Betrayed all over again

It's a bitch to be Betrayed.
By a friend.. a lover.. by the government.
Except us, maybe.
Betrayed once again built up a wall of sound, shaking the foundations of Ten 02 Bar in the Scout-scout area, QC.
It was Goo's reunion, ably backed by a hard-groovin' Badburn, Piledriver, young guns SDK and Betrayed.
SDK tore up the air with newblood-energized fervor only a band of 17 year olds could muster at ease.


Until the Godfathers took over the stage. We hit the stage, set up with replacement bassist Mark imported from The Beauty Of Doubt (thanks uli Mark!), who stood in for our
recuperationg four-stringer Dennis Maniego, who underwent a double triple-bypass (that's SIX, not three!) less than a week before the gig, then literally blew up.
We yanked out "Punk Reigns" and
"Fluffer" in swifttime, just the way
we like it, with a renewed energy pent-up
over a couple of weeks.
It felt great to get loose and punk out.
I'm just glad I remembered to stretch before the set.





Out came "Urban Assault" and
"Never Meant To Be This Way."
We were so giddy that night,
everything was Ramone-ishly double speed.
No complaints.
From the crowd,
nor from us.
We let loose with "New Rose," then
"Never Again" in quick succession.
We even unveiled a new song "The Answer Is You"
from the upcoming, long-awaited, almost finished album.

We wrapped it up with "Betrayed By You."
Short n' sweet.
Can't wait for the next gig.

Some (dis)enchanted evening with Journey

I'll keep this as short n' as sweet as humanly possible,
for your sake and mine.

What a letdown.

Okay, now that I got that out of the way, allow me to remind you
that I am a big Journey fan; always have, always will be.
Though I thought this was to be, regardless of who fronted the band,
but after last Saturday, I must confess I doubt it. Highly.
I didn't become an overnight Journey fan, like most, because of their
ballads. My initial foray with the band was in 1979, with their album
Evolution. When you're 17, all this racket sounds so fresh, so powerful.
That's what Journey sounded like to me in '79. Loud Neal Schon-propelled
guitar slabs, skin-pounding power provided by (then) drummer Aynsley Dunbar,
and of course, the soaring vocals of one Steve Perry.
I know, I know, this sounds like a lead-in to a Steve vs. Arnel slant.
We'll get to that later..
Like I was saying, I'm a Journey fan because of their music.
Not because of soulful Steve, not because of Neal Schon's fifty-million-notes-per-bar
guitar solos (which I now find too bloated and constipated) but for the songs.. the music.
My point having been made, let's get to last Saturday night.

I got my tickets at the last minute.
I didn't even think we'd get to watch, but thanks to Papa John, who opted
not to watch (omen there somewhere), off we unwittingly went.
We missed the kickoff, coming in sometime while the band was doing "Lights."
Oooh, impressive. Something from Infinity, I thought.
Cool.
We hadn't had a bite to eat since lunch, so Summer and I
decided to chow on whatever overpriced food was available.
Overpriced hotdogs and watered down iced tea had to suffice.
"Tutugtugin kaya nila yung "Gimik?"" we joked to each other, seating ourselves
near the concessions.
Ran into Joshua of RT, said hi.
Also my old chum, Ed Satellite of the Pirate Satellite radio show.
Arnel Pineda was trying out every move in his Journey showmanship manual,
leaping spread-legged off Dean Castronovo's drum riser, and patronizingly pandering
to the locals with his "..Pilipinas!" laden banter.
It was Journey, but it was like watching a local band playing note-for-note
Journey songs.
Was it just me?
Maybe.
Just calling it as I saw it.
Too many new songs from Revelations, not enough old stuff for us old school fans.
My main bone to pick..
No "Girl Can't Help It.."
Okay, so they played "Still They Ride," good one. But..
no "I'll Be Alright Without You.."
Fine, they played "Open Arms.." of course they would.
It'd be mass edsa 3-like hysteria if they didn't. But..
no "Who's Crying Now.."
sure they played "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" with the familiar opening
synth lines sending the 80's era yups into a frenzy.
But the most unforgivable aspect of the night was..
NO "SEND HER MY LOVE!!!"
Is this a Journey concert or what???
After "Separate Ways," Summer and I decided it was time to for us
and Journey to go just that, leaving with the strains of "Faithfully"
wafting through the bay area sea air.
We were supposed to have hied off to the after party,
but decided to call it a night.
A (usual) midnight VTR v.o. call proved more important than anything else.
Might as well get something good out of this (dis)enchanting evening with Journey.
Don't get me wrong.
I still like Journey.
Their new stuff doesn't hold much water.
But I can always relish the old stuff.
I'll just skip the ballads when I put their CDs on.

Kiko R.I.P.

There's a small carinderia down the street where our office is in Makati. I've been frequenting the place come lunchtime, coz the food is good and it's cheap, compared to neighboring eateries. I just got up to pay a hefty meal, while pondering why most, if not all, such food joints, canteens and places of gastronomic satisfaction always serve guisadong mongo on a Friday,
when the din of commercials suddenly died on the nearby TV, cutting back to its host, who announced the passing of Francis Magalona, noontime today.

As I shook my head, quietly brooding with the bad news, my mind suddenly wandered to my radio days at GMA, where I first met Kiko. He'd hang out at LS almost every night, reading phoned-in greetings and freestyle rapping over instrumental
tracks we'd spin on the wheels of steel. We also played his first single "Loving You," an LS exclusive that also featured his wife, Pia. I also remember bumping into him at Broadway, where I did v.o. for GMA's then noontime show, where he jovially shook hands with me, pulling me to the backstage dressing room where he gave me a copy of his then new CD Rap Is Francism, much to my delighted surprise. Always with a ready smile, the guy was simple and down-to-earth, regardless of his fame and celeb stature.

I remember him with his band, Hardware Syndrome, composed mostly of musicians I knew from back then, tearing through material from Freeman. I remember Kiko once saying in a magazine article that he gauged his music by the ebb and flow of the current local trend; if the scene got light, he'd turn up the volume and heavy up the beat, and if it got heavy, he'd mellow out and chill. Aside from being the savvy singer/rapper/songwriter, he was always Pinoy-proud. Above everything else, for him, the Three Stars And The Sun came first.

It's futile to discourse on the why's and why-not's of his eventual passing. Instead, we should just go back to Kiko's true love, and that was his music. The words of wisdom he left us are indelibly etched into Pinoy music, and thus ours for the taking, should we choose to lend an ear and listen to what the Master Rapper had to say.

We're gonna miss Kiko.
We already do.
Even if we do envy him.
All told, I'm certain he's in a
better place than where we all are now.
Rest in peace, brotha.
Peace.

Doing Desiderata one better..

Tiyak ako na nabasa nyo na ito dati, o di kaya nadinig nyo ang himig ng awitin na binase dito. At any rate, I find it relevant advice and absolutely sound words of wisdom, for whoever, no matter whichway you take it. No matter how you slice and dice it, truer words were never spoken. Trust me.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’09..
If I could offer you only one tip for the future,
sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen
have been proved by scientists,
whereas the rest of my advice has
no basis more reliable than my own
meandering experience…
I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth.
Oh nevermind..
you will not understand
the power and beauty of your youth
until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years
you’ll look back at photos of yourself
and recall in a way you can’t grasp now
how much possibility lay before you
and how fabulous you really looked.
You’re not as fat as you imagine.
Don’t worry about the future.. nor worry.
But know that worrying is as effective as
trying to solve an algebra equation by
chewing bubblegum.
The real troubles in your life
are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind.
The kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you.
Sing.
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts.
Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don’t waste your time on jealousy.
Sometimes you’re ahead,
sometimes you’re behind.
The race is long, and in the end,
it’s only with yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive,
forget the insults.
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters,
throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know
what you want to do with your life.
The most interesting people I know
didn’t know at 22 what they
wanted to do with their lives.
Some of the most interesting
40 year olds I know still don’t.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t.
Maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t.
Maybe you’ll divorce at 40.
Maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…
what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either –
your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.
Enjoy your body.
Use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it,
or what other people think of it.
It’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.
Dance…
even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past
and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go,
but for the precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle
because the older you get, the more you need the people you
knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once,
but leave before it makes you hard.
Live in Northern California once,
but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths..
prices will rise,
politicians will philander,
you too will get old,
and when you do,
you’ll fantasize
that when you were young,
prices were reasonable,
politicians were noble
and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.
Don’t expect anyone else to support you.
Maybe you have a trust fund,
maybe you have a wealthy spouse;
but you never know when either one
might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40,
it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy,
but be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen…

NO WAVE! The new wave show that's not!

Something's cooking on RJ UNDERGROUND RADIO 105.9..
Ideas were thrown in, and a query from Mr. A, who handles RJUR's New Pinoy Rock N' Rhythm, became the catalyst to what is now 105.9's newest radio show.

NO WAVE.
It's a "new wave" show..
and then, it's not.
If you're expecting the typical,
run-of-the-mill, usual been-there-done-that chong fare,then you're in for a surprise. Like it says, it's the "new wave" show that's not.
And it isn't.
Sort of.

Okay, so some of the bands do ring a bell; and some don't. Most of them won't.
And that's a good thing.
While other stations play the usual downtrodden "new wave" back-in-the-day hits for those desperately playing catch-up, and some even try to play the unusual, but end up sounding like the dj and five or six of his friends, the same ones who provided the music for his show, get it, NO WAVE offers music we're certain you haven't heard of before. If you have.. good for you. If you haven't, then that's what NO WAVE is all about.
We might play something from, say, The Cure.. but don't expect your typical "Just Like Heaven"s or like some who like to consider themselves "cutting edge," your "Play For Today"s coz there's more to an artist than just their hit singles.

Without getting into too much detail, it's best you just lend an ear to NO WAVE. The roster of bands is endless, and so are the possibilities.
If you're sick and tired of hearing "new wave" and the label itself, then it's about time you listen to NO WAVE.

Catch it on the fly every Saturday night, 6PM.On RJ UNDERGROUND RADIO 105.9.

Jimmy Jam rides again!

It was a long hard climb, but it was certainly worth it!
Reminds me of an old Aerosmith song, Back In The Saddle, and rightfully so.
The Big Bad Jam Man is definitely back in the saddle, riding the airwaves once again.
And though it's not a daily gig, it's definitely much better.
Come the month of February, I shall begin working fulltime for the Rajah Broadcasting Corporation, also known as DZRJ-FM, better known as RJ 100.
I started small with the company, back in the tailend of August 2008, as a weekend DJ
for RJ Underground Radio 105.9, playing Classic Rock.
Things began picking up when RJ hosted the Super Sessions concert at the end of October of that year, where I volunteered to do voice over announcing, pro bono, for the event.
A task that did not go unnoticed.
Word came down that an opening at RJFM was available, and was asked if I was interested.
Was I.
With the new year came new opportunities.
What I thought would merely be a daily radio grind turned into a bigger and better opportunity.
So in a few days, February 1 to be exact, I shall commence responsibilities as RJ 100's new Program Director, coupled with pinch-hitting DJ duties, whenever any of the regular RJ jocks aren't around. Plus, my own weekend shows on Saturday and Sunday, whose schedule to be announced. Let's not forget my usual Sunday show over RJ Underground Radio 105.9, which I shall still be hosting in the evening.
Things couldn't get any better. Or can they?
Of course they can. I will be looking forward to it.
All told, it's a pretty good start for 2009.
I'm looking forward to be working for RJ, alongside such stellar company, like Station Manager and overall nice guy Ronnie De Asis, and of course, the Main Man, Ramon "RJ" Jacinto.
It's a privelege.. and an honor.
Mostly, I give thanks to the good Lord above, for once again, giving me a chance to share my talent with many people.
Hallelujah!

West Coast: Great grooves by any other name

I'm sure you've heard the songs before, most likely as part of the programming playlists of a once popular local FM radio station that made waves, set trends and changed the face of FM broadcasting and our discriminating Pop radio taste forever. Which one, go figure it out yourself, but should you know which I pertain to, then no further explanation is necessary.
Back to the songs.
Yes, you've heard them before. They were indeed staples of this particular radio station, so much so that hearing them elsewhere didn't quite jive, for some reason. Speaking of elsewhere, these songs, or more succinctly, the artists who recorded and performed these by-now classic Pop tunes are categorized quite differently; particularly in Japan.
The land of the rising sun has long been known for their technological savvy and product chutzpah. The same can be said about their musical taste. Discriminating, stylish even. And though they are a highly nationalistic people, with J-Pop lording their airwaves, they do not fail to acknowledge musical roots.

The music we've come to associate with this certain station is termed as West Coast & AOR, which stands for "Album Oriented Rock," while the West Coast term is derived from the music's obvious location of origin. So just what is West Coast AOR and which artists best comprise this coined category?

Like any computer-savvy individual, more so than not, you can find it on the Net, which is where you can go and check out numerous West Coast AOR-inspired websites, crammed with numerous Pop artists derivative of the tag.

If you've heard, enjoyed and loved the music of the likes of "Oh Lori" by the Alessi Brothers, Stephen Bishop's "Everybody Needs Love," the classic "Oh Girl" by Boy Meets Girl, Eric Carmen's subtle "Change Of Heart," or Bobby Caldwell's timeless "What You Won't Do For Love," maybe Chicago's "No Tell Lover" or "Tonight Tonight" by Bill Champlin, then you pretty much get the picture of what West Coast AOR is all about. This, and an entire myriad of music comprises West Coast AOR.

I like playing favorites, so here's a few that you might remember; if not, then you might want to check them out, and find out what you've been missing all these years.
Nicolette Larson - In The Nick Of Time (1979)
Released on the heels of her stellar self-titled debut featuring the Neil Young-penned rendition of "Lotta Love" that heralded in her fresh new brand of Pop, the succinctly titled In The Nick Of Time features her unforgettable duet with once-Doobie Bro Michael McDonald on the excellent "Let Me Go, Love."




Alessi - Long Time Friends (1981) Hoping to rejuvenate their floundering popularity, the brothers Alessi collaborate with then Pop tagteam to beat of producer Michael Omartian and star singer/songwriter Christopher Cross on their 1981 album Long Time Friends. Though the album failed to produce any semblance of a hit single, many songs on the album are simply lilting, like the one-two openers "Jagged Edge" and "You've Got The Way," as well as the soaring ballad "Forever," which features Cross on back-up vocals.






Boy Meets Girl - Boy Meets Girl (1985)
When you mention Boy Meets Girl, chances are the person you're talking to will mention their 1988 hit "Waiting For A Star To Fall." Little do they know that George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam had a 1985 hit in "Oh Girl." Chances are they didn't even know that that was their names, either. Nonetheless, "Oh Girl" is a timeless piece of 80's West Coast pop.






Bill Champlin - Runaway (1980)
Before he joined Chicago in 1984 and proceeded to kick Peter Cetera's ass in the vocals department, Bill Champlin began his solo career in the shadow of other more popular singer/songwriters, but managed to shine a light with his David Foster-aided tune "Tonight Tonight." Star producer Foster says that if you listen carefully to the very last line of the song, it is a musical figure he would utilize later in another song that eventually became a hit in itself. Can you guess which one?


Amy Holland - On Your Every Word (1983)
I credit The Source RJFM 100.3 back in the day in 1983 for giving Holland's sophomore effort the radio exposure this magnificent piece of music deserved. From start to finish, this album just soars. What with stellar musicians on the back-up, like drummers Mike Baird and the late, great Jeff Porcaro, vocalist David Pack, whom she duets with on "I Still Run To You,"
among others. Great buy.



Rupert Holmes - Partners In Crime (1980)
People can say what they want about Rupert, who isn't much of a singer, but the guys sure is a damn good songwriter. So the album's chockfull of Pop hits ("Escape The Pina Colada Song") and almost-hits (the wry sarcastic "Him" and the irony of "Answering Machine). But still, I say he's damn good singer/songwriter. Does it help to know that he also wrote the song "You've Got It All" by The Jets? Cool, huh?

Christopher Cross - Christopher (1979)
The blueprint by which West Coast AOR was formed?
Nah. But in 1979, it ran away with all the Grammy Awards, so the album must have done something right. Back in the day, I imagined Christopher Cross to be this slim, tanned blondish curlylocked mustachioed surfer-type dude who resembled the Camel cigarette dude (remember him?). After seeing Cross on Solid Gold, that changed everything. So much for images. Everything but my love of his music.
Personal faves: "Spinning," "The Light Is On" and the Eric Johnson-propelled "Minstrel Gigolo."

Frankie Bleu - Who's Foolin' Who? (1982)
Can't quite remember where I first heard of Frankie Bleu, but take it from me, the minute you hear it, you know you're home. Trust me on this.






Bill LaBounty - Bill Labounty (1982)
Michael Johnson's songwriting sparring partner (he penned Johnson's hit "This Night Won't Last Forever") who went on to deserved semi-fame on his own. This one's got all his best-loved stuff ("Look Who's Lonely Now," "Never Gonna Look Back" and the crossover staple "Livin' It Up"). Classic.

Marc Jordan - Blue Desert (1980)
No West Coast website would be complete without this gent.
His sound best defines the West Coast genre. Hailing from Canada, he moved to New York in the mid-to-late 70's and hooked up with hit Steely Dan producer Gary Katz and began making magic with his classic debut Mannequin and the concurrent hit "Marina Del Ray." In 1980, with the help of producer/guitarist Jay Graydon, released this album, featuring "Lost In The Hurrah," a personal favorite.

Nielsen Pearson - Blind Luck (1983)

Stellar singer/songwriting duo Reed Nielsen and Mark Pearson
front the band that carries their surnames, with a pride and non-
prejudice envied by many. Blind Luck is their sophomore effort,
preceding the equally robust eponymous debut where one may hear "If You Should Sail," which continues down the now-familiar N/P vein. It's amazing to hear the twosome's music grow with the times, incorporating synthesizers within their lush arrangements, without letting their sound get too "synth-poppy 80's-ish." Standout cuts are "Sentimental," "I Hear You Breathing," " Got Me Where You Want Me" and the excellent "Hasty Heart."
Kudos once again to The Source RJ100.3 for giving this album
its well-deserved airplay back in the day. A true West Coast classic.

These are just some of the better West Coast AOR titles, based on my own preferences and proclivities. But there's much more out there, which could fill this entry to the rafters, which I shall leave for your own self-discovery. Should these titles and other of similar sway catch your fancy, I suggest you check out http://westcoast-aor.ning.com/ an excellent online social network for more bands, musicians and supporters of everything West Coast AOR.
Cheers!