This way to the stars

Euphoria: An orgasm of the hearing sense

Cersa's variety show last night was a total blast.

It wasn't because the ultra-cheap tickets, though it was a major force in convincing me to go since I paid only 150 bucks to watch lots and lots of bands for nine hours (6pm-3am).

And no, it wasn't because the chance to stay super late in school for the first time. And it wasn't because of the chance to scout out for cute boys either. And it definitely, definitely wasn't about the beer (I didn't drink any, honest!).

It was actually because my respect for the Filipino local music industry was restored. Unlike some people I know who remain adamant that the local music industry sucks to the nth degree without exception, the show proved that not all bands are sellouts, and that some are actually have talent. In other words, Filipino music is not just about Sandara Park, Sarah Geronimo, Sam Milby, and popular bands such as Hale, Cueshe and Bamboo that are getting increasingly, sickeningly mainstream and overplayed.

In fact, I've just realized that the hope of the Philippine music industry lies in independent bands such as I've heard last night. Aside from increasing the roster of talented local musicians in the scene, they keep music fresh, varied, inventive, and competitive. We really don't need any more winners from search-for-a-star (who seem to sing only song revivals) to take over radio airplay or the concert circuit, thank you very much.

In a way, it was like an exposure trip thingy for me. I, a stickler for foreign rock bands such as Incubus and Green Day, am actually starting to like local bands in the same genre. Last night was the first time that I've heard Urbandub, and I'd have to admit that they're quite good (this goes for both lyrics and melody). Splitcide, an Ateneo band, actually sounds like Incubus to me, what with the weird guitars and the presence of the DJ. Imago was great too, especially their vocalist, though their song "Anino" mildly irritates me. Sandwich was........energetic (they were like in a high; nothing much aside from that could be said about them).

There were other bands that I didn't really like though. One of these was Pedicab,which I hear was an awardee/nominee in the NU Rock Awards; though they were lively, the lyrics just struck me as kinda...uhm, well, let's just say that my nerdy preferences extend to music. Same goes for Cambio. I was also kinda disappointed in Pupil, a band that lots of people seemed to rave about, since I was turned off by their excessively heavy and dark music (the guitarist rocked hard, though); this was probably because Ely Buendia struck me as somewhat crazy and depressed.

It still surprises me that so many people could be big fans of Rivermaya. After that act (which was sometime between the middle and the end of the show), a lot of people left the building as if they stayed just to hear them. The band, although dubbed "Banda ng Bayan", seems to me more like a glamour band (if there is such a term); just look at the way their posse/technicians overly fussed over the equipment during the sound check. It seems to be promoting itself as a very patriotic and motivational act to the point that the lyrics of their songs might have been taken from a Christian inspirational self-help book. And to be honest, I don't like Rico Blanco because his ego is too big (he even wore a "Bawat Atenista Bayani" shirt in what may be interpreted as an act of motivation and self-glorification) and his lips are too red and puffy in the Joker style. Even though the peculiarities of the frontman shouldn't be used to judge the whole band, I just write it off to preference which by the way cannot be logically debated about. Though the lead guitarist with the funky hair was good...

Anyway, the point was that I got my fill of music last night. I heard some good bands, some mediocre bands, and some bands that just sucked, while my whole perspective on Filipino music changed along the way. The Filipino music industry is not total crap; in fact, the proliferation of good alternative bands may signify that Filipino musical talent thrives outside the constraints of profit-driven and talent-exploiting record companies. Though I'm betting that the better bands out there will be eventually snapped up by those record companies, hopefully their talent won't be diminished by increasing airplay and commercialization.

Yes, my faith in the Filipino talent is restored. And not because of Manny Pacquiao either (nevertheless, kudos to him).

And yes, I do think Raymond Marasigan's eyeliner rocks, Green Day-ish. :P

posted by steph @ 9:24 PM