Sunday, January 30, 2005

Sugarfree's Mall Tour at SM North Edsa

Yey, I finally get to gig! Actually, my first actual gig for 2005 was Samapi's Talagang Concert 2, which was awesome =)

So anyway, I checked out the first leg of Sugarfree's DRAMACHINE Mall Tour at SM North Edsa last Friday. Opening act HALE gave a great start.


Hale opens for Sugarfree at SM North Edsa

I'm not really good at describing how bands sound, but I'd say they play easy-on-the-ears rock, beautiful yet not sissy. I'm definitely checking out their album, which'll be out soon also under EMI. In the meantime, I might check out the
FULL VOLUME compilation, which features 18 of "the best of Pinoy alternative" artists, including Hale.


What is now popularly known in the Sugarfree mailing list as
the Little Boy Ebe look


And to the delight of the humongous crowd (which had LOTS of QueSci kids out there), Sugarfree started their set with the adorably sweet Sinta (saw the vid ulit kanina at kinikilig parin ako to watch it). I keep forgetting to jot down playlists, but thanks to
Klara, here's what Sugarfree played that afternoon: Sinta, Burnout, Prom (their next single!), Tulog Na, Mariposa and Hari ng Sablay.


Singing along to Mariposaaa...


The part that the fans particularly liked was most probably the autograph signing session. I didn't bring anything for the band to sign, so I just contented myself with taking their pics while they were busy with the fans.


Singson seriously signing

It was a great way to wrap up a toxic week. What made it extra special was that I made it to the backstage c/o Sir Sammy (thank you!), Sugarfree's manager, and got to meet the Sugarboys before their set. I was pleasantly amused that Ebe remembered who I was; he even asked me why he didn't see me at Admit One gigs anymore. And Jal asked me if I brought my camera - but of course I did. Thing is, I forgot to USE IT while I was backstage =P Sayang, la pa naman akong pic with Sugarfree. Or at least man lang I could've taken a shot of Ebe who was busy with his Gameboy Advance SP (did I get that right? basta Gameboy yun...) Next time probably =)

Here are the shots I did take. Couple of shots of Hale included.

My preciousss...

Believe it or not, Jal (of Sugarfree) and I have something in common. It's this little baby over here:


The Canon Powershot A95
Photo taken from
Dpreview.com

We got our units a couple of days apart - Jal getting his from the US, whereas I got mine from Singapore. That's the secret actually: get it from abroad, 'cause it's a couple of thousands more expensive here. My sis-in-law got me a cool deal too, 'cause the cam came with a reliable warranty (she's based in Singapore anyway), a tabletop tripod, cleaning kit, 128 Compact Flash card, rechargeable batteries, and a neat camera bag! Basta, ang saya =D

Haven't baptized My Precious yet at any bar gig, but
the Sugarfree Mall Tour at SM North was a fun way to start. And this is one of the first celebrity pics taken by My Precious:


Jal waiting to sign fans' stuff at their autograph signing session

We were both so excited about our new toys. Jal even diligently surfed the net for sites that could teach him a bit more about Digital Photography. Check out the shots from Jal's A95:
http://www.photonski.com/jalski. As for me, I'll be posting gig pics at My Yahoo Photos soon...soon as I actually get to watch a gig, hehehe. So far, it's just the Sugarfree Mall Tour pa lang (the older pics are c/o of My Sinaunang Precious, the Canon A60). I also post non-gig stuff at my other Yahoo Photos account.

Saturday, January 22, 2005

In Loving Memory of the Fearless Exploits of the Bolo Brigade



A year after its independent release by Guilty Pleasure Records, Twisted Halo's first full-length album, "In Loving Memory of the Fearless Exploits of the Bolo Brigade" is, according to their website, "really out now".


This stunning album, which I consider to be one of my best buys for the year 2004, is now available at all major record outlets in Metro Manila and Northern Luzon, and, by next week, in Visayas and Mindanao as well.

Go get it. These may be the 16 tracks that would change your life. Or maybe not, hehehe. But still, Twisted Halo's Bolo Brigade is one intense ride that you gotta take.



Images taken from Indiefilipino.com
Please visit the band's website: TwistedHalo.com

Here's where the CDs will be available in Luzon:
Odyssey - Shoemart Record Bars - Tower/Music One - Astroplus - Astrovision
Others: Landmark, Music Plus R. Galleria, Music Wave Imus, Micky’s Uniwide Sucat, Micky’s Coastal

For a complete listing of outlets in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, check out the band's mailing list.

Monday, January 17, 2005

Can't get enough of...



Twisted Halo!
...my favorite band in the scene today! Yeah, I think I've mentioned that before... but anyway, it's worth repeating again and again and again...

Feeling ko nga sawa na si Andrew sa kakasama sa akin sa Halo gigs - Twisted Halo na naman? - hehehe :P


So there, caught these guys onstage just last January 11 at the RAID! anti-piracy gig at the UP Bahay ng Alumni. And then, two days later, at SM Megamall for the opening of a photoexhibit. Aaadiiik! Oh well...

Favorite Halo songs
- toss-up between Brad & Hiram, from their self-titled EP
- with My Happy Thoughts & Public Service Announcement, from the ...Bolo Brigade... album coming in 2nd place

Favorite Halo gigs that I've heard/seen
(I'm pretty sure I've missed a LOT of their gigs, being a hardcore Halo-convert since 2003 only, but anyway I'll mention some kick-ass gigs I've experienced so far)
- 2004 guestings on NU107's The First Show: haaangkuleeet!!! especially Joey & Monmon LOL!
- 9/18/04 Admit One @ Saguijo Makati: with Aia doing live backups on #36, what's not to love?!
- 9/06/04 Kwentuhan with Samapi @ Pisay Diliman: hehehe, siyempre gig namin 'to! ;)

I guess you can expect more Twisted Halo ravings roundhere soon :P


Hiram
from the Twisted Halo EP (c) 2001
the exquisite poetry's just half of it, you *gotta* listen to the song!

minsan pa, hagkan natin ang umaga...
at iwan ang gabing hiram nating dalwa...
kahit saglit, nilipad mo ako't inabot nating dalwa...
sabay ng pagluha, bumitaw na naman at umasa...
kung sakali... kung sakali...

minsan pa, hagkan natin ang umaga...
paraisong nakabinbin sa 'sang sulok ng dilim...
naghihintay ng muling pagdating... nag-aabang ng takipsilim...
umaasang mayat-maya'y nariyan at kasayaw ka...
kung sakali... kung sakali...

[insert lovely & powerful riffs & solos here]

Monday, January 03, 2005

Shame on Sham! Astig to 2b Orig! (ANTI-PIRACY Event)

Helping out a friend with promotions. This is worth checking out!

Visit the link please! (Click on the title of this entry!)