It was a time when the local Ska and Reggae scene was burgeoning with great music, Ska and reggae gigs were on almost every week, and the scene's veteran guards were playing together with young talents while new bands were bolstering the ranks.
Holding one night that would put together these bands was the stage that the 1st Manila Ska Festival hoped to achieve. The July 25, 2009 festival was PiliSkapinas' first major production, and it was such a hit that plans to make it a truly annual event were laid as the 1st Manila Ska Festival was closed. (do you want to look back at PiliSkapinas' review and photos of the 1st Manila Ska Festival? click here)
Our friends over at the PiliSkapinas blog, has this to say about last month's Moonhop! Snubnose reunion, which we ably supported. The return of Philippine skinhead reggae pioneers, Snubnose on stage.. was that the last time we'll ever hear from them? or are the boys up to something? Read all about it in the full article here. Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah!
Snubnose was one of the pioneering bands of the then Clubska Manila. The first time I watched them live was when they fronted for Put3Ska at the 70’s Bistro. It was at the same time that we were forming our own ska band that was to be Shuffle Union. At their peak, Snubnose was the ruffest skinhead reggae band around whose staple set also included tight renditions of 2Tone classics. Snubnose proved that Ska could be played with the same energy and drive at a time when most local Ska bands sported full brass sections. Snubnose was influential to me for both sharp wear and music.Their stint at Clubska was highlighted by their original songs, “Don’t Fool Around”, “Down On My Knees”, and “Highway 54”, that reflected their influences. Unfortunately, these songs never found their way in a record, would have been collector's gems!
And on September 27, PiliSkapinas will bring you back in time with MoonHop! A one
night only reunion of these Philippine skinhead reggae pioneers. It’s a great
feeling to share the stage with them once again! MoonHop! With original Angono rudeboys Neighbors, local
ska stalwarts Shuffle Union, Earthlings, The Monsoons, and Pink Cow, at Skarlet’s Jazz Kitchen, Sct Ybardolaza corner Timog Avenue,
Quezon City.
A week ago, I was in Legaspi, sprawled on a black sand shore beach at the foot(?) of Beautiful Mayon (redundant 'noy?), enjoying the clean water, awaiting the feast in a hut nearby.
Sounds like a vacation, partly it was. Manila SKA was in Legaspi City for a gig the day before, August 29th, dubbed "OUT ON THE STREETS Manila to Bicolandia Skannection", slated by Bisikleta Productions, PiliSKApinas, and of course the great ska folks of Legaspi through Ben, Lester, Dominique,and the rest of the gang. The Skafest was held at Bar101, at this building called Bichara Mall, filled with nice murals of old holywood movies.
August 28, 8PM, Ali Mall, Cubao, Quezon City: Met up with the boys of SMB, and assembled before boarding the bus that would carry us all the way to Bicol. August 29, 8AM, Naga City: Eating taho looking at Mt. Isarog at the horizon 930 AM: finally we reach Legaspi, with Mayon puffing smoke and ominously standing before us. You can never really feel how big this famous volcano is, until you behold it on site.
I remember the last time I was in Legaspi City, some 6 years back. It was for the Magayon Festival, where now ska icons, Put3Ska, performed at the Kapitolyo for 2 straight nights, I was a spectator/photographer, at that time I already had an inkling of how SKA already had a hold on our brothers from ska band Region 5 Beat, being a close observer of ska bands from the provinces.
But the crowd at Bar 101 that night really impressed me, seeing as how the music that we all love had set a firm foothold on the province, with delegations coming from all over Bicol, some as far as Naga, Guinobatan, Daraga, and of course host city Legaspi. Looking for a gig review yet? for the Manila contingent it was STEADYMOVINBEAT, and SHUFFLE UNION, and for the Bicolandia troop it was PUNK 'O DIE, DAMAGED SIDEWALKS, reggae act MUCHAS GRASSAS, and the best of Bicol ska, SKAMALIG, and STOLEN SHOTS. Exenadors (unapproved leave from work for some members), and Pink Cow (some problems with transportation) were not able to perform.
Shuffle Union had a rehearsal at the venue earlier for the horn section of Skamalig/Stolenshots who jammed with the band later that night, so we had to troop back to the hotel for some preparation. Returning to Bar 101, I was surprised to see, all these attendees dressed up in their best ska gear, and had this feeling that this night would surely be great.
The gig started early because the venue filled-up early (the huge Tanduay gig nearby notwithstanding, as we agreed with the organizers that they will attract a different crowd anyway, but I am still looking for the giant Buko beside the huge Tanduay bottle , Buko RUM!).
More... (Continued...)
(Photos: (1)Manila-Bicolandia Skannection!, (2)Weary but excited at a stopover in Naga, (3) Mt. Isarog viewed from Naga, (4)Mayon puffing smoke taken by Michael Ubales) for a related gig review at TRASHRADIOMANILA click here for photos at Shuffle Union's facebook page click here
It was the final stop of Shuffle Union's "INVINCIBLE Live Album Tour", a series of shows promoting Shuffle Union's latest release, "INVINCIBLE", and PiliSKApinas decided it was time to give tribute to the people who love ska...... the 1st MANILA SKA FESTIVAL!
It was gathering not only for the festival's performers, but it was a night specially dedicated to the followers and listeners, both old and new of the music we all love. And the night rekindled for the old the love that was introduced to the new set.
JC and Diana of Wooden Canvaswere on hand for the festival's side event, the special treat for all that was the photo gallery inside Wooden Canvas, displayed photos of the performers from different points in time (did you hear yourself say, "Ako yun ah!" while peeking at one of the photos?).
As the crowd swelled, HOPSKATCH warmed up with a few songs, and then proceeded with their set, Katong and his group, has definitely come a long way and their set was the first of the long list of performers. the 1st half of the festival appeared as though a reunion of SKAMAX bands when STEADYMOVINBEATtook the stage and gave the crowd a glimpse of things to come on the dancefloor. I personally enjoyed their original songs, specially "Corporate Fool," which are getting better and better; I hope to see a feature release of them very soon.
Up next was PINK COW, who played sans Francis as Life Without Francis with the UMBLE UNO Horny horns, they greeted the crowd with the demeanor characteristic of the band, as they played covers and originals to teh delight of the crowd. Afterwards, soaked in sweat, the people braced themselves for more dancing for the subsequent bands.
Oh by the way, Hil of Bisikleta Productions helped in the hosting duties, he was paired with a reluctant host wearing bennies and white shoes. Well placed was ROCKET PUNCH'sset, in-between the SKAMAX and Clubska alumni, the Global City Rudies really hit the people on the spot, with crowd favorites being part of their repertoire. Participating on a few of their songs were Renz , and suddenly it was OUT 4 LUNCH!, and Kaloy of SMB who sang "Banana."
The rain started to pour, but it wasn't enough to douse the heat that was coming from the aggregate of warm bodies already stationed on the dancefloor. Up next, MARCOS CRONIES, these guys can be considered as one of the more "senior" bands of the scene, and all the way from San Fernando, they delivered! These guys are great and are not showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon.
"Are you tired yet?" not by a longshot! The night was relatively young, and it was time for the night's hosts, SHUFFLE UNION to energize the dancefloor. In anticipation of the dancefest that was coming, the crowd that was there from the 1st band did not leave the dancefloor (im going to be using this noun for a couple more times before this review is through). Shuffle Union's set were part old and part new, playing song's from INVINCIBLE, and old originals that are characteristic of the band.
After a few songs, Noel of SKABECHE, and Melvin of Jeepney Joyride, joined in for a jam session that made for more dancing. Our thanks to Noel for coming down all the way from ska hotbed Bulacan that night. Mae and Jan, led the way when Mae exclaimed "Ang kantang ito ay ginawa para sa inyo" (This song was made for all of you), during the introduction, as the opening riff of "Dance With Me" played on, in recognition of the support.
Flashes of old? Maybe for the "older" segment of the performers, and the audience. Not to alienize the younger set, but I couldn't help but remember those old times, when my contemporares were young. Then JEEPNEY JOYRIDE took to the stage. Norman has a way with the audience, and this I have come to know a long time ago. Their original song, "Ayoko Na Sa Iyo," has a strong appeal. Biased? Yes I am, its a personal favorite.
COFFEE BREAK ISLANDwas on hand, and came next. A hardworking lot, CBI provided more fuel for the dancefloor, and played with fervor behind Paul's characteristic voice. Joining them later was Nomer (Shuffle Union) who donned the keyboards on the latter part of their set that featured a heavy dose of 2-tone favorites.
News was that bars and restaurants of CUBAO X ran out of beer and alcoholic drinks after 1AM? As this writer found out when I was trying to get some brews at Mogwai. Fuel for the dance maybe. Cheers! Fortunately a few enterprising souls prepped some mixed drinks for a minimal amount near the table where the INVINCIBLE cds were being sold.
Our unending gratitude to everyone who made this historic night possible, from WOODEN CANVAS, to PiliSKApinas, to Jam 88.3, to HOPSKATCH, STEADYMOVINBEAT, ROCKET PUNCH, PINK COW, MARCOS CRONIES, JEEPNEY JOYRIDE, COFFEE BREAK ISLAND, and to my bandmates from SHUFFLE UNION. But most specially, big cheers to everyone and all, to the audience, and to you! Yes you! See you at the next MANILA SKA FESTIVAL, we promise it will be a bigger and better one! This is for everyone who SKA and beyond!
*photo credits: Erick Cusa , for more of his photographs from the 1st MANILA SKA FESTIVAL click here
Maximum SKA is back! as part of the ongoing INVINCIBLE Live Album Tour, PiliSKApinas brings back SKAMAX! at 9 Mile this Saturday, July 4, featuring SKA bands coming from Bulacan, Laguna, and Manila.
Performers include TRICK or TREAT, PULIKATS, STEADYMOVINBEAT, UMBLE UNO, POSERO, TEMPORARY DISCONNECT, and SHUFFLE UNION.
March down to 9 Mile Bar located at Kalayaan Avenue, in Quezon City (beside New City Food House), support the tour and grab yourself a copy of Shuffle Union's "INVINCIBLE Live" cd, Entrance is absolutely FREE!
This is brought to you by PiliSKApinas In cooperation with Jam88.3 FM, Doobie Nights, and Pin-M-Down.
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