Pinoy rock scene not dead

MANILA, Philippines - Concerts promoting OPM  and band competitions benefiting less-known but talented acts are on the upswing once again. These campaigns sound good for the current local band scene which for the past few years are being counted out.  

The presence of Pinoy rock, with its hordes of fans that fill up big-arena concerts, is vital in creating an atmosphere favorable for OPM. Juan Dela Cruz Band started it all in the ’70s, then the Manila Sound period produced the likes of Hotdog and VST.

The ’90s is hailed as the Golden Age of Pinoy bands with the emergence of influential combos such as the Eraserheads, Rivermaya and Parokya Ni Edgar. Then a new wave of foreign-sounding and “emo” groups dominated the mid-2000s.

But then suddenly, revival tracks, R&B artists and solo acts came dominating again as bands crumble and new OPM songs on radio are becoming less and less heard. Bamboo, Sugarfee and Hale disbanded while Rivermaya and 6Cyclemind lost their famed frontmen. These fallouts were said to be mirroring the ailing local rock industry.

Thus, the series of free concerts titled Tunog Natin should be a welcome development in today’s current flow of things. Featuring an all-OPM repertoire performed by veterans and upstarts, the concert series is making waves for creating a healthy atmosphere for OPM’s cause. One of the recent stops was at the Avida Towers Centera site along Edsa cor. Reliance St. in Mandaluyong City, with Avida Land, Inc. as presenter.

“The success of Tunog Natin series proves that Filipino audiences are still into OPM. We need to focus our efforts into putting more OPM out there where audiences are able to hear and enjoy it,” said Avida Land marketing manager Tess Tatco.

Performers that night included now icons The Dawn and True Faith, and come-backing Barbie Almalbis and Kitchie Nadal. Project head-singer Myrus said, “The success of this endeavor is a good sign to continue the concert series and reach out to more people.”

Jack Daniel’s Philippines, through its global music program The JD Set, is training unsigned bands in improving their live and recording acts. It came up with its “Chosen Seven” which presently enjoys the program’s second phase dubbed “The JD Set 7 Tour.”

The seven groups picked and now going on a seven-month gig tour are Kelevra, Playphonics, Blue Boy Bites Back, Stories of Now, Mr. Bones & the Boneyard Circus, Jack Versus The Crab, and Paramita. The indie band caravan is touring around Metro Manila and selected provinces.

“That’s seven months of playing for fans and reaching out to new audiences. That’s seven months with a total of 18 events to campaign and become Jack’s No. 1!” said a representative from Jack Daniel’s.

The search for the liquor’s No. 1 indie band will include the help of music fans as they get to select the winner through on-ground and online voting (through Facebook, web partners like Odysseylive.net, Splintr.com and AtTheWomb.com). The chosen one will represent the country in the next Asia and the Pacific JD Set regional event.

Meanwhile, MCA Music, Inc., together with Jam 88.3 and Cushe footwear, has released a tribute album for The Dawn’s 25th anniversary. Named after its signature hit, Enveloped Ideas, the CD features the bands greatest tracks as interpreted by some of today’s topnotch indie bands such as Techy Romantics, Milk and Money, Playphonics and Rubberpool, among others. Included in the repertoire are popular songs like Love Will Set Us Free, Talaga Naman and Alam Ko, Alam N’yo.

“The Dawn reinvented the Philippine music scene, crossing genres to become one of the country’s premier bands,” stated the press release promoting the tribute album.   

Of course, in the concert scene, there are the more popular band events currently being promoted on TV commercials where marquee names in rock come together for loud fun. It looks like Pinoy Rock isn’t dead after all.