Falling in love with the Side A sound

There are bands and there are bands. But there is no doubt that Side A Band is one of the best bands in the land. And one of Side A Band’s most ardent fans comes all the way from Connecticut, USA. She’s none other than former ramp model and TV comedianne Bessie Badilla who, during her most recent visit to the Philippines (right before the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York), got hooked an this very popular group.

In Bessie’s most recent letter to me, she talks about the band members and how she fell head over heels in love with their music. Let me share her letter with you.

Dear Butch,

Last year, you teased me about my "addiction" to Zagu. You know, when I had to have that scrumptious shake with its sticky, chewy tapioca pearls every single day. This year, I acquired a different "addiction." Actually, I would call it more of an obsession.

It started when Bert de Leon and his drop-dead gorgeous wife Brenda invited me to Suburbia. Bert had this great idea on inviting Eat Bulaga’s Malou Choa Fagar and Poochie River for a mini-reunion of Kumpletos Recados, a pre-noontime game shows in the ’80s where we all worked together. I asked Bert to invite Aiza Seguerra as well. She was only three years old then and we did a portion in the show called Aiza’s Kiddie Corner. I wanted to see her now that she’s all grown up and had a hit CD. Word about the reunion reached the radar ears of comedic genius Allan K who said he wanted to meet me, ang Babaeng Bakla. Whew, I made sure I lived up to his expectations that night! Bruhang Allan ’yan! Napagod tuloy ako sa katatawa.

The supposedly mini-reunion grew to 32 people with the Kumpletos’ cast and crew, my siblings, friends, classmates and my daughter Blanca. Even sexy star Aya Medel who sat across us ended up joining our table toward the evening. Well, she couldn’t resist us kasi puro kami baliw.

With the star-studded line-up, I thought to myself, this would be one unforgettable evening. I had no idea there was yet another surprise waiting for me to experience at Suburbia... the country’s ultimate band... Side A!

It was my first time to hear and meet the band and I was instantly hooked! I was not yet familiar with their original hits, but they performed songs by Billy Joel, Aerosmith, Hotdog and even V&T & Co which made me stand up and dance with almost everyone following my lead! Ang kapal no! When Side A performed Santana’s Smooth, ay naku, hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko. I went up on stage and danced with Joey Generoso! I was not even tipsy, ha. Alam mo naman ako, hanggang iced tea lang ako.

The evening quieted down a bit, just a bit, when Side A requested Aiza to sing her hit single, Pagdating ng Panahon. I was so awed by Aiza and was so proud of her. She has remained simple unknown-to-earth in spite of the accolades a multi-platinum hit single can offer to a teenager. Bravo, Aiza!

When Aiza left the stage, the crowd started chanting AL-LAN-K, AL-LAN-K. Allan’s combination of comedic prowess and a full deep voice brought the house down. After only one number, I became an Allan K fan. I then relinquished my crown as Reyna ng mga Bakla to Allan who deserves it more than I do. O-DIVA?

My obsession with Side A began that evening. I went to see them almost every night when they performed at Suburbia and Dish. I memorized the lyrics of their original hits, pati na din ang mga sets nila! Imagine, I knew their songs in order?! Ano ba yan? Die hard fan talaga, ano?

This group is not a flash-in-the-pan band that might have a few hits and then disappear from the face of earth. This bands has staying power and has proven it. And I was lucky to have met the band members and see their other side.

Joey Benin, or Joey B, looks like a cute bespectacled teenager who happens to be Daddy to four small children! He looks sooo young. Ano kaya ang secret n’ya? Joey B is Side A’s bass guitarist, vocalist and has written the band’s biggest hit, Forevermore. He takes his Bible reading seriously. No wonder, he writes heart-warming love songs. No doubt, he gets a lot’s inspiration from his family and is guided by his strong faith.

Drummer Ernie Severino is considered to be the band’s most handsome member with his quiet and shy appeal. Sandali, did I say "quiet and shy"? Maybe on stage. Because offstage, Ernie can be very funny! He sees everything from his own "drummer’s" point of view and that’s everyone’s "behind" literally! I was not surprised to find out that Ernie has performed with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. Ernie is one true-seasoned musician.

Every band needs a leader, a thinker, a serious man like Naldy Gonzales. He plays keyboards, writes songs and is also a lead vocalist. Everyone fondly calls him Tatang. As musical director, he keeps everyone "in-line" during performances. Naldy comes from a family of artists. His Kuya Odie is a famous painter in Hawaii and brother Rodel is also a singer with the band, Second Wind. I got a chance to talk to Naldy a week before I left for Connecticut. Akala ko, he is the serious type. Kalog din pala kapag na-susian na.

After listening to Kelly Badon play and guitar for the first time, I was convinced his talent and style is of high caliber. I have added him to my list of all-time favorite guitarist — which includes the likes of Chuck Loeb, Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana. You may catch him making faces and crossing his eyes to make you laugh, but you can’t deny his talent. I still shake my head in amazement whenever I listen to Side A’s Platinum CD and hear Kelly’s guitar solos. Kelly is probably the band’s most approachable member. My former classmates, my daughter Blanca and I enjoyed listening to his crazy stories over a plastic cup of taho till 4 a.m.

Side A would not be complete without the distinct voice of Joey Generoso. Joey G is Side A’s crooner par excellence! Boy, can he SING! Even Martin Nievera professes that Joey is a great singer, Joey plays rhythm guitar and also writes songs for Side A. I am one of the thousands of fans who enjoy watching Joey G’s hip grinding moves. Ano ba ’yan? Daig akong gumiling. Pati na si Ricky Martin! Everything that Joey G does — whether he is playing the guitar, singing high notes with his eyes closed or moving and dancing to the beat only spells one thing: S-E-X-Y. Yup, that’s Joey G.

Aside from the members’ great talent and their numerous hits, the secret of Side A’s staying power is the ability to reach out to their fans. I have seen them greet their fans, sit with them and hang out with them-in-between sets. This band knows how to acknowledge the people that appreciate and enjoy their music. You can feel they are sincerely grateful to their fans for their loyalty and support for more than a decade. Side A is a band with a heart... A BIG HEART!

And so, Butch, please erase Zagu as my favorite addiction. That is SO very last year. Side A’s music is all I need to be with FOREVERMORE.