December 19, 2011

Truthfully its rare that you find fashion bloggers blogging about hardcore rock gigs. I’m one of those rare ones.

The moment you start to hear music that is strong enough to distort your necks with the sound of their instruments, yes, it isCURBSIDE PH. Congratulations to this Metal Rock Band for tonight they are launching their second Extended Playlist, I just had to purchase myself a copy.

I’ve grown to know each of them through out the year, More I’ve grown close to Chase, their drummer, and I can tell him just about almost anything. To Migs, Chase, Russ, Niko & Brent, congratulations! Watching you guys move so synchronized with your music is just as dynamically amazing. 

I can never find the right words to justify how legit their music is. As always, I stand up front nod my head, scream, jump, and get lost to rock and roll. It’s always such a high form of release. And just like previous Curbside performances, I stand beside my head banging buddy, Ling Lava of Lions & Acrobats. 

LIKE CURBSIDE PH on Facebook.

Photography was done by yours truly, hernameisandie.tumblr.com  

Last December 2010 was the first ever gig I attended, and it was also Curbside’s 1st  EP launch and now Im back here and their music just got even better. Curbside playing live is just so orgasmic to the ears. 

It’s been a long day, been a little stretched due to the ups and downs. Course Card Distribution during the morning, then we had to prepare the 8th floor for our FDM Christmas Party, then we had it till 7 in the evening. Since we didn’t want to end our day so short, Veronica, Ed, Lua & I drove around Malate in the hopes of finding a Comedy Bar. We didn’t find one, even around Roxas Boulevard area, so we just ended up having dinner at Mister Kebab. Then I’m here at Guijo.

This was my last night in Manila and I’m ending this awesome year here at this gig. Glad one of my closest friends, Migs Ferreras, was also there. This night and day has been a bit heavy on a specific aspect due to certain circumstances that led to certain situations. But all is ok now, so thank you everyone for awesome 2011!

Sept 8, 2011

It was surprising enough when I found out just a few days before this that one of my favorite CSB Bands will be saying goodbye. I didn’t know how to react when Nicole, their manager, randomly mentioned it to me on our way to ministop that Sept 8 will be their last gig. For a short span, I refused to believe it. After all, Good Morning High Fives is the first ever band I came to knew way back during my Frosh Years. It was because of their former Guitarist, Marco De Vera, that I got to know about this band. 

I’ll be writting extra on this blog post, allow me to express my thoughts and emotions on this disbanding because GMH5 has grown on me, even way before I started to attend CSB’s music scenes such as gigs. It means a lot to me, more so when it comes to Marco, who I used to be extremely close to. I miss you. And I’ll forever miss seeing Good Morning High Fives play live and the energy you guys bring. I won’t forget how it feels listening to your music. You have moved me and a thousand others.

To June, Joe an my Spiky Turtle; Luis, you guys will definitely be missed. 

Before all else, here are some of the bands that played before the curtains closed.
Photos by Andrea Javelosa & Nicole Sarmiento.

Lions & Acrobats

I never get tired of hearing them play. I know they’ve most likely played “Hanging on A Cliff Named IV Drip” ever since their first ever gig, but I never got tired of hearing this every gig. It’s in fact the first song I really look forward to hear every time they perform. They just keep playing it better and better every time they do so. The energy is still so alive. 

One of their latest  songs is called, “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing”, and I got goosebumps the first ever time I heard this song. Icoy will be doing some screams in this song and when I witnessed that first time, I was just blown away. It was surprising, something I didn’t expect from the Lions but it was Spectacular. Here’s my new favorite.

CURBSIDE

When Curbside performed, I really stood in the front row beside Pat from Mad Hatter Day and Ling from Lions & Acrobats. I didn’t mind being one of the boys there, it was such another good form of energy & tension release for me. I just had to bang my head more than the usual because Curbside playing live is just so orgasmic to the ears. And watching them move so dynamically is just as amazing. 

NINO AVENIDO

Nino, he’s the one who went to Bacolod with GMH5 to session in for Kevin. Nino’s a cool guy, despite his age he still gets along so well with us kids. He’s like an older brother to these guys already who they can look up to for some guidance. 

While we were watching Nino Avenido play, I sat beside Chase, Curbside’s drummer who’s one of my closest people here. I didn’t know he was so vain when it came to photographs on their band performing. He frequently has to check how he looks, and I jokingly said that its anyway rare for him to have photos because he is always the one being less photographed. Well he admitted it was true, because he’s most likely being covered by Migs, their vocalist. Oh Chase, I couldn’t stop laughing at him, because I enjoy teasing or frustrating him. 

PITIK

First time I ever heard this band play. The moment they started playing their instruments I found the intro a bit familar. When it got to the part where the vocals come it, I was right when I thought it was Taking Back Sunday’s Faith(When I Let You Down), and it really was. Brought me this wisp of breeze when I heard it. Such a good cover done by the band.

And btw, it was only this night I found out that Nicole’s(the band manager of GMH5, LAA & Curbside)  boyfriend was the vocalist of PITIK. Okay, random “showbiz” talk, just a fact I found cool.  

Monica & Humphrey. During the break between bands, I sat with Monica & Humphrey frequently outside. They’re such a sweet, cool and amazing couple and I mean it truthfully. You can see so much love in them even just by the way they tease each other with jokes. It’s a relationship I admire. Monica is just so sweet, kind and warm. She’s one of the nicest persons I know.

I met Humphrey during the same time I met Marco, GMH5’s former guitarist. It was way back in 2009 during my Frosh year and it was their 2nd year already. It was for Natural Science Class. I can still remember how we all looked, or how the classroom felt during those days. Im nostalgic now. And ever since then, Ive grown so close to the both of them. It came to a point when I’d hang down south with these two and others. 

Burger Machine at 2:30 in the morning with Earl. I had this strong feeling that I was feeling hungry and what a relief when I heard that Earl was going to get some Burger Machine. I just had to come with! I lover Burger Machine! 

GOOD MORNING HIGH FIVES T SHIRT that Ling was wearing.

THE RED NINJA FAMILY. This must have been such a significant moment in all these guys, especially to Nicole who manages these four very amazing and solid bands( LAA, GMH5, CURBSIDE & MAD HATTER DAY. This will be the last time these guys will be complete before GMH5 disbands. I can’t imagine how proud and happy these guys feel, must have been so amazing. From the 107’s of Curbside down to the 110’s of Mad Hatter Day; music lives!

The video presentation…

So they played those very memorable video clips that date way back. It was really nostalgic, though I haven’t known the band that long, you could still feel every bit of emotion of what everything was before. It was moving to see these videos that were once in real life and now their nothing but memories recorded on camera. 

They included videos of the band while they were on tour, such as those late night pranks they did around hotel rooms or Joe downing a bottle of vodka and then ending up dancing intensely. It was really funny, and those were really one of days that marked such significant moments. 

It was also touching to hear inspiring goodbye messages from different significant people. Most especially Marco’s; I got teary eyed the moment I saw his face and heard him talk on the video…I miss him so much…I really find it a tragedy that I never saw Marco play live with the band, not even once. I still remember how he called me up saying he quit last December 2010. I’ve grew really close to Marco, he was already a brother to me.

So that’s everyone paying attention to the video presentation. I obviously don’t have a copy of any of it, but anyway, here’s my trip down memory lane with Good Morning High Fives. They have marked moments in my existence too. They’re music has moved me and the friendship with them has been an awesome ride too.

April 2011, my photo with Luis, Joe & June. Took this right after we finished our interview for them for SDA Talent. Where is the article? Sadly, the tape we used to record this, fucked up. It was really devastating…But anyway, we’re still planning on something… It would have been such a full and entertaining video because these guys were really talking so well; it was probably the most enriching interview we did. The flow of words just went so well.

The Bacolod Gig. How can we ever forget about this night? This was when Lions & Acrobats along with GMH5 visited Bacolod last March 2011. It was really such a lively gig, the crowd was super active and welcoming. I myself felt the rush of energy and life that went through all of us that night. It was overwhelming. Here’s the blog post of it btw: http://hernameisandie.tumblr.com/post/4132973271/lions-acrobats-and-goodmorning-high-fives-im-in

The morning after the gig. This was the first time I met Nicole, their band manager. I used to be scared of her, I thought she was terrifying and strict, well she still is, but when you get to know her, she’s easy to get along with also. 

It was a bit surreal also, I used to hear the band name frequent before, I knew they were really good because a lot of people recognized them for their talent. And now I find it pretty awesome that im actually friends with them. It’s an honor to be around you guys. 

Luis a.k.a my Spiky Turtle.

He’s the closest to me from the band. I will never forget the first time I met Luis. Well, it was in the elevator and he had this backpack with really cool spikes, similar to this one:

So anyway, I was being the usual stubborn me; I didn’t know Luis, yet I was playing and poking backpack. I found it so entertaining and that is why I call him Spiky Turtle and he calls me Penguin. We were formally introduced by Jang, my Bacolod friend. Luis really has this very warm, friendly and interesting personality. I love you Turtle!!

So anyway, here is the Music video of SOUND by Good Morning High Fives.

Please do watch it, it is very pleasing to the ears and the eyes. Video editing was done so well, and as always, June, you looked so fabulous and attractive. I really love your style. Hands down to Ryan Cua for directing this along with his team.

Good Morning High Fives - Sound from hkNiu on Vimeo.

So for the very last time, let’s give it up for Good Morning High Fives.

This will be the last time I will be photographing this band. So I had to absorb everything I could during this night, it was their last and I will surely miss hearing them at gigs. I didn’t want to go out tonight, I just wanted to stay home but then again this was the LAST, I just had to go. They played so well, and I will always remember what it feels like to listen to their music.

To June, Joe, Kevin and my Spiky Turtle; Luis, you guys will definitely be missed.Thank you for bringing us everything that your music could.

August 5, 2010

It’s the day’s big event at the SDA Green Room; Ignite the Animo Vibe successfully rocked the building with it’s electrifying energy through music and fashion. My worlds collided that night with the two things I love and live for. 

Jensen Gomez was playing, so I’d definitely be there for the band I’m managing and aside from that, my other favorite bands were also performing such as Lions & Acrobats, Good Morning High Fives & Curbside PH. I’ll always be supports these guys because I believe in the music they create. Every time they play live, there is just so much life and energy going through me. 

And yes, thank you to Keneth Borja for inviting us! Looking forward to work with you again!

Mikee from LAA & Nicole. Nicole has been such a good help to me, for informing and teaching me the basics in managing bands. She manages GMH5, Curbside & recently Lions & Acrobats too. That’s hella amazing and now she’s taking up AB-PHOTO! Here’s her tumblr: http://neekelita.tumblr.com/

Jensen Gomez

Oh and yeah, Nicole was also hosting the show. great job!

Okay, this was really unexpected and uncalled for; I went to the backstage, to grab some of the free drinks and food provided for the band, managers and performers when I ran into Tina Carillo, designer of Rock & Roses(https://www.facebook.com/pages/RockandRoses/296181287410), asked me to model for the show! Well, it was Tina, I said yes. And it’s the third time I’ve done this for her and as always, I enjoy it.  

And along Rock and Roses was Luscious Closet(https://www.facebook.com/pages/Luscious-Closet/106897456046497) also by upper batchmen from our course, Fashion Design.

Luscious Closet and ROCK & ROSES FASHION SHOW

Okay, so here I come! I can’t help it but feel a wee-bit nervous before going out on the spotlight. Well hello, Im wearing this sheer-lace dress but what the hell. And it was pretty cool when the guys from the bands started cheering and screaming for my name, thanks guys! I clearly remember Oteph from LAA. I think it was the first time they’ve seen me ramp and they weren’t expecting me to be up there on stage.

Thanks to Mel Rono for taking the fashion show photos!

KAPNOBATAI

I think this shot of Rya is quite dramatic with the light. And the dude with the shades, that’s Mel Rono, the guy who took the fashion show photos. He was also doing the BTS shots when we were filming Jensen’s music video last June. Thanks Mel! Now its my turn to take your photo!

I was glad Migs Ferreras was able to help me out film some shots of the bands we could use for SDA Talent(http://sdatalent.tumblr.com). Thank you migs! You’re such an angel. Wish there was something I could have helped you with what you were going through this night. And yeah, Macoy dropped by to check out the bands play also and to make sure his buddy, Migs, was fine. 

LIONS & ACROBATS

I’d still like to say this again, these guys are the first ever CSB band I truly liked, and because of them I got myself more into the underground music of CSB. And yes, they were one of the first few reasons why I wanted to do SDA Talent. Infact, they were our first ever article & Interview. 

You could have found me by the corner, getting lost with the music. I just felt so damn alive with the music playing so lively. Truly Unexplainable.

Migs got a photo with Jensen! Migs was already a fan, so Im glad I was able to introduce them. 

CURBSIDE PH

Here come the Big Boys! I don’t know how to explain this, but Curbside is definitely Hardcore and intense. Everytime they go live, I can’t help but slip away with the beats and the intensity of the music. They’re so damn good. I can’t afford not to nod my head as they play. I stood at the back with the rest of the bands and just let the music roll! 

So yes, that was about it. I had no idea how much I missed all these. It’s been awhile since I’ve been to gigs and the feeling the music gives off is just priceless. I don’t know how to put into words or how to describe and make you understand how much energy and emotions it releases. 

Congratulations to the organizers of IGNITE: The Animo Vibe. It was surely a big hit and success!

Anyway, the night isn’t over, I still have Nico’s 19th birthday to attend and the night all we music junkies have been waiting for; KUWAGO’s Album Launch! Yeah tonight’s the night!