The Bilinda Butchers light up Manila with their brand of dreampop

The Bilinda Butchers light up Manila with their brand of dreampop

by rick olivares

The Bilinda Butchers’ vocalist and guitarist Michael Thomas Palmer stepped out of the 20:20 Bar in Makati and lit a cigarette. “We just got back from China where we did some shows and the response was good,” shared the band’s frontman. “It has been exhausting because we have been living in and out of our luggage and we’ve had barely time to catch our breath. But it’s good. It’s all part of the experience and trying to reach out to more fans.”

He paused to exhale. Thought a moment and wished, “I hope the fans come out and appreciate our music…. It makes everything all worth it.”

The Bilinda Butchers – Palmer, guitarist Adam Honingford, bassist Lukas Untersteiner, and new drummer Brock Lowry -- is largely unknown in the Philippines, but it was a good crowd that turned out for the show to check out this American shoegazer outfit. In fact, some of local musicians such as Up Dharma Down’s Carlos Tañada, We Are Imaginary’s Ahmad Tanji, Prank Sinatra/Sugar Hiccup’s Iman Leonardo, and Tom’s Story’s Tom Naval were some of the local musicians spotted at the show.

The San Francisco-based band performed for over 75 minutes and their songs were met with vociferous applause with fans nodding and dancing to the hypnotic and dreamy beat.

And after the show, the band was pleasantly surprised that many fans lined up to have their records (about eight fans had their records including this writer), posters, or tickets signed. A lot of folks asked for pictures as well. “You know, the applause is nourishment for a musician’s soul,” shared Palmer. “And seeing fans from all over the world have copies of your records makes you feel you’re doing something right.”

Copies of The Bilinda Butchers’ records – their lone full length album, Heaven, and a smattering of extended play albums from Regret Love Guilt Dreams and Goodbyes – are difficult to get ahold of. “We self-released many of our records and all of them are out there. I think they are pricey on (crowd source database) Discogs,” revealed Palmer. “As for our product, we made them all available in Japan so if fans want to look for it, that’s the best place to start.”

Interestingly, The Bilinda Butchers weren’t initially supposed to perform in Manila but when a Hong Kong date did not push through, RPM Management, the promoter for the Philippine show, stepped in.

“It’s rare we get good indie bands like the Bilinda Butchers to swing by Manila,” disclosed RPM’s Dino Domingo. “When we had the opportunity to make this happen, then we went for it. The goal is to also make our country a destination for all these young and exciting foreign bands.”

Speaking of young bands, Brock Lowry said he was impressed by opening act, Moon Mask. “Wherever we go, we always make it a point to check out the local bands,” said the drummer. “I was impressed with Moon Mask.”

“We had fun,” pronounced Palmer while signing autographs. “We hope to return next year, and this time, maybe on a less hectic schedule, and with our new album that will be out at the same time. Heaven is making music and people, loving our music.”