Looking forward to watch Brazilian thrash metal band Nervosa

Playing Hooverphonic's A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular

When I got Belgian electronic rock and triphop band Hooverphonic's A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular, it was in 1996. From the Alternative Rock 90s this was the time I was getting into acid jazz and Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky and indie pop bands Saint Etienne, Blackbox Recorder and Mandalay that gave off this Hooverphonic vibe and right before I jumped into Nu Metal.

I picked up this record at Kim's Audio and Video on a whim (as an import and pressed in Belgium!). I was blown away and began to follow them. Later caught them during their Jackie Kane tour. Awesome band.

Neo-soul artist (((O))) releases the beautiful Sundrop (((1)))

Neo-soul artist (((O))) releases the beautiful Sundrop (((1)))

By Rick Olivares

One of the more intriguing releases is neo-soul artist (((O)))’s Sundrop (((1))) that came out on digital platforms last November 2019 and released on vinyl this early January.

Sundrop (((1))) is an album that you have to be listening to attentively. This isn’t like elevator muzak or lounge music. It’s like noodling late night on a keyboard or a guitar while infusing it with traces or water drops of hiphop, jazz, electronica, African polyrhythms, and soul. I am reminded of the music of Nitin Sawhney with the lovely voice of Nicky Wells, Massive Attack, and Tricky except (((O)))’s music lies in the sparse production where life breathes in the gentle inflections in the spaces between.

It’s like a tonic for the craziness of the metropolis. One that takes everything down several notches while you mind wanders. And to achieve that, you have to be in tune with your senses and everything around you or else you miss out on the beauty of Sundrop (((1))).

The album features 12 tracks that are music for the soul. And the cool thing is, this is a 12 part-series wherein (((O))) intends to release one for the next 11 years (this one included).

(((O))) is an elusive artist. I am told that she hails from Cebu but grew up in Texas, stayed for some time in India but now calls Palawan home. That sounds like a mouthful, but it does explain the myriad of influences. That is as diverse and exotic as the music she creates. And I do love the mystery of all of it. 

Sundrop (((1))) from (((O))) (her nom de guerre is not meant to be pronounceable) is now available on vinyl through Offshore Music (inquire through their Facebook page and their other social media). 

Populardays shifts gears to a more shoegaze sound with new album on the horizon.

Populardays shifts gears to a more shoegaze sound with new album on the horizon.

By Rick Olivares

Six years after the release of their debut album, Somewhere In Time, and what seemed like a never-ending change of personnel, indie band populardays have added two key players that have resulted in a change of musical direction.

From the indie pop sound that characterized Somewhere in Time, populardays with holdovers in vocalist and guitarist Erick Lucas, drummer Jann Paul Tatad have been joined by the duo of Mike Ducusin on guitars and vocals and Veronica Macato on bass and vocals.

If Ducusin and Macato’s name sound familiar that is because they perform also as the indie pop duo, Veronica and I.

With the two in harness, populardays has shifted to a more shoegaze sound; something the band feels was a natural progression.

“People come and go,” succinctly put Lucas. “As for the new line-up – it’s great. Mike brings in a New Wave touch while Veronica draws from her 90s vibe. Musically, we’re still evolving. In our early release, we had a few songs that had that shoegaze and dream pop feel. This time, we wanted to go all the way.” 

The new band and the different sound was also an easy transition for Ducusin, “I grew up listening to punk and New Wave which are the roots of the indie sound. My passion for the music also influenced Veronica (Mike’s real life partner).”

The new-fangled quartet just released a new single titled, “Lost in Space” that takes you up to the stratosphere. Macato’s gossamer vocals already add another dimension to populardays’ sound.

They’ve also connected with Philippine shoegaze royalty when they opened for trailblazers Sonnet 58 during their vinyl record launch late last 2019. Now, they’ve dropped a new single and video.

“Fans can expect more new stuff from us,” promised Lucas. 

“I think the scene is growing,” pointed out Ducusin during the Sonnet 58 show at 70s Bistro last year. “Every band brings something to the table. We are happy to a part of it.”

The popularity of shoegaze and dream pop is at an all-time high all over the world. Domestically, there are regular productions that feature bands and listening parties. Shoegaze post-rock outfit, Sound Architects will be releasing their second album, Regenesis, this coming February 1 at Mow’s.

Playing Big Mountain's Sweet Sensual Love

After Bob Marley and the Wailers, Big Mountain is my favorite reggae band. Discovered their music a long time ago with the song, "Lick It Up." 

I love their meld of English and Spanish into reggae. It creates something different. I kinda love it when I hear other languages infused in music that I like. For example, in metal, you have bands like Ill Niño and Puya singing also in Spanish. It's just awesome. So I feel the same way about Big Mountain whose music is more about the brighter side of life.

I have about seven of their albums and this 12-inch single of "Sweet Sensual Love". 

I will be playing this record when I DJ in this upcoming Record Store Day. 

Bloodstained Existence by Barred

The test press (left) and the regular edition (right) of San Pablo City hardcore band Barred's debut album, Bloodstained Existence from Still Ill Records.

Solid album.

Barred also appeared in the extended play album, Pilipinas Hardcore. 

Playing Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes' Live at The Greek

The price of these Eraserheads records is just too much.

Since the return to popularity of vinyl, prices of these old records or even the scarcer newer ones have seen prices go up. I understand it is a free market and tis is the law of supply and demand, but this is just too much. I feel bad for those who were unable to score a copy when this first came out.

Meet new pop rock band, Zerise.

Meet new pop rock band, Zerise.

By Rick Olivares

Last Thursday evening, January 9, music fans at the Archipelago at El Pueblo in Pasig City were treated to a listening party for new pop rock band, Zerise.

While the five-piece outfit’s name is a stylized take off from lead vocalist Cerise Limueco; the band’s music was distilled from their myriad influences from Paramore, Linkin Park, The Script, Simple Plan, Coldplay, and even Taylor Swift. 

“We like different kinds of music so we combined elements of all of what we like into our own songs,” pointed out Limueco. “The music that we all listen to; they speak to us. We feel as if someone understands us. So we set out to create music that people will feel the same way. That we speak about the same experiences.

Limueco and bandmates -- Bryanne Tuazon on drums and keyboards, Christian Maranan on bass, John Daniel Bardoc and Jared Cortado on guitars – jam together and see where the music and the mood takes them. “This is a process,” Cortado made sure to point out. “we’re all very young and learning. But we all listen to what we all have to say and we agree on the music we create.”

Incredibly, the band members themselves mostly didn’t know one another. Either one was a friend of a friend or a classmate. The music brought them together.

“When you listen to us, you will hear our influences,” admitted Bardoc, “But it is our voice and take on our influences.”

The music thus far are six songs that they unveiled to the crowd at Archipelago. Veteran musician, Mally Paraguya (Tame the Tikbalang and P.O.T.) heard the band and while several generations removed from his own personal influences and tastes, he decided to help them.

“They have good songs and potential,” simply said Paraguya who also received some help from another veteran in the local music scene in Mel Maniego from Filipino punk rock pioneers, Private Stock.

They unveiled five of their original songs “Wala”, “High”, “Ayan Tuloy”, Bangon”, and “Diyan Ka Na” to the Archipelago crowd that included veteran music journalists and artist and repertoire managers.

“While most of our songs are in Filipino, we also have some in English,” said Limueco.

“Right now, we have an album that we are polishing for a formal debut,” added Paraguya. “That should be out soon.”

“These kids are talented,” pointed out Maniego. “We know the scene is very competitive, but we are confident Zerise will do well.”

Voted for the Dave Matthews Band and Pat Benatar in the 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Fan Vote

But no.... those bleeding hearts inside the Hall chose this R&B/pop star and rap artist. What a joke this hall is. They have been for years and this is just the latest travesty.

Definitely... the Dave Matthews Band and Pat Benatar deserve to be in the Hall. 

On an Asia soundtrip. Yeah! John Wetton, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer & Geoff Downes

Asia's first three albums... (Astra, Alpha, and Asia) in reverse order.

These are my original copies as I got them back in the 1980s.

I was in second year high school when Asia's self-titled debut came out. Had to go to Dau in Pampanga to buy a copy of this record (from an American serviceman based at the old Clark Air Base). Two of my classmates and I went to Dau to buy records, comics, and porn. Hahaha. 

Asia was a huge supergroup back then - John Wetton of King Crimson, Carl Palmer of Emerson Lake and Palmer and Steve How of Yes and Geoff Downes of The Buggles and Yes. And I thought that the covers of the Asia albums, also done by Yes cover artist Roger Dean was much better. Although the band was still progressive rock, their songs were shorter, and had this New Wavish energy that made it perfect for MTV.

I also remember that this Japanese anime film World War X used the entire first album of Asia as its soundtrack. That's how huge this album was. 

I lost track of the band post-Astra (this was way before the internet). I was working in the music business when I came across their Aqua album at HMV in Hong Kong. I was pleasantly surprised to see them still around a decade after I was introduced to the band. Except that John Wetton was no longer the bassist and vocalist. It was now John Payne. Although Howe and Palmer were featured in the album, they weren't like permanent members of the band. Nevertheless, I collected all their new albums -- Aria, Arena, Aura, Silent nation and the return of the original line-up for Phoenix, Omega, and xxx. 

Even during the Payne era, I would write the webmaster of their unofficial site that was created and curated by a fan (eventually, it became the official site). There was a chance to meet John Wetton several years ago, but my schedule for traveling to London did not match his. Sadly, Wetton passed away a few years ago.

But that has not dampened by being a fan of this childhood favorite of mine. I only have good memories.

Cebu’s The Spirals: 20 and still aiming high.

Cebu’s The Spirals: 20 and still aiming high.

By Rick Olivares

The Spirals are a six-piece band (Louell Lopez on vocals, Patrick Gallito and Filman Andaya-Bongco on guitars, Francis Rivas on bass, Breezneb Rosende on drums, and J Martino Olivo on synthesizers) that hail from Cebu that in my opinion, released one of 2019’s best albums – The Curse of the Spirals.

The 12-track album released through Pawn Records in their hometown and then through United Cassettes Philippines in Manila, has sparked interest, and brought in a new audience; myself included.

I really cannot get enough of post-punk bands who draw their influences from influences Joy Division, The Mighty Lemondrops, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Sisters of Mercy, and Interpol. Sheila and the Insects dropped their fifth album, Love or Limbo in May of 2019 and they also took the same path; a divergent sound from their New Wave roots.

The Curse of the Spirals on the other hand features the same taught sound like a someone about to lose it and go ballistic. The songs of disappointment and bittersweet memories are wrapped in that with a sliver of Goth and the downward spiral sound of post-hardcore. This is a band that has had to work hard. In the words of Lopez, “their get-in-the-van-Henry-Rollins moment when they navigated Manila’s traffic choked thoroughfares for two gigs in one nights – Mow’s in Quezon City to BF Paranaque for a punk benefit gig. You want pissed? There’s Manila traffic. 

The result of all these experiences is a stunning concoction that is The Curse of the Spirals that reminded me of the first time I heard Siouxsie and the Banshees, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s BRMC, and Interpol’s Turn On the Bright Lights.

From the second that the first track “Days of Wine and Roses” ambles in then raises the stakes, you’re hooked. They pace the album well; clearly understanding the dynamics of soft and loud., and different time signatures. “Proto Martyr”, the second track, has that “Ghostrider” type intro of the Rollins Band that is propelled forward by that military staccato snare drum sound before the song erupts in a dizzying haze of noise. By the third track, “Oh, phantasm!” The Spirals cut loose.

And it continues up to the final track, “This Is Not the Spoliarium”. There isn’t one weak track. “One last scream into the human abyss,” Lopez sings at the start of “Revenge Is Forever” that takes everything down a notch, but not on the darkness. 

And that is why I named that album on my year-end best-of list.

Thus, I wanted to know more. To find out if there was more of this desolation; so, I reached out to the band.

The Curse of the Spirals initially self-released a five-song EP, A Decade After, in 2017. Pawn Records picked it up in 2018 for a re-release and the band managed to record a full-length album last year that became The Curse of the Spirals.

Just the like that, The Spirals have waxed prolific. According to Lopez, The Spirals will be releasing a 20^thanniversary album this 2020.

Looks like more will be cursed by the Spirals.

The two versions of Rancid's Let's Go

First American pressings of Rancid's second album, Let's Go, in 12" inch and (two) 10" inch vinyl.

Long time fan of the band.

Got both versions of Joe Satriani's Surfing With the Alien

I remember when my brother brought home a cd of Joe Satriani's surfing with the Alien. It was around 1990 and the album had been out for a few years now. I have to admit that the John Byrne artwork of Marvel Comics' Silver Surfer attracted me. But when we played it on a cd player, I was completely blown away. I knew I had to get a copy. 

I picked up the record and what you see on the right is the original American first pressing from 1987. The record on the right is the 2019 Record Store Day Black Friday release that comes as a two-record set. 

First of all, it doesn't feature the Silver Surfer as both Satriani's and Marvel's camps could not reach an agreement for royalties or whatever. And that is a shame. Both the album cover and the music go hand-in-hand. 

Now for the two-record set, one disc contains the original songs while the second disc is minus Joe's guitar parts. Yes, this is perfect for any guitarist as you can play alongside the classic record!

Happy though to have both versions!

Playing Khruangbin's Live at Lincoln Hall

Squid 9 creates “soundtrack” for ramen

Squid 9 creates “soundtrack” for ramen

By Rick Olivares

Electronic band Squid 9 is pushing the envelope once more. This time by creating a soundtrack for each of the different dishes at Crazy Ramen.

Crazy Ramen is owned by Shinji Tanaka who is also behind the popular Crazy Katsu and who also performs with Gaijin and Squid 9 and is a top sound engineer. Frequent collaborator and Squid 9 bandmate Raymund Marasigan. Needless to say, Tanaka is an excellent cook who is also the genius behind the menu of both his restaurants.

“We realized we didn’t have music,” noted Marasigan during the “launch” of the “soundtrack” last Thursday, January 9 at Crazy Ramen along Lila Street in Marikina. “We didn’t want to just play music on Spotify. No pop tunes. We thought about making our own.”

The band set out to create freestyle ambient music. “Sounds of the city,” as Marasigan described it. 

“Basta yung music hindi dapat istorbohin ka habang kumakain,” added Tanaka. 

The result is “The Rambient Tapes” -- eight instrumentals each named after one of the eight ramen dishes at Crazy Ramen. It’s not elevator muzak. Think Blade Runner with its subtle background music. However, The Rambient Tapes are 15-minute long subtle ambient tones designed to make you eat your Miso Butter Ramen, Tonkotsu Ramen, or Chashumen in blissful peace. 

The Rambient Tapes follows Squid 9‘s 2018 cassette release, Circuit Shorts, that was Japanese themed. That was a more personal nature to Tanaka because it contained snippets of conversation from Japanese radio as well as a conversation with his father before he passed away.

Is this all part of the gastronomic experience?

“Maybe,” wondered Marasigan. “The food was there before; we just really wanted to add to the relaxing atmosphere.”

The Rambient Tapes though will not be available commercially. “That might be missing the point,” said Marasigan. 

Most recently, Crazy Ramen – named as one of the Best 50 restaurants in Manila for 2019 by spot.ph -- saw the debut of its first video done by Marasigan’s daughter, Atari, that can be viewed in the restaurant’s Facebook page. 

“You can say that good food deserves good music,” summed up Marasigan.

Crazy Ramen is located at 88 Lilac Street, Marikina City.

Toasting to the memory of Neil Peart and on a Rush soundtrip

I was already into a year into punk and new wave with my friends. Most were already catching up. Then one day, Rush's Permanent Waves dropped. "The Spirit of Radio" made the American Top 40 and I went, "What was that ??? " The closest I could think of was Yes, but I wasn't so much yet into that band although I did like their song, "Tempus Fugit." There was this band that Casablanca Records and my dad were giving a push - Angel - that was awesome and had the coolest logo ever (but they didn't hit) and another trio, Triumph.

But Rush blew me away. Geddy Lee's voice was so distinct. At times the high pitch reminded me of Yes' Jon Anderson but Geddy was also an awesome guitar player. Alex Lifeson was an incredible guitarist but it was drummer and lyricist Neil Peart who resonated the most with me. His drum work on "Subdivisions" is just so awesome. It was also his way with words for a budding writer and songwriter like me. And I do have his books ! 

Rush were never a hip band and that suited me and my friends well. Their long songs, odd time signatures, and lyrics inspired by Ayn Rand, Tolkien, and sci-fi books didn't sit well with the hipster new wave wannabes. They never had any sex appeal. But the bleeping rocked especially when they got out of their Led Zep phase with 2112.

We had our class band (when I listen to my songs then I cringe) and well, we were like the Ramones but we had our inner Rush that we wanted to channel. Yes, that sounds confusing.

I stayed a fan of Rush to this day. They released 19 studio albums and 11 live albums. I have everyone of them (the others I left behind at my old place in New Jersey). After Hold Your Fire, their 13th album, I shifted to getting cds. What you see below are all my original records that I got as a kid (save for Moving Pictures which is in Jersey and am having shipped to Manila).

Brought out what I have at home and am on a Rush trip and raising my coffee mug to Neil.

Had to re-watch Beyond the Lighted Stage again today (on Netflix) after hearing the news of Neil Peart's death. 

Playing Film School's Bright to Death

First music I listen to this 2020 is Patti Smith

First thing I am playing this January 1, 2020 is from the Patti Smith Group... Land. Sort of like a greatest hits compilation of hers that I got at the old Virgin Records where I briefly worked.

I heard "because the Night" on radio but it weas that old New Wave compilation that I got that featured the Patti Smith Group song, "Piss Factory." The first album of hers that I got was the fourth album, Wave, that contained "Frederick" and "Dancing Barefoot."

I was into Patti Smith Group, the Doors, and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band who were all inspired by Beat Generations writers and Bob Dylan as was I. They wrote poetry and I did too -- heavily, I might add, at that time. 

Both Easter and Wave have remained huge favorites of mine all these years. I occasionally play them and just as they did all those years ago, they have this effect on me. Back then, I wrote in these notebooks of mine (I only have one left that contains all my poetry). Today, well, I type on my keyboard and write. And write I do like my old inspirations - Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William S. Borroughs, and Bob Kaufman.

Patti Smith though... it was easy to have Debby Harry and Pat Benatar as my male fantasies at this time, but truth to tell, it was Patti Smith who I crushed on. If there is one person who I would wanted to make love with it was Patti Smith. She wasn't a sex symbol like the aforementioned women but that isn't my point. I was also in love with her soul. For who she was and what she stood for.

Listening to her music today... they remain as vibrant as they did when I first heard them. They stir up passions and emotions.

There aren't any more artists who fuse poetry with rock. Maybe it was just the time. But what a time.