It's a flashback to the classics—Bembol style! By Catsky Maniego
If you're looking for a unique mish-mash of jazz, swing, rockabilly, jump blues… if you were big fans of Elvis the King, the unstoppable Rat Pack, those swoon-worthy Doowop groups and maestros of their instruments like Louis Armstrong, Thelonious Monk and Plas Johnson… or if you simply want to try something new, then check out the Bembol Rockers.
It all started during the Summer of 2006, when Marc Liwanag, Lakshmi Kirtan das Ramirez, Archimedes "Archie" Lacorte, and Steven Hamilton Vasquez Mora decided to get together and create their dream band. With Marc on guitar and vocals, Lakshmi on upright bass and vocals, Archie on tenor and alto sax, and Steven on drums, the Bembol Rockers were born.
The band was born out of a vision they all shared for the music industry, plus an undeniable musical chemistry that brought forth an arresting and innovative take on the classics of the 1940s and 50s. Having played in other bands before and having known one another for some years, it was clear that they are not merely men who play music, but true musicians who seek to learn and keep on learning their craft.
So why BEMBOL ROCKERS? The name is so laughable and so memorable at the same time, which is exactly how they wanted it. But beyond coining a catchy name, they really researched about the way bands performed in the 1950s and incorporated it into their performance. They swooned and swaggered, dressed flashily and even waxed their hair in pompadours that Elvis would be proud of.
The real heart of the band, though, is the music they create. "Bagong-luma, lumang-bago" was how they described their music. They noted that there have been bands that have tried to do jazz and have tried to do rockabilly, but never tried a synthesis of the two. Their music, they emphasized, was a different take on classic music.
What is probably the most interesting thing about them is the fact that most of the music they play are originals. The band uses the quality of sound of their jazz-rockabilly synthesis and adds a dimension of Filipino pride. It's all about bringing it all home, they say.
This jazz-rockabilly synthesis was born of the many musical influences the band shared collectively. With influences ranging from Dave Michaels, Plas Johnson, Lee Rocker, to vocal sensations like the Left Tones, the Mighty Echoes, the Rat Pack, Big Joe Turner and Louis Jordan and Louis Prima, it's no wonder that their sound is so eclectic.
But what brings it all together is their goal of getting the audiences, both young and old, to revisit the classics they all love and regain a new appreciation for it in light of today's world. They laughingly joke about their need to jolt their audiences out of their comfort zones and introduce them to more genres than what's currently available.
Their aim is to influence the younger generation to take a look behind and see where their music comes from, to create a renewed interest in the Golden Fifties--not just the music, but the lifestyle, the dancing (one of their dreams is to see people swing dance to their music) and the vintage attire, as well. They also want to make their mark on the Original Pilipino Music scene and help raise its level of artistry. They want to be remembered for music that's positive and fun.
Watch out for the Bembol Rockers as they take the club scene by storm. Their OPM, jazz-rockabilly album may be available by early 2008.
Members::
guitar and vocals
MARC STEADY
upright bass and vocals
LAKSHMI RAMIREZ
alto and tenor sax
and backup vocals
ARCHIE LACORTE
drums and
backup vocals
STEVEN MORA
Influences: Louis Jordan, Louis Prima, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, The Modernaires, Ray Gelato, Big Jay McNeely, big joe turner,the cadillacs,zircons,jimmy liggins,four charms,elvis,sam butera,freddie green,the flamingos,the cleftones,booker t,wes montgomery,the treniers,big sandy and his flyrite boys,jump with joey,hepcat,keely smith,ella fitzgerald,sonny rollins,roy milton,xavier cougat,buddy rich,nat king cole trio,smiley lewis,paul bascomb,deke dickerson,cris celending,and the blasters.
