Obsidian Bar and Grill will be the newest rock gig destination in Manila located specifically at the Ortigas Home Depot. We are inviting all of you to come and join us at the Weekend Launch Party on March 12 and 13. You better not miss this because really cool local bands will be performing (please see poster above)! Not sure yet about the entrance fee but I guess it’s just the normal P150. The food here is great and the beer is really cheap so this is the place to be when you want to watch local bands and chill out.

Hope to see you there!

You may see the map going to Obsidian at www.obsidianbarph.com.

There’s a written phrase in Hayley’s wrist which says “Kamusta Kayo”?

Paramore rocked SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds last night! The concert grounds were packed of Parawhores (fans of Paramore) and almost everybody were singing Paramore’s songs. The Philippines is fortunate to be the last stop on their tour before they come back to their homeland.   Karla and I got VIP tickets, courtesy of Coy Caballes of Globe, but I think we were actually at the Gold area. I heard that the VIPs were transferred to the Gold area at the last minute while the Gold ticket holders were transferred to the VIP section. Allegedly, this was a demand from the foreign production because they “didn’t want the VIPs to be hurt”. For me, it didn’t really matter because I think that the section we’re in was much better than being in the frontmost. I guess it didn’t matter to me because I did not spend a single dime to get a hold of my ticket. But don’t get me wrong, I actually feel for the people who have bought the tickets and did not get the satisfaction they were expecting. If I were in their place, I’d definitely be furious. I just hope that the organizers or production will settle this. We want Paramore to back here in Manila so I guess they really have to fix things.

Many Parawhores didn’t like Callalily being the front act. Well in my opinion, the organizers could’ve gotten another band. Callalily wasn’t able to at least let the crowd jump (as what the vocalist demanded while they’re performing their last song).  Everybody was eager to let Callalily get out of the stage.

The band played almost 15 songs including the encore. Hayley Williams’ performance was really awesome! I wish that the sound system was able to pull it off. Anyway, I just searched Paramore’s setlist here in Manila so if there are any changes, feel free to change it.

Brand New Eyes Tour Intro
-Ignorance
-Crushcrushcrush
-My Heart (thanks for informing me that this wasn’t supposed to be included here )
-Thats What You Get
-Looking Up
-Careful
-Let The Flames Begin
-Never Let This Go
-The Only Exception
-Pressure
-For a Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic
-Where The Lines Overlap
-Decode

ENCORE:
-Misery Business
-Brick by Boring Brick

I used my Canon SX110IS for this concert. It was quite difficult to take pictures (as usual) since it’s a rock concert. Everybody’s arms were up in the air plus I am not that fortunate to be taller.

It was a wonderful experience being there and I hope that they do come back.  Special thanks to Globe Tattoo for allowing me to see Paramore live!

UP Fair is one of my most anticipated events every year. Aside from the simple affiliation of being a UP alumna, I’ve had a blast during UP Fairs during my college years and even after graduation. It’s really different whenever I’m there. I feel I’m home. Even though many people say that UP fairs are always dangerous and unsafe to go, I really don’t care. During UP Fairs, the crowds are always a mixture of the grungy emo kids, UP and non-UP students, yuppies, artists and many more. Watching bands while I am at the audience is always a thrill for me and it really doesn’t matter if I stand for a couple of hours. 

Boto Mo, Patrol Mo Booth at the UP Fair – since National Elections is coming, it’s good that kids will be aware and can be a citizen journalist by signing up on this one. Karla and I signed up and we can report election-related news in our areas.

Koreans Dancing – Funny thing to see at the UP Fair. They are promoting something, just saw these young Koreans do their thing.

Unique and funny signages are always at the UP Fair. This is a spoof of Michael Jackson’s “This is It” concert. They sell anything for 10 pesos.

This is another funny signage. Ikaw ba, natusok na? Hahaha.

Who didn’t have a moment at the Ferris Wheel?

Isaw is associated with UP so UP Fair is not complete without the eating it!

I don’t mean to say that everyone who goes to the UP Fair are emos but their presence is definitely felt.

Of course, the bands will always be present during UP Fairs. Here’s Jugs Jugueta from Itchyworms and below is Kelvin Yu, bassist of Itchyworms.

Giniling Festival has always been the UP crowd’s favorite. They’re songs are very witty and very catchy. I love these guys!

Romeo Lee performed with Marcus Adoro’s band, Markus Highway. UP Fair is not complete without Romeo’s presence! They performed “Wild Thing”.

One of Sonic Boom’s bands, Bloodshedd made the hardcore rockers slam dance through the night.

Ernville

Aia de Leon, Tim Cacho and Zach Lucero of Imago

Ebe Dancel of Sugarfree

The main acts that I was waiting for at that night was the performance of Sugarfree and Silent Sanctuary together with the Manila Symphony Orchestra. As usual, the performances were breath-taking.

Sarkie Sarangay of Silent Sanctuary

As part of the San Miguel Beer Sarap Magbabad parties, San Miguel Pale Pilsen will be having their series of foam parties that will kick off in 5 different cities on March 5 and 6. See the schedule below:

• March 5 – Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Laguna – Rocksteddy
• March 5 – Edsa Central Park, Mandaluyong – Sugarfree and Parokya ni Edgar
• March 6 – Plazuela, Tarlac City – Cueshe
• March 6 – MEPZ, Cebu City – Brownman Revival
• March 6 – Rodelsa Circle, Cagayan de Oro – 360

Aside from the bands that will be performing, there will be Wet and Wild Bikini Babe Ledge Dances, Basketball Hoopla booth (win premium San Miguel Pale Pilsen limited edition items) and Foam Shots.

Red Horse Muziklaban is one of the most anticipated rock events since it started because this is where amateur bands are able to showcase their talents and be known in the rock scene. Last January 30th, me and fellow bloggers such as Juned and Karla were able to cover the Red Horse Muziklaban 2009 held at the Metrowalk Parking Lot. I felt that this was a much better location than at the Marikina Sports Complex last year. I hope that they continue to have this venue for the succeeding Red Horse Muziklaban events.

We arrived at around 8:00 pm after coming home from Tech Tanod in Ateneo. Thanks to Juned for giving us media passes; we were able to get inside the media area which I felt was a safe zone for me. It’s been known that whenever Muziklaban happens, moshpits are really crazy. I don’t really mind the people slam dancing but I would rather watch and headbang my head a little without really the need to slam dance.

Intolerant

Various popular rock bands in the Philippines performed such as Slapshock, Intolerant, Zach Lucero and the Action Pact, Kjwan, Radioactive Sago Project, Franco, Kapatid, Greyhoundz, Kamikazee and many more. Previous winners such as Hard Boiled Eggz, Mayonnaise, Gayuma and last year’s grand champion, Even performed. I was able to see Zach Lucero and the Action Pact, Kjwan, Radioactive Sago Project, Franco, Greyhoundz and all the grand finalists of Muziklaban. Greyhoundz performance was one of the performances that brought the house down. Reg Rubio, vocalist of Greyhoundz, was joined by Ian Tayao (vocalist of Queso) and Jamir (vocalist of Slapshock) during Greyhoundz performance. I believe that was one of the highlights of the event.

I was excited to see Franco perform live for the first time. I’ve been listening to their songs for a year but I am such a loser that this was the only time to see them live. Franco was awesome! Hope that I could catch them perform in smaller gigs. Kapatid was also there but I felt that Karl Roy wasn’t in his performance level.

Of course, the legendary Pinoy rock icon Joey “Pepe” Smith was there and I didn’t lose the chance to have a picture taken with him. Rock on! The grand finalists were delighted to see him and also had their pictures taken with him.

The 5 grand finalists were Hatankaru from Valenzuela City, 2nd Squad from Baguio City, Kukumban from Naga City, Cambronero from Bacolod and Hoodswhite from Cagayan de Oro City.

Hoodswhite

I’ve seen all the grand finalists but there’s one band that was different among the rest. No, this isn’t the grand champion. The band is Hoodswhite from Cagayan de Oro City. They are a heavy metal band which look like international band Kiss. The vocalist even talked like a possessed person. It’s like hearing Cookie Monster and Freddie Krueger talking. Well, they made some people in the audience slam dance but I think it’s not enough for the judges to let them win. I hope that they get their own identity in the future. Nobody can be compared to Kiss’ legacy.

Hoodswhite

Hatankaru

Around 2:00 am, the hosts announced the winner. Hatankaru from Valenzuela City became the Grand Champion of the 11th Red Horse Muziklaban. I believe that they deserve to win. Their performance was clean, didn’t hear that much “sabit”. Congratulations guys!

The VIP and Media area

Since my day started a bit early and had already drank 4 cans of Red Horse, I had to go home to rest. Girlfriend and I had our midnight snack in Behrouz. I was glad to have seen new bands perform, and even the veterans. Till the next Red Horse Muziklaban!

Hatankaru – Red Horse Muziklaban 2009 Grand Champion

Cambronero – regional finalist from Bacolod

Gayuma – Red Horse Muziklaban 2007 Grand Champion

Drip has been creating raves in the Philippines and even in the global independent music scene because of their unique sound now, Drip has something new to offer to its fans. First is the 3 music videos that they have launched last January 29th in Greenbelt 5. They showed the music videos while they were performing at the Gallery. The videos were “Bloodletting”, “Blind” and “Turning Grey”.

My favorite was “Bloodletting” because it felt very serene. The teaser of the video is below but I can’t post the entire video here (unless they give me permission ). The video has 2 women swimming underwater. It seems like there’s girl to girl action (which was perfectly fine with me! ) but it’s not what it’s all about (I just implied that but there’s no kissing or anything related to that hehe). The 2 women in the video are Shawn Yao and Annicka Dolonius. Beng was also in the video, swimming.

“Bloodletting”

As usual, Drip’s performance was awesome and Beng’s voice was breath taking. Too bad, the acoustics of the venue wasn’t that good. Beng even told me that they couldn’t even hear themselves while performing. By the way, I didn’t realize that Beng’s sister was my classmate in back in UP. She tapped on my shoulder and recognized me while watching Beng onstage.

I’ve been a fan of Drip for more than a year but it’s only now that I got the chance to buy their album “Identity Theft”. It’s only now that I’ve realized that the whole album is under Creative Commons which means anybody can remix the songs for as long as it will not be distributed commercially.

Second good news about Drip is that they will be releasing a Spanish album soon which they collaborated with Instituto Cervantes. They performed some of their Spanish songs during the event. I didn’t really understand it but it sounded great!

The whole band’s apparel was courtesy of Puma (and the event was also sponsored by them). I like Beng’s wardrobe, it’s so cool!   As usual, there was free booze for everyone (too bad I wasn’t able to drink because I haven’t eaten dinner yet). I can’t wait to hear the band’s new album. Hopefully, it will be released soon. Congratulations to Drip and hope you continue to make more cool trip-hop electronica music!

* thanks to TL!

Congratulations, Cresfel for winning the limited edition San Miguel Beer Frozen Mug! To the others who have joined, hope you join my other contests.

Saosin (pronounced as Seyosin) is a band from Newport Beach, California that is categorized under the screamo (scream + emo) genre of music. The band came here to Manila last January 22 and performed at the A. Venue Hall in Makati.

I was there with my girlfriend Karla and another blogger friend Fritz right at the middle of the crowd. We’re not really infront but the spot where we were standing were ok. Saw some rock celebrities such as Francis Reyes, Jason Caballa (guitarist of Pedicab) and Kim of NU 107.5. I know Lalay Lim of Urbandub was there (because she tweeted that she’ll be going) but I wasn’t able to see her.

Typecast was the front act and performed a couple of songs. As any front act for a foreign band, they weren’t appreciated by the main act’s fans. Obviously, they’re very excited to see Saosin perform and wanted to get the front act band get off the stage immediately.

After Typecast’s performance, a big white cloth covered the stage and a screensaver of the Saosin logo was flashing. Because of boredom, some people in the audience were already making fun of the screensaver thing playing shadow figures (some were naughty shadow figures/actions haha).

Cove Reber – vocalist of Saosin

Then the white cloth dropped, Saosin already started performing their first song “I Keep My Secrets”. The crowd went wild! The whole crowd was swaying front and back, left and right, which I didn’t have any control of. It’s like I was going with the flow wherever the crowd would bring me. It suddenly made me remember the mosh pits I got trapped in when I was in UP. The people were jumping (even I was jumping) while the crowd was singing their songs.

Everybody who has a camera or even a cellphone camera had their arms raised up high. It was quite hard to take photos because most of the time the person infront of me were up. My back and arms ached because of that. Anyway, it was worth it. At least I was still able to get a few decent shots.

Cove Reber with Justin Shekoski (guitarist) in the background

Beau Burchell – guitarist of Saosin

Chris Sorenson – bassist of Saosin

Saosin was so awesome! I was glad to have had the chance to watch them live or else I never will. Thanks to my blogger friend Coy Caballes for the ticket!

Saosin are Cove Reber (vocals), Chris Sorenson (bass), Alex Rodriguez (drums), Justin Shekoski (guitar) and Beau Burchell (guitar).

Here’s the set list of the songs they performed. The crowd chanted “one more song” after performing “Fireflies.

I Keep My Secrets Safe
Sleepers
Voices
Changing
Collapse
Deep Down
It’s Far Better To Learn
The Alarming Sound of a Still Small Voice
On My Own
I Never Wanted To
Bury Me
You’re Not Alone
Seven Years
Fireflies

Encore:
They Perched On Their Stilts, Pointing And Daring Me To Break Custom

Typecast’s first song

“I keep My Secrets”

The Manila Moshpit!

“You’re Not Alone”

“Changing”

Drip has become one of my favorite local acts in Manila because of their distinct electronica sound and the soothing voice of Beng. It’s exciting to know that the band will be launching 3 music videos for their songs “Turning Grey”, “Blind” and “Bloodletting”. All of these 3 videos took 2 years in the making so I am quite excited to finally see those songs as music videos. Another good news is that they will be performing some of their new songs from their Spanish album which they collaborated with Instituto Cervantes as a tribute to a Spanish poet Miguel Hernandez. The event is free so anybody can come and join us. By the way, this event is sponsored by Puma.

Please see details below:

Where: The Gallery, Greenbelt 5 (right across Cibo and beside Adora)
When: January 29, 2010
Time: 6:00 pm
Front act: Mark Zero
For more information about Drip, please visit these sites:

www.facebook.com/dripmanila or www.dripmanila.multiply.com

It’s the first month of the year so I decided to give away a limited San Miguel Beer Frozen Mug. I got this from the Pale Pilsen Time Na Press Launch and since I already have mine, I want one of my readers to have it too! All you have to do is comment here and tell me what’s your most favorite pulutan whenever you have a round of beers with your friends or relatives. I’ll be randomly choosing 1 winner through random.org. The winner should be from Metro Manila because I will ship the mug to him/her. The winner will be notified through email so make sure that you enter your email in the comment form. Also, one entry per person (please be honest here!) The contest will run until January 29, 2010.