At Roxy Records & Trading (Singapore)

Went to this long-operating vinyl record store, Roxy Records & Trading located at Excelsior Shopping Centre in Singapore. They carry a lot of records that you will not find in Metro Manila.  Good stuff here.

Picked up Cynic's Uro Boric Forms, local hardcore band Opposition Party and their extended play single, Tales to Horrify. Also got a local progressive rock band, Coen and their album, Remnants of Yesterday. They were able to get Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess to play on one track, "Perpetual: Remnants of Yesterday."

At Surface Noise Records (Singapore)

I finally got to go to this underground record store located at the Textile Centre -- of all places -- along Jalan Basar. It totally reminds me of Manila's Mutilated Noise but with a wider array of choices (hardcore, punk, emo, post-rock, and alternative).

There was a lot that I wanted. The problem is I am scrimping so I got Cult Leader's A Patient Man and Operation Ivy's Lint: The King of Ska.

Easily, I wanted to get at least a dozen records! Not counting the zines.

That is why I will return.

An early bootleg recording of Operation Ivy songs. And the second press of Cult Leader's A Patient Man. Added both to my collection.

Coming soon.. Fuseboxx's live official bootleg album

 

While waiting for Fuseboxx' third album, here is something to whet your prog rock appetite.... our official live bootleg album during our Block Party last November 8. It is a double cd release.

The Eraserheads' Ultraelectromagneticpop on vinyl

Got a complete collection of the Eraserheads' Ultraelectromagneticpop: the vinyl, the original compact disc and the re-mastered version that appeared in the box set from Greenwich, and the cassette.

Planning a show before the year ends

Planning a show with these bands... 

... before the year ends.

Red-I and Cebu’s King Spade release Kings Music Ep on vinyl

Red-I and Cebu’s King Spade release Kings Music Ep on vinyl

by rick olivares

Last weekend, November 9-10 saw the release of Kings Music from local dub artists Red-I and Kings Spade.

The Quezon City-based dub master Red-I and Cebu’s King Space collaborated on the four-track Kings Music (released under Japanese independent label Oto Records).

After Red-I independently released the full-length album, Jahdgement Day in April of 2012, it helped re-start the local vinyl release craze. That 15-track record had this progressive feel to dub music that is an off-shoot of reggae music. 

It did take Red-I six years before he followed up Jahdgement Day with 2018’s the Natty Dread I Beat; a seven-inch extended play record. However, the Quezon City-based dub artist has been rather prolific this 2019. 

In March of 2019, he put out the Mystic Revelation EP. After Kings Music, he has this double album scheduled for late this November or early December. In between, Red-I also found time to perform in the One Love Festival from late August to early September in England.

The two top tracks from Kings Music are “Soundsystem” and “Jah Light”. 

“The local dub scene is getting bigger and is attracting more attention,” said Red-I before his trip to England. “We recently saw British dub musician Vibronics perform here among many others. And now, our local productions are getting noticed overseas.”

For his part, Kings Spade hopes that this release will give Cebu-based reggae and dub artists some attention. Most of the known reggae bands are based in Manila. There are some who are based in the provinces who have gained a measure of popularity such as Cebu’s Junior Kilat that first came into a national consciousness when they were included in the 2004 compilation album, Island Riddims. Since then, Junior Kilat has released three albums. Olongapo has its share of reggae artists in the late Blackdyak and Herb Culture. 

Kings Music is a limited edition pressing with only 300 copies (priced at PhP 1,200) made available to fans. It is available on Red-I’s Facebook page, his bandcamp site, and at Treskul Records in Mandaluyong City.

New Filipino hardcore records!

Still Ill releases new Veils and Pilipinas Hardcore EPs

by rick olivares

Sunday, November 10 saw hardworking underground hardcore label Still Ill release two new offerings. Feted that evening at Mow’s in Teacher’s Village, Quezon City was hardcore band Veils who launched their second extended play single, Wellwisher’s Tongue. 

Bands like Sandy Good, Hex, Value Lasts, Killratio, No One Wins, Surrogate Prey, Repetition, and Collect opened the party for Veils. 

Also available was the seven-inch test pressing of Pilipinas Hardcore II. 

Wellwisher’s Tongue, the 33^rd offering from Still Ill, follows Veils’ late 2016 self-titled debut, and renews their brutal assault of metallic hardcore against the ills of Philippine society. The new EP features six tracks with the lead off songs, “Havl,” “Swarm,” and “Embrace” of which fans were given a sneak preview in a cassette release last April.

Also included in the new EP is a cover of American punk band Circle jerks’ “Beat Me Senseless.”

Veils’ debut EP prophesied the national turmoil today. Wellwisher’s Tongue isn’t simply a “I told you so” but more of like an angry diatribe into where we are today.

Although a test press – with its regular release a few months away -- the much-awaited Pilipinas Hardcore II follows the successful Pilipinas Hardcore compilation from March of 2018. The sequel features bands like Realidad, Repetition, Collect, Alas, and Indifference.

The first Pilipinas Hardcore compilation featured bands such as Veils, Barred, Badmouth, and XFortressX. Barred’s first full-length record, Bloodstained Existence is also on the way and should be on sale for local fans in a month or so.

Check out Still Ill’s Facebook and Bandcamp pages for information on how to get physical and digital copies of their brand of pummeling hardcore.

Fuseboxx unveils new line-up; records new live album and announces plans for 2020.

Fuseboxx unveils new line-up; records new live album and announces plans for 2020.

by rick olivares

Friday night, November 8, was a special night for Filipino progressive music band, Fuseboxx, and the fans who braved the horrendous traffic that day for the former’s show titled Block Party, at the 123 Block in Mandaluyong City.

The fans were treated to several firsts that evening. 

For one, the band officially presented its new line-up of Bea Lao (formerly of General Luna) behind the drum kit with vocalist Gala Sanchez (who joined the band in mid-2018) guitarist Mico Ong, keyboardist Eric Tubon, and Chapman Stick player and keyboardist Abby Clutario.

Lao is more than another pretty face on a talented band. Her stick work is precise and meticulous not to mention, imaginative. 

Second, the band performed its new single “New Beginning” and presented its accompanying new music video that was produced by production house, The Jumpcat Experiment.

Hip hop artists KJah and Juss Rye were among the special guests who joined the band that evening. The hip hop duo performed their upcoming second single, Hanggang Kailan” (that is about dealing with depression) along with Clutario who recorded the song with the duo. 

“Hanggang Kailan” was performed publicly for the first time and hasn’t been released on any platform. The duo has been on a tear of late with KJah participating in Juss Rye’s basketball-themed song, song, “Pasa Pasa” along with rapper Kemikal Ali and Mike Kosa. The two collaborated on the song, “Pamantayan” that they also performed for the 123 Block audience.

Others guest performers included violinist Jemay Dadap and Herbert Jose on cello who performed with the band on the songs “Reflections” and “Hibang” giving Fuseboxx’s dynamic progressive rock a different dimension. 

And lastly, the show -- that nearly clocked two hours -- was recorded live and will be released as an official album for fans while waiting for the third studio album. The live album will be out on compact disc in two weeks. The live album, according to Tubon, “will whet their fans’ appetite until the release of their much-awaited third album that is scheduled for a mid-2020 unveiling.”

Another treat for fans is Fuseboxx’s upcoming Christmas song that Clutario described as “a progressive take on a traditional Christmas song.” That song will be out soon as well.

The progressive rock band first made a name for themselves after winning the Muziklaban contest in 2003. They released their self-titled debut album in 2006 and followed it up with a sparkling sophomore album titled Animated in 2011.

The band has seen numerous personnel changes since their formation in 2001 and their winning the Red Horse Muziklaban contest in 2003. Tubon and Clutario are the remaining original members of the band since they began recording. Ong on the other hand, joined the band around prior to the recording of Animated. With Sanchez on vocals and Lao on drums, the band is back to a five-piece unit.

Their Block Party show, according to spectators, fully showcased Sanchez’ vocal range and ranks among the band’s best performances. “They sounded really good especially their dynamics,” said Jerome Clemente of fellow prog band, Luminus. “Their sound is more balanced now with the new drummer (Lao). She’s not overpowering the band at all. Great control.”

That dynamic and control is what Fuseboxx is looking forward to when they hit the studio soon to record their new and third album. The band teased some “foreign” guest performers on the album.

“We’re excited about the new direction we’re heading towards,” summed up Tubon. “We not only hope to do new music, but also make a case for Filipino progressive music abroad.”

Fuseboxx Block Party at the 123 Block

I manage two bands -- indie ukelele rock band, Esremborak, and progressive rock band, Fuseboxx. Last Friday, November 8, Fuseboxx held its first ever show at the 123 Block in Mandaluyong City. 

This was to unveil the new line-up of Abby Clutario (Chapman Stick, keyboards, and vocals), Eric Tubon (keyboards), Mico Ong (guitars), Gala Sanchez (vocals), and Bea Lao (drums) as well as the new single, "New Beginning" and its accompanying video. 

We also shared plans for the new Christmas song, the new album (painted cover and teased our guests performers), and some plans such as the prog festival, the tour, and our direction.

Got the band to sign the show poster. We also issued tickets that make for a nice souvenir. We also sold our new t-shirt and a souvenir Fuseboxx guitar pick!

We had guest performers in violinist Jemay Dadap and cellist Herbert Josue. And rapper KJah and hp hop artist Juss Rye.

Over 80 folks showed up for the Block Party and we thank them for this. We recorded the show and will be releasing a live album on compact disc for Block Party.

A Cultural Discourse: Chinese Football in Manila

A Cultural Discourse: Chinese Football in Manila

by rick olivares

Chinese Football vocalist and guitarist Xu Bo sat outside by the tables in Mow’s. he was checking his messages from back home. 

Home is Wuhan, China. Xu and his bandmates – bassist Li Lixin, guitarist Wang Bo, and drummer Zheng Zili -- are on their first trip outside their native China and Japan. Manila is the final stop of their Southeast Asian Tour and its fortuitous that its Halloween Night. As the following day is a holiday in the Philippines, Mow’s, that unlikely rock club in the basement underneath a decades-old Chinese restaurant, is packed. One of the air-conditioning units isn’t working properly and it’s almost like a sauna inside. 

“In China, it’s approaching winter now and it’s cold,” Xu says in halting English. “Here… it is very hot.”

Bo smiled. Humid or not, Chinese Football are happy to be here. He is equally surprised to see the band have a lot of listeners and fans in their stops in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and now, the Philippines (thanks to those guys and gals of Sleeping Boy Collective0.

He explains in the days when the internet wasn’t what it is today, about discovering American Football that laid the foundation for his band. “That band,” he said, “changed my life.”

The bespectacled Bo is shy kid from Wuhan who found something outside the punk rock scene that Wuhan is known for. “We don’t know if we go out of Wuhan, but here we are seeing the world,” he enthused while shaking his head. He gropes for the right words.

“Surreal,” I fill in the blanks.

“Yes. Yes.”

Imagine what it was like opening for his heroes, American Football, last July 30 at the gorgeous Omni Space that has turned the quiet residential Tianqiao district into a cultural mecca that has supplanted Gulao as Beijing’s music epicenter. 

While still in dreamland, the band, along with their American heroes, made the 12-plus hour train ride to Shanghai for another show; this time at the Mao Livehouse. 

“Two of the best days of my life,” Xu underscored with a toothy grin. No doubt, the memories remain vivid like it was only yesterday. 

Like American Football that embarked on a Southeast Asian sojourn after that, Chinese Football have followed suit. 

The tour has been fun and eye-opening. “We learn from new cultures,” he put in.

Chinese Football is the sum of American Football, indie music, video games, Japanese anime and manga, and a love for soccer. The name of the band wasn’t merely an homage, but also poking some fun at their national football team. While some fans have criticized Chinese Football for ripping off their American idols, Xu insists that is far from the truth. “I was the only one who knew of Mike Kinsella’s (American Football’s vocalist and chief songwriter) outfit,” Xu said. “My other bandmates listen to other music that isn’t even like American Football. But it isn’t like we listen to a lot of bands. We are simple people.”

Simple. And unobtrusive.

At one point, while he sat outside checking his messages, a fan engaged him in conversation; not knowing who he was. 

“Do you know the band,” the fan asked.

“Yes,” Bo replied.

“They (Chinese Football) are good.”

“Thank you. I will tell my bandmates,” he added.

It’s easy for Xu to get lost in the crowd. Sporting a shirt of New Jersey, USA emo band, Saves the Day, a baseball cap with “Kawasaki city” on it (he went to school in Japan), and jeans, he’s just like one of the man fans who trooped on a rainy Thursday night to Mow’s. 

Chinese Football's Manila setlist

During their set (featuring songs from their self-titled debut full-length album and three other extended play albums) at Mow’s that lasted well over an hour, Xu admitted to be surprised about the local fans singing along to their songs even if it was in Chinese. When he apologized for his poor English, the fans encouraged him on. By the final song of their long set, the fans chanted, “Please come back.”

After the show ended, the fans gave the band an extended ovation. While gathering his gear, Xu and his bandmates were pleasantly surprised to see many fans come over for autographs and selfies. 

The band obliged while some of their fellow countrymen who attended the show proudly watched on.

“I know there are some Chinese fans in the crowd, but to see the Filipino fans enjoy and have a good time… that was amazing,” summed up Xu. “You can add this Southeast Asian Tour to one of the best days of my life.”

Chinese Football's Xu Bo signed compact discs for fans.

With Chinese Football's Xu Bo (top) and drummer Zheng Zili (below).

Playing this DC Punk Classic

The Make An Effort EP from Washington DC punk band, Government Issue.

Playing The Free Design Redseigned!

Gorgeous album by one of the 1960s best baroque pop/psychedelic bands.

Fuseboxx Block Party this Friday, November 8 at the 123 Block

A Countdown til Singapore: My U2 retrospective - Under A Blood Red Sky

A Countdown til Singapore: My U2 retrospective – Under A Blood Red Sky

Released in November 1983 nine months after War came out.

In 28 days, I will be watching my first U2 show ever. I have crossed paths with a few of their shows before in the United States, but either I wasn’t free on that date or I couldn’t get a ticket right away (I refused to pay scalper prices).

Here are my memories of U2’s first live release.

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of this album is MTV. Yes, the first ever video music channel was the hottest thing back then. Although it came out two years earlier, by 1983, Betamax tapes of MTV broadcasts were circulating. It was our chance to watch these music videos of these bands that we heard and liked but didn’t know enough; couldn’t get enough. Well, that was something back in the day. Jingle magazine was the closest and cheapest way to get info as they ripped off news from Rolling Stone and Creem. 

But I loved watching those tapes and even bought a few myself even if it was expensive. And… I had this crush on VJ Martha Quinn (yes, over Nina Blackwood). 

Okay, I’m straying. But it is through these tapes where I saw the live video of “Sunday Bloody Sunday” from the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Boulder, Colorado where Under A Blood Red Sky was taped. The fog and torch lights due to the inclement weather made it a surreal viewing experience. As was the flag waving of Bono while singing “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”

Back in school, Bono’s intro to the song, “This song is not a rebel song. This song is ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’” was powerful stuff. Again, this was during the violence back in Northern Ireland that was making news everywhere (that I wrote at great length in my essay for War). 

I only read decades later how this video release changed the band’s fortunes as it presented the band to North Americans that they were indeed a great live act. Oh, yes they are and I do own a copy of the DVD release of Under A Blood Red Sky along with Rattle and Hum and other live shows. Furthermore, I will be seeing them for the first time in Singapore.

The record of the show actually came out ahead of the film by a few months. So I didn’t get to see the full length film until about a year later when I purchased a pirated Betamax tape of the film in a shop somewhere in Quiapo.

I didn’t even fully realize it at that time although it was in the liner notes of the album that only two of the songs featured on the Under A Blood Red Sky record were from the Red Rocks show – “Gloria” and “Party Girl.” 

The cover of the album though featuring a silhouette of Bono at Red Rocks was bewitching. 

Listening to the record then (I first got the local pressing and about four years later, the US press), my favorite live versions were “11 O’clock Tick Tock”: that came out in an EP titled Three and was the B-Side for “Another Day” and “40” that featured the crowd singing “How long to sing this song?” 

I love the ethereal production for the War album, but the live version is something else. The crowd singing along does it. 

And that was an amazing way to end the show, and in fact, most of their concerts back in the 1980s. And that began that dream of seeing U2 in concert.

Like Oasis’ “Acquiesce”, I think that 11’OClock Tick Tock” is one of those great non-album releases by any band.

I was able to get a copy of Three much later – around 2000 at Greenwich Village in New York while hunting for 1980s New York hardcore records.

Back to the record… although I played it a lot during the first few months when I got Under A Blood Red Sky, I have hardly played it since. I did a few months ago when I began playing all their albums on my turntable in order. For the most part, I have opted for Boy and War where most of the songs are culled from.

In spite of that, I have fond memories of the record (along with Red Rocks, MTV and Martha Quinn, and going to Quiapo to buy my pirated Betamax tape of the show.

My Chinese Football signed record and compact discs plus their Manila setlist (at Mow's).

Now I have the set lists of both American Football and Chinese Football from their Manila shows.

I got my compact discs and records signed by the band.

The limited edition lathe cut of "Rafting in the World".