Mel Maniego : "Time"

 "Time"

Melchiades "Mel" J.Maniego In Memoriam

(Dec.23,1964 - November 22, 2021)

 

Mel Maniego, was a Songwriter Guitarist for the legendary local Rockabilly band , Private Stock, which came to prominence in the 80's. And The Mod Revival Band The Go Signals in the 2010s. 

He was also a part of folk country inspired supergroup, Vagabonds

Private Stock was originally formed back in 1983 and the following years have seen the band carve out their own distinctive niche in the Filipino music scene since. They made their mark in the Filipino punk history when they performed at the legendary Brave New World 5 concert in Manila, Philippines. During that time they launched their first original composition written which is Future Generation.

Katrina's in Mabini, Manila became their home club. They became regular performers there and honed their music skills. Around that time they still do the regular punk/ mod shows. They also released a cassette of their debut and only album Hype's Cool. They also contributed songs to Tommy Tanchangco's Twisted Red Cross compilation albums sunch as the early version of "Future Generation" on The First "Rescue Ladders and Human Barricade" compilation . Strange Boy (In the Secret Service) and the song Hype's Cool came out and was included in the RL&HB part 3: The Third Bombardment,  And some live tracks for the Katrina's :Tamana Away live album compilation.

After taking a long hiatus started in 1988, Private Stock would briefly reform in the 90s, with Fred Dator and Mel Maniego spearheading writing for new Materials for the second album, sadly it never saw the light of day.and then another long hiatus

Mel would be encouraged to write again and the result was the Formation of an all family affair  "The Go Signals" which features Dennis Maniego on Bass and a Young Spike Maniego on drums.

and released the album "Secrets and Lies" in 2011.

The Go Signals channelled the power and the riffage of The Jam and the Clash with the melodic appeal of the The Jam, The Kinks and The Beatles.

The Go Signals would play incessantly for years before taking a halt in 2018 due to Mel's health condition

In between TGS gigs Mel would throw himself on an all star band "The Vagabonds" which also feature Mally Paraguya (of POT/TTT), and Albert Ascona (Bad Omen) and Jerome "Johnny Tender" Macaraeg (Pusakal /Kamote Chunks) plays folk /country songs which also bore an album "Suburban Serenade"

Mel was one of the most passionate artist I ever seen, a great conversationalist

and more importantly a great human being. and it's been a privilage and proud to be friend to a person who once upon a time, i can only watch and admire from a distance.

Story collated from different source and personal story

Paul Puti-An: Prolific And Gifted

Prolific and Gifted

 Paul Puti-An

Once i caught a glimpse of this guy, i had this profound admiration for his work instantly . 

Paul , The  prolific songwriter who fronts Coffee Break Islands, The Borrachos and Co-Fronts Todo Pasa.. 

has this unmistakable soulful husk/growl voice , 

and offers a music that is captivating , and exciting.. (something familiar yet something new.) Onstage, always such a great sight visually,  artistically..

When i got liberated from the prisoning demands of the Mfg Companies, some 12 years ago.. Of course going back to music was one of my first "I need to go to"s  and Coffee Break Islands and Shuffle Union gigs have became frequent for a period of time.. thanks to some ska friends to tagged me along while i try to find my way back on the scene,  and it felt great seing old and new people around.. one thing never changed though, the vibes and the excitement that emanates form Ska music..

And throug time.. his music has earned a permanent spot on my always active music library.. 

Brutus Lacano : He's Got The Rhythm

 He's Got The Rhythm

Brutus Lacano

"Papang  Brutus" as he is fondly called, is  an amazing Drummer and a human being, Played behind the kit for some high profile local bands,  such as The Brownbeat Allstar, Put3ska , Indio I, Coco Jam, Moyg, The Jerks, Advent Call, Escolta 3am,  People's Music and Bembol Rockers just to name a few. 

 Brutus' passion for the music, especially Ska and Reggae emanates on his steady moving beat, 

It's amazing how he locks in a solid regga beat and how he throw swing rudiments, which earned him admiration and respect among his peers, and fans of the genre.

Looking at the man's resume.. I can easily say i Have  been constantly listening to his music for more than 2 decades, since i first heard him , locking the jive for The Brownbeat Allstars when they first came out, and jumping to everybands that i also listened to.

Rick Olivares: A Modern Day Renaissance Man

 A Modern Day Renaissance Man 

Rick Olivares

If the name is unmistakably familiar, its because it is. the man is just literally everywhere unless you were living under the rocks with Fred and Barney

Sir Rick has more than 2 decades experience in media as a newspaper reporter, columnist , broadcast journalist, and recently more as an independent Blogger.

He has also written for notable Print medias conpanies such as Philippine Daily Inquirer, , Philstar, FHM, Maxim, Philippines Free Press, football Philippines among others and currently writes for Philstar.com and a regular columnist at ABS-CBN News and Business Mirror

He also did some Television works for ABS CBN , Solar Sports and Sports 5 and reporting for DZRH.

And not to forget sharing his thoughts eloquently on his blogsite, Bleachers Brew which remains active since 2006

  It's admirable and rare you get to know a guy who is into a lot of things and is so deeply knowledgable on its every subject matter.

Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Boxing, Tennis, Baseball, Mixed Martial Arts, Chess and just about any sports that there is.

Also a big Movie/ TV series enthusiast, a huge Comics , Books and Music (Vinyl/CD/Cassette) collector and i need to say i was really amazed with  his profound music vocabulary. From mainstream music to Alternative, to Jazz down to the underground scene of Hardcore, Punk and ska and to the alternate universe of indie, ethereal, shoegaze   or even some obscure bands that were not even aware even existed that proves his eclectic taste for music,  and perhaps anything in between. Its amazing to read bits of history and especially his personal journey and  stories behind it . 

Recently he played a significant part in making The Jerks EP (c.early 80s) finally seeing the light of day and further emphasizing the band's place  and importance in the local Rock scene.

So much admiration for trully a  Modern day Renaissance man.

Alay at isang Pagpupugay Kay Bobby Balingit

 Alay at isang Pagpupugay Kay Juan Isip

Bobby Balingit
Ipinanganak Nobyembre 13
Mangaawit at Gitarista ng isang haligi ng industriya ng Musika, ang Bandang Wuds.
Isang Tinitingalang manunulat,
Kilala si Sir Bob sa kanyang makabuluhang mga letra at mapanghamong musika.
Na nagpasimula pa noong dekada 80, bilang isa sa mga Pioneer ng Pinoy Punk scene, nagapatuloy hanggang dekada 90 bilang isa sa mga respetadong banda sa pagusbong ng Alternatibong musika at nananatiling nagpapatuloy hanggang sa ngayon.
Bukod sa pagiging manunulat ng musika,
Si Sir Bob ay isa ring Guitar Coach, Painter, theater actor, art installation artist,.vegetarian Chef at Novelist


Maligayang Kaarawan Sir Bob!
Alay ko ang tula para sa iyo.
Isang Pagpupugay Sir Bob

Isang mapagpalayang musika ang pumukaw sa mura kong isipan..
Di ko man hinahanap, Ngunit aking nasumpungan
Sumisigaw, nanggigising sa tulog na kamalayan,
Mga dating bagay na nakikita ngunit di nauunawaan
Sa pagbabago ng mata ng kaisipan aking namasdan

Sa mga panulat mo nakita ko ang pangit sa mundo
Malungkot, di maganda, masakit pero totoo.
Sa pagyaon sa buhay mabuti naman ang hanap ng tao
Dangan lamang di lahat nananatili dito

Sa bawat sigaw at ingay ng instrumento
Natutong mangarap ng marubdob na pagbabago
Kasamaan, kasakiman, mga institusyon at pulitikong gunagawa ng Pangagago
Masasanay na lang ba tayong lunukin lahat ito?

Maliit na tinig, yan ang papel ko sa isip ko
Hindi man lahat tayo ay tulad Nelsom Mandela o Lean Alejandro
Pero tulad nila pinagalab ng puso magsalita
Wag magpagamit sa mali, at huwag. magsawalang kibo at bahala

Sa mga taong ito ako natuto
Na ang kultura ng pangk ay higit sa pananamit at istilo
Di man ako nagmohawk at di man nakatikim ng DMs ang paa ko
Nakuha ko naman ang esensya nito

-Pilosopong Peledik