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The push for Pinoy indie

To represent PH in regional showcase

Photos by Francis Brew

Who’s got the pulse of the indie nation?

It’s a good bet JD on Stage has a piece of the action.

Over the past month, it has showcased independent rock artists in such high-profile venues as Publiko in Eastwood City and ‘70s Bistro in Quezon City.

The final Manila leg

Tonight, December 13, the fifth and final leg of the tour in Manila kicks off at Alphonse Bistro at the corner of Julia Vargas and Molave Sts in Pasig City.

The gig features Android 18, Steady Machine, Imelda, Antimano, Lions and Acrobats, Q-York, Flying Ipis, Circa,Trick6, farewell fair weather.

Show hosts Strike Back Attack promises an evening of indie rock of varied stripes from an indie super group to new-fangled grunge to hip-hop fueled rock assault.

On to the international stage

JD on Stage consists of scouting gigs where six independent production groups highlight at least 7 indie bands in six different venues.

The bar tour kicksstarts the search for another band to represent the Philippines at yet another Jack Daniel’s regional event abroad.

JD on Stage has actually been bringing Pinoy noise to the international stage since 2007 when JD’s Jack Mix Collaborations sponsored Cynthia Alexander together with Nyko Maca + Playground, to a regional concert in Hard Rock Singapore.

 

Smells like indie spirit

Early this year, Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus topped the JD Set battle of indie bands competition and the 7-piece group went on to a Jack Daniel’s regional musical showcase in Cambodia.

It’s fitting that Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus opened the launch of the latest JD on Stage tour in mid-October in Eastwood City.

Their brand of spirited steam-punk combining industrial metal and theater bared the teeth of true Pinoy indie spirit to a young audience.

Blues and hard rock

Kelevra played bruising blues rock lacing its love for 70s heavy rock with a punkish energy. It’s closer to the blues-based alternative rock of a new generation of American Southern sludge rockers than the yearning blues issuing out of Roadhouse Manila Bay or Backdoor in Q.C..

Every JD On Stage gig features a Cebu-based band and Faspitch fit the role on launch night.

The band, which already released an album in 2006, put out a cocktail mix of melodic hard rock and stop-and-start emo marked by occasional screams and howls.

Melodic side of indie

The third leg at ‘70s Bistro last November 15 featured the more melodic side of local indie.

The long-running outfit Ciudad turned out to be the night’s top attraction. Playing music that owed as much to the Eraserheads as to great pop-rockers like Cheap Trick, the band had a line of dancers in front throughout their 5-song set. For long-time fans, their knack for hummable tunes has remained undiminished all these years.

The three-piece Twin Lobsters was also a revelation playing fully formed rock which its frontman/lead guitarist described as “music to get laid to.” The music is at once familiar, proficiently done and full of verve with funk and new wave rhythms coloring the usual guitar-driven rock.

 

‘Streethood’ mentality

Apart from their name, Halik ni Gringo was a surprise package too, combining standard hardcore punk with a streethood mentality, what with the singer stripping to his shorts while shouting out what sounded like politically incorrect invectives.

They were the loudest of the evening’s 8-band package though not necessarily as loud as heavy metal bombs.

After the gig tonight in Pasig, the final stop will be at the Sinulog festival in January 2014.

 

The Cebu leg

At least 7 unsigned local bands will show their chops in a Jack Daniels appointed club in Cebu. A Manila-based band will be along for the ride.

From the various performances, the screening process starts to select the one who will represent the country in a Jack Daniels’ regional campaign in 2015.

Proceeds received from the gigs after November 15 will be given to calamity victims in the Visayas via Pinoytuner.