in me.
especially that time when we had a couple of our own Sparky(ies) , for a short borrowed time.
There is something absolutely magic about Burton's Works, as
this kind of film captures perfectly the a dark theme or somber or moody aura , that is not necessarily evil. perhaps it wasn't just popular, somehow the flip side of a more popular perspective.

Pearl Jam's Ten : The Pink Album that Rocked

 That Pink Album Rocked

Headline: 31 years ago Pearl Jam released its debut studio album "Ten" (August 27, 1991)

I can still remember the excitement when i bought "Ten". The music was just something fresh, full of angst and emotion which was very compelling. little did i know it would culminate to an amazing period of what was more commonly known as the " Grunge era".
i can still recall, like it was just yesterday , how excited i was , sharing this passion and admiration with some friends , all this music that was seemingly shaping into something easily relatable, perfectly representing my very generation.

Hearing these new sound ; Nirvana's "Nevermind", Stone Temple Pilot's "Core", Alice In Chains "DIrt", Smahing Pumpkin's "Gish" , Soundgarden's "Badmotorfinger". cut my short romance with Glam Rock music .. While most of my friends would take Nirvana's Nevermind, as more influential. It has always been "Ten" for me.
The riveting new sound of Rock, which unlike Glam Rock, these musicians looks like just one of us, dressed like one of us, and sings what was happening to people like us.
I remember when i first heard "Alive" on the radio, and you can tell it was just different, When i saw "Jeremy" on the MTV , The music wasnt just damn great , Seeing Eddie Vedder's way of story telling just hit me.
"Black" would go down as one of my fave song of all time.
The coming of Ten or Pearl Jam was a preview if the things to come, and it was evident they were taking over Glam Rock ... carrying the flag for that new generation

Nirvana, Sound garden, STP and Pearl Jam was taking over the realms from GNR, Skid Row and the likes. As the fan favorite heavyweight Rock bands. Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell, Scott Weiiland and Eddie Vedder would become the most popular frontmen during that period.
It was great time enjoying music and has since became a sign of times and stuck to me up to this very moment.

Allen Epley : "The Sound Of The Ground"

 "The Sound Of The Ground"

Allen Epley

23 Aug 1968

Allen Epley , a native of Louisville KY ,  is a singer songwriter /Guitarist  for Post Hardcore/ Space Rock/ Math Rock Band Shiner ( 1992- 2003) and The Life and Times since 2004.

I consider myself lucky to meet people like Romel "Ian" Amoncio,   who i met through a common friend way back in '97.  whom i credit so much for my growth musically , without whom i might be just circling in a pool of music and missed an ocean of great music out there. A former bandmate, and a dear friend, whose musical inclination, concept open mindedness and vision and commitment  in music i hold so much reverence,  that I am profoundly happy to see the fruits of his labor ( he's the man behind Furiosa and The Rave Tapes)

 Ian introduced me to a Plethora of great music that some of which, i wasn't even aware existed. The Pixies, Jawbox, My Bloody Valentine, The Stella Link, Hum, Slowdive, Russian Circles, Guided By Voices, My Vitriol, Shiner and The Life and Times.

and these bands became a big part, inspiration of the next chapter of my musical endeavor especially My Vitriol, and Shiner / The Life and Times. 

Allen Epley is a genial songwriter introduced a whole lot of sound and creativity , and profound artistically that is so unique. 

It was just love at first hearing when Ian introduced Shiner and The Life and Times during one brain storming day in his home in Tondo. sometime in 2006;  from Shiner's  heavily haunting "Christ Sized Shoes",  and the resounding riff of "Andalusia" that prompt a familiar adrenaline, that feeling of excitement of discovering something exciting  . Further i was introduced to songs like "My Last Hostage", "Coat Of Arms"  and "The Cold Wai / The Sound of The Ground" these songs instantly gives an "Eargasm" everytime i listen to 

It was at this point i started getting more conscious of how different pedals create such great sound . and how in a lot of  different way it can create textures and moods that translates to amazing songs

Post Rock, Indie Rock, Space Rock, Shoegaze, Math Rock.. these are all the adjectives you can attribute to Allen Epley's seemingly unbounded songwriting creativity.

in 2007 Epley already have amassed 4 albums ( 1996 Splay, 1997 Lula Divinia, 2000 Starless, and 2001 The Egg) Plus an EP  ( Making Love EP), and 6 Singles. 

While  Pulling up an album and 3 EPs with The Life and Times. ( 2004’s The Flat End of the Earth EP, in 2005 Suburban Hymns, The in 2006 Split EP with Nueva Volcano and Magician EP in 2007).

It was just amazing how prolific songwriter Allen Epley is as his music keeps evolving, and moving forward another he have released 5 full albums with TLAT  released from 2009 to 2017 ( Tragic Boogie in 2009, No One Loves You Like I Do in 2012,  Lost Bees was in 2014, Doppelgängers in 2016 and the most recent Eponymous full-length came out in 2017. ) , and another one for reformed Shiner "Schadenfreude" last 2020

 with TLAT  released from 2009 to 2017 ( Tragic Boogie in 2009, No One Loves You Like I Do in 2012,  Lost Bees was in 2014, Doppelgängers in 2016 and the most recent Eponymous full-length came out in 2017. ) , and another one for reformed Shiner "Schadenfreude" last 2020

Easily Allen Epley catapulted to perhaps one of Top 5 musicians i admire of all time

The Perfect Feel: John Deacon

 The Perfect Feel
John Deacon
19 August 1951

John Deacon is known for his long tenure as a Bass Player for The Rock Band Queen. Deacon had written some of the band's biggest hits including Top 10 hits "You're My Best Friend", "Another One Bites the Dust", and "I Want to Break Free"; co-wrote "Under Pressure", "Friends Will Be Friends" and "One Vision".

As compared with his Queen bandmates, Freddie Mercury , Brian May , and Roger Taylor seem to be always the news cringe person band. But Deacon had some share of his limelight, through his works... musically .

Queen was one of the most successful band that came out of Britain and have been a global presence in popular culture for more than five decades.

Queen's music was diverse and profound. Their earliest works were influenced by progressive rock, hard rock and heavy metal, but the band gradually ventured into more conventional and radio-friendly works by incorporating different styles, such as Opera, Arena rock and yes pop rock.

I was fortunate to grew up in a house with a plethora of music that was part of our daily lives. We learn to love music through my Father, as he would regularly Blast his speakers with music ranging from Neil Young , Abba, Jim Croce, Whites Snake, and Spyro Gyra
and through him i was able to listen to Queen's music at an early age.

However , it was not 2 decades after , until i really was able to get deep in to band's discography when i heard Metallica's version of "Stone Cold Crazy" and learning that "Sail Away Sweet Sister" (- and together with Gran Funk Rail Road's "Bad Time" which was a prelude to a live version of Guns N' Roses' Sweet Child O' Mine" from a VSH tape GN'R Live in Tokyo which circulated heavily at that time). oh and of course When that Freddie Mercury Tribute came out .

that would eventually lead me to listening to the album 'Sheer Heart Attack" which have became my favorite Queen album, and eventually would picture how the music progresses with their succeeding album, and of course learning how individually were an amazing musician.

Joh Deacon was the Ringo Starr of the band, though less eloquent. his music has taught a great sense to me, that among with so many great articulate bass players like Matt Freeman, Flea Balzary, Billy Sheehan, .. at the opposite end , there 's a quiet, efficient and a great songwriter in John Deacon.

Who could argue with his resume? a simple one note bass line that accentuate a great song in "Under Pressure" and Perhaps brought immense success to rapper Vanilla Ice's career by ripping off the main riff ( Bass line) of the song. or how about the steady resounding bass line in "Another One Bites The Dust". these bass line need to technical proficiency of a Jaco Pastorious. But i gotta give credit to the band, Queen collectively were intelligent writers/musician, they know how to accentuate a simple part and made it a thing.

Deacon can be intricate as well when needed, one his best written song, and one of his best melodically driven bass line "You're My Best Friend".

and the lesson? making music doesn't need always to be intricate, its about getting the right feel.

i hear you John.

"Strange Boy In A Secret Service"

 Strange Boy In a Secret Service
Fred Dator

Here's another local Punk Legend . The energetic frontman of perhaps the most unique and stylish Doo whoop 50ish sounding band with an attitude. The One and Only Private Stock..
Fred Dator penned or co-wrote some of the classic Punk Rockabilly tunes, And a one man band Genial musician behind Fishbol

Private Stock

One of my personal fave local band of all time, Private Stock was originally formed back in the early 80s, A Rockabilly band, that carve out their own distinctive niche and blended so well with the punk thing that was going around by that time.
They performed at the legendary Brave New World concert series and for a period of time, regularly at the legendary club Katrina's in Mabini.

They contributed a couple of songs on the first installment of the now cult classic Rescue Ladders and Human Barricade, the tracks " Rock N 'Roll Machine" and The early Version of "Future Generation" and then again on the third and the last of the Series, 3rd Bombardment
"Hype's Cool" and "Strange Boy In A Secret Service" . Both compilation under Twisted Red Cross.

Hype's Cool

Private Stock released their full length album "Hype's Cool" , through the help of Sporstacster and Mel Maniego's brother , the late Butch Maniego's Payola record in 1986

The album is quite unique, especially around that time, as it caters different genres that can be classified as pop, mod, rockabilly, with a punk rock attitude, perhaps that's why their music was easily relatable, especially during their live sets as the punk crowd embraced the band

They wrote amazing originals, the vibes of their songs was easily something like which had been written and recorded somewhere back in the 50's or the 60's.
Yes sure their sound was inspired by the British pop scene...The Jam, The Who, the Beatles, Kinks, XTC and some Motown soul.
but their music was an amazing combination of youth angst and genial insights which has enabled Private Stock to create their own identity. They were fun, and they were smart. and played with a punk rock attitude.
Sadly by 1988, the group fell silent...

They had a reunion gig sometime around 2005 and i heard there was supposed to be a 2nd Private Stock album on the works , that sadly didn't see the light. ( However i am one the few fortunate to have a copy if it) .

Post Private Stock

The rest of the band still pursued other musical ventures that found its own significant success , Weslu with Put3Ska, Mel Maniego formed The Go Signals, Edmund Araullo had The Nearby Cries and Fred Dator's Fishbol which offers an eccentric music with Pyschedelic Vibes

fishBOL

fishBOL is a musical experiment of Fred Dator. where he did a Dave Grohl thing by Writing some the songs, recorded and performed them all by himself. He was said to be inspired by one of Paul McCartney’s projects The Fireman.

From 2009 to 2011he was able to write songs and record three albums which he released only as a digital download on popular digital download stores . In 2012, he thought of releasing a physical product maybe a CD or Vinyl. He pulled out all the digital album releases and pick songs which his Facebook’s friends voted was the great ones.

On December 2012, he released a vinyl record entitled Thermionic Emissions Then later on when live performance opportunity happened he hired musicians to make it a real full band .
The Band performed on various venues in the Las Vegas area which led to the band being booked as a house band at The Beat Coffeehouse and Recordsm also during this time Fred Dator’s 15 year old daughter, Angelica Dator, joined the band on keyboards. . fishBOL stayed at that venue for 22 months. During that time the band rehearsed Fred Dator’s new songs and even became part of their setlist. The album Out In Space and was released on August 2016.'

credit to
Revebnation for fishBOL information

"Rhoda Than You"

"Rhoda Than You"
Rhoda Dakar
August 17, 1959

Rhoda Dakar is a British singer and musician, best known as the lead singer for the 2 Tone Bands; Originally from The Body Snatchers ( The Bodysnatchers were a seven-piece all-female band involved in the British 2 Tone ska revival of the late 1970s and early 1980s.) , and later with The Specials/ Special AKA. She is still active making music and have released albums as a Solo artist.

I discovered Rhoda through a 2 Tone Compilation album called "Dance Craze" a live compilation album, contributing the song "EAsy Life" and the locally released "2Tone Story" ( Under Chrysalis Records) contributing the song "Ruder Than you" Where she was a part of the band The Body Snatchers.
both albums were amazing as i got easily hooked up with Ska music.

However , as compared to The Specials, The Beat, Madness, and Bad Manners more especially The Selecter ( Fronted by the amazing Pauline Black), The Body Snatchers however was the only band on that record who never released an album.
it was regrettably sad that the band didnt live long enough to atleast make a full album. especially the band offers a different sound as compared to the other bands on the compilation.

Rhoda , aside from The Body Snatchers, was also part of The Specials/Special AKA incarnation that was featured on the 2Tone Story in the song featured " War Crimes" and " Nelson Mandela" .
After the trio of Terry Hall, Lynval Golding and Neville Staples defected with The Specials and later formed Fun Boy Three , and incidentally the abrupt demise of The Body Snatchers, Rhoda was recruited by Jerry Dammers

Rhoda was featured on The Special AKA, album "In The Studio" which was released in 1984, it did produced a couple of hits especially ' Free Nelson MAndela" however the band did not recapture the success it previously enjoy with Hall , Staples and Golding at the Helm.

though success was too shy to fly over Rhoda Dakar and would leave that impression of " the other female singer " in that genre, behind Pauline Black, and " the other singer" in her own band behind Stan Campbell, Dakar continued showed a flash of Brilliance in tracks like " Bright Lights" and " The Boiler"

The times were changing as she would take hiatus .she would resurface in 2007 , after 13 years for her long overdue solo record "Cleaning in Another Woman's Kitchen"

In 2015, she returned to the studio to re-record The Bodysnatchers tracks for the album Rhoda Dakar Sings the Bodysnatchers. The line up for the recording included Lynval Golding and Horace Panter from The Specials, plus members of Pama International and Intensified.

Assumed as the "Missing" 2Tone album, Dakar recapture the vibes and reliving the glory days of Ska's second coming .

Rhoda is very much active in releasing new music , releasing new music , and LP recently and also digitally on her Bandcamp page.

Whiplash: Movie Review

 Movie Reaction

Title: Whiplash
Year: 2014

This movie (Together with Rudderless) was highly recommended by a dear friend around 5 years ago... for whatever reason i just saw it recently ...

The Strory revolves around Andrew Neiman, a first-year student at the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory in New York City, hoping to one day fulfill his childhood goals and reaching a legacy like Buddy Rich. And Terrence Fletcher, a strict (well on the movie is more of a ruthless and in a way abusive) bad mouth professor /conductor bandleader of the Shaffer Conservatory Studio Band, Specifically plays jazz
seing the student has a knack for the beat, invited him as an alternate drummer.

Its a story of Perseverance, pushing oneself for approval..
And on the other perspective, pushing one's character to be at his best... or even beyond
Even sometimes in we can say in an unlikely manner..
Well that is looking at it in a perfectly positive way..

But there were no clear boundaries, when we can say it's too much... considering the fact that people have different tolerance...
And one must not really go beyond that.. because, yes it can push someone to be at his maximum potential that sometime people themselves didnt know they have it in them...
But the conflict comes when People like Terrence Fletcher creeps inside your nerves and gets in your head... it initially push you to do better ... but sometimes it can becomes a nightmare..... to the point of breaking people's will and lose really the sense of trying to be good at your craft and instead you do things to prove oneself.. for validity and ultimately abandoning the fun.
Or worst, as the movie's climax... threaten to take away something that you earned ...
And even bring you down into your knees.

.. My fave scene was when Neiman saw Fletcher performing in a jazz band . And had a conversation after. But By This time Fletcher was already booted out of mentoring the band, because of his past doings specifically the death of one of his former student which turned out to have hanged himself after going through depression because of Fletcher's abusive behavior.(Which Neiman testified anonymously). And Neiman as well practically abandoned drumming and was lived life in a different path afterwards
A tamer Fletcher, wearing out his sleeves and explained his teaching methods by stating he only wanted his students to push themselves to become their absolute best.
even citing Buddy Rich as example , how Buddy Rich wouldn't reached thar far (his status), if his capability wasnt challanged

In the end it seemed that everything went well between the two, and Fletcher even invited to sit behind the kit, as Fletcher has this upcoming gig for a festival. Which Neiman Accepted.
But it was a set up all along...
As the band played a diffrent tune that he wasnt aware at all..
It was a disaster and an uttermost embarrasment... as Fletcher whispered "I Know it was you" as The mentor finally got his revenge .. Neiman walking out for a moment and coming back and put up a great drum solo to perhaps redeem himself, he cued the band to play the song "Whiplash" .. in the end, i assume there was a sign of approval finally from Fletcher that his former student rose up to the occation and lead the band's in which turned out to be a marvelous performance

Xtra

I grew up and had teachers and mentors that were really strict and they were succesfull, in teaching us to be responsible and attentive, be that school or work... and thinking of it now, i still remember them. I always feel this gratitude towards them of helping shape what i have became.. Miss Dimatera (Gr.2), Miss Carmelita Santos (Gr.6), Mr.Raul Ricafrente (IV-1P), Ms. Purification Herrera (III-5P).Sir Larry Pasao, and Ms. Beth Olegario

An Ode to the Unattached

 An Ode to the Unattached

I

OO dalaga pa ako

sapagakat pinili ko

bakit hindi mo baga maunawa

bakit itinuturing mo akong kaawa- awa?

II

Dalaga pa ako sapagkat mas ninais ko

na sundin ang ang pangarap ko at ng magulang ko

Isang bagay na pinili ko

isang bagay na pinakaprayoridad ko

III

Mali kung iisipin mo na malungkot ang buhay ko

itinuturing ko ngang isang biyaya na ang kalayaang kong ito

nagagawa ko ang nasa ng aking puso

ng walang masyadong isipin at istorbo 

IV

Hindi kakulangan sa pagkatao ko ang walang nobyo

Sapat ang pamilya, mga kaibigan at kung anong mayron ako upang maging maligaya ako

ang sukatan ba ng buhay para sa iyo 

yung makakuha ng Nobyo upang mapangasawa mo?

V

Dili nga ba't sa iyo din galing

mga kwentong may luha kasama ng maraming daing

Hirap at Bigat ng kalooban na lubos na dinaramdam

sa dalas tila ba di mapaparam

VI

Sa mga karanasan ninyo Natuto ako

sa mga kwento ninyo naging matalino ako

ang pagpasok sa isang relasyon ay hindi madali

kaya't masisisi mo ba kung ako ay maging mapili?

VII

Dumating man ang panahon na akoy tumanda na

at ang pagaasawa man ay nalipasan na

Ang inyong sinasabi bagang Malaking kakulangan

ay itinuturing ko ngang naging isang isang Napakalaking Kapalaran

VII

Ang kaligayahan ay sa maraming dahilan

Ang katuturan ng isang bagay ay kung paano mo pahalagahan

Ang halaga ng buhay ay may ibat ibang kahulugan

hindi natatali sa pag-aasawa lamang ang kabuluhan

Kapitan Kulam: Blunt Instrument LP Launch - 07.23.2022 @ 123Block Mandala Park

Kapitan Kulam: Blunt Instrument LP Launch
07.23.2022 
@ 123Bloc

It was always great, going to such event not only you get to see your favorite bands but it was even more amazing to be able to participate a noble cause, even in small way.
And it's not a few times I've seen Counterflow put up a show to extend some hand to some needing family in the community. So i had to give kudos Nothing but respect and admiration to the people behind Counterflow , and to the bands/artists as well who participated in such events like this.

I arrived at Manadala Park a little late, as i headed to the old @123Block venue in Pioneer St.. i missed the first band that played "Prayer For The Endurance", fortunately was just in time for my favorite band "Monochrome".

MONOCHROME

Monochrome, (Not to be confused with the Post Rock/PopRock from Stuttgart Germany), easily one of the great local Post Rock band (along with Sound Architects, Earthmover, and Legarda ) have been around for quite sometime now, helped shaped and established the scene.

Monochrome's music was such a steady force, .. The wall of sound and melodicity was impeccable.
That unfathomable atmospheric sound on the right speaker , complimenting the ambient sound on the left speaker, added the compelling driving melodic bass line , and the deliberate beat/pace that keeps you on the edge.. ( The first few minutes to the song - The White Fox Project)
The music was just surreal, -that feeling of suddenly the sky have opened up, and the music was like a prelude to something divine about to happen.

i long yearned to hear and feel the music again, that this pandemic has deprived us for a period of time... and it was just amazing that we have survived it , and seeing all this crowd again was a sigh of relief, we are thriving indeed. shortly I'm having goosebumps, i froze from where i was standing and fixed my gaze at the band as the music slowly takes me on a trance.

The experience was just like a ride on roller coaster
it was an amazing 20-30 minutes , that you still reel from the awesome "ride" in the aftermath of the experience

and oh we've just started...

REALIDAD

Again, Hats off to Counterflow for having such an amazing community, for organizing an event that we get to enjoy Post Rock, Shoegaze and Hardcore all on a single show.

Next up was Realidad, The Manila based D-Beat Hardcore punk didnt waste any time, took off as soon as they plugged their instruments.
The fast , loud and agressive three piece wrecking machine were all business.
they were done with the first song before i even found my right spot.
The rumbling beat that probably goes 150bpm.. seems to be pounding on my chest, and causing those endorphins to spike up

It was a rather quickset but a quite a good reason to go Berserk for a moment.

TURNCOATS

It was the first time I'm saw Turncoats live , they opened up their set with an amazing cover of Mogwai's "How to be a Werewolf" - their version though had a much more shoegazey feel than the original, before jumping on their originals "Future Fossil" , "People Watcher", "The Sum Of all Love Songs". The Lo-Fi Indie Rock trio from Baguio , well four if we count the laptop , surely didn't disappoint .
it was an amazing set , the great thing about live music is get to catch the emotion, and how it connects to the crowd.
- It was a joy to see how the bass player was so into his music as he was melodicly anchoring the songs one after another.

and it's awesome to witness how they create their sound., especially that consistent ambient drone sound.
i was staring at the pedal board , a little petrified trying to figure out which one makes what sound, and how much it cost to invest on that sound. (well hearing the output, it must be all worth it, and a great set/gig must be gratifying . - my utmost respect to these musicians and also the production who pursue their passion of creating/making music, with so much little in return.)
, - Except for the voice mix perhaps , which was supposed to be more dense/ reverbish, but i guess that's out of the band's control. but still generally it was an awesome set

NONENTITIES

Through the years , punk/Hardcore music venues has been a struggle . more than usual we sort to garage gigs, Basketball courts, vacant lots, small pubs, and if ever we found decent ones, sound systems and the instruments is just another problem. fortunately through the years we found home to some great bars . and i have to commend Counterflow for finding amazing homes like Mow's , The Old @123 Block on Pioneer St. and this one recently at the Mandala Park. and of course for the amazing sound system provided.

...Continuance

Now we get to personally, the best part of the night . No(n)entities.
With the recently released album Autonimbus, easily became my most fave album of recent years right after hearing the album's first track "Witness The Shredding" Literally threw me off the wall. just right off the bat.. the adrenaline was instantaneous. With the Melodicly driven guitars and that crazy drum parts
and i swore i need to settle this ( n ) fix as soon as things , (and my health )gets better.
.... which brought me to this day

Again i have to commend the great equipment and the quality of the sound system . It is such an imperative to capture the band's music the best way possible, because No(n)entities are technically proficient musicians , with veteran and legendary musician Boyet Miguel at the helm.

( n ) started the set with their earliest songs "Joy Unknowable", "Subvervience" , and "Vessel " The band's melodicity was compelling, as we started to drawn closer to get a perfect view of the band's performance..
It was always a joy to watch Ron Schanlder's unparalleled intensity. i find him so eloquent on how he passionately communicate what he sings, he wasn't just screaming , he was communicating, he was emphasizing., with his hands, with his gestures, its as if every words to the songs were manifesting with his every motion...

and i just need to also note this lyrical brilliance of the band's songwriting, with the song "Joy Unknowable'"
the construction of the words was brilliant , but the last few lines were so resoundingly inciting a course of action

"I want these questions to remain
Am I wrong to ever feel this way?
Am I wrong to ever feel this way?
Am I wrong to ever feel this way?
Am I wrong to ever feel this way?
Am I wrong to ever feel?"
- Joy Unknowable

by this point i was so into what Ron was singing about , and got me invested even what he speaks about in between songs.. and its a great thing how he just seem to casually talks to the audience, which brought me to the reason why i am into this whole "punk" thing in the first place . that is the message it tries to convey , and communicating through the songs.

the band would proceed to play "Erase the Day", "Pass the Sisyphean" and "Swing " for their final song

and at the conclusion of their set , i just know i need more of this

CREPUSCULAR DAWN


... Another Dawn

Crepuscular Dawn comes next , One of the compelling reasons why i need to attend this gig. This Post Rock Quintet just released an EP called " In Filmic Stasis".. and i got to say i was blown away immediately with their music as soon as i had the chance to listen to it.

The band had written some pretty impressive originals, they captured that 80's Post Punk vibes, characterized by the riveting guitar lines, and Kirk's enthralling goth voice, which was definitely tailored in the same fashion as Peter Murphy (Bauhaus), Ian Astbury (The Cult) , and Justin Sullivan (New Model Army) . and more impressively, i was personally roused by the poetic construction of their lyrics.

In contrast to the genre's dark themed origin. It was pretty obvious that this band is very much bonded by friendship and booze , the way they interact from setup/soundcheck up until performing their very last song, especially the band's guitarist Mark and the singer Kirk , were both quite a character.
it was evident they were having a lot of fun.
And as a spectator to that bond and their amazing music, I guess they can list me as an ardent fan.

KAPITAN KULAM 

The Main Curse

The slow, Heavy , Sinister Instrumental sound kicked off KK's set... The ominous piece was so haunting that the song tempo set the pace of my heart beat... And after a few words from Frontman Lourd De Veyra.. the band suddenly went Blitzkrieg with the fast and ferocious track "CCTV'..

By this time, we could've easily went Berserk with the sudden rush of momentum. and though i didnt, in my own way , and i guess a few more that were beside me, where blown away as you can feel the intense exchange of energy as we sway our heads to the song's
while holding back pressing ourselves because of how the band/stage was set up. i can easily move back and do something crazy , but i guess at 45 and with some hobbling health concerns , i choose to cherish the spectacle and just write about it later . ( which i did)

It's amazing how Lourd , constantly reinvents himself and kept his music significantly progressing with the changing times, first saw him as an amazing guitar player for local hardcore legends Dead Ends in the mid 90s, to his Jazz-Rock / Spoken Words fusion and all what not brilliance in Radio Active Sago Project in the 2000s while doing some hosting stuffs in TV5 , writing books , oh and an amazing visual artist as well , in between. and now this amazing Sludge -core band Kapitan Kulam .

That haunting drop down guitar tuning, which was the main characteristic of ‘Sludge Metal’ that began in the late 1980s , the bands down-tuned guitars with thick and oppressive sounds that was kinda ominous suggesting an imminent threat , sludgy imagery.

resoundingly churns in my head that even after the show , it pulled an instant playlist on my mind , where i connect that same emotions , Sabbath, St,Vitus, The early Melvins, Earliest Soundgarden , Helmet among many others

It was more than an amazing set as that emotion and imagery did crave for some more, and i guess that was curse that i got from watching Kapitan Kulam.