Talking to Fil-Am hardcore legend Joe Songco Part 2

Talking to Fil-Am hardcore legend Joe Songco Part 2

by rick olivares

In our previous article, we introduced the Philippines at large to one of our own who was with the nascent hardcore punk scene in New York City back in the 1980s – Joe Songco who pounds the skins for Astoria-based crew, Outburst.

Aside from Songco, Outburst also featured another Filipino-American in Jay Rufino who left the band a few years ago.

Outburst recorded an EP, Miles to Go, and appeared on many a hardcore compilation album since. The band has something cooking for 2019.

During the 1980s, New York hardcore bands that paved the way were Agnostic Front, the Cro-Mags, Crumbsuckers, Kraut, Murphy’s Law, Antidote, and Ludichrist to name a few. Although Washington DC and Los Angeles had its own scene going even ahead of New York, the Big Apple scene was the biggest and arguably the most influential; remaining vibrant to this day.

However, back then, when Outburst came out in 1987, they quickly partied with the big boys. They shared the stage with legendary bands like Gorilla Biscuits, Judge, Youth of Today, and many other of their musical heroes.

“Those bands were like the teachers,” reflected Songco. “And we were the students because what came next was basically the students taking the lessons we learned and applying them. Everyone was forming, recording demo tapes and bringing them down to Some Records. Then came the compilations: The Revelation NYHC inch record and The Way It Is LP, the New Breed Tape, Blackout’s Where the Wild Things Are – they all were so important in getting everyone’s music out there.”

“I would definitely say the scene’s vibe between 1987-89 felt like it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing to many of us,” added Songco. “There were hardcore shows every week and we were making friends with all these kids in other bands, playing shows together, and hanging out. I think (fellow band) the Youth of Today song ‘Together’ probably sums up the feeling of that time best: ‘I will never forget all that we’ve done, all that its meant.’”

“There’s a line in the song ‘Dedication’ by Brand Nubian where Grand Puba that says ‘Just because I’m a rapper doesn’t mean I’m not a fan.’ That’s kind of how it’s always been, at least for me for all of the bands we’ve shared stages and bills with. And you kind of hope they feel the same about your band when you’re playing together. Because we came up together following the same path, for the most part there’s always been this respect, like brothers in a fraternity. Maybe throw in a little friendly rivalry of wanting to be at the top of your games but really it’s just been a feeling of ‘Let’s give the crowd the best show and represent this scene the best we can, together.’”

While life in got in the way for many bands, Outburst included, Songco and most of his mates stayed in the scene that has is undergoing a revival of sorts.

“There are so many great bands keeping hardcore going strong right now,” beamed the drummer who by day works in the legal and compliance field of the securities industry. “My list of bands I follow would be way too long but Backtrack, Power Trip, Fury, Krimewatch, King Nine, Mizery, Search, Higher Power are all insane.”

“The scene today isn’t just a boys’ club. The female presence is much more noticeable. You can look up on stage and see bands like Krimewatch and Nosebleed, and they’re getting photographed by Angela Owens and Danielle Dombrowski. You can look into the crowds at the shows and see a growing number of girls coming out to support the scene. That’s good stuff right there.”

It isn’t only the hardcore punk scene that is evolving. Both the United States and the Philippines – not to mention many countries are undergoing political upheavals and Songco couldn’t help but think of a song he penned some time ago. “Personally speaking, I can’t believe that a lyric I came up with so long ago can be perfectly applied today – ‘I’m looking at the world I live in. I don’t like what I see,’” he quoted from the song, “The Hard Way.”

Thirty years later today, Songco and Outburst remain in business. In his free time, Joe listens to a lot of other music. “During the summer of 2018, I listened to a lot of Foo Fighters. This past month I’ve been listening to a lot of Queen. I frequently do extensive binge listening to 90’s R&B slow jams and I’ve come late to the party on the music of Pasek & Paul and healthy doses of Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman soundtracks.”

One difference that brings joy to Songco is how his family comes down to his band’s shows. “Annie (his wife) and the kids came to our show early this November in Brooklyn with Ice Cold Killers, Krimewatch, King Nine and Killing Time. That was a lot of fun. Both my kids enjoy “The Hard Way” but usually they don’t actively seek Outburst to listen to it.

We’re no 21 Pilots hahahaha.”