VARIOUS ARTISTS | A DOZEN ALTERNATIVES

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Dosenang Eksena
by R.C. Avellanosa

 

This was how local rock bands sounded in 1994. Choose your favorite or just play them. Re-experience the Alternative 90s. I don't personally like this album that much but it's nice to post them if just for posterity. These bands may have been clouded by some other local acts, just the same it is a delight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Tracks:
01. Abusado – Edge Of Illusion
02. Time Space Warp – Balahibum Pooza
03. Tabinging Buhay – Annointed Cherubs
04. Istap The Lala – Tribal Fish
05. Kapit Tuko – Half Life, Half Death
06. Tablado Ka – Shampoo Ni Lola
07. Lamay – Leowai
08. Black Pasig – Aftermath
09. Baguio – Bag’iw
10. Pekeng Lacoste – Drone
11. Anak Ng Gabi – Backdraft
12. Nasaan Na – Grupong Pendong

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EPHESUS | TO SPEAK OF CITY LIGHTS AND SKYSCRAPERS

Stars Count
by Righex

Ephesus has post-punk and Christian sound roots. Released on 2010. And just heard them actually, if not for someone's request, I'd never would have bothered to listen. I'd say this is the present and prevailing sound of a rock band. New sound of new emerging bands. Influences that dated back from the early 2000 to 2010. Merging punk rock, hard rock and alternative rock. Screamo, emo, emo-core, indie rock or what have you. The lifestyle now seen and heard everywhere. And to be identified with foreign acts was a big plus.

I've had my share of obsession with this type of music. To identify them as 'emo' earlier never crossed my mind. I've listened to Jimmy Eat World, The Get Up Kids, Triple Fast Action, Rainer Maria, and Sunny Day Real Estate. More mainstream bands aren't that hard to find like Dashboard Confessional, Saves The Day, All American Rejects, New Found Glory, and so on. Some were short-lived and some were all around.

Local acts then blossomed like Urbandub, Chicosci... Bands like Typecast, The Ambassadors, Taken By Cars followed and so on. Goth rock crossed over as well as punk and techno...Some bands even attempted to incorporate multiple genres into one.  It was easy to say that you don't like the sound. The music must have felt so different yet so familiar. It was like you had enough of it, made you think they all sound the same.

But it feels good to think that bands like this still thrive on a very close minded and judgmental Philippine Music Scene. And to think that to some, OPM music is limited to what they've heard on their heydays. As if the present form of music does not matter anymore. Everything new is bad or isn't good as it is then. This is one of the reason why some bands tend to cover a lot of old songs just to satisfy that need for nostalgia. Some don't care and just settled in obscured. Some songs just doesn't fit a lifestyle. Just doesn't give that needed shock.

Ephesus has longed for mainstream acceptance. They say that this 12 track debut does not suggest anything groundbreaking. It has pretty much made them different from other local artists. And that’s fine, because that’s exactly what makes their debut worth listening to.

THE THOUGHT | THE THOUGHT

[audio:http://thesoundtripper.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/03-Listen.mp3]

Your Song Sung
by R.C. Avellanosa

 

These are three songs from the Filipino new wave group The Thought. The band was featured on “Ballad Of The Times” radio show last January 27, 2010. That’s how these tracks came out. Among the 3 tracks that were recorded, only 2 got airplay - Listen and Mirrors of Conscience (1989). Mirrors of Conscience got the most airplay on DWNU 107 and stayed in the Sprite 7 at 7 segment for 3 months. I Am Was Not What, apparently which NU turned down, actually made it big in Boston college radio stations. The most familiar track “Listen” is featured on DWNU 107’s NU-Rock, The Album.

Not to be mistaken for that other early 80s band from Netherlands, The Thought is proudly from the Philippines. They met at a high school fair and formed The Thought on 1987. None of the original members stayed on the band. The track Listen I’d say is one of the best crafted 80s song I heard from a Filipino band. I read that the song was recorded for only a day at a 16 track RJ recording studios along Makati. Only three members recorded that song namely Boy, Jojo and Joel Yu and engineered by Voltaire of Warhead. OctoArts then passed it on NU-107. It's a very good find. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Tracks:
1. I Am Was Not What
2. Mirrors Of Conscience
3. Listen

Members:
Jojo Armas
Boy Ramos

Guitars:
Jonathan Khonghun
Uri Djemal

Bass:
Robert Dungca
Derek Ileto
GJ Torres
Frank O' Connor

Drums:
Ned Javier

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RP | STREET LEGAL

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Got Carried Away
by R.C. Avellanosa

This is apparently a US-based Filipino rock band. It's evident that there was no Tagalog lyrics or titles on their songs. They must want to reach out to wider audiences other than the Filipinos. It was 1985, and I quote my friend Jake and musical correspondent who shared this, "they sound so much more focused than any other pinoy band...it was 1985 for f*^k's sake...back when The Dawn didn't have Jett and Deans December had their original singer."

I'd say that this band is a little way ahead of its time or just plainly and appropriately on its time. I wouldn't want to mention another band that sounds like or influenced by them. Just wanted to know them as they are. Hints of rock metal and pop. This is a serious and talented group of Filipino artists that is just too cool to mention. Yes, and they really do sound foreign if you insist.

Tracks:
Side A
1. Keep Our Love Alive (Aves/Macaraeg)
2. Run (G.Macaraeg)
3. Love Is All I Need (Aves/Macaraeg)
4. While Angels March (Ocampo/Macaraeg)

Side B
1. Got Carried Away (B. Aves)
2. So Glad (G. Macaraeg)
3. Set Me Free (Asuncion/Aves/Macaraeg)
4. Street Legal (G. Macaraeg)

Goff Macaraeg: Vocals
Bob Aves: Guitars, Keyboards and Bass
Roy Mercado: Drums

Guest Musicians:
Ric Segreto: Back-up Vocals
Louie Ocampo: Keyboards on "While Angels March"

Produced by Bob Aves & Goff Macaraeg
Executive Producer: Mike Pedero
All songs arranged by Bob Aves
Recorded and Mixed by Jofel Meimban & Mike Pedero at Tracks Recording Studio
Album Cover by Libertine Aves
Shared by Jake Kussmaul

Copyright 1985 Aves/Macaraeg
Released by Blackgold Records Corporation (BA-5161)

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THE SOUNDTRIPPER | COMPILATION VOLUME XIX

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The Morose Morrissey
by Rak N. Rowling

 

In the advent of Morrissey's Manila concert, I'm honoring his visit by posting this Morrissey compilation. Here is my list of great Morrissey songs. Not necessarily Morrissey's hits but just down to the unpopular if not morose. And luckily we have the internet.  I got to learn more about this talented musician. I collected a number of facts, trivia and quotes about him.  Some may not have been updated but feel free to comment.

TRACKS
All You Need Is Me
My Love Life
Such A Little Thing Makes Such A Big Difference
Interesting Drug
Ammunition
You're The One For Me Fatty
You Should Have Been Nice To Me
I Don't Mind If You Forget Me
Honey You Know Where To Find Me
We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful
The Last Of The Famous International Playboys

 

TRIVIA

Morrissey was born Steven Patrick Morrissey on May 22nd 1959 at Park Hospital in Davyhulme, England (now called Trafford General Hospital). He began going by just "Morrissey" around the time the Smiths began.  He said it was because it was a new beginning for him, and he wanted to forgot the old "clumsy and shy" Steven.

Moz's marital status, single as it gets.

He hasn't got any children, and it doesn't look like he's going to. See (I'm) The End Of The Family Line.

"Moz", "Mozzer", "Mozza" nick-names were coined during the Smiths days by the NME in Britain.

Moz is of Catholic roots but is non-religious himself, with seeming inclinations towards atheism.

In February 2006, Morrissey said he had been interviewed by the FBI and by British intelligence after having spoken out against the American and British governments.

Morrissey has severely criticized: Madonna, David Bowie and George Michael, The Cure's Robert Smith (who was quoted as saying, "If Morrissey says don't eat meat, then I'll eat meat, because I hate Morrissey").

Morrissey also once openly wished that "Morrissey & Marr: The Severed Alliance" author Johnny Rogan "ends his days very soon in an M3 pile-up".

In 1992, Morrissey's album Your Arsenal earned a Grammy nomination for best alternative rock album.

Morrissey was the president of The New York Dolls fan club in the 70s at the age of 18.

Morrissey's favourite Smiths songs are I Keep Mine Hidden and Shoplifters Of The World and probably many more...

QUOTES

"Long hair is an unpardonable offense which should be punishable by death."

"I do think it's possible to go through life and never fall in love, or find someone who loves you."

"That's why I do this music business thing, it's communication with people without having the extreme inconvenience of actually phoning anybody up."

"Age shouldn't affect you. It's just like the size of your shoes - they don't determine how you live your life! You're either marvellous
or you're boring, regardless of your age."

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RIVERSIDE | ONE

Amongst The Garden Paths
by: Ryex

 Picture yourself on an afternoon behind the drizzle, feeling fairly cold. And then the hard rain. Storm came. Strong winds. And after an hour, everything stopped. Rained and stormed. Outside wet, clouds clearing out. Sky going bloody blue. And then, you're just alone. No one around. Everyone's away. No one, Just the sky, the soaking wet shrubs and trees dropping leaves everywhere. Rain water still streaming like river through the canals. Birds chirping and the silence. And emptiness.

And you played this record... loud. It made everything fine.

Not to be confused by that other band from Warsaw, Poland. This hailed from Hershey, Pennsylvania. Every track just sounds relaxing and grand. The same mood all the way through. Like a cross between The Railway Children and The Ocean Blue. Sadly, this is another underrated band.

"Riverside's One album ultimately defined what a new wave sound should be! All of the tunes passed beyond great new wave standards!" AMAZON

Riverside's second album, Taste, was rejected by their label (Sire), and eventually released via the band’s website. They continue to play dates sporadically, most recently in their hometown of Philadelphia.

“Waterfall” peaked at #26 on the Modern Rock Tracks Chart in 1992.

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SONGS OF FAREWELL AND DEPARTURE | A TRIBUTE TO HUM

[audio:http://thesoundtripper.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/03-Stars.mp3]

BHummer
by J.C. Gopel

This is a tribute to the technical super group from Mars; Hum. You have to play this moderately loud so you'd know the difference. I read negative reviews of this release. They described the samples of this tribute as an insult to such an influential band. Apparently sounds like a poorly mixed high school talent show. "It's pretty bad", they say. "The poetic, sonic, monotone is basically destroyed". "It's a choppy horrible mess", 'A Nightmare", "Really Bad', "Draggy", "Slow", "Bad Mastering", "Uninspired", "Sound Fake", "Just isn't Right" and "Purely Bad". The bad reviews go on. And the bands here are not well known. And of course, the original is awesome.

"The Scientists", the first track, I'd say could be the best rendition here. "Stars" features an over enthusiastic drummer. "Ms. Lazarus" sounds for a lack of a better word "EMO". Anakin produced a heavy, slower version of "I'd Like Your Hair Long", emphasizing the words "you'd prefer an astronaut". I'd say in conclusion that whoever liked this would definitely look back and listen to the real thing. Compare both tracks and decide for themselves. It is after all just a tribute.

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FECAL MATTER | ILLITERACY WILL PREVAIL

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Flies On Turds
by R.C. Avellanosa

Yes indeed, it's early Nirvana. We had no idea what happened then. Kurt Cobain formed the band with Dale Crover. Buzz and all of them followed. Most of these songs are now on youtube. If you expect hi-fi, I'm sorry but you can remaster it yourself. Perhaps someone already did.

words|cobain:
Boy, would I like to do her/I'd like to jump her bones/Slip her the hot beef injection/I'm hoping she gives me a hand-job/Hum'na hum'na/I got so wasted last Saturday night/Drank a whole half-gallon/Got really sick, puked/It was great, though/And me and my break-dancing friends went out/And beat up some punk rock faggots/Buffy's pregnant/We'll plan a future/We'll fit the class/Go debate on/Who has the nicest ass/Spread our mind games/With verbal words/We are all the same/Just flies on turds/Clone, clone, clone, clone

Saw you yesterday/Eighty-six rules/Did you hear what Marsha said?/"Like, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know."/Chris called me up/And he went and I went/And, oh, my God, I'm so embarrassed/I could just scream/"I swear, I will never talk to him, as long as I live"/Buffy's pregnant/Plan a future/We'll fit the class/We'll go debate on/Who has the nicest ass/Spread our mind games/With verbal words/We are all the same/Just flies on turds/Clone, clone, clone, clone

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