6. Identikit
What started off as jamming and a tinkering of homemade-demos and after a few unsuccessful attempts at putting together a proper band lineup since 2006, Indentikit has recently merged with some members and is finally starting to move like clockwork. A few random blog rants later and perhaps a fist-fight or two, Joe de Jesus’ “itch” has finally been scratched.
Identikit are: Andy Buladaco (Vocals), Joe de Jesus (Guitar),
Darrel Ballesteros (Bass), Rommel Celespara (Synth/noise), Manny Marinas (Drums)
Sounds Like: a hazy, late night with Radio Dept and Up Dharma Down, whilst Radiohead and Minus the Bear are a-hankerin’ somewhere in the distance.
Best to listen to when: “Romansa espesyal ala tanghaling tapat sa lumang kubo or likod ng puno hahaha.” – Darrel
Q: Describe your music as if it were food! What would it taste like? What kind of cuisine would it be?
A: “Paella! Haha a little bit of everything I guess.” - Joe
“Pasta, it’s orgasmic, romantic, juicy, and saucy” - Darrel
“I say something crunchy like rice at the bottom of the pot.” – Sandy
Q: Tell me about the worst thing you guys have ever experienced during a gig?
A: “Nothing really far out. But I would consider this one Saguijo gig. I had one drink too many. I didn’t realize I was drunk until I got on stage. Totally screwed up the songs the entire time; had my band mates all confused.” - Sandy
Check out: Their single, “Tiny Fractures”.
7. Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus
All you ghouls and gals and super-creeps, Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus are here to save you from the pop madness that has taken over the world! They call their sound “Psycho-Billy”, and since mid-2009 they have been rocking tombstones with their crazy live performances and dark, twisted music. They paint a grisly horror scene with their sound, but to fully appreciate the madness of their mayhem, you need to step into the cemetery lot and dance with their bones!
Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus are: Mr. Bones (Vocals),
Juni Devecais (Guitar), Alvin Chan (Guitar), JM Godinez (Bass / Back-up vocals), Shaun Hilario (Drums), Karl Vito Cruz (Keys)
Sounds like: Ska and punk died and rose again to play some classic rock and roll! Add in some creepy, carnival music, and you’re all set!
Best to listen to during: “A werewolf bar mitzvah! A vampire tea party! An upside-down baby shower! An underwater swordfight! A spooky prom! An un-dead date show! A virgin sacrificial ceremony! A playground!” – Mr. Bones
Q: Whose idea was it mainly to create this group and this sound?
A: “It was Mr. Bones' fault. With the help of the boys he went insane and created a monster with the head of metaller, the arms of a psychobilly, legs of a mariachi, the body of a stripper and the face of a freakshow!!” – Mr. Bones
Q: Your performances are heightened by the makeup and the costumes. How long does it take you guys to get ready before going out for a gig?
A: “Two hours total? Dunno. All I know is we're worse than women.” –Juni
Grab: Their debut album, Horror Scene.
*Photo by Dan Gil
8. Malay
When Dictalicense’s time came to an end and Pochoy Labog’s strong voice was no longer heard in the hallowed halls of Gigdom, people wondered with dismay if they were ever to hear from the law student cum reluctant rockstar ever again.
Thankfully, 2008 proved to be a good year for the man because he found Miguel Dayanghirang to create music with. Adding Alden Abaca a year later, they’ve now formed a more melodic voice that tries to rouse you from your unconsciousness and connect with your soul.
Malay are: Alden Abaca (Drums), Miguel Dayanghirang (Bass and vocals) and Pochoy Labog (Guitar and vocals)
Sounds like: The honesty of ‘90s alternative rock music and the groove of the blues, jazz, and hip hop.
Best to listen to during: “Normal everyday moments?” – Pochoy
Q: There is such intensity in the lyrics that you write. Where did all this conviction stem from?
A: “I really don't know. Haha. I cannot zoom in on a particular event in the past that gave me this ‘post-adolescent angst’, for lack of a better term…I guess I have an innate inclination towards everything intense. Malay, though, adds a unique subtlety to it.” – Pochoy
Q: What’s behind the name? Is it the objective of the band to bring some kind of consciousness to their audience?
A: “A friend baptized us with that name (hi G!). I thought it was perfect because I’ve used it so many times in my previous songs. I like the fact that it's one word. Very simple yet has many layers to it. Bringing consciousness to our audience? You can say that. We like to connect with our audience's minds although we make music both consciously and subconsciously.” – Pochoy
Check out: Their current tune, “Moving”.
9 Luna
Most prowling around the Internet can lead to something unsavoury, but on one fateful day, Jack Rufo needed a new voice and YouTube saved the day. Amazed by Barbara Jean’s voice, which he stumbled upon while surfing the World Wide Web, he contacted her and half of Luna was born.
With the addition of music scene regulars Gareth Somers and Karmi Santiago, the band surfaced in 2010, and has been making the tide come in and influencing the airwaves since.
Luna are: Barbara Jeanne (Vocals/Guitar), Jack Rufo (Guitar), Gareth Somers (Bass), Karmi Santiago (Drums)
Sounds like: Good ol’ Pinoy alternative and pop rock. It’s sweet enough that you want to take a bite, but you’ve got Jack Rufo’s licks and fingerplay to keep things just the right amount of rough.
Best to listen to in: “An action filled romantic-mystery.” – Jack
Q: Jack, you discovered Barbara on YouTube. Were you really on the prowl for a new vocalist, or was it merely a fateful accident?
A: “Yes, I discovered Barbara [there], and yes I was [really] looking for a vocalist for this project during that time.
Q: Which other bands or artists do you guys sound most like?
A: “As of now, we can’t think of any band that we sound like, because we're a mixture of different influences” – Jack
Check out: Their current single, “Maghihintay”.
9. Wilabaliw
Eight years ago, it was only a concept in the constantly moving mind of Ian Tayao. Now, Wilabaliw has taken human form in four individuals whose main goal is to constantly advocate the rise of Philippine music to global heights.
For this group, every performance must become an experience. Taking you to new auditory and visual heights, Wilabaliw is not emerging, but charging into your eardrums, and they are not backing down.
Wilabaliw are: Ian Tayao (Vocals), Francis Magat (Bass), Robert dela Cruz (Drums), Louis Isok (Guitar)
Sounds like: Funk grooves got together with some awesome hard rock. The deep beats will definitely get you moving.
Best to listen to when: “Having an appropriate type of music for a specific setting is more of a principle than a realization. Music, regardless of FORM, takes our consciousness for a ride and discovery no matter what kind of situation we are in.” – Ian
Q: Your main objective is to elevate not only the quality of Filipino music, but of our live performances as well. What was the inspiration for this advocacy?
A: “It spawns from the laziness, lack of passion, mediocrity that we observe from the other so called "musicians" that are given the upper hand through opportunities yet still come up short in providing better music for the people and more importantly giving the Filipino scene a better global competitive edge. It's high time that someone, not directly saying us, takes up the mantle of showing the up and coming musicians that we are fortunate enough to be given the gift of music and should reciprocate it exponentially by giving better music through authenticity and execution and also giving a better definition to the Filipino Live experience.” – Ian
Q: Wilabaliw is an interesting name. Where did it come from?
A: “Spell it upfront or backwards, the main essence of the name is the recognition of the dynamic faculty of our creativity. In our case, music is [...] too wide to have specific formulas to come up with a hit song or even what people consider as a classic. So our collective banks on the astral plane of Musical freedom where in we let the music that we create guide us to manifest the stream of our consciousness or awareness "journey" through the medium of Aural/Sonic expeditions.” – Ian
Check out: Their current single, “Matador”.
