just want to share some of the things I've created for our band's myspace account.
if you have time, feel free to visit www.myspace.com/tracesofwarmusic.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Respect
Just finished eating adobo for my lunch. I still lack sleep. I arrived here in Bulacan around 4am.
Last night, we played at Center for Arts in Timog Avenue. We've been playing in this place for quite sometime now since our comeback early 2009. The place is a great spot for Manila's underground music scene and you can see gigs here almost every weekend. Truth be told, we had our fair share of fun and good times playing in this joint and some bad ones. But so far, last night's gig was that one night where in things really got ugly.
My bandmates arrived at the venue around 7pm to reserve a good position in the lineup for the said gig. You see, if you're not that familiar with the scene's usual gig set up, pretty much it is first come - first serve basis. Who ever comes in on the venue will be able to select their preferred position in the lineup. And as what we've experienced, there are productions that has 10 or more bands playing under one night. Imagine that! You'll start the gig around 9pm and you have 15 bands in your wing. This does not include bands with this "rockstar attitude". But let's not dwell on that. Believe me in as much as I want to lament on the scene's not-so-good traits, it seems it is quite pointless and that's not the point of this post.
Anyways,there were a number of bands that came in before my vocalist and drummer arrived at the venue and we were left with the option to select either number 2 (the earliest slot) or (if i am not mistaken) around number 8 or something past the 5th slot. To be honest with you,I'd rather have the latter slots if not for the long list of bands playing that night. I mean it is best to come in first rather than play with half of the audience either drunk or tired. We've been used to that set up so we just went with the second slot.
The gig started with a band named Peligro (Danger). They played their originals and gave the crowd a boost to start the gig. These guys are also from PUP, hailing from the University's College of Engineering. We came in next after them. We gave the crowd our own brand of 80's influenced Thrash Metal with a dose of Hardcore elements. I must say that we are the only band that played that brand of music. It was a great set except for the fact that our guitarist went off time on the bridge part of our song titled 4x4. Quite a great set. We were even acknowledged by some bands on the event recognizing the old thrash vibe that we gave them. We were followed by Death Metal act Legion and I must say that these guys are really great; both on and off stage. I was amazed by their bassist/ vocalist's Warwick Double Buck Corvette. It is actually one of my dream gears. After their set I got the chance to ask him how much was his Warwick bass.Just for future plans. Hahaha.
After that, Andrea Marie came in to play their own brand of Power Metal assault. After that Me,Clark (drummer) and Aboy (Vocals) went out to get some Gatorade on a local gas station and we got the chance to chit chat with Rad and guys of Bane. We are on the works of recording our songs and we asked them what would be their recommended studio for recording our demo CD. They recommended Earbender. We asked them about few details about how their recording process worked out and after that we decided to lock in on Earbender as our main option for recording.We actually asked and spoke with other friends from the scene about possible recording studios and most of them actually gave Earbender as their top suggestion.
After hanging out with some of the bands on the place (some I barely know. hahaha), We went in to try to watch other bands play. When we came in Grace of Brutality was already playing. They served the crowd with their ala-Slayer songs and their last song was Reign in Blood by Slayer which gave the crowd more than what they're asking for. After watching some bands playing their stuff; from hardcore, death metal, grindcore or even plain modern rock, it is quite neat to see that the underground scene is really healthy until.....
We were waiting for Dave's (our guitar player for Traces of War) side project Bersikulo (Verse) to play. They took their gear and tried setting up.It actually took them time to set up because their drummer was looking for a crash cymbal. But before Dave was able to get a hold of the microphone, a guy went up on stage and started asking Dave about some issues with the lineup; and he actually scolded Dave. And mind you, he did this with the mic on, with everyone to hear it. I hate to curse on this blog but that is total disrespect!!!! It seems that there were some issues with who was supposed to play next after grindcore act Gonnorhea Infection's set. You see this is another thing that pisses me off when you talk about the scene... the politics. It seems that Dave was told by one of the guys that handles the lineup that they were next. But this guy that went on stage and started to talk to Dave says that they have a different set of line up in their hand. Tough to see that Dave was humiliated that way. You do not need to show disrespect on other bands considering that this guy was not even an established figure in the scene ( I won't be mentioning this guys name in "respect" to him. ) Another point that I want to raise out is that this guy is not even one of the Production's head. It ended up with Bersikulo going down the stage and not playing. Total rubbish.
I spoke with Dave to encourage him and at the same time, advised him to not let others do that to his band. I even told him that if that was done while we, Traces of War is setting up on stage, things will be ugly.
I left the bar around near 3am if my memory serves me well and while walking on my way from Timog Avenue to Edsa, I felt really sorry for Bersikulo for what happened to them.
By the way, catch our myspace account; www.myspace.com/tracesofwarmusic for our next gigs and please keep posted! thanks!
Last night, we played at Center for Arts in Timog Avenue. We've been playing in this place for quite sometime now since our comeback early 2009. The place is a great spot for Manila's underground music scene and you can see gigs here almost every weekend. Truth be told, we had our fair share of fun and good times playing in this joint and some bad ones. But so far, last night's gig was that one night where in things really got ugly.
My bandmates arrived at the venue around 7pm to reserve a good position in the lineup for the said gig. You see, if you're not that familiar with the scene's usual gig set up, pretty much it is first come - first serve basis. Who ever comes in on the venue will be able to select their preferred position in the lineup. And as what we've experienced, there are productions that has 10 or more bands playing under one night. Imagine that! You'll start the gig around 9pm and you have 15 bands in your wing. This does not include bands with this "rockstar attitude". But let's not dwell on that. Believe me in as much as I want to lament on the scene's not-so-good traits, it seems it is quite pointless and that's not the point of this post.
Anyways,there were a number of bands that came in before my vocalist and drummer arrived at the venue and we were left with the option to select either number 2 (the earliest slot) or (if i am not mistaken) around number 8 or something past the 5th slot. To be honest with you,I'd rather have the latter slots if not for the long list of bands playing that night. I mean it is best to come in first rather than play with half of the audience either drunk or tired. We've been used to that set up so we just went with the second slot.
The gig started with a band named Peligro (Danger). They played their originals and gave the crowd a boost to start the gig. These guys are also from PUP, hailing from the University's College of Engineering. We came in next after them. We gave the crowd our own brand of 80's influenced Thrash Metal with a dose of Hardcore elements. I must say that we are the only band that played that brand of music. It was a great set except for the fact that our guitarist went off time on the bridge part of our song titled 4x4. Quite a great set. We were even acknowledged by some bands on the event recognizing the old thrash vibe that we gave them. We were followed by Death Metal act Legion and I must say that these guys are really great; both on and off stage. I was amazed by their bassist/ vocalist's Warwick Double Buck Corvette. It is actually one of my dream gears. After their set I got the chance to ask him how much was his Warwick bass.Just for future plans. Hahaha.
After that, Andrea Marie came in to play their own brand of Power Metal assault. After that Me,Clark (drummer) and Aboy (Vocals) went out to get some Gatorade on a local gas station and we got the chance to chit chat with Rad and guys of Bane. We are on the works of recording our songs and we asked them what would be their recommended studio for recording our demo CD. They recommended Earbender. We asked them about few details about how their recording process worked out and after that we decided to lock in on Earbender as our main option for recording.We actually asked and spoke with other friends from the scene about possible recording studios and most of them actually gave Earbender as their top suggestion.
After hanging out with some of the bands on the place (some I barely know. hahaha), We went in to try to watch other bands play. When we came in Grace of Brutality was already playing. They served the crowd with their ala-Slayer songs and their last song was Reign in Blood by Slayer which gave the crowd more than what they're asking for. After watching some bands playing their stuff; from hardcore, death metal, grindcore or even plain modern rock, it is quite neat to see that the underground scene is really healthy until.....
We were waiting for Dave's (our guitar player for Traces of War) side project Bersikulo (Verse) to play. They took their gear and tried setting up.It actually took them time to set up because their drummer was looking for a crash cymbal. But before Dave was able to get a hold of the microphone, a guy went up on stage and started asking Dave about some issues with the lineup; and he actually scolded Dave. And mind you, he did this with the mic on, with everyone to hear it. I hate to curse on this blog but that is total disrespect!!!! It seems that there were some issues with who was supposed to play next after grindcore act Gonnorhea Infection's set. You see this is another thing that pisses me off when you talk about the scene... the politics. It seems that Dave was told by one of the guys that handles the lineup that they were next. But this guy that went on stage and started to talk to Dave says that they have a different set of line up in their hand. Tough to see that Dave was humiliated that way. You do not need to show disrespect on other bands considering that this guy was not even an established figure in the scene ( I won't be mentioning this guys name in "respect" to him. ) Another point that I want to raise out is that this guy is not even one of the Production's head. It ended up with Bersikulo going down the stage and not playing. Total rubbish.
I spoke with Dave to encourage him and at the same time, advised him to not let others do that to his band. I even told him that if that was done while we, Traces of War is setting up on stage, things will be ugly.
I left the bar around near 3am if my memory serves me well and while walking on my way from Timog Avenue to Edsa, I felt really sorry for Bersikulo for what happened to them.
By the way, catch our myspace account; www.myspace.com/tracesofwarmusic for our next gigs and please keep posted! thanks!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Alloy
Lazy Tuesday for me....
This afternoon I had a chance to jam with my bandmates fpr my side project named Drive Under the Influence. They gave me a visit to try to hone and work on some songs that we have. After engaging ourselves in sisig, soda and a few strings we finished our session at least around late 4 in the afternoon.
I got the chance to blog in The Pit after watching a replay of this TV special from a local music channel here in the Philippines. It is a brief glimpse and exposure about the Filipino metal scene. It was originally aired, if my memory serves me well, around late May.
It was a great outlet to let a great number of viewers and musical enthusiasts to be informed, specially here in the country, that a Filipino underground metal scene does exists. And I must say quite an impressive thing this network did for having the balls to at least break out of the norm. This music channel is very popular for incessantly airing local and foreign pop music, so-called "OPM" music, and a number of shows that cater to the very welcoming idea of profit and rating.
The show basically highlighted interviews of some known and established metal acts and personalities here in the country. Some of which I had a chance to share the stage with or talk to. It features the metal scene in general from the perspective of those interviewed. It is great to know that the metal scene nowadays is amassing a great deal of exposure considering the misconception about the genre.
There were some great thoughts given by some musicians that was interviewed. I was actually delighted to hear this quoted line from a well-known drummer that plays technical death metal: "...dito sa Pilipinas din, di tayo pwede magclaim na purists dahil una sa lahat halos lahat ng klaseng music na tinutugtog natin eh galing Western" ( "...here in the Philippines, we cannot claim that we are purists; to begin with, most of the music that we are playing is western based.") -- makes a lot of sense to me. A number of statements were given; starting from the known origin of the metal scene, how it was back then, and the growing scene itself. I suggest you try to watch it probably on Youtube.
Anyways, there was this one line that got me thinking: " Metal means not being mediocre. Di pwedeng metal ka lang ngayon ... Metal is a lifestyle.".
I play metal and I love the genre and the lifestyle ever since I was first exposed to the whole thing. There is no doubt about it. I even can envision myself 30 years from now still listening to Slayer songs and hopefully playing with my current band (hehehe). But thing is that not the whole part of my musical persona is Metal. I have been playing in this scene for almost 5 years now and I must say that playing in this scene has it's ups and downs but the whole experience is great. But there is a part of me that asks for other things apart from the Black and Red.
I personally love other genres and I can proudly say that I do not only listen to Metal. Jazz, Blues, Alternative, Rock, even Pop. I listen because I embrace music as a whole. So with that being said, my question is this: Am I considered a poseur? Just because I do not attend to gigs in the scene that much, does that mean I am not Metal enough? Just because most of my friends are not metalheads, does that mean I do not belong? Just because I come in to bars and gigs not wearing black and your usual band shirt, does that take me out of the right to play? I guess not. And if you are not down with that, I guess I can say that I am not the one that should start thinking. I play music and I express myself in whatever outlet I have. Same with those that share the same argument. It is not about what is physically seen and what can be counted. It is the passion that shows your love for this music.
Sad to say, I have spoken with a number of guys in this so-called scene and most of them need to grow up.
For the scene I must can say that we, the new blood, are very lucky with the options and sources that we have and I have all out respect to those who paved the way. For whatever differences each of us has, I think it is best that we break the political barriers and stick to let the genre and the scene grow. Let us not dictate who has the right to be "in" the scene and who should be called the real deal. Respect.
No one is born with an iconic Jackson King V strapped around their body while raising a bottle of Black Label in their left hand and a pick in their right hand and wears a leather baby diaper and a King Diamond bib. Absurd.
It is great to know that musically you walk on a broad field and I usually say this everytime someone asks me about music: It is just a buffet table; pick those you like, leave the crappy ones that does not suit your taste.
This is not about me questioning my integrity and my image or whatever. This is about breaking misconception and barriers.
If you have time please visit us:
www.myspace.com/tracesofwar
This afternoon I had a chance to jam with my bandmates fpr my side project named Drive Under the Influence. They gave me a visit to try to hone and work on some songs that we have. After engaging ourselves in sisig, soda and a few strings we finished our session at least around late 4 in the afternoon.
I got the chance to blog in The Pit after watching a replay of this TV special from a local music channel here in the Philippines. It is a brief glimpse and exposure about the Filipino metal scene. It was originally aired, if my memory serves me well, around late May.
It was a great outlet to let a great number of viewers and musical enthusiasts to be informed, specially here in the country, that a Filipino underground metal scene does exists. And I must say quite an impressive thing this network did for having the balls to at least break out of the norm. This music channel is very popular for incessantly airing local and foreign pop music, so-called "OPM" music, and a number of shows that cater to the very welcoming idea of profit and rating.
The show basically highlighted interviews of some known and established metal acts and personalities here in the country. Some of which I had a chance to share the stage with or talk to. It features the metal scene in general from the perspective of those interviewed. It is great to know that the metal scene nowadays is amassing a great deal of exposure considering the misconception about the genre.
There were some great thoughts given by some musicians that was interviewed. I was actually delighted to hear this quoted line from a well-known drummer that plays technical death metal: "...dito sa Pilipinas din, di tayo pwede magclaim na purists dahil una sa lahat halos lahat ng klaseng music na tinutugtog natin eh galing Western" ( "...here in the Philippines, we cannot claim that we are purists; to begin with, most of the music that we are playing is western based.") -- makes a lot of sense to me. A number of statements were given; starting from the known origin of the metal scene, how it was back then, and the growing scene itself. I suggest you try to watch it probably on Youtube.
Anyways, there was this one line that got me thinking: " Metal means not being mediocre. Di pwedeng metal ka lang ngayon ... Metal is a lifestyle.".
I play metal and I love the genre and the lifestyle ever since I was first exposed to the whole thing. There is no doubt about it. I even can envision myself 30 years from now still listening to Slayer songs and hopefully playing with my current band (hehehe). But thing is that not the whole part of my musical persona is Metal. I have been playing in this scene for almost 5 years now and I must say that playing in this scene has it's ups and downs but the whole experience is great. But there is a part of me that asks for other things apart from the Black and Red.
I personally love other genres and I can proudly say that I do not only listen to Metal. Jazz, Blues, Alternative, Rock, even Pop. I listen because I embrace music as a whole. So with that being said, my question is this: Am I considered a poseur? Just because I do not attend to gigs in the scene that much, does that mean I am not Metal enough? Just because most of my friends are not metalheads, does that mean I do not belong? Just because I come in to bars and gigs not wearing black and your usual band shirt, does that take me out of the right to play? I guess not. And if you are not down with that, I guess I can say that I am not the one that should start thinking. I play music and I express myself in whatever outlet I have. Same with those that share the same argument. It is not about what is physically seen and what can be counted. It is the passion that shows your love for this music.
Sad to say, I have spoken with a number of guys in this so-called scene and most of them need to grow up.
For the scene I must can say that we, the new blood, are very lucky with the options and sources that we have and I have all out respect to those who paved the way. For whatever differences each of us has, I think it is best that we break the political barriers and stick to let the genre and the scene grow. Let us not dictate who has the right to be "in" the scene and who should be called the real deal. Respect.
No one is born with an iconic Jackson King V strapped around their body while raising a bottle of Black Label in their left hand and a pick in their right hand and wears a leather baby diaper and a King Diamond bib. Absurd.
It is great to know that musically you walk on a broad field and I usually say this everytime someone asks me about music: It is just a buffet table; pick those you like, leave the crappy ones that does not suit your taste.
This is not about me questioning my integrity and my image or whatever. This is about breaking misconception and barriers.
If you have time please visit us:
www.myspace.com/tracesofwar
Monday, August 24, 2009
Welcome to The Pit...
Hello there!
I just started blogging here in blogger.com to at least have an outlet for anything I have in mind and to also serve as my portal to my writing.
By the way, I am Calix Gualdrapa. I took up a Bachelor's degree in Advertising and Public Relations at Polytechnic University of the Philippines. I had a number of exposure on the field being able to adapt and learn pre-production, production and post production approach and technique while I was still taking up my studies with small projects and some case studies that we had. I can say that my forte falls in copy writing. Ever since I was in college, apart from graphic designing, production based works etc., I made it a point to focus on what I love which is writing. Not that I have a very in-depth knowledge in writing but I can confidently say that I trust my writing skills.
After graduation (2007), although I tried applying on some production houses and advertising agencies, Lady Luck never really blew her wishes down my way and so I have not received any phone call for possible job openings( also considering the tight competition in the field) so I ventured in the call center industry. My very first (actual) job experience is working for a call center as a Customer Service and Technical Support Representative in a large gaming console support team here in Manila. Less than a year I got promoted as Level 2, On-phone Supervisor in the position and I handled both Technical and Customer Support side. I decided to file a formal resignation on July 2, 2009. I decided to open another chapter of my life and sort out for bigger opportunities. I left the company in good terms and I took it as a great opportunity to boost up my confidence and my communication skills.
For my spare time, I enjoy writing, doodling in for some simple sketches and I also play bass guitar for a Metal band named Traces of War. I've been playing bass guitar for the band for almost 5 years now but I started to pick up the axe during the later years of my High School days. I think that playing is also a great way to extend out some feelings that I cannot imbue in writing or drawing. Gives me another road to express my inner thoughts.
Well enough for the formality. Ü I want you guys to at least enjoy reading on some of my thoughts and make this a very potent outlet to let you see what is inside The Pit....
I just started blogging here in blogger.com to at least have an outlet for anything I have in mind and to also serve as my portal to my writing.
By the way, I am Calix Gualdrapa. I took up a Bachelor's degree in Advertising and Public Relations at Polytechnic University of the Philippines. I had a number of exposure on the field being able to adapt and learn pre-production, production and post production approach and technique while I was still taking up my studies with small projects and some case studies that we had. I can say that my forte falls in copy writing. Ever since I was in college, apart from graphic designing, production based works etc., I made it a point to focus on what I love which is writing. Not that I have a very in-depth knowledge in writing but I can confidently say that I trust my writing skills.
After graduation (2007), although I tried applying on some production houses and advertising agencies, Lady Luck never really blew her wishes down my way and so I have not received any phone call for possible job openings( also considering the tight competition in the field) so I ventured in the call center industry. My very first (actual) job experience is working for a call center as a Customer Service and Technical Support Representative in a large gaming console support team here in Manila. Less than a year I got promoted as Level 2, On-phone Supervisor in the position and I handled both Technical and Customer Support side. I decided to file a formal resignation on July 2, 2009. I decided to open another chapter of my life and sort out for bigger opportunities. I left the company in good terms and I took it as a great opportunity to boost up my confidence and my communication skills.
For my spare time, I enjoy writing, doodling in for some simple sketches and I also play bass guitar for a Metal band named Traces of War. I've been playing bass guitar for the band for almost 5 years now but I started to pick up the axe during the later years of my High School days. I think that playing is also a great way to extend out some feelings that I cannot imbue in writing or drawing. Gives me another road to express my inner thoughts.
Well enough for the formality. Ü I want you guys to at least enjoy reading on some of my thoughts and make this a very potent outlet to let you see what is inside The Pit....
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