The fire and ephemeral vibe: Put3ska is back.

The fire and ephemeral vibe: Put3ska is back.

by rick olivares

Arnold Morales, his hair dyed platinum blonde, arrived at the Blue Light Studios in Kamuning for practice with Put3ska for their upcoming Reunion Concert at the Music Museum this May 24.

Lugging his black Gretsch guitar, he wore a vest plastered with the logos of American ska bands The Toasters and The Pietasters.

Since he first came up with punk band College and then the Urban Bandits and later with ska crew, Put3ska, he has alternated between punk, skinhead, to a local facsimile of the Specials’ version of Walt Jabsco. Yet for all his incarnations, the passionate fire has always burned in Morales’ eyes. 

This is a man who takes his music very very seriously. He has been a huge force in arguably two of the greatest albums in Filipino music history in the Urban Bandits’ punk classic, It’s Independence Day, and Put3ska’s self-titled debut. 

In recent years, Morales has enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance. The Urban Bandits reunited for a show and while the band hasn’t performed since, they have recorded six new songs that are partially finished for the Urban Bandits’ long-awaited second album. In the meantime, he has jammed with punk outfit, Bad Omen.

And there is the Put3ska reunion that has reignited that fire. According to Put3ska bassist Rommel Cruz, Morales has written three new ones for the band; some of which will be unveiled at the reunion show. 

There have been feel good vibes since the reunion was announced last February. And while it is full steam ahead, it hasn’t been without a little problem as a former member has without valid rhyme or reason suddenly dropped out of the reunion while stirring up some controversy about claiming that it was he who came up with the band name when it wasn’t. 

“Nauubos na ang pasensiya ko,” he said in a low voice during the band interview prior to practice.

Put3ska bandmate and vocalist Skarlet Brown puts a calming hand on Morales’ arm. 

The fire is stilled. 

A former rock club owner recently remarked that it isn’t Put3ska without any issues. And true enough it is those issues that saw the untimely demise of one of the best livewire acts of the 1990s’ band explosion. 

Put3ska released two well-received and best-selling albums. They toured heavily and were fixtures in the music scene as well as on television and radio. Even talk show hosts invited the band for guest appearances. 

That was then, and this is now.

The local ska scene is alive and well. There are bands all over the archipelago gigging and releasing albums on vinyl, compact disc, or cassette. Many make their discography available online. And there is a regular ska stage during the annual Fete dela Musique. 

For Morales, the reunion – that will also beget a tour and a new album – isn’t about reclaiming the throne or whatnot. He doesn’t care for such plaudits. “It’s about the music, mate,” he clarifies. “Wala akong pake kung ano yung uso. We just make music we like. Kung meron may gusto then great. We go.”

His Put3ska bandmates are excited for many reasons. Aside from returning to their roots gearing up like the good old days, the new songs have are cause for excitement. Morales has rediscovered his mojo. 

Bassist Rommel Cruz who himself cannot contain his excitement, is more succinct, “This is not only about a show, but also about making new music.”

“Ska appeals to the hips, mate,” Morales pointed out. “The Filipino references appeal to the heart.”

That in a nutshell is Put3ska. 

When they hit the stage on the 24^thof May in full ska gear, they will feature members from various incarnations of the band. 

“The show is also about family,” Brown was quick to point out. 

“Family means not only the immediate ones we love but also to all the members,” chimed in Emelee Nicart who has taken on the role of project manager for the reunion. Along with the re-release of the debut album on vinyl of fellow 1990s scene-ster the Eraserheads, the 1990s are alive and kicking. 

“Hindi siya revival kasi malaking disrespect yan sa mga ska na banda na patuloy pa rin sa eksena,” debunked Morales once more of any plaudits. “This is about making music.”

The man with the black Gretsch guitar then entered the studio and opened up the sheet music. Intently studying old songs and their arrangements. After a few minutes, he looked up from the music stand then smiled and nodded. 

There was no need for words as Put3ska launched into their classic song, “Short Stories.” 

The good times are on a roll.