Chinese emo rockers Chinese Football to perform in Manila this Oct. 31

Chinese emo rockers Chinese Football to perform in Manila this Oct. 31

by rick olivares

From American Football to Chinese Football.

Chinese indie rock band Chinese Football will be performing in Manila this coming October 31 at Mow’s just a few months after their inspiration, American Football, hit these shores.

We spoke with the Wuhan-based band’s vocalist and guitarist Xu Bo on the eve of their first ever Southeast Asian tour with Manila their fourth stop after playing Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Xu admitted to being weaned on American Football with lead singer and guitarist Mike Kinsella in particular being his inspiration. “Their creativity and passion inspired me,” he fessed up. “But Chinese Football is not only about my taste but the preference of all four of us.”

His other bandmates include Li Lixin on bass, Wang Bo also on guitars, and Zheng Zili on drums. 

Together, they have made a name for themselves as a top indie band draw in the region having triumphantly played in Hong Kong and Japan while being feted as China’s “emo kings.”

Chinese Football was formed in 2011, and at that time, American Football was still on a hiatus. Their American counterparts went on indefinite leave despite recording a critically-acclaimed debut album in the late 1990s. American Football reunited in 2014 and have since released two more albums. They recently performed in China with Chinese Football opening for them.

“That was a surreal experience,” described Xu. “It was a dream come true. Even when they were not together, I felt that somehow, someday, we would get to perform with them. So, it was surreal to see it finally happen.”

American Football drummer Steve Lamos repaid the compliment during their Manila show by saying, “Chinese Football are a very good band. You should watch them.”

And now Filipinos will get that chance this October 31. 

The band is no slouch by any definition. Since their formation in 2011, they have been a top draw in and around China. They have recorded a full length self-titled debut album that is considered a Holy Grail when it comes to record collecting. With fans offering to purchase the vinyl release for as much as US $250, it is surprising that the album has never been sold even on Discogs. 

The emo/match rock crew has also released three extended play releases along with two seven-inch singles; one a split single with Japanese band, The White Tulips.

“I think we are lucky,” declared Xu. “Our hometown, Wuhan, is famous for its punk rock scene but because of the internet, we were able to connect with people outside our city. In fact, once a week, we play outside Wuhan. And this tour will find us in Southeast Asia for the very first time. We are excited because everything is new. Plus, we want to try the local food wherever we perform!”

 “And we’re looking forward to our show in Manila!”

Playing D'Sound's new album, Unicorn

The first album of Norway's D'Sound that does not feature the band on the cover and has a lot of guests on the songs.

Been a fan of D'Sound since their first album.

Parokya ni Edgar’s October 22 Alumni Homecoming

Parokya ni Edgar’s October 22 Alumni Homecoming

By Rick Olivares

Twenty-six years ago, all the band Parokya ni Edgar wanted to achieve was to perform at the Ateneo High School’s Dulaang Sibol. 

The Dulaang Sibol is the Ateneo High School’s theater group and the band was formed during their high school years at the Katipunan-based academic institution. 

Although, Parokya ni Edgar never did get to achieve that although they have pretty much performed in other places they collectively never dreamed they would – the United States and Canada, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Furthermore, they also opened for the Eraserheads for a show at the Ateneo college, had their plaque at Eastwood City’s Walk of Fame, and won a slew of awards from the NU Rock Awards to the Awit Awards to MTV, Nickelodeon, Yahoo, Myx, and other awards bodies.

“But we did get to Sibol,” corrected bassist Gab Chee Kee. “Except… career talk yun.”

That is so Parokya ni Edgar. There is always that last word or something more.

The band made a name for themselves for their zany and humorous songs such as “Lutong Bahay”, “Picha Pie”, Chikinini”, and “Mr. Suave” among many others. Their performances were energetic if not exercises in perpetual motion. 

Even close to 30 years later, they have not slowed down. Siuro yung buhay masyadong seryoso. Mahirap na pati sa mga kanta at tugtog namin, ganyan din kami,” shared guitarist Darius Semana.  

And sure enough this coming Tuesday, October 22, that school boy kulitan and infectious energy will be on full display in a show titled, “Parokya ni Edgar’s Alumni Homecoming.”

The proceeds of the concert that will be held at the Music Museum will go to the Ateneo High School’s Tulong Dunong scholars.

The Tulong Dunong program is a long-standing activity of all high school seniors who teach various subjects to the public schools in surrounding areas. By the end of the academic year, the public school students take the Ateneo entrance exams. Those who pass are given Tulong Dunong scholarships.

“This was something meaningful for us when we were high school students and of its beneficiaries,” pointed our Parokya lead vocalist Chito Miranda. “This is one way of giving back.”

Aside from the show’s benefit nature, this concert will be the first time in decades where two of the band’s original members – Jeric Estaco and Mikko Yap – will perform with the band since their high school days at the Ateneo. Also making an appearance is back-up vocalist Vincent Montaner who recently retired (although he did make an unannounced appearance in Parokya’s recent show at 70s Bistro when guitarist Buwi Meneses came over for a vacation) from the band.

“I think the secret to the band’s longevity is our friendship,” pointed our Miranda. “We were classmates and friends first before bandmates and that helps. But like any other family, we have our disagreements and fights. But at the end of the day, we are friends, former classmates, and now, family.”

Almost everyone has their own immediate family now. Yet in spite of their responsibilities as family men, the band soldiers on.

“Take a look at our schedule for the next two and a half months,” invited Miranda. True enough, for the remainder of October all the way to December, half of every month will find the band performing somewhere. “The band still occupies a lot of our time. The remainder of the month, of course, goes to our families. We know what is important.”

“The band’s schedule can be crazy,” pointed out manager Alan Montero who himself is a musician performing with band such as Soft Pillow Kisses. “We have to make sure that there is a balance for family time and rest.”

Save for Miranda who occasionally performs or records with other singers and other bands, no other member (perhaps save for Meneses who has his own band in Los Angeles with former Wolfgang drummer Wolf Gemora and former Sugar Hiccup vocalist Melody del Mundo) has any side band project. “We are committed to Parokya ni Edgar,” drummer Dindin Moreno was sure to impress upon us. 

In their entire history, Parokya ni Edgar has recorded 10 albums and released two compilation albums and two live albums. That is roughly an album every two years. “For now, we put songs out digitally,” said Miranda. “When we have a sufficient number of songs, then we will release them physically.”

“Our albums – the artwork, design, and liner notes -- are something we take very seriously,” pronounced Chee Kee. “We know our fans like it. We like doing them.”

“Nung lumabas yung mga albums ng Eraserheads, Yano, and others, lahat ng lyrics binabasa namin,” added Miranda. “Kasama na mga credits.”

For now, the band is eyeing a new release come 2021 which will be the 25^th anniversary of the band’s debut album, Khangkhungkhernitz. 

“I think we are having way too much fun to stop,” concluded Miranda. “Malaking trip din to see a new generation of Parokya fans who know our songs and have our albums. While we look to the future, for Alumni Homecoming, we will look to the past and have some fun. Kaya nga tinatawag ng ‘good old days.’”

Slowing down with Atlanta duo, Lights Follow

Slowing down with Atlanta duo, Lights Follow

by rick olivares

Atlanta, Georgia duo Lights Follow scored a massive hit with the song, “Slow Down” aided by its use as the theme on the Japanese reality television show, Terrace House, for three seasons. 

Both the song and the Netflix series have taken the world and the Philippines by storm. For the Lights Follow – Matthew Heath and Grady Griggs – it has given them the opportunity to showcase their talent and their deep and catchy songs that also includes their latest hit, “FLT RSK”. 

We spoke with Heath (who just returned from a vacation) about how “Slow Down” came to be a hit, their new hit, “FLT RSK”, and the possibility of performing in Southeast Asia.

“The song comes from a super personal place for me,” bared Heath. “My wife and I recently had our first child and I was just to the point where I was doing music production and writing full time. Up until then, it was a huge struggle – working in restaurants at night and writing and producing by day. I had been doing music full time for five months and felt this overwhelming need to hustle so I would not go back to working in restaurants. ‘Slow Down’ was a note to myself kind of song. It was me preaching that I needed to be careful and to step back why I was working so hard. I was losing sight of what was important – my family.  The song allowed me to process what I was feeling and was a tangible reminder to ‘slow down.’”

Then Netflix came calling through Lights Follow’s licensing company, 5 Alarm. 

“We had written the song prior to Terrace House and then someone called and said, ‘Congrats on the Terrace House theme,’” added Heath. 

The duo hadn’t heard of the fly-on-the-wall reality television show that follows the life of three female and three male strangers -- all who are Japanese -- who live in a beautiful home in an exquisite setting in Japan (except for the fourth season which was shot entirely in Hawaii). Because of the uniqueness of the environment, it makes for a lot of drama. Terrace House, now on its fifth season, used “Slow Down” as its theme song for Season 2 (Boys and Girls Next Door), Season 3 (Boys and Girls in the City), and Season 4 (Aloha State).

“Grady and I were blown away,” admitted Heath when contacted about the use of the song. “We couldn’t believe that our song was the theme for a television show. I wish I could say that it was written specifically for the show but I do think there is a bit of serendipity involved because it fits the show like a glove.”

Even with the new series for Terrace House Tokyo House 2019-20, the shows fans have become rabid Lights Follow fans. “Fans of Terrace House have been amazing. They are the kindest and most considerate group of fans we have ever encountered,” said Heath. “The song still has a steady following on Spotify and Apple Music because of the show.”

“Slow Down” is also used as a walk up song by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda who has been a guest commentator on the show and helped turn his baseball teammates into fans of the show. 

And that helped propel their new single “FLT RSK” (read as flight risk). Ordinarily, the term has a negative connotation as it is someone who is deemed to likely leave the country before a trial or a hearing. The band flipped the idea to turn it into something positive – about people who are not supposed to succeed in life but do so anyway.

“We love the idea of using conflict and extracting something positive from it,” summed up Heath. “The tension between conflicted verses lyrics and resolved chorus lyrics is just something very satisfying.”

The deeply personal nature of Lights Follow’s songs have seen them acquire a fan base all over the world – something Heath describes as “mind-boggling” – including Manila.

As for performing in Southeast Asia and the Philippines, Matt did say that both Grady and himself are open to the idea. “Neither of us have been to Manila, but we would love to visit,” enthused Heath. “We are open to all possibilities.”

Playing The White Tulips/Chinese Football

Love this! Noise pop from Japan courtesy of The White Tulips and the American Football-inspired Chinese emo band, Chinese Football.

Good stuff from all over the world.

Fil-Am musician Chris Icasiano on playing with Pure Bathing Culture and releasing a solo album

Fil-Am musician Chris Icasiano on playing with Pure Bathing Culture and releasing a solo album

by rick olivares

Filipino-American indie rock legends, Versus, out of New York city have created a buzz with the release of a new extended play album and full length album in Ex Nihilo and Ex Voto respectively over the past few months after keeping quiet for almost a decade. Also making some noise in the American music scene is Fil-Am drummer Chris Icasiano who is the man behind the beat of indie pop legends, Pure Bathing Culture.

Pure Bathing Culture made a splash in 2013 with their album, Moon Tides that was a rich meld of indie and dream pop with the single, “Pendulum” making many a year-end best-of list. 

Icasiano, a veteran of many a Pacific Northwest band recently joined the band that has also gained traction with the release of their new album, Night Pass, along with vocalist Sarah Vesprille’s occasional side gigs with Midwest legends, American Football. 

In support of the tour of American Indie pop Generationals (who just released a new album titled Reader As Detective) is Portland-based band, Pure Bathing Culture. 

We spoke to Icasiano as Pure Bathing Culture took a break from touring (their next show is on the 23^rdof October) in support of indie pop band, Generationals that released a new album. The drummer talked about playing with his new band, releasing a solo album in 2020 and serving Filipino food for the rest of his bandmates.

“I was born in Redmond, Washington and lived in the Seattle area all his life,” bared Icasiano. “As far back as he can remember, I was always into music. I grew up in the 90's, so some of my main musical influences come from the RnB and hip-hop of that era as I was really into artists like Boyz II Men, TLC, Lauryn Hill, Jodeci, etc...”

“My parents are also big music enthusiasts, and at a young age they exposed me to bands like Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago, The Beatles, and James Taylor. My mom is also a pianist, so I grew up listening to her practice piano late at night. In fact, she even released two records of her own that are both New Age solo piano music.”

Chris learned to play the drums at eight years of age and what followed was a life-long love affair with the instrument.

“I was always really interested in jazz and quickly discovered some of the classic albums like Kind of Blue by Miles Davis, and Blue Trane by John Coltrane. I was hooked and made the decision to pursue music at the University of Washington in Seattle. This is probably the time in my life when drummers influenced me the most because I was digging deep into the history and continuing legacy of jazz. My favorites being Jack DeJohnette, Jimmy Cobb, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams. Later in my education, I started listening to more experimental music and free-jazz and discovered the modern jazz greats like Rashied Ali, Brian Blade, Bill Stewart, Ted Poor, and Jim Black. I basically try to sound like an amalgamation of all these folks.”

Prior to hooking up with Pure Bathing Culture, Icasiano played with jazz duo, Bad Luck, alongside his University of Washington classmate, saxophonist, Neil Welch. “The band is a drum and saxophone duo with amplified effects. It comes directly out of our jazz influence, but also contains elements of all the other musical genres that we love. It's great because we can play in jazz clubs, and we can also play house shows with punk and hardcore bands.”

Speaking of rock bands, Chris also plays the drums for Ings, a band he describes as playing “lullaby rock” with an album coming out this November 2019. 

“My first solo project called Provinces will be coming out in February 2020,” revealed Icasiano. “It's more of an experimental album that deals with themes of discovering and connecting with cultural identity. This is a very important project for me because this is my first venture as a solo artist and it is deeply tied to my experience as a Filipino-American.”

And Chris takes every occasion to cook for his bandmates. “I cook for them every chance I got,” he revealed. 

“I first met Sarah and Dan of Pure Bathing Culture back in 2013,” shared Chris of his first meeting with the band.” I was playing drums in a band called Poor Moon, and our two bands went on tour together down the west coast. We got along really well and became and remained good friends ever since. We always talked about playing together, and I even subbed on a couple shows shortly after that, but never anything regular.”

Fast-forward to 2017, Icasiano received a call from Vesprille and Dan (Hindman), “The band was in transition. They had left their record label and Brian Wright, the original drummer, left the band to pursue some other life things. They asked me to play, and I basically said, ‘It's about time! I've been waiting for you to ask me to play with PBC for years!’ It was a bit of a slow start because the band was in between records and things seemed to be in flux and uncertain for the time being. Fortunately, Sarah and Dan work tirelessly and we toured off and on for about a year and a half. Then, they were finally able to release their latest record Night Pass in April 2019, and we were on the road for much of the Spring.”

“It's been a really fun band to be a part of. Everyone is so talented and has very distinct artistic vision and voice. I think we are all able to bring a lot of our own personality to the live performance, while staying true to the recording and arrangement. Everyone in the band truly shreds and it's really fun an inspiring to be a part of. Plus, we all get along really well. It's a very familial feeling I get when we're on the road. And we laugh a lot.”

Ghost World... the graphic novel and the soundtrack

A cool surprise find -- Jose Mari Chan's Constant Change.

Look what walked in this Wednesday morning? The bote dyaryo guy rang the doorbell and sold me this record for 50 bucks! Fifty bucks! For this OPM classic -- Jose Mari Chan's Constant Change that has sold close to a million copies!

Christmas came early!