Ang Bandang Shirley’s bittersweet and
triumphant return
by rick olivares
Owel Alvero left the cool air-conditioned
confines of a nearby holding room at the Blue Bay Walk Garden. Dressed in a
grey t-shirt that read “No album” and shorts that looked that seemed to suggest
he was headed either for bed or the beach, the bespectacled
singer/songwriter/guitarist of Ang Bandang Shirley headed out to the garden to
check out the scene outside. “I hope there are folks who are there to buy our
new album (titled “Favorite”) and well, to watch us perform,” he said.
The sight that greeted Alvero saw his expression change from a hopeful one to one that was equal parts a pleasant
grin to a smile. You know -- the hopeful smile that people get when they listen
to Ang Bandang Shirley’s music.
“Yeah,” was the only thing Alvero
could say.
Close to six hundred people lined
up in the hot afternoon sun to purchase the band’s third album and line-up all
over again to avail of stickers that they could use to design their own cover.
“It’s a good way for us fans to say how we feel about the band and their
music,” offered one fan who said it took him a grand total of two hours to get
everything done.
By the time the sun retreated and
the cool air wafting from the bay, the performance grounds swelled a bit more
to include the Saturday evening hangers out.
The day had this bittersweet air
to it as it was also singer Selena Davis’ last performance with the band. How that affects the
music – well.
“Yeah,” muttered Alvero again as
he made his way back to the holding room.
Some 45 minutes earlier, in the
comfy confines of the holding room, the band ate a late afternoon lunch of
siomai and rice along with other dimsum. “The band that eats together,”
gleefully noted the band’s other guitarist/singer/songwriter Ean Aguila. He
shared that loving look with Davis ate beside him. “Stays together.”
“For now,” segued Davis. And
there’s a moment of silence as everyone contemplated that statement.
The band has been around for more
than a decade after having been inspired by the Eraserheads’ “Natin 99” album.
Members have come and gone but at the heart of the band’s three albums was
Alvero, Aguila, Davis, guitarist Joe Fontanilla, and drummer Zig Rabara (as
well as sometimes singer Kathy Gener who doubles as the band’s Brian Epstein
except she pens the occasional song). “Life”, as Rabara chimed in over lunch,
“got in the way.” Nevertheless, the band has become and is family.
“We all have our day jobs,”
clarifies Davis, “but the band is our therapy and our happy heartsong.”
There’s a five-year gap between
the sophomore effort, “Tama Na Ang Drama” and the new album, “Favorite”. Time
aside, the 14-track album finds the band in fine form. Their songwriting – deep
and introspective gems of happiness, loss, and well, life…. the lilting melodies
and harmonies – has been honed to a fine edge.
If diamonds are forever, then the
first two singles – “Umaapaw” and “Siberia” have become instant classics. They
are crowd favorites that sure enough during the show later that night, are
“sing-songs” for the fans to sing along.
Other tracks such as the title
track, “Favorite” and “Alam Mo Ba (Ang Gulo)?” are going to be sure staples of
their live performances while the nine-minuter “Ono” could be the penultimate
song of a rousing show; one that is highly emotive and showcases Ang Bandang
Shirley’s gift for heartfelt melodies and the trademarked harmonies.
They went from Alvero penning
most of the songs to a more collective effort that has brought everyone’s
personalities and stories – good and bad – into the fore.
When writing songs, the band
looks to each other for approval. “We push ourselves,” points out Alvero. “We
inspire ourselves.”
Added Aguila, “Selena and I were
talking about how the band dynamics have changed. How much we influence and
make each other better. At least for me, I know my song is better because Owel
critiques it for its betterment and it works vice versa. In making love songs,
we try to write without using the usual words and we want each other to come
away saying, ‘Kaya mo ba yan gustuhin?’”
There’s one such example on
“Favorite” with the “Ono” that was written by both Alvero and Gener. “Ean said,
‘Ang ganda ng mga kanta mo pero lahat 4/4 time. Wala kang odd time.’ Which is
why there is a section in “Ono” that is in 3/4 time. It’s a challenge. It’s
also fun to know people around you know what you’re good at and know they can
push you.”
From the kit kat jam of
“Themesongs” to the pensive “Tama Na ang Drama”, “Favorite”, shimmers with the
tighter sound that’s different. Mature, if you will. I think, by way of
respectful comparison, of the band, Ivy, with their raw jingle jangle of “Realistic”
and the finely-tuned pop of “Apartment Life”. Or more of the same, -- from Broken Social Scene’s “You Forgot It In
People” to the self-titled album leading all the way to “Forgiveness Rock
Record”.
The band, collectively nods in
approval.
“That’s a comparison we do not
mind and we consider a compliment,” enthused Davis as Aguila smiled in
agreement.
The ultimate compliment was that
the fans packed the garden of the Blue Bay Walk. They purchased the compact
disc, bought t-shirts, patches, and stickers. Fans danced and cheered. A few
tears were even shed as Davis’ sang the last note of the night.
“Wow!” exclaimed Davis before the
band plunged into their first song of that Saturday night. “Ang dami ninyo.
Grabe. Salamat sa inyong pagmamahal and sa pag gusto ninyo ng musika namin.”
And the crowd roared.
Favorite indeed.
